Chapter 10 Gratitude Date
Ten days have passed since Ilia started at the knight's training hall. During that time, she had helped out Groose with his training for each day after class and he started to get much better.
That afternoon, right when Ilia and Groose finished their private practice, Groose decided to ask Ilia something as a way to thank her for the help.
"Hey Ilia," said Groose, "Do you have any plans for the rest of the day?"
"No not really," answered Ilia, "Why do you ask?"
"I've been thinking that perhaps I can take you to a place I know in Castle Town to thank you for helping me improve," explained Groose, "It's a place where people shoot targets for fun." "Want to come?"
"That would be nice Groose," answered Ilia, "To be honest, I've been needing a bit of fun after all of the training we've been having."
A few minutes later, Groose led Ilia to Castle Town and then to the archery game building. Once they were in, Groose payed for a two-player game and he and Ilia were all set for playing. Ilia and Groose ended up shooting targets with practice bows with them competing with each other. Unsurprisingly to them both, Ilia won after getting more points than Groose.
"If you want," said Groose, "We can play again."
"I guess one more game wouldn't hurt," said Ilia and they played another game.
The difference in the score was shorter this time but Ilia still won again.
"That was fun," said Ilia as they left the building heading back to the training hall."
"It was wasn't it," replied Groose, "It seems your help has made me get better at that game as well."
"Do you play it often," asked Ilia.
"I did a bit with Prince Link when we were younger but now we both have less free time so we had to stop."
"I had been wondering," said Ilia, "How are you friends with the prince?"
"Originally it was because my mother is the castle's top maid and the king and queen knew that their son needed friends," answered Groose, "But over time, we just had a lot of fun together." "There are times when we see each other, but not as often as back then with Link having his duties and me training to be a knight."
"I see," said Ilia, "Do you miss those days?"
"We all have to accept the changes time gives us," explained Groose, "Though I will admit things were easier for me back then."
The pair then returned to the training hall and then heard the bell signaling dinner.
"Guess we lost track of time," said Ilia, "Let's have dinner with the others."
They then went to the mess hall with the other students and each took a seat to eat.
"Hey Ilia," said Romani who Ilia had become friends with during the past ten days, "Were you and Groose out on a date?"
"Well I'm not that sure," answered Ilia as she blushed, "But I did have a great time with Groose at the archery game."
"I see," said Romani, "Then tell me, do you like Groose?"
"Romani," said Ilia blushing even more, "You don't need to invade my personal life."
"You're right, sorry about that," said Romani, "But I can't help but wonder what you two are up to and why you decided to help Groose get better."
Ilia then decided to eat the rest of her dinner quickly to avoid further embarrassment and once she finished, she went straight to her room.
"I actually do like Groose," said Ilia to herself, "But I can't let these feelings get in the way of anything." "I'll just a wait until the right time and tell him."
"Groose meanwhile, enjoyed his dinner in satisfaction thinking he might have a chance with Ilia for he too like her. Once he finished, he went to his own room for the night.
"Today worked out," said Groose to himself, "I hope things keep working that way." "I don't want to upset Ilia but I don't know how to tell her my feelings." "For now, I'll just spend as much time with her as possible."