Chapter 49: Princes, Promises, and Archery
Sensing Diana Rigg's anger, William quickly explained, "I'm a guest at Kensington Palace today, riding horses with Prince Wilson and Prince Harry. I couldn't exactly say no."
"William, if you're going to lie to me, at least find a believable reason! How could I believe that? You don't even know Their Royal Highnesses," she retorted.
William looked at Wilson and Prince Harry, who were openly eavesdropping nearby, and mouthed, "Wilson, help me."
Wilson seized the opportunity. "You'll owe me a favor. And you have to pay it back whenever I decide to call it in."
William thought for a moment. "Fine, I owe you a favor. As long as it's within my power to repay it."
"Deal." Wilson clapped hands with William and took the phone.
Prince Wilson answered the phone and said, "Hello, is this Miss Diana? This is Wilson Louis."
Diana Rigg suddenly shrieked into the phone. The volume was so loud that William and Harry had to hold the phone away from their ears to avoid being deafened. "Oh my God! Are you really Prince Wilson? You're not lying to me? How is this possible? How do you and William know each other? Your Royal Highness, may I interview you?"
Wilson was stunned into silence by Diana's barrage of questions. Prince Harry looked at his brother, then turned to William and said, "I feel a bit sorry for you now, William. Just don't get me involved."
William shot back playfully, "Harry, you little brat, you're talking big when you've probably never even held a girl's hand. I hear the Princess is very strict with you. Your brother got his first girlfriend at fifteen, and I hear you haven't even had one yet."
"Damn it, who started that rumor? I've had a girlfriend for a while, but I haven't told anyone. Only Wilson knows. William, you're the second person to know," Harry whispered urgently. "But don't you dare say anything. My mother wants me to wait until I'm sixteen to officially have a girlfriend. I'm still a few months away, so don't let my mother, Diana, find out." After speaking, he put his arm chummily on William's shoulder.
"Don't worry, my lips are sealed. If the Princess finds out, it must be because you let it slip yourself," William said with a straight face.
The look on Harry's face was priceless, as if to say, *I knew you were that kind of person.*
"God, I really shouldn't have told you. I didn't expect you to be so shameless."
"Ha, Harry, I'm just teaching you not to spill your secrets, not even to your best friends. Alright, alright, I'm joking with you. I might be your best man one day, I wouldn't rat you out," William said, smiling as he patted Harry's shoulder.
"Hey, William," Wilson called out, handing the phone back. "Diana said you still owe her an agreement and asked if you can fulfill it today. If you're going to do a test, why not do it like you said at the press conference? Kensington has an indoor archery venue."
"No, no, no. We definitely can't do it at Kensington. It would be too much trouble to let so many reporters in, and it wouldn't be safe," William refused. He looked at his watch and said, "It's only 3 o'clock. The London Olympic Archery Pavilion isn't far. If you two want to go, you'd best get the Princess's permission. Otherwise, I wouldn't dare take you out."
"Okay, no problem. Wilson and I go out all the time now," Harry said, eagerly nodding his agreement.
Seeing Harry's enthusiasm, Wilson nodded and promised to call the princess.
William took the phone back and said to Diana, "My dear, can you get to the Olympic Pavilion now?"
Diana replied excitedly, "No problem, William! I'll apply for a press vehicle now. They'll definitely approve it. William, you go straight to the Olympic Pavilion. I'll meet you there. I'm going to report to my supervisor right now!"
"William, my mother agreed to let me and Wilson go, but we have to be home before 6 o'clock," Harry said happily.
"Okay. Wilson, Harry, you two go get ready. I need to head to the archery hall to prepare. I have to find a bow and get familiar with it first. We'll meet at the archery hall. I have to go now. See you in a bit, Wilson and Harry."
Wilson and Harry nodded. "Okay, see you in a bit."
William left the stables and, under the guidance of a servant, drove to the archery range.
When William arrived at the Olympic Archery Hall, the staff had already been notified by the BBC that he was coming to do the test.
William bought a set of sportswear in the pro shop. After changing, he was led by a middle-aged coach to select a bow and arrows. William picked a high-poundage recurve bow, testing a 64-pound one and finding it suitable.
William's current strength was several times that of an ordinary adult man, so pulling a 64-pound bow was no pressure at all. The coach's eyes went wide. He had never seen anyone draw a 64-pound bow so easily. To him, it looked like William was drawing a 20-pound bow.
Puzzled, the coach asked to try the bow himself. He could draw it, but with great strain. After a few seconds, his arms began to shake, and he quickly let down the bowstring.
William just smiled at the coach, who was now looking at him like he was a monster. He picked out 30 arrows and asked the coach to take him to the shooting range.
He still had half an hour to adapt. In his previous life, William had studied archery, but his skill was like being stuck at a low level in a video game. But now, with the experience of Marvel's Hawkeye, the enhanced hand-eye coordination, and his current physical fitness, he was instantly boosted to level 99.
After shooting a dozen arrows, William was familiar with the bow's parameters. The next twenty arrows were true to their mark, with the last ten even being shot with his eyes closed—all hitting the bullseye.
Just as William stopped, he heard applause from behind him. He turned and saw Wilson and Harry, who were trying to look incognito in black sunglasses.
William put down the bow and gave them both a hug.
Harry excitedly threw an arm around William's shoulder. "William, can you teach me? That was so cool! I now think archery is the best sport for men, way more handsome than golf or tennis. If I could shoot like you, the girls at school would be all over me. So cool."
"Oh, come on, Harry," Wilson scoffed. "Last time you said competitive shooting was the most handsome sport. You've been practicing for months and you've only just gotten the hang of it. Now you want to learn something else? Your mother will have a fit if she finds out you're just chasing whatever looks cool."
"Wilson, you're just jealous that my competitive shooting is better than yours," Harry retorted. "William, you don't know, he's been practicing for as long as I have, but he still can't hit the target. I think I have a real talent for shooting."
"Of course I can teach you, Harry," William said frankly, "but if you really want to learn, be prepared to train for ten years. I've been practicing with a bow and arrow for almost that long. I don't think your archery talent is as strong as mine, so it would be impossible for you to get to my level in just a few months."
"Exactly, Harry. You should just stick to practicing your competitive shooting. It took William ten years to get this good. You can't just learn whatever you see," Wilson warned his brother, who was known for being fickle.
"Well, I'll still practice my shooting, but maybe I can try archery at the same time. William, I can teach you competitive shooting if you teach me archery," Harry persisted. He was not yet sixteen and still a headstrong teenager. William just smiled, figuring he could try it and let him give up on his own.
"Alright, give it a try. If you have talent, it can be a hobby. If not, you can give it up. But Harry, competitive shooting is very impressive too," William said with a smile.
"Haha, that's the best! We can find some time to practice. As for Wilson, I think my one-handed shooting is probably better than his," Harry said, making a face at his brother.
Wilson was amused by Harry. "You think so? Then let's have a one-handed shooting competition next time and see how big you can talk."
William, watching from the side, burst out laughing. "Wilson, Harry just played you. If you really have a one-handed shooting competition with him, you'll be a laughingstock. Haha!"
Wilson's eyes widened as he realized the trap. Yes, if he really competed like that, he would look ridiculous.
But looking at Harry, who was laughing his head off, he knew his brother didn't have any malicious intent; he just wanted to see his older brother make a fool of himself. Wilson shook his head helplessly and laughed along with them.
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