CHAPTER 6
1484 Words
------Lord Arin's House-----
"Mom"Lilac called as she entered."I'm home"she slumped on the Diphros.
(A Diphros is a low stool or cushion,often used by common people)
Lirien came out of the room and smiled as she sat beside her daughter.
"How's the market?"Lirien asked.
"It went well though something crazy happened"she replied
"What happened?"
"As I attended to a customer, a man suddenly appeared beside me. Initially, I thought he was waiting to make a purchase, but as the moments passed, I began to feel uneasy. He kept staring at me intensely, his gaze making me feel uncomfortable and self-conscious.
Kyros, who was nearby, noticed the man's behavior and immediately stood up for me. " your making her uncomfortable," Kyros said.
The crowd around us began to take notice, and soon, people were standing up for me, defending me against the man's unsettling behavior. We all thought he was a p*****t, and our instincts were on high alert.
But just as the situation was about to escalate, the man's friend appeared, looking apologetic and concerned. "I'm so sorry about this," he said. "My friend here... he's mentally unstable. Sometimes he gets fixated on people, and he doesn't realize how his behavior affects others."
The crowd's demeanor changed instantly, from anger and disgust to understanding and sympathy. they all nodded, feeling a mix of relief and regret for misjudging the man."Lilac explained .
"He didn't touch you right?,insane people can be aggressive "Lirien asked worriedly as she checked her(Lilac ) body.
"He didn't,but shouldn't he be at the Asclepius?"
(Asclepius is where patients could receive treatment for various ailments including mental health issues).
"They might not have the money"
"True,I feel sorry for the man"Lilac said.
"Don't be disheartened by it,God has a reason for him being mentally unstable"
"Okay"she sighed "I am hungry"She said and her stomach growled.
Lirien smiled and set the table"Come eat"She said and they ate.
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As they navigated the crowded market, Esmerald expertly guided Draco through the throngs of people. They dodged vendors and shoppers, weaving in and out of the stalls.
Finally, they reached a small, unassuming stall tucked away in a corner. The sign above the stall read "Rare Spices." Esmerald nodded to the vendor, who was busy haggling with a customer.
Without drawing attention to themselves, Esmerald and Draco slipped behind the stall. Esmerald pushed aside a stack of crates, revealing a small, hidden opening. He gestured for Draco to follow him, and they both slipped through the opening.
They found themselves in a narrow, dimly lit passageway. The air was musty and dank, and the smell of mold and decay filled their nostrils.
As they made their way through the passage, the sound of the market grew fainter, replaced by the sound of dripping water and the creaking of old wooden beams.
Finally, they emerged into a large, cavernous space. The ceiling disappeared into darkness, and the walls were rough and rocky.
Draco's eyes widened as he took in the sights. The cave was filled with ancient stone formations, their surfaces gleaming in the flickering torchlight.
Draco smirked."Wow"
"Can't believe I'm showing you this"Esmerald said in regrets.
"Why can't we go back to your chamber?"Draco asked.
"Non of your business "Esmerald replied coldly.
Esmerald took a bow and a quiver full of arrows Day is behind a rock.
"I think I should make him my personal servant, he'll be with me everyday and I will get to know the reason this dragon came to this kingdom,he could be finding ways to get rid of this kingdom once and for all, the future of this kingdom lies in my hands,I promise to not let anything happen to Arcadia."He thought as he eyed him.
"If someone asks you, we've been ik tye royal archery range the whole time"Esmerald said as he gave him the bow "and you are my newly appointed royal.....servant"
Draco's eyes glowed and darkened as he heard that.
"As a crown prince's personal servant, you'll enjoy a life of privilege and prestige. People will treat you with respect and deference, and you'll have access to exclusive areas of the palace that are off-limits to others.
You'll be able to move freely throughout the palace and its grounds, attending exclusive events and gatherings that are reserved for the royal family and their closest attendants.
You'll also receive a range of benefits and perks, including luxurious accommodations, fine dining, and access to the best education and training available,you would be able to get what you want" Emerald explained quickly.
Draco eyes glowing eyes died but still glowing.
"I can get access to what I needed,it's all in that place"He thought.
"Fine"Draco agreed and his glowing eyes returned to normal.
"Let's go"Esmerald said and led him to out of the cave to the royal archery range.
The royal archery range was a majestic, sprawling complex nestled within the palace grounds. The entrance, flanked by ornate stone pillars, led to a spacious, sun-drenched courtyard.
Manicured lawns and meticulously trimmed hedges stretched out before the archery butts, creating a serene and focused atmosphere. The air was crisp and clean, filled with the sweet scent of freshly cut grass.
A series of parallel, earthen archery butts, each one adorned with vibrant, colorful targets, stretched across the courtyard. The butts were carefully constructed to provide a safe and consistent surface for the arrows to strike.
The surrounding walls were adorned with intricate, ornate carvings depicting scenes of great hunters and warriors. The walls were also lined with wooden benches and shaded areas, providing a comfortable spot for archers to rest and observe their fellow competitors.
At the far end of the range, a beautiful, ornate pavilion stood, providing a luxurious viewing area for the royal family and their guests. The pavilion was adorned with rich, velvet drapes and plush, comfortable seating.
The royal archery range was a place of beauty, discipline, and camaraderie, where the nobles and aristocrats came to test their skills, compete with one another, and pay homage to the sport of archery.
"It hasn't changed"Draco said.
Esmerald rolled his eyes.
Esmerald took the bow and notched the arrow,he drew back the stings,his eyes fixed on the arrow and released.
"Bullseye"The Target judge announced.
Draco smirked "You call that a win?,didn't know Arcadia is so weak and you are supposed to be the strongest man in the kingdom,you can't even face the weakest dragon"
Esmerald's eyes flashed with annoyance as Draco's teasing continued. "Is that all you can do?" Draco sneered, his voice dripping with condescension.
Esmerald's face flushed with anger, and scoffed.
"You think you can do better?,"Esmerald challenged, his voice steady.
Draco smirked
Esmerald's eyes narrowed."You know what? I've had enough of your jokes. Why don't you show me what you can do?"
Draco's smirk faltered for a moment, but then he grinned. "Let me show you how it's done"
Draco took the bow and lazily notched an arrow. He drew back the string by an inch, his eyes fixed on the target, and released.
The arrow shot forward, hitting the target with a loud thud. But it didn't stop there. The arrow pierced the target, flying straight through it and into the three trees behind, where it lodged deep into the trunk.
Esmerald's jaw dropped in shock. He had never seen anyone shoot like that before. The power, the precision, the sheer skill... it was all so breathtakingly impressive.
Esmerald mouth hung opened."He didn't draw the arrow back and managed to destroy the target"
Zayn came in at the moment draco released the arrow and his eyes flashed in annoyance as he saw it.
Draco turned to Esmerald and smirked."You need more practicing"draco said as he threw the arrow at Esmerald.
"You're... really good," Esmerald admitted, trying to sound nonchalant.
Just then, Zayn stepped forward, his face stern. "What is this?,Why is a nobody shooting an arrow in THE ROYAL ARCHERY RANGE?". "You have no right to touch the royal bow, let alone use it. Your dirty hands will only sully its noble wood."
Draco's face reddened with anger, his eyes glowed red which means he could kill Zayn at that moment.
The atmosphere became to get hotter, Esmerald saw draco's glowing eyes and quickly jumped in between them
"That's enough, Zayn," he said, his voice firm. "Draco has done nothing to deserve your insults. He is my royal servant so he has a right to and I gave him my permission.
Zayn's face turned red with rage. "How dare you defend him?" he shouted. "I can't believe we share the same father blood"
Finally, Zayn turned and stormed off, leaving the others in an uncomfortable silence. Esmerald turned to Draco and nodded. "Sorry about that," he said. "Zayn can be a bit of a hothead."
"He's lucky you jumped in"draco said and angrily left.
Esmerald sighed"If I had known,I would have listened to Derick "
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- Writer
