Chapter 18 The Archery Duel Chapter 18 The Archery Duel +10 Free Coins At first , Princess Aurora had meant to humble the confident Duflanan lady before her , to prove the superiority of Brorchester with a single arrow . However , Fiona's unvarnished praise hit like fresh wind across a summer lake . Princess Aurora laughed a clear , hearty sound . " We all start as novices , " she said . " When I was young , my brothers mocked my clumsy seat . Believe me , I've no wish to be discourteous today . " Riding and archery would be judged separately , with archery first . Princess Aurora lifted a bow as tall as her waist , its limbs inlaid with the Brorchester Royal Family's crest . The weapon looked carved from pure strength , a design usually reserved for seasoned men of war . Fiona's bow seemed crafted for elegance rather than force - slender limbs veined with delicate grain , a strip of dark emerald set into the back that shimmered beneath the sun . Any connoisseur would see it was a masterpiece . From the sidelines , the Sixth Prince murmured with a half - smile , " What a waste of fine wood and emerald . " To Zephyr , Fiona looked too fragile , too flawless , to ever bend a bow with real power . Placing such a treasure in her hands felt , to him , like wasting resources . Drums rolled in thunderous cadence . The contest had begun . Princess Aurora's face remained an unbroken mask of calm . She braced the bow with her left hand , drew the string back with her right , and loosed . The shaft hissed across the range and buried itself , dead - center , in the bronze goblet . The impact rattled the cup so hard it quivered on its tray . A wave of applause rang out - hands slapping , murmurs erupting , excitement rising like wind through tall grass . " Magnificent ! " shouted one of the Brorchester envoys , his voice swelling with patriotic pride . Fiona found herself silently impressed . Even most men would struggle to land such a shot . She knew that day's contest was hers to lose , yet she also knew her own limits . Defeat would but it need not be humiliating , Soren had trained her well . come , Her first arrow missed the goblet by a hair's breadth , skimming the rim before spinning away . Precision , at least , matched Princess Aurora's . Power might not . 1/3 14:38 Fri , Oct 10 Chapter 18 The Archery Duel 59 +10 Free Coins The spectators , taken by surprise , leaned forward . Her form was fluid , almost dance - like , turning archery into a spectacle . Gasps replaced whispers as they realized that Fiona was no ordinary court lady . Emperor Aldric laughed , pleased beyond measure . " I appear to have underestimated this lady from the Niven family . Ten short days and she already shoots like this - astonishing talent ! " The Sixth Prince arched a brow , newfound interest flickering in his gaze . Mastering archery demanded punishing discipline ; the contrast between Fiona's pampered appearance and her grit intrigued him . Across the lawn , Soren's surprise quickly cooled into calculation . One glance told him Fiona's technique could not have formed in ten days . Whoever coached her had invested patience and method , channeling every hidden advantage . On her second arrow , his eyes narrowed . She used a clever , elastic release - a signature maneuver he had devised in solitary practice . No one else knew that trick . So how has she learned it ? Soren rubbed the bridge of his nose , suspicion coiling tighter . Fiona could never have placed a spy near him , but Helen might . If the Princess Royal's family truly meant to meddle in succession politics , he would need to guard every flank . Each archer loosed ten arrows . Princess Aurora planted six cleanly in the cup . Fiona , after a shaky start , found her rhythm and drove home three . She lost the match , yet her poise transformed defeat into quiet honor . Emperor Aldric could not contain his delight . " Well done ! " " Ms. Niven , you are full of surprises , " Princess Aurora said , amusement dancing in her eyes . The contest had proved far livelier than she expected . " Princess Aurora , you broadened my horizons today . Your skill surpasses many a seasoned soldier , Fiona replied , genuine admiration coloring her words . " Now I look forward to our test of horsemanship even more , " Princess Aurora uttered . Recognition from Princess Aurora warmed Fiona's heart , and she smiled - until she caught Soren watching from a distance , his expression cool and probing . The smile thinned , awareness dawning like a chill breeze . That was when she remembered that Soren and Xavier had both trained under Gavin . Even if Soren sensed something amiss , Xavier could serve as her shield . The thought steadied her pulse . 2/3 14:39 Fri , Oct 10 Chapter 18 The Archery Duel : & am 69 +10 Free Coins When the riders finally thundered onto the course , Fiona's performance in the saddle proved every bit as solid as her archery . High in the saddle , Fiona guided her stallion across the clearing , the afternoon sun flashing along the arc of her raised riding crop . Dust swirled behind the hooves , catching the light like sparks struck from flint . She rode with the reckless certainty of a veteran cavalryman . Yet , every lean of her waist , every snap of her dark hair , carried a softness no man could imitate , a contradiction that dragged every eye toward her . From the viewing stand , Zephyr felt his pulse plummet to his heels . A single cup of iced tea cooled the fever that raced through his veins , reminding him that the autumn hunt had already stretched on for two restless weeks . He had been so easily tempted lately . The dancers of the last banquet still haunted his midnight fantasies ; he had even ordered one traced to her quarters , only to find an ordinary girl where the vision had once burned bright . Soren kept a watchful orbit around the lists , and under that silent protection , not a single mishap marred the match . The contest was pure horsemanship . Though Fiona could not quite out - ride Princess Aurora , her nimble handling of the reins drew admiring murmurs that softened the narrow margin of defeat . 3/3