Chapter 90 - Feels like in Rivendell (1/2)

Finland found a way out of the castle through a back door and walked aimlessly. She was just going wherever her feet took her. Around the castle there were many beautiful citrus trees – it reminded her of the garden of the Versailles Palace she had seen from a photo that Jean sent. A little to the side there was a small green lake with several canoes.

Finland was attracted to the lake and walked closer. The scenery here was very beautiful. She then sat on the dock, took off her shoes and dipped her feet into the water.

Brr... it was so cold...

She quickly pulled out her feet and wore her shoes again. What was I thinking? She scolded herself.

It was her first time going to Europe, and she never experienced winter before, so she did not know that the water in the lake would be too cold to touch.

”Hey...!”

She turned around in surprise when she heard a voice calling out to her. She did not see anyone behind her. There was no one on the dock.

”I am here...” called the voice again,

”Uhm...?” Finland finally found the origin of the sound. Aldebar was lying at the bottom of a canoe with a blade of grass between his lips. Apparently he was taking a short nap and woke up when he heard Finland dipping her feet into the water. He woke up and called her.

”We met earlier.”

”Yes, hello, Aldebar.” Finland nodded.

The view in front of her looked exactly like a painting.

Aldebar, with his long golden hair, wearing Victorian nobleman clothes with an elegant frilly collar, handsome like a prince, was sitting in a boat on a beautiful green lake. He looked so similar to Caspar, aside from the color of their hair.

”Get on the boat, I'll take you around.” Aldebar got up and extended his hand to Finland. Finland, who was initially rather hesitant, approached Aldebar's boat and accepted his hand.

She had never ridden a boat around a lake before, and she was very happy Aldebar invited her.

After Finland sat down, Aldebar started paddling the boat slowly to the center of the lake. He was in a very good mood.

”This place is beautiful...” Finland said, ”I feel like I am in the land of the elves. Have you ever read the Lord of the Ring book? This reminds me of Rivendell, the land of the elves...”

Aldebar nodded. ”I know Tolkien, the author of the book, I once invited him here for tea. Maybe this was where he got the idea for his book.”

”Is it true?”

Now, Finland was no longer surprised if Aldebar claimed to know the legendary writer JRR Tolkien who lived decades ago. Caspar also said he was friends with Einstein and his first wife, Mileva Maric, when the couple was young and lived in Switzerland.

”That is true.” I still have the first edition of the book that he signed himself. I'll show it to you later.”

Finland nodded happily. ”Thank you.”

They enjoyed the view of the lake and continued chatting. Finland felt that although Aldebar looked very similar to Caspar, he had a more open and warm personality.

Caspar kept a rather mysterious impression and didn't say much, but Aldebar was very friendly and Finland clicked with him right away. He enjoyed reading, just like Finland, and they immediately discussed some of the books he recommended.