Finding Stardust

"Thank you," said Emma. She was happy because Therius was very attentive. She could feel how much he cared about her feelings. He even thought about how Haoran needed to be hidden away in the village so that no one could use him as collateral to pressure Emma.

In front of the crown prince's palace, several large and black travs were waiting for them. Seeing the entourage, Emma assumed they were leaving with a security protocol.

"We'll go to the little village where my late parents met for the first time. They still have a holiday home there, and I sometimes go there to calm my mind," Therius explained after they entered the travs and sat comfortably. "If we go there now, no one will be suspicious. People will think I'm taking you to my parents' holiday home to spend quality time together with me."

Emma nodded in understanding. She was happy that Therius thought about everything and being calculating. Actually, in this regard, Therius reminded her of Haoran. Her husband was a planified person and always thought several steps ahead.

After the crown prince and his future wife were ready, five travs took flight and immediately headed eastward.

Meanwhile, on top of the east wing tower, Xion was standing on the balcony of his room, sipping hot tea. He only nodded as his gaze landed on the newly departed group.

The man was deep in thought. It seemed that he no longer needed to stay in the capital. After the wedding between Therius and Emma took place, he would soon return to the mountains and went back to living a quiet life as a hermit.

But he didn't know exactly when the couple would get married. Hopefully, not too long in the future. He could not stand living in the capital for much longer, especially when he was reminded of how he was surrounded by dirty politicians and their schemes.

*** 

The trip lasted for two hours. Emma couldn't believe that the place they were going to was so far away. When Therius said he sent Haoran to be treated in a small village outside the capital, Emma thought it was on the outskirts, not too far from their place. But she was really wrong.

It was nearly 1000 kilometers away from the capital. They even passed a mountain before finally arrived at a green valley that stretched out vastly on the mountain's foot.

For some reason, this beautiful valley that was filled with hundreds of types of flowers and other plants reminded her of the valley on Planet Daneria that she visited with Therius and Xion. 

Ahh .. the memory about Daneria filled her chest with a warm feeling.

Being with Therius and Xion in Daneria was an experience she would never forget in her lifetime.

Therius understood that Emma had a special interest in plants because she was a herbomancer. He also suspected that Emma inherited Kaoshin's love for plants.

They arrived at the place Therius meant when the Akkadian sun was already high in the sky. Their trav finally landed in front of a large building with a lush garden around it.

"You all stay here," Therius said to all of his bodyguards. They bowed respectfully and stood guard in front of the building. Some went around to the other sides to secure the perimeter.

Therius took Emma's hand and walked inside. Emma could immediately suspect that this was not an ordinary hospital but a special place to care for long-term patients.

For some reason, when she stepped inside, her legs suddenly felt so weak. Just like that... Emma felt her strength disappeared.

"Are you okay?" asked Therius in a worried tone. He could feel Emma's body shaking and her legs starting to stagger. "Do you want me to carry you?"

Emma shook her head. She closed her eyes and tried to toughen up. After calming herself down, she started walking again.

The closer she was to Haoran, the sadder she became. She never experienced such heartwrenching pain before. Therius understood how the girl felt and didn't say a word. He knew there was no word of consolation that could make her feel better.

"Welcome, Your Highness." Natan walked briskly toward them from the end of the hallway and greeted them. His face was beaming. "What a coincidence you came ..."

Emma was puzzled by Natan's expression. The man looked happy. Was there something to be happy about?

Emma's chest suddenly pounded hard.

Did Natan have good news about Haoran? But... that's impossible!

"I want to see Haoran," Emma said quietly. "Where is he?"

"Please come with me. We placed your friend in a special room overlooking the valley. The view is so beautiful. The caretakers give him physiotherapy every day to make sure his muscles are not stiff or sore. You will be pleased to hear this news ..." said Natan.

Therius and Emma stopped in their tracks. They looked very surprised. Apparently, their suspicion was not wrong… Natan's happy expression had something to do with Haoran!

Is ... is Haoran getting better?

Emma didn't dare hope. Her head turned dizzy.

"What news?" she asked in a choked voice. Suddenly her chest felt so tight. 

"After being treated in this sanatorium for a week, today we saw an increased brain activity! I was just about to report it to Your Highness," said Natan happily. "As I said before, our devices could stimulate neurogenesis in your friend's brain. We thought the process would take a long time, maybe it would take years before we could see the results. Turns out, this happened sooner than I thought. Maybe our planet's rich oxygen and overall healthier environment contribute to his recovery process."

Emma's brain refused to work. Her legs had walked briskly down the hall while her mind was still processing what she just heard. She didn't even wait for Nathan to finish speaking. Her only focus was on the words that Haoran's condition showed progress.

The girl's voice was hoarse as she asked Natan, "Where is Haoran's room?"

Natan walked quickly to Emma's side and showed her the way. The girl walked automatically in a daze.

Therius stood rooted in his place, looking frozen like an ice statue. He never expected that, just when Emma finally accepted him, Haoran's condition was progressing.

What sorcery was this? How could this happen? He was aware of Haoran's health condition when they first met. He knew that Haoran's aneurysm would burst, and it would end his life. Since Therius wanted Emma for himself, ​​he deliberately kept the information a secret.

He became a bystander, waiting for Haoran to leave this world. However, it turned out that it was not as easy as he had imagined. Haoran suffered severe brain damage and went into a coma, but Emma refused to let him go.

The girl kept trying to find all kinds of ways to get Haoran to recover... until finally the two of them were stranded in Akkadia. Emma refused to go home to Akkadia unless Haoran came along with her.

That's why Therius decided to take Haoran with them. He hoped that one day Emma would be able to accept the reality and let Haoran go.

With his current condition, Haoran was as good as dead, and Emma must stop being in denial. She should say goodbye and let go of Haoran.

However ... why did suddenly Natan discover an increased brain activity? Why did he have to give Emma hope again? How long could Therius let Emma be in this uncertainty?

Therius closed his eyes and took a deep breath. After pulling himself together, he then walked to the treatment room where Emma and Natan entered.

Inside the large room, he saw that there was a treatment capsule with a handsome young man lying in it. His entire body was connected to various life support devices.

If the machines were not there, one would think the young man in the capsule was just sleeping. His body looked healthy, his skin looked fresh, and his face looked like he was smiling.

Therius had to admit that Haoran was like a sleeping prince. He was very good looking. After lying in a coma for nearly seven months, his hair had become longer. It went all the way to his shoulders. He now actually looked like an Akkadian.

"Emma ..." Therius walked over to Emma, who was standing frozen beside the capsule. The girl's face was stained with tears that flowed incessantly.

Natan also appeared to be standing rooted to his place. His expression was both shocked and disappointed.

His eyes stared dumbfoundedly at the machine beside the capsule. It had a screen on it.

And on the screen, they could see a flat line.