How to Survive as a Princess in a Reverse Harem Game - Chapter 44
“And I didn’t hit the center yesterday either.”
“I heard. Still, I was told there were quite a few arrows that came close to the center.”
“Close, but not a single one actually hit it.”
“So what? As long as you hit the target in real situations, that’s all that matters.”
He’s not wrong. After all, I’m learning this for self-defense, so just hitting the target should be enough.
‘But it still stings.’
Across both yesterday and today, I’d shot nearly a hundred arrows, and not one of them landed dead center. That’s just excessive.
Someone once said Koreans were a nation of archers, but it seems I don’t carry that Korean blood after all. To think I’d start doubting my nationality over this.
“Even without your memory, your skill seems nearly as good as before. Perhaps it’s a habit ingrained in your body.”
“That’s a compliment, right?”
“Of course.”
Why does it sound like he’s teasing me? That bright smile of his must be the culprit.
“I also heard you did exceptionally well with horseback riding. You got on right away and even managed a full circle around the area on your first day.”
“I only got on the horse, that’s all. And the circle was thanks to someone holding the reins.”
I recalled my first time on a horse. The pure white horse with its obvious noble bloodline, well-kept and loved, was so beautiful that I couldn’t wait to ride it.
After a brief moment of bonding, getting on was surprisingly easy. I wasn’t even scared. But that’s where the trouble began.
Once I was up, the view from that height made my heart drop. Reno and Isaac had praised my postur.
Though I wasn’t sure if they were serious—I’d just stayed in whatever position felt right. The thought of the horse suddenly bolting or rearing up kept me on edge.
Isaac had tried to reassure me, saying the horse, named ‘Hwaeri’, was gentle and used to my handling. But even his words didn’t calm me. If anything, I was only able to manage because I knew Isaac wouldn’t let go without my say-so…….
“Hearing that, I think I’ll skip holding the reins for you.”
“Why?”
“It’ll help you improve faster.”
“……I’ll only learn horseback riding from Isaac, then.”
“It was a joke, Your Highness.”
“Didn’t sound like one.”
“It’s true, though. Please believe me. I’d never disrespect you in such a way.”
Reno’s eyes drooped in a show of mock innocence, but it was hardly convincing. He seemed like exactly the type to do something like that.
‘Still, being around Reno puts me at ease.’
It wasn’t that I disliked Isaac or Killis, but being with either of them kept me on edge. Every night for the past two days, my handmaids had massaged my shoulders during my evening baths, murmuring, “You’re so tense. Allow us to help you relax.” That said enough.
“And here we are—just one last arrow. Let’s call it a day after this one.”
Reno said, handing me the final arrow. My hands and arms were sore by now, so I nodded in agreement. But once again, the arrow missed the bullseye.
On the way back to the princess’s quarters after archery practice, I cautiously started speaking.
“How did you end up as my guardian?”
“Me? Hmm, because I wanted to be Your Highness’s guardian?”
“Is that a good position? I’m genuinely asking.”
“It’s an honorable one. It could even mean becoming the future Royal Secretary, you know? More than half of Evgenia’s Royal Secretaries throughout history have come from guardian ranks.”
“So, did you become my guardian thinking I’d become the next Evgenia?”
“Pardon? No, not really. Well, I did feel you could do it! Anyway, that’s not the reason…….”
Reno faltered, stammering as he looked visibly flustered, his brows knitting in discomfort. From the way he kept glancing away, it was clear he didn’t want to talk about this topic.
While part of me was simply curious, knowing more might help me respond better in the future. But if he was that unwilling to discuss it, perhaps it was best to let it go.
“If you don’t want to say, it’s fine.”
“No, it’s not that…… It’s just…… I’m worried you’ll be disappointed in me.”
What on earth could he be worried I’d be disappointed about?
As I tilted my head in puzzlement, Reno gave a sheepish smile.
“Honestly, I find it a bit funny myself. Before, I didn’t care at all what Your Highness thought of me…… but now, just imagining you might dislike me, I find myself oddly afraid.”
“…….”
“And I want to make a good impression on you.”
My heart skipped a beat for a moment. If my affection level could be quantified by some game system, surely a message would pop up saying it had increased.
Reno’s words were that stirring. And to think, with that face, he was saying he didn’t want me to dislike him and wanted to look good in my eyes.
‘This is so unfair.’
Who knew a handsome face could be so hazardous?
“But since you’ll eventually find out anyway, it’s probably best if I tell you myself.”
I waited as Reno prepared to share whatever it was. I was curious about what reason he could possibly have for thinking I’d be disappointed.
