Moments passed before Isaac returned. He approached me with a calm yet eager expression, extending his hand as he bent slightly at the knees. "Come, you will like this," he said in a low, almost secretive tone, as if he had stumbled upon something extraordinary.

His eyes gleamed with excitement, and the curiosity in me stirred. I reached out and took his hand, his fingers warm against my own. Gently, he pulled me up to my feet, his grip firm but reassuring. We began walking together, his hand still clasping mine. The soft rustle of leaves underfoot and the cool breeze brushing against my skin made the air feel alive with anticipation. The sky above had grown dim, the last remnants of sunlight fading into twilight, casting long shadows across the path. The temperature had dropped noticeably, and I could feel the crisp coolness of the evening setting in.

Isaac led the way, his strides steady and confident. I matched his pace as best as I could, but there was a subtle urgency in my steps as the sound of flowing water reached my ears. My heart leaped in my chest. I strained to listen, my eyes widening as the faint, melodic gurgle grew louder with each step. He had found a stream. A smile tugged at my lips, excitement bubbling up inside me. Without thinking, I quickened my pace, eager to see it with my own eyes.

Isaac noticed my eagerness, but his movements remained unhurried, his long legs easily keeping pace with me. "Patience," he murmured with a soft chuckle, but I was too excited to heed his advice.

Finally, we reached the riverbank, and I stopped in my tracks, my breath catching in my throat. Before us lay a wide, crystal-clear river that shimmered in the fading light. A small natural pool formed just ahead, nestled among the rocks and tree roots that jutted out from the sides of the riverbank, almost as if nature itself had carved this hidden oasis. The water, still and inviting, mirrored the darkening sky, and the gentle flow of the stream made the scene feel like something out of a dream.

"I want to swim," I blurted out, my voice tinged with excitement, my eyes unable to tear away from the serene beauty of the place. I glanced over at Isaac, half-expecting him to refuse or mock my enthusiasm.

Instead, he smiled. "Alright, I'll go first," he said with a tone that caught me off guard. My eyes flickered to his face in surprise. Was he serious?

"You're going to swim too?" I asked, my voice uncertain, but he just nodded, already pulling at the collar of his shirt.

"I won't let you swim alone. It's better to be cautious," he remarked casually, as if swimming with me was the most natural thing in the world. His tone was firm but caring, leaving no room for argument. I pressed my lips together, realizing I couldn't talk him out of it.

Suddenly, my eyes caught the sight of him beginning to undress, and a flush of heat rushed to my face. Quickly, I turned my back to him, my heart pounding wildly in my chest. Oh god, he's really doing it. The tension between us thickened as the reality of the situation sank in. Are we really going to swim together... naked?

I inhaled deeply, trying to calm the swirl of emotions inside me. Nothing else is going to happen, I reminded myself. It's just swimming.

The sound of fabric hitting the ground followed by a splash of water made me glance over my shoulder. Isaac was already in the water, his dark hair slicked back, water droplets clinging to his skin as he wiped his face. He looked completely at ease, floating effortlessly in the natural pool. "Take off your dress," he called out, his voice casual yet commanding. "You don't want to swim in wet clothes. They'll be uncomfortable later."

I bit my lip, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. "Turn around," I demanded, my voice sharper than intended, afraid that he might catch even the slightest glimpse of me.

He didn't argue. With a quiet sigh, he turned his back to me, respecting my request. The gesture eased some of the tension, but my heart still raced as I hurriedly tugged my dress over my head, the fabric slipping from my fingers and pooling at my feet.

For a moment, I stood there, vulnerable and exposed, my fists clenched at my sides. The cold air brushed against my skin, sending a shiver down my spine. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves, before finally stepping forward and diving into the water.

The moment I submerged, the cold water wrapped itself around me like an icy embrace, shocking my senses. I pushed myself upwards, breaking through the surface with a gasp, my lungs filling with fresh, crisp air. The coolness of the water was invigorating, and I could feel my entire body awakening from the cold. My blood pulsed through me, and the fatigue I had felt moments ago vanished, replaced by a refreshing energy.

"How does it feel?" Isaac's voice drifted toward me. I turned my head, meeting his gaze.

"It feels amazing," I admitted, my voice more casual now that the initial shock had passed. The water was perfect, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of freedom being here in this hidden sanctuary.

Isaac gave a satisfied nod and began to swim, his movements graceful and unhurried as he circled around me like a watchful shadow, always staying close, but not too close. There was something comforting about his presence, even as the tension between us lingered beneath the surface. He seemed content to let me enjoy the moment, but I could feel his eyes on me, as if he was making sure I stayed safe.

And for now, in the quiet of the evening, with nothing but the sound of the water around us, I felt an unexpected peace, despite the strange circumstances.

I took a deep breath before submerging myself into the water. My lips pressed firmly together, and I closed my eyes tightly. I moved my arms and legs, propelling myself deeper until my movements gradually slowed. Once I felt comfortable, I cautiously opened my eyes. Unfortunately, the darkness of the night made it impossible to see clearly beneath the surface. I sighed internally, disappointed that I couldn't take in the full beauty of the underwater world. Still, I kept my eyes open for a moment longer, allowing them to adjust and relax in the cool water.

But suddenly, I was startled. Isaac's half-submerged body was directly in front of me, though he wasn't too close. Alarm surged through me when I caught a glimpse of something I shouldn't have seen in the dim water, and I quickly swam upward, my head breaking through the surface in a rush. I gasped for air, my heart pounding wildly in my chest. Damn it! Why was he right in front of me? His skin, illuminated by the faint glow of the moonlight filtering through the water, had made him stand out, causing me to notice... more than I should have.

I glared at him, but my eyes widened in shock when I saw a mischievous grin playing on his lips. His amusement was all too clear. Annoyed and frustrated, I splashed a handful of water directly at his face, the droplets hitting him squarely. Instead of being deterred, he just chuckled, clearly entertained by my reaction.

"We need to go back now, wife. It's getting colder, and it wouldn't be good for you," he said in a casual tone, his voice carrying easily over the quiet of the night. His calm demeanor only served to irritate me further.

"Turn around," I demanded, my voice edged with frustration. He chuckled again but obliged, turning his back to me.

I quickly scrambled out of the water, moving with haste toward my dress. I snatched it up from the ground and hurriedly put it back on, my fingers fumbling in my haste. Once I was dressed, I glanced back at Isaac, relieved to see that he still had his back to me. "Your turn," I said, my voice more composed now. He looked over his shoulder at me briefly before swimming toward the riverbank to get out.

I took a few steps back, creating some distance between us, and turned my back to give him some privacy. Moments passed, and I suddenly jumped when I felt a hand gently rest on my waist.

"Let's go," he said softly, his voice gentle yet commanding. His touch sent a jolt through me, and I felt my skin tingle from the unexpected contact and the deep tone of his voice.

I nodded silently, too caught off guard to respond with words. Isaac took my hand, and we began walking, his steps leading us out of the hidden pool.

When we returned to where our horses were waiting, Isaac guided me back to the spot where I had been sitting earlier, near his blazer, which still lay on the ground. "Rest now," he said, his voice deep and soothing. "You'll need your strength for the journey tomorrow."

I nodded again, exhaustion beginning to creep in. "You should rest too," I replied, leaning against the tree's roots as I closed my eyes, trying to calm my racing thoughts.

A long silence followed, and I realized I hadn't heard him respond. I opened my eyes just in time to see him walking toward his horse, his figure bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight. The light of the moon seemed to illuminate everything around us, casting a serene glow over the forest, making it feel as if we were in a world of our own.

I took a deep breath before finally closing my eyes, hoping for sleep to take over. The cold night air wrapped itself around my body, making me shiver. I instinctively hugged my arms close to myself, but it was no use-it was far too cold. The thin sleeves of my dress offered little protection against the biting chill. I tried to force myself to sleep, curling up tighter, but after several futile minutes, I gave up. I opened my eyes again, feeling defeated, and my gaze found Isaac. He was leaning against a nearby tree, not facing me, but instead looking up at the moon as it peeked through the tall trees.

I sighed softly. "I can't sleep. It's too cold," I murmured, hoping he could hear me. He immediately turned his head towards me, concern flickering in his eyes. He started to take off his polo shirt, but I quickly shook my head. "No, you need that," I protested firmly. If I'm freezing while fully dressed, what more for him, just wearing a polo and pants? Even though his shirt had long sleeves, it clearly wasn't enough for the night's chill, and yet he had already given me his blazer earlier to make sure I was comfortable.

"You could just sit beside me," I suggested, my voice hesitant but sincere. I felt a bit uncertain about the offer, but the cold was relentless. He smiled slightly at my suggestion and nodded. "As you wish, wife," he said, before moving closer. I shifted to make space for him on the ground.

Isaac sat beside me, taking a deep breath as he leaned back against the tree's roots. I leaned back as well, closing my eyes in an attempt to settle down. Our arms brushed against each other, but I didn't mind it. The warmth from his body was already offering some comfort. Then, unexpectedly, his hand gently cupped my face, guiding my head to rest on his shoulder. I bit my lip, contemplating my next move. After a moment of hesitation, I shifted forward and nestled into him. He didn't resist; instead, he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into an embrace. I responded in kind, wrapping my arms around his as well. A soft smile tugged at my lips, satisfied by the warmth radiating from his body, banishing the cold.

I leaned my head against his chest, inhaling deeply, and finally closed my eyes, feeling the tension in my body ebb away. The quiet of the forest was soothing, the gentle rustle of the leaves and the distant hoot of an owl created a calm ambiance that lulled me closer to sleep.

But a sudden thought crossed my mind. "How did you find me, Isaac?" I asked softly, my eyes still closed, my voice barely above a whisper.

He was silent for a few moments before he responded, his voice equally low. "It's because of Lilieth," he revealed, his tone tinged with regret. I didn't say anything, waiting for him to continue. "I knew from the very beginning that Lilieth wasn't an ally... and I regret letting her in. If it weren't for her, you wouldn't have been on the brink of death," he confessed, his voice heavy with guilt.

Surprised by his admission, I remained quiet, biting my lip.

"When I was a child, after my parents died, I left the palace. Lilieth's parents took me in. I was so grateful for their kindness. I thought I could stay far away from the palace for good. But something happened," he paused, as if the memory weighed heavily on him. "Lilieth was a graceful child, full of ambition. But her dreams... her dreams were what led me back to the palace. When she discovered my true identity, she revealed it to the Ministers. They were grateful to her, and they promised her that once I returned to the palace, we would be married. She was so happy about it, showing no remorse for betraying me to the very people responsible for my parents' deaths."

My eyes shot open, stunned by his revelation. I turned to look at him, shock clear on my face. The Ministers were responsible for the death of his parents? And Lilieth... how could a child be so calculating? She was far more cunning than I had ever imagined.

"I suffered greatly at their hands. They were monsters, not men. They tortured me every day, humiliating me, locking me in a small cage, naked, as they laughed at my misery. One of them even tried to... tried to rape me when he was drunk, but I fought him off. I survived-barely." A faint smile tugged at his lips, though it didn't reach his eyes. His voice was steady, but the weight of his past was palpable.

I felt my heart twist painfully in my chest at his words. I couldn't imagine the horrors he had endured.

"They tried to break my spirit, but I gave them what they wanted-temporarily. As I grew older, I gathered my strength and fought back. I took the throne, and I managed to drive them out of the palace. But I know it's not over. I expelled them, but I didn't kill them. That's why I've worked so hard to strengthen my power, to prepare for the day I can finally exact my revenge," he said, meeting my gaze, his eyes burning with determination.

"My life has been filled with darkness, so lonely... until you came along. You brought light into my life again," he confessed softly.

His words took me by surprise, and I felt a lump form in my throat. Without thinking, I reached out and wrapped my arms around him, hugging him tightly. Now I understood why his life seemed so shrouded in darkness-because it truly had been. His past had shaped him into the man he was, and the pain he carried was unimaginable.

"I'm so sorry," I whispered, my voice barely audible as tears began to fall from my eyes. My heart ached for him, for everything he had endured.

The depth of his suffering was overwhelming, and yet, despite it all, he had survived. He was strong-stronger that I could have ever imagined.