Chapter 42 - Competition

I could not believe that he just did that, he was telling me so proudly that he had injured a person so that i could take its place.

"What, you don't believe me, my love. If you want I can injure the person competing with you too. So that you will win for sure. Hundred will definitely make you win the race and your archery is perfect, you will win that round easily."

"How do you know my archery is that good?" I was surprised, very few knew that I was good at archery. Though I had shown my skills in front of Josephine, I was sure she would not talk to her step brother about it.

"Is that even important. What is important is spending a good time together.. Since we are alone.. In this dark area.. Hmmm" he took a strand of my hair in his hands and sniffed it like a creep.

But that was my chance. I used my knee to hit him in between his legs. That jewel was already used enough, so it would not matter, even if it gets damaged. right?

His knees bent a little and his hands reached to cover the area. His eyes widened and he looked at me stunned as if he was not expecting that I would hurt him. So what was he expecting. I would wrap my arms around his waist. Delusional!

"I apologise, your royal highness. My knee just slipped." I said bowing a bit, but there was a smirk on my face.

"Now if you would excuse me, I still had a competition to win." With that I turned aside and left the stunned man there.

I must have spent a lot of time here so I needed to hurry. I saw the horse in the corner with the royal mark on its saddle. Since the prince is too tired to return anyway, I can borrow the horse, at least. He is the one who wants me to win anyway.

I walked towards the horse and jumped on it. It was also strong enough with a great speed in minutes I reached back to the competition ground.

Instead of going from the main area, I sneaked in by jumping the wall of the back area which landed me straight to the practice area of the first order of knights.

"I have looked everywhere, she is not here, leader." I heard the voice and I was sure they were talking about me.

"How could this be. Where could she go?" I heard my father speaking in a worried voice when I walked to them.

"I have done enough practice, I think I am ready for the competition now, father." I said bowing a bit with a confident smile.

"Abi, where were you? We all were looking for you." said father, as he walked towards me but his steps halted mid-way and he cleared his voice.

"I mean you should not go anywhere without informing the other knight." he said in a stricter tone this time and i nodded.

"I was in the back area all the time. I was practicing father.`` I said and his brows furrowed as he looked at the knight who was searching for me.

I did not want to lie, but I was sure he would ask me where I was when we would be alone, and it would be very difficult to explain then.

"But i have looked everywhere, commandant" she tried to explain but she was looking confused too.

"It's fine. Since you both are here now, go to the main ground. The round of archery would start in a few minutes." he ordered and we both bowed.

"Where were you, I did not see you in the practice ground for sure" she asked me when we crossed the door and walked towards the main ground.

"Oh, I was there all the time. Except for a few minutes when i went to relieve myself, '' I said with a shy smile. Yes, in this time even going to the powder room was something to be embarrassed about.

She gave me an understanding smile, and patterned my shoulders.

When we reached the ground, the announcements started. We took our positions on the number marked for us. All the other competitors were already there but what caught my eyes was the man sitting on the centre of the stage. He had that same lazy look on his face. His eyes were droopy, almost closed, and he yawned. His one hand was on the table by which he was holding his chin. He was looking very tired and bored. But the question was, since I had taken his horse, how did he even reach there, if not before me, then at least at the same time.

His eyes met mine and a blonde smile on his face and he winked at me with a flying kiss.

The girls erupted in a loud scream when he passed the flying kick and I wonder if we have gathered here for knights, competition or to see him flirting around. Only God knows what was so good in him except his face and powers he received by birth.

My father walked and took his seat on the stage. He looked at me and gave me a look that told me you are supposed to lose and I bowed my face.

'I apologise father, but i have to win the competition for all of us'