Therius glanced at his grandfather and tried to find out what kind of wound was on his grandfather's heart. What could be the cause of the wound?

Ah ... he really couldn't know for certain. It's amazing, whoever the person who did that. His attack was stealth and the injury could not be detected. Inwardly, Therius praised his friend. He could guess that Xion had frozen time, injured King Cassius, and then blocked Joren and Lora's attack on Emma.

If he didn't have Xion by his side, of course, things would have been very different now. Xion was the only man who could move faster than any humans in the world as he controlled time.

If Xion wasn't there, Therius ... could lose Emma for good.

Ohh .. he could not imagine it. If anything happened to Emma, ??he would go on a rampage and kill everyone responsible. Even if he had to become a fugitive and being hunted by all mages in Akkadia, he didn't care.

What good would it be for him to be king of Akkadia without Emma by his side? Emma Stardust was what he wanted all along, not really the throne.

The king and his entourage landed at the small plaza in the middle of the king's palace complex, twenty minutes later.

As soon as they landed, Therius was immediately brought by the king's guards into the palace, and he was prohibited from meeting his men and Xion.

"Take Prince Licht to the Red Tower. Don't let anyone see him until I allow it," ordered King Cassius to his guards.

"Your Majesty ... I'm not bewitched by Emma Stardust. My mind is sound and sharp. Please, let me see her. She is pregnant with my child!" said Therius respectfully. He decided to go with Emma's lies to protect her. However, King Cassius was very tired and sick. He did not want to deal with any more problems and, with a wave of his hand, ordered his guards to take Therius away.

"Prince Licht, let the court doctor examine Emma's condition. If she is really pregnant, her punishment will be postponed and you will be able to meet her after she gives birth to your child, before she is executed ..." King Cassius closed his eyes and held his chest with a pained expression. "I think your grandmother is right. Once you recover from Emma Stardust's charm, we will carry out your marriage to Princess Ydlwyn. That is for the best."

"Grandfather!!!"

It was in vain that Therius tried to soften King Cassius' heart, the old man had walked out of the hall and entered his residence. Meanwhile, two of the king's guards forcefully pulled Therius' hands toward the Red Tower. They still treated him with respect, but the two made no concessions to the prince, and half dragged him away.

No matter what, King Cassius was still alive, and he was currently their master. They served him, and only his orders were the ones they should heed.

Therius looked back and found the second pegasus carriage had landed, and the king's guards forced his men and Xion off.

Ugh ... damn it. In the king's palace, they were unable to use any magic. Therius was unable to communicate with Xion using telemancy. Nor could he influence the guards' minds to let him go. And Xion couldn't stop time to free them all from the king's custody.

Oh ... Emma. What happened to you? Where are they taking you? Are you okay?

Therius felt as if his chest was crushed by a very heavy object. He didn't know what would happen to Emma because now they were all under Queen Ygrit's thumb. They couldn't use their powers at all.

They would only be able to escape if King Cassius died, and Therius became the next king.

But ... when would King Cassius die? The wound on his chest was deep but very small ... Would he die before Queen Ygrit could kill Emma?

Therius was taken to the Red Tower. It was the tower closest to the king's residence and was made to detain important people. He remembered Princess Arreya and her husband, General Kaoshin, were detained here fifteen years ago after being captured and brought back to Akkadia.

It was their last time together. Kaoshin was then tried and sentenced to death, which later turned into life in prison, and Arreya never saw him again. Two weeks ago, she finally saw her husband... after he was executed.

So sad. Therius hated sad love stories and the fact that sometimes true love didn't even have a happy ending. He did not want to experience something similar to what happened to Emma's parents. No matter what, he must be able to save Emma and spend the rest of their lives together.

"Forgive us, Your Highness. The king asked us not to release you until we have further orders from him," said Ken apologetically. They took Therius to the top of the tower and put him in a huge room with tight security.

Therius looked at Ken and Asva, who were about to close the door behind them. His voice sounded threatening. "Ken ... I will soon become the king. If you know what is good for you, you should start to obey my words from now. If anything happens to Emma Stardust while I am in this cage, after I take the throne, I will not forgive you!"

Ken looked doubtful. He actually knew that Prince Licht, who was known to be very strict, would not make empty threats. This situation made them conflicted.

If they obeyed him, then they would be against the king's orders. However, if they didn't listen to Prince Licht now, he would definitely take revenge on them after he ascended the throne.

Finally, Ken could only take a deep breath. "Your Highness, I will make sure Princess Emma Stardust is all right. If she is indeed carrying your child, I am sure King Cassius will protect her until she gives birth."

After saying this, he then closed the thick door behind him and locked it. As soon as the door closed, Therius immediately punched the wall with great anger.

Emma is not pregnant ... then, of course, her lie will soon be exposed.

Therius couldn't imagine what would happen to Emma if they found out about her lie.

***

Therius couldn't sleep that night. He thought about Emma and what fate had befallen her. When a maid came to deliver dinner, the young man did not touch it at all. He didn't have an appetite because he was worried sick that Queen Ygrit would kill Emma.

After thinking the whole night, Therius finally decided to take drastic steps. He kept banging hard on the door of the room where he was detained.

"Hey ... open the door!! Whoever you guys are outside, open the door now!!" He pretended to be angry. "Why am I being held here? Who ordered you? Hey ... let me go! I am the crown prince!"

After he had been making so much noise for nearly an hour, the door finally opened. Therius could see four of the king's guards fully armed, standing by the door. Joren, Ken, Asva, and Lora.

Joren looked closely at Therius.

"Your Majesty ... have you recovered?" asked the tall man with a probing look.

Therius shook his head in surprise. "I don't remember what happened. Why am I suddenly here? Who ordered me to be locked up? I want to meet my grandfather now!"

The four king's guards looked at each other. Then, they bowed down respectfully.

"Your Highness, please come with us. His Majesty, the King, will receive you after breakfast. You can eat something first and then undergo an examination by the court doctor before you meet the king," said Joren again.

Therius frowned in displeasure. "Who ordered me to be locked up?"

"Uhm ... it was the king's order. Didn't you remember, Your Highness?" asked Joren to make sure.

Therius shook his head. "No. I just remember that I came home from a long mission, and after that, I don't remember anything else."

"Ohh .. alright. I think you must be hungry because you haven't eaten anything since yesterday. You should eat something and then let a doctor check your health. His Majesty is sick. He will meet you in his room after breakfast." Joren reached out his hands and gestured for Therius to follow him.

The young man pretended to be annoyed, but he still walked after the king's guards. They took him to a beautiful dining room overlooking a large garden with a small pond filled with swans swimming.

Food was served by maids, and Therius ate quickly. Even though he was very worried about Emma and Xion, he had to pretend he didn't remember what happened and act like someone who had no worries.

The king's personal doctor came and did standard medical checkups to make sure Therius was fine. After he nodded and gave his approval, Joren and his team escorted Therius to King Cassius in his room.