Chapter 73

Crystal wasn't wrong when she predicted a sort of physical test. And the sight of the weapons lined up, ranging from swords to axes, did not make me feel confident in what was to take place.

The princes aid, Jacob Regal, with his ginger hair wore a serious expression as he stood beside the weapons. I had arrived first. Not intentionally of course. I had been walking to the gardens and happened to catch the display. I simply wanted an answer as to what was happening but I was told to stand in line.

I was too awkward to ask why. Mostly because it meant explaining that I didn't know what was happening at all.

"I expected you to take your time" Lady Willows voice made me relax a bit.

"I'm ashamed I present myself so lazily" I smiled at her, "I suppose this is our next task". I stated as vaguely as possible, hoping she may accidentally drop some more information.

"Yes, but is this exactly?" Her eyes scanned the weapons with a frown.

Damn… she didn't know either.

"Ooh weapons? Are we going to spar?" Lady Raya arrived with her blue eyes brimming with curiosity.

I hope not!

"I've never wielded a weapon like this…" I muttered with worry creasing between my brows.

"Never?" Lady Willow echoed in surprise and I turned to her in equal surprise.

"Is it normal to do so?" I asked.

"Not at all. I assumed you weren't the type to live by the rules".

"I only do business and that's just because of my father…" I thought it was obvious, but a lady doing trades was surprising enough.

"How disappointing. Then Charlotte shall be the only sparring partner worth going against" Lady Raya let out a frustrated sigh.

"Sparring?! You?" I stared at the girls and they both simply smirked instead of answering.

"I knew it" Crystal finally arrived with a smug look on her face and I rolled my eyes.

Whatever task this was I was surely going to fail…

"Ladies! As you have all arrived I shall begin to explain this round of the selection process. The last round resulted in a disqualification but from here on out you shall all partake in the tests and will be fairly judged on all criteria's. If we deem you unfit you will be eliminated".

I wanted to gasp in relief knowing the point based system was gone. It was truly horrendous.

"Today we will test your sparring abilities"-

"Sparring!?" The shriek came from Lady Montgomery and I jumped at the unexpected sound.

"A queen must be able to hold her own in the event of the Kings absence" He didn't flinch at her shrieking voice at all. "As I was saying, today you are to take up a weapon and dismember one of those targets" he gestured to the nine wooden targets. All of them dressed and stuffed in hay to create high quality scarecrows.

I heard the murmur among the women and I felt their apprehension.

"May we begin?" Lady Willow calmly asked, unperturbed.

"We await the arrival of his majesty and then you may begin" he answered with a warm smile.

I felt my heartbeat quicken simply at the notion that he would arrive. My dream suddenly flashing back into my mind and I felt my skin flush. Then the realisation that he might catch on to how I'm feeling because of his vampiric powers made me break into a sweat.

I'm not sure I can face him!!

"Your highness!" The aid greeted him and my head snapped up to see Jules arriving beside him. Dressed in black with a black cloak covering him, golden shoulder pads standing out among the dark outfit alongside the golden chains woven into his cloak. On his head a crown, thick and patterned in rubies.

I hadn't even paid any attention to the aid when he said we could begin. Nor had I looked to the ladies who greeted and curtsied for the prince, ignoring his replies and their flaunting. I had turned away with a burning red face and stared at the weapon selection with enough scrutiny to burn a hole through the concrete.

The rest of the ladies had done the same except Lady Raya, who immediately picked up a sword. Lady Willow picked up a bow and arrow. I didn't dare pick up either. Some ladies lifted spears only to drop them.

I caught sight of a small axe, almost a dagger and lifted it. Grimacing at the weight of it. The larger axe had not even been touched out of common sense.

This could do something right?

I felt eyes on me and turned to the prince, but he had turned away before we could make eye contact. Eyes turning to Lady Raya who had already dismembered her target. She had done a bit more than that in truth but it looked much too gruesome to describe.

I clenched the axe tightly and walked to my target. Standing before it with no will to hurt it all.

I don't think I had ever gotten physical with anyone growing up. I recalled having one or two shuffles with my brothers when I was about five. But fighting? I recalled the incident the other day and could not find the will to recall it. It was way too terrifying.

Maybe I was too soft? But just as the thought occurred to me I heard a rush of wind and something sharp cut my cheek as an arrow, dangerously close to my face, hit my target. I stared at it as the shock sunk in, turning to who shot it to see Lady Montgomery dropping her kit and stand before me with a worried face.

"Lady Colter I hadn't seen you there at all! How silly of me- Are you okay?" Her hand touched my injured cheek while I still couldn't draw my eyes away from her concerned eyes. It was fake and i was certain she hadn't meant to miss. I was so certain that I stepped back. Realising that the prince was not my only enemy. That this woman truly meant to kill me.

"That- That's alright" I strangled the words out of my throat and hiccuped when a large familiar hand rested on my shoulder.

Lady Montgomery's face paled and her pupils began to shake as she looked up at what was most definitely the prince standing behind me. I could see her barely standing, imagining the familiar heavy gravity surrounding her except I was standing perfectly still and untouched.

"Lady Montgomery, that accident has resulted in a Lady being scarred" his booming voice rose and Lady Montgomery's legs trembled. The arm of the target breaking away under the pressure of the gravitational force. "Any further incidents will result in disqualification".

His words although light and almost polite held so many threats I shivered a bit. But when I felt his fingers tighten comfortingly on my shoulder I relaxed, realising he meant to calm me.

"Of- Of- Of course- you-your majesty" she stammered, body shaking.

It was visibility when the gravity lifted, her skin and brows rising to their normal positions, but her legs gave out completely. It was admirable when she stood up and returned to her target instantly.

"Jules"- I began but then swallowed when I noticed the intense stare at my scar. I barely noticed it with everything that happened. He leaned towards me and I shut my eyes in response, feeling his lips touch the scar lightly before lifting away. He licked his lips.

"Get it checked. You've already passed" he whispered, then he turned around and made his way back, but I grabbed his cloak, forcing him to stop.

"Thank you".

I let go as I said the words and he continued as if I never said them.

I joined the ladies who had completed their task, which was only Lady Raya who had clearly been watching. She didn't hesitate to share her thoughts.

"Did he just kiss you?"