Foreign Beginnings

The flight to Eldoria was long, but I barely slept at all. I kept my hand on my stomach. With each bump of the plane, I held my breath, reassuring the babies inside me that it would be all right.

Grandfather sat beside me, serene as ever. He was wearing his glasses, and he had a stack of papers in front of him. He was even doing some work on a flight.

Grandfather," I spoke quietly. "Do you ever cease reading?"

He removed his glasses a little, gazing at me. "Do you ever stop fretting?"

I looked down hastily. "I can't help it."

He sighed and laid the papers down. "Zephyrine, you must rest. Your body belongs to more than just yourself now."

"I know," I breathed.

He reached over and covered my hand with his. "We're going to Eldoria to start anew. You're going to study; you're going to learn; and you're going to get ready. That's all you need to concern yourself with for now."

I nodded, trying to push away the storm of memories from Aurelia.

---

When we reached Eldoria, the air felt different—darker, crisper. Grandfather's vehicle was waiting for us. We drove through the city, smooth glass towers looming on either side, with older stone buildings in between that gave the city character.

"Eldoria is older than Aurelia," Grandfather told us as the vehicle glided through the streets. "But don't be deceived. Their universities are more advanced, their businesses tougher. This won't be a walkover for you."

I clasped my hands in front of me. "I'll be fine."

"I know you will," he replied.

---

I met with someone in the Hale estate in Eldoria. He was already in the grand hall, standing tall in black attire.

"Zephyrine," Grandfather told me, "this is Adrian Knight. He has worked for me for a very long time. He will take care of you here."

Adrian smiled pleasantly at me. Sharp gray eyes regarded me steadily, but his voice was gentle when he added, "It's an honor to finally meet you. Your grandfather speaks of you a good deal."

I fidgeted uncomfortably. "I… hope he says good things about me."

Adrian smiled again, more widely this time. "He does. And I'll do my best to serve you while you're here."

Grandfather nodded. "Adrian will drive you to the university, and he will assist you with the Hale business connections. In case you need to know something, look him up."

"Yes, Grandfather," I said.

Adrian bowed briefly, then, in a low voice, "If anything whatsoever is needed, you can call me directly. Even something simple as groceries."

I smiled faintly. "Thank you. That's very thoughtful."

---

The first week of Eldoria was a whirlwind. Between unpacking, orientation, and my grandfather's round-the-clock instructing, I barely had time to breathe.

I was sitting with Adrian in the university cafeteria one day after our morning class. He was stirring his coffee when he said, "So, how are you finding Eldoria so far?"

"Cold," I replied, hugging my sweater.

He chuckled. "You'll grow to like it. The winters here are tougher."

I scrunched up my face. "That's not reassuring."

He smiled. "You'll be all right. You're stronger than you think."

I didn't know what to say, so I just looked at my sandwich.

---

Grandfather took me to his private doctor that afternoon. The clinic was small but neat, and the doctor was an older woman with kind eyes.

"Zephyrine," she said warmly, "your grandfather has told me all about it. Let's do a check-up."

I shook my head nervously.

The doctor smiled when she finished the examination. "The babies are healthy. All three."

I bristled. "Three?"

My grandfather had told me before but I didn't believe

"Yes," she told me with a gentle smile. "Triplets. It won't be easy, but you're strong. You can do this."

My heart tightened. "Three babies."

Grandfather was severe but proud. "Then we prepare for three."

I nodded quickly, my hand on my belly. Hope flickered in me for the first time in weeks.

---

Days passed by with lessons, business lessons, and relentless reading. Adrian was always there, walking me through campus or carrying my books. He asked me questions every so often, my thoughts on business models or international markets, but he never pushed too hard.

He caught up to me one evening, gazing out at the university gardens.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked.

I shook my head. "Nothing significant."

"Still," he urged softly, "I want to know.".

I hesitated before I talked, "I was just considering how it could have been. if I had done things otherwise."

He looked at me for a moment, then explained, "The past does not equal you. What you do today does."

I looked away, not responding.

---

The tension increased in the next week. My classes were demanding, and my grandfather made sure I attended business classes in the evenings. My body hurt, my head pounding relentlessly.

While in one afternoon class, I felt my eyes blur. I massaged my head, trying to focus on the professor's voice, but everything felt thick. My hands trembled as I held my notebook.

"Zephyrine?" Adrian leaned by my side. "Are you okay?

"Okay, I'm fine," I mouthed back. But my voice was weak.

When I tried to stand up from class, the room whirled. My knees gave way. I felt arms catch me just before I fell to the floor.

"Zephyrine!" Adrian's voice was tight with worry.

The world went dark, but I could hear my own voice slip out before I fainted.

".Callum."