chapter 38- punishment

"This is the punishment? "Reina asked Alex as he shot an Apple.

Alex was impossible, after breakfast he had asked her to change from her dress that they would be going horseback ridding and she had entered her room just to find a boyish riding clothes folded neatly on top of her bed. She didn't have to put two or three together to know that it was Alex who had brought the attire for her to wear; she didn't want to put on but he had left a letter for her that it would only add to her punishment if she failed to put it on. She had no other choice than to wear the clothes and she wasn't liking the looks that she was receiving because of the way that she was dressed.

She had made her way down to the stables to meet him only for him to drag her to the back where he had arranged a shooting lesson.

"Yes , this is your punishment, learning how to shoot." He replied focusing his aim on another Apple, he shot was heard and she looked at the apple that had been blown to bits. "Its your turn." He said holding the pistol in front of her.

She stepped backward "No,no no no." She looked frightened at the sight of the gun." I don't shoot." She said timidly.

He smirked at her." You don't have a say in this." He said firmly. "It's your punishment , and you have to learn how to shoot. Its an order." He tossed the pistol into her shaking hands." It may become helpful to you in the future. "He added.

Hell no it won't." Your highness ,I hardly believe that I would have any use for this." She stared at The weapon with fright that she would pull the trigger mistakenly. "I don't even know how to shoot." She said.

He held his hand out for her." You don't have to be afraid my kitten I will teach you ;come." He eyes held sincerity in them." Come kitten it won't be much fun if you stand there like a scared kitten." He said, his hand out still waiting for her to move.

She slowly lifted her hand, but brought it back the minute it touched his fingers. She inhaled and slowly this time with the few confident she could gather, gently placed her hand in his hand ;the moment her hand touched his palm he griped her hand and pulled her close her face almost hitting his chest , she felt electricity run through her as their hands were linked together, she looked up to see his face , she wanted to know if he had felt the spark.

He led her to the rail." Its easy." He said as he positioned himself behind her. His hands engulfed her hands as he lived it." Hold it up like it with both hands." His hand moved to her thigh." Relax." He said as she flinched. "Move your leg a bit forward." He helped her position her leg, and removed his hand when he was done ." Now focus on the target." Her gaze moved to the apple that was some feet's away from her." Take a breath breath and don't lose focus." She inhaled deeply feeling the adrenaline rush into her." Now fire." He ordered. She closed her eyes and felt her finger pull the trigger and she heard a loud shot ,and slowly opened her eyes.

"Congratulations." Alex told her." You are a natural. "He said and moved away from her." But next time you should keep your eyes open. You need to see where you hit , in case you miss." He told her.

She let out a sigh of relief. "Milord now that I have done my turn, can we please go." She didn't want to have anything to do with weapons , her father had always made sure that she wasn't exposed to any of this and didn't bother to teach her how to shoot; he always said that 'violence was never the answers to every problem that you faced'

"No." Alex deep voice cut in her thoughts like a knife." We only just got here, and besides you haven't completed your punishment. "She looked at him tiredly, this was going to take a while.

A long shooting later. Alex dragged Reina along with him as they headed back to the stables, Reina was already tried from training." Your Highness where are we going? "She asked.

"We're going horseback ridding." He answered.

They reached the stables to find Eliza and Ruth there. Both of their eyes widened in total shock when they saw reina.

"Your Highness." Eliza bowed and straightened to look angrily at Reina.

"Alex we were looking for you." Ruth said.

Alex smiled at her." I don't see any reason why you would be looking for me , you and Eliza left the palace so suddenly, and have both returned suddenly." This statement made Ruth frown." Could you care to enlighten us about were you were?"

"We went to visit my husband cousin who was ill and we had to go early because her place is quite far." She said.

Alex looked at the Ruth." I hope that she is alright." He said.

"She is a little bit weak, but other than that she is fine and will be better soon." She lied.

"You said you wanted to see me?" He asked.

"Yes Alex the decorations are being made and I have come to ask you for some opinion about how the cake should be." She smiled sweetly." Because you told me that you knew your mother well." She threw is wrods back at him.

His face was the calm and composed."Yes I do ,but I will suggest that you ask father. Its their anniversary and he is her husband." He said." So If you excuse us ,we'll be on our way. "He held Reina's arm and dragged her along with him to his horse that was already prepared , he entered his horse and reached down to help reina enter. She didn't complain because the atmosphere was already too tensed and she didn't want to make it even worst.

She sat on the front of the horse ,Alex reached passed her and held onto it reins.

He guided the horse out of the stables in a fast pace that left behind a trail of dust ;making both Eliza and Ruth to cover their faces. They looked at the disappearing figure of the horse as it galloped through the castle and into the forest.