Philippe and his best friend Raff entered the palace with an air of confidence that bordered on audacity. They walked as if they were the owners of the palace.
Chiefston, the palace butler spotted them from across the foyer. With a bow that was more a graceful sweep of his body than a mere gesture, he greeted Philippe with utmost respect. "Good day, my lord," he intoned.
Philippe acknowledged him with a nod, his piercing purple eyes sweeping over the butler. "Good day indeed, Chiefston," he replied with a hint of a smirk. "Fetch the princess at once. Tell her I bring good news."
Chiefston's brow furrowed at the abrupt command, but he was too well-trained to show any emotion. "Right away, my lord," he said with a deep bow before turning on his heel and striding towards the princess quarters.
Bowen had just exited the princess's quarters, As he turned the corner of the corridor, he nearly collided with Chiefston who was striding in the opposite direction.
"Chiefston," Bowen greeted the butler with a nod of acknowledgment.
Chiefston replied with a respectful bow. "Good day to you."
Before Bowen could inquire further, Chiefston glanced towards the slightly ajar door of the princess's chambers. Sensing the question in Bowen's eyes, Chiefston inclined his head slightly. "I have urgent news for the princess, my lord. With your permission, I must attend to it."
Bowen hesitated for a moment, he was curious at what Chiefston was going to tell the princess, "Of course," he finally replied, gesturing for Chiefston to proceed.
Chiefston pushed the door open and entered the room where Princess Alita was waiting. Bowen unable to resist the urge to listen entered the room and sat down without saying a word.
Chiefston bowed deeply before Princess Alita, his voice steady and respectful. "Good day, my princess."
Alita was seated at her reading desk and looked up from her book with a hint of irritation that quickly dissolved into composed curiosity. "What news do you bring, Chiefston?"
"Lord Fairybug is waiting to speak with you, my princess," Chiefston informed her with a calm demeanor.
Alita's expression hardened at the mention of Philippe. "Tell him to leave the palace," she replied tersely. "I have no desire to see him."
Chiefston hesitated, clearly torn between his duty to relay the message and his obligation to report all matters to the princess. "He insists it is of utmost importance, my princess," he said cautiously.
Alita sighed, her frustration palpable. "What nature of urgency does he claim?" she inquired, her voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and resignation.
"Something urgent, I presume," Chiefston replied carefully.
As Chiefston and Alita exchanged words, Bowen's frown deepened. Philippe's presence here was unexpected and unsettling. 'Was Philippe not the male that was troubling Alita? What was he doing here?'
Alita noticed Bowen's furrowed brow and the flicker of confusion in his eyes. She still hasn't told him of her engagement with Philippe. But why would she hide or feel the need to? It is not like she and Bowen were lovers.
"Fine," Alita finally relented, her decision made. "I will hear what Lord Fairybug has to say."
Chiefston bowed once more, relief evident in his demeanor. "As you wish, my princess."
Alita walked up to Philippe with Bowen walking behind her with her arms crossed and a icy glare on her face.
Raff bowed deeply upon seeing the princess. "Your Highness," he intoned respectfully. Philippe, on the other hand broke into a wide smile, his eyes sparkling with a mix of charm and mischief.
"My love, what a delight to see you," Philippe greeted her, his voice dripping with feigned affection.
Bowen's frown deepened, anger flashing in his eyes but before he could speak Alita beat him to it. Her voice was cold and commanding. "You seem to have forgotten, Lord Philippe. I am still your princess. You should bow to greet me."
Philippe's smile fell for a brief moment, a flicker of anger passing through his eyes. He felt a surge of fury at being humiliated in front of others especially by the woman he sought to control. But he quickly masked his true feelings, feigning nonchalance as he bowed. "Apologies, Your Highness."
"Good!" Alita snapped. "So, what important message do you have for me?"
Philippe straightened, his smile returning, though it no longer reached his eyes. "The king mentioned your difficulty with wielding a weapon, and I noticed you couldn't join us on the hunt in the forest. So, I decided I would teach you archery myself."
Alita's expression remained impassive. "I am not ready for that. If I am, Bowen here will teach me."
Bowen's eyes widened in surprise. "Me?"
Alita turned to him with a soft smile. "Yes, Bowen. You will teach me how to wield bows and arrows."
Philippe saw the surprise on Bowen's face and mistook it for a lack of ability. He stepped forward, a competitive gleam in his eyes. "Let's have a match, then. Whoever wins between us gets to teach the princess how to wield a bow and arrow."
Bowen hesitated, glancing at Alita. "I am afraid I have to forfeit. I am more skilled with a sword than with arrows. It has been a while since I last practiced archery."
Philippe's smile turned smug. "Since the princess has shown such faith in your skills, I'm sure you don't want to embarrass her."
Bowen bowed his head slightly, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "I will do my best to please the princess, but I can't promise anything beyond that."
The king sat on his throne, surrounded by his advisor and courtier as he listened to the murmur of their discussions. His right-hand man suddenly spoke
"Your Majesty, there is a competition taking place in the courtyard. Your soon-to-be son-in-law, Lord Philippe is competing against the princess personal guard."
The king's eyes lit up with joy. "Is that so?" he exclaimed, a broad smile spreading across his face. "My son-in-law is competing against Bowen? I must watch this sport."
With a chuckle, he rose from his throne and two of his advisors, eager not to miss the spectacle, decided to join him. They followed the king out of the throne room and through the palace corridors.
In the courtyard, the tension was high. Raff, standing beside Philippe, looked at Bowen with doubt. "Are you sure you can defeat this male?" he asked Philippe quietly.
Philippe glanced at Bowen who was testing the string of his bow and sneered. "I can't lose to that stupid guard. Look at his hands; they're too large to wield a bow and arrow. I know I will win."
As if on cue, the king entered the courtyard, his presence instantly commanding attention. He nodded at Philippe and Raff, acknowledging them with a regal nod of his head. Everyone present including Philippe bowed in respect.
The king's gaze swept over the gathered crowd before settling on Philippe. "Let the games begin," he declared with a hearty laugh.
Nadir entered the courtyard, she was also curious. Philippe's heart pounded in his chest as he stared at the beautiful Nadir but he steadied himself with a deep breath. 'I must win this challenge'
Alita stood nearby, her arms crossed as she watched the proceedings with a mixture of annoyance and amusement. She rolled her eyes at Philippe's boastful confidence. 'Even if Bowen loses, I would rather allow a Bolle to teach me than let Philippe lecture me,' she thought
The simple challenge had drawn a crowd. Servants, courtiers and guards gathered around the courtyard, eager to witness the competition between Bowen and Philippe.
"Who will win this challenge," Periwinkle said as he saw the crowd murmuring on the would-be winner.