As his horse climbed a ridge, Alex spotted movement in the bushes ahead. A lion, crouched low, eyes locked on the girl below.
Without hesitation, he reached for his bow. The first arrow struck the lion's leg, throwing it off balance. The second pierced its chest. The beast collapsed, letting out one final roar.
Startled, Anne turned to the sound, eyes wide with fear. Then she saw him—a stranger on horseback, his bow still drawn, his expression calm.
Their eyes met.
For a brief moment, the world fell silence,
Alex lowered his weapon.
Alex noticed her beauty from afar.
"She's beautiful..." he thought.
Anne, still in shock, stared at him.
"He saved me… Is he an angel?"
Alex jumped down from his horse. Anne was trying to calm her panicked sheep, who had scattered after the lion attack. Once the animals settled, Alex slowly approached her.
Alex: "Hey, are you alright?"
Anne (smiling): "Yes… Thank you for saving me."
Alex (a little shy): "Is this your first time in the mountains?"
Anne: "Oh, yes. It's my first time out of the village. I was so mesmerized by the view, I completely forgot to check my surroundings."
Alex: "Well, you need to be more careful. If I hadn't been here… that lion might've gotten you."
(He kneels down and starts tying the lion's legs with a rope.)
Anne: "Oh! I forgot to introduce myself—I'm Anne. And you are?"
Alex: "I'm Alex. It's okay, I forgot too." (he chuckles)
Anne: "Your aim is amazing. Just two arrows to bring down a lion?"
Alex: "Years of practice. I've been training in archery for a long time."
(He ties the lion's mouth shut with ease.)
Anne: "Aren't you scared? What if it had bitten you?"
Alex: "Really?" (He stands and pulls down the collar of his shirt, revealing faded scratch marks on his shoulder.)
Anne: "How did that happen?!" (shocked)
Alex: "When I was eight. A tiger got me. I've stopped fearing wild beasts since then." (he smiles)
Anne: "You're really brave."
Alex: "Well… if you want, I can drop you home?" (He looks into her eyes.)
Anne (thinking, then smiling): "Okay."
Alex: "Where do you live?" (He lifts the lion onto his horse with effort.)
Anne: "Near the river by the market."
Alex: "A river near the market?" (He frowns slightly, confused.)
Anne: "Yeah…" (also confused)
Alex (hesitantly): "I probably shouldn't ask, but… are you from the North or the South?"
Anne: "I'm from the North."
Alex: "…Anne… I'm actually from the South." (His voice lowers.)
Anne: "What?!" (alarmed) "But I heard people from the South never visit the mountain."
Alex: "I heard the same about the North."
Anne: "We're not even supposed to talk! What if someone saw us? What if they tell the king?!" (panicking)
Alex (gently): "Anne, relax. There's no one around. Nothing will happen. People meet here all the time. And if someone asks, I'll just say I'm from the North. It's easy."
(He gives her a calming smile.)
Anne: "You're right… No one will know."
Alex (climbing onto his horse): "I can't take you all the way home, but… what if we meet again tomorrow?"
(He flashes a hopeful, puppy-eyed smile.)
Anne (looking into his eyes, heart melting): "Okay~"
Alex: "Then I'll see you tomorrow." (He rides away, the lion tied securely to his horse.)
As dawn broke, Anne returned home after handing over the villagers' sheep and collecting her payment. It wasn't much—just enough for a single meal—but it would get her through the day.
Her home was barely livable. The roof had holes that leaked when it rained, and the wooden floor creaked with every step. There was little furniture—just a bed, a table with a flickering lantern, and a chair.