IWBCAS 32

Chapter 32

“…I meant that it was special because it was unique.”

It was a weak excuse. Maybe he was embarrassed, because Carlheil kept clearing his throat awkwardly. A plain handkerchief fluttered at the end of his sword handle. Reina hadn’t realized it before, but now that she saw it again, it looked even more plain and unimpressive.

‘Is it just because I saw those fancier handkerchiefs earlier?’

Reina still couldn’t stop thinking that maybe she shouldn’t have given it to him. As she stood there, Carlheil mumbled softly.

“…Thanks.”

“What? What did you say?!”

His voice was so low she couldn’t catch it clearly. But it felt like one of those moments she’d regret missing forever.

“…I said thank you.”

Carlheil turned his head sharply but said it clearly this time.

‘Oh… so he can say thank you.’

Hearing that made all her hard work—sweating over the embroidery—feel worth it. She could almost feel her face relaxing into a smile.

“Ahem, ahem!”

Reina coughed several times to hide her expression. Then, pretending to look around, she asked,

“…So what are you doing out here alone? Everyone else went north for the hunt.”

“Just… this and that. When I was a kid, I used to shoot arrows here and carve wooden dolls…”

“You made dolls?”

Carlheil shrugged.

“The younger servant kids liked it when I gave them some.”

‘Wow… our Grand Duke is actually pretty sweet.’

Maybe he noticed her teasing gaze, because Carlheil quickly looked away.

“I never thought I’d come back to this place after moving to Rautzen. Still, it’s nice not being alone.”

Carlheil looked around with a nostalgic face.

‘Doesn’t seem like he wants to return to the hunting grounds.’

Reina didn’t really want to go back either. She’d just be stared at by the other noble ladies. As she silently looked around with Carlheil, she suddenly made a surprising suggestion.

“Then teach me how to shoot a bow.”

“…You want to learn?”

“You said you weren’t trying to win the hunting contest anyway. And it’s not like you’re busy right now.”

Reina fetched a bow from between the trees and struck a pose she’d seen somewhere before.

“How’s this? Pretty close, right?”

“Have you used a bow before?”

Reina shrugged.

“Of course not. I’m just copying what I saw.”

“…You copied it well.”

Encouraged by his compliment, Reina confidently placed an arrow on the string and pulled it back. But that was as far as her skills went. Just mimicking a pose wasn’t enough to shoot properly.

Her fingers lost strength, and the arrow flew off in a strange direction. It curved through the air and, to her horror, went flying toward Carlheil. He quickly turned his body to dodge, and his eye twitched with irritation.

“…Were you trying to hunt me?”

“N-No! That wasn’t on purpose…!”

Sure, their relationship hadn’t been the smoothest lately, but she didn’t actually want to shoot him. Still, to Carlheil, even her excuse sounded suspicious.

“You threw pepper at me, hit me on the head, and now you’re shooting arrows at me? Do you realize what would’ve happened if I hadn’t dodged?”

Reina had nothing to say in response. He was completely right. Quietly, she put the bow down and bowed her head.

“…I’m sorry.”

Carlheil looked like he was about to scold her more but instead sighed deeply.

“You seriously need to learn how to use weapons, if only so you don’t hurt people.”

He picked up the bow she had set down and walked behind her. Then he gently placed her hands on the bow—his posture like a back hug.

‘Wait… isn’t this too close?’

She could feel his breath on the back of her neck. It was warm. Reina froze, unsure how to move.

“Hold here… and here…”

Carlheil spoke softly from above her, but Reina barely heard the words. They’d been close before, but never in this exact position. He seemed used to it, but the thought of Carlheil being right behind her made her stiffen up.

She couldn’t take it anymore and shifted her body, trying to move away from his breath.

“Hey, don’t move.”

But Carlheil didn’t notice her discomfort. He just gently held her head still to fix her form. Reina looked up to see if he was teasing her, but his expression was serious—completely focused, like a proper teacher.

‘Am I the only one feeling awkward here?’

Reina felt silly. She had asked him for help, so she couldn’t complain now.

‘Fine, I’ll just get through this.’

She stood awkwardly and waited for the lesson to end. Carlheil continued teaching smoothly—he had probably helped others before, too.

Reina suddenly remembered the bow and arrows on Patricia’s horse, but quickly shook her head to push the thought away.

“…Now pull the string back tightly… and release.”

Carlheil stepped back after the explanation. Without him behind her, the bow suddenly felt heavier—but her heart felt lighter.

Reina aimed carefully and shot an arrow. But it didn’t even come close to the target.

“…That’s normal for the first try.”

Carlheil handed her another arrow.

“Again.”

She tried again, but the second shot was even worse—it barely flew and fell a few steps away. She kept trying, but nothing worked.

“…You’re just not made for archery.”

Carlheil looked at her like she was hopeless.

“You don’t have the strength or timing. Maybe you should try a close-range weapon, like an axe. You were good at swinging that holy cup earlier.”

“An axe? Really?”

“…It might suit you.”

He nodded, as if imagining it. Reina was so offended she shouted,

“You think I’m that bad?!”

“You haven’t improved at all. Just give up.”

Give up? Reina wasn’t someone who gave up that easily.

‘I already spent time and energy. No way I’m quitting now.’

She looked around and saw something interesting.

“What’s this?”

It looked like a gun but was actually a bow. Complicated, but it seemed easier than the regular one. Carlheil replied,

“That’s a crossbow. You load it, pull the trigger, and the arrow shoots by itself.”

‘Shoots automatically?’

“I bet I can hit the target with this.”

Carlheil didn’t look convinced.

“With your aim? You’ll probably hit another person.”

“…Do you think I’m a criminal or something?”

“What else? You’re always hitting people.”

She wanted to argue—but again, he wasn’t wrong.

“All I have to do is aim and pull the trigger. I can do that.”

When Reina insisted, Carlheil gave in and helped her load the crossbow.

“Pull this to fire. And don’t aim at people! Keep your eyes on the target!”

Then he quickly backed far away, clearly afraid of being shot again.

‘Just watch. I’ll hit it this time.’

Reina narrowed her eyes and aimed at the target. But then—

Grrrrrr.

‘Huh? That sound…?’

It was a low growl. Reina smirked.

“Nice try. That trick’s old.”

‘You fooled me once. Not again.’

She rolled her eyes—but Carlheil’s face was serious.

“…That wasn’t me.”

He wasn’t holding the sound-making board. His arms were crossed, and the board lay far away.

‘Then… what made that noise?’

Carlheil looked toward something with a sharp, tense expression. Reina followed his gaze—and gasped.

“A… bear?”

A massive bear—bigger than any she’d seen at a zoo—stood beyond the target, showing its teeth.

Grrrr…

It was growling at them. It looked strong. Dangerous.

But Reina had one hope—the man beside her, Carlheil, once called the “Demon of the Battlefield.”

“Your Highness… you once ripped a gargoyle apart with your bare hands, right? You can handle a bear, can’t you?”

Carlheil shook his head.

“That was just a rumor. No one can tear a gargoyle apart bare-handed. That bear would probably do it better than me.”

That was… not reassuring.

“O-Okay, so maybe not a gargoyle. But you can handle a bear, right?”

“…Hmm. I’m not sure.”

“What do you mean you’re not sure?! Then we need to run—right now!!”

“Bears run faster than people. Even if we run, it’ll catch up easily.”

It was fast too?!

“Then what do we do?! Just stand here and get eaten?!”

Reina’s legs were shaking in fear. But Carlheil replied calmly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world:

“What else? You have to fight it.”