After traveling a good distance through the forest, Asher led Miria toward an enormous ancient tree with a large natural hollow in its trunk. He entered first, firmly holding her hand. A hidden path sloped gently downward, illuminated by luminescent veins in the rock. They finally emerged into a magnificent cave: a small expanse of crystalline water fed by an underground waterfall, with walls encrusted in precious stones that sparkled like stars, casting a soft, fairy-like glow.
Miria stood speechless, eyes wide with wonder.
"Asher… it's beautiful…"
Asher looked at her tenderly.
"I originally created this place for your great-grandmother."
"You mean… the first Miria?"
"Yes."
Miria smiled softly.
"Miria the First?"
"Well, it's to make a distinction, right?"
"Okay…" Asher admitted.
"But if it helps, I'm sure she would have loved it."
"We'll never know…"
"I swear she would have," Miria insisted.
Asher gave her a challenging look.
"What makes you say that?"
Miria thought to herself: *I can't tell him I know because the first Miria and I are actually the same person… it was just me in my previous life…*
She shook her head slightly to clear the thought. Asher, seeing her pensive, grew concerned.
"Miria, are you okay?"
Miria snapped out of her reverie and answered quickly:
"Yes… Yes."
She continued with a tender smile:
"And to answer you, I know because… Miria the First loved you very much. So no matter what you gave her, she would have loved it, since it came from the man she loved, from the bottom of his heart… Just like me."
Asher gazed at her for a long moment, touched.
"You're right…"
Miria pouted playfully.
"So are we still going to talk about Miria the First or what? I'm starting to get jealous."
Internally, she thought: *Even if it's silly to be jealous of myself…*
Asher burst out laughing and pulled her against him.
"Okay, okay… Sorry. Let me make it up to you by inviting you to swim with me and pamper you."
Miria gave him a provocative smile.
"Hmm… That's a very tempting offer. I accept."
She took his hand and they stepped together into the warm, crystalline water.