Chapter 7 Challenge me if you can

I woke up sore and saw in front of me that man who tried to take my place in the fight, I tried to get up and saw how the doctor was leaving, and my armor was on a chair.

"What happened here?" I asked as I stood up, confused.

"Nothing, that you are now the champion of the combat tournament, congratulations," said that man, and fury came over me.

"I told you not to take my place; that trophy was not won by me; I will not accept it right now. I will go to the king and confess everything," I said. I was determined to leave the tent, but that man grabbed my arm tightly.

"I understand that you are furious, but I am sure that you did not want Kenzo to win, and neither did I, besides for the king and his daughter, it would be a great disappointment to know that they had not won if you do not believe me ask your friend, who mentioned to you what happened when you were declared the winner," he said. I reflected for a moment on his words and looked at Nolan.

"He is right, Enrique, you should have seen the people were euphoric, the King cried with happiness, I haven't seen him so excited in years, and the princess, you know better than anyone what this meant to her."

I couldn't help but feel envious; I wanted to be able to witness that with my own eyes; I didn't have the heart to declare the truth to them and watch their smiles fade.

"I'll be honest, I don't mind you are mentioning that you won; I'm not interested in receiving approval for this, but I do care a lot that the king and his daughter continue to believe that the winner was you," he said, and that left me stunned, why would it matter so much to him, a stranger.

"What's in it for you?" I asked him and expected a concise answer; however, what he said left me confused.

"I haven't had a chance to formally introduce myself; my name is Magnus."

"Magnus?" as in Alpha King Magnus."

"That's right, as you understand, it would look awful if someone finds out that it was me who won the tournament; besides, I'd rather Georgina didn't find out yet."

"I don't understand what this has to do with her, but precisely because of my family, I will accept; I'd better change; I don't want to miss the archery tournament; I have to be present."

"Arch? I didn't know they still did that; it must be very boring," said that Alpha, but how wrong he is, because when it comes to Gina, nothing is.

Nolan and I just laughed at his comment, "What was the joke?" said Magnus.

"It feels like you have a long time without coming; now the archery tournament is the one that attracts the most people, for one simple and easy reason."

"What is that reason?".

"Princess Georgina has been the champion for 5 years; no one has beaten her, which has infuriated the nobles and alphas, especially Kenzo, who tried to beat her once; if he won, she would marry him, and obviously that didn't happen."

"What's worse, Gina made a fool of him by the fact that he pretended that with her."

"I think I'll go with you to see the show in person."

"I still can't believe it; this is great we had so long without having a champion in combat; your cousin is pretty strong from what I saw, although something struck me as odd about him, "Aime said, and I turned around and looked at her surprised.

"I thought the crazy one was me; tell me you noticed, he looked different, more muscular, strong, and those eyes, I swear they were a deep grey, and Enrique has blue eyes."

"You're right, but now you have to focus. Don't go losing. You've been so hard to be the champion for 5 years," said Aime smiling.

"Hay, please, it hasn't cost me anything. I am the best, no one can beat me, and they are all idiots".

I took my bow and my arrows, my combat clothes were an armada similar to the one Enrique used, but I had something particular my personal emblem a flame crossed by a red arrow, my fire red hair contrasted with the color of my special outfit, lighter than a combat one, my hair loose and some braids that adorned it, Aime followed me. We walked towards the tournament area; this was taking place near the forest to put the area of the targets at a considerable distance.

People were positioned around us, and my father was in a specific place for the royalty; Enrique was already next to him. My father received him with a hug. Both turned to see me, and I smiled.

In this tournament, it is more complicated; there are 10 shots for each competitor. The ones with more hits will be the finalists until there are only 2 left, and among them will be the champion, which will be me.

The mediator comes out to the center to start. First, he must introduce the competitors, "This tournament will have 8 competitors".

When I heard it, I was surprised we have always been 7; maybe Kenzo trained someone different; that is impossible in his Clan. They have never had archers. 

"We have representatives from the House of Zamarripa, the Countess of Alba, the House of Marbella, Yellow Stone Clan, Shadow Clan, Blue River Clan, West Rock Clan, the Alpha Kenzo," said the mediator, and at that moment, I looked at Kenzo, he had a smile from ear to ear the very cynical.

He had never been a lover of the bow, much less had shown any interest in this tournament. Because of the sudden change, the truth is I don't have to think much about it, it's for sure when will be the day that he leaves me alone.

"And of course, the Champion for 5 consecutive years our Princess Georgina Lennox of Galandria," said the mediator, and my skin tingled as I heard my people shout excitedly when they listened to my name.

"To your positions begin......"

I wasted no more time and started to get ready, but when I looked up, I saw Kenzo walking towards me; I took a deep breath, trying not to lose my concentration, but it was impossible every time he was near me I couldn't help but remember our history together.

It could have been a beautiful story, with a happy ending, until his selfishness and ambition were stronger than the love he had for me; behind that image of Alpha Prepotent, there was once the most captivating and charming smile you can imagine.

I still remember that day when all my illusions of a future with him vanished forever when he wanted to take by force what I would have given him with all my being.