The Prince and His Gold

It was evening. King Richard sat on his throne, with Prince John and Marian standing beside him. Suddenly, an outlaw entered the throne room; it was Robin. He approached the King and said: — Hello, Your Majesty. — Robin bowed. — Hello, Robin. — Richard greeted him back. — What was the reason for summoning me? — asked the robber. — I would like to ask you to teach me how to shoot a bow well. I have wanted to improve my skills for a long time. — Oh, I would be happy to teach you! — Robin said with a smile. — Well then, shall we begin now? — With pleasure! Prince John watched all this with displeasure. Robin had always annoyed the Prince, especially in the King’s presence, and this case was no exception. Robin, Richard, and Marian went into the castle courtyard, while the Prince remained in the throne room. He went out onto the balcony and began to watch Robin teaching the King how to shoot. John watched as the outlaw showed the King the correct way to shoot. It seemed so easy for Robin to do it so perfectly. At first, the Prince stared at Robin’s movements, and then at Robin himself. Specifically, at his hair. — What a ridiculous hairstyle. — John said aloud. Indeed, Robin never paid attention to the state of his hair. He was always messy and rarely combed it. This annoyed John greatly, though in the Prince's opinion, Robin's hair itself was actually quite nice. Then John stared at Robin's face. It was very beautiful and, in a way, cute, but the Prince did not want to admit it. Suddenly, the Prince came to his senses and sharply looked away from Robin. He always felt the urge to stare only at Robin, but he tried his best not to. Suddenly, he couldn't help himself and began staring at Robin again. — Robin shoots so well... I want to shoot like that too. John left the castle and approached his brother, his cousin, and Robin. Richard and Robin were already finishing their practice. But then, the Prince suddenly said: — Robin, teach me to shoot too! — Erm... Alright. — the outlaw replied with a hint of uncertainty. Robin gave a bow and an arrow to the Prince. — And how do I do it? — the Prince asked. Robin sighed loudly. He took the bow and arrow from the Prince and then fired a shot, showing him the correct way to shoot. Robin handed the bow back to the Prince and gave him a new arrow. — Do you understand? — Robin asked. — No. — John replied emotionlessly. Robin sighed loudly again and said reluctantly: — Let’s try it together then. The outlaw stood right up against the Prince’s back, which made John blush. Then, Robin placed his hands over the Prince’s hands, holding them correctly. Robin and John's heads were very close. Suddenly, the Prince turned his head and looked at Robin's face. Robin noticed this and looked at the Prince's face too, clearly bewildered. They both froze, looking into each other's eyes. In the Prince's opinion, Robin's eyes were like gold, and he couldn't tear his gaze away. Robin also looked into the prince's eyes, seeing something beautiful and innocent in them. At that moment, it felt as if something had changed. They could have stared at each other for a long time (yes, perhaps not forever, but long), but Robin remembered that Marian and Richard were watching them, so he abruptly broke the silence: — So, Prince, do you understand how it's done? John quickly turned his head toward the target and replied: — I think so. — sounding a bit uncertain. Robin stepped away from John and then said: — Now, let go... — Robin didn't have time to finish before the Prince took his "shot." The arrow didn't even fly a meter. The Prince stood there in a stupor, looking as if he were about to explode with rage. — I think we need to take a break. — said Richard. After those words, John snapped, threw the bow on the ground, and walked back into the castle with a fast pace. Robin, Marian, and Richard watched as the Prince entered the castle. The King was upset by the situation: — Why is my brother so hot-tempered?.. — it sounded more like a statement than a question. — It's just his personality. Don't worry, Richard. — Marian said. Meanwhile, Robin was still staring at the castle door where John had disappeared. The Prince walked through the castle corridors to his room, thinking about Robin: "Is Robin actually good?.. He wanted to teach me how to shoot... No. He probably took my request as an order, even though it was an order. What nonsense am I thinking?" The Prince was very angry and upset. When he reached his room, he locked himself in and stayed there until late evening. John changed into his pajamas, getting ready for bed. The window in his room was open for ventilation. Suddenly, the Prince saw Robin in the window, hanging on a rope. Startled and confused, John approached the window and asked: — Robin?! — Can I come in? — Robin asked, and without waiting for the Prince's answer, he climbed through the window into the Prince's room. — What do you want? — John asked with annoyance. — I wanted to suggest that you try shooting the bow again tomorrow. — Since when do you care if I try again? — I just don't want you to be angry, my prince. The Prince's expression changed instantly, and Robin noticed it. John was surprised by what Robin had just said. He didn't let on that he had paid any attention to Robin's words, but deep down he was glad, though he didn't fully realize it. — Really? — the Prince asked. — Heh, no, of course not... — The Prince's gaze changed immediately. — ...it's just that the King is worried. — Robin replied mockingly. The Prince said irritably: — Okay. Robin chuckled. — Get out already! — the Prince ordered. — Ha-ha-ha-ha! — I said: get out! — the Prince shouted louder. — Erm... well, alright. — Robin said and climbed back out the window, after which John immediately closed it. — Oh, that Robin! But his eyes... — the Prince said, then suddenly caught himself. — What am I saying? After standing there for a moment, John lay down in bed. At the moment when John and Robin looked into each other's eyes, something between them had changed. Lying there, the Prince thought about that moment... About Robin's beautiful eyes... about his messy but soft-looking hair... about his freckles... about Robin himself. Even though John still held a grudge against him. Meanwhile, Robin sat in a tree, thinking about the Prince. He didn't understand why the Prince was so hot-tempered and selfish... But today, Robin had seen an unnoticeable innocence and even a hint of fear in the Prince's eyes... And so the day ended.