Ella crossed her arms, immediately regretting it when the cold water seeped from her sleeves. "You're insufferable."
"And yet," he said, leaning his shoulder against the rock as if he owned it. "Here we are. Together. Fate is cruel like that."
Ella rolled her eyes so hard her head hurt. "You could leave, you know. I don't even know how you trespass on private property."
"Private property? This is an open forest under the territory of a mere noble. No one is stopping me from going here," the man replied, shaking his head amusingly.
Ella's brow furrowed. She had no idea who the man was and thought he was one of her father's men. So she didn't ask further and just assumed it. "Yeah, yeah."
The man peered out at the storm, where rain lashed the forest like silver whips. "I could leave, but then I'd be struck by lightning, mauled by wolves, or crushed by a falling branch." He glanced back at Ella. "And I'd hate to miss the part where you slip again."
"Excuse me? I will not slip again!" Right on cue, Ella's foot slid slightly on the damp stone. She windmilled her arms, barely catching herself on the rock wall.
The man stared at Ella. Then nodded solemnly. "Remarkable timing."
"Stop looking at me like that!" Ella barked.
"Like what?" The man smirked.
"Like you're enjoying this!"
"I am," he admitted without shame.
Ella groaned and turned away, muttering something unladylike under her breath. "Stupid man. Idiot. Eggless behavior."
For a moment, the rain was the only sound between them. Then—
"You know," the man said casually, "you're taking this remarkably well."
Ella looked back at him. "Taking what well?"
"Being alone in the forest. With a strange man during a storm," the man replied.
Ella stiffened. "…I am not alone."
He lifted a brow. "Your invisible sister?"
"Yes! And she's very good with a sword," Ella lied boldly.
The man hummed. "Ah. Then I'll be sure to surrender dramatically if she appears."
"You're unbelievable," Ella gasped, taking a deep breath.
"And you're soaked," he replied, glancing pointedly at her cloak. "If you catch a chill, you'll blame the rain, or me. Possibly both."
Ella hesitated. Against her better judgment, she said. "You don't look cold."
He shrugged. "I've been rained on worse. Besides, I have a horse."
Ella perked up. "You do?" She asked, looking around as she hadn't seen a horse aside from hers earlier.
"Mm. Tied not far from here," His lips curved. "Very well-behaved. Doesn't throw its rider into the mud."
"That was ONE time!" Ella snapped again.
"Ah," he said thoughtfully. "A memorable one."
Before Ella could retort, the rain began to soften. The thunder retreated, glowing faintly, and light filtered weakly through the trees.
The man straightened. "Looks like the storm's had its fun." He stepped out from beneath the rock, testing the ground. Then he turned back to Ella and offered a hand.
"Come on. I'll take you out of the forest," the man said calmly.
Ella eyes his hands suspiciously. "Why?" She asked, didn't trust him, and, most of all, was annoyed by how he conversed with her.
"Because," he said lightly, "leaving a drenched girl alone in the woods would be terribly rude, and I have a reputation to maintain."
Ella ignored his hand and stepped past him. "I don't need your help."
He followed, whistling softly. A tall, dark horse emerged from between the trees, snorting when it saw them.
The man swung easily into the saddle, then looked down at Ella. "Want a ride?" He asked with a sly smile.
"No," Ella crossed her arms and continued walking in no direction.
He blinked. "No?"
"No," Ella replied, completely ignoring him.
"… Are you sure?" The man followed Ella and stayed on the side.
"Yes," Ella replied, trying not to walk on muddy grounds.
"It's faster if you hop on," The man insisted.
"No," Ella rejected again.
He sighed. "You're very determined."
"And you're very annoying," Ella snapped.
"Fair," the man replied, agreeing with Ella. He removed his waterproof leather cloak and dropped it on top of Ella's head. "Try not to fall again and dirtied my cloak, Lady-Definitely-Not-Meant-For-Horseback."
Ella was touched at first, but was repelled by rage upon hearing the man's last sentence. "I don't need this," she said, handing back the cloak.
The mam smirked. "Give it to me next time," he said and winked.
"What!? No!" Ella exclaimed as she didn't want to meet the man again.
The man waved his hand as his horse galloped away.
"I hope you get splashed by mud!" Ella shouted after him.
The man laughed, already disappearing down the path.
The forest grew quiet. Too quiet.
Ella's irritation faded quickly, replaced by a tight knot in her chest. The shadows seemed longer now, and every rustle made her jump.
"…Anna?" She called softly.
No answer.
Ella swallowed, but forced herself forward, boots squelching as she walked. She used the man's cloak, which was too big for her, as a tool to warm herself against the cold wind.
"Ugh, I should have gone with that man…" Ella whispered as she started to get scared of her surrounding. She continued walking but stopped several times to ensure she was on the correct open path.
Although luck was not on Ella's side. She felt like she was walking along an endless path, in circles. All she saw were trees and bushes.
"Anna!" Ella kept yelling, hoping her voice would reach her sister.
Then a familiar lane, and nearby, a chestnut horse grazing calmly.
"Thank goodness," Ella breathed.
"Ella!" Anna's voice rang out as her sister emerged from behind the trees, completely dry and entirely unapologetic. "There you are! I found a shortcut!"
Ella stared at Anna, soaked, muddy, and trembling. "…I hate your shortcuts."
Anna blinked. Then smiled sheepishly. "I got too excited, but I'm happy no harm came in your way," she said, but her eyes stared at the cloak around Ella's body.
"I met someone, and they let me borrow this," Ella explained, since she knew Anna would ask about it.
"Oh, who is it? That looks expensive," Anna raised a brow.
Ella opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. She entirely forgot to ask the man's name or where to find him.
Anna saw Ella's distress and giggled. "You can think about it later, but for now. Let's go home, it's dangerous to stroll further after the heavy rain."