The next day, at my physical routine session with Owen at the training yard…
"Today, we'll be learning archery," Owen declared with a grin, tossing small wooden bows toward Ren and me.
"What the… All of a sudden? I thought you specialized in teaching swordsmanship," I protested.
Ren glanced at me in confusion. Our brow furrowed as we caught the bow.
Owen chuckled, his imposing figure radiating an easy confidence. "That's right, Princess. But as knights, we're required to master various weapons, both for close combat and long-range. Besides, there's no harm in expanding your skill set. You never know what kind of situation you'll face on the battlefield. Versatility can mean the difference between life and death." He winked at us.
Ugh…! His reasoning was annoyingly made sense.
Pointing toward a row of targets set up at the far end of the training yard, Owen picked up a bow and nocked an arrow with practiced ease. "Watch carefully," he instructed. "This is all about becoming one with the weapon. Imagine this bow and arrow as extensions of your body."
Ren and I observed as Owen squared his stance. The man exhaled deeply, and drew the bowstring with fluid precision. His entire demeanor shifted; focused, calm, and lethal.
"Take a deep breath… Focus on a single point…" His deep voice was steady, almost hypnotic. "And release!"
The arrow flew straight and in a swift second, landed dead center in the bullseye with a sharp thwack.
"Now, it's your turn." He handed each of us a quiver of arrows. "Since this is basic training, I won't ask for much. Five meters will suffice for now. If you hit the bullseye, training is over for today. But…" A sly smile curved his lips. "For every missed shot, you owe me five push-ups."
"What!?" Ren and I exclaimed in unison.
Owen's laugh echoed across the yard. He was clearly enjoying himself.
"This guy seriously loves torturing kids," I muttered under my breath, earning a smirk from Ren.
We approached the targets reluctantly, arrows in hand. Archery, it turned out, was far more challenging than Owen made it look. My first shot veered off wildly, missing the target altogether. Ren's wasn't much better, barely grazing the edge.
"Ugh! What's the connection between push-ups and archery!?" I grumbled, already halfway through another set of push-ups.
"Your arm strength, Princess!" Owen called out, arms crossed as he leaned against a post. "You need strong muscles to draw the bowstring effectively. Without arm and shoulder strength, your aim will wobble."
"If my arms end up becoming muscular like a blacksmith's and lose their elegance, you'll be held accountable!" I shot back at him.
Hours seemed to crawl by as we struggled to hit even the outer rings of the targets. Sweat dripped down my face, my arms ached, and frustration bubbled beneath the surface. Eventually, both Ren and I managed to land arrows closer to the center. It was far from perfect, but enough to satisfy Owen.
"Well done," he said, tossing us each a water flask.
Finally!
Collapsing onto the grass, Ren and I gulped the water gratefully as we felt relieved to rest.
"Hey, Owen!" I asked him between breaths, "Will there be many foreign guests attending the Kingdom's anniversary celebration?"
"Usually, yes. Particularly from our allied nations," he replied, his tone shifting to something more serious.
I wiped my brow and glanced at him. "Yesterday, when I was with Father and Duke Argenti, their expressions stiffened when you mentioned the envoy from Magnotech. Why?"
Owen scratched his cheek, clearly debating how much to share. "Let's just say relations between our Kingdom and Magnotech are… complicated."
"Complicated how?"
"There are rumors that the Magnotech Empire is attempting to expand its territory under the leadership of their new Emperor," he admitted, lowering his voice. "Their advances in technology make them a formidable force, even for us. While we've had friendly relations with them in the past, tensions are still rising."
A knot formed in my stomach. "So, the Magnotech Empire is not just a distant threat… They are potentially at our doorstep?"
Owen nodded. "Let's hope no conflict arises and our diplomatic ties remain intact," he added quickly.
This wasn't something I had read about in Twilight's Chronicle. The story's world seemed far more precarious than I had realized.
"Well, that's enough politics for now," Owen said, breaking the heavy silence. "I'll leave you two now. Free to continue practicing or take the rest of the afternoon off."
Ren and I exchanged glances as Owen walked off, leaving us behind.
"What do you think?" I asked Ren.
"Think about what?" Ren replied, stretching lazily.
"What Owen said earlier. About Magnotech."
"Why are you asking me? I have zero interest in politics."
I sighed, rolling my eyes. "Of course you don't."
"By the way, has your debutante event been confirmed?" Ren said as he threw his water flask to the nearest dump, shifting the topics.
I nodded, my exhaustion deepening at the thought. "Yes. It'll coincide with the Kingdom's anniversary celebration."
"Good luck surviving that circus!"
"Ugh… Between training, etiquette lessons, and preparing for my debutante, I feel like I'm about to collapse!"
"Debuting at 11 is extraordinary, isn't it? You're like the protagonist of a royal novel now!" Ren teased, earning himself a glare.
"Don't say that!"
"Princess, it's time for your dancing lesson," Anna called, approaching with her usual grace. "Countess Dolia is waiting for you."
"Ah, thank you, Anna!" I stood up and offered Ren a quick wave.
Honestly… Although I was still weary, dancing lessons with Countess Dolia were far more enjoyable than my previous torturous sessions under Shilien's supervision. At least the Countess didn't resort to whips or threats to enforce discipline on me whenever I made a mistake.
Later that evening, after finishing my lesson with Countess Dolia, I passed by Shilien's room on my way back to my quarters. I hesitated, glancing at her remaining tightly shut door. Rumors swirled that she hadn't left her room since the tea party incident.
Is she okay? Did I… go too far in messing with her?
The door creaked open, startling me. One of her maids stepped out, carrying a half-full tray of untouched food.
"Oh. Greetings, Princess Luna," the maid said and bowed politely as she looked at me standing at the door.
I nodded. "Is my mother… doing well?"
The maid hesitated, offering a small, uncertain smile. "She's recovering, but… she still lacks the confidence to leave her chambers."
"I see…"
The maid shifted on her feet, then spoke hesitantly. "Would you like to visit her?"
"N-No, I—"
"Oh, come now! She'd surely be delighted to see you!" The maid beamed, opening the door before I could protest. "Madam, you have a visitor!"
"Who…?" A faint voice came from within.
The maid ushered me inside, and there she was… Shilien. The woman sat by the window, her silver hair cascading around her shoulders in a tangled mess. Her figure, usually always poised and regal, now seemed frail and diminished.
"I-It's me, Mother…" I said softly.
"Luna…?" she murmured, turning just enough for our eyes to meet. Her expression shifted, a flicker of something I couldn't quite place passing through her violet gaze. "Leave us," she said to the maid.
"Yes, Madam."
The door closed behind me, leaving us alone in a silence that felt heavier than I expected.
Damn it! To visit my wicked mother… I wasn't sure what I'd been expecting, but this… this wasn't it!