Finding Stardust

Emma couldn't believe her hearing. Was this really happening??

She was no longer on earth? So... Therius was taking her back to Akkadia after all. 

She had specifically told him she wanted to stay on earth with Haoran. 

This was kidnapping! 

Aaaaghhh...!!!

Emma was immediately filled with rage. She clenched her fists to her sides and tried hard to hold back her fury from exploding.

The three people seemed like regular staff who didn't know anything. She shouldn't lash out her anger on innocent people.

"Where are Therius and Xion?" she asked through her gritted teeth. "I want to see them."

She was not willing to be brought back to Akkadia without her consent. She still had to be by Haoran's side and make sure he would recover ...

Oh, Haoran ... where are you now?

"Do you mean Sir Therius Moria?" asked one of the staff before her. "Miss can ask the bridge to get permission to see him."

They saw the beautiful outfit Emma was wearing and the way she called the mission leader's name without honorifics. They could guess that this girl was someone of high importance. Her curt attitude was probably caused by boredom in the ship, or she was feeling unwell.

"Do you need to see a doctor? I can take you to the clinic," said one of the men who had been observing Emma from the beginning.

"Hmm ... I don't need a doctor. Can one of you take me to the bridge? I don't know the way," asked Emma. 

She wanted to find Therius and beat him up for kidnapping her.

"I will take you to the bridge," the man said. He turned to his two friends and gave a signal that they continue their journey without him. "You go there first. I'll catch up later."

Emma forced a smile and nodded to indicate that she was grateful. She loosened her clenched fists and followed the man down the white alley in the opposite direction to the elevator where she came from.

"My name is Natan Salas. You can call me Natan," the man said as he walked. He was in the mid-40s, wore a practical brown uniform and a blue pin on his chest. His appearance was neat, and his face looked calm. Emma could see at a glance that this person was intelligent.

"My name is Emma." Emma replied politely since the man treated her with respect. She deliberately did not mention her last name because she was worried that Natan would immediately associate her with her father, who seemed to be quite famous in Akkadia because of the past incidents.

"Miss, you can ask to see Sir Therius Moria on the bridge. The captain will let him know that you are looking for him and take you to him," Natan said with a smile.

DING

When the elevator door opened, he invited Emma out first, and then he followed. He then showed her the way to a large corridor where many officers in dark blue uniforms were coming and going. Emma looked around with narrowed eyes.

How big was this ship and how many people were in it? She was wondering.

"Did you say Sir Therius Moria?" Emma asked suddenly, as she remembered Natan mentioning the name Therius Moria. Is that his full name?

"That's right. Sir Therius Moria is the son of General Moria, who is acting on his father's behalf to lead this secret mission," Natan explained.

Emma frowned.

Therius is a general's son? Was he lying when he claimed to be the crown prince to Emma?

They arrived at the bridge, which was full of people who were busy working. Natan signaled Emma to follow him. He then walked over to Saul.

"Hey, Doctor Salas. What are you doing up here?" asked Saul, who looked up from the monitor in front of him.

"Hello, Saul. This lady is looking for Sir Therius. Can you help her?" Natan asked, pointing at Emma.

Saul was stunned when he saw the beautiful girl staring at him with sharp eyes. He was fascinated by the girl's appearance. She looked so beautiful even though she didn't show meek and gentle expression like most women he knew. And oh ... didn't she look a bit like Therius?

Was this girl his sister? Was this General Moria's daughter?

"I want to meet Therius or Xion. This is important," Emma said curtly.

Saul and Natan looked at each other. They could judge that Emma might be someone important since she didn't use any honorifics when calling their boss.

"Wait a minute, Miss. Please sit here. I will tell Sir Therius that you want to see him." Saul smiled calmingly. He pointed to a comfortable sofa behind him and invited Emma to sit.

The girl shook her head. "I will look around while waiting for him to come here."

She walked with her hands clasped behind her back and studied the enormous window showing the majestic view outside. She was fascinated to see the outer space adorned by billions of stars with various colors and brightness levels. She felt as if she was in a dream.

Saul left Emma alone and then dialed a number on his monitor. He spoke in a low voice to report Emma's presence. After hanging up the call, he turned to Emma and smiled.

"Sir Therius will be here soon."

Actually, Saul had offered to take Emma to meet Therius in his room or in the lounge, but apparently, the man was too impatient and chose to immediately rush to the bridge to meet Emma.

He arrived five minutes later with a bright face and a happy expression that no one on the ship had ever seen. They all looked at him in surprise.

"Emma ... you're awake," Therius greeted Emma enthusiastically.

Saul and Natan looked at each other again and swallowed. They could see that Therius seemed to like this mysterious girl. When he saw her, his usually stoic face suddenly looked happy.

"You jerk!!!" As soon as she heard Therius' voice, Emma turned away from the window. She immediately charged towards the man and slapped him with all her might.

Everyone on the bridge held their breath. They didn't know what would happen to this crazy girl. Did she not know the terrible consequences she must bear for humiliating the son of a high-ranking official?

Oh my God ... what devil has possessed you? Everyone was horrified.

Therius touched her cheek that Emma had just slapped. This girl's actions did not surprise him at all, and he intentionally didn't dodge her slap. He understood that Emma must be feeling really angry and shocked at the thought that Therius had kidnapped her to return to Akkadia without her consent.

He stroked his cheek once and then lowered his hand. His face did not change at all. He just nodded and greeted Emma again. "I'm glad you've recovered. You slept for a long time."

Emma stood right in front of him, with a red face and fiery eyes staring at Therius. She was annoyed because her slap didn't do anything. Therius seemed unconcerned that Emma had just slapped his cheek very hard.

"Where is Haoran? Where is he??!!" she shouted at him in English.

Emma knew Therius could understand her words because he was a telemancer. Emma didn't want the people on the bridge to know who she was and listen to their conversation.

'I did what you asked. You said you only wanted to go back to Akkadia if he is coming with you, didn't you? So, I granted your wish. He is coming with us to Akkadia.' Therius looked at Emma intently and spoke to her with telemancy. He also did not want the people around them to know who Emma was.

At least, not now.