In the hunting grounds, the air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth.
—Whoosh
Father's arrow shot forward into the neck of his prey. It was as if wind resistance was non-existent.
I slowly pulled the string of my bow, aiming for the head.
—whoosh…
Of course, I had no talent for such things, the arrow barely made it past the tree that was around 6 footsteps from me.
"You have changed a lot, yet your talent for the bow remains the same." Father said, sounding disappointed.
"A certain knight once said 'A person could lose his brain but his soul won't follow that path,'" I said, barely looking into his eyes.
—Whoosh
Father fired another shot, but this time, it was aimed for the left eye.
"Is that so?"
I slowly turned to the mage watching in the corner with a smile, "Wouldn't you agree too, Court Mage?"
"I praise the knight for their wisdom, Your Highness," Syra slowly stepped up to me from the trees. The sunlight enhancing his silver hair. The air bent to his will as he raised his hand. The air gathered at the tip of his index finger, forming an orb. It grew denser and denser.
"Wind bullet."
The orb flew towards the prey, piercing right through its skull.
"That's cheating!" I said.
Syra shrugged.
"I agree." A grin spread across Father's face as he shoved his bow into Syra's hands.
"Surely you jest, Your Majesty."
The two exchanged quite the laughters. They must have been close.
Father paused before grabbing his bow back from Syra, "It seems time won't allow me here for any longer." He glanced at me, "Today was quite enjoyable, son."
It felt different. He had been calling me 'son' as if it was a mere title yet… It felt like he was genuine just now.
"The Second ties with North." He warned, his voice flat.
He left, Syra following him from behind.
" 'son', huh?" I huffed.
"Oho~? Feeling touched?" A familiar old man crept behind me.
I yelped in surprise, "Eek!"
"What's with you and showing up unexpectedly!?" I yelled.
Flora shrugged, waving dismissive hands.
"The genius can't handle a bow~"
My blood boiled. I lunged, throwing wild punches that hit nothing but air. Flora effortlessly evaded each one, his heartfelt laugh echoing through the forest and mocking every missed swing.
I stopped, breathing heavily.
"So? What did you come for?" I asked the smiling mage.
His expression turned neutral, "That boy Ele Grandor can't be trusted. He's going to revolt, soon."
My eyes widened.
How did he know that Duke Ele was going to revolt? The thought lingered in my head.
"How did yo—"
"It seems you've forgotten this old man's special trait." He said, his lips curving into a smile.
"I hope you're at least not a pervert, teacher."
"Oh trust me, my student, I am no pervert."
I sighed, "I'll keep that in mind. I mean your claims of Duke Ele." Flora nodded.
"Then I'll be off, Your Highness."
Alone again~ I sighed as Flora became one with air.
—[Line break]
I walked to the training arena before pausing as I saw a suspicious maid. I slowly approached her from behind and placed my hand on her left shoulder.
"EEK..!" She yelped loudly.
I looked down at her curling figure, glaring.
"So," I paused, "Who are you supposed to be?"
I imitated Father's aura with my barely usable mana.
She trembled, "I-I am R-Rena… Your Highness!" She quickly bowed.
"And? What are you doing here?" I asked.
"I was looking for Sir Rein…" She dared not to look into my eyes.
"—Rena!" A manly voice came from behind.
I turned around to see Rein, running towards us.
"Your Highness?" He pressed the brakes. "What brings you here?"
"Oh, nothing. I just saw a suspicious maid here." I said as I pointed at the bowing Rena.
Rein quickly ran towards her. It looked like they were related. He took her by the hand bowed before leaving.
I whispered to Rein, "Sorry, I think I scared her, Rein."
"It's not a problem, Your Highness."
They fled the scene.
"Umm…" A familiar silver bell-like voice rang from behind the bushes.
"Lye? What are you doing there?" I asked.
She stepped out, the leaves not leaving her maid attire.
"I was keeping an eye on Rena, Your Highness."
"Is that so?" I raised an eyebrow, "What did you find about her?"
Lye paused, "She is… the adopted sister of Sir Rein. Right now, she works as a personal maid for him."
I nodded, "Good work, Lye."
"I-It's nothing, Your H-Highness…"
She sniffled lightly, bringing a hand to her face.
Is it just my imagination… or do I see a trickle of blood coming from her nostrils?
"Lye," I said, my voice filled with a mix of concern and amusement. "Your nose..."
Her fingers came away red. Her eyes widened.
"E-E-E-Excuse me!"
And with a squeak that was barely human, she spun on her heels and fled, leaving a single, red drop on the ground behind her.
—[Line break]
The night's air brushed my hair as I stood at the balcony of my room. The smell of flower from the gardens flowed throughout the royal buildings.
Flora came to stand beside me, "What's on the mind of my dear student?"
"Ah, it's nothing. Just thinking about what I remember." I shrugged.
"Is that so?"
"It seems you had quite the past, you who inhabit Sorrel's body."