7 An Unforgettable Picnic (1)

"Now that we are all packed and ready, we can go now to our location." Vladford said.

"May I ask where is the location?" I asked.

"It is what we can Mirror View lake." Vladford replied. "It is a lake that is so clean that you can see the reflection of the sky from above."

"It is a good spot for a picnic." Hilna said. "I am sure you are going to love the scenery. And also we made a small archery area there."

I smiled how Hilna was really dead set on wanting to practice archery. I can see Jacob shook his head and the male protagonist sighed. I giggled seeing their reactions.

"Um if it is okay…" Vladford was standing near me all of a sudden. "The only road heading there is a rough road. It would be uncomfortable riding a carriage. If I may, I would take you on my horse to ride going there." He asked.

"T-There is no helping it, is there?" I replied shyly. Just thinking that I will be riding with my bias make my heart jump out of my chest. "I have not yet learned riding a horse, so I will be in your care Vlad."

"I is my pleasure, my lady." Vladford replied with solemn smile on his face. "Leave it to me."

"Thank you so much." I replied.

Not long, the male protagonist came back with his horse. It was a elegant white stallion. It was a contrast to the horse he was using in the game that was a pitch black one.

The male protagonist guided me carefully to climb the horse.

"Hold on tight, my lady." Vladford said to me.

Fortunately, even if Rosaline does not know how to ride a horse, she has some experience climbing into one. At least I will not embarrass myself in falling off a horse. After I was on top, the male protagonist followed swiftly. I was now cradled in front of the male protagonist. I can feel many eyes was on me that I cannot lift my head.

"If you are comfortable, then we may go?" Vladford asked me as the gentleman that he is.

"Y-Yes… of course." I replied. "It is not good to keep the others waiting."

"It is no trouble to wait a little until you are comfortable." Vladford replied with a smile. "Let us now depart!"

Our small convoy was now heading to our location of the picnic.

**

The trail we were traversing now was something one can only see in nature. I am not an outdoor type of person in my original world because of my introverted nature. It was a surprise to me that I am enjoying the view now. I can smell the plants around me, I can also feel the wind on my face.

'Who would have thought I could enjoy such things.' I thought to myself. 'Come to think of it, I am also not having any problems socializing here. Is it because of Rosaline nature?'

I have only been in Rosaline's body for two days but it felt like I am no stranger to this world and the people around me. I am enjoying my stay that I am afraid I would not want to go back to my original world after this.

I remember what the woman that called herself god of this world told me before I came here.

'Help me save my world.' I remembered her saying. 'After I help her save it, will I go back to my world?'

I cannot let myself be attached to this world. It was a probability that I could go back to my original world when the story of the game is over.

"Rose…" Vladford whispered onto my ear that I felt ticklish. "Look over there by that clearing. When we pass that, you would see the lake."

I looked towards the clearing with anticipation. When we passed it I saw such a beautiful scenery that I could only see in pictures and in televisions. It was a beautiful lake that I could only say magical.

The lake was indeed mirror the sky from above. I can see animals such as ducks and swans swimming on the surface. I can also see fishes jumping up from below the surface.

"It's beautiful." I was in awe looking at the scenery before me.

"Yes it is…" I hear Vladford say. "… it is rather beautiful."

"It is really quite a sight." I looked behind me and smiled. That was when our eyes met. I felt shy that he was looking at me intently that I intentionally looked elsewhere. "Um… where are where are we going yo set up our picnic spot?" I asked.

"Oh… we have a good spot over there." Vladford pointed out. "It is a spot near the archery location we have built."

"Let's head over there now." Hilna broke the awkwardness between the male protagonist and I.

We headed over the spot that the male protagonist was talking about. He helped me down the horse and I felt my legs went numb.

"Has your legs gone to sleep?" Hilna asked worriedly. "It can be that way when you are not used to riding a horse."

"I guess so." I replied.

"Then you should sit here and rest." Vladford said while placing a blanket on the soft grass. "Here, let me help you." He offered his hand.

"Oh, thank you." I happily accepted it because I can feel that I might fall down any minute. "I wish I am as strong as you all are. I should take lessons on horse back riding when I go back to our estate." I said while sitting down the laid blanket.

"You do not need to be strong because you are a lady." Vladford said. "You not need to worry because as your husband, I am here to protect you."

The word 'your husband' made me blush. When the male protagonist realized my reaction to what he just said, it also made him blush and the awkwardness between us came back.

"Oh come on. It is not a crime for a lady to learn some of that stuff. Right, Jacob?" Hilna asked.

"Well… I guess." Jacob awkwardly replied while scratching his chin.

"And you can learn horse back riding from Vlad as well." Hilna said and grabbed my hands. "Please don't go home too early. Promise you will stay here a little while longer." She had puppy dog eyes.

"All right." I giggled seeing the female love interest acting cute.

"If it is horse back riding, then I can teach you as well." Vladford said. "If… that is what you wish?"

"I would be happy to learn from you." I smiled.

Not only archery but also horse back riding. These are things that I could not learn in my original world. And to think my teacher would be the male protagonist of the game I am currently playing. I was squealing inside.

After I have a rest, Hilna pulled me to their archery location. It was an open field with three targets at a distance.

"This here was made by us three." Hilna explained. "When we learned how to shoot an arrow, we always have matches with one another. This here is a perfect place to not only practice but also hold matches."

"Oh, really." I replied.

"You do not need to force yourself to learn you know." Vladford said. "You can watch us shoot a few arrows."

"Oh, no. I want to learn!" I replied. "Please teach me."

"If that is what you wish." Vladford said and sighed.

'Maybe he thinks it is a burden to teach a lady like me.' I thought when I saw him sigh. I would lie to myself if I said that did not make me sad.

"Here, you can borrow my bow and arrows." Hilna said. "We are of the same height so this would be easier to use. This was custom made for me." She smiled proudly of her weapon.

"Thank you." I replied.

"Here, let me help you." Vladford said. "First you have to hold it like this, and then you pull the string like this."

The male protagonist was just behind me while teaching me how to hold a bow. I can feel his body heat behind mu back. He was also holding my hands gently.

'Oh… I can die now.' I squealed inside. 'Get a hold of yourself. It is not like you never dated before.' I scold myself.

"Okay… are you ready?" Vladford asked.

"Yes." I replied. He took few steps back.

"Okay, then release now." Vladford ordered and I do as I was told.

I can hear the sound of the arrow whistling into the air and then hitting the target.

"H-How did I do?" I asked.

I saw my companion's with surprised faces.

"W-What?" I asked. "Did I do bad?"

"N-No…" Jacob replied. "On the contrary, you did good. Too good, in fact."

"Wow!" Hilna jumped in excitement. "You hit the bulls eyes, Rose!"

She hugged me excitedly.

"Really?" I was unconvinced. "Maybe, it was beginners luck."

"Then try again and see if it was really beginner's luck." Vladford said encouragingly.

"O-Okay." I replied.

I got an arrow and got into the position that the male protagonist thought me. I took a deep breath and pointed the arrow instinctively to the target. As if the bow and arrow was an extension of my body, I release the arrow into the air and the sound of whistling was heard yet again.

*PLACK*

The arrow hit the target and now I looked at it again in amazement. The arrow hit the bulls eye once again.

"Well, I'll be damned." Vladford smiled proudly. "Looks like it wasn't beginners luck after all."

"I think I am a genius at that this." I said the words but I was still in disbelief. Maybe the body of Rosaline had a natural talent I still do not know off. 'She is a genius in studies after all.' I thought.

After that the four of us were shooting in turns. We were having fun with archery that we did not notice that the sun was so high up in the sky. A maid came by to tell us that lunch has been prepared.

"Thank you." Vladford said to the maid. "It is tine for lunch. Let's get going."

"Wait… Rose still has one shot." Hilna said. "Why don't you release it then we go to get our lunch."

"Okay." I replied.

I got into position and pointed my arrow to the target. When I released the string I heard a snapping noise loudly.

*SNAP*

I felt something hit my cheek. It stung and was a bit painful.

"Rose!" I heard Vladford shout in panic.