Jade sprinted into the palace to find Jai. All his belongings inside were mysteriously cleaned out, not a single shred left beside the furniture. She asked all his friends about his whereabouts, but they were unaware.
Her resolve began to waver at the thought that he would leave without leaving a note or saying goodbye. Jade managed to find Kitana talking with her mother and father, who were all startled when she burst into the room out of breath.
"Is something wrong, Jade?" Sindel asked.
"My Queen." Jade bowed before them. "Has anyone seen Jai?"
Worriedly, Sindel glanced at her husband and daughter, both shaking their heads at the realization Jai might have left without telling anyone. He wasn't a fugitive anymore and was cleared of all wrongdoing.
"I... I'm sorry. We don't know where he is," Sindel reluctantly told her.
That was not the news Jade wanted to hear. "But... but he said that..."
Despair crept into her heart in fear that the divide was beyond repair despite her efforts to repair their relationship.
Jade fell to her knees and cried her eyes out to their surprise. Kitana immediately rushed over to console her sister, the tears falling nonstop at the bitter knowledge of what had transpired.
"It's all my fault... He's gone because of me." Jade sobbed.
The main door opened behind them as a guardsman entered with visitors in tow. Everyone except Jade looked to see who they were, feigned surprise written over their faces.
"Your guests are here as requested, your majesty."
Jerrod nodded. "Thank you. You're dismissed." The guardsman bowed before taking his leave as the King and Queen approached the group. "We were wondering when you would arrive. Gave us quite the scare this morning."
Jade heard the statement before craning her head to see who the royal couple was conversing with. Following their line of sight, her eyes widened in shock. Standing in between Kiyana and Solomon along with Naomi...
Was their son.
Jai was in his Knight uniform and clean-shaven as he bowed. "My apologies, King Jerrod. It was never my intention to worry anyone."
"Nonsense, Jai," Queen Sindel replied before addressing the room. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I'd like to welcome you all to an informal reinstatement ceremony. Attention to Orders."
Quickly, Jai snapped to attention, conscious not to make a move.
"Raise your right hand," Sindel ordered, Jai compiling instantly. "Do you, Captain Jai, solemnly swear to defend Edenia against all foreign and domestic enemies? That you take this obligation freely at the cost of your very life and faithfully obey the orders given to you by the officers and royals above you?"
"I swear, as Captain of the Edenian Knights," Jai recited his oath.
Sindel smiled. "Congratulations, and welcome back."
The room erupted in jubilation for what may have seemed unlikely a few years ago. Jai's reinstatement made it evident that he had no intention of leaving, not when there was much to accomplish and live for. Afterward, the applause quieted as Jai and Jade locked eyes, the tension palpable. Neither said a word as everyone gave them space without leaving the room.
Jade swallowed a massive lump in her throat, her face stained with fresh tears. "I... thought you left."
"I chose not to," Jai replied. "Nearly did."
"What changed your mind?"
"I thought long and hard over these past few months. Hell, this past year. Truthfully, I don't know how to feel. Part of me wanted to disappear and never return here after having my name smeared through the mud. However, Edenia is the only home I've ever known."
Carefully, Jade approached him. "I know you're still upset, Jai, and you have every right to be. But we... I never meant to hurt or accuse you." She paused before averting her gaze. "Do you... still hate me?"
Jai eyed her intently. "I couldn't hate you, and I never intended to say those words, even if they were out of anger. For that, I do apologize."
"Accepted." Sighing in relief, Jade still couldn't shake the horrible feeling within her stomach. "You... you were there for me when we were children and stood up for me when I couldn't. All those times I felt lonely, you always encouraged me even when I became an ungrateful bitch. That's when I knew I... I loved you."
The tears returned in full force. "I know things will never return to where they used to be. But I'll do anything... to earn back your trust." Her mouth trembled. "I- Is there any conceivable way you could forgive my actions?"
"Anything?" Jai repeated.
"Yes..." Jade meekly said, unable to hold herself together. "Friends don't do what we've done to each other. I'm sincerely sorry for everything, Jai."
Naomi desperately wanted to console her daughter, yet never moved from her spot. Jade had made it clear this was the only way to apologize - on her own terms.
Mulling her words, Jai found himself struggling with what to do, his road to hell paved with good intentions. They each shouted hurtful words with separate actions just as incorrigible. Instead of being prideful, Jade was pouring her heart out and even considered resigning as General. That alone showed she was sincere.
"I'll forgive you on one condition." Jai stepped closer but kept an appropriate distance. "Can you ever find it in your heart to forgive me?"
Jade found herself in disbelief. "Why...?"
"I was no better during the trial and our efforts to stop Daegon and Kotal. You showed restraint as I continually lashed out. Added to that, you saved my life before I drowned in that ocean," Jai elaborated.
"You did the same for me," Jade reminded, knowing how close Tanya came to ending her life.
He nodded. "That will never change for as long as I draw breath. But before you answer, I have something else to ask." Jai took a deep breath. "Not a day went by did I not think about you during my exile in hopes for a chance to redeem myself. You still wanted to make things right though you would've been justified letting me rot. I'm sorry, but... I can no longer accept you as a friend."
Jai closed the distance before gently grasping her wrists. "Because you mean so much more to me, Jade. I've loved you from the day I first laid eyes on you and have never stopped."
Gradually, he got down on one knee, holding one of her slender hands before retrieving a small object from his pocket. Jade failed to stifle a gasp when she and the others saw what was in his possession - an emerald diamond wedding ring.
"In addition to seeking atonement, I'm asking for your hand in marriage... for us to become a family." Jai mustered all the courage he didn't believe he had. "Jade, General of Edenia's armies, and my cherished childhood friend... will you marry me?"
Jade stared at the wedding ring then at Jai, still too shocked to say anything. Naomi, Kiyana, Kitana, and even Sindel held their breaths. Solomon and Jerrod kept their expressions neutral, though Jai's father smiled inwardly at his son's decision.
"After... (sniff) all the hell I put you through," Jade started, doing her best to maintain her composure. "I should be on my knees, begging you to marry me."
"As I said before, I forgive you. Leave the past where it is," Jai said softly. "There's no other woman in this universe that I want who compares to you. I'll take that to my grave. So... what do you say?"
Jade slowly opened her eyes and nodded with a smile. "Yes."
She then flung herself towards him before wrapping her arms around his neck, kissing him with pure emotion. All in attendance cheered as they bared witness to this joyous occasion.
Jai pulled out of her embrace momentarily. "There's something I had engraved inside the ring."
Taking the ring, Jade read the inscription. 'My one and only.' Afterward, Jai carefully slipped the ring onto her finger, a perfect fit.
"This... this is beautiful," Jade remarked, staring in astonishment at the jewelry.
Smiling, Jai replied, "Not as beautiful as its wearer."
Jade lunged into his arms for a heartfelt hug, her joy expressed in tears and another kiss. "I love and forgive you, Jai." She moved away. "May I make a request?"
"Of course."
"I think it would be best for us to speak to a marriage counselor. It's not that I'm not confident in becoming a wife, but I want to ensure all issues are addressed." Jade touched his face. "That's all I ask."
He took her palm and kissed it. "Say no more, my future Mrs."