Chapter 14: Archery Lesson

From the balcony of the Crown Prince's palace, Iria was watching the Crown Prince who practised alone after his friend left. Rion was also standing next to her.

"He has a firm aim and stable hands." The Commander commented and looked at Rion. "Prince Morin said that in this whole kingdom, the Crown Prince is the best at archery."

"I often chat with the other guards," Rion said to his Commander. "When it comes to swordsmanship and all other skills, no one could beat the Crown Prince. Have you heard about the annual tournament which will soon take place?"

Iria nodded and Rion continued by saying, "The Crown Prince first participated 4 years ago when he was 18. Since then, he always won the tournament."

It was a standing rule of Qalagon that only 18 years old and above could participate in the tournament.

"It's not unexpected," Iria remarked. "After all, he is that Commander who made us suffer a huge loss a year ago. Besides, he is the Commander of the Royal Army. Here in Qalagon, the Royal Army are the best."

"But in Jerivia, we are the best," Rion said with a satisfying smile.

"People may say that but... not us. If a subject is too powerful and celebrated, the throne will feel the pressure." Iria muttered, turning back to the training ground where the Crown Prince's stand.

"I will remember that." Rion promptly said.

Iria slightly smiled and turn around. "Let's go."

"Where?" Rion confusedly asked.

"To the training ground. Now that we can't leave often, it would be good to practice a bit." The Commander simply said.

Rion raised a brow. Won't that put her at risk of exposure? However, he noticed that his Commander had already walked away and he had no choice but to follow her immediately.

While Arin Helev was very concentrated on aiming at the target, he lost focus when he saw his wife making her way to him. He lowered his bow and turned in her direction. "What brings you here, Crown Princess?"

Iria maintained her pace and halted when she was about two steps away. "This is a training ground, Your Highness." She took a bow which was placed on the table. "Why else would I be here?"

Narrowing his eyes at the bow on her hand, Arin took an arrow and gave it to her. "I don't know that the Crown Princess is interested in these skills."

Iria accepted the arrow and slightly smiled. She observed the bow she picked and pulled the string to test it. "Those two young men from the feast got some points right. It's true that the most capable warrior of my kingdom is the masked commander."

"Why are you saying that now?" Arin asked with a bit of confusion.

Iria turned to the Crown Prince and lowered her bow. "The masked commander is a friend whom I grew up with and I learned many things with her." She lifted her bow and added, "Including this."

The real Princess Iria indeed used to learn with her but... the former wasn't that talented. However, the Qalagons had no idea about this. All Commander Iria wanted was to be able to practice from time to time.

Crown Prince Arin nodded at her words. "That's great. There always comes a day when such skills are useful."

Iria turned to the target and aimed it. She still wears the gloves all the time not to draw suspicions and no one ever questioned her, not even the Crown Prince.

After cautiously aiming at the target for a while, she finally released the arrow. The arrow missed the bulls-eye in a few centimetres.

Rion wasn't used to seeing such a missed target, especially from the Commander. However, he understood that she was missing it on purpose. What's more, she never needs that much time to take an aim.

Iria glanced at the target for a while and then finally turned to the Crown Prince. "When I watch you practice, you make it look so easy to hit the target. Maybe I was wrong."

Crown Prince Arin's eyes trailed to the target and then to Iria's bow. "You did pretty well, Crown Princess. Why don't you try it again?"

"Alright." Iria simply said and took an aim again.

Just when she was about to release the arrow, the Crown Prince stood next to her and adjust it for her. "If you aim it a bit to the left, you will be able to get a perfect score."

When Iria deliberately struggled, Arin covered her hands with his and adjusted for her. This gesture made Iria's eyes widened in the slightest bit. She didn't focus on the target anymore but the Crown Prince who was standing this near to him for the first time! Of course, what filled her heart was wariness. After all, she was a fake.

Having no idea of what crossed Iria's mind, Arin released the arrow and perfectly hit the target. He turned to Iria with a little smile but... she was narrowing her eyes and she seemed to be in a shock. What happened?

"Are you alright?" He promptly asked her.

At his voice, Iria quickly snapped out. "I'm fine." She muttered and turned to the target. "You're great, Crown Prince."

"Practice is all that needed. If you are interested in archery, then you can come here and practised whenever you like. It would be useful for you too." The Crown Prince calmly said.

"Thank you." Iria briefly glanced at Rion who seemed to be flustered and she quickly turned back to the Crown Prince again.

"You're welcome," Arin said and nodded to Antony who was standing a few steps away. "I still have something to do, so I'll meet you at dinner." By this time, Antony was already standing beside him and the two walked away.

"What do you think of the Crown Princess archery skills?" Arin Helev said to Antony after they walked a few steps.

"For someone who didn't receive proper training, it's not bad." Antony simply replied without much thought.

"Is that so?" Arin said as he suddenly halted. Turning around, he glanced at Iria who was currently taking an aim. Antony followed suit, dumbfounded.

When Iria released the arrow, the Crown Prince lips curved into a subtle smile. Then he turned around and started walking again.....