Finding Stardust

She knew Xion was an honest man. Even though he was Therius' best friend, the man would surely tell her the truth and let her know what he thought was right.

Emma wanted to know if there was any hope for her to play the role Therius wanted her to do. If not...

Then, Emma had no more reason to stay in Akkadia.

She would run away with Haoran and find a way to get to Thaesi. Even if she had to die, she would take the risk. She would rather die trying than give up.

"I think, yes you can," said Xion earnestly. "That's what Therius is working on right now. He's gone to his grandfather's palace, asking permission to take you to Thaesi to see your mother and talk to her about peace. Your father's execution was planned by his asshole cousin. I told you they are all evil. Ugh.. I just hope he'll come home with the good news tonight."

"Is it true? I can see my mother?" Emma's face immediately filled with joy when she heard from Xion how Therius intended to take her to meet her mother in Thaesi. Her chest was immediately filled with longing for her beautiful mother, whom she had not seen in fifteen years.

Did her mother still look like she used to? Emma missed her very much...

"Thaesi is quite far from here. You better eat a lot and rest so you don't get sick on the way there," Xion advised. He began to devour the food served. "The food here is good too."

Emma nodded in understanding. Xion was right. Currently, she must take good care of herself and recover quickly so that she could meet her mother.

She could imagine how her mother must be devastated by her father's death. Emma understood what it was like to suddenly lose someone she loved so much. Arreya must be in deep sorrow by Kaoshin's untimely passing.

When Haoran fell ill and was now still lying in a coma, Emma also felt heartbroken. She knew how much Arreya loved Kaoshin... She really wished she could be by Arreya's side and share her pain.

They finally ate quietly. After she finished with lunch, Emma felt her strength recover a little. She wanted to explore the place and know her surroundings, but when she told Xion about it, the man firmly said no.

"You are not allowed to go around yet. You're still very weak, you better rest again," said Xion. "Therius told me to look after you until he gets home tonight. I can't let you go out."

"But I'm fine. I feel better already," Emma tried to insist. However, Xion could also act tough if he wanted to. The young man shook his head firmly.

"You can't go out. You have to rest again. If you want to see your mother, you have to recover completely. Your body condition drops because you are under very high stress. At least that's what Atila said," said the young man. "You need a lot of rest and meditation to calm down your nerves."

"She went home to rest. She will come here again tonight and take care of you. Please don't let her efforts be in vain because you act like a naughty patient."

Emma sighed and deep in thought. She had to admit that Xion was right. In her current condition, she would not be able to do much. Her number one priority now must be to recuperate and get well.

Finally, she nodded in agreement. "Okay, then, I will rest. I think you also need it."

"I'm all right," said Xion. "I am as strong as an ox."

The man looked disheveled and tired because his mind was busy thinking of what would happen to Emma. He felt very sorry for the girl. However, even though he was exhausted, he knew that what he experienced was nothing compared to what Emma was dealing with. Hence Xion didn't complain at all.

Emma finally did as Xion said and went back to her room and rest. She had never felt weak in her life. Her father's death was truly a blow she couldn't easily recover from.

***

Therius returned to his palace when night fell. Kira told Emma about Therius' arrival, and the girl immediately got ready to meet him.

She had been trying all day to calm down, but her mind was busy thinking about what was going on out there. Neither Xion nor her servants were willing to tell her the news about what happened in Akkadia. That was why Emma was looking forward to Therius' arrival so she could ask him the developments.

Just as Emma was about to come out of her room, the door was opened from the outside and entered the man she had been waiting for.

Therius looked very handsome in a regal princely getup. Emma remembered seeing the man wearing something similar to this when they met at the penthouse in Singapore. At that time, Xion teased Therius and told Emma that the prince intentionally dressed up to see Emma.

"Hey, how are you? Are you feeling better?" Therius asked when he saw Emma walking toward him.

Emma stopped in front of the man and looked into Therius' eyes. Her chest was filled with various turbulent feelings. On the one hand, she wanted to beat Therius for hiding the truth from her and made Xion take her out of the bridge at The Dragonite when they received news of Kaoshin's death.

But, on the other had, she was worried that she would provoke Therius. The prince might get angry and then cancel all their agreement. Even though she knew that Therius loved her, Emma understood that Therius was a normal man who also had limits on his patience.

Emma would be in a lot of trouble if Therius decided to make her a hostage to replace her cousin and kill Haoran. Emma didn't want to endanger Haoran's life and become collateral to pressure her mother. Having those thoughts in mind, finally, Emma was forced to hold back and be polite to Therius.

"I'm fine," replied the girl in a weak voice. "Xion said you went to the king's palace? Then how is it?"

"Come, sit on your bed. You don't have to come to me. I know you're still very weak," Therius said, changing the subject. He touched Emma's waist and gently pulled her onto the bed.

Emma couldn't refuse him. She forced herself to walk toward her bed and lay back down.

Therius pulled the blanket from the end of the bed and wrapped it around Emma's body, up to her waist. He did it so affectionately that made Emma feel awkward. She couldn't accept this kind of treatment from a man who was not her husband.

However, she did not dare to argue. Ola and Kira were standing on the corner of her room, ready to receive her orders at any time. Emma did not want them to suspect that she and Therius were actually not in a relationship like they were made to believe.

"So?" Emma looked at Therius and repeated her question. Her tone grew impatient.

"Hmm ... Did your two servants serve you well? Is there something you feel is lacking in this palace? Do you need anything from me?" Therius still didn't answer Emma's question and changed the subject.

This attitude of his made Emma feel something was wrong. Something really bad must have happened, she thought, and he is trying to hide it from me, again.

She turned to Ola and Kira and gave orders in a firm voice. "Ola and Kira, please leave us alone. Prince Licht and I need to talk."

"Yes, Your Highness," said the two girls in unison. They swiftly walked out of Emma's room and closed the door behind her. Only Therius and Emma were in the room.

Therius stared deeply at Emma. He wanted so badly to heal her so that she could recover quickly, but he had to hold back. If Emma found out that he was a sanomancer, the girl would hate him for not wanting to help Haoran.

He couldn't take that risk.

"You're hiding something from me," said Emma in a cold voice. "Whatever it is, you can say it now. I've sent my two servants out. There's no one here but the two of us."

Therius stared at Emma for a long moment and seemed to be trying to find the right words. Finally, he took a deep breath and nodded.

"Your father ... is dead. I think you already know that."

"That's right. Even though you decided to HIDE IT FROM ME, I already know that my father was publicly executed on the orders of your evil grandfather!" Emma blurted in anger.

"I don't want you to get hurt," said Therius, giving reasons why he told Xion to take Emma away so she wouldn't hear the devastating news immediately.

"Bull shit!" argued Emma. 

"I'm telling you the truth," Therius replied. "I wanted to protect your feeling."

"Whatever. I'm not interested in your lame excuses," Emma snorted. "I want to know how was your visit to see your grandfather. What did he say? Can I see my mother in Thaesi?"

Therius took a deep breath before he finally replied. "My grandfather is only willing to let us go see your mother after we get married. He doesn't trust you."