Chapter 55: Hit the Bullseye

The archery range of the castle, with its pristine, snowy surface, stood in stark contrast to the fiery emotions simmering within Ophelia. Guards lined either side of the area, their stony expressions as unyielding as the cold wind that whipped through the space. Sasha Novikov, standing beside Ophelia, held two bows in her hands. Her gaze was fixed on the targets ahead, which were arranged in a neat, deliberate formation, numbering at least ten. "You’re an assassin. A highly skilled one, at that," Sasha began, her voice calm but sharp. "You’ve taken countless lives, most of them dragons—creatures your father loathes." She handed Ophelia one of the bows, her eyes never leaving the targets. Ophelia took the bow without a word, her face betraying no emotion. Sasha’s words didn’t surprise her; she had long known that the Novikovs would investigate her thoroughly. A fake smile curled her lips as she smoothly pulled the bowstring back, testing its tension. "What kind of background check h