4 Man in black

To not let it's prey run, the creature revealed itself. Every part of her body froze, when she saw a wolf with large canine teeth and powerful jaws, before her eyes. Anchhi could feel the tremors running up and down her spine. The evening breeze slapped her in horror as it passed through her.

Frightened with its appearance, Anchhi turned around to flee, a low choke escaping her lips. But, the wolf seemed to be stubborn which continuously chased its prey.

Not so far, she tripped over her feet and fell off. Anchhi couldn't get up but had to helplessly crawl over the dry leaves as she yelled for help. While, the latter slowed down it's pace, sparing a chance for Anchhi to run.

She could also feel her death, inching towards her. By that time, her whole body quivered in the sight and was drenched in sweat, heart palpitating wildly without escaping a beat.

The wolf with his yellow eyes, evilly stared at her: the way a predator eyes it's prey. It was about to attack her that's when a long spear pierced the wolf's heart that made it stop midway in the air.

Since Anchhi's facial features were hidden behind her palm when she covered her face, now when she heard the wolf moan in pain, the latter slowly removed her hands from her face only to see an appealing figure of man riding in the horse, who approached near her.

He reached down and grabbed her by the waist, pulling her into the saddle with him. As she was pulled by him, her bun as tied by the hairpin looses which ultimately made her hair down. His face close to hers, she could feel his breath against her lips.

The rakish black attire with his black-obsidian hair exemplified his devilish grey nature. Adonis in an underrated way, he possessed a quiescent leonine charm, uncommon to most of the people. His monolid dishy eyes under the crescent shaped eyebrows were fetching enough to enchant anyone with his firm gaze.

When their eyes met, Anchhi's large wide pair of eyes stared blankly at him, making her cling tightly to his shoulders as he continued riding. But as soon as he realized, he instantaneously dumped her onto the ground.

For once, Anchhi was stupefied unable to ponder on what just happened. She quickly stood on her feet and stopped him, uttering in anger, "Why pretend like helping when your true intention was to dump me over here?"

He glanced back at her and smirked, the corner of his lips drew upwards, "Help? Did I hear it wrong or did you pronounce the wrong word?" his voice deep and husky.

Anchhi snapped back at him, dusting off her clothes, "You are deaf!"

"Who is here to help you? I am only here to catch my prey." he threw a dark chuckle as he tilted his head to his left. His savage reply made Anchhi ponder upon a moment before replying.

That man pulled the reins of his horse, before wheeling round to stare coldly at Anchhi. She stood there, pursing her lips and her fingers clenched into tightly fist, while their glances locked. Observing the movement, Anchhi wanted to trip that horse off her feet so that the man would collapse, bringing full satisfaction to her heart.

As he was about to turn into another direction, Anchhi obstructed his way which infuriated him.

"Do you have a death wish?" his lips curled up, devilishly and eyes ruthlessly gazing the little girl beneath him.

"Isn't it truly ruthless to leave a girl alone in the middle of the forest?" she yelled, spreading her arms so that she could block his way.

That man squinted his monolid eyes, before scrutinizing Anchhi from head to toe. "You consider yourself a girl? Right! A girl disguised as a man." He laughed over her question.

Her cheeks went red in embarrassment, she was dumbstruck for a moment. Why this man has to backfire everything she says?

With her hands covering her chest, she blabbered the most nonsense thing he had ever heard, "I dressed up as a man only because I knew a guy like you would cross my path so to protect my chastity....."

This statement sounded the silliest to his ears, so he had to interrupt her. "Neither I am interested in you nor in your sophomoric talks. Get out of my way."

"How insolent of you! First, you are the one to dump me and instead of apologizing, you dared to show me your punk attitude!" Anchhi screamed with a scowling gesture, stomping her feet on the ground.

But, he had no interest on further arguing with her so he intentionally reared his horse up on its hind legs to scare her, due to which she again lost her balance and tumbled down. He gave her a leer looks then, aggressively rode away in an audacious manner.

"Gosh!!!! What is he? What does he think of himself?" Her eyebrows knitted together, lower lips raised but slightly protruding. She tried standing on her feet.

It was already dark and Anchhi was certain that she had lost her way but there is a saying 'as long as there is a will, there is a way.' Despite whatever had happened, she consistently walked the path determined to reach the manor, which made her soon find her way.

******

In the Fei Manor,

Agitations brewed up when everybody found out Fei Jia sneaked out of the manor. When she reached, Anchhi thought it won't be necessary to conceal herself but as soon as she entered, she found out her father along with every members of the Fei Manor waiting for her, including Shoumen. There Anchhi was caught red-handed.

"Where had you been?" The Grand Herald's sharp steady gaze fell upon her who was comfortably, sitting on a couch.

"I am doomed." Anchhi clenched her mouth, biting her lower lips.

"I w-went...market.....B-Buddha.....to...worship." she was out of her words unable to express properly.

Then Fei Zhirong beckoned her to come over. She sighed heavily and hesitatingly went towards him and lowered her head.

But, to her surprise, his sharp eyes melted and Fei Zhirong gently stroke her head saying, "If you were really willing to go outside then you would've told me earlier. I would have personally escorted you to that place!"

With her doe-eyed that sparkled with mirth, Anchhi raised her head giving a stellar smile she claimed, "Jia'er did not want to bother father so she impersonated as a man and left alone."

"I nearly thought I would lose you again." he sighed in relief. Anchhi caught his hand that was caressing her head and grumpily said, "Enough with the talks! Father, I am starving." She held her empty stomach.

Heh! The Grand Herald was astonished to see his daughter behave such childishly because in the past, not even a single time she had shown such behaviour as she had always remained as tough as a bough. Maybe the more she grows up the more she would act naive.

Dinner was served in a large pine refectory style table. Those mouth-watering Chinese cuisines were treat to her eyes. They were seated in the stools, Anchhi seeing those dishes couldn't resist herself and was about to gobble up when Fei Zhirong interrupted her. "See, I have especially prepared all your favourite dishes for you. Take this one! It's a pecking duck. Open your mouth! I will feed you."

Seeing his tendered nature it reminded of her mother when she used to feed her on such way.

"Jia?" her father called. "What's bothering you?"

"Nothing. Let me have the bite you're offering me." She opened her mouth wide and tasted the food. "Hmmmm! It is lusciously toothsome. Really haven't had such foods for so long."

Then Anchhi started eating up every cuisines as she was starving to death. The Grand Herald was well satisfied to see her enjoying the pleasure of foods.

On that fine night after their dinner, they bade goodnight to each other and went to their own rooms.