The training grounds of Castle of Valerius were already in use by the time Arlo and the princess stepped outside. The morning sun had risen fully now, casting a steady light over the wide, open space. Soldiers trained in small groups across the field, the sound of clashing wood and metal mixing with distant commands. Off to one side stood a row of archery targets, worn from constant use but still firm and upright.

Arlo walked ahead at a relaxed pace, a bow resting casually in his hand while a small bundle of arrows hung over his shoulder. The princess followed beside him, her posture straight, her expression calm but focused. Unlike the crowded market or the busy halls of the castle, this place had a different kind of energy. It was quieter in tone but heavier in purpose.

"You’re later than usual," the princess said as they reached the archery line.

"I said I was busy," Arlo replied lightly as he set the arrows down on a wooden rack. "You should be glad I came at all."

She gave him a flat look. "You are paid to come."

"Then you should be glad I take my job seriously," he answered without missing a beat.

She didn’t respond to that, but the slight shift in her expression showed she wasn’t annoyed. If anything, she seemed used to it.

Arlo picked up a bow and turned to face her. "Show me your stance."

The princess stepped forward without hesitation. She planted her feet firmly, raised the bow, and pulled an arrow from the rack. Her movements were smooth, practiced, but not perfect. Arlo watched quietly as she nocked the arrow and drew the string back. She held it steady for a moment before releasing.

The arrow flew straight but hit slightly off-center.

Arlo nodded once. "Better than yesterday."

"Only slightly," she replied.

"That’s still better," he said as he walked behind her. "Your grip is too tight again. You’re forcing it."

"I’m not forcing it."

"You are," he said simply, reaching out and adjusting her hand slightly on the bow. "Relax your fingers. Let the bow sit, don’t choke it."

She frowned but didn’t argue this time. Instead, she reset her stance and picked another arrow. Arlo stepped back, watching closely as she drew again. This time, her shoulders were looser, her grip less rigid.

She released.

The arrow struck closer to the center.

"There," Arlo said. "You see the difference."

She lowered the bow slightly. "It felt... lighter."

"Because you stopped fighting it," he replied. "Archery isn’t about strength. It’s about control."

She glanced at him briefly before turning back to the target. "Easy for you to say."

Arlo smiled faintly. "That’s because I’m good at it."

She rolled her eyes but didn’t respond. Instead, she reached for another arrow, her focus returning fully to the target ahead. Arlo stayed quiet this time, letting her repeat the motion on her own. She adjusted her stance slightly, remembered his correction, and released again.

This time, the arrow hit even closer.

He nodded again. "Good."

They continued like that for a while. Arlo gave small corrections when needed, never overexplaining, never rushing her. The princess, for her part, followed his instructions carefully, repeating each motion until it felt natural. The rhythm between them settled into something steady. Draw, release, adjust, repeat.

At some point, the noise from the rest of the training ground faded into the background. Soldiers moved, commands were shouted, but none of it interrupted their pace.

"Again," Arlo said.

She didn’t complain. She simply reached for another arrow.

After several rounds, she lowered the bow and exhaled. "How long did it take you to learn this?"

Arlo shrugged slightly. "Long enough."

"That’s not an answer."

"It’s the only one you’re getting," he replied.

She gave him a look but didn’t push further. Instead, she stepped aside for a moment, rolling her shoulder as if to ease the tension.

Arlo used that moment to pick up one of the bows himself. Without much thought, he nocked an arrow and drew the string back in one smooth motion. There was no adjustment, no hesitation. He released.

The arrow struck the center of the target.

The princess watched quietly. "Show-off."

"You asked," he said.

"I didn’t," she replied.

"You implied it."

She sighed lightly, but there was no real frustration in it. "Again."

Arlo shook his head. "No. You do it."

She stepped back into position without arguing this time. Her movements were more confident now, less stiff. She drew, held, and released.

The arrow landed just off the center.

Arlo gave a small nod. "That’s enough for today."

"I can still go," she said.

"I know," he replied. "But you won’t improve if you push past the point where your form breaks."

She hesitated for a moment, then lowered the bow. "Fine."

They stood there in silence for a few seconds, the wind moving lightly across the field. A few soldiers passed by behind them, carrying equipment and speaking in low voices.

Arlo’s attention shifted slightly, though he didn’t turn his head immediately.

"...heard it was near the northern side..."

"...not confirmed yet..."

"...orders might change..."

The voices were low, but clear enough.

He adjusted his grip on the bow casually.

’...again...’

The princess noticed his slight pause. "What is it?"

"Nothing," he replied easily, setting the bow back on the rack. "You did well today. That’s all."

She didn’t look convinced, but she didn’t press him either. "Same time tomorrow?"

"Of course," he said with a small smile.

Another pair of guards passed behind them, their conversation slightly more urgent this time. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

"...if the reports are true..."

"...then it’s already started..."

"...we won’t have much time..."

Arlo’s expression didn’t change, but his attention locked onto them.

’...too open... they’re saying it out here...’

He turned back to the princess. "I just remembered something."

She raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"I need to take care of something before noon," he said. "It slipped my mind earlier."

She frowned slightly. "Now?"

"It won’t take long," he replied. "We’re done here anyway."

She studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Fine. Don’t be late tomorrow."

"I won’t," he said.

He gave a small bow before turning away, his steps calm and unhurried as he walked off the training ground. From the outside, nothing about him seemed different. He didn’t rush, didn’t look around too much, didn’t draw attention.

But his path shifted slightly.

Instead of heading back toward the main halls, he followed the direction the guards had taken.

"...they said movement was confirmed..."

"...then the capital will—"

Their voices continued ahead, low but steady.

Arlo kept his distance, his pace matching theirs without closing the gap too quickly.

’...let’s see what you’re really talking about...’

He turned down the same corridor they had taken, his expression still carrying that same easy smile as he followed them deeper into the castle.

And then he kept walking.