Rain drops from the sky now drizzled, hitting the people below it softly, with the cool breeze alongside it.
"I forgot my shoes, my lord." Dydra blurted out. What else was she going to say? She clenched her teeth as the cold breeze bit into her skin. She could feel Leonard's gaze piercing through her back.
The man listened to her heart beat keenly —she was telling the truth. But why would she leave the house, forgetting her shoes?
"Then you must be really stupid." He remarked, which earned a displeased frown from the red-haired girl, but thankfully, her head was bowed, so he didn't notice.
"Look at me when I'm speaking to you." He demanded. It didn't seat well with him, as he couldn't see the expressions on her face.
The young witch's blue eyes rolled, almost falling out of her sockets. She plastered a fake smile on her lips and rise, not making eye contact with him.
The cool breeze continued to blow, and as the rain drops decreased, the chill increased. Dydra's fingers folded together by her side, and she clenched her teeth, enduring the chill bites. A frown settled on Leonard's face as he took notice of this. With swift movements, he's hands popped out his pockets, pulling his long coat off his body, swinging it over her.
The young witch's eyes widened in awe as she felt the warm, perfumed coat envelope her body. Immediately she reacted, attempting to take it off, but his voice stopped her.
"Take it off, and see what happens." He warned. Dydra's lips low-key twisted in slight annoyance, who was this guy and why has he been bothering her? But, she was also grateful, and she said softly.
"Thank you, my lord."
The sound of her sweet voice soften his gaze and he asked.
"What is your name, little fox?"
Dydra pressed her lips, the "little fox" vexed her, but she knew not to say nothing about it.
"Dydra, my lord." As he knew her name now, he will stop calling her little fox.
As her name rolled out her tongue, something in Leonard's eyes flickered—astonishment. As if, he'd heard the name sometimes in the past that he couldn't remember now.
"Dydra." He whispered, as though memorizing it. "So, how did you get here, little fox?"
Dydra shot him a quick and quiet glare, which disappeared as soon as it came, as if it was never there. But Leonard's eyes were sharp and he caught it, the corner of his lips pulling slightly—he was amused.
Again with the silly nickname! Her lips pressed together and she answered him quietly.
"My horse, my lord. I got hit by a tree branch, lost my balance. I fell, and it ran this way." She pointed to the direction behind her, and Leonard's eyes followed it. He noticed the stump marks and the scratched barks—they weren't heavy, which only meant it hasn't gone far.
"It close by." He informed her, and he started to walk toward the direction, but paused his footsteps when he noticed Dydra was following him.
"You stay here. They are a lot of things here that could poke your feet. Next time, when you want to take a stroll in the forest, remember to wear your shoes." He didn't wait for her response and left, following the trail.
Dydra was left stunned. Her mouth parting open to speak, but he was already out of her sight by the blink of an eye. For some strange reason, the young witch didn't move, obeying his word to stay put. Her lips pursed as she wondered if he would really be able to find her horse. Her fingers went to the coat that stayed on her shoulders, feeling the thick and soft fabric. Though he annoyed her with his remarks and nickname, Dydra was grateful she ran into him, wondering if she might still be on the muddy floor if he hadn't showed up.
Dydra has ran into some wealthy people when she was sent on an errand, back at the Thelmond mansion, and they weren't the nicest people. They showed disgust to her features and her clothing, telling her people of her status weren't meant to walk the same grounds as them. They had belittled her to the core, even spitting on her. Being naive at her first experience, Dydra had talked back to them, defending herself. That was her worse mistake, as they had ordered the servants around them to beat her. She was beaten badly that day, returning to the Thelmond mansion, covered in blood and wounds. She had hid it all from Agatha, as she knew her foster mother wouldn't brush it off and go after the people who did that. Thus, making enemies with her fellow people of title. Ever since then, whenever she came across the wealthy, it either she turned the other way, or stop whatever she was doing, blowing to them till they were out of sight.
Leonard was the first wealth she had seen that was nice to her. Though, that arrogant attitude was still there, he was genuinely helpful. No elite will go out of their way to offer her a coat, talkless of helping her find her horse. She will have to find a way to thank him properly.
Just in time, Leonard came out of the bushes, with his fingers tight on Speed's reins. She broke into a releaved smile and bowed deeply. "Thank you so much, my lord!"
Leonard didn't say anything and extended the reins to her, she quickly took it, their fingers brushing in the process. The young witch withdrew her hand immediately, and a shy smile smeared on her face.
A deep chuckle left Leonard lips, and he teased. "First time being touched by a man?"
Dydra's eyes widened and she turned away from him, her palms coming over her face. Did he just say that to her? How could he say such words? What does he even mean by that?!