Chapter 489 Hestia

Chapter 489 Hestia

Ava gazed at the half-wilted lotus leaves floating on the pond. She had always found the yellowed leaves on the water's surface intriguing, but seeing them from below unveiled a whole new perspective.

Just as Ava was about to resurface, a faint cough caught her attention from the pool's edge.

"Oh, someone's here!"

Ava's heart raced. She hadn't anticipated encountering the person she was tailing in this place. Could there be divers unknown to Michael at the Ramirez Villa?

As Ava prepared to dive back underwater, a soft, feminine voice called out to her.

"Hey, hold on, don't dive down, you won't be able to breathe."

Ava was surprised. Was this person talking to her?

And it seemed like this stranger wanted to lend a hand.

"Quick, hold your breath, slip under the lotus leaves. You know how to breathe, right?"

Ava didn't respond, simply following the stranger's instructions to mask her breath, submerging herself under the withered lotus leaves near the pond's edge. With the leaves as cover, she managed to peek her nose above the waterline to breathe.

Though Ava couldn't fathom how this woman knew about her skills, she sensed no ill intent. She also realized that this act was aiding her escape, as shortly after she concealed herself, she sensed the man tracking her hurrying towards the pond, his focus seemingly on this spot.

Ava composed herself, regulating her breath to a nearly imperceptible level. In that moment, she melded with the pond, making it challenging for anyone to easily spot her.

Soon, Quinton reached the pond's edge. His distinct footsteps gave him away, but Ava discerned from his strides that he was heading straight for the woman who had just warned her.

Were they in cahoots?

Ava pondered cautiously.

"Hestia... you're here."

As Quinton spoke, Ava's eyes flickered slightly. This time, not from fear, but from the surprise of hearing this stern man emit such a tender and syrupy voice, unsettling her.

What astonished Ava even more was discovering that the woman who had aided her was the renowned Hestia, set to marry Shawn.

Yet Ava had no clue who this person was!

Before Ava could delve further into her thoughts, the timid voice from earlier spoke, "Quinton, you finally found a moment to visit me."

Quinton appeared taken aback to see the person he longed for standing before him, gazing at him with such loving eyes as if this encounter demanded all her strength.

"I want to see you too, my dear Hestia, but I have to stick with that woman. She's reckless and impulsive. If I don't keep an eye on her, any issues that arise will be pinned on you. She'll claim I was too focused on you and neglected her... If the boss sends someone to harm you later, I won't forgive myself."

"But why are you here... It's risky out there, honey. There are unknown intruders at the Ramirez Villa. I haven't located them yet. What if you run into one by accident? Hurry back. Once I handle the lady and see her off in the carriage, I can stick with you until you head to Zotburg with Shawn."

After speaking, his voice caught a bit. "Until you go with Shawn to Zotburg."

Ava heard a drawn-out sigh, followed by footsteps. Quinton grunted, as if catching something. Ava didn't dare peek under the lotus leaf, so she relied on her hearing. Hestia seemed to have willingly thrown herself into Quinton's arms.

She couldn't help but recall the gossip she overheard from the patrol knights when she first arrived at the Ramirez Villa. 

They mentioned in passing that Hestia's lover was among the six elite knights, and how coincidental that it was Quinton?

"My dear, you have no idea how much I've missed you." Hestia buried her face in Quinton's chest, her voice so sorrowful it could almost bring tears. 

This confession softened Quinton's tough exterior, especially towards his beloved, as he had always been overly tender towards her.

"You don't need to fret about my safety."

"Why?" Quinton asked, puzzled.

He gently lifted Hestia's face, and upon seeing the tears on her cheeks, his breath hitched. A mix of bitter emotions surged within him. 

Quinton reached out, delicately wiping away the tears with the softest part of his fingertips. Yet even his gentle touch, calloused from years of wielding a blade, caused a tingling sensation on Hestia's delicate face.

But Hestia didn't mind. To her, this touch was an intimate connection between lovers. Her eyes brimmed with tears, reflecting Quinton's face like melting spring water, making it hard for him to look away.

"In truth, I arranged for someone to divert your attention."

Hestia's reddened nose twitched slightly, giving her a cute and fragile look. "You see, if it's not urgent, you can't keep leaving that woman. If I don't intervene, I'll just have to wait like this until she departs... But what if she never leaves? Do I have to wait until I'm married, until the day I'm forced to go to Zotburg?"

"Quinton, my love, I can't bear it. Can you forgive my misstep? I just adore you so much..."

Listening to Hestia's tearful plea, Quinton's anger dissipated. This approach deeply resonated with him. 

After all, who wouldn't want their partner to long for them wholeheartedly, yearning to be together?

This greatly fed Quinton's ego and reciprocated his profound love for Hestia. 

Gazing at Hestia's radiant face, he couldn't help but think how much she adored him, just as he adored her.

As for the trouble Hestia caused, Quinton didn't mind at all. If anyone was to blame, he'd pin it all on that foolish masked woman!