Finding Stardust

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Emma didn't know what to answer when she heard Therius's earnest proposal. It came too suddenly and she was caught off guard.

Therius continued to stare at her with a pounding chest. He was anxious to hear Emma's words that she would marry him. He knew that he didn't need to ask, she would marry him anyway as they had set the wedding for tomorrow, but he was a traditional man and on the night before they got married, he wanted to hear that statement from Emma.

Emma realized that the man would not rise from his position if she didn't give him an answer. Her mind was busy thinking.

Won't she and Therius get married tomorrow? Whether she said yes or no, they would still get married. What was so important in asking the question now? Therius already knew the answer.

To Emma, this was a marriage of convenience, nothing more. At least, not yet.

But when she looked at the two beautiful topaz eyes on his face looking hopeful, Emma didn't have the heart to brush off this proposal.

Why didn't she just say yes? After all, she already knew what would happen.. they would become husband and wife very soon.

"Therius ..." Emma looked at the man attentively. "What is it that you like about me? Why did you fall in love with me? And .. when did you start loving me? I've never heard the reason from your lips. I guess I'm just curious and want to know why, before I can say what I feel about your proposal."

Therius' thoughts drifted to the past, to the moment over twenty years ago when he was still a child and almost died. At that time, Emma saved his life. It left such a deep impression on his little heart.

Then, his memory went to the moment seven months ago, when he suddenly stared at the face of the girl who saved him when he was little, on the screen of a messenger ship. He finally knew her name, and realized who she was.

From that moment, his love blossomed, and it grew at a dangerous speed after they spent so much time together in The Coralia and The Dragonite.

But, should he tell her everything? Wouldn't it be better if he kept this secret for the rest of his life?

"I love you ... because you look like my first love." Finally, Therius answered after thinking for a while. He felt there was nothing wrong with telling the truth, but he wouldn't tell her the whole truth.. yet.

He hoped someday, Emma would realize that she and that girl was actually the same person. When that time came, everything would make sense for everyone.

Right now, he still couldn't explain what happened and how they had met in the past. He didn't want Emma to think he was crazy.

"Oh ..." Emma was stunned by Therius' reply.

So .. she was just a substitute for another girl?

But ... after thinking for a moment, Emma realized that she had no right to be angry. She also did not love Therius romantically. For her now, their marriage was a mutually beneficial political transaction. 

After all ... if Therius made Emma a substitute for another girl, wouldn't Emma also make Therius a substitute for Haoran?

In this regard, they were doing the same thing. With that thought in mind, Emma nodded and smiled slightly at Therius.

"Thank you for being honest with me," said the girl. "Yes, I am willing to marry you, Therius."

The man smiled broadly until he showed off his usually hidden dimples. His chest filled with joy as he rose from his knees and walked over to Emma Stardust. Each of his hands held Emma's hand on their sides.

He leaned close to Emma's body until, finally, there was no distance left. Emma felt her chest pound. She had never been this close to Therius before, other than the time when they kissed.

The man's face was very close to hers. She could even feel their heart beat in rhythm, both were pounding.

"You ... can start calling me Licht," said Therius with a smile. "That's the name my mother gave me. I was born when a huge comet passed, and the night sky looked very bright."

"Really? Looks like your birth was very special," said Emma. "but I'm going to need some time to get used to your new name. I've known you for seven months as someone else."

"I understand," said Therius, still smiling. The flutter on his chest slowly subsided, and now his heart began to calm down. He was delighted to hear Emma's answer to his proposal. The girl was willing to marry him.

He let go of Emma's hands and then hugged her tightly. For a moment, Emma was dazed. The night air began to turn cold around them, but her heart was filled with warmth.

Slowly, she raised her hands and then hugged the man back. After all, this man was her soon-to-be husband. Therius always treated her very well. He had promised to help get Emma's revenge, and he thoughtfully gave Emma time to mourn after they got married.

It seemed Emma would not find another man who was so understanding and loved her so deeply.

"I love you," Therius whispered. He then kissed Emma on the forehead.

"Thank you," Finally, Emma answered awkwardly.

She knew she had to say something, but she didn't want to lie and said she loved him too. Maybe someday, after she finished mourning for Haoran, and her heart was open to receiving Therius' love, she would be able to love him back.

Therius understood what Emma felt, and he was satisfied with her answer.

A few moments later, the man released Emma from his embrace. He invited her to sit on the bench and look at the city below them. It was now filled with lights from the buildings, like a valley of lights. While the sky above them was lit by billions of stars and the three moons.

"You know Emma, ​​everything down there is yours," Therius said suddenly. "Everything up there... will be yours too. If you stay by my side, we could rule the world. Someday, I will make the stars in the sky shine just for you."

Emma hiccupped at Therius' words. Since when had this man gotten so good at flirting? she thought.

"Uhm ... I just want you to keep your promise to give independence to all the Akkadian colonies," said Emma.

"I'll do it," said Therius. "After I take the throne, I will hold a limited court meeting with all of the ministers and advisers and announce my decision."

Therius didn't really need their colonies because now Akkadia was exploring the vast universe. There were too many planets they could exploit already.

Once he freed all of their colonies, he would immediately send home all the princes and princesses of the four colonies who had been held as hostages in the Akkadian capital. The very first one to go home was Yldwyn, back to Terren.

If there was no colony, he would have no reason to marry Yldwyn to prevent Terren from rebelling. What would they want to fight for? He would give them the freedom they wanted as a gift to celebrate his wedding to Emma Stardust.

This way, the people of the five colonies would know they were indebted to Emma Stardust for their freedom. Of course, there would be implications from this decision, but Therius was sure he would be able to handle everything well.

"Look, some lanterns are flying from the city!" Emma commented suddenly. She pointed down the hill.

Sure enough, in the sky, several dozen lanterns were starting to rise from the capital.

Had the festival started?

"Usually, those who fly the lanterns early are families with small children," commented Therius. "The kids have to sleep soon because tomorrow they have to study. So, their parents give them lanterns to fly before they go to sleep."

"Oh, I see." Emma nodded in understanding.

Ahhh ... she could imagine how beautiful it would be if the adults started the festival and flew thousands and even tens of thousands of lanterns into the sky. It would feel like being surrounded by thousands of fireflies.

"Do you want to go back to the palace now?" asked Therius.

Emma nodded. "I think so. Xion is waiting for us."

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From the author:

I want to join Wattys (writing) competition in Wattpad and so the book cannot be published on other sites. It has to be exclusive on Wattpad. So, go find the book now before it's gone. The title is:

Ludwina \u0026 Andrea: A Love That Never Fails.