love in other world

Episode 11

Ena’s fingers trembled as she gripped the ship’s wheel, the rough texture unfamiliar beneath her touch. The moment she tried to steady it, the wheel jerked sharply, making her lose balance. Just then, Oliver's hands covered hers, firm yet gentle, guiding her hold.

"Steady yourself," he said, his voice calm but firm. "It’s not as easy as it looks. Controlling this wheel takes strength."

Ena looked up at him, her heartbeat quickening. The warmth of his hands over hers sent a shiver down her spine. For a moment, she forgot about the wheel, forgot about the sea—she could only focus on the closeness between them. A soft blush crept onto her cheeks.

Oliver noticed her reaction and chuckled, his eyes filled with amusement. "Your hands are so soft," he murmured, his fingers lingering just a little longer than necessary.

Ena bit her lip, a shy smile playing on her lips. "Maybe because I haven’t spent years sailing like you," she replied, trying to hide her nervousness.

Oliver leaned in slightly, his face inches from hers. "Maybe," he said, his voice lower now, almost teasing. "But I think it suits you."

The ship swayed slightly with the waves, making Ena stumble forward—straight into Oliver's chest. His arms instinctively wrapped around her waist, holding her steady. For a moment, time seemed to slow.

Ena’s breath hitched as she found herself trapped in his gaze, the ocean breeze playing with their hair. The scent of salt and the warmth of his embrace sent her heart racing.

"You should be careful," Oliver whispered, his lips close to her ear. "You might just fall."

Ena swallowed, her hands resting against his chest. "Maybe," she whispered back, her voice barely audible over the waves. "But I think you'd catch me."

Oliver smirked, his grip tightening just slightly before he finally let go. "Always," he said, stepping back.

Ena took a deep breath, trying to steady herself—both from the swaying ship and the effect Oliver had on her. She placed her hands back on the wheel, determined to focus this time.

Oliver watched her for a moment before nodding. "Alright, let’s try again. But this time, don’t let go."

Ena met his gaze, her confidence returning. "I won’t," she promised, and together, they sailed forward, the sea stretching endlessly before them.

Ena sighed in frustration as she let go of the wheel, stepping back. "I can't do this," she muttered, shaking her head.

Oliver caught the wheel before it spun out of control, his grip firm and steady. He turned to her, his expression serious yet gentle. "Just because you're a girl doesn’t mean you have to be as delicate as a flower," he said. "There will be times when you’re in trouble, and no one will be there to save you. In those moments, you’ll have to protect yourself."

Ena looked at him, his words sinking deep into her heart. She knew he was right. Life wasn’t always safe, and she couldn’t rely on someone else to come to her rescue every time.

She took a deep breath and nodded. "You're right," she admitted. "I should know how to defend myself."

Oliver studied her for a moment, then a small smirk appeared on his lips. "Then maybe I should teach you," he said. "Not just sailing, but how to fight, how to stand your ground."

Ena raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "You think I can learn?"

Oliver stepped closer, his eyes locking onto hers. "I know you can," he said with certainty.

A spark of determination lit up in Ena’s eyes. "Then teach me," she said. "I want to be strong."

Oliver nodded, a proud smile playing on his lips. "Alright. But be warned—I'm not going easy on you."

For a moment, Ena couldn’t comprehend what had just happened. Suddenly, Oliver pushed her hard, and she lost her balance. Her feet slipped, and she fell to the ground, the world around her seeming to pause. The cold sea breeze brushed against her face, but all she could focus on was Oliver, who was now leaning down toward her.

His face was dangerously close to hers—so close that she could feel his breath against her skin. His lips curved into a subtle smirk, but his eyes held a sharp intensity.

"See?" he murmured, his voice calm yet taunting. "You couldn’t do anything."

Ena heard his words, but her mind was more preoccupied with his nearness. Her heartbeat quickened, though she wasn’t sure if it was from frustration or something else entirely.

Oliver leaned in just a little more, his gaze never leaving hers. "I don’t think you’re ready to learn from me," he said, as if this were just a game to him. "When we return to the palace, my sister, Alexa, will train you instead. Maybe you’ll have better luck with her."

Ena’s eyes flared with determination as she stared at him, her earlier embarrassment quickly turning into resolve. She wasn’t just upset about falling—she was determined to prove she wasn’t weak.

Pressing her hands against the wooden floor, she pushed herself up, her movements swift and controlled. Oliver was still close, but this time, there was something different in her expression—a fire that hadn’t been there before.

"Fine," she said, her voice steady and firm. "I’ll learn. And one day, I’ll prove to you that I’m not just some delicate girl."

Oliver met her gaze, studying her for a moment before a slow, amused smile spread across his lips. "I’ll be waiting," he said, stepping back.

Ena took a deep breath, clenching her fists slightly. Today, she might have lost, but one day, she would prove herself.

A while later, Alex woke up and returned to the deck. He saw Oliver steering the ship while Ena sat nearby, engrossed in a book. Stretching his arms, Alex walked toward them and asked, "Have you both eaten?"

Oliver glanced at him and shook his head. "We'll eat together," he replied.

Nodding, Alex headed below deck to fetch the food. A few minutes later, he returned with a tray carrying warm meals. The three of them sat together, sharing their food while enjoying the rhythmic sounds of the waves. The air was cool, carrying the faint scent of the ocean, making the moment peaceful yet refreshing.

After finishing their meal, Oliver stood up and made his way back to the ship’s wheel. As he grasped it, his gaze caught something in the distance. A small island lay not too far from their ship, partially hidden by the thick mist hovering over the sea. His eyes narrowed as he tried to make out the land beyond the fog.

"We've reached land," Oliver announced, his voice filled with both relief and excitement.

Hearing this, Ena and Alex immediately stood up and rushed to the deck's edge. Peering into the distance, they could see the faint outline of the island coming into view.

A spark of excitement lit up in their eyes. "We did it!" Ena exclaimed, turning to Alex with a wide smile.

Alex grinned and clapped Oliver on the shoulder. "Finally, solid ground!"

The three of them cheered, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten as they celebrated their arrival. The adventure ahead was unknown, but for now, reaching land felt like a victory in itself.