ACCEPTANCE AND LETTING GO

Andre and I turned around. A friendly smile was playing on Luca's mouth. I looked away.

"Go ahead, Captain," Andre said.

It was over in less than a minute. Luca hit four red targets in that short amount of time and then returned his two unused arrows to the open-mouthed attendant.

"The horse, please," he said casually, as if he hadn't just performed a feat that left everyone watching shocked. After receiving the stuffed animal, he handed it to Andre. "For the princess," he said quietly. 

Andre was dumbstruck.

There was a bewildered look on his face, like he was battling between being amazed at Luca's skill or perturbed that Luca was better than him. Or whether he should be grateful that Luca had won me the prize or be annoyed that Luca was the one who had achieved the thing Andre wanted to do for me.

Finally, Andre accepted the toy with a half-grateful, half-defeated smile. "Thank you, Luca. Your archery skills are highly remarkable."