Episode 20

Ale opened the window of her room. The wind immediately rushed inside. The morning air was so refreshing. The chirping of birds perched on the trees filled her ears. But there was also a noisy sound that disturbed Ale’s hearing.

Ale looked down from the castle and smiled. Right below her room was the training arena of the Archery Academy. It reminded her of her past.

Ale let out a bitter smile. Her past had been so terrible that it left her disabled for life. She clenched her fists. She would repay that pain more than double. This was her mission.

“If I didn’t love men so much, maybe I would’ve become a true archer,” Ale said with a flat expression.

“Loving is a weak thing. Because of it, I’ve always been hurt in every way.” Ale’s face remained emotionless. A deep sadness clutched her heart.

“Mother.” Ale’s hands loosened. The anger in her face vanished instantly.

“Oh, my princess is awake?” Ale walked towards her daughter, who was sitting on her bed.

“Mother, last night I dreamed about playing with Kenneth and Keenan. I really miss them. I want to see them.” Ale picked up Zale and carried her to the window. Zale looked adorable as she rubbed her eyes.

“Soon, sweetheart. Mommy has a little work to do here.” Zale stared at her mother’s face innocently. Ale found her so cute and pinched Zale’s chubby cheeks.

“What kind of work, Mother? Isn’t Mother already working at that huge company? What work do you have here?” Zale pouted, feeling her mother prioritized her job over her.

“Hm, you’re right. Here, I’ve been assigned to teach something,” Ale replied with her brows slightly raised.

“Really? Like a teacher?” Zale was amazed. Her mother had such a busy job that meant she must be incredibly great.

“Mother, what are they doing?” Zale asked when she saw everyone below holding bows.

“That’s archery training. I used to love archery so much,” Ale said, her face flat even though her lips formed a faint, sorrowful smile. She hoped her daughter would grow up strong like her though not with her weakness.

Zach entered the room and caught his mate and a small girl watching from the castle window. He looked at Kath with soft eyes, while she only stared blankly.

“Hey.”

“Daddy!” Zale immediately asked to be put down and ran into Zach’s arms.

“Do you want to watch archery practice?” Zach asked.

“Mother, may I?” Zale begged adorably, blinking her eyes.

“Of course your mother will let you. She used to be very good at archery,” Zach said, nudging Ale, who stood stiffly beside him. Ale, however, didn’t react.

“No wonder Kenneth and Keenan are so good at archery!” Zale exclaimed excitedly.

“Kenneth and Keenan? Who are they?” Zach raised a brow, confused. His heart started pounding when Zale mentioned names he had never heard of.

“They are—” Before she could finish, Ale quickly took Zale back into her arms.

“Enough. I’m going downstairs.” Ale immediately left, while Zach froze for a moment.

Zach looked completely puzzled by Ale’s behavior. He felt she was hiding something. Ale was incredibly closed off, though he was sure she was Kath.

“Wait for me, love!” Zach snapped out of it when he realized Ale had disappeared from sight and hurried after her.

Ale walked down the winding staircase of the castle. Finally, she arrived at the crowded training grounds of the Academy, where children were practicing.

“Wow, that’s amazing!” Zale clapped her hands, watching their impressive archery.

Meanwhile, Keona, Blaire, and Alexa were also practicing. It had been a long time since they enjoyed their hobby. Today, they were determined to do it again.

“It’s been so long since I last shot a bow after graduating from the Training Academy,” Blaire said while warming up. For her, warming up helped her arrows land perfectly.

“You’re right, Blaire. Let’s shoot. And don’t forget our champion here,” Alexa said, turning toward the silent Keona.

“Keona Anderson,” Alexa announced in a circus-like tone.

“Keona.”

“Keona.”

Keona snapped out of her thoughts when Blaire shook her. Her face was already sweaty even though she had done nothing yet.

“Are you okay? You’ve been zoning out,” Blaire asked, worried.

“Yes, I’m fine. Let’s shoot,” Keona forced a smile.

“Luna, do you wish to join?” The head instructor bowed respectfully to their Luna.

“It would be an honor,” she replied politely.

With arrogance, Keona snatched the bow and arrows from the instructor’s hands. She immediately aimed at the center, but when she released the arrow—

“You missed,” Alexa said.

“I’m sorry. I’ve had so much on my mind lately.” Keona’s eyes welled with tears. She dropped her bow and hugged Blaire tightly.

“It’s okay. I understand,” Blaire said, patting her back. Alexa narrowed her eyes, sensing something.

“Is that Kath?” Alexa pointed at Ale.

“Oh my god, she’s participating too?” Blaire hissed. They watched Kath shoot arrows. People immediately gathered around her. Had everyone already forgotten how horrible that woman was? Keona clenched her fists tightly.

“By the way, who is that little girl?” Blaire asked. The small girl looked very close to Kath, though something about her seemed oddly familiar

“She’s her child with—” Keona waved her fingers vaguely.

“Rogue,” Keona finished, making Blaire and Alexa widen their eyes.

“What?! This can’t be allowed!”

“We have to tell everyone!” Blaire felt rage flare inside her. A Rogue’s child was illegitimate.

“No, Blaire. Don’t. Maybe this is just my fate—” Keona lowered her gaze.

“No, Keona. You are the best,” Alexa said, stroking her back.

“Next time I will—”

Keona’s sentence was cut off by the loud cheers around Kath. Apparently, Ale had hit the bullseye.

Accidentally, Ale turned her head toward Keona, Blaire, and Alexa. She smiled warmly… or mockingly?