The Chance Encounter

Part twenty eight

The next morning, Regina wakes me up with a bright smile, exclaiming, “I have a surprise for you!” I groan sleepily, pushing myself up to a sitting position and rubbing my eyes to shake off the remnants of sleep. “What’s the surprise, baby?” I murmur, stifling a yawn. She playfully grins, “You’ll see! C'mon, follow me.” She takes my hand, and I feel a spark of excitement.

I throw my legs over the side of the bed and slip on my shoes. “Lead the way, babe,” I say, curiosity bubbling inside me. She guides me up the winding staircase to the roof of the castle, a place I treasure for its breathtaking views and tranquil atmosphere. To my delight, she has laid out a series of colorful blankets, carefully arranged with an array of snacks—fruits, pastries, and steaming mugs of hot chocolate.

“This is one of my favorite spots in the castle,” she says softly. “I brought you here so you can watch the sunrise with me if you want.” Her eyes twinkle with a hint of nervousness, and my heart swells at her thoughtful gesture.

“I would love to,” I reply, laying down on one of the soft blankets and patting the space beside me for her to join. We snuggle in close, the early morning chill embraced by the warmth of our comfort. As the first rays of light begin to break over the mountains, the sky shifts from deep indigo to shades of pink and gold. Together, we bask in the serene beauty, my heart racing in sync with the rising sun.

Suddenly, I spot a cave nestled between two of the mountains, glowing faintly in the dawn light. “Hey, what’s that?” I gesture toward the mysterious sight.

“I don’t know; I haven’t seen it before,” Regina replies, her brow furrowing with curiosity. “Do you want to check it out after breakfast?”

“Can we?” I ask, my excitement growing.

“Of course! I’ll arrange for our horses to take us there. We’ll go right after breakfast, but first, let’s get some real food,” she smiles, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

**Two hours later**

After a hearty breakfast filled with laughter and joy, we take our horses to the entrance of the cave, the steady rhythm of their hooves echoing in the serene morning air. Tying the leads to a sturdy tree, I give our horses fresh water, murmuring reassuring words to them. “We’ll be back later, guys,” Regina says, patting her horse’s neck affectionately as we step into the cave, the cool air enveloping us.

As we venture deeper, the atmosphere shifts dramatically. The walls of the cave are adorned with shimmering crystals that catch the light and refract it in stunning colors, creating an ethereal glow around us. A sense of wonder fills me, but it’s quickly overshadowed by an eerie feeling as the crystals begin to pulse and grow, surrounding us.

Suddenly, a majestic crystal stag steps gracefully toward us, its body gleaming like a constellation of stars woven into a living form. “Who are you, and what is it you seek?” it asks, its voice deep and resonant, echoing through the cave.

“This is Regina, and I am Emma. We saw the cave from afar and wanted to explore it before our baby comes,” I explain, my heart fluttering with a mix of fear and excitement.

The crystals lower in response to our words. “You may take the treasure this cave holds within, if you can answer these riddles: ‘What can fill a room but takes up no space? It grows when it's shared, and no one can erase it.’”

Regina’s eyes light up with inspiration. “Oh, this one is easy, love,” I say confidently. “I am not alive, but I can grow. I don’t have lungs, but I need air to glow. What am I?”

“Fire,” Regina answers, her voice steady. As soon as she speaks the word, the ground trembles slightly beneath us, and a polished podium rises from the earth, revealing a small handheld mirror and a stunning blue necklace that glows softly in the dim light.

“The necklace glows if someone lies or means you harm,” the stag explains, nodding its head slightly before turning to leave. I grab the mirror, looking into it with curiosity, but to my surprise, nothing reflects back—a clear void staring in place of my image.

With our newfound treasures clutched tightly in our hands, we exchange exhilarated glances, hearts racing with adventure. We turn to leave, feeling the magic of the cave wash over us, and make our way back to the castle, eager to share our experience and treasures with the world outside.

Hope you liked it let me know what you think