Not the Novel World

7. Bow

Lilian walked towards the place practicing archery while carrying the bow given by Asgar. The distance he stood with the arrowboard was about fifteen meters, after confirming something, he turned towards Zheyan and Asgar with a wide smile and clutched his thumb.

At first everyone stared at the interaction between Zheyan, Asgar and Lilian just plain. Because every time they met the scenery they saw was Lilian who was always spoiled for both. But this time was different, not only did Zheyan and Asgar indulge him but Lilian looked focused on the bow previously held by Zheyan. Not only was Lilian even walking closer towards the arrow board.

He looked like he was measuring the distance of the arrow board with where he stood. "There's no way he's gonna shoot." That's what everyone thinks. How they don't think so, let alone to shoot Lilian never even seen just holding a bow.

When everyone was thinking about what Lilian was going to do, they were surprised because Lilian was doing a swing ready to shoot.

"Will he shoot?" Ask each other.

"There's no way he can do it, he just knows how to whine." Said one of the noble princesses while smiling cynically.

"Yes right, at most he was just acting up to get the attention of the Crown Prince." Timpal's another noble's daughter.

"I would even bet that the arrow he released would fall right in front of him." Said the other princess.

Raina and the other princess laughed mockingly at Lilian, while Zheyan and Asgar were already very worried about what Lilian would do this time. While Princess Evilia felt confident that Lilian could do it. Prince Seint and Artem were just speechless they just focused on looking at Lilian.

While the person they were watching stood up confidently, he was thinking about the great force he should use to push the arrows at a certain distance until it could get to the arrow board.

After being sure Lilian also took the arrow that had been provided beside where she stood, he stood upright opening his left foot slightly in front of him and began to lift the bow with his left hand pointing it towards the arrow board then he pulled his bow and narrowed his eyes towards his destination until after being sure he was he also took off his arrows.

One two three to a few seconds after the arrows were released there was no sound, they were silent rounding their eyes perfectly even there were those who did not close their mouths in shock.

The arrow that Lilian released was firmly stuck on the small black dot of the arrow board. Until the sound of the arrowboard guard soldiers awakened their shock.

"95 marks for Miss Lilian, Princess of the Duke Marven family." Shouted the soldier.

Zheyan and Asgar suddenly ran towards Lilian after coming to their senses from her shock. Zheyan even firmly grasped his tiny hand and looked at Lilian fixedly.

"Since when have you practiced archery?" Zheyan asked seriously.

Lilian blinked her eyes at Zheyan and Asgar alternately, confused to answer Zheyan's question. Actually, he had already prepared his answer but seeing the expressions of Zheyan and Asgar made him forget immediately.

Zheyan who could not wait to hear Lilian's reply moved Lilian's hand. "Answer Brother Lilian!"

Lilian even found it hard to breathe when she saw Zheyan's gaze on her until she answered in a stammer. "A..ak.aku ti.tau ta.tau.kakak, a.I don't remember."

"But from the beginning you held the bow like you were pretty sure you could do it." Zheyan said as he looked deeply into Lilian's eyes.

"I'm just doing it according to my instincts, so I'm sure I can." Lilian.

"If you only rely on instinct alone the value may not be almost perfect Lilian." This time it was Asgar.

"Yes, maybe today is my lucky day." Lilian.

Zheyan exhaled a coarse breath and stared at Asgar "how is this?"

"Hey, you don't have to worry, that was just a coincidence." Asgar Say.

"Are you sure?" Zheyan asked looking inward at Asgar.

Asgar wasn't even sure what he was saying. "Lilian told you to just move according to instinct."

"Insting can be almost as perfect as that?" Ask Zheyan.

"Haissss" Asgar ruffled his hair in frustration. "We just go home, we better discuss it with Father and Uncle." Advice Asgar.

"Yes, I think that's what we should do." Zheyan.

Lilian was confused as to why her brother and Asgar overreacted when she only shot one shot. The reaction they gave was different to his estimation, instead of feeling happy they were more like people who were worried. When his hand was pulled by Zheyan he just walked following in the footsteps of his brother not daring to ask.

Whereas in the place of those who had laughed at Lilian earlier they were still surprised by what they saw, "How could Lilian do so well," was more or less so they thought. From afar they could also see the reaction of Zheyan and Asgar who were as confused as they were.

So it was with prince Seint, Princess Evilia, Artem and Raina that they thought the same thing. "When did Lilian learn archery?" As the many questions they were thinking about how Lilian was able to shoot so well, Zheyan, Lilian and Asgar walked closer to the crown prince.

Arriving at them before the crown prince, Zheyan posted his body of respect. " Honor Your Highness the Prince forgive me if it is presumptuous but we want to ask permission to resign early because my Brother feels not feeling well."

"Alright, our training I think is over." Prince Seint.

"Thank you Prince, then we beg you to step down." Zheyan said, then bowed respectfully followed by Lilian and Asgar.

After the departure of Zheyan, Lilian and Asgar, others asked for permission to return home, including Princess Evilian and Raina. Now only Prince Sein and Artem are left sitting under a tree just behind their training ground. The place is very cool because it grows many trees and decorative flowers. There is a place that they usually visit after training, in addition to cool place close to the training ground so they do not need to walk far to just rest after practicing.

Prince Seint lay under a very shady tree, his eyes closed and his hands he made as a pillow while Artem sat leaning on a tree trunk beside Seint, his mind back to remember the incident earlier.

Artem straightened his body and stared at Seint who was lying down. "Are you sleeping?"

"No." Seint.

"What do you think of Miss Lilian?" Ask Artem.

Sein opened his eyes and glanced briefly at Artem then looked up at the sky. "Something."

"I didn't stop thinking about it" said Artem, who was also looking up at the sky.

Sein squinted at Artem and slightly raised his voice, "You like it?"

Artem rounded his eyes and reflexes his body he faced towards Seint. "Mom, that's not what I mean, I was just thinking about how well he shot like a trained man."

"really?" Asked Seint who was still squinting his eyes.

Artem smiled broadly at Seint, he had a way to tease her, Seint himself who saw Artem smiling understood the meaning of his smile. He hurried his face and looked back at the sky.

Artem who saw Seint's reaction was even more eager to tease him. "Why do you look dislike when I say I'm thinking about Miss Lilian?" Artem asked with a mischievous smile.

"I just asked." Seint cuek.

"Then why are you asking? Usually you won't care." Said Artem still with his mischievous smile.

"I'm just asking who knows you like it." Said Seint still with his indifferent tone.

"Then if I like it how? Are you gonna get mad?" Ask Artem again.

"No, why should I be angry." Seint began to raise his voice staring intently at Artem.

"Well, then, you don't like it now I'm free to like and meet him without fearing you're angry." Artem smiled as he looked up at the sky.

Seint who heard the reply from Artem reflex sat down and stared intently at Artem, "So you have liked and met him often without me knowing?" Ask Seint who now looks emotional.

Artem sees the change in face from Seint now shrinking his guts to tease Sein, his intentions are just teasing but he gets a look that seems to want to eat him alive.

"Mom..not that I mean." Artem said nervously.

"Then what do you mean?" Ask Seint again.

"A. I'm just flirting with you who would have thought you'd be mad." Artem.

Sein turned his face away and looked at just anyone, "Who's angry?" He returned with a soft tone.

"Haisssss you even looked at me as if you wanted to swallow me alive." Artem

Seint looked back at Artem sharply and was nervous again, "Yes I believe you're not angry." Her speech.

Seint again spread his body and closed his eyes again, Artem who saw him smiled. He knew from childhood Seint could never say what he felt, Seint tended to be cold and indifferent to the people around him. But as his best friend from childhood, Artem could understand what Seint wanted and felt. Although Seint is a cold person, he actually has a warm heart for those he cares about.

Making a friendship from childhood makes them very familiar and understand each other. The warm nature of Artem can compensate for the cold nature of Seint. Seeing Sein lying down quietly made Artem lie down and close his eyes.

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