Airports were strange places.
They were filled with people—families, strangers, reunions, goodbyes—yet somehow, they all shared the same emotion.
Leaving.
Ethan Vale-Cheng stood near the private terminal, hands in his pockets, his posture calm as ever. But unlike before…
This time, he wasn't alone.
Beside him stood Zoé Lee, her small suitcase at her side, her eyes quietly taking in everything around her.
Private terminals weren't something she was used to.
Not like this.
"…Okay," she muttered under her breath, glancing around, "this is definitely different."
Ethan glanced at her briefly.
"You'll get used to it."
She raised an eyebrow.
"I'm not sure I want to."
A faint pause.
"…Fair."
A sleek jet sat beyond the glass, waiting.
Polished. Silent. Ready.
It didn't feel like a normal trip.
It felt… final.
"Master Ethan."
The voice came from behind.
Familiar.
Steady.
Grounding.
Ethan turned.
And for the first time since arriving—
Something in his expression softened completely.
Standing a few steps away was an older man, dressed in a perfectly pressed suit, his posture straight but his eyes warm.
His butler.
Mr. Alden.
Unlike everyone else in Ethan's life…
Mr. Alden had always been there.
When his parents were away.
When the house felt too quiet.
When he was just a child trying to understand a world that never slowed down.
It was Alden who made sure he ate.
Alden who stayed up when he couldn't sleep.
Alden who spoke—not like an employee…
…but like someone who cared.
"You're early," Ethan said.
Alden allowed himself a small smile.
"I could hardly allow you to leave without a proper farewell."
Zoé watched quietly, sensing something deeper in the moment.
Something… personal.
Alden stepped closer, his gaze briefly shifting to Zoé.
"And this must be Miss Zoé."
Zoé straightened slightly.
"Uh—yes, sir."
"No need to be formal," Alden said gently. "Anyone traveling with Master Ethan is already important."
Zoé blinked.
Then glanced at Ethan.
"…Master Ethan?"
Ethan exhaled faintly.
"Don't start."
Alden's smile widened just slightly.
For a moment, none of them spoke.
The noise of the airport faded into the background.
Because this—
This wasn't just another goodbye.
"You've grown," Alden said quietly, looking at Ethan.
Ethan didn't respond immediately.
"…You've said that before."
"And I meant it then as well."
A pause.
Then Alden added—
"But this time… it feels different."
Ethan's gaze shifted slightly.
"…It is."
Alden nodded, as if he understood more than was being said.
"I trust everything has been arranged in Paris?" Alden asked.
"Yes."
"Your aunt is expecting you?"
"Yes."
"And your schooling?"
"Handled."
Each answer was precise.
Prepared.
Controlled.
But Alden wasn't asking for information.
He was asking for reassurance.
"…Good," Alden said softly.
Then, after a brief hesitation—
"You'll take care of yourself?"
Ethan looked at him.
Really looked at him.
And for once—
His answer wasn't automatic.
"…I will."
Zoé noticed it.
The difference.
The subtle shift in his voice.
This wasn't how he spoke to others.
This wasn't the calm, distant Ethan she knew.
This was… something else.
Alden reached into his coat and pulled out a small object.
A simple watch.
Nothing flashy.
Nothing extravagant.
But worn.
Used.
Meaningful.
"I believe this belongs with you," he said, holding it out.
Ethan's eyes lowered slightly.
"…You kept it."
"You left it behind."
A pause.
"…You were young."
Ethan took the watch carefully.
His fingers brushed against Alden's for just a second.
"…You fixed it."
"It only needed time."
For a moment, Ethan said nothing.
He simply looked at it.
Then—
"…Thank you."
It was quiet.
But genuine.
Alden nodded once.
That was enough.
"Your flight is ready," he said.
The moment had arrived.
Zoé shifted slightly.
"…I guess this is it."
Ethan glanced at her.
"…Yeah."
Alden stepped back, giving them space.
But his gaze remained on Ethan.
"Master Ethan."
Ethan looked at him again.
"…You were never alone."
The words were simple.
But they landed heavily.
For a brief second—
Something flickered in Ethan's eyes.
Something unguarded.
"…I know."
It wasn't a long goodbye.
There were no dramatic gestures.
No drawn-out farewells.
Just a quiet understanding between two people who didn't need words to explain what mattered.
Ethan turned.
Zoé followed.
And together—
They walked toward the jet.
As they boarded, Zoé glanced back once.
Alden still stood there.
Watching.
Not like an employee.
But like someone seeing off family.
Inside, the jet was calm.
Spacious.
Almost too quiet.
Zoé sat down, letting out a breath.
"…Okay," she said, looking around, "this is officially the most insane thing I've ever done."
Ethan took the seat across from her.
"You'll survive."
She gave him a look.
"I better."
A slight pause.
Then she leaned back.
"…No going back now, huh?"
Ethan looked out the window as the engines began to hum softly.
New York stretched out beyond them.
Familiar.
Distant.
Already fading.
"…No," he said quietly.
The jet began to move.
Slow at first.
Then faster.
Until—
The ground disappeared beneath them.
Zoé watched the city shrink below.
"…Goodbye, New York."
Ethan didn't say anything.
But his hand tightened slightly around the watch in his palm.
Because this time—
He wasn't just leaving a place behind.
He was carrying a piece of it with him.
And ahead of them—
Paris waited.
Unaware.
Unprepared.
Because something more than just two students was arriving.
Something chosen.
Something ancient.
Something that would soon change everything.