Chapter 1787

Everyone laughed.

Emma grinned.

"I was only going to suggest another bathhouse."

Rose tilted her head.

"Another?"

"The hot spring near the eastern cliffs."

Several of them nodded immediately.

The natural spring had become one of their favorite places over the years, but reaching it still required nearly an hour’s walk through the forest.

"If we build a small cabin there," Emma continued, "we could stay overnight whenever we wanted."

"I like that idea," Hannah said.

"So do I," Natalie added. "Especially during the rainy season."

Jude smiled.

"Looks like I have another building project."

---

A comfortable silence settled over the group.

The fire popped softly.

Somewhere in the distance, an owl called through the forest.

Zoey rested her head on Grace’s shoulder.

"Remember our first shelter?"

Grace laughed.

"Calling it a shelter is generous."

"It was four sticks and a leaf."

"It leaked."

"It collapsed twice."

"It collapsed because someone tried hanging a hammock from it."

Everyone slowly turned toward Zoey.

She blinked innocently.

"What?"

"You were the someone," Lucy reminded her.

"I was testing structural integrity."

"You were swinging."

"Same thing."

---

Jude stood and stretched.

"I’ll check the fences before bed."

"I’ll come," Sophie said, standing beside him.

The two of them walked slowly toward the edge of the fields.

The crops swayed gently beneath the moonlight.

Several of the gentle island creatures were already asleep inside their pens.

One of the crystal-antlered deer lifted its head as they approached.

Jude scratched beneath its chin.

"You’ve become spoiled."

The deer closed its eyes contentedly.

Sophie smiled.

"I think it likes you more than us."

"I bring apples."

"So that’s your secret."

---

After checking the fences, they wandered toward the orchard.

The silver trees glowed faintly beneath the stars.

Tiny lights floated lazily between the branches like fireflies.

Neither of them spoke.

There was no need.

Eventually Sophie broke the silence.

"Do you ever miss being alone?"

Jude looked at her in surprise.

"Honestly?"

She nodded.

He smiled softly.

"I don’t even remember what that feels like anymore."

Sophie slipped her hand into his.

"I’m glad."

"So am I."

They stood together beneath the trees for several quiet minutes, listening to the breeze rustling through the silver leaves.

---

Back in the village, Rose and Susan had already begun cleaning the cooking pots.

Scarlet tried to sneak another piece of bread.

Without even turning around, Rose reached backward and gently tapped her wrist with the wooden spoon.

Scarlet froze.

"How do you keep doing that?"

"I’ve lived with you for years."

"I can sense mischief."

Scarlet laughed and surrendered the bread.

---

One by one, everyone began retiring for the night.

The campfire was carefully covered with stones so its embers would last until morning.

Lanterns hanging outside each cabin glowed warmly.

From the tree houses came the gentle creaking of rope bridges swaying in the breeze.

Jude paused in the middle of the village before heading inside.

Everything was peaceful.

The workshop.

The gardens.

The orchard.

The animal pens.

The familiar cabins they had built with their own hands.

Each carried memories of countless ordinary days just like this one.

He realized those ordinary days had become the foundation of their lives.

Not the adventures.

Not the mysteries.

Just mornings together, shared meals, small arguments, laughter around the fire, and evenings beneath the stars.

Those were the moments that made the island feel like home.

He took one last look at the village before stepping into his cabin.

Outside, the wind whispered gently through the trees.

The Heart Tree shimmered in the distance.

The island watched over its family as it always had.

And beneath a sky full of stars, another peaceful day came to its quiet end.

.....

The morning arrived with the cheerful sound of birds calling from the treetops.

Sunlight slipped through the wooden windows of Jude’s cabin, illuminating the handmade furniture and the collection of small objects they had gathered from different parts of the island.

Jude woke up to find the other side of his bed empty.

He stretched, got dressed, and stepped outside.

The village was already awake.

Rose was carrying a basket of freshly harvested vegetables toward the cooking area. Susan was arranging firewood beside the central fire pit, while Emma was trying to persuade Scarlet to help her prepare breakfast.

"Scarlet, I need those fruits!"

"I’m washing them!"

"You’re eating them!"

"Quality control!"

Jude laughed as he approached.

"Good morning. What’s happening here?"

Emma immediately pointed at Scarlet.

"Your wife is stealing the breakfast ingredients."

Scarlet looked offended.

"Your wife? He’s married to all of us!"

"Then all of us should be ashamed of you," Susan remarked.

Everyone laughed.

Jude picked up a basket.

"Where do you need me?"

"Collect some mushrooms from the eastern woods," Rose replied. "The small yellow ones. Not the purple ones."

Jude nodded.

"Understood."

Scarlet leaned toward him.

"And bring some sweet berries."

"Those aren’t mushrooms."

"They’re still useful."

After breakfast, Jude, Sophie, and Serena headed toward the eastern river.

They followed a familiar path through the forest, passing enormous trees whose roots stretched across the ground like natural bridges.

The eastern river was one of their favorite places.

It was wider than the stream near their village, with clear turquoise water flowing between smooth white rocks. Strange flowers grew along its banks, releasing a pleasant fragrance whenever the breeze passed through them.

Jude placed his basket beside a tree.

"Let’s collect some of those yellow mushrooms."

Serena crouched near a cluster of them.

"These?"

"Yes."

Sophie examined another plant nearby.

"I’ve never seen this one before."

It had broad blue leaves and tiny orange fruits growing beneath them.

Jude approached.

"Don’t eat anything unfamiliar until we’ve checked it."

Serena smiled.

"Someone has finally learned from experience."

Jude gave her a look.

They all laughed.

Back at the village, the others had their own activities.

Natalie and Hannah were repairing the wooden fence around the vegetable garden.

Grace was making new clay pots near the workshop, while Stella helped her shape the handles.