Jade saw a warm, golden light. It shimmered gently, radiating such peace and comfort that she felt drawn to it—mesmerized.
She took a slow step forward, hand outstretched, wanting to touch it.
But just as her fingers neared the light, a soft voice echoed through the silence.
"Jade…"
She froze. Her breath caught in her throat, eyes wide in confusion and fear.
"W-Who's there?" she asked, turning her head in all directions.
The voice answered, soft but commanding. "Vesperis."
And in that instant—everything vanished.
Jade jolted awake with a gasp.
She stared at the ceiling, her heart racing. But… this wasn't her ceiling. She looked around, disoriented.
"Where… am I?"
Just then, the door opened. Daniel stepped in, his expression composed but clearly concerned.
"You're awake," he said as he approached.
"What happened?" Jade asked, her voice still shaky.
"You fainted," Daniel explained gently. "You collapsed right after we arrived. The doctor came to check on you—he said it was exhaustion and stress. You need rest."
Jade blinked slowly, fragments of the dream still clinging to her thoughts.
Vesperis… that name again.
She leaned back against the pillows. "Right… rest," she muttered, more to herself than anyone else.
But the weight of the dream lingered, and somehow… she knew it wasn't just a dream.
Jade looked up at Daniel, her voice still soft.
"I didn't even get to meet your parents…"
Daniel gave a small smile, reassuring.
"Don't worry, you'll meet them tomorrow. They understand—you weren't feeling well."
She nodded slowly, still a bit disappointed.
"Now sleep," Daniel added gently.
He stood up from the edge of the bed, gave her one last look, then turned and walked out of the room, closing the door quietly behind him.
Jade lay back down, her thoughts a swirl of dreams, names… and unanswered questions.
.
.
The next morning, Jade woke up feeling a little better. Sunlight filtered gently through the luxurious curtains, casting golden rays across the room. For a moment, she had forgotten where she was.
Then it all rushed back—Vesperis, the light, her fainting… Daniel.
She sat up slowly, and just then, the door opened. A housekeeper entered with a soft knock.
"Good morning, Miss Lee. Mr. Ooman asked me to bring you breakfast in bed."
"Where is he?" Jade asked, glancing toward the hallway.
"With his parents. They're expecting you shortly, once you're ready."
Jade nodded and thanked her, but her mind wasn't on breakfast. It was still on the voice, the strange dream.
Vesperis.
The name echoed again. She whispered it to herself, testing how it felt in her mouth.
Suddenly, a soft knock came at the door.
It was Daniel.
He entered in a casual but elegant outfit, his expression calm.
"You're awake," he said.
"I'm sorry for yesterday," she murmured. "It was... strange."
Daniel approached and sat at the foot of the bed. "I know. We'll talk about it soon. But for now, my parents want to meet the woman I'm about to marry."
Jade gave a half-smile. "Let's not keep them waiting then."
.
.
Jade followed Daniel through the elegant hallways of his family estate. Every step echoed with the weight of nerves and curiosity. She had never felt this tense—even with Daniel himself.
They stopped in front of double doors that opened into a sunlit salon. Inside, a graceful woman with sharp, regal features stood up, followed by a man who radiated calm authority.
"Jade, these are my parents," Daniel said softly, placing a light hand at the small of her back.
His mother approached, her eyes scanning Jade from head to toe with a cool, unreadable gaze… then extended her hand.
"Welcome, Miss Lee. I hope our son hasn't driven you mad yet."
Jade managed a small smile, relieved by the hint of humor. "Not yet, Ma'am. But he's definitely trying."
Daniel's father chuckled. "I like her already."
The tension loosened slightly. They were invited to a late breakfast in the garden—a fairy-tale setting with flowing fountains, blooming roses, and birds flying freely across the clear sky.
But inside, Jade still felt the weight of unease. Vesperis's voice still echoed in her head.
During breakfast, Jade had the chance to get to know Daniel's parents a little better.
Lucas Ooman, Daniel's father, carried an imposing yet charismatic aura. Despite his authoritative presence, he turned out to be incredibly warm and funny. He kept teasing Daniel the whole time, especially about his "stunning wife."
"This one's a beauty," Lucas said, grinning at Jade. "Are you sure she's really yours, son?"
Daniel rolled his eyes while Jade chuckled, slightly flustered.
Meredith Ooman, on the other hand, was all softness and care—especially toward her only son. She watched the two of them with sparkling eyes full of curiosity and affection.
"So… when are you giving us a baby?" she asked suddenly, her tone cheerful but serious.
Jade nearly choked on her drink, completely caught off guard. Her cheeks flushed as she glanced at Daniel.
He smiled at her, then turned to his mother.
"Mom, don't you think that's a little too soon?"
Meredith shook her head with a shrug.
"Not at all."
Jade had no idea where to look anymore.
Jade quietly observed something she hadn't expected—Daniel's parents didn't seem to care about her social status. Whether she came from wealth or not, neither Lucas nor Meredith made her feel out of place. It was… comforting.
After breakfast, Meredith gently informed them,
"Riguel and Sophia will be joining us today. They'll be here for the weekend too."
Daniel's cousins, Jade remembered.
Then Meredith smiled and added,
"We're planning an activity by the lake around noon. I think you'll enjoy it."
As everyone moved on, Jade looked around for Daniel. He had disappeared again. Instead, while walking past one of the wide hallways, she accidentally overheard a conversation between Lucas and Meredith in one of the adjoining rooms.
"Do you think… it has already started?" Meredith's voice was low, but tense. "And he just doesn't want to tell us?"
Lucas sighed.
"It's been years. Daniel doesn't act like someone affected by it."
"But what if the curse hasn't *fully awakened* yet?" Meredith whispered. "Or worse… what if it has, and he's just hiding it?"
Lucas stayed silent for a moment.
"I don't know…"
Jade stood frozen behind the slightly open door, her heart pounding.
Curse?
So there's really a curse? It wasn't just rumors?
And if so, did Daniel know? Was he suffering in silence… or deliberately keeping it from her? From the world?
"It's getting really weird"
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Detective Jade is on the case.
And this time, she was going to get answers.