189 I Want To Meet The King

Therius finally told Xion what happened. "My grandfather is only willing to let Emma go out of the palace after we get married."

"Uh, what? Why didn't you tell your grandfather that you both have agreed to 'get to know each other first' and then only get married in five years? You guys made that arrangement to buy time, right?" asked Xion. "Why can't he accept that? It's quite reasonable."

"The thing is ... my grandfather doesn't trust Emma," said Therius. "He is giving Emma two days to think. If Emma agrees, it will be taken as a sign of Thaesi's goodwill to make peace. I believe that right now, it is the only way for Emma to be able to meet her mother safely."

"Oh, that makes sense too ..." Xion gave it some thoughts and then nodded in understanding. He turned to Emma. "How about you. What do you decide? Do you want to meet your mother? I heard they managed to steal your father's body and bring him to Thaesi. If you act fast, you can still see him before the funeral."

Emma felt her heart wrench in indescribable pain when she heard Xion's words

"I don't want to be forced into marrying Therius," said Emma, ​​her voice trembling. "I'll try to meet my parents .. no matter what. And you ... will help me."

"Me?" Xion pointed at his own nose. "Why me?"

"Because you owe me one wish," said Emma, ​​staring at the man with a pleading look. "I'm not asking for expensive things ... I'm only asking you to help me meet my mother."

Xion was stunned by Emma's words. He remembered that he had indeed lost the race to Emma when they were in Daneria and as the penalty, he agreed to grant her one wish.

He swallowed hard. For some reason, now he felt trapped just like Therius when he was forced to grant Emma's request to win over Therius in their fight five years from now.

If he wanted to be honest with himself, Emma didn't actually cheat. She only collected the promise that Xion and Therius made if she won their race. The two men used to do it for fun, and never before had anyone made such a serious request when they won the race.

They also felt a little cheated that Emma hid her abilities as a herbomancer. However, if he was honest, Emma wasn't really cheating. By hiding her ability, she was just using all means to win.

"Are you going to back down on your promise to grant my one wish?" asked Emma.

Xion took a deep breath. "I never back down on my words."

"Then ... will you help me?" Emma's hope was reignited.

Xion turned towards Therius, and their two pairs of eyes met. Therius shook his head.

"You will endanger your own life and hers. Do not do stupid things," said the prince in a firm voice. "You are alone. You will not be able to protect Emma in reaching Thaesi. We did promise to fulfill her one wish but remember... your life is off-limits."

Emma also remembered that Therius and Xion had already made it clear that they would give her anything she asked for except their lives.

She felt dejected when she realized Xion wouldn't grant her wish because it would endanger his own life.

Therius looked closely at Emma. "Emma, ​​you know I love you. I never make it a secret. However, I will not let myself be overcome by my feelings for you. I have a great responsibility to my country. I also will not let you take my best friend's life. You have two days to think about my grandfather's offer. I will not be able to. protect you if you insist on leaving."

"I don't need you to protect me! I—.." Emma went silent. She realized, even though she continued to argue that she didn't need Therius' protection, the fact was, while she was in Akkadia, she depended on Therius' kindness.

Her hands shook with anger as she held the spoon she used to eat. If she let her anger overcome her, Emma would have left the dining room in a rage.

However, she toughened herself and bit her lip to stop herself from exploding with anger. Currently, her body was still too weak. Instead of running out, she should eat well and rest, then try to recover as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Therius really wished he could read Emma's mind. He saw the girl's expression looking angry, but to his surprise, instead of lashing out her anger, Emma chose to stop talking. 

What do you want to do, Emma? Therius could only ask himself.

They continued eating in silence. Emma really forced herself to finish her food. She was determined to recover quickly and find a way to get out of Therius's palace.

"I'm done," said the girl after she finished the food on her plate. She got up from her chair and raised her hand when she saw Therius stand up. "Don't follow me. I want to be alone. I need to think."

Emma then walked out of the dining room. She didn't look back until she disappeared behind the door.

"Poor Emma," Xion muttered in a low voice. "She has suffered a lot."

Therius was silent, not responding to Xion's words. He knew Emma had suffered a lot. Supposedly ... if all went according to plan, Emma would have been able to meet her parents soon.

Unfortunately ... there was an unexpected factor that messed things up. His cousin, Yared, managed to think of a cunning way to make peace between Akkadia and Thaesi impossible. Therius knew, with Kaoshin's death, it would be very difficult for him to soften Princess Arreya's heart.

Never mind Arreya, Emma also felt deeply hurt by the death of her father. The stress and grief experienced by the girl were so severe that her body condition immediately dropped.

Therius had never felt this angry with anyone before. He was determined to make Yared pay Kaoshin's death. Emma's father was his future father-in-law, and that made him family. Anyone who wanted to mess with his family would have to suffer the consequences.

Yared would pay a heavy price for this. Therius would make sure of that.

***

The next day, Emma met Therius and Xion again at breakfast. Therius deliberately waited for Emma to come out of her room before leaving for the king's palace.

"Emma ... the king called me to go to the palace. I will be out all day and come back at dinner time. You just rest at home and recover your condition, okay? Xion will still accompany you here and help you with anything."

Emma was silent for a few moments. She was deep in thought. After taking a deep breath, she then turned to Therius and looked at him intently.

"Therius, take me to meet your grandfather," said the girl firmly.

"Uh? What did you say?" Therius couldn't believe his own hearing. "You want to meet my grandfather?"

"That's right," said Emma. Her face was filled with determination. "After I meet him, I will decide whether I will marry you or not."

Therius was stunned by Emma's words. Was this girl really serious? Didn't she firmly refuse King Cassius' offer last night? Why changed now? Did she really think about it?

"I can't just take you," said Therius. "I will go to the king's palace and ask my grandfather if you can come and meet him. If he allows it, I will send my men to fetch you."

"All right. I'll wait."

"Hmm .. are you feeling better?" asked Therius again, attentively.

"I will never feel better," said Emma coldly. She then looked down and focused her attention on the food before her.

Therius didn't press on the issue. He also continued his breakfast quietly, wondering what Emma really wanted by meeting her grandfather.

***

"Your Highness, Prince Licht's man came just now. He said you are expected at the king's palace to have dinner together tonight. Prince Licht is so busy that he can't come back here to pick you up."

Kira came to report while Emma was sitting on her window sill, contemplating. She looked up and listened attentively to Kira's report.

"Oh, is that so?" Emma nodded softly. She returned her gaze to the window and stared at the vast garden filled with colorful flowers. The Crown Prince's Palace was beautiful and grande, but somehow, Emma couldn't admire the charm. She felt confined here.

"Doctor Atila also just came and wanted to check on Your Highness' condition," Kira added.

"Let Atila come in," said Emma.

"Yes, Your Highness."

A few minutes later, Emma's personal assistant, who was also a doctor, stepped into Emma's room. When her gaze landed on Emma, ​​who was sitting by the window with a grieving expression, the woman shook her head in sympathy.

"Your Highness.. My condolences for General Kaoshin Stardust," said Atila sympathetically.

"Thank you, Atila," Emma replied. She walked to her bed and sat on the edge, signaling Atila to come closer. "Atila, I will have dinner at the palace tonight and meet King Cassius. I want you to come with me."

"Yes, Your Highness," replied Atila obediently without daring to ask anything. "Is Your Highness feeling better? Yesterday when I checked your condition, your body was very weak."

"I'm feeling a little better, but I still need you at the king's palace if I get sick again," said Emma.

"Of course, Your Highness. I will always accompany you," said Atila earnestly.

"Thank you."

Around 5 pm, Kira and Ola helped Emma to get ready for dinner at the king's palace. They chose a pretty purple dress with a graceful cut for the girl to wear.

Emma later learned that purple was the color of mourning in Akkadia. She thanked her servants for being so thoughtful.
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