The horses took off at the blast of the whistle except one which walked behind slowly kicking the dirt along as it did.
It wasn't tired but submissive under the wishes of it's rider who held it's reins,gently patting on it.
It's rider watched the other horses gallop in the distance with no desire whatsoever to catch up with them.
The dispirited look and wide grin on his face said it all and everyone was watching him, observing his own games,just what he wanted.
How would someone like him pass if the results weren't manipulated.
Chief knight zero could pick up a few chatter from the crowd,just a few mumuring from here and there,even the confusion that hung in the air was evident but he couldn't care less.
The horses raced past him again,their second time going round the field and Zero could feel the eyes of the riders on him.
His horse walked on till the final whistle sounded,then he came down before grabbing the horse reigns and slowly tagging along behind the other riders towards the stable.
Zero felt a hand on his shoulders.
When he turned and his eyes met Kiara's but he quickly averted his gaze back at the horse in front of him.
"Care to explain what's going on?!"She demanded.
Zero ignored her and walked away.
From behind him would come questions he had no interest in answering,he only wished she would disappear.
But instead,she trailed behind him, following him to where everyone was lined up to sign out,even standing in line behind him.
He caught sight of Athena uphead who kept stealing glances his way, apparently she wanted to talk with him as well.
"Hey am talking to you!" Kiara tapped his shoulders.
"What in the world do you want from me!"Zero scolded,his brows furrowed.
"I want to know why you are doing this...You are a senior chief knight and one of the most suitable candidates for the position of the emperor's knight...why let this moment pass you by"she folded her hand, ignoring zero's glare"Why even contest in first place".
"And when did my business become your concern!"Zero snapped and grabbed the quill pen,he quickly signed before disappearing to reappear in his room.
He froze at the sight of Athena on his bed.
She was dressed casually and seated,with her black braided hair falling down her shoulders against the white shirt she wore to rest on her thigh and her legs crossed while she read a book he had dropped by his bed the previous night.
"I didn't know you fancied romance tales... I take it this is your distraction in this troubling times"Athena said as she admired it's back cover.
Zero frowned.
"Will you ladies get off my back!!"he barked."Haaa..how did you manage to get in here!".
"The fact that every Knight's room holds a spell that prevents intruding by teleporting, doesn't mean intruders won't intrude if they want to".
"You know the rules and consequences of breaking into a fellow Knight's room".
"Don't put it that way Zero,I simply deactivated the spell so I could come in,I am not a burglar_am I?_"
"Get out!!!"Zero growled, pointing in the the direction of his door.
Athena sighed.
"Ok I'll get out but just hear me out"
"That is the problem!...I don't want to!".
Athena dropped the book and gazed at him before crossing her hand.
"You will be the next Emperor's knight no matter how the exams turn out,you know that much...then why the show in public,since it wouldn't make much difference I see no need being so...I just think you will advasaries from the other candidates after you win.Everyone will think you cheated and bought your way through but I guess it's a little to late for that now.The exams are already concluded and everyone watched you mess up".
"Since when did you start worrying about what happens to me?".
"Zero,You are strong but there are others among the candidates I am certain won't let this slide,they might come after your life and that aside,the respect and dignity allotted to the emperor's knight won't be given you...you are helping them make your life even more miserable".
"I don't care about no respect oh and the others"Zero smiled widely as he took off his shirt"Let them come!"
Athena quickly looked the other way,her face flushing.
"Kaphaias...who is rumoured the strongest chief Knight, I could see his eyes on you the entire time what will you do if he comes after you".
She sneaked a quick glance his way and quickly averted it the moment she saw him slowly pull his pants below his waistline.
Was he that desperate for her to leave that he was undressing before her very eyes or did he have other plans in mind.
Judging by Zero's rotten mood she knew it wasn't the latter.
"Like I mentioned before,you know nothing about me"He said.
His pants was down but he was turned the other way, walking towards his wardrobe.
Athena gulped in saliva,bitting her lips while hesitating the urge to look his way.
Chief knight Zero had a nice body build,very muscular with broad shoulders and a chest well suited with his body frame,seductive enough to make a female's jaw drop with one look at him.
"You could have undressed when I leave"Athena muttered though a part of her thought otherwise.
A smile broke through his features as he swung a shirt on.
"Then you should leave unless you want to see a man's nakedness".
"I know you're doing this on purpose"Athena abruptly stood up,still looking the other way,her heart was racing and her breathing shallow.
"I won't get dressed until you leave"
Zero said as he confidently sank into a chair opposite her.
"What if your nakedness doesn't bother me"she said but she didn't mean it, obviously he was making her uncomfortable, tempting her.
She was sure he could smell her sweat,his naughty plan was working.
"Tssskkk!...then come over here,let's start with you sitting on my laps...you might not know this,but I am very skilled at unbottoning items_"
"Fine!"Athena cut in clenching both fists."I'll leave".