chapter two/dos/dos

The arrow was released and it cut the string of Peter's apple, proving that the archer had not hit the apple on purpose and had hit the string intentionally. Thus, it sealed his victory. Slowly, the figure strolled up to the two fallen apples, picked them up and marched back to Peter.

Handing Prince Peter's apple to him, the hooded figure asked in a velvety voice,"Why waste a perfectly good apple?" as the figure bit into his own apple or more appropriately, her own apple. Slender fingers pulled back the black hood to reveal an oval face tanned brown under the sun. Eyes as dark as the midnight sky which had sharp arched eyebrows perched on them like crowns greeted Prince Peter who stood with his apple in his hand in shock. The woman turned to the crowds and waved. Her long waist length hair bounced as she sashayed off to the platform where they royal family was seated to redeem her prize. 

Prince Peter followed her soundlessly, his mind refusing to accept the fact that he had lost to a woman. The mysterious woman knelt before the royal family on her right knee when she reached the raised platform. Peter merely stood at ease beside her, shooting surreptitious glances at the beauty near him.

"So Heena, master of archery, what would you wish for as your prize?" King William asked in a teasing tone, well knowing what she was about to ask.

" If you do not mind, your highness, is it possible for you to grant permission for Princess Sophia and me to attend the night market tomorrow?" Heena whispered with hope.

"On any other occasion, I would have disagreed but today I accede to your demand. You may go," King William replied with a smile.

"Thank you so much!" Heena stood up and hugged King William tightly around his neck, causing Prince Peter's eyebrows to arch in surprise at the display of informality.

"Uhmm," Peter cleared his throat.

Heena withdrew herself and gave a sheepish smile. Turning to Princess Sophia, she grinned, showing her pearly whites. After curtising to the royal family, Heena skipped off to the stands. Prince Peter's eyes followed her every movement of her hips as she ran off to the stands. Heena greeted a red haired elderly man with an excited hug. She smiled in exultation.

Hours later...

The guests were seated at the long table, prim and proper waiting for King William's arrival. Waiters glided soundlessly, refilling glasses with red wine. Soon, the guard's stentorian voice announced the arrival of the king to the restless guests. Like clockwork, the guests arose to show their respects to the almighty King William. The king signalled for all to be seated after taking his own seat at the head of the teak table.

"So, how were the games Prince Peter?" the king enquired peter who was seated on his right.

"Interesting," quipped Peter," I definitely didn't expect the hooded figure to be a female."

" That happens to be Heena and I'm Nicholas, the chief defence minister," the man to Peter's right spoke up.

Peter shook his hand with a polite smile and then realised it was the same man whom Heena had ran off to.

" I presume you are her father?" he asked hesitantly.

"Of course, and a proud one too," he beamed before returning to his platter.

Well, that explains her skill, Peter thought to himself as his eyes subconsciously scanned the table for the raven beauty. Nicholas who understood who Peter was searching for eagerly, leaned in to him and whispered," My daughter also happens to be the princess's personal bodyguard."

Nodding in embarassesment, Peter searched for Princess Sophia only to realise she was seated opposite his right. Slowly, his eyes took in her pale face and bright blue eyes and her small dainty fingers. Her table manners were polished and her neat proper appearance seemed too perfect to Peter. He then looked up and saw himself staring into a pair of hardenend black eyes, into Heena's eyes. She stood behind Princess Sophia, fully dressed in black and blended into the shadows silently. Her lean appearance concealed her skills and strength, making her look like as innocent as Sophia but her eyes spoke the truth about her talent. Like a professional, her eyes observed the crowd intently, taking in the surroundings. Briefly, her eyes met Prince Peter and they merely passed over him as though she did not recognise him. Peter felt disappointment heavy in his heart when she shrugged off his appearance. This had to be the first time someone had overlooked him. As the heir to the throne of the mighty Feraine, nobody overlooked him. After all, Feraine's well-trained army and its wealth and fortune spoke wordlessly of the strength of the kingdom.

Not liking the feeling of being ignored, Peter looked down to meet Princess Sophia's gaze. He winked at her causing Sophia's cheeks to turn crimson in a second.

"So Prince Peter, we will announce the engagment between you and my daughter officially at the closing ceremony of the Carnivale. It will be held in six days time. Your father is ariving soon, I presume?" King William turned his attention back to Peter.

After gulping down the red wine, Peter answered," He knows of the arrangement but he will only be here for the marriage."

With a nod, King William returned to his meal. " I truly hope the marriage goes well," he thought to himself,"both our kingdoms need it desperately."