Nine Hot Therians and Their Only One Queen novel Chapter 277

**When She Opened the Door to the Life She Was Afraid to Live by Nora Vale Kingsley**
**Chapter 277: Emma to the Rescue**

The moment Emma’s fingers brushed against the door, it swung open effortlessly, as if welcoming her presence.

Thero and the Third Elder, Edward Smith, had been standing outside for what felt like an eternity, and they were completely taken aback at the sight of Emma framed in the doorway.

Thero nearly jumped out of his skin, his heart racing. “Ms. Tibarn, what on earth are you doing here?” he exclaimed, his voice a mix of surprise and confusion.

And in Mr. Smith’s bedroom of all places?

Questions swirled in his mind. When had Mr. Smith brought her here? What had transpired while he had been waiting outside?

Emma’s smile was warm and inviting as she greeted him. “I think Mr. Smith must have brought me here,” she replied, her tone light yet tinged with uncertainty.

A flash of realization struck her; she surmised that during her unconscious state, Drake had awakened and somehow transported her to the Thalassian Palace.

What did she mean by ‘must have’?

Thero’s heart sank as a sense of dread washed over him. His instincts screamed that something serious had occurred.

Without wasting another moment, he peered into the room, searching for answers.

Just then, Drake emerged, a perplexed expression on his face, with Remy perched precariously atop his head.

Thero rushed forward, lowering his voice to a near whisper, “Mr. Smith, why did you bring Ms. Tibarn here? Does His Highness know about this?”

Had Mr. Smith lost his mind out of longing for her presence? Had he brought her here while His Highness was away on business?

“And why, for the love of all that is good, do you have a fruit hanging from your head?”

That was certainly not the image of authority he wished to project as the overlord of three domains.

“Take it off, now!”

Drake shot Thero a wary glance, his expression shifting to one of annoyance as he shuffled closer to Emma, as if seeking refuge.

He frowned, crossing his arms. “Who are you? Why are you so close to me? Do I even know you?”

Thero’s breath caught in his throat, frozen in disbelief.

Edward, stationed by the door, mirrored Thero’s shock.

What on earth was happening here?

Thero’s mind raced as he stared at Drake, unable to comprehend the situation. “Mr. Smith, it’s me, Thero. Don’t you recognize me?”

Drake shook his head stubbornly. “No. I don’t know you.”

The rejection stung.

He didn’t want to.

This old man was just too strange for his liking.

“What about him?” Thero pointed shakily at Edward, his voice quivering with desperation.

Drake repeated his earlier response. “Don’t know him either.”

Thero’s voice trembled with urgency. “When you were just a child, he changed your diapers. You really don’t remember?”

“Emma, these two old men are bizarre. I don’t like them. Let’s go.”

Diapers?

“Second Elder, please rise. I will assist Drake in rebuilding his mental consciousness,” Emma said gently, her eyes filled with compassion.

Remy continued to sit on Drake’s head, and Emma felt a surge of protectiveness. She couldn’t let anything happen to him.

After a brief pause, Drake approached, impatience etched on his features.

“Emma, can we go out and play now?”

“Mommy, Daddy said he’ll take us to Coral Bay. He said it’s really beautiful there.”

Thero’s heart sank at the mention of “Coral Bay,” and tears began to fall anew.

“Even though Mr. Smith has forgotten everything, he still remembers Coral Bay.”

“What’s so special about that place?” Emma inquired, her curiosity piqued.

Thero wiped his tears away, his voice steadying. “When Old Mr. Smith was alive, he often took Mr. Smith there. After Old Mr. Smith passed, Mr. Smith would go alone. Ms. Tibarn, Coral Bay is a place of beauty and safety. You must go. I will arrange for discreet protection.”

If Drake had been himself, he wouldn’t have required such measures.

But now, with his mental state in disarray, Thero deemed it wise to have guards follow them just in case.

“Emma, let’s go,” Drake urged, unable to tolerate the old men’s incessant chatter any longer.

He tugged at Emma’s hand, eager to leave. As they stepped out of the Thalassian Palace, they encountered Kieran, who had rushed over in a flurry.

When Emma had visited Frostveil, she had known Kieran wouldn’t handle the cold well, so she had sent him back to Aquadome first.

After learning that Emma was in the Thalassian Palace, Silas and Lucien had instructed Kieran, the closest to her, to keep her company.