I left the Royal Library in a dash without even glancing at his way. I don't wish to speak or stay close to him.
Not knowing what else to do, I heard a commotion not far from the library. I followed the source of the noises, and surprisingly it led to the training ground. A massive training ground at the back of the guards quarters and the noises of the clacking of crashing swords showed how serious the training was.
I headed to the training ground with full curiosity after dismissing all the ladies and maids. I do need to hone my rusted skill of arrows and bow. The last time I held my bow was when I was ten or eleven years old. I self-taught myself for protection from the beast inside the jungle. Every summer, when the other children return from their school, they will seek me out and bring me to the edge of the village before gathering around with new ways of attempting to make me cry. That was not the worst of all. Whenever their attempt fails, they start to hit, kick and punch my body for being high and smug. I have to stay alone in the jungle to hide my bruises from Ah Ma. The bullying ceased until two or three of the children were sent to the faraway city for high school. Also, to gain back my stamina and energy. I need to be prepared well.
"Good day, Your Highness." One of the knights, aware of my presence before the rest of the guards and chief master, greets me in high spirits. I waved at them to let them back to their training.
At one corner of the training field, rundown shooting targets were sitting on the ground, collecting dust.
"What brings you to the training ground, your highness?" an unfamiliar huge body came to me from behind. These ancient people did have a great gene of body build, and height still makes me nervous. "If I may be your assistance during this surprising visit?"
"There," I pointed at the piled-up target board made of straws. "What happened?"
He scratches his head at the insightful piles. "We'll get it cleaned up."
"What?" I was surprised at his remark. "No. Don't you even dare to touch it!"
At that, my voice raised without warning and alerted the other people on the ground. Slowly, the crowd begins to gather around behind the flustered man standing right in front of me. The murmuring of noises in the background starts to make me uneasy.
"Hey, Donic," one of the men shouted out. "What's going on?"
"I'm not sure, myself." he frowned at me while replying to his friend. "Her grace wants to take those piles of junk." Shouts of laughter broke through the air. My face flushed at their mocking.
I wasn't sure how to say what I wanted, but suddenly a familiar rope caught my eyes, and I brightened up. "Hey, you!" I pointed at the big man with long beards. "Aye, you with the messy beards. Lent me your leather belt."
The spectators make way for the man to confront me with his belly leather belt. I nodded in his finger's direction. 'Perfect.' I nearly leapt with excitement when I finished testing the leather piece. Thanks to the earlier dispersing, the crowds begin to sideline as I give instructions to the first man I spoke with. He placed the disposed target dummy in a standing position while I searched for the size of the ideal pebbles for my slingshot. Three pebbles should suffice to shut their laughter off their face.
I never missed any shot before, and hopefully, this time too will show off my skills. I filled the first pebble inside a cleave I made earlier, and with some adjustment to the pebble's weight, the distance of the target, the first swing, second swing and third, I swiftly shot off the pebble, and it hit its marks on the target dummy. 'Whoosh!'
Nobody made any noise, but their jaw dropped with surprise.
"Well done, Lady Coriane!" the voice from the far coming closer to the training ground. The striking bright sun above blocking the sight of the man approaching. I had to squint to see, and my palm was shading the sunlight. "How did you do that?"
I turned away with embarrassment as I finally got the identity of the man. Ephraim. I ignored him and got back to the crowd. I don't need him to tell me how skilful I am. I was still puzzled that they don't know the use of the skill.
Well, I get it. They don't even hunt animals for food nor fishing at all. Most of the food was more or less only vegetables and fruits. Having meat is like a luxury item that only the imperial family, highest nobles and some common nobles could possess. Some of it goes to the imperial guards, knights and chief masters. It goes without saying that the distribution depends on the post they get in the palace and the level of importance in the rank of the royal guards unless you get it through the back door—the black market.
"They normally don't kill someone for fun." He stands beside me and oversees the crowd returning to their training. Some gathered to start their mocking fight without weapons, more like a sumo fight of Japanese people.
"Then why practice with the swords?" It was not easy to wield a sword that big and heavy, only to hang it on the side of their waist like a decoration.
"It's more to protect the royal emperor and its imperial family." He explained. "Being a guardian of the door is always at risk of being killed. It is their honour to protect the guardian and its family when the time comes."
I overheard rumours a few weeks before about a conspiracy. And I seek brother Jacob's wisdom on that matter. His reaction only confirmed the possibility. He worried for Coriane. He can't let anything happen to his little sister.
As of that moment, it gets to me that all these guards and knights are only practising close combat. Nothing about long-distance combat. Maybe they need to learn the basics and master it later can be much helpful to reduce the casualties of the guards and knights.
"Hey, your highness," I think I get the idea, and I want to help out to save Emperor Aleq's life if it turns out the conspiracy was a real deal. "I would like to make a request."
"Ephraim." his voice pressed on his name.
"What?" I lifted my head to see his serious face. He did want me to say his name a few days ago. I wasn't up to it and already forgot all the ordeal until he reminded me to say it.
"May I have a few guards with me to practice the skill I just demonstrated?" I ignored his insistence and turned to watch the match.
"Have it your way," he heaved a sigh at my stubbornness, or he simply exhausted. "I will let his majesty know your intention."
"Thank you." I am solemnly grateful for the opportunity he gave me.
Only it did not last long.
It was nearly sunset when we decided to call it a day. I packed a few items with me and was about to return to the Yellow Palace, and Ephraim insisted on accompanying me to my residence. Along the way, we didn't talk much, and the silence was deafening.
"Lady Coraine, may I …"
A young maid from the Yellow Palace hurriedly approached and interrupted. "Your Highnesses." She bowed, greeting us both but her nervous expression looked suspicious.
"What's wrong?" Ephraim asked. But she looked reluctant to reply and looked to me for help.
"How dare you ignore the crown prince," one of the guards scolded the maid.
Ephraim asked again. "Cool down. Let's hear what she has to say."
"I'm sorry, your highness. I wasn't trying to be rude, but.." she was scared as she held her hands together for forgiveness. Then she turned her way to me. "Your Highness, your present is needed in the greenhouse."
"What happened?" I have had a bad feeling since the sudden appearance of the young maid. "Is something happening to the tree?" She shook her head. I was relieved after just a moment.
"Lady Lando… She... She," The maid starts stuttering and mumbling incoherently.
"Lead the way." Ephraim already demands the maid to lead the way before I can get the whole story from her. She scurried away towards the greenhouse. I followed behind the maid and saw a couple of women standing inside the greenhouse who seemed to be arguing and the other woman trying to block the greenhouse entrance. It was a tense atmosphere and a sharp sound of slapping bellowing through the greenhouse. It was Lady Lando!