The woman they greeted finally turned around and looked at the two men with a sharp gaze. Her beautiful light blue eyes were filled with pain. Therius was very impressed to see that Princess Arreya still looked very beautiful and elegant.

She really looked like Emma, he thought admiringly.

Even though the princess was nearing fifty, she only seemed a bit older than Emma that people might think they were sisters. Inwardly, Therius felt joy. He could see that just like her mother, Emma would still look great as she got older. He was really lucky!

"Who called me mother?" asked Princess Arreya as she glared at Therius. For a moment she was stunned to see the two men. Therius looked a lot like herself, which means, this man must look like her daughter. Suddenly, she was reminded of the Avena couple. Could he be Emma's fated husband? Did he mean to say he was her husband just now?

However, as her gaze caught sight of Xion, Arreya took a few moments to look at him properly. Her forehead creased as if she was remembering something.

A moment later, when she managed to remember where she had seen the young man, Princess Arreya stepped back a little. Tears started forming in her beautiful eyes.

Ahh.. it's been an awfully long time, she thought. It's him. The time has finally come.

Therius looked at Arreya attentively. Today the princess looked very much like Emma with her cold demeanor and tear stains on her dry cheeks.

Therius remembered that, in the past, Princess Arreya was known for her bubbly personality and how she always looked happy. That's why he told Emma, personality-wise, the girl must have taken after her father, who was quiet and cold.

However, now that he came face to face with his mother-in-law, Therius could see that Arreya's warm personality had changed too.

Maybe blow after blow of tragedy that befell her had turned her into someone aloof and sad like she was today. Princess Arreya now really reminded him of Emma.

Ahh ... the prince felt sad when he remembered that Emma should have been the one standing beside him now to meet her mother, but instead, she was detained by the king and Therius must persuade Princess Arreya to come with him to Akkadia to surrender.

"Mother ... my name is Licht Wolfland. I am the crown prince of Akkadia. I am also Emma's husband.. well, we were supposed to get married yesterday. That's why I called you 'Mother'," said Therius with a bow of respect. "I hope you're not angry."

Somehow, Princess Arreya did not seem surprised at Therius' explanation that Emma had returned to Akkadia. On her face was a relieved expression. "Oh .. Emma's home?"

Therius and Xion exchanged glances. They did not understand why Princess Arreya seemed to know already that her daughter had returned to Akkadia.

"You ... are you not surprised that Emma is in Akkadia? We only found out about her whereabouts a year ago, and my grandfather told me to take her home. King Cassius was willing to forget the grudges from the past and make peace with Taeshi. He would even set General Stardust free. Things should have gone well .. but everything was ruined by Queen Ygrit in the last minute..." Therius looked embarrassed as he told about his own grandmother's cunning plans that had resulted in Kaoshin's death and all the sufferings that Emma's family endured. "I am sorry for what happened... I wish we came back sooner."

"Where is my daughter now?" asked Princess Arreya in an urgent tone. She cast her glance to look around them, and then she looked up to the sky. Her face was filled with deep longing. "Which one of you is a telemancer?"

Therius nodded. "I am, Mother."

A smile crossed Arreya's lips. No wonder, she thought. She could not read the minds of the two young men in front of her. She already suspected both of them were high-level telemancers or two really powerful mages.

It turned out that both of her guesses were correct. One was a telemancer, and both were really powerful mages, especially the other one.

Arreya looked at Xion closely for some time, until the man felt awkward. Xion did not understand why Princess Arreya seemed so intrigued by him. Had they met? If so, he couldn't remember where and when.

"Where's Emma now? Why isn't she here?" asked Princess Arreya impatiently.

"Emma is detained by the king in the Red Tower. We almost got married yesterday ..." Therius did not want to go into details and decided to tell the short version so that Princess Arreya could understand what was going on. "My grandmother changed her mind at the last minute, and now they're holding Emma captive. She managed to delay her punishment by pretending to carry my child, but if I don't come back with you immediately, they'll find out Emma is lying."

"What ...? Emma is pretending to be pregnant?" Princess Arreya furrowed her brows in disbelief. A moment later, a faint smile etched on her face. Xion could see the proud expression on the beautiful woman's face as she muttered. "Ahh ... she sure is resourceful. My little girl is very clever."

"Right now, we don't have much time left. My grandmother ordered The Dragonite to destroy Taeshi's capital because you are there. It seems my grandmother's grudge is deeply rooted, and she would not rest until she saw you and General Stardust pay for it with your lives," Therius said apologetically. He hastily added. "You need to come to Akkadia with me. Soon, King Cassius will die, and I will take the throne. As soon as that happens, I will immediately pardon you and cancel all the punishments."

Seeing Princess Arreya's face still looked doubtful, Therius walked slowly toward the woman. With a gentle voice, he tried to persuade Princess Arreya to read his mind.

"Please read my mind, Mother. You will know that I am not lying." Therius turned to Xion and gave a signal for his best friend to approach as well. "You too, Xion. Didn't you come here because you wanted to be the neutral third party?"

Xion nodded and followed Therius' steps. Princess Arreya seemed to think for a moment before she finally relented. The beautiful woman raised both hands and touched Xion and Therius temples simultaneously.

The princess's face was slowly filled with emotion. After she got what she needed, the woman finally smiled and nodded. She now knew that the two young men in front of her were not the enemy. She was touched to know how they were only thinking about how they could save Emma and make her happy.

"Very well. I'll come with you. We must go to Winstad as soon as possible," said Princess Arreya.