3 Man Up

Though for a different reason, the same anxiety Kruxe had felt when he had fired the arrow earlier for Rita settled in, and this time, it was a bit stronger.

More than most, Amelia should be more than aware of the difficulty of Kruxe hitting the target board, yet here she was telling him to do it again.

Though Kruxe was aware that it was just his mother testing him or perhaps challenging him, he did not want to fail her, especially after her words on him hitting the target earlier for Rita which were not wrong.

Perhaps those words had just been said as a tease, but Kruxe took them seriously, he loved his mother and though he knew it was childish and dumb for him to think she would resent him for failing to hit the target this time, he still felt that way.

With his bow raised and arrow drawn, determination settled in Kruxe's heart, and though the claws of anxiety reached out for him, he ignored it and felt the wind.

Here out in the sea, the wind was the enemy.., no not the enemy, but an obstacle, the wind was an obstacle that stood in the way of his dreams and Kruxe had no intention of bowing to it.

He took in a deep breath and waited, his eyes narrowing on the target board.

A gentle wind began blowing, ruffling his hair a little, but then instead of calming down, the wind slightly began increasing in intensity, and then just as it was about to begin flailing his hair, Kruxe let the arrow go.

As the arrow soared away, a deep breath left Kruxe's mouth as watched his ridiculous gamble play out.

With his back facing everyone, Kruxe wasn't aware of the multiple eyebrows that were raised due to his unconventional release time, but more so while a smile of relief graced his lips as the arrow hit the 6th ring, he didn't see the look of shock on everyone's faces.

"I'll try to do.." Kruxe was saying but his words were cut off by a hug from his mother.

The woman wasn't shy about showing her feelings, and she summoned the meager strength she had to rock Kruxe back and forth in jubilation.

Though he couldn't see her smile, Kruxe had looked into her one lone eye long enough to know that she was incredibly happy.

"That was awesome Kruxe," Amelia said as she shook him, and then seconds after grabbed onto his arm and then pushed him towards Rita.

"Take him down and make sure he gets ready, I'll personally go prepare an arowana for him."

With those words, Amelia turned and quickly walked off the deck, the tall red-haired woman quickly and silently following behind.

Kruxe wanted to protest, but his mother was already descending the stairs of the deck.

Though what Kruxe just did was significant progress, it didn't warrant them splurging on a fish as valuable as an Arowana, especially given his mother's health.

Had he known she would run off to personally prepare for him any dish, he would have let the arrow steer off course, she wasn't meant to be putting herself through such stress.

"Come, let's go" Rita's voice sounded as her hands clamped onto Seth's right arm.

Hearing her words, Kruxe's shoulder fell in defeat as he turned to the built man who had been beside him.

Towering over Kruxe, this man was his personal guard, but thankfully unlike, Cletina who followed his mother around even if she wished otherwise, Kruxe could keep his guard at a distance.

"Blaun, go do what you want, I'll be in my room after dinner, so no need to seek me out."

Blaun listened to Kruxe attentively and though hesitation flashed in his eyes on hearing his words, he still obediently bowed.

"As you wish my prince."

Hearing the man's words, Kruxe could only let out a groan in frustration.

"With all these varying titles I'm like some lost noble child" he muttered.

Kruxe's frustration earned him a chuckle from Rita who was beside him, as she then pulled him along, dragging him down the deck.

Offering no resistance, Kruxe followed after the enchanting blond, his eyes focused on her shining hair, wondering what it felt like to touch it.

As they went below deck, the less bright lighting of the passageway took away the luster in Rita's hair, yet this never registered in Kruxe's mind.

Throughout their whole walk, Kruxe's brain failed to register the drop in lighting as all he could see was Rita's hair still being all dazzling, till eventually, she came to a stop before a door.

"Lady Amelia is quite wary of your punctuality, so I will be outside here waiting for you," Rita said, "please be quick"

For most of the past seconds, Kruxe had been lost in fascination, but hearing Rita speak had rebooted his brain and brought him back on track.

"Don't worry I won't be long" Kruxe said, about to push the door beside him open and walk in, but then he caught a glimpse of Rita nodding her head to his words.

This simple innocent action of hers made for a very cuteful and innocent image and Kruxe couldn't help but stop and stare at her.

Cletina had always told him to man up, and though those words were usually said before he was taken to a world of pain and suffering, Kruxe figured it was about time those words took him to a world of happiness.

"My mother gave me a hug for my last performance, don't you have anything for me," Kruxe asked Rita with an expectant expression.

"Fine do you want a succulent peck this time," Rita teased, looking at Kruxe with a smile.

"How about something a little further" Kruxe said, placing his hand on Rita's cheek and then giving no warning he leaned down and joined their lips.

An occasional peck or two were Rita and Kruxe's normal routine, but deciding to man up, Kruxe figured they could take a step forward this time.

Rita offered no resistance as their closed lips met. This went on for seconds, and at about that time, Kruxe's mind descended into chaos as he debated whether or not to further intensify the kiss.

As the virgin that he was, this was his first kiss and his lack of experience and knowledge scared him, but just before he could fry his brain, Rita thankfully pulled away.

"Now that I've given your reward get going, else lady Cletina will blame me and chew me out," Rita said, opening the door and pushing him in, a smile on her red face.

**** Your thoughts on my book will be appreciated ***