Serving the prince

"Don't you think her getting injured and then your joining at the end moment and winning all the rounds is rather suspicious?" asked Sylvia and others nodded. It was not like they had suddenly become suspicious of me, it was their anger that they lost to a novice like me that brought them here.

"If you are so sure that there is something suspicious about it. Come let us go and complain with the higher authorities.'' I said looking straight into the eyes of Sylvia which surprised her.

Even when they have no idea how the knight was injured, they must have thought that i would panic if they tried to accuse me.

"Let's finish the round first, then I will come to you so that we can all go together, alight. And thank you for taking me as your friend and including me in this serious matter '' I told them as I walked away leaving the stunned girls behind.

Josephine chuckled as she walked past them, knowingly speaking in a loud voice so that she could hear it too.

The third round started and this time Josephine was not the only one who was not looking at her target. I looked at the target and shot the first arrow, measuring the gaps and distance and the velocity of air and when I was sure that I could shoot without looking at them I turned towards Josephine who turned at the same time.

Our eyes locked and I winked at her. She looked at me stunned and the arrow she was shooting lost the balance. While my once again hit the bullseye. She looked at the target and then at me with gritted teeth while I chuckled.

'Why do I suddenly feel it is good to bully her!!'

For the rest of the game she did not look back at me, and all her arrows hit the bullseye. But I still let my two arrows miss it.

"The winner of the third round is Josephine De Christesita. First runner up is Abigail Essendons, and second runner up is Natalie Thompson.'' Once again the results were announced but this time she was the sole winner.

"There would be a half an hour break, then the horse race would start on the other ground, '' the leader of the knight team announced and everyone took a rest.

The sky was already indicating that the sun was about to set. I was sure the last competition would be transferred for tomorrow.

"Congratulations your highness for your winning" i bowed and congratulated when i saw Josephine walking away. Since she had always been interested in talking to me, I should return the favor this time.

"Ha, Essendson, I was giving you a fair chance by earning equal points like you so that we would surely get a chance to fence in the last round.

I did not want you to complain later that I already had extra merit points. That was the reason I won. But now it looked like you wanted to get beaten by me so badly that you did not even want to be left with the face to complain later." she said in a mocking tone, but her face was filled with visible anger.

"We never knew who would win, till the end. Do we? Or do you never learn from your mistakes? Did you not have the same confidence that day too?" I asked tilting my face and she gritted her teeth.

"You cheated that day.." she accused me and I shrugged my shoulders.

"I will wait for you to congratulate me on my winning your highness. '' I said with a smile and walked away leaving her gritting her teeth.

'Sigh, I should not poke her, she is still the princess. That also the one and only child of the empress.

I had felt the eyes of Leo on me when I was talking to her, the way he was looking at me as if he was amused and happy that I was irking her. She must have bullied him a lot too.

"That was a wonderful performance, Abigail. You have made us all proud" all the knights participating from first order of knights wished me with a smile which i returned cheerfully,

"It was all for your guidance and kindness. I hope we will win another round too." I was replaced and they all laughed.

We stood there for 15 more minutes before taking leave and went to check our horses one last time.

That brown horse, whose name was hundred still makes me remember Noah, what that stubborn young man even doing there alone. I roamed my hand on his mouth and smiled.

"Let us win the race, hundred. Shall we?" I asked with a smile and as if understanding my words the horse neighed and nodded his head.

"So you are not going to listen to my words, Abigail." I heard a feathers ' voice behind me and I turned.

"I always listen to your words, father. But intentionally losing, accepting defeats is against the teaching you have given me.`` I said respectfully, bowing my head. "But if you still think that I have done anything wrong, I am ready to accept any punishment."

"You know that if you win the competition, you will have to serve the prince?" he asked in a calm voice but I could feel the pressure his body was emanating.