Wish you were mine

35. Secrets Beneath the Surface

PENELOPE

Cong, though small, had a certain charm that made it feel larger than life. The town was nestled between two lakes, and as we walked through its winding streets, we were greeted by old stone bridges, charming cottages, and lush green landscapes. There was a rustic, quiet beauty to the place that made it feel like time had slowed down. It was exactly what we needed after the busy preparations.

Our first stop was Cong Abbey, a beautiful ruin that once served as a monastery in the 12th century. Even though it was in ruins, it had a peaceful, almost sacred atmosphere. The abbey was surrounded by trees and the flowing waters of the River Cong, making it feel like it was hidden away from the rest of the world. We wandered through the old archways and marveled at the stone carvings, some of which were still surprisingly intact after all these centuries.

“This is the kind of place where you could just sit and write a novel,” Madeline said wistfully as she touched the cool stone wall.

“Or, you know, plot your dramatic escape from reality,” Serena added with a grin, snapping pictures on her phone.

From there, we strolled through Pigeon Hole Cave, a small cave located on the outskirts of Cong. It's one of those hidden gems that not many tourists know about. As we made our way toward Pigeon Hole Cave, the air around us grew crisp, and the anticipation was palpable. The narrow trail leading to the cave was framed by towering trees, their branches heavy with frost, creating a canopy that added to the thrill of our little adventure.

Serena, ever the daredevil, led the way, practically bouncing with excitement, while Madeline followed close behind, her eyes wide with curiosity.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Madeline asked, her voice playful but tinged with just a hint of nervousness.

"Of course it is!" Serena replied, grinning back at her. "What’s life without a little adventure, right? Besides, it’s not like we’re spelunking into a black hole. It’s a small cave—what could go wrong?"

I chuckled, shaking my head as I followed behind them. As we approached the cave entrance, the path dipped steeply, and we had to descend into the hollow using a few uneven stone steps. Madeline, naturally, clung to my arm, pretending to be more scared than she actually was.

"Hold on tight, or you might end up in a fairy tale where the cave leads you to an alternate universe," I teased, earning an eye roll from Madeline.

"You'd love that, wouldn't you? Trapped in a magical world forever?" Serena quipped.

"Depends on who’s trapped with me," I replied, making us all laugh.

"But I bet Madeline wouldn’t mind getting trapped with Arthur," I teased with a sly grin.

Serena’s eyes lit up with mischief. "Wait, you mean that Arthur? My brother’s right-hand man?"

I nodded, watching as Madeline’s cheeks flushed pink.

"Ohhh, do tell," Serena pressed, leaning in with a smirk. "What’s going on there?"
Madeline waved us off, rolling her eyes dramatically. "It’s nothing, really. And for the record, I’d rather not be trapped with him anywhere."

Her flustered expression only made us laugh harder, while she pretended to be annoyed, though the smile tugging at her lips said otherwise.

Once we were inside, the cave welcomed us with a cool, damp atmosphere. The soft sound of trickling water echoed around the chamber, and the walls seemed to glisten under the faint light coming from the opening above. We could barely see the ceiling, but the way the shadows played on the stone made it feel larger than life. The sense of adventure was intoxicating, and soon, any trace of nervousness was replaced with excitement.