Finding Stardust

Finally, Marlowe relented and answered Emma's question while wrapping Lyra's wound with a bandage and then patting the animal gently to coax her to sleep.

"They're all my pets," replied Marlowe. "I brought them here from Taeshi."

"Oh ... it is so far," Emma exclaimed. She knew Taeshi was at the other end of the Akkadian empire. Their school was close to Terren, on the opposite side. So from here to Taeshi, it could take over a week by train.

"Oh ... I came here with the help of a Space Master," said Marlowe lightly. As if the distance was nothing to him.

Space Master?? Emma had heard about this mage several times, but she had never met anyone who was a Space Master. She had only met the Time Master.

"Did you really meet a Space Master?" asked Emma in surprise.

Marlowe shrugged nonchalantly as if being friends with a Space Master was the norm.

"Why do you look surprised? It's not that strange, right?" asked the man. "I've known Space Master for a long time, and she owes me. I can ask her for help at any time."

"It's not strange, you said?" Emma was dumbfounded "I don't know a single person who knows a Space Master."

Therius was the king of Akkadia, and prior to becoming the king, he was the crown prince for over ten years. However, even he couldn't ask for help from a Space Master when he traveled to Earth to get Emma. And here, Marlowe seemed to have a Space Master at his disposal.

It's so nice, Emma thought. A Space Master could fold space and move from place to place with ease. They were the space controllers and very powerful. 

If she was a Space Master, Emma could actually stay in the palace while attending school in the mage academy. Once she entered her dorm room, she would just return to the palace in the capital and slept there with her husband. Later in the morning, she would return to the academy and act like she was always in the dormitory.

"The Space Master helps me bring all my pets here," Marlowe said casually. "I would never leave without them."

"Ahh.. that is so nice. You are lucky," Emma said, feeling envious.

"Well, I saved her life. She owes me for life," Marlowe shrug.

Now, Emma wished she could save a Space Master too.

Emma was right. Marlowe treated his pets like his own children. The thought brought a smile to Emma's face. She decided that she liked this man.

Even though he was curt and his words were often mean, Marlowe was actually really nice, Emma thought.

They then fell silent. Nobody said another word. After she finished her tea, finally, Emma rose to her feet. It was already past midnight. She had better tell Marlowe that she really couldn't stay at the clinic any longer.

"Come on, I'll take you," he said casually.

With both hands in his pockets, he then walked along the path, away from his hut. Emma followed him.

"Where do you live?" Emma asked casually, following Marlowe's steps. The man didn't turn around. He just raised his hand and pointed back.

"Oh .. so, you live THERE?" asked Emma in surprise. "I thought it is a clinic."

Marlowe turned to her with a frown.

"You talk a lot, don't you?" he asked curtly.

Emma fell silent. She realized Marlowe was right. Usually, she was a reclusive and reserved girl. She was never interested in other people's business, let alone ask them unnecessary questions. However, for the first time, she found someone who could make her curious.

This annoying Marlowe turned out to have many secrets, and he led an interesting life. He was a Beast Master who had recently become a herbomancer. And he was also friendly with a Space Master? How unique!

"I'll shut up," Emma said finally.

They continued their journey without saying anything. Emma noticed that Marlowe had a nonchalant attitude, reminding her of Xion. However, Marlowe's steps were soft and almost without a sound. He walked like a thief.

"Here we are," said Marlowe as they stopped in front of the dormitory building. "You'd better get in right away and don't wander off at night. It's not safe out here."

"Thank you for escorting me," said Emma. She bowed a little and then walked into her dormitory. 

Marlowe stood there until Emma disappeared behind the door. After listening to his surroundings and making sure there was nothing suspicious, the man walked back to his hut.

***

The next morning Emma woke up to the birds chirping from behind her window. She stretched her body and opened her tablet. There was a good morning message from Therius.

Ahh .. reading that message made Emma smile. She began to feel the loss of not seeing her husband after they lived apart. Now, even a message from Therius could mean a lot to her. She realized she had taken his presence for granted before.

Emma didn't know what this meant. Was this a sign that she had started to love Therius? Or was it just a normal feeling to experience after being separated from the person you had always spent time with?

She still didn't know the answer. Ahh .. maybe with time, she would know.

Emma replied to Therius's good morning message and asks him about his schedule. After sending the message, Emma went to the bathroom and washed up before changing into clean clothes.

Emma decided to go straight to the dining room and had breakfast, then entered the hall to attend the new student induction held by the student council.

Emma was amazed when she stepped into the dining room; one by one the female students there raise theri heads to check on her, and many of them were staring at her with hostile eyes.

What is this? she thought in puzzlement.

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From the author:

I am so, sorry for this announcement. I will not be able to publish daily for Finding Stardust from today. Apparently, all the insomnia I've been having for two years had taken its toll on me and I now got a stomach ulcer. It never happened before in my 40 years of time walking this earth, so I was actually quite shocked. 

Yesterday it was so bad that I was in so much pain. Today, I thought I was better but apparently not. I have to rest a lot and take medication. Since I don't wanna die and leave my two young children to fend for themselves in the world, I now have to focus on my health and stop overworking myself.

Thus, I decided to slow it down with writing until I get REALLY better. The stress of having to publish daily for several books added to my health problems. 

I am now begging you for your understanding. I won't force myself to publish daily again, not for Win-Win, and not for regular readers of Finding Stardust, because I have to focus on my health. 

Thank you so, so much for your understanding and support. I deeply apologize for the inconvenience in your reading pleasure. I hope to get better soon and I can resume writing actively again since this is something I love doing.