After the tense conversation in the palace, Ethan felt a sense of relief distancing himself from Raidne. However, the unrest inside him was growing. He was sure that woman was dangerous. He feared for Rowena's safety and felt the need to keep a close watch on every step she took. Yet, at the same time, a desire for a place of his own was growing within him. A secret place, just for him and Rowena, where they could be together, away from the world.
One day, he decided to walk away from the palace and head into the forest. It was a good opportunity to be alone and think. As he ventured deeper into the woods, the light between the trees began to fade, and an intense silence surrounded him. Each step he took was accompanied by the crunch of leaves underfoot, amplifying the stillness of the moment. In this silence, his mind oscillated between the danger Raidne posed and his protective instincts towards Rowena.
After hours of walking, Ethan stumbled upon an old path hidden deep in the forest. It seemed almost forgotten, overtaken by nature, but something compelled him to follow it. As he reached the end of the path, an abandoned, old house appeared before him. The walls were covered in moss, and the windows were shattered, but the inside of the house seemed intact. This could be the secret place he could share with Rowena.
Carefully opening the door, beams of light streamed inside, mingling with the dust, creating an almost magical atmosphere. Despite being unused for years, the house still held a certain charm. The wooden floors creaked, and old paintings on the walls bore the marks of time. Ethan wondered how long it had been since the house had been abandoned. He carefully examined every corner of the house. This could be a place to share with Rowena. The thought excited him.
The house would be just for Rowena and him. A place that no one else knew about, a sanctuary where only the two of them could seek refuge. He immediately got to work, cleaning the house, fixing broken windows, and repairing the floors. He tried to make every corner of the house a place Rowena would love. Beside the house, he discovered a rushing stream. The water was crystal clear, and lush green plants and flowers surrounded it. The stream added a peaceful ambiance to the house. Ethan sat by the stream, listening to the soothing sound of the water, imagining the moment he would share this place with Rowena.
After days of work, the house was ready. Everything was in its place; the old furniture had been repaired, the walls were clean, and the atmosphere was now warm and inviting. Ethan couldn't wait to show Rowena the house. He would reveal this place to her, and they would promise to keep it a secret, a place that would remain just for the two of them.
One day, he invited Rowena to the forest. When Rowena noticed the excitement and mystery on Ethan's face, her curiosity grew even more. As they followed the path through the woods, each step only made her more intrigued. When they reached the end of the path, Rowena saw the old house, and her eyes lit up.
"Ethan, this place… How did you find such a beautiful spot?" she asked, amazed.
Ethan smiled softly. "This is our place now, Rowena. Just for the two of us. No one else will know about it, it will be our secret."
He opened the door and invited Rowena inside. When Rowena saw the interior, she realized how much effort Ethan had put into it. Every corner had been arranged with her in mind. "This… is beautiful," Rowena said, trying to hide the tears welling up in her eyes. "Thank you for doing this for me, Ethan."
Ethan sat next to her. "I knew you'd understand how special this place is," he said. "Here, it will just be the two of us. No one else will know about it. This will be our secret."
Rowena nodded, looking at Ethan with a sense of promise. "I swear I'll keep this secret. It will be just ours."
Ethan and Rowena went to the stream by the house and sat by its edge, listening to the peaceful sound of the water. They remained there for a while, in their hidden world deep in the forest. This house would be their safe haven, away from the dangers of the world.
Two days later, they decided to return to their secret sanctuary. It was a place that kept them away from the chaos and dangers of the outside world, a place that was just for the two of them. This time, they brought food and drinks, an idea Rowena had suggested. She had noticed Ethan seemed troubled and wanted to share something important with him in their hidden refuge.
As they arrived at the house, Ethan opened the door and allowed Rowena to enter. They set up a small table in the middle of the room and placed the food they brought onto it. Rowena's face was serious, and Ethan could sense she was deep in thought.
"What do you want to say, Rowena?" Ethan asked, watching her carefully.
Rowena hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath and said, "I want to talk about Raidne."
Ethan furrowed his brow at the mention of the name. He knew he hated Raidne, but he was curious as to why Rowena was bringing up such a topic. Rowena sensed his discomfort but was determined to continue.
"I know Raidne is dangerous," Rowena said, watching Ethan's reaction. "But when I heard her story, I started to understand why she became who she is. She has a past, a story, Ethan."
Ethan listened to Rowena's words in silence, but a wave of anger rose within him. Was Rowena's naivety blinding her to Raidne's danger, or was her story truly that compelling? He didn't blame Rowena, though; he was just trying to understand.
Rowena continued, "Raidne's past is filled with pain, Ethan. She lost her family, was betrayed by the people she trusted... That's why she's tough, that's why she's dangerous. But that doesn't mean she's entirely evil."
Ethan was taken aback by Rowena's growing respect for Raidne. It momentarily stunned him. Was Raidne telling the truth? Or was Rowena simply falling into her manipulation? However, the fact that Raidne hadn't mentioned Ethan's name or harmed him left a mark on Ethan. Something was changing inside him, but he didn't fully understand what.
Encouraged by Rowena's words, Ethan silently stood up and began pacing around the room. Thoughts clashed in his mind. Finally, he turned to Rowena and, after a deep breath, began to speak.
"If you're being so honest and telling Raidne's story with such sincerity, then I'll tell you something too," Ethan said, his eyes on the ground. "There are things in my past that I need to forget. But I'm tired of hiding them."
Rowena listened carefully as Ethan began to reveal the pain and regrets of his past.
"When I was a baby, I was found by pirates and taken aboard their ship. I grew up with them, lived among them for 15 years," Ethan began, his voice trembling as the dark memories resurfaced.
Rowena tried to imagine what it must have been like for Ethan to grow up among pirates at such a young age. It explained his hardness today, but as Ethan continued, Rowena also began to see the deep compassion that lay beneath his tough exterior.
"After my training, during my first raid, there was a prisoner, an old man named Aiden. He looked like he had lived through many hardships. I felt sorry for him, showed him mercy. I wanted to help him," Ethan said, trying to hide the tears in his eyes.
Rowena felt the inner turmoil Ethan was going through as he spoke. It was hard to understand what he had been through, but she could see the good in him. Ethan explained that Raidne had been among the prisoners, too. Looking into her eyes, he said, "Raidne was there with the prisoners. And when I helped Aiden escape, she was there."
Ethan paused for a moment, then, looking at Rowena, took a deep breath. "The next day, when one of the prisoners was discovered to have escaped… Captain Blackbeard asked how it happened. Raidne told him it was me, and I was thrown off the ship in a small boat," he added.
Rowena listened intently. Now, she understood why Ethan hated Raidne. But she also saw that the wounds of that day were still fresh in Ethan's heart.
"Ethan," she said, looking at him with compassion, "I didn't know you had such a difficult past. But know this: your compassion, even after Captain Blackbeard threw you off the ship, is a testament to how strong you are."
That night, in their secret sanctuary, they talked for hours. Rowena promised never to tell anyone what Ethan had shared. Both of them had found a way to heal from the shadows of the past, and their trust in each other grew stronger. This house had become not just a physical refuge, but a sanctuary for their souls.