As we settled into the small wooden boat, the gentle sway of the water beneath us sent ripples of excitement through my veins. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden glow over everything as we drifted away from the riverbank, the distant sound of water lapping against the sides of the boat filling the air. Chin Hae sat beside me, his presence a comforting reminder that I wasn’t entirely alone in this venture.

“Can you believe we finally made it out?” I asked, turning to Chin Hae with a smile that was impossible to contain. The air felt fresher out here, a welcome contrast to the stuffy confines of the castle. The thrill of adventure bubbled within me, and I couldn’t help but lean back against the soft cushions lining the boat.