"How was the banquet earlier?" asked Therius. He looked at Emma intently.

"It was nice," Emma replied, "We met everyone from the academy. It was a good opportunity to get to know the teachers, school administrators, and student council members. Everyone looked nice and friendly. Do they hold the event every year?"

"That's right," said Therius. "It's an annual event to welcome new students."

"Oh ... that's great. I like that," Emma commented.

"I'm glad to hear that," Therius said, taking his wine glass back from the table and sitting down near Emma.

Ahhh .. he wished there wasn't any distance between them. He wanted so badly to pull the girl onto his lap and hug her waist, then kiss her nape ... and then...

His mind went back to the last time they made love. Ahh... he already missed her that much.

To distract his mind, Therius then asked Emma how were his old teachers doing. He wanted to know whether they were still teaching or not.

Emma replied that most teachers were still there, and some had retired, died, or moved to other schools. She also talked about Marlowe, who was very popular among female students and teachers alike.

Therius shook his head when he heard about Marlowe.

"He just doesn't change. When we were still in school, he was also quite popular among the ladies," Therius commented. "However, Marlowe never cared about girls, so their efforts to get close to him would be pointless. Marlowe prefers animals to humans."

Emma laughed at Therius' words. "I guess you're right. Even at dinner, he was so busy feeding his pet bird, instead of paying attention to his surroundings."

"Yeah.. that sounds just like him." Therius chuckled. His next words sounded nostalgic. "Ahh.. So many memories came flooding in when I took you to the academy this morning. I had a good life there..."

Emma refrained from asking if Therius was reminded of his experience and friendship with Xion at the academy because she didn't want to bring up the wound in her husband's heart.

However, apparently, Therius himself wanted to bring up the topic. He then talked about his experience when he met Xion for the first time. Then, when he and Xion were often punished by Mr. Olten for messing up in class.

"Ahhh .. my childhood in the palace was very unpleasant because my grandmother was very strict with me," Therius recalled. "So, once I got out to study, I was always looking forward to my return to the academy."

"Hmmm .. I'm glad you liked your experience here," said Emma.

"Well .. if I'm not lucky to have special powers as a mage, I think I'd never leave the palace. I would have been educated by my grandmother's hired teachers until I become an adult, and would never see the world," Therius commented.

"Hmm ..." Emma was silent for a moment. She stared at Therius for a long time, but she did not say anything, which made Therius puzzled.

"What are you thinking?" asked Therius when he noticed Emma's attitude, which he thought was different from usual. "Is something wrong? Did someone hurt you?"

Emma shook her head when she heard Therius' question, spoken in a worried tone.

"Ahaha .. that's not it. I just feel grateful because you really support me and let me do what I want," said Emma. She took a deep breath. "Thank you for giving me the trust to see the outside world, meet people, and make friends. Thank you for not demanding anything from me..."

Ahhh .. Emma didn't know how hard it was for Therius to let the girl out of the capital and live her life as a student, away from him. If he could get his way, he would prefer that Emma be with him, every time, all the time ...

However, he had learned not to be selfish when Emma almost died months ago. He realized that he had done many selfish actions in the past and wanted to make up for it. After all, he believed that Emma would be faithful. He knew Emma had chosen him and not the others ...

Emma didn't even choose Xion, his best friend, whom Therius thought was a much better man than him. For this reason, Therius felt that he should not be afraid that his wife would meet and like another man.

He had seen for himself how loyal Princess Arreya was to General Kaoshin Stardust during their dozen years apart. He was sure ... Emma was just like her mother.

"Hey ... don't say thanks," Therius said softly. "I just want you to be happy."

Emma nodded, but her face remained filled with gratitude. "I'm happy. I think my experience at school this time will be fun. I have met some girls my age, and I think I can be friends with them ...."

She stopped her words. Therius understood, there must be something that kept Emma from continuing.

"But...?" asked Therius. "Is something bothering you?"

"Hmmm ..." Emma rolled her eyes as she thought back to the chatter of the girls at her table. With a little annoyance, she then told Therius what happened at dinner. Her husband just listened and then smiled.

Ahh .. as far as he could remember, most girls of Emma's age were like that. He remembered his old school friends too when they were younger. These girls were not at fault. It's just that Emma was different from her peers. She had an old soul.

That was also another reason why he loved his wife even more. Emma was a special girl.

"They do not mean bad. It's because they are young. Later as they get older, their thinking will also change," said Therius finally. "I think that later you will get along well with someone who is older than you or as equally mature as you."

"Hmm ... you're right. They're not bad. It's just that I don't like spending a lot of time with them," Emma shrugged. "I will meet more people."

"That's right. If you don't like it, you don't have to spend time with anyone. There are lots of activities you can do on your own to pass the time. I'll tell you some interesting places you can visit while you are at the academy," Therius said.

"All right. I would like that," Emma said finally. She then remembered that she had met another telemancer who could read her mind. She decided to ask her husband for help to make her feel safer. "By the way, is there a way?to protect myself from a telemancer?"

"Telemancer?" Therius frowned.

Telemancer was very rare compared to other types of mage such as aeromancer, herbomancer, and pyromancer. Therefore, he was surprised when he heard Emma said she met a telemancer in school.

"Earlier at the academy, I met a telemancer. He is my senior," said Emma. "He can read my mind, and he now knows that I am the queen of Akkadia. I told him to keep my identity a secret ... but ..."

"But what, Honey?" asked Therius attentively.

"Is there a way to avoid him?" asked Emma." I don't want to feel mentally naked in front of other people. I don't like it when other people read my mind."

Emma then told about Bastian and asked for her husband's opinion.

"Hmm ... I also don't like it when people read what is on your mind," said Therius. "This could not be tolerated."

"Then, is there a way to protect myself from him?" asked Emma.

Therius nodded. "Yes, there is. I'll take care of him for you."

"Oh .. thank goodness." Emma was very relieved. "How would you do it?"

"I'm going to visit the academy next week and find all the telemancers there. I'll make them forget you. They won't read your mind, and they won't wonder why they don't," Therius said with a smile.

"Ahhh...." Emma understood what her husband meant. Since Therius was the highest-level telemancer, he could just find any telemancers in the academy, who were definitely in lower levels than his, and control their mind to leave Emma alone.

"That could work," Emma nodded in relief.

Now, she only needed to avoid Bastian for a week, until Therius came and saved her. She promised herself that she would train hard and level up quickly so she can better protect herself.

"Is there anything else you need?" Therius asked attentively. "How about the food? The room? Do you think we need to make upgrades for the dormitory? Can you live there well?"

Emma chuckled when she heard those questions.

.

.

\u003e\u003e\u003e\u003e\u003e

From the author:

Uwuu... sorry, I fell asleep in front of my computer while editing this part T_T