[July 1393, Arabian Peninsula Port]
The scorching sea breeze ruffled Jade's hair.
Having spent almost a month on the ship, Jade squinted against the bright sunlight and stepped out onto the deck.
Beyond the emerald-clear sea, the Arabian port came into view.
'We've finally arrived.'
Jade looked at the address of the Princess's Arabian home written on a piece of paper in his hand.
Soon, the ship cut through the waters and docked at the port.
Indeed, the Arabian Peninsula was far hotter than the summer of Hana Kingdom.
Under the blazing sun, Jade shielded his face with his hand as he disembarked.
The port was bustling with countless Arabian people carrying luggage, moving back and forth.
While Hana Kingdom's ports also felt busy, this was beyond anything Jade could have imagined.
As he checked the rough map, Jade quickly headed toward his destination.
After walking for some time, he glanced at the map again, wondering if he was getting close.
As he quietly surveyed his surroundings, someone suddenly collided with him.
Thud.
The woman who bumped into Jade fell to the ground.
Quickly, she scrambled to gather the books that had fallen from her hands.
Jade, who was struggling to speak Arabic, was flustered but immediately knelt down and helped gather the books.
"Shukran."
The woman said in a rush, expressing her thanks.
Jade had learned that "Shukran" meant "thank you."
He had prepared for at least this much before coming.
Once all the books were collected, both Jade and the woman stood up.
As Jade was about to hand the books back, he froze as he saw the woman's face.
The woman, too, looked at him for a few seconds before her eyes widened in shock.
With long, flowing hair that reached her chest, large round eyes, sun-kissed skin, and full pink lips, the woman in front of him was undoubtedly...
"Your Highness?"
Jade's low voice echoed softly amidst the bustling street.
It wasn't an unexpected reaction.
He hadn't been surprised by how much time had passed, knowing well that an eleven-year gap would have changed her.
But no matter how much he had thought about it, facing the Princess, who had transformed from a cute young girl into a beautiful woman, his heart began to race.
Under the hot Arabian sun, Jade and Princess Genie met once more after eleven years.
"Jade?"
Princess Genie asked in surprise.
"Is that really you, Jade?"
A bright smile spread across her face.
Jade instinctively knew who she was.
His every sense told him that the woman before him was the same little girl he had seen saying goodbye at the palace entrance all those years ago.
It was Princess Genie.
The feeling was mutual, as Princess Genie instinctively recognized who he was.
She had once looked up at him, and occasionally he would bend down to meet her eye level.
Even after growing up, she still remembered his tall figure, wide shoulders, deep eyes like a lake, and the smile that always graced his face.
It was Jade, unchanged and yet even more handsome than before, now with the maturity of an adult.
"Did you come all the way here to see me?"
Genie asked with a bright smile.
Jade's heart fluttered inexplicably, but he forced himself to speak calmly.
"I came to escort you, Your Highness."
----------
Lady Han and Lady's attendant Park carried a large spread of food and walked towards the raised platform in the yard.
Jade, who had been gazing at the night sky, quickly got up to help them.
"We could have done it ourselves..." Lady Han said.
"No, it's alright."
Jade gently placed the food on the platform.
"Will the princess be coming soon?" Jade asked.
"She'll probably be finishing up her evening lesson with the children soon and will come," Lady Han answered as she sat next to Lady's attendant Park.
Just then, the yard's gate swung open.
Princess Genie entered with a radiant smile, carrying several books in her arms.
"Ah? You're not eating yet? Please, go ahead and eat."
With a bright smile, she set her books down and casually sat beside Jade on the platform.
"If we eat first, you always complain that eating alone isn't fun," Lady's attendant Park teased.
Genie chuckled sheepishly, then quickly changed the subject.
"Wow, you've prepared such an extravagant meal because we have guests today! I'll enjoy it!"
Genie took a large spoonful of rice and put it in her mouth.
Jade, unable to stop himself, quietly watched her.
Sensing his gaze, Genie stopped mid-bite and looked at him.
"You should eat too. I'm sure you haven't had a proper meal since you arrived," she said.
Caught off guard by her attention, Jade hurriedly picked up his spoon.
"Yes, thank you. I'll enjoy this, Lady's attendant Park, Lady Han."
"Eat plenty," Lady's attendant Park responded as she sipped her soup.
Lady Han also picked up her spoon, satisfied with how everyone was eating.
Lady's attendant Park, chewing on some ribs, spoke up.
"By the way, do you think we can finish packing everything before the ship leaves tomorrow afternoon?"
Lady Han, sipping her soup, answered.
"I've already asked the royal guards to help with the packing tomorrow morning. If we hurry, we should make it. The next ship to Hana Kingdom is in two weeks, so we must leave tomorrow as the King is ill."
As Jade listened to their conversation, he suddenly remembered Officer Jung, who had left with Princess Genie all those years ago.
"By the way, where's Officer Jung?" Jade asked.
At his words, Genie let out a light laugh.
"Officer Jung found true love here in Arabia. His future wife is from the north, so I sent him with her."
"But the King sent a trustworthy guard with you, so you've been safe all this time," Lady's attendant Park added.
'They've been through so much together,' Jade thought, feeling the weight of the years they had all endured.
----------
Lady Han had prepared the bedding in the guest room for Jade.
"Thank you," Jade said politely, bowing his head as he stood outside the room.
"You must be tired from the journey, so please get some rest. We'll take care of the packing inside," Lady Han said kindly.
"I'll help," Jade offered.
Lady Han smiled warmly and shook her head.
"It's easier for us to handle the women's luggage. Please rest and don't worry."
"Then, at least the heavier luggage..."
Lady Han reassured him, "Don't worry, we'll leave the heavy things behind. Please rest."
With that, Lady Han walked back to the main house.
Jade entered the small but clean guest room where a neatly arranged bedding awaited him.
After a long voyage and a refreshing bath, Jade lay on the bed, feeling the comfort of the soft mattress beneath him.
As he stared up at the white ceiling, he couldn't help but imagine the face of the princess, now an elegant woman.
He thought about both the young girl she once was and the woman she had become, and for a moment, he lost himself in those memories.
He soon realized what he was doing and felt embarrassed. It seemed that his thoughts about the princess might never end, so he quickly sat up.
Wanting to take in the cool night air and the view of the stars, Jade headed out to the yard.
There, he saw Genie lying on the platform, gazing at the night sky.
Hesitant about whether to go back inside, Jade paused when he sensed that Genie had noticed him. She turned her head and saw him.
"Why aren't you sleeping?" she asked casually.
"I can't seem to sleep," Jade answered, his voice trailing off.
Genie smiled and waved at him.
"Then come join me. I'm bored since I can't sleep either."
Jade, unable to stop himself from smiling, saw her inviting gesture and thought, She really has grown into a free spirit here in Arabia.
He couldn't bring himself to lie down beside her, so instead, he sat on the edge of the platform.
Still lying down, Genie spoke, "I was really surprised earlier."
She seemed to be replaying the moment in her mind when she had bumped into him earlier.
Genie suddenly sat up beside Jade on the platform.
With a mischievous grin, she asked, "How did you recognize me so quickly, after eleven years?"
Jade, feeling the playful gaze on him, smiled.
"Anyone could tell it was you, Your Highness."
She raised an eyebrow and replied, "But haven't I changed a lot?"
"Well, I guess you've grown taller?" Jade teased.
"Oh, really?" Genie said, as though giving up.
Jade couldn't help but smile at the way she'd played along.
For a moment, the only sound between them was the buzzing of summer insects under the starry sky.
Genie broke the silence.
"Jade, you haven't changed at all. You're still handsome."
A faint smile appeared on Jade's lips. He couldn't let it show, but her words made him happy.
She then sighed deeply.
"I heard that my father is ill, and I'm worried."
"It's a good thing we can leave tomorrow for Hana Kingdom, Your Highness," Jade said, trying to comfort her.
Genie let out another deep sigh.
"While I'm glad we can leave, I feel bad about leaving the children here. I had to say goodbye to them so suddenly, and I can't stop thinking about it."
Jade glanced at her, seeing the conflicted expression on her face.
He thought for a moment about how best to comfort her, but the sound of the night and the stars seemed to be all they needed for now.
And so, the final night in Arabia passed under the glittering stars.