The first shot was fortunate and unfortunate, but as I prepared to fire the second arrow, a feeling of responsibility weighed heavily on my shoulders.
Oh God, I shouldn't fail. Will I succeed?
I tried to calm myself down and pulled the bow string.
hiccup!
I focused and fired the arrow, but unfortunately the arrow deviated from the center of the target.
“Ha! The first hit was just a fluke.”
Zeke said sarcastically and then stepped forward.
“I will win, watch carefully.”
The boy bragged, but his shoulders were stiff with tension.
When Zeke held the bow, everyone held their breaths nervously.
The boy focused on the target as he pulled the bowstring.
Perhaps due to the pressure of being the last attempt, his breathing quickened and the arrowhead shook slightly.
His last arrow settled right next to the center.
"Ah! It was so close!"
“Not a direct hit.”
The people showed their displeasure by cheering, while the other sons of the nobles smiled mockingly.
Their cold reaction indicated their disdain: “You couldn’t even hit that?”
Zeke seemed to be extremely shocked, so he huffed angrily and threw the bow to the ground uncontrollably.
It's my turn now.
I put an arrow on my bowstring.
This stock is my last chance.
I focused all my soul and mind on the bullseye.
Amazingly, my heavy and lethargic arms became lighter, and my mind cleared.
The moment the pointed arrowhead shone like a star, I released the bowstring.
Sooooooooooooooooooo!
With a sound that split the air, the arrow pierced right into the middle of the target.
There was a deep silence for a moment.
“Waaah!”
Cheers and cheers exploded like fireworks all at once.
Even the fluttering flags shook with the cheering.
“Direct hit!”
"Miss Diel! Great skill!"
The knights cheered, and the nobles clapped in amazement.
The young women held each other's hands happily.
The unexpectedly enthusiastic reaction sent me into a tizzy.
“The winner is… Miss Erica Diehl!”
The palace assistant called late.
Amidst the uproar and applause, I looked around.
Zeke was gone.
I think he came home angry about his loss.
He received a hard lesson this time.
You should not judge and mistreat people based solely on their social standing.
“Sister, you are the best!”
Michael ran and hugged me.
I whispered to my little master while he smiled brightly:
“Didn’t I tell you? I will grant you victory.”
“You gave me more than that.”
When I raised my head, Carlex was standing in front of me.
“Great match, thank you, Varsity.”
His blue eyes were looking at me so dramatically that I stared at them, fascinated.
Without being able to avoid it, he kissed the back of my hand.
"duke…!"
I quickly pulled my hand away.
He looked at me steadily.
Looking into his eyes, I felt an irrepressible desire stirring within me.
I want to hold his strong, noble neck, and long for his pure lips.
Whether it was the euphoria of victory or an adrenaline rush, my heart was pounding and my forehead was hot.
I tore my hands from his grip and hid them behind my back.
Why does this hero keep testing the limits of my patience?
At that moment, Ludving approached, smiling happily.
“My favorite princess is good not only with books, but also with a bow. It was a great match.”
“Your words are very kind, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
I answered humbly, bowing.
The Crown Prince naturally placed his hand on Carlex's shoulder and smiled playfully.
“You have made Duke Reinhardt's efforts in vain. Miss Dale knows how to defend her honor herself, as she is a knight.”
Carlex smiled softly.
The pride in me was so evident on his face that I felt embarrassed for no reason.
The palace assistant brought the winner's prize on a silver tray.
It was a luxurious jewelry box studded with a red gemstone, the size of an infant's palm.
Crown Prince Ludwig called out loudly to the audience:
“The winner of today’s archery competition is Miss Erica Diehl. Congratulations for showing an honorable match with her amazing archery skills, and I will give her an artifact from the palace as a prize!”
Warm applause poured in from those present.
She humbly accepted the small jewelry box offered by the Crown Prince.
Officially, I smiled happily, but internally I was about to explode my complaints.
What will I use a jewelry box for?
I don't even have a single gold ring to put it on.
It would have been better if he gave me gold coins.
A librarian's salary is worth nothing.
Michael cheerfully congratulated me as if it were his own.
“You have a royal jewelry box. Congratulations, sister.”
“Is this okay?”
I asked him secretly while watching those around me.
Michael opened his eyes in surprise and asked in turn:
“Didn’t you know? That box is an artifact that creates a protective shield. You can buy a small castle with it. It is a valuable treasure.”
Oh, my God! What did you say! Did you win the lottery?
I so stifled my joy that it almost made my cheeks fly.
Can I now enjoy an elegant aristocratic life in a castle like the one in the paintings?
Now I have to think about who to sell it to.
Perhaps I would secretly go to a wealthy merchant or nobleman and sell it.
Since it's a royal treasure, he'll appreciate its value even more, right? Hahahaha.
While I was deep in the dream of sudden wealth and muttering to myself, a small, soft hand pulled me up.
“Sister, come on. They say they’re going to start the feast. Let’s go too.”
In front of me, Michael was smiling brightly like an angel.
Next to me, Carlex was walking as if he was guarding me with his tender eyes.
Behind me, the Shadow Knights followed.
When I met the eyes of Commander Liam, Lloyd, and Gilbert, they gave a thumbs up and smiled happily.
When I moved into this body, I was alone.
When did there become so many people around me?
In the light of the burning fire illuminating the banquet hall, their warm smiles were reflected.
In front of these people forming a solid fence, I couldn't help but smile brightly as well.
****
At a long table stretching across the middle of the match arena, dozens of nobles and knights sat freely with no distinction between high or low rank.
The noble ladies and young ladies had returned home in carriages.
This is because the knights' feast is held outdoors to celebrate victory, by eating and drinking until dawn.
On the long table, wines and meats were piled up in abundance, and musicians played the lute, trumpet, and horn to raise the spirits.
The knights, who had cast aside their heavy armor, enjoyed the feast with beaming faces.
They treated their tired bodies and minds during the game with wine, meat, and good laughs.
As Lloyd looked around, he said in a satisfied voice:
“A traditional feast for knights that I haven't seen in a long time.”
“Yes. We can eat and drink happily until dawn.”
Gilbert supported him with a fresh face.
Michael, who was listening next to him curiously, asked:
“Did you often have such banquets too, sir?”
Lloyd came forward and told a story from the past:
“Very rarely did His Highness the Duke say that the tension should not be eased even after the battle was over. One time, he held a feast after a long break, but at that time the monsters attacked by chance...”
“What happened after that?”
“His Highness the Duke threw the entire barrel of wine to attack and as a result, the precious liquor we had painstakingly rescued was destroyed.”
Lloyd looked at the person in question with a look of reproach, as if he still felt sorry for the wine that wasted his time.
When Carlex noticed this, a gentle smile appeared on his lips.
“Lloyd, today I allow you to drink as much as you want. But on the condition that you do not get drunk. If you get drunk, I will put you in a barrel of beer instead of wine.”
“To drink and not get drunk! This is so cruel!”
Lloyd grumbled with a pained face.
His sight sparked laughter from those around him.
I laughed with them, and then a large, straight hand appeared before my eyes.
“My knight.”
Carlex called politely and elegantly.
"Can't you do something about that knighthood? I feel stressed when I hear it."
Curious looks around me turned to us.
Stop staring, please.
It's like you're on a picnic!
I just stuck my fingertips on Carlex's hand. I held his large hand with my fingertips.
It was warm but tickling.
It is painful to feel the heart palpitations due to an accidental touch on the skin.
“Really? I'm glad you're getting more and more nicknames.”
He laughed out loud as if he really meant it.
Because of Carlex's rare laugh, Michael and the Shadow Knights were terrified as if they had seen a ghost.
Carlex took my hand and we headed to Crown Prince Ludving's place.
It is tradition for the winner of an equestrian match to sit next to the organizing royal family.
Ludwig welcomed us with open arms and chanted:
“My loyal knights have returned to me bearing victory!”
Hmm, His Highness the Crown Prince seems to be lacking in tone.
Singing is best left to itinerant poets.
Li Lufeng motioned to come to his left.
“My librarian and brave knight Erica, come here.”
The Crown Prince glanced at Carlex standing next to me and smiled a sly smile.
“Duke Reinhardt, don’t stare at me like that.”
This situation is like being forced to sit next to the boss at a business party.
But I decided that the Crown Prince was a hundred times better than sitting next to Carlex and causing unnecessary misunderstandings.
“I must obey the order of His Highness the Crown Prince.”
She quickly sat down to Ludving's left.
She ignored Carlex's sour look and smiled broadly at Michael, who was sitting across from him.
When all the knights present were seated, their glasses were filled with beer or wine.
She prepared fruity wines for the young nobles' sons.
When Ludving rose and raised his glass, everyone followed suit.
I also raised the tin cup filled with wine.
“My knights!”
Ludving's clear, powerful voice flows widely.
His red hair, glowing with the torchlight, was clearly on fire.
As if he proves by his mere presence that he is the heir to the kingdom.
The noisy table quieted down, and everyone focused their gazes on the Crown Prince at once.
“Today, in the knightly match, many knights became victorious or defeated. They were all brave and honorable. Salute to your loyalty and spirit of chivalry. Today, eat, drink, and be merry as much as you like! May the great Kingdom of Ruberia be immortal!”
“Immortality to the great Ruberia!”
The knights cheered enthusiastically and declared their loyalty to Ruberia and Ludving.
The firm resolve could be felt that they were ready to sacrifice their lives at any time if it was by order of the Crown Prince.
Ludwig's sermon had such force.
I realized again the weight of where he was sitting.
Usually he is the extravagant, fun-loving crown prince, but sometimes he appears as a surprisingly charismatic leader.
It's hard to believe that he was the villain blinded by envy in the original story.
She looked at Ludving with reverence.
When my eyes met his, he made a drinking gesture and closed one eye.
naturally.
I take back my words about him being gorgeous, he's back to being the original flirtatious crown prince.
“When I saw the match today, my desire for you increased. My librarian is also good at archery. You can protect me from enemies in my time of need.”
“I can also throw books in time of need. Maybe His Highness the Crown Prince accidentally hit the head.”
When I answered smugly, Ludving burst out laughing as if he found it funny.
“Haha, don’t worry about it, because my knight will prevent it. Right?”
Carlex, who was drinking lightly, stopped looking at me for a moment.
I can feel it a little while ago, he has an unsatisfied look that looks like he's very dissatisfied with something.
Especially since his eyes stop at my chair for no reason...
A moment.
Could Carlex be upset?
“To be continued in the next chapter”
Loving translation