As the evening settled, the moonlight bathed the surroundings in a soft, luminous glow.
Camille massaged her temples. “Why am I feeling so drowsy? Was it the food, or did the hot spring lull me too much?”
Her head felt weighed down, like she had sipped on too much wine.
Elizabeth frowned in agreement. “I feel the same. Maybe it’s best if we call it a night.”
Camille got to her feet, walked a few paces, and shrugged off her coat, letting it hang over her arm. “Why does it feel so warm? Shouldn’t it be chilly up here on the mountain at night?”
Albin stepped out of the restaurant, pulling his coat tightly around him. He turned back, with a puzzled look. “Are you messing with me? It’s freezing out here, and you’re saying it’s hot?”
Camille ignored his comment and glanced around. The forest, so vibrant and inviting during the day, now looked menacing under the shroud of night. The swaying branches cast ghostly shapes, adding to the unsettling atmosphere.
Camille latched onto Elizabeth’s arm, clinging tightly. “Elizabeth, let’s get moving. This place is giving me the creeps.”
Albin smirked. “So much for being fearless. Looks like the mighty Camille is nothing but a tiger made of paper.”
Camille swung a kick at him without hesitation.
“Nice try, but you missed!” Albin dodged with a playful twist, only to stumble backward into Elijah, who had been trailing behind.
Elijah shoved him aside with visible irritation, as though brushing off something unpleasant. “Move.”
Camille’s spirits lifted instantly, and she threw Albin a triumphant smirk before striding off after Elizabeth.
The two men followed at a slower pace.
The night sky sparkled with countless stars, while soft lights illuminated the stone steps below. The rhythmic chirping of cicadas echoed from the trees, mingling with the earthy scent of the forest.
However, Elizabeth barely noticed the serene beauty. Her head grew heavier with each step, and Camille leaning against her only added to her exhaustion. She wished she could just sink to the ground and drift into sleep.
Elijah noticed her struggle and stepped closer, his brow furrowing. “Are you okay?”
“Probably just ate too much,” Elizabeth replied vaguely, brushing off his concern.
Without waiting for a proper answer, Elijah moved forward and scooped her into his arms, nudging Camille aside. She wobbled, nearly losing her balance.
“Camille!” Elizabeth called out, stretching a hand toward her friend.
Albin quickly stepped in, catching Camille before she fell. “Watch it,” he said gently.
Elizabeth pulled her hand back and shot Elijah an annoyed look. “Couldn’t you have warned her? What if she’d gotten hurt?”
“You can barely stand on your own, let alone look after someone else,” Elijah replied curtly, carrying her effortlessly as he descended the steps.
The sudden movement startled Elizabeth, and she instinctively clung to Elijah’s neck, fearing she might slip.
He glanced at her arms clasped around his neck, and a faint, almost imperceptible smile played at the corners of his lips.
Picking up speed, he quickly left Camille and Albin trailing far behind.
Camille let go of Albin’s hand and dramatically sank to the ground. “I’m done. You’ll have to carry me now.”
Albin sighed, giving her a resigned look. “If you were as light as Elizabeth, I might consider it.”
“Excuse me! I’m not fat! My body is curvy and stunning!” Camille shot back, swatting his arm indignantly.
A young woman in uniform approached them with a polite smile. “Miss, we have a lovely women’s spa here. Would you like to give it a try?”
Camille’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she sprang to her feet. “Absolutely! Let’s go!”
The attendant hesitated briefly, her gaze sweeping the area. “Is there another lady accompanying you, Miss?”
Camille let out an exaggerated hiccup and waved dismissively. “Yeah, yeah, there’s another one. She’s back at the villa having some ‘me time.’ What’s with all these hiccups?”
Albin gave her a pointed look. “You downed that massive glass of cola earlier. No wonder you’re hiccupping.”
The attendant’s expression shifted slightly, her eyes lighting up. “Cola? Did some cola, Miss?”
Camille furrowed her brows suspiciously. “What, is cola against the spa rules or something?”
“Oh no, nothing like that,” the attendant reassured quickly. “It’s just that you’re hiccupping. I’ll bring you some hot water to help with that.” A strange glint passed through her eyes.
“I’ll come along,” Albin offered, stepping in with a protective tone.
The attendant maintained her polite demeanor as she said, “I’m sorry, sir, but this is a women-only area. I’m afraid you can’t accompany her.”
Albin hesitated, his concern evident. “It’s already late. Why not wait until tomorrow? You’re usually scared of the dark. Don’t expect me to come back and get you later.”
The attendant smiled, her tone soothing. “Rest assured, sir. We’ll make sure she gets safely back to your villa after the spa.”
Camille wasted no time, linking her arm with the attendant’s. “Alright, let’s do this. Take me there now.”
“What about being sleepy?” Albin pressed, his concern lingering. He couldn’t shake the unease of letting her go off with strangers.
“I’ll get my beauty sleep while I’m there!” Camille huffed, brushing off his worry with an impatient wave.
With a decisive tug, she began leading the attendant away. “So, what kind of treatments do you offer? Spill the details.”
Albin stood there, watching her disappear into the distance. After a moment of hesitation, he let out a sigh and turned back toward the villa.
