It was Saturday. This means no classes and no council duties. This also means I get to play for the whole day. Fufufufufu~

But of course, playing is not on my agenda today. Instead, I will practice for the upcoming hunt. And what am I practicing, you ask? Weapons! I am helpless in swords, I could not even lift it for my dear life, so let us cross that out of the list.

Guns? Are there guns in here? I have no idea, but nope, not guns either. It also kind of shoots, though…

That’s right! Fufufufufu~ I will be learning archery today.

I could already imagine myself shooting arrows. In my mind, I look really cool. I hope it will be like that in reality..

“Good Morning, Uno!” I greeted him as soon as I saw him in the backyard.

Uno sheathed his sword and bowed, “Good morning, miss Nadia.”

“Were you doing your routine?” He was flinging his sword when I saw him. He might be actually busy than he says.

I have contracted him yesterday regarding archery lessons. He says he knows how to use a bow, so I immediately asked him to teach me, and he agreed. What if I am obstructing him from doing his usual duties, right? I don’t want that.

Uno shakes his head, “I was just warming up.”

Ohh, is that so?

“Should I warm up as well?”

My eyes slid to the set of bow and arrow at the side. Ah! I am getting excited! I want to touch it…

“Yes. If you start right away, you might end up straining yourself.” Uno looks at my outfit and nods.

Fufufufu~ Of course, I came prepared. I wasn’t wearing a dress today. Instead, I donned into a white long-sleeved blouse and cream trousers. I also tied my hair into a ponytail. I was that eager…

Uno came closer and handed me a glove. Ah, right, I forgot to bring one.

“Use this for your right hand.”

“Ohh, thank you~” I uttered and put it on. It was weird to me because only my right hand has one, but whatever, I am learning everything today.

We spent the whole morning doing things. Uno taught me the basics, the proper stance, and the perfect grip. I thought it was easy, but it was honestly tiring.

My arms are getting numb too from being spread wide, throughout the entire lesson. My fingers kind of hurt either. Good thing I followed his advice about warming up, or I might be crying right now.

Pain. No pain, no gain.

“Raise your head a little,” Uno voiced out.

I slightly raised my head while intensely staring at the target board. There were times that I almost hit the center, but it just won’t go in. It would always embed itself inches away from the dot.

I released my hold, and the arrow sped up and hit the side.

Dang!

“You’re doing great, miss Nadia,” Uno reassures.

Aw Uno, I know you’re just trying to appease me because I suck. It’s okay. I acknowledge it.

“Ah, good afternoon, captain,” Uno suddenly says and bowed behind me.

Captain?

I dropped my hand and turned around. There, I saw Nathaniel walking in our direction. He was dressed in his white knight uniform, and he couldn’t have looked so handsome than today. He was blinding.

His white silvery hair was brushed backward, not a strand covering his magnificent face. Those pale ruby eyes of his were trained at me as he sauntered closer. He was tall and looked ridiculously handsome. I could even see angels flying above him as they played tunes while he walked.

I feel like having a nosebleed.

Damn it. I am still a little mad about you, but why are you so handsome, brother?! It’s too early for this okay? Wait, no! This is fine! Being smothered by looks is fine.

When you have a brother like this, you get to fangirl every day. I mean, do you see this? This should be illegal!

‘I want to raise a flag with a “Nathan’s number 1 fan” written on it.’

Ehem. I am still mad at him, let us not be swayed by his looks.

“Good afternoon,” I greeted him halfheartedly and returned from my feeble attempt of archery.

I didn’t see him frowning because I was already focused on what I was doing.

‘Mhmm, still mad. A little mad. Your good looks won’t change anything.’

“Are you struggling with the lesson?” He asks out of the blue.

“Nope.”

He got silent for a while. The only things that can be heard were the birds chirping and the rustling of leaves.

I stared at the target board with narrowed eyes. I will hit the bullseye, I swear.

“Are you going to use the bow as your weapon for the hunt?” He then voiced out after some time had passed.

“Mmm.”

He was trying to spark conversation. I noticed that. But I wanted to stand my ground and let him realize he was wrong. I could just go ahead and forgive him, but he needs to learn humility sometimes.

‘This is for you, brother Nathan. You will fail in looking for a girl if your views on women are skewed. Now, learn!’

I glanced at Uno at the side. He was standing there looking so awkward. I feel sorry for him. He’s being sandwiched between two sulking siblings.

This made me internally sighed. Ah, I want to go back from before. Where I could annoy Nathan, and he will let me do whatever I want. Should I give up this act?

‘Nope, Nadia. You are a strong girl. You can do this. You are not missing the those times at all.”

“Uno, is my stance correct? How about my grip?” I turned to him.

Uno was about to come to me when he intuitively glanced at Nathaniel. The latter was looking at him with cold eyes, which made him falter in his steps.

“Uhh–”

“Hmm?”

Nathan then went to me and made me surprised. I thought he was going to continue watching on the sidelines.

He went to my back and gripped my hand, which was holding the bow. His remaining hand went to my other hand, which was gripping the string.

Oop. Excuse me, brother. Too close.

“You need to steady your arm so it won’t bend. Don’t grip the strings too tightly, either. These things determine the momentum and direction of your arrow,” I could feel his breath on my head as he tells me this.

I cleared my throat in apprehension. I was feeling rather nervous by this sudden change of pace. Nevertheless, I still did what he said.

“Good. Now raise your chin a little and keep your eye on the target.”

My head moved exactly as he says.

“Slowly release your hold on the string.”

My fingers automatically let go, and I watched as the arrow flew head-on and hit the board. Straight to the center.

A smile immediately broke on my face.

“Wow! I did it! Did you all see that?!”

Uno clapped at the side.

“Congratulations, Miss Nadia.”

Fufufufufufu~ I knew it. I knew that I could do it!

“I’m sorry,” Nathan mumbles.

My celebration halted, and I turned to blink at him in shock.

‘Did he just say what I think he said? Am I hearing things?’

“What?” I croaked, not believing my ears.

” … ”

Nathan averted his gaze and looked to the side instead. The tips of his ears were even tinged red.

‘Oh my. Is my brother blushing? Fufufufufu~’

His brows furrowed slightly. He looked very uncomfortable as he stood there rigidly, while I looked up at him.

‘Ah, isn’t he too cute?’

“I– I’m sorry,” he repeated, appearing sincere. “I realized my faults. So talk to me again.”

Nathan seemed so distraught while saying that. Wha–

I stared at his distressed expression. My lips quirked up in a half smile from my failed attempt in holding a laugh. I don’t know but his distress looked very cute to me. It makes me want to tease him…

‘Dang. Am I really slowly becoming a villainess?’

“Fine. I will forgive you,” I declared. Nathan glanced at me, expression brightening. “But only if you go with me to the capital. We need to buy clothes in advance for the event. Then I will truly accept your apology.”

Nathan’s serious eyes pierced me, “I accept.”

Pfft–

He says it like he’s accepting a challenge or something.

“Let’s go tomorrow. Do you have something to do by then?”

“No. I will take tomorrow off. We will go to the Capital as agreed.”

Hoh~ What am I gonna do with him, seriously.