Chapter 36

An arrow struck one of the targets lined up side by side. Despite its fierce momentum, it was far from the center.

“The bow must be faulty.”

As Asis lowered the bow and muttered, Kaya puffed her cheeks with a mocking expression. Karina tried her best not to look at the two of them. Fortunately, Noah stepped forward just in time.

“There’s nothing wrong with the bow. It seems His Highness simply lacks skill.”

Noah, who was carefully inspecting the bow with a serious expression, said so. Asis looked up at him with a faint smile. A moment later, with a thud, Noah, who had been struck in the shin, fell forward.

When Kaya also received a flick on the forehead, a small voice was heard from behind.

“Is it okay not to go up?”

“It’ll be fine. It’s just a break time anyway.”

Cornell and Phyllis were standing a little apart, chatting side by side.

“Hey, you two timid ones, come over here. There’s no point in coming together if you stay apart like that.”

Asis, who had picked up a new bow, called out to them. Karina instinctively took a step back.

“Now that I think about it, I heard the Herwin Earldom is participating in this hunting competition as well. Is that right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Phyllis, who had approached, nodded and answered.

Without much response, Asis handed the bow to Phyllis. It seemed to mean, “Try shooting.” Looking slightly troubled, Phyllis walked toward the direction of the quiver as if he had no other choice.

Karina averted her gaze from him and stared blankly into the air with lifeless eyes.

‘What am I even doing here?’

She had followed the Crown Prince here on impulse, but she still couldn’t understand the situation. The sudden trip to the training grounds was one thing, but why did Cornell and Phyllis have to be involved as well?

“Give it your best shot. Since you’re planning to participate anyway, think of it as practice.”

For some reason, Asis, who seemed to be in a good mood, perched on Noah’s back, who was lying on the ground, and gestured with his chin.

Without a word, Phyllis drew the bowstring. Soon, the arrow was shot toward the target.

“…Oh?”

Asis, who had been grinning the whole time, widened his eyes slightly.

The arrow struck almost dead center of the target. Leaving the arrow behind, Phyllis turned around. Unlike the surprised Cornell, Karina still had no particular reaction.

“This is unexpected. Who would’ve thought a young master from a literary family would have such excellent archery skills?”

“You flatter me.”

“Well, your family hasn’t done poorly in competitions either.”

Asis, who seemed to convince himself, walked over to Phyllis’s spot and took a stance. However, the result wasn’t great. Once again, the arrow struck near the edge of the target and quivered slightly.

“This time, it’s the arrow. There must be something wrong with the fletching.”

With a sullen expression, Asis walked over and began rummaging through the quiver carelessly. Karina seized the opportunity to quietly approach Noah.

“Are you okay?”

Noah, who had gotten up, brushed off his clothes and nodded, but the footprint on his back remained.

“I should request a budget increase. If even the arrows aren’t properly maintained, this won’t do.”

Clicking his tongue, Asis nocked another arrow on the bowstring. Fortunately, the third arrow landed close to the center. Finally satisfied, Asis lowered the bow, his expression showing relief and pride.

Cornell approached him, who was humming, and cautiously spoke.

“Your Highness, I’m sorry, but I think I must leave now.”

“Is it already that time?”

“Yes. To make it to the meeting on time, I need to stop by the library first.”

“Well, it can’t be helped. Then, you two may leave.”

With permission granted in the same relaxed tone as before, Cornell bowed and glanced at Phyllis. Unlike Cornell, Phyllis hesitated slightly before putting down the bow. Moments later, the two left the training grounds side by side, just as they had come.

It was an anticlimactic ending compared to the start. Karina tilted her head with a lingering sense of unease. Only after the uninvited guests, who had been invited without her consent, disappeared did Asis finally apologize with a regretful expression.

“Sorry about that, Lady Karina. I got carried away after picking up a bow for the first time in a while.”

“It’s fine. Watching was enjoyable.”

Karina tried not to show that she had been listening to his words with one ear and letting them out the other. As before, now all she wanted was to return home.

“Miss Karina, would you like to try?”

But then, Noah, who had been standing idly, made an absurd suggestion. Karina asked back in disbelief.

“Pardon? Try what?”

“You looked bored.”

Without hesitation, Noah handed the bow and arrow he was holding to Karina. Seeing his usual clear gaze, it seemed he was serious. Karina was at a loss for words. While she hesitated, unsure of how to respond, Kaya picked at her ear and added a remark.

“With wrists that look like they’d snap with a touch, what could you possibly do?”

It seemed she was merely saying what came to mind, but to Karina, it was a blow to her pride.

“All I have to do is draw the bowstring, right?”

“That’s something only we can say. I bet you can’t even lift it, Lady.”

The mocking tone ignited a useless sense of determination. Karina reached out her hand.

“Give it to me. I’ll try.”

Asis sat down with an intrigued expression, resting his chin on his hand.

Sadly, Kaya’s words weren’t an exaggeration. Karina was slightly taken aback when she received the bow from Noah.

‘Is it supposed to be this heavy?’

She could lift it, but raising it above her waist was a struggle due to its weight.

“If it’s too heavy, you can put it down. There’s a children’s bow over there.”

Following Noah’s finger, she saw a bow and arrow set hanging on the wall that was clearly half the size of the one she was holding.

Gritting her teeth, Karina lifted the bow. Though her arms trembled, she managed to hold it up for a few seconds. Putting all her strength into drawing the bowstring, the three onlookers widened their eyes.

“Ugh.”

The arrow, barely drawn back halfway, fell weakly to the ground. Even that was the best Karina could do. As she caught her breath, applause came from somewhere.

“Amazing. You’re more ambitious than I thought, Lady.”

“Wow, she actually tried. How did she pull the string with those wrists?”

“…Didn’t she fail?”

Feeling embarrassed, Karina asked, but Kaya and Asis shook their heads simultaneously. Her wrists ached, but she didn’t feel too bad. It was as if she had been praised like a child.

Noah, who had retrieved the arrow Karina dropped, took the bow from her again.

“Well done.”

The short praise filled her with a warm feeling. Karina unconsciously lowered her gaze.

Her reddened, chafed palm finally caught her attention.

“Miss Karina, your hand…”

“It must’ve been scraped by the string. It’s fine.”

It wasn’t a serious wound, so she tried to hide it. Just then, the sound of footsteps, faintly audible earlier, grew louder and closer.

“Young Lord Phyllis?”

Asis’s puzzled voice was heard just as Karina turned around.

Phyllis, who had certainly left earlier, was standing a short distance away. For some reason, his expression didn’t look good, and Karina realized why as she felt the stinging pain in her hand.

Phyllis’s distorted gaze was fixed on Karina’s small wound. Karina pressed her fingers against the wound. The sharp pain momentarily made her forget the situation.

***

Books and documents were scattered across the desk in disarray. Cornell skillfully organized them one by one. Only after meticulously reviewing the neatly arranged materials did she return the books to their original places. Normally, this would have been a task to do with Phyllis, but even alone, she had enough time to spare.

“Miss Cornell, have you found the materials needed for the meeting?”

“Yes, I’m almost done.”

The librarian asked in a small voice. Cornell nodded and turned over a sheet of paper.

“But where is Young Lord Phyllis? I thought he was here earlier.”

The librarian, who was organizing the remaining books, asked again.

“He said he needed to meet someone for a moment.”

Cornell answered casually as she picked up her pen. The pen scratched sharply across the paper.

It wasn’t a question to take too sensitively. Letting Phyllis go had been Cornell’s own decision.

It had been while they were at the library, searching for the necessary books. Noticing Phyllis’s visibly downcast expression, Cornell had spoken to him quietly.

‘Go on.’

‘…….’

‘To Miss Karina. There’s something you want to say to her, isn’t there?’

It wasn’t clumsy sympathy. Nor was it useless generosity. It was simply because she knew too well. The emotions that flickered in his light brown eyes, stronger than his confusion.

‘……I’m sorry, Cornell.’

That was clearly guilt directed at her. And Cornell had used that guilt.

‘I’m fine. Right now, your mother’s health is more important, isn’t it? The engagement can be postponed for a bit.’

Their engagement had been delayed. It had been Cornell who first proposed it to Phyllis a few days ago. After all, Cornell had been the one who wanted the engagement in the first place. Even if the feelings were mutual, the intensity had always differed.

But now, it didn’t matter anymore. Cornell was certain. No matter what happened, Phyllis would stay by her side.

“Looks like you’re done now. Shouldn’t you head out?”

Cornell slipped the pen, which had been idle for a while, into her pocket. It was time to leave.

“Yes, I should. Thank you for your help.”

“No problem. If you need anything next time, just let me know.”

“Of course. Then, I’ll be going.”

Carrying the materials, Cornell left the library. A few steps later, the smile on her face faded. Walking alone down the empty corridor, she recalled advice Karina had once given her.

‘Phyllis is a good person. And he’s like that to everyone.’

She had said that Phyllis was good to everyone. It wasn’t wrong. But there was a part of him that Karina didn’t know.

Phyllis was good to everyone, but to one person—Cornell—he was not.

‘And thank you. Sincerely.’

Watching Phyllis lower his head in defeat, Cornell reaffirmed her conviction. No matter how cruel it might seem, the pitiful man before her could never leave her.