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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: The Archery Tournament
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As if it had known there was going to be archery, the weekend weather was perfect.
There was a slight breeze, but not enough to keep them from holding the contest outdoors.
By afternoon, the knights from House Hadellus and the imperial dispatched knights had gathered at the training grounds.
Once the spectators arrived too, the grounds buzzed with excited chatter.
The competitors took the field one after another.
Duke Essel appeared in a red uniform, Grand Duke Hadellus in black.
Just as their starkly contrasting figures nearly drew a laugh from me, I snorted at the sight of Akid coming up behind them.
His black hair gleamed blue in the sunlight, swaying gently in the light wind. The pale gray eyes beneath held a fierce determination to win.
And that was not all. The black uniform, matched to his father's, looked perfectly natural on him despite his youth. He had his tall stature and solid build to thank for that, compared to his peers.
'Good lord, how does a black uniform suit him so well!'
I could feel the painters beside me furiously at work. All three had been contracted exclusively to paint Akid today.
'This is what I saved up for.'
I gazed contentedly at the painters capturing Akid in all his glory.
There was still some debt left from Roena's days, but that could be paid off gradually.
For now, it was my duty to preserve that national-treasure-level sight of his in paint and spread it far and wide.
I was grinning ear to ear at Akid when the crowd suddenly stirred. Someone in a white uniform had calmly joined the lineup.
'Mother-in-law?'
I rubbed my eyes, thinking I must have seen wrong, but Elena was still there.
She strode in wearing a white uniform, her hair tied up high, carrying a bow nearly as big as she was. As I gawked in surprise, Shuri spoke up.
"Her Grace the Grand Duchess has enjoyed archery since childhood, they say. Back when she was at her peak, no man could match her."
"No way, really?"
"Yes. And I heard..."
Shuri hesitated as she leaned in to whisper in my ear.
"The rumor is she got good by tying up people she didn't like and practicing by putting apples on their heads..."
Shuri trailed off with a cough and stepped back.
She didn't forget to press a finger to her lips, signaling me to keep quiet.
'Mother-in-law, you were one scary lady.'
Well, she had been called "the Mad Dog of Heint," after all. I hadn't seen her true colors yet, but it made my manners all the more deferential.
I had just pictured someone tied to a tree with an apple on their head.
That was when I felt eyes on me. Looking up, Akid was staring right at me. Our gazes met, and he flashed a grin while pointing to his wrist. The handkerchief I'd given him was neatly tied there.
'Eek!'
I clutched my heart, struck without warning.
That handkerchief was my first tribute. I'd been waiting for a chance to offer one, and with the contest coming up, it seemed perfect.
For him to show it off like this...
Overwhelmed, I patted my perfectly dry eyes with my fingertips.
Then I shot a look at the painters, silently commanding them to capture that proud, bright, shy, cute, utterly lovable pose.
Their brushes flew once more, and I rested my chin in my hand, focusing on Akid.
Satisfied that I could fangirl so openly, win or lose.
Akid stared tensely at the target. The moment the wind died down, thwip!—the arrow flew and struck dead center.
Relieved at such a strong start, he turned to see the Grand Duchess coming up next. Their eyes met.
"Not bad."
A curt remark, but it widened Akid's eyes in surprise. She had spoken to him first.
"Thank you."
His voice came out polite on instinct, and Elena's brow twitched. Seeming displeased, Akid hurried off.
Meanwhile, Elena stared at Akid as he scurried away.
'Am I that scary?'
He had vanished before she could say more. Feeling a bit awkward, Elena shrugged.
It was strange. She had never cared what the young lord and lady got up to before.
Now, his flinching made her a little curious.
Elena raised her bow and fixed on the target. Moments later, the arrow hit true. She exhaled softly and turned.
Damian, waiting behind her, approached.
"Don't push yourself too hard."
His face was grim. The uncharacteristic worry drew a jab from Elena.
"Since when do you worry about me?"
Damian grabbed her left arm.
"Not something to say with your arm shaking like that."
"..."
"Keep it light. Forfeit if you can."
His tone was more earnest than mocking. The pressure of his grip steadied her trembling fingers.
Elena stared at her arm in his hand. Knowing what he meant, she slapped it away.
"Don't pretend to care now. It's annoying."
"..."
"I'm fine. You shouldn't cry if you lose—give it your all, right?"
Anger surging, Elena glared at Damian.
"And you're the last one to tell me that."
Who did I get hurt for?
She muttered under her breath, and Damian fell silent. A moment later, he shrugged with a flippant grin, as if he had never worried.
"I just don't fancy beating someone who's not at full strength."
"Ugh, you're the worst. I wish you'd just drop dead."
Elena scowled and shoved his shoulder hard before storming off.
Damian rubbed the spot. His face now coldly impassive, he loosed an arrow at the target—off center.
He continued shooting just off enough after that. As if deliberately tanking his score.
"Lord Akid, great job out there!"
I handed him a towel and water, and he sheepishly scratched the back of his head.
His expression said he wasn't thrilled with the results. He mumbled glumly.
"Sorry. I didn't win."
"What? What are you talking about? Eight out of ten dead center!"
I bounced excitedly, and Akid blinked at me.
"But I promised to win for you..."
His long lashes trembled pitifully. They fluttered like butterfly wings, fanning my heart.
What was I to do with this boy?
He seemed extra disappointed because of the handkerchief and my cheers.
But he had truly "lost but fought well." Hardly a loss at all—he took second after Duke Essel.
Grand Duke Hadellus seemed off form, barely grazing the center for partial points.
Even Elena, who led early, faltered late with stamina issues and misses.
Duke Essel won with nine out of ten; Akid was second. I was surprised at the Grand Duke's poor showing.
He'd boasted plenty, only to come last. I'd tease him good later.
"You were plenty cool and fought great. I've never even held a bow—it looked amazing to me."
I beamed and subtly wiped his sweat for him.
Akid flinched but didn't pull away. He fiddled with the water bottle instead.
After a moment, he stared at me and asked softly.
"Want me to teach you sometime?"
"Huh?"
I was startled by his suddenly bright, eager eyes. That pale gray gaze pinned me, making me tense.
As I gaped, Akid dropped his head, his eyes dimming to plain gray.
"Don't want to? Well, Father or the other knights might be better..."
"N-no! Teach me, please!"
Pity struck me, and I yelped before I knew it. Passing knights glanced our way.
Embarrassed, my eyes darted. Then Akid smiled dazzlingly.
"Sure. I'd love to."
Hmm, what?
That sunny grin was worlds from the heartbreaking look seconds ago.
What was with the whiplash? Had I just fallen for Akid's playfulness?
Stunned, I stared—then spotted the Grand Duchess storming off in the distance, face like thunder.
She'd even flung her quiver aside. Not just angry—furious.
'What happened?'
I sneaked a peek at the Grand Duke. His face was dark too.
