The soft crash of ocean waves kissing the shores echoed gently in the background as warm sunlight filtered through the swaying palm fronds. The Isle of Elaria was a paradise sketched straight from the dreams of poets—a canvas of golden sand, sapphire seas, and lush green cliffs. Cozy cobblestone paths wound through the forested glades, leading to a circle of charming wooden cottages nestled in the heart of the island's camp zone. Each cottage was unique, yet they all shared a rustic elegance—wooden beams, large bay windows, inviting porches with hammock swings, and flower boxes blooming with vibrant colors. It was the perfect haven for adventurers seeking both thrill and tranquility.
MAYA'S POV
The Isle of Elaria.
The moment I stepped into the soft soil of Elaria, I felt it—peace. Not the kind that just lingers on the outside, but the kind that slowly seeps into your bones. The salty breeze, the warmth of the sun, the distant call of seagulls—it was like the island knew how tired I was. How broken I'd felt. I had been carrying the weight of invisible bruises, words I never said, battles I never won. But the air here didn't ask questions. It simply let me breathe.
Lola twirled beside me like a girl in a fairytale, her energy impossible to match.
"We're in paradise, Maya! Look at this place! This is a literal Pinterest board come to life."
I smiled, trying not to get too overwhelmed. "It's definitely not my old apartment back in the city."
Lola paused dramatically. "Your old apartment didn't have wildflowers, ocean breezes, and mysterious adventure trails named Stargazer's Cove. This is fate, bestie. Destiny. The universe hand-wrapped this island for us."
Then, chaos.
Lola's overstuffed backpack burst open. Clothes flew out like confetti. And right in the middle of the dock, her bra landed squarely on a stranger's head.
"Oh my god!" she shrieked.
I doubled over laughing. "Your bra just made a friend!"
"Shut up and help me!"
By the time we reached our assigned lodge, I was winded from laughing. Laughter wasn't something I'd allowed myself in a long time. But here I was, clutching my stomach, laughing until my eyes watered. It felt foreign. And it felt good.
Our cottage was tucked under tall emerald trees, hidden behind vines and soft ferns, with ivy that clung to its whitewashed walls like a storybook painting. Every guest here for the Grand Adventure Trip was given one of these dreamlike cottages—each with a porch swing, a small herb garden, and lanterns that glowed like fireflies at night. The interiors were warm, all wood and earth tones, with dreamcatchers above the bed and floor-length windows that welcomed the sea breeze.
Lola flopped onto the bed dramatically. "This is our new beginning, Maya. Mark my words, something magical is going to happen here."
I didn't say anything. But for the first time in weeks, I believed her.
That first day passed like a dream. We wandered the coastline barefoot, letting the sand tickle our toes. Lola made us crowns out of dandelions and wild ivy. We discovered a cliffside view that opened up like a secret painting, and sat there for hours watching the sun sink into the sea.
At night, the island felt different. More alive. The air buzzed with fireflies. Someone played soft music from a nearby lodge. I lay in bed, the ceiling fan humming above, the moonlight pouring through our windows.
My thoughts drifted to the adventure that awaited, and a quiet whisper inside me hoped for something—a change, a spark, a reason.
---
LUCIAN'S POV
The island greeted us with open arms. It was wild, serene, and exactly what I needed.
There was something strange about stepping onto land without an entourage.
No press. No guards. No palace.
Just me.
I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the wind hit my face. The air here was different. Wild. Unfiltered. Like it belonged to no one and welcomed everyone.
"Feels weird, doesn't it?" Sebastian said beside me, ever the observer.
"It feels good," I replied. "Like breathing after being underwater too long."
He nodded. "You needed this. Elaria has its own kind of magic. You'll see."
We walked toward the lodges through winding paths that smelled of oranges and sea salt. Our cottage stood on a gentle hill, surrounded by wildflowers and overlooking a lake that shimmered under the afternoon sun. These cottages were a blend of rustic charm and modern comfort. The walls were made of honey-colored timber, the floors of polished stone, and a balcony that looked straight into the heart of nature.
Our lodge even had a stone fireplace and shelves filled with old maps and local books. On the table was a handwritten note: "Welcome to your journey. Let the island guide you."
I wasn't King Lucian here. I was just Lucian.
And that felt... free.
Sebastian stepped beside me, eyes scanning the cottages. "Nice place. Better than your royal quarters?"
I smirked. "No guards watching my every breath? Definitely better."
He chuckled and led the way toward our designated cottage. It was simple but charming—two beds, lots of natural light, and a view of the ocean through the trees.
"I'm going for a walk," I told him after we unpacked.
"Try not to find trouble."
"Trouble finds me."
We spent the day walking through nearby trails, finding old stone ruins and tiny waterfalls tucked away behind thick groves. Sebastian brought a drone, of course, and spent half the afternoon trying to get cinematic shots of the cliffs. We sat at a seaside shack and had coconut rice and grilled vegetables, and I couldn't remember the last time I tasted something without a royal chef.
That night, we sat on the balcony in silence, staring at the stars. The island was quiet, but not empty. It breathed.
For once, I didn't feel like I was missing out on a normal life.
I felt like I was living it.
---
MAYA'S POV
The next morning, with one day still left before camp officially began, I needed to escape even the beautiful noise of the lodge.
"I'm heading to that book café near the pottery shop," I told Lola as I pulled on my cardigan.
"Alone?" she asked.
"I just need some quiet. Some pages."
She gave me a dramatic bow. "Go, my little introvert. Romanticize your solitude."
The Whispering Pages café looked like a dream. Ivy clung to its stone walls, and golden bells jingled above the door. Inside, it smelled like cinnamon, parchment, and roasted coffee.
I wandered between shelves, my fingers gliding across the spines of books. I felt calm here. Like nothing could go wrong. Like maybe I could be okay again.
Just as I reached for a hardcover with a golden spine, I turned—
—and collided straight into someone.
Strong arms caught me before I could fall. My heart thudded as I looked up.
Into eyes that were the exact color of a stormy sea.
For a moment, time stretched. His hand rested at my waist. Our eyes locked. I could hear nothing but the thunderous beat of my heart.
What the hell is happening?
I blinked, jolting myself back to reality. "I—I'm sorry," I muttered, stepping back, cheeks flaming.
He looked just as stunned. "Are you alright?"
I nodded, not trusting myself to say more. My mind was a whirlpool of confusion. Without meeting his gaze again, I turned and walked quickly out of the café.
Why is my heart racing like this?
It's not like I've never seen a handsome guy. So why did that feel so intense… so strange?
I forced my breathing to slow, trying to steady the wild flutter in my chest. With my cheeks still burning, I made my way back to the camp. To safety. To normalcy.
---
LUCIAN'S POV
I had just picked up my coffee when I heard the sound of a small gasp.
Then she fell into me.
Or maybe I fell into her.
I caught her without thinking. My hand gripped her waist to steady her, and my eyes found hers—warm, golden-brown eyes framed by lashes that curled like they had a story of their own.
She smelled like vanilla and pages.
Her hands pressed lightly against my chest, her fingers trembling.
For a second, I forgot who I was. Why I came here. What time it was.
Her lips parted slightly. Her breath caught.
And I couldn't look away.
I finally found my voice. "Are you alright?"
She nodded quickly, her cheeks a deep rose.
"I—I should go."
Before I could ask her name, she turned and left.
The little bell above the café door jingled behind her.
I stood frozen for a moment, staring at the spot she had just occupied.
My heart was beating in a strange, erratic rhythm—the same way it had when I'd boarded the helicopter to come here. Not nervous. Not scared. Just… unsteady.
"Lucian?"
I turned. Sebastian stood at the end of the aisle with a book in hand, raising an eyebrow.
"What happened?" he asked.
I glanced toward the door she had disappeared through, then back at him.
"Nothing," I said.
Sebastian didn't believe me. I could see it in his eyes.
But I didn't even know what to say.
Because I didn't know her name. I didn't know who she was.
All I knew… was the way her eyes had looked into mine.
And how, for a fleeting second, it had felt like the world paused just for us.
Maya's POV
The campgrounds had come alive with laughter, chatter, and the echo of excited footsteps. Lola and I spent the entire day exploring every trail, nook, and hidden treasure we could find in the Isle of Elaria. From local market stalls selling handmade bracelets to trails that led to the cliffs overlooking the vast sea, it was everything Lola had dreamed of. And despite myself, I was enjoying it too. We even played an impromptu beach volleyball game with a few others who had arrived early like us. I didn't meet him again—not that I was searching or anything.
Night had fallen now.
A soft breeze kissed my skin as I stood quietly in front of the lake, a mirror of silver under the moonlight. I folded my arms and looked up at the vast sky, then down at the still, glowing water. The world felt peaceful.
I didn't know if I was healing or just pretending better than before. But standing there, moonlight painting silver across the lake, I felt something I hadn't in a long time—hope.
My eyes fluttered closed.
And there it was again.
The memory of the cafe.
That moment.
The stranger with warm eyes and a voice that felt like velvet wrapped around my spine. The way he held me, his touch firm but gentle. And his scent—like pinewood and spice.
My heart fluttered again, this time louder. Like a drum. No. Like a war cry.
I placed my hand over my heart, trying to steady it.
"Why are you beating so fast again and again?" I whispered to myself with a breathy laugh, eyes still closed. When I finally opened them, the moonlight danced in my pupils and a small smile tugged at my lips. "He was just a stranger. We are never gonna meet again... right?"
Still smiling, I turned back toward our cottage.
Lucian's POV
The night air felt cooler from the balcony. I leaned on the wooden railing, my forearms resting against it, and let the wind carry away the noise of the day.
Sebastian had gone to bed early, but I couldn't sleep.
I looked up. The moon was almost too perfect, shining over the campgrounds like a guardian. The lights from the cottages glowed warmly, like stars scattered on the earth.
But my mind? It wasn't on the stars.
It was still back in that book café.
Her.
The girl with curious eyes and flushed cheeks. The way she stumbled into me, the way her voice trembled slightly when she said she had to go. She hadn't even looked at me properly after that. I didn't even know her name.
And yet... here I was.
My heart beat like it had earlier today when I boarded the helicopter—rushed, charged, full of something I couldn't name. I looked to the chair beside me.
The book.
I picked it up slowly, tracing the soft cover with my fingers. It was a romance novel. Something I wouldn't normally glance at, let alone purchase. And yet, I did. Because it reminded me of her. Because she had been looking at it, eyes filled with curiosity, before she bumped into me.
I shook my head and chuckled.
What is happening to me?
I set the book down and turned my eyes back to the moon.
It glowed with the same soft gentleness as her voice. And somehow, I felt like—wherever she was—she might be looking at it too.
And though we were strangers under one sky, it felt like something had begun.
Something quiet.
Something beautiful.