"I'll beat you this time brother" Markus said as he and Viktor walked towards the archery field.
Viktor chuckled at his statement, "you wish"
Markus pouted, "you should motivate me brother, you're making fun of my bad archery skills"
"Young masters" a guard bowed, " your weapons are ready.
Viktor nodded and Markus ran off towards the archery field with excitement.
"Brother choose a bow for me" Markus said as he brought out two bowls.
Viktor looked at the two bows, "I prefer the one in your right hand"
"The other one seems better but whatever you say brother" Markus said as he dropped the other bow.
They both selected their weapons and stood at a reasonable distance from their target.
"I'll go first" Viktor said as he stepped forward and placed his arrow. He drew it slowly and released it. Everyone gasped as the arrow hit the target at the eye.
"Wow brother" Markus clapped as he grabbed his own arrow. He gulped a little as he drew the arrow. Markus sighed in disappointment as the arrow flew past the target.
"Not again!" Markus muttered shaking his head.
Viktor smiled at him, " I'll show you a trick". Saying this he came behind Markus and held Markus hand which was on the arrow.
"Don't be in a hurry, calculate the distance to your target" he said placing the arrow on the bow.
"And then...shoot" Viktor said releasing the arrow which hit the target on the spot.
"Try it" he said stepping away from Markus.
Markus nodded and placed his bow on the arrow. He drew the arrow and then released it. Everyone gasped as the arrow hit the target on the spot.
"Yeah!!!!" Markus screamed in happiness.
Viktor smiled at him, " I knew you could do it"
Markus smiled, "thank you brother, you are one hell of a teacher"
"I'll take that as a compliment" Viktor said with a sly smile on his face.
Genevieve was walking past the archery field when her eyes fell on the boys.
She boiled in anger and disgust as she watched Viktor pat Markus at the back. She sighed as she walked back to the castle.
Genevieve smiled in satisfaction as she took a sip of the tea a maid had served her.
There was a knock on the door and Markus came in.
"You called for me mother" he said as he bowed.
"Have a seat and drink tea with your mother" Genevieve said and Markus bowed and sat down.
"Why don't you ever listen to me?" Genevieve asked with a frown on her face.
Markus raised his brows in confusion, "what's the matter mother?" He asked dropping his tea.
"You were at the archery field with Viktor today"
"Mother, he was only teaching me Archery skills" Markus said
"Is that what you think, do you not know what that he is just a snake waiting for the right time " Genevieve said.
Markus shook his head, "that's not true mother, brother was only helping me get better"
SLAP!
"Don't you dare refer to that cursed prince as your brother, do you not understand anything?" Genevieve asked in anger.
"But mother..."
"Listen to me" Genevieve countered, " do you not know how important you are now that your essence showed up"
"I do" Markus said with his head down.
Genevieve sighed as she raised his head to look at her, "I love you and that's why I don't want you to miss your way. Soon enough, the council of elders would have to choose the crown prince. Viktor knows that the council will choose you over him because he is cursed. You have to be wise Markus and see him for who he truly is. He is a cursed prince and not your brother"
Markus felt down as he listened to his mother. He had grown up admiring Viktor but could his mother be saying the truth.
"Markus" Genevieve called, "you have to build your way to the throne. Viktor is just a wolf in a sheep clothing waiting for the right moment. Please listen to your mother as I would never lie or cause you harm. Do you understand?"
"Yes mother" Markus replied
Genevieve smiled, "Good son, I'm glad you now know your enemy. Do everything possible to surpass him in the eyes of the council and become the crown prince. Don't forget that he is just a snake"
Markus nodded, "I understand mother, thank you for showing me the right thing to do"
Genevieve smiled at him, "you may leave now"
Markus bowed and left the room. As much as he loved his step brother, he couldn't ignore his mother's words. He couldn't believe that Viktor was an enemy to him but then as his mother said, he was only a wolf in a sheep's clothing.
Heidi was awakened by the sound of the door being opened. Her stomach rumbled in anger and hunger.
She stood up with the little strength she had and saw a guard at the door.
"You may leave the confinement room" the guard said.
Heidi felt a little energy in her on hearing that and quickly came out of there.
"Mrs Doris!!" Heidi shouted as she saw Mrs Doris who was also waiting for her.
"Oh my Heidi" Mrs Doris said as the girl hugged her, "you look awful, you must have cried a lot"
Heidi nodded, "the confinement room was awful and the rats were really big. I was so scared"
Mrs Doris patted her, "I have something that will cheer you up Heidi"
"What's that?" Heidi asked in excitement.
Mrs. Doris brought out a bag, "guess what's in it?"
Heidi shook her head, "tell me already"
Mrs. Doris laughed at her impatience, "Tada!" She said as she brought out a gown and a shoe.
Heidi was shocked to see a gown. She didn't own any clothes apart from the slave uniform they all wore. The gown wasn't fancy or as good as the one the girl from earlier was wearing but Heidi was overjoyed.
"Thank you so much Mrs Doris, but how did you get this"
Mrs. Doris smiled, "don't worry about that"
Heidi remembered something and her face fell once again.
"What's the matter?" Mrs Doris asked.
Heidi pointed at the dress, "you have bought me a beautiful gown but where will I wear it to, we can only wear uniforms here"
Mrs. Doris smiled,"you will be following me to the market tomorrow"
"The market !" Heidi said in joy as she had never stepped out of the castle
Mrs. Doris smiled, "yes Heidi, you'll be my little assistant"
Heidi leaped in joy as she quickly forgot about her experience in the confinement room or the grumbling hunger.
She could barely sleep as all she could think of was going to the market with Mrs Doris.