Cursed by Bandits (Once Upon A Curse)

31. Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-One

“ M aster Robin, stop!” Connor hollered at me.

I halted mid-step and turned towards him. The joust was starting soon. My uncle’s machinations with the competition schedule had me in three matches today. He somehow had used my score from the other events to push me up into a higher bracket—meaning I started jousting with the top eight competitors. Up until now, my arm had been thanking me for the respite, but today, knowing I was going up against the best after two days of competition, my arm was not as happy .

Standing there, it was easy to admire the handsome man walking towards me. The fact that he was a prince didn’t hurt anything either.

When Connor caught up to me, we started walking. “You don’t have to do this, you know. In fact, I wish you wouldn’t. The joust is dangerous. Men have died while participating in this sport. In fact, it happens more often than I would like.”

“Are you going to compete?” I asked, not bothering to change the timbre of my voice.

Connor looked back at me in surprise. “Of course I am.”

“Why? What purpose does this tournament serve for you?”

His pace slowed as he thought about my question. “Not much, other than to prove to my people I’m who they want me to be.”

“Shouldn’t they already know that based on everything you do?” I watched my feet take one step in front of the other.

“They should, but I feel like I constantly have to prove it.” He paused, then quietly muttered, “To myself and to them.”

My eyes shot up to look at Connor from beneath the brim of my cap. “I have to finish this tournament. Maybe if I win, I’ll feel like I’m enough to save my home and my people.”

“Of course you’re enough, but you don’t have to do it alone. I’m still an option if you need me to be one.” Connor put his arm around me, but it didn’t make me feel the way Milo’s touch did. “We both love our home country and feel a deep connection to the people that depend on us. I think we would get on just fine.”

I studied his eyes, trying to gauge his emotions. There was a genuine kindness, but also a sadness. “Connor, you’ve been so good to me, and I value our friendship deeply. But don’t you think I deserve more than just fine? Don’t you deserve more?”

He gave a small rueful smile and shook his head. “Just fine would be an improvement over all the other potential wives I’ve met. You and I would have fun together.”

My heart ached for him. He was a good man that deserved to be loved. A small part of me wished I harbored romantic feelings for him. It would make some things easier. My eyes drifted over the crowd, falling on the swashbuckling scientist that I had way too many feelings for at the moment, not all of them good. Even with my mixed emotions, I felt myself smile.

Connor followed my gaze and saw who I was looking at. “I see. I’m not surprised that your heart is otherwise engaged. But the offer still stands and will until one of us marries.”

“I don’t deserve your friendship,” I said, bumping his shoulder.

“True, but you have it anyway. Now let’s hope I don’t have to go up against you in the joust.” He smiled. It even reached his eyes.

Connor’s subtle sadness stayed with me as we walked towards the festivities. Feelings of gratitude and guilt mixed as I thought about what a wonderful man he was, but my heart belonged to another. Just the thought of Milo made my heart race in a way the thought of Connor never could.

The prince looked in Milo’s direction. “I’ll leave you to go talk to him.” He nodded towards one of the vendor stalls.

I turned to look and saw Milo there, talking with Jane. I turned back to thank Connor, but he was already making his way to the grandstand. Milo looked up as I approached, and a smile spread across his face. “Hey, what did Prince Connor want?”

“He was worried about me competing today,” I replied, glancing back at where Connor had been. “He’s very kind and a good friend. Too bad he’s not the person I want to spend my life with. ”

Milo’s eyes softened, and he took my hand in his. “Oh really? And who would that person be?”

Jane cleared her throat, breaking the moment. “Alright, you two, we still have a lot to do. The tournament isn’t over and the joust is the hardest event.”

I nodded, squeezing Milo’s hand before letting go. “She’s right. I need to stay focused.”

The armor I had made was acting like a furnace instead of protection against a lance. I was sweating so profusely the heavy metal was more likely to rust on me than save my life. There was nothing I wanted more than to take off the helmet and let my hair catch in the slight breeze, but I couldn’t without giving away my identity. Jousting in this get-up was a necessity, but I wasn’t looking forward to it.

My uncle was sitting in the grandstand, and the chair next to him—the one I should be sitting in—was empty. Jane had made my excuses, intimating I was having “female problems.” My uncle’s face had creased in disgust before he dismissed her. I smiled at his reaction, a small victory, as it freed me for the day .

The jousting arena was buzzing with activity. Competitors mounted their horses, squires adjusted armor, and the crowd’s excitement grew with each passing moment. I took a deep breath as a droplet of sweat raced down my back, drawing my attention to the oppressive heat of my armor once again.

Trumpets blared to signal the start of the joust. This morning I was participating in one of the first competitions, going up against one of the few people I didn’t know in the top eight. I mounted my horse for the day, a beautiful dappled grey stallion, with the help of my squire. The crowd cheered, waving flags with colors that represented their favorite competitor, their painted faces a blur as I focused on my opponent across from me at the far end of the list. He was a formidable knight, his armor gleaming in the sunlight, astride a black stallion that stood a couple hands taller than the one I rode. Fear slid down my spine, following the droplet of sweat from earlier. Just like the droplet, I ignored it. There was no room for distracting emotions. After all, this was for Lockersley.

With a final nod to the squire, I lowered my visor and took up the lance. I held it with my hand underneath it like I had done in practice. The flag was dropped, our visors clicked down, and we spurred our horses forward. The world narrowed to the pounding of the horses’ hooves, the rush of wind finding its way through the slits in the armor, and the man barreling down on me. I lifted the lance, set it in the lance rest Milo had added to my armor, lowered it, and aimed. The immediate impact was so jarring my teeth rattled; a clash of metal and wood reverberated through my body and into my bones. When the dust settled, I was still seated, but my opponent was on the ground on his back. How I managed to stay atop my horse was unknown, a surprise and a relief.

The crowd erupted in cheers as I rode out of the arena, my uncle’s gaze fixed on me until I was out of sight. As soon as it was safe to do so, I dismounted and removed my helmet, tilting my head up to feel the cool air on my face and in my drenched hair. I felt like I had just stepped out of a bath. My clothing was so wet.

I made my way back to the stables, where Milo and Jane were waiting. Milo wrapped his arms around me. “You did it, Rowan. You’ve made it to the final four.”

I stepped out of his embrace, needing the metal contraption off me more than anything. “Aren’t you tilting soon? Shouldn’t you be getting ready?”

“Yes,” he said carefully. “But I needed you to know how happy I’m for you. ”

“Go. You can’t be distracted if you want to stay on your horse this time. I expect to see you in the final four with me.” I turned and started to remove my armor.

Before he left, I caught a glimpse of Milo. His expression pained, as if something I said had hurt him. That hadn’t been my intention, but I needed to focus and he needed to do what he could so I wouldn’t worry about him.

Jane handed me a flask, her expression serious. “You’ll need this. There are three matches, then they will announce who will go up against who in the next round. You’ll have to be at your best. I have a feeling you’re jousting either Milo or Connor.”

I nodded, taking a sip of the fiery liquid. Her prediction matched mine. It wasn’t ideal, but it was better than someone I didn’t know. I took another small sip from her flask, letting the liquid ease the tension in my muscles ever so slightly. Too bad it couldn’t lessen the weight of my responsibilities. “I need to change into Lady Rowan, make an appearance with my uncle. He’ll be expecting me. ‘Lady problems’ will only excuse me for so long.”

Jane placed a hand on my shoulder. “It’s easier if you remember why you’re doing this.”

With a deep breath, I made my way to Artie’s stable to change. I peeled off my wet clothes and put on a blue dress with copper trim .

“Jane, I’m going to need something else to wear under my armor in the next round. I can’t put those back on.” I looked back at the pile of wet garments with disgust.

Jane nodded. It was like I could see her mind working, already thinking of solutions. “I’ll find something. Remember, you’re Lady Rowan now. You have to keep up the act.”

I twisted my wet hair and pinned it up before placing the crown on. Jane handed me a mirror and I saw Lady Rowan staring back at me, poised and determined. Taking another steadying breath, I left the stables, heading towards the grandstand where my uncle awaited.

The crowd’s eyes turned towards me as I entered the grandstand. These past few days, I had captured their attention both as Lady Rowan and Master Robin, both characters becoming crowd favorites. I straightened my posture, projecting the grace and confidence expected of the woman I was pretending to be.

My uncle looked up as I neared, a mixture of jealousy and suspicion in his eyes. “There you are, Rowan. Feeling better?”

I forced a smile. “A little better, thank you. I didn’t want to miss the excitement even if I’m not feeling quite myself. ”

He nodded. “Good. Join me, then. The next round of jousting is about to begin.”

I took my seat, my mind already racing with the challenges ahead. The winner of the next joust would be my next opponent.

I watched as Connor rode up to the entrance. He winked at me before flipping his visor down.

“He seems to have developed a tendre for you,” my uncle said, his tone distant.

“Mm-hmm,” I agreed without saying anything. Maybe it wasn’t the wisest idea for me to watch the joust. My palms were sweating just thinking about what was ahead of me. My stomach flip-flopped with nerves.

I looked to the other side of the arena and gasped. His opponent was huge. If I had to compete against him in the next round, I would end up on the ground.

The thundering of the horses running towards each other rolled over me. The only thing separating the horses was a small wooden fence. It was low enough to the ground either animal could jump over it without a single thought. As the men on their great steads got closer, I could barely watch. My eyes were focused on what was happening, but my mind was unable to see the events occurring right in front of me .

The screams of the crowd brought me back to the present. My eyes focused on Connor still on his horse, while the giant of a man was being dragged off by the healers. Everyone loved the prince, and the excitement at his success was overwhelming.

My uncle’s eyes rested on me, watching my reaction. “It would seem our young prince is quite impressive, a formidable opponent.”

I nodded, forcing my lips to turn up in a smile. “Yes, he has always been very impressive.”

The crowd continued to cheer for the prince, taking to their feet, the noise overwhelming. The thought of facing him caused a pit to form in my stomach; whether it was nerves, anxiety, or fear, I didn’t know. I was relieved to see Connor succeed, but the thought of facing him tied me into knots.

Connor stopped in front of me and my uncle, his visor raised so we could all see his eyes. He smiled at me and nodded.

My uncle leaned towards me, his hand blocking his mouth, his voice low. “Maybe I was wrong before. An alliance with the prince could be . . . beneficial.”

The pounding in my heart drowned out the crowd’s cheering, and I tried to sound noncommittal. “Perhaps. ”

Once the crowd settled down for the next match, I excused myself, claiming I needed a moment. My uncle barely noticed me leaving, already engrossed in the next set of competitors, probably because his choice, Jocelin Montfort, was in the next round.

I kept my head down as I left the grandstand, my steps hurried as I made my way through the individuals that had decided not to watch the joust, towards the stables where Milo and Jane were waiting. As I entered the stables, Milo was adjusting the saddle on his horse, preparing for his own joust.

I stopped at the entrance and stared. Milo was handsome in his disarray as a scientist. I loved him like that. But looking like a knight ready for a quest—it was something else, a type of handsome I didn’t expect to see in him. It fit Connor like a glove, but on Milo, it both fit and didn’t fit. Like he could be a knight in shining armor if I let him, but that’s not what I wanted or needed him to be.

“Rowan, how are you holding up?” Jane scanned my face, looking for a sign that I wasn’t keeping it together.

“I’m doing my best,” I said with more confidence than I actually felt. “Connor won his match. His opponent was massive, but he took him down.”

Milo’s jaw tightened. “And now you have to face him. ”

I nodded, the weight of the situation settling heavily on my shoulders. “And now my uncle is suggesting I try to form an alliance with him. Little does he know, Connor and I have already formed a friendship. It would be an alliance if I let it.”

Jane’s eyes widened. “Rowan, we don’t know if he’s trustworthy.”

“I know he is,” I replied, frustration lacing my voice. “He’s known about me since our hand-to-hand combat match. After our talk earlier, I’m pretty sure he’ll let me win.”

Milo placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “I don’t think you’ll need his help, but you need to do what you feel is right.”

Taking a deep breath, I nodded. “You’re right. I can do this with his help or without. I would just rather have his help.”

Jane smiled and handed me a bundle of clothes. “Here, this should help keep you cooler under the armor.”

“Thank you.” I took the bundle and headed to Artie’s stall. I slipped on the garments, thankful for the new set of clothing, hoping it would make the event easier. At least there would be less sweat.

Emerging from the stables, I spotted Connor talking to a group of nobles. His eyes flicked towards me, and for a moment, our gazes locked. There was something in his expression—concern, perhaps?—that made me wonder what he was planning for our match.

Pushing the thought aside, I focused on the task at hand. I needed to win two more matches and it would all be over. Everything depended on it.