Jade took a deep breath, steadying herself as she stood in the airport terminal. The scent of coffee, disinfectant, and the faint aroma of fast food filled the air. People bustled past her, some rushing to their gates, others saying tearful goodbyes or chatting excitedly about upcoming adventures.
She shifted her carry-on bag on her shoulder, glancing at her family one last time. Her mother's eyes were already misty, her father trying to maintain his usual stoic expression but failing miserably. John stood with his arms crossed, nodding in approval, while Liam fidgeted, clearly struggling to contain his emotions.
Her mother, Adeline, clutched a tissue in her hand, dabbing at her eyes as if it could stop the tears from spilling over. Her father, Huang Bolin, maintained a tight grip on the handle of her suitcase, a small but significant gesture of holding on until the very last moment.
They had all come together, crowded into the family car for one last ride as a unit. The drive to the airport had been filled with the quiet hum of the radio and sporadic bursts of forced cheer. Liam had cracked jokes, trying to keep the mood light, while John shared practical advice about studying abroad. Jade had mostly listened, savoring the normalcy of her brothers' voices, knowing she wouldn't hear them like this for a while.
"Alright, Jade. Time to go," John said gently, his voice softer than usual.
Jade swallowed hard. "Yeah… I guess so."
Her mother suddenly pulled her into another tight hug. "Promise you'll call as soon as you land."
"I will, Mom," Jade assured her, hugging back just as fiercely.
Her father placed a hand on her shoulder. "Study hard, but don't forget to enjoy yourself too."
"I won't."
Liam finally broke, pulling her into the kind of hug that nearly crushed her ribs. "You better not forget about us, brat."
Jade laughed, blinking back tears. "Never."
She stepped back, gave them one last look, and turned toward the security checkpoint. With each step, the reality of it all sank deeper—she was leaving behind everything she had ever known. A new country, a new life, awaited her on the other side of this flight.
As she handed over her boarding pass and passport, she felt a strange mix of fear and excitement swirl in her chest. This was it.
Hours later, Jade sat by the plane window, watching as the land below grew smaller and smaller. She rested her head against the seat, her mind drifting back to the dream that had haunted her that morning. The golden throne, the mysterious man with piercing eyes, the way his voice had sent shivers down her spine.
Who was he?
And why did it feel like she knew him?
Jade shook her head, pushing the thought away. Right now, she needed to focus on what was ahead, not some strange fantasy her subconscious had conjured up.
Still, as she closed her eyes, sleep pulling her under, she couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.