"I would like to play" a voice announced.
Everyone, both on the terrace and the grounds turned their heads to look at the one who announced that.
The Princess smiled as all eyes were on her now, including the werewolf.
"Princess, what are you saying?" the Empress frowned.
"I said I would like to play some archery, Your Majesty," she said.
"But why would you do that? There are lots of other games ladies like you can play" her father said.
"But Your Majesty," she wasn't backing down.
"You are the one who always says females need to learn how to protect themselves from danger when the situation arises. And as the Crown Princess and role model for all the females in the empire, I would like to take the first step of learning how to protect myself with arrows so other females can follow in my footsteps" the Princess declared.
Her father looked at her with astonishment and the people were looking amazed at her words.
The Princess really had a way with words.
"Well said, Princess. That is the best thing a Princess should do for her people, I'm glad you learned that without being told," her father, the King, smiled.
"But Your Majesty. What if she gets hurt? The wedding is just around the corner" the Empress was worried.
"Oh, don't worry, my Queen. After all, she is the daughter of the great warrior, me, of course. I have full faith in my daughter, she will come out unharmed" the King was confident in his daughter.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I wish all fathers were as understanding and supportive as you," the Princess bowed but on her face was a devious smirk.
She turned her gaze to the grounds and her eyes met the werewolf's. She winked at him which made him turn his face away and look down.
~Oh, I'm coming for you~ she thought slyly.
"Guards, escort the Princess to the grounds and ensure she is brought back safely," the King ordered.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Five guards chorused at once with bowed heads.
"Precelle, you can stay here," the Princess said.
"As you wish, Your Highness" Lady Precelle bowed.
The Princess went out of the terrace with the guards around her like a shield. When she got to the grounds, all the officials stood up and bowed to her.
"My Princess, I never thought I would see you on the grounds as long as I lived" Minister Torel took his niece's hand and placed a respectable kiss on it.
"Oh, dear uncle, times have changed and it's now time for the females to learn some skills to defend themselves," the Princess said as she walked down the grounds hand in hand with her uncle.
"I do not disagree with you one bit. I'm proud of you for that," the Minister said.
"I'm glad you do, dear uncle" the Princess smiled.
"What a pleasant morning, Your Highness" Earl Maneder came forward and kissed the Princess's hand.
"It sure is, Earl Maneder" the Princess smiled.
"Pleasant Morning, Princess" Lord Derke bowed.
"To you too, Lord Derke" she smiled.
"The morning steals upon the night, Melting the darkness. I'll say she looks as clear as morning roses newly washed with dew" Master Filen said with a serene expression.
"I suppose that's your way of greeting me and I would say to you too," the Princess muttered.
"No, it's from one of Shakespeare's wonderful quotes. When I saw you, it instantly came to my head, Princess" Master Filen said.
"I see. It's beautiful," the Princess smiled although she had no idea what he was talking about.
Her eyes wandered around the grounds as she pretended to be looking around but her eyes scanned the werewolf who was standing by the benches with his head bent down.
A smirk almost slipped from her lips but she held it back.
"So, who would do the honor of teaching our dear Princess the art of archery?" Minister Torel asked.
"Since I am the best in the field, it's a given that I show her the right way to shoot," Earl Maneder said.
"Do you mind, Princess?" the Minister asked.
"Of course not," she said.
"Get a bow" the Minister ordered and in less than a few seconds later, a guard brought a bow and handed it to the Princess.
Although it was awkward in her palms, she held it with a confident face.
As they were about to bring arrows, she held her hand out and stopped them.
Then she walked further into the grounds and towards the benches, where the werewolf stood.
"You there, get me an arrow" she ordered.
Without a second of hesitation, he took an arrow from the sling which was around his waist and handed it to her with a bowed head.
"Follow me," she ordered and turned around.
A huge smile was held back by the Princess when she heard his light footsteps from behind.
"Earl, I hope you will do a good job in teaching me," the Princess said.
"What are you talking about? When I'm done with you, you will be the best archer after me, don't you worry" the Earl smiled.
"Okay, now I want you to hold the bow straight with your arm extended forward"
The Princess was receiving lessons from Earl Maneder but her eyes were glued to the werewolf standing beside her with his head down.
She just couldn't figure out who he was. Last night, he was talking and even making jokes about her life like he was a free person.
But now, he had his head bowed in full submission and he looked to be meek and calm so what was his true face?
The sarcasm of yesterday or the meek of today?
The Princess was confused.
"And shoot!" the Princess let go of the arrow.
As soon as it landed on the target, all the officials stood up and applauded the Princess. The arrow landed just two lines away from the bull's eye.
"Amazing, Princess. You have a great teacher" Earl Maneder praised himself.
The Princess held her hand forth and the werewolf put another arrow in her hand but before he could remove it, the Princess grabbed his hand.
She used her fingers to caress his hand as the arrow was stuck between both of them. He didn't dare look up but she knew he had a flustered look on his face.
She then let go and took the arrow and placed it on the bow.
But a smile was on her lips as she moved her legs back in a subtle manner and when she felt the soft material of her dress, she pressed harder which made her fall back.
Before she could reach the ground, she felt a pair of arms on her waist which held her up. She didn't need to look up before she knew who it was.
She opened her jade-green eyes and just as expected, confusing honey orbs were staring down at her while her lips were in a perfect smirk.
~Ah, his hands against my body are so intoxicating~ the Princess sighed with a smile.
She even let her hand roam free to touch his chest and the werewolf got flustered again.
The Princess loved every moment of it.
"Princess, are you alright?" Earl Maneder quickly came and helped her up but she didn't stand until after she gave the werewolf a wink.
"Oh, I don't know what got into me" she held her head and pretended.
"Are you alright?" her uncle asked.
"Yes, I am. Thankfully, he caught me before I could fall," she referred to the werewolf and everyone's eyes fell on him.
"Apologize immediately for laying your filthy fingers on her!" her uncle kicked his shin which made him fall to the ground.
The werewolf looked up to the Princess and in his eyes, was fury which he held back with great success.
The Princess clenched her fists because all of a sudden, she felt angry that her uncle treated him in such a manner.
Yes, she did that on purpose but that doesn't mean she meant for him to be punished.
The Princess was now feeling guilty.
"Please forgive me for my mistake, Your Highness" the werewolf lowered his head to the ground and the Princess's eyes twitched.
"I-it's fine. Just don't repeat it" she said and turned her face away.
"Get out of here!" the Minister barked.
The werewolf stood up and went past the Princess but before he walked away, he turned his face to her, and in his eyes, were an indescribable expression.
The Princess didn't know what it was but it made her gulp in trepidation.
He turned and walked away.
Why did she feel that his eyes screamed revenge?
"You see, Princess. When one gets too cocky, they easily fall. Just because you scored a nice one on your first try, it doesn't mean you're the best" Earl Maneder said.
The pot calling the kettle black.
"You think so, Earl?" the Princess raised her eyebrows.
"Of course," he nodded. I
The Princess took the bow and an arrow from his sling. She then stretched her arms out but her eyes were on the Earl's face.
"How strange? That is exactly what I wanted to say to you," she let go of the arrow.
Everyone jumped up and ululated as the arrow which the Princess shot hit the bull's eye with great precision.
Not an inch far nor an inch near.
Earl Maneder gaped at the Princess who had a pleasant smile on her face.
"Thanks for the training" she dropped the bow on his hands and with that, she turned around and left the grounds, leaving a shocked Earl behind.
The Princess had been taught by her brother, Prince Kelle, years ago how to shoot an arrow.
He had taught her in secret because he knew he would get into trouble if anyone saw him teaching the perfect heir how to shoot an arrow.
Though it was a short lesson, the Princess learned it quickly and mastered the art of archery.
The Princess send a small smile to her brother, Prince Kelle, who was by the benches and he smirked.
The only reason she came down to the grounds was to see her cursed beast up front and now that she has done that, she must prepare for tomorrow.
Because tomorrow was bound to be fun.
~Ready or not, here I am, Handsome Werewolf~ the Princess thought amusingly.