The palace stood like a dream sculpted in gold and sapphire, its domes glistening under the moonlight. The evening air was fragrant with night-blooming flowers, and the sound of orchestras drifted through the marbled halls. Tonight marked the engagement of Han Lillian and Chris Walker—an event awaited by nobles, generals, and dignitaries alike.
As guests gathered in the grand ballroom, the soft clinking of glasses and laughter filled the space. But beneath the elegance, anticipation stirred.
One by one, the people closest to the couple made their appearances.
First through the entrance came Park Hae-In, draped in a midnight-blue gown, her hair flowing like waves of shadow. Her arrival was poised, regal. Eyes followed her; whispers trailed.
"She's even more beautiful than last year…"
"She used to be part of the old Vanguard, didn't she?"
But Hae-In walked with the elegance of silence, her thoughts elsewhere—lingering on someone who hadn't shown his face in over two years.
Then came Mr. Singh, dressed in his ceremonial black suit, his salt-and-pepper hair slicked back, his presence commanding despite the wrinkles of time. His eyes scanned the room sharply, yet a flicker of disappointment betrayed him—he too was hoping to see someone.
"Still not here…" he muttered under his breath.
As the engagement ceremony began, Han Lillian stood beneath the crystal chandelier, her gown of soft silver threaded with rose-gold petals shimmering with every movement. Chris Walker stood tall at her side, dressed in white and crimson, his expression composed, but respectful.
They exchanged gentle glances. Lillian's smile was beautiful—yet not complete. Her fingers trembled, her heart uneasy.
"I wonder if he'll come…" she whispered in her heart.
The ceremony continued. In the crowd, the name "Jin Shang" began to ripple.
"I heard he vanished two years ago... Is he dead?"
"No one's seen him. Not even Mr. Singh…"
"After everything he did, he just disappeared…"
Whispers traveled like wildfire through silk-draped corridors and candlelit corners. Even Hae-In, arms folded at the edge of the ballroom, glanced out toward the open balcony with furrowed brows.
But then—
A strange hush settled over the hall.
The chandeliers flickered.
A low hum passed through the floor, so faint only the most attuned could feel it.
Then—
The great doors of the palace creaked open.
Slowly. Grandly.
A heavy wind blew in, even though the night was calm.
From the dark corridor beyond the gate, a figure stepped forward.
Boots. Cloak. Mist trailing like whispers from another world.
The air tightened as if time itself held its breath.
A silver-haired man with a long, flowing coat walked through the center aisle. His white hair shimmered like moonlight, cascading past his shoulders. His golden eyes glowed softly, yet fiercely—as if lit by something ancient and unyielding.
Each step echoed.
Each breath around him stilled.
Behind him followed the faintest shadow of mist, curling and drifting like it had a life of its own. His scarf fluttered even without wind.
Nobody spoke.
Not a soul moved.
"Who is that…?"
"That can't be…"
"Wait, is that…"
The figure finally came to a halt before the gathered crowd, eyes scanning slowly.
Then someone from the crowd asked, voice trembling:
"Who… are you?"
The silver-haired man looked up.
A quiet smile played on his lips.
"Jin Shang," he said.
And the world stopped.
A gasp swept across the ballroom.
Park Hae-In dropped her champagne glass, stunned.
Mr. Singh's eyes widened, his composure cracking.
Chris's heart skipped a beat, his breath caught.
And Lillian—her eyes welled instantly. Her body froze. Her mind screamed.
Two years.
Two whole years.
And here he stood, not as the person they knew…
…but something far greater.
Jin said nothing more. He walked forward, steps slow, powerful, yet calm. The silence bowed to his presence.
He reached Lillian and Chris.
Liliian who was shocked by the moment. " Jin
...You."
"I'm not here to stop anything," he said gently. "I'm here to congratulate you."
Lillian's lips quivered. Her vision blurred.
"You… after all I said to you. After everything—I hurt you, Jin. I said things… cruel things you never deserved…"
"You were right to," Jin replied, his golden eyes soft but unwavering. "And I forgave you the moment you said them."
Lillian could no longer hold back. Jin slowly reached forward. With a tenderness that made the room fall into deeper silence, he placed his hand on her cheek, his thumb brushing away her tears with utmost care.
His touch was warm. Reassuring.
"You don't need to cry for the past, Lillian," he said softly. "We were both hurt. But I never hated you. Not even for a moment."
Lillian's breath caught, her heart crumbling under the weight of relief.
Without another word, she stepped forward—
And embraced him.
Not as someone to be held on to, but as someone she had missed with her entire soul.
The crowd watched in breathless silence as she buried her face into Jin's shoulder, sobbing quietly, while he stood still—strong, composed—but his eyes shimmered with a sorrow only he could carry.
After a long pause, she whispered, "Thank you… for coming. I didn't think you would…"
"I had to," Jin replied, holding her gently. "Not for the past… but to honor your future."
She smiled tearfully.
Chris looked down respectfully, saying nothing.
Jin reached into his coat and pulled out a small box. Inside was a pendant of pure silver, with a glowing blue gem—calm and eternal.
"For your new beginning," he said, placing it in Lillian's palm.
The tension in the room melted. The ceremony resumed. The music returned.
But Jin had already turned away.
He walked out onto the balcony.
The ceremony resumed.
And Jin stood at a distance, watching the two exchange vows, hands trembling slightly—but eyes calm.
A soft smile touched his lips.
He stood alone beneath the moonlight, gazing at the stars in the quiet of night.
His hand reached into his pocket—pulling out a small, faded ring.
Lia's ring.
He remembered it all.
The garden in spring. The soft petals falling like snow. Lia's shy smile, the way her fingers trembled when he slid the ring onto her hand. Her promise. Her voice. Her kiss.
"From this day, no matter how far apart we are… my soul will always follow yours."
Tears welled in his eyes.
He clenched the ring in his hand, his chest aching with the memories. "I didn't deserve you. Not then. Not now."
He walked forward through the moon-kissed garden,
The night had wrapped the world in its embrace. The moon was full, casting silver light over the blossoms. Fireflies drifted like whispers of stars. The wind was cool, brushing against the trees with a tranquil hum.
And there she stood.
Lia.
Her translucent soul glowed faintly, dressed in the same white dress she wore the night they were engaged. Her hair danced with the breeze, and her eyes—gentle as ever—watched him approach.
"You still cry alone," she said softly.
Jin's eyes were already wet. He sat beside her on the garden bench, staring up at the moon. "I thought seeing Lillian's happiness would bring me peace. But I couldn't stop thinking… of us."
Lia gave a small smile. "We were never meant to last in that world. But you—you're meant to go farther than either of us imagined."
He clenched his fist. "You died because of them. They used you. I won't forgive them."
"I know," she said, turning to him.
For a moment, silence filled the space. Not empty—but full of unspoken memories.
Jin looked at her face again. "You never blamed me, did you?"
"Never," she whispered. "You were the only light in my world. And even now, I still watch you. Still believe in you."
She stepped forward and placed her forehead against his.
Jin opened his eyes, golden irises glowing in the dark. "I promise, Lia. I'll end this. I'll break the chains. No more puppets, no more lies. I will create a world where no one like you… has to vanish again."
Lia smiled with tears in her eyes. "Then go. Burn down the path if you must—but don't lose your light."
"Jin, listen to me." Her voice turned firm, radiant with a quiet strength.
"You are not just the blade that cuts through fate. You are the fire that lights the path.
Let them doubt you. Let them fear you. But never let them define you."
He trembled, golden eyes shimmering. "I'm scared, Lia. Of what I'll become."
Lia stepped closer, placing her hand on his cheek. "Then become what only you can. Become the man who changes everything—not with hatred, but with will. With love. With pain. With purpose."
Jin's voice cracked. "I miss you so much…"
"I miss you too," she whispered. "But I'm always with you. Every step. Every choice. Every battle. I am your light in the darkness."
She leaned in, brushing her lips gently against his forehead.
"Don't let them turn you into a monster. Be the storm that ends this. Be the sun that rises after."
She kissed his forehead gently, and whispered, "I'll be waiting, Jin. In the world you create."
Her form began to fade, glimmering like falling stardust.
But her smile remained.
And with that—she was gone.
Jin stood still, tears flowing silently, the silver ring clenched tightly in his hand.
He looked up at the sky. The stars were no longer just distant lights.
They were reminders.
Of a promise.
Of a reason to keep going.
"For you, Lia… I'll end it all. And I'll begin something new."