I looked at Isabella who was standing there still afraid that even a deep breath could kill her yet I did not feel good! Though i argue with her more often than i eat food, i never wanted to hurt her.

“So, can you shoot the arrow, or do you need guidance for it?” asked Josephine, raising a brow.

I took a deep breath as I looked at the apple on Isabella’s head with full concentration.

‘You can do this Abigail’ I murmured as I shot the arrow and it went to cut the corner of the apple and both apple and arrow fell down.

I took a breath of relief that also pained me. Though the arrow did not hit the target on center. But looking at the condition of my chest and Isabella’s distance from me, the shot was good enough!

Josephine raised a brow as she looked at me and nodded, “it is not that bad. But you still need years of training.”

Isabella finally took a breath of relief as she walked back towards us with a small smile but her face was still looking pale.

“Sigh.. the show ended too early. I did not have enough entertainment. So what shall we try this time. Strawberry, or plum?” she asked, holding both from the fruit platter and Isabella shivered.

“I apologize, your royal princess but we are getting late. Father has asked us to return on time.” responded Isabella, bowing her head and I shook my head.

‘Did she really think that this lame excuse would work!’ As expected , Josephine laughed.

“Tch.. young girl, you are here with me till your father leaves the palace. If you are not that interested in target practice, we can do fencing. What do you say, Abigail?” Though she was asking, she had already started moving towards the equipments area and took three swords from there.

“Your royal highness, his majesty had forbidden you to hurt the guests. You have just finished your last punishment. I beg you to not irk his majesty again” her aid pleaded with her as she looked at us.

“Tsk tsk.. When have I hurt or troubled them? My dearest father wants me to be the clown and entertain them. I am just following the orders.” her voice though looked like a rebellion child it was filled with anguish.

“But your royal highness” the man tried to persuade her again but she raised her hand and stopped him right there.

“Not a single word more, Leo.” she snarled and the man shut his mouth though he was still looking at her pleadingly.

“So, who wants to be the first against me?” she asked with a smirk, it was clear that she was venting her anger on us.

I wanted to curse both her and her father who sent us here to be the canon fodder. He knew how his daughter was! Yet he asked her to entertain us and where the hell was that dumb crown prince, would he arrive to take our corpse to our family!

The moment words left Josephine’s mouth, Isabella took two steps back, it was clear that she was scared, the last experience was enough to keep her heartbeat fast for the rest of the day.

I took two step forward when Beth moved. She was scared because of the injury but I shook my head. This was not her place to interfere.

I took the scabbard and unsheathed the sword. The shiny frame was of the best quality. It was light yet strong, it could easily cut the human body like butter.

“Are you ready?” she asked and I nodded.

“Great, then let’s start?” her face was glowing like a child who had got her favorite candy yet her eyes were filled with killing intent, there was evening glint in them.

I realised that she would not be lenient at all. She moved with a speed ready to attack my hands and I turned back and flipped. She smirked as she moved and targeted my legs. Well at least she was targeting less fatal areas!

But sudden jerking and flipping were still hurting my rib area.

“You know a few tricks, young girl. But you are too weak and slow. Don’t tell me the dukes are not feeding you well!!” she mocked and I gritted my teeth. She was using too much force and I would not be able to stand for a long time if she continued at this speed.

My mind started working in other ways. I am not a righteous person to only use fair ways. What mattered was winning.

My eyes fell on the fruit basket from where she was taking the fruits before. I tried to move towards its direction while defending from her attacks.

“Taking steps back, are you? Don’t tell me you are giving up? I still did not have my fill of fun with you.” she mocked when i finally reached the table.

She was immersed in fighting so much that she didn’t notice me. I waited for the perfect moment and when she was close enough I turned and threw the fruit basket down.

She looked at me with furrowed brows, confused but next moment she stepped on a banana and lost her balance. Further fruits were there making it difficult for her to move with agility and at last I got my chance and put my sword on her neck.

“I won again, your royal highness.” I said with shallow breaths as she glared at me.

“You don’t have dignity at all?!!”

I nodded at her statement, `I have lost my life once for dignity , not again,’ “you are right, I don’t have that at all,” I replied, making her stunned.

“Your royal highness, his majesty had ordered me to escort the ladies to his royal highness garden” a guard who had followed us since the start walked in haste and bowed, ‘tch.. Was he afraid that I would hurt Josephine!’