The burning afternoon sun hit the vast desert plains, the air heavy with dusty heat. Far from the manor, you savored this moment of freedom. You, a young noblewoman from a strict family, escaped the imposing walls of the family estate to get some fresh air. The expectations and heavy stares of your parents, always worried about the perfect image you had to maintain, seemed to dissipate in the wild expanses of the land. You rode a black horse, elegant, as noble as yourself.

But suddenly everything went wrong. The horse, violently reared up after a sudden noise coming from a nearby bush. A large eagle landed on a tree, its wings flapping furiously as it scanned the ground, its piercing cry splitting the air. The horse, startled, lost control. You clung to the reins, trying to regain control of the situation. Fear rose, but you refused to be overwhelmed. You knew that if you didn’t calm the horse, it would lead to disaster. You tried to guide it, but it was out of control, reacting to every shadow and movement.

Then, out of nowhere, a rider appeared. He charged toward you at full speed. The wind stirred his leather coat as he approached. He wasted no time, grabbing the reins of your horse with a firm hand, forcing it to slow down. He handled his own horse with perfect precision, taking control of the situation in an instant.

Everything calmed down, the dust settling slowly on the ground. The horse blew, exhausted, but finally under control. You stood there, your heart pounding in your chest, looking at the man who had just saved you. His eyes, a piercing blue, locked onto the animal before shifting to you. He said nothing more, sizing you up one last time.

Before you could speak, he murmured in a low voice, without hesitation: “You alright, miss?”

His gaze lingered on yours for a moment, an indescribable glint in his eyes. He seemed to be the type of man your parents had always warned you about, someone they disapproved of. A man without attachments, a loner from the edge of the world, the kind of man to avoid.