Chapter 1873 A Hidden ParadiseThree more days had slipped since Elisa had woken up in the rustic thatched cottage.
Over this time, Gareth had been diligently bringing her meals and herbal remedies. Although Elisa
couldn't quite decipher the local plants he used, their effects were undeniable.
novelbinAs each day passed, Elisa felt her throat healing and her strength returning. However, she couldn't help
but be puzzled by the strange wounds on Gareth's body.
He seemed to be deliberately concealing them, avoiding her gaze whenever they were visible.
He deftly changed the subject when she asked about them or offered vague explanations.
This puzzling behavior continued for the first few days but seemed to ease by the third.
On the fourth day, Elisa stretched indolently and gazed out the window. "The sun looks inviting today.
How about taking a stroll?"
Gareth hesitated for a moment, showing no clear opposition.
And so, the two of them ventured out of the thatched cottage. As they stepped outdoors, they
unexpectedly crossed paths with an elderly woman heading back from the fields, carrying a bundle of
freshly harvested crops.
The woman noticed Gareth and greeted him warmly. Elisa serendipitously observed Gareth, assuming
someone as reserved as him might brush off such interactions. Much to Elisa's surprise, Gareth beamed and warmly waved at the elderly woman.
"Back already, Granny."
The old woman nodded and then shifted her gaze toward Elisa. A glint of wisdom shone in her eyes as
she spoke in an unfamiliar dialect and accent, "This must be the girl you went to save, huh? She's a
real beauty, even lovelier than the chief's daughter."
Though Elisa didn't fully grasp the words, she caught the sentiment – the old woman was giving her a
compliment, which was intended kindly. Elisa responded with a friendly smile.
The old woman's delight grew even more apparent.
Gareth leaned toward Elisa and whispered, "Granny rescued us on the beach. We've been staying at
her place. This village is also home to a native community. She's a good soul."
After explaining, Gareth stole a glance at Elisa. "Just to clarify, she changed your clothes, not me."
Hearing this, Elisa awkwardly adjusted her attire.
Upon awakening, the first thing she noticed was her different outfit. Though it made her a tad
uncomfortable, she understood the necessity of the situation. So, she decided not to dwell on it.
Absolutely, Elisa had gotten a solid grasp on Gareth's character.
Over the days they had spent together, Elisa's initial wariness and awkwardness around him had
melted away. She realized that her judgments of him had been off the mark. With themisunderstandings cleared up, their interactions were no longer strained like before; it was as if an
invisible barrier had been lifted.
After bidding farewell to the elderly woman, Gareth guided Elisa to further explore the village.
Having been confined within the small cottage for an extended period, Elisa felt like she had
transformed into a frog at the bottom of a well, almost growing roots in bed.
Only when she stepped outdoors did she realize the existence of an unexplored paradise. The island
was encompassed by numerous palm and coconut trees. It resembled a tiny haven, constantly
drenched in pleasant weather and clear skies. Furthermore, the water here possessed a crystalline
clarity, allowing one to see right through to the bottom.
The sole distinction from specific coastal tourist destinations back home was the untainted air and the
genuine simplicity of the locals. This place remained unspoiled by the contamination of industry or
modern living.
It felt pristine, akin to a sanctuary.
Elisa observed that the island was peppered with the same style of tiny houses she was lodging in – all
properties of the elderly woman. They bore an uncanny resemblance, so much that she wondered if
someone might accidentally wander into the wrong one.
However, nestled amidst these houses, a larger structure caught her attention. Unlike the others, which
were constructed from mud, this one was crafted from bricks and cement. It was encircled by a fence
and boasted a garden.