Elijah nodded in agreement as they approached the bench, gesturing for Joana to sit while he remained standing, engrossed in inspecting the roses adorning one of the bushes. Silently, Joana observed as Elijah delicately touched the petals, as if meticulously counting each one.
"It must have been delightful growing up amidst these gardens," Joana remarked, taking in the lush surroundings. "The abundance of greenery is truly enchanting."
In a subdued tone, Elijah shared, "It was one of the few solaces of living here. There were numerous sanctuaries to retreat to whenever my father was in a foul mood. He seldom ventured this far, so on particularly tumultuous nights, I would even spend the night under the stars."
Pangs of sympathy washed over Joana, envisioning a young Elijah seeking refug
