Finding Stardust

Emma later learned that purple was the color of mourning in Akkadia. She thanked her servants for being thoughtful and choosing clothes that suited her situation, as she was mourning her father's death.

For the past two days, Emma had toughened her heart and didn't want to cry anymore. She felt that her tears would only be wasted and make her weak. She tried to forget all the bad things that happened and focused her attention on the good things.

Haoran was still alive and he was with her in Akkadia. Emma just needed to survive so she and Haoran could stay safe until she could find Leon, her father's best friend, and asked the man to heal Haoran.

She should also feel grateful that her mother was still alive. Even though Arreya must be grieving right now, at least her mother was still there. Her family also managed to steal Kaoshin's body from Akkadia so he could be buried in Thaesi and be close to Arreya.

The important thing now was that Kaoshin could be close to his wife and son, even though only after his death. With him being buried in Thaesi, Arreya would be able to visit his grave any time.

At sundown, Emma and Atila walked out of her room and were ready to leave for King Cassius' palace. When she got out, she saw Xion was at her door, waiting for her. The young man's face looked troubled.

"You're going to the palace? Then, tonight I will have dinner alone," commented the man.

He forced a smile and tried to look cheerful as usual. However, by now Emma knew Xion well enough, and she could feel that the man was feeling bad for not being able to fulfill her request. Xion couldn't help Emma to meet her family in Thaesi.

Emma took a deep breath. She understood Xion's conflict. She remembered that this man had always been nice to her and treated her well, even though on the exterior he often showed himself as being indifferent. Now, Emma felt bad for making Xion feel guilty about not being able to help.

"Don't blame yourself if you can't help me, Xion. I understand that taking me to meet my parents at a time like this could cost you your life," Emma said quietly.

She touched Xion's shoulder and patted him gently, also trying to force a smile. Emma was not a manipulative girl who would force other people to do what she wanted.

She had learned to take care of herself and not rely on help from others after she arrived in Akkadia. After all .. didn't Therius already declare that their friendship on the ship was over, now that they were in Akkadia?

Emma could no longer think of the two men as her friends who would help her. She must be able to solve her problems on her own.

Xion had never felt grief for others before. He was not an empath. But when he saw profound sadness in Emma's eyes, his heart felt sad too.

"Emma ... if you have any other wishes, I'll do my best to grant it." In the end, that was all he could say.

Emma smiled wryly at Xion's words. All her wishes were very difficult to realize. She only wanted to meet her family and see Haoran recover. Nothing else. She didn't think Xion could do anything for her.

"Don't worry about it, Xion," said Emma. "Well, thank you for letting me know. I have to go now. You can eat dinner alone tonight."

Emma walked away with Atila, leaving Xion, who could only stare at her back with a sad face.

***

After staying in Therius' palace for two days, this was the first time Emma could walk out and see how big and majestic this palace was. So far she had only explored her room, the garden, the dining room, and the library.

Now, as she was walking through various halls and smaller buildings around the main building, she couldn't help admire her surroundings. This palace was truly made to impress.

When Emma arrived at the courtyard, she saw two men and a woman were waiting for them. They were all in their 30's and wore practical outfits in purple. Each person carried weapons around their waists.

Their appearances looked serious and intimidating. However, as soon as they saw Emma exiting the palace, the three immediately smiled and nodded respectfully.

"Good evening, Your Highness. We are sent by Prince Licht to pick you up. His Highness is waiting for you at the king's palace," said a man with a man bun. Judging from his attitude, he was the most senior of Therius' three bodyguards. He bowed slightly and introduced his two companions. "My name is Avato, these are my friends, Jorrin and Fen. We are members of His Highness Prince Licht's security team."

Emma only nodded to acknowledge them. She didn't have the energy to be friendly with new people. She could already guess that these three people were Therius's bodyguards because of their attitudes.

"Your Highness, please get on the Sunka carriage," said Fen respectfully. "King Cassius' palace is not far from here."

When she heard Fen's words, Emma realized that in the courtyard, there was a very beautiful carriage parked. It was made of solid wood. The carriage was big enough to accommodate up to eight people.

"Oh my..."

As soon as she saw the type of carriage sent to pick her up, Emma gasped in admiration. The word Fen used just now was 'Sunka' in Akkadian and Emma translated it as a carriage as it was the closest translation. 

She was expecting a normal carriage drawn by horses, like the one she was used to seeing on earth. However, what she saw parked in the courtyard was too beautiful for words. Sunka was actually a carriage pulled by winged horses. She immediately renamed it as pegasus carriage.

Emma felt like she was dreaming when she saw the animals that looked like horses with long silvery hair pulling the carriage. She felt like Cinderella and her carriage that would take her to the palace to attend the royal ball.

All pegasuses had a pair of beautiful big wings. There were a total of six of them pulling the carriage. They looked so impressive, and for a moment, Emma was dumbfounded, staring at the magical animals in admiration.

"Your Highness, is everything all right?" Atila asked Emma. Her assistant's voice moved Emma from her reverie. She immediately turned and nodded.

"I'm all right," said Emma. She immediately stepped closer to the carriage and get on with the help of Avato. It wasn't long before the six pegasuses flapped their wings and took them flying westward.

Avato was right when he said the king's palace was not far from Therius' place. Emma actually regretted the fact that their trip didn't last longer.

In no time, the beautiful carriage had landed in the middle of a small plaza within an all-white palace complex. The palace was even larger and more majestic than the crown prince'.s

"We're here," said Avato. He immediately jumped down to open the carriage door for Emma and helped her get off. "The crown prince is waiting for you inside."

"Thank you," said Emma. She walked in with Atila through a giant wooden door. Once inside, they walked along a wooden bridge that crossed a beautiful pond filled with colorful fish and many aquatic plants.

When Emma reached the middle of the bridge, she saw Therius standing at the end, waiting for her. The man smiled when he saw her and walked over to Emma to meet in the middle. The prince looked more handsome than usual because he was wearing an exquisite princely get up.

"Welcome to the king's palace. You look very beautiful tonight," he said earnestly. "My grandfather has just recovered from his illness. I hope you won't feel offended if his words are a little harsh during dinner."

Emma nodded, not saying anything. When Therius was about to grab her waist and walked together with her, Emma subconsciously brushed his hand away.

'Emma ... you promised to fulfill your role as my fiancée in Akkadia. Do you want to break your promise now?'

Therius' words instantly reminded Emma that she had indeed promised to play the role of Prince Licht's fiancée for the next five years.

However ... her father was already dead. Was there still a need for them to pretend?

Was their agreement still even valid?