The recording ended there. The scene where Therius met with Kaoshin in prison suddenly disappeared. Now they saw the original living room space in the luxurious penthouse.

For a few minutes, no one said anything. Emma clenched her fists to her sides and tried to hold back her tears.

Her body trembled as she tried not to break down and cry right then and there. She must not show weakness in front of these two strangers.

Emma really missed her father. Her chest was filled with deep longing when she saw Kaoshin just now. After fifteen years, she finally saw him again... but the circumstances truly broke her heart.

After some moments of silence, Emma finally raised her face and looked straight at Therius.

"So ... what did my father say to you?" Emma asked hoarsely. "You asked him if he had something to tell me?"

Therius shook his head. His face looked regretful. "I'm sorry. I've got nothing from him. He still insisted that he doesn't have a daughter."

Emma nodded. "Okay..."

Therius looked at the girl attentively. "Now, do you believe that your father is still alive, and I can set him free?"

Emma nodded weakly. "I do. Thank you for your kind offer. I understand the situation now."

"So, what's your decision?" Therius asked in a gentle voice. He knew that what Emma witnessed just now must have made her really sad. That's why he tried to speak as gentle and thoughtful as possible.

Emma bit her lip. "I can't go home with you to Akkadia ... I already have a husband."

BADUMP!

Therius' chest immediately felt like it had been hit by a huge sledgehammer.

He knew that Emma was married, but he expected her to at least looked conflicting. It shouldn't have been an easy decision to make, between staying on earth with Haoran, or going back to Akkadia to save her parents. Right?

But why did she seem so determined about not wanting to go home? Didn't she long to meet her family again and stay together with them?

"I don't understand ..." said Therius. His topaz eyes looked astonished, staring fixedly at Emma. "Why?"

"My father and mother went to great lengths to hide me here so that I would not be a pawn in Akkadian's political conflict like my mother ... Even until the last moment, my father was still trying to protect me by denying my existence," Emma said with clenched fists and tears streaming down her cheeks. She looked very emotional. "My father would rather die than let me be brought back to Akkadia ... I must not waste his sacrifice by doing the opposite of what he wants."

Therius was surprised by Emma's totally unexpected decision. He opened his lips to say something, but no words came out.

When Emma saw Kaoshin repeatedly saying that he did not have a daughter, she realized that her father did not want her to go back.

That broke her heart, but at the same time gave her clarity about what she had to do. Her life on earth with Haoran was quite good. She already made friends here and they made her smile often. She also had Haoran by her side who loved her very much, and now they were even married.

If only the situation was different...

If there were no political conflicts involved and Haoran was allowed to go with her to Akkadia, then, of course Emma would choose to return to Akkadia in a heartbeat.

She believed Haoran would be able to live well with her in Akkadia. He only needed to learn the language. Then... they would all live happily together as a family.

However, at this moment, Emma was forced to choose between Haoran and her father. If she chose Haoran, then her father would remain a political prisoner in Akkadia. The conflict between Akkadia and Thaesi and other colonies would still be heated, and maybe it would turn into an open war.

However, if she chose her father, then she would have to leave Haoran on earth. She didn't know if she would be able to see her husband again. She and Haoran would suffer for the rest of their lives because they couldn't be with their loved one.

That's why, when she heard her father's determination and how he was willing to spend the rest of his life on Akkadian prison for her sake, Emma finally decided to fulfill her father's wishes.

"Your Highness, when you return, please tell my father that I love him very much ..." Emma said in a choked voice. "Tell my father ... that I am okay. I miss him, but I will stay behind, and I promise him that I will live well here."

"..."

Therius and Xion couldn't believe their own hearings.

Emma got up and walked to Therius. She stared fixedly at the man. "I'm sorry. I can't marry you."

She then turned and walked toward the door.

Therius, who was dumbfounded to see Emma walking away, spontaneously waved his hands. Suddenly, a wall of blue fire appeared in front of the door, preventing Emma from touching the handle.

The girl turned and looked at him with a frown. "What are you doing? Let me go!"

Therius stood rooted to the spot. He did not know why he had spontaneously blocked Emma's path. In his heart, he felt angry to see the girl he loved leave just like that. She didn't even spare him a consideration.

"Have you thought about it carefully?" Therius asked softly.

Emma nodded firmly. "I've thought it out well, and I made my decision. I won't change my mind. Please get rid of your fire."

When she saw Therius stand in his place, unmoved, Emma sighed and cast an angry look at the man.

She paid him no heed, then walked through the firewall and opened the door.

Therius was shocked when he saw Emma walk through his fire easily and had now closed the penthouse door behind her.

"Uhm ... I forgot to tell you, Princess Emma is a pyromancer, just like you," Xion said suddenly.

"What did you say??" Therius threw a confused gaze at Xion.

He lowered his hands, and instantly the firewall vanished.

So, Emma Stardust is also a pyromancer?