Anne (smiling): "Hey…"
Alex: "Until then, I'll teach you archery."
Anne (laughing slightly): "What would I do with archery?"
Alex: "Hey, I saw your eyes light up when we talked about it last time. It's something you want to try, right?"
Anne (quietly): "How did you know?"
Alex (playfully confident): "I'm good at reading people."
He took out some practice arrows—wooden sticks sharpened from one end—and handed them to her along with his bow.
Alex: "Here. Let's start."
Anne: "Well… I can accept that service." (Smiles and takes the bow and arrow)
Alex (teasingly): "Hmm, looks like you're already a pro."
Anne: "Let's see."
She aims at a tree and shoots—but the arrow drops right in front of her.
Alex (chuckling): "It's okay. It's your first time. Look—"
He demonstrates the correct stance and arm position. Anne mimics it, but still doesn't quite get it right.
Anne: "Maybe it's my shoes." (Grinning, trying to hide the embarrassment)
Alex: "Don't give up so soon."
He steps closer and gently takes her hand, adjusting her posture with care.
Alex (softly, near her ear): "Now aim with your left eye…"
Anne (thinking to herself): Why is he so close? Please, heart, stop pounding…
Alex: "And now… shoot!"
He releases her hand, and the arrow flies—this time hitting the tree trunk.
But maybe Cupid's arrow had already struck her heart.
Alex (smiling proudly): "See? Not that hard. Just focus and practice, and one day you'll shoot just like me."
Anne (blushing, trying to hide her smile): "Yeah…"
Alex (noticing her face): "What happened to your face?" (He reaches out, gently)
Anne (quickly turning away): "Nothing!" (Shy and flustered)
Alex: "So, let's see if you can make the next shot." (He steps aside, smiling.)
Anne: "Okay."
Just as she takes aim at the tree, they hear footsteps approaching. Alex quickly hides in the bushes—it's the same man who bought the lion's fur from him, and he might recognize Alex.
Drunken Man (shouting): "What are you doing here alone, girl?"
Alex (quietly, from the bush): "Oh no… he's drunk." (Panicked)
Anne (nervously): "I… I'm just here to graze my cattle, sir."
Man (staggering closer): "You shouldn't be here!"
The stench of liquor is so strong, Anne nearly gags.
Alex, watching tensely, grabs his bow and shoots at a rock behind the man. The arrow bounces off it, creating a loud noise.
Anne (quickly pointing): "I think your lion went that way, sir!"
Man: "What?! That beast!" (He stumbles away in that direction, shouting)
Alex (emerging, concerned): "Are you okay?" (Protective tone)
Anne: "Yeah… but I almost passed out. He reeked so badly."
Alex: "What's he even doing here?"
Anne: "Do you know him?"
Alex: "Yeah… he's one of my regular customers."
Anne: "So that's why you hid in the bushes." (Smirks)
Alex nods silently.
Alex: "He's crazy. Take my advice—leave before he comes back. He's drunk, and that means he could get violent."
Anne: "Alright. Thank you… again."
Alex: "See you tomorrow."
Anne (playfully): "Again?"
Alex (grinning as he climbs onto his horse): "Why? Don't want to?"
Anne (blushing): "No, I do… well then, see you tomorrow."
She leads her sheep back to the village, and Alex returns to his kingdom.
---
Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and then into years. Their bond only grew stronger. They teased each other, taught each other new things, played, laughed, and talked for hours.