When Hearts Flutter
1450 Words
Sally had run all the way to the forest for relaxation but she was having none of that. She had lost Amelia and one of her shoes and now she was standing all alone in the middle of identical trees. She had called out for help but Amelia wasn’t the one who appeared in front of her. Instead, it was a man dressed in a costly robe, a bow in his hand. He had stringed it with an arrow and was pointing it directly at her.
Sally’s anxiety skyrocketed at this point and she swallowed hard as the man in question came nearer.
“What… what are you doing?” she stammered. “Why are you pointing that at me?”
Ivan put down the bow and let the arrow fall to the ground. He looked at her and felt enamored by her beauty. He had never felt like this before, not in the past twenty-two years.
“Hey, you there?” Sally asked, waving her hand in his face.
Ivan snapped out of it and maintained composure.
“What are you doing all alone in the forest? You look like a noble lady, you shouldn’t be out here without an escort,” he said gently.
“I can fend for myself. Please walk away,” she replied curtly. She looked the other way, hoping Amelia would find her soon.
“You look like you need help,” he muttered.
“No, I don’t,” she answered. “My handmaid will find me soon. When she does, I will go home with her.”
“And your missing shoe?” he asked.
“I will find it. It rolled down somewhere there.”
“Fine, I will leave if you truly need no help,” Ivan told her carefully. He turned to leave but he felt compelled to stay. Sally watched him leave with regret in her heart. She had refused his help, trying to keep her pride but it was getting dark. Held back by the voices in his head, Ivan turned towards her, “By the way, you should know that you are on hunting grounds. There are several wild animals here. Wait until it’s dark and they will find you.”
Sally shook in fear, “What do you mean by wild animals?”
Ivan smiled, “They will be out when it gets dark. You can find out then.”
“No, no,” she jumped, going after him instantly. She held on to a tip of his robe and muttered, “Will you help me out a little? I think I have lost my way.”
Ivan pretended as if he wasn’t pleased to hear her asking for his help. He bit his lower lip slightly, “I am a busy man but-”
“Nevermind then,” Sally replied with teary eyes. “You can leave. I will stay and be torn apart by a wild tiger when it gets dark.”
“You didn’t let me finish,” he turned towards her. “I mean I am very busy but I could make some time to walk you out of the forest. It wouldn’t be gentlemanly of me if I left you stranded here.”
Sally smiled at him, her eyes twinkling. He felt his heart flutter and he might have held his breath for a moment.
“We should go now,” he muttered weakly. He led the way and she followed. She tried touching his arm and he flinched instantly, screaming, “No touching!”
Sally was taken aback. She had never imagined that a man would be irritated by her touch. Usually, men would kill to shake hands with her. However, this man didn’t seem enamored with her.
But that wasn’t the case with Ivan. He had refused physical contact with women for over twenty years and now, he had a quick reflex for female touch.
“I guess my touch irritates you, my lord. I am sorry,” she muttered with teary eyes.
“No, that’s not it,” he tried to explain.
“You don’t have to make excuses. I do not mind, not at all,” she replied in a firm voice. “Please continue to lead the way, I will keep my distance from you.”
With no other choice, Ivan nodded in acceptance. He walked ahead and she kept a significant distance from him. When he stopped walking, she took one step back.
“Just walk side by side with me!” he shouted in frustration.
“Ah,” she muttered. “Now, you raise your voice at me. What did I do so wrong?”
Ivan sighed, afraid he was doing so many things wrong today. He whistled and soon, he heard the approach of his horse. He walked towards Sally, looking into her eyes.
“What is it?” she muttered nervously. Her heart was beating too hard and she feared he could hear.
He looked downwards now, “You have been walking without your shoe since. Doesn’t it hurt?”
“I can manage,” she lied.
“No, I doubt it,” he replied. Before she could reply, he lifted her up, holding her in his arms. His horse arrived right in front of him and he placed her onto it first and climbed next, holding the reins.
“It’s a pretty horse,” she muttered.
“Yes, that’s why I picked it.”
“I doubt that was the reason,” she replied, smirking.
“Why do you say so?” he asked. They had begun to move, slowly though.
“I don’t know,” she said. “What’s your story? Your horse looks really expensive so I’m sure you are rich. You are definitely from a noble house. You have a sword, a bow, and there’s a dagger hidden away too. Are you a warrior?”
“How did you see the dagger? It is hidden for a reason,” he replied, casting a glance at her.
She scoffed, “I am close with a couple of warriors. I actually learned a few things from them.”
“I guess you did,” he replied. “What’s your own story?”
“I guessed yours, maybe you should guess mine too.”
“Right,” he began. “You are a noble lady, no doubt. I am willing to bet that you’re a troublemaker, seeing as you got lost in the middle of the forest.”
“I cause trouble once in a while, I don’t know if that qualifies me as a troublemaker though,” she said.
“It does qualify you,” he answered. “We should go faster now, my lady. Hold on.”
With a push from Ivan, the horse went faster. Sally enjoyed the ride but didn’t know why exactly. Was it the breeze that blew against her face or the company of the handsome stranger she was riding with?
**
“Milady!” Amelia cried upon seeing her mistress. She had been searching for her for hours and had even notified Sally’s father about her disappearance. Amelia had a lot to say but she held back for the presence of Ivan.
“Thank you for bringing me home,” Sally told Ivan, smiling.
“It’s nothing, my lady,” Ivan replied casually.
“By the way, we don’t know each other’s names. I am Sally from Noble house Zewulf. What is your name and what noble house are you from?” she asked curiously.
“Your father is Lord Tony Zewulf,” Ivan muttered.
“He is, how do you know?” she asked.
Ivan smiled, “Nevermind, my lady. I will take my leave now.”
“Wait!” Sally shouted. She bit her lower lip, embarrassed about what she was planning to say, “Err… You haven’t told me your name yet, my lord.”
“That won’t be necessary, my lady,” Ivan replied calmly. “I know your name and house. If we ever need to meet, I will be the one to find you.”
Leaving Sally bewildered, Ivan got on his horse and rode away.
“What an arrogant man!” Amelia exclaimed. “What does he think he is? He should be honored that you asked for his name and house.”
Sally didn’t pay attention to Amelia’s words. She had been charmed by this man she had never seen before and her heart was pounding way too hard.
“Milady,” Amelia touched Sally’s shoulders, her expression filled with worry. “Are you okay?”
“No, I think I might have fallen sick.”
- Writer
