Yi Hua halts, her hands grabbing a piece of the chicken piece while her eyes roam around the room through her lashes, unconsciously the chicken piece drops out of her hand, "Hua…what are you doing?" Hu Ying mutters, baffled.
Widening her eyes, Yi Hua pulls her hands away and to her, wiping the oil off of her hand by her dress, "Ma…I am sorry. I have been starving since…I am so tired and hungry that I couldn't think about what I am doing." Yi Hua apologizes, growing embarrassed.
"Hua, this is etiquette. You must not be rash despite your state because you represent us, the whole family. You understand?" Hu Ying says, shaking her head and grabbing the chopstick.
Yi Hua nods her head, "Yes, Ma. I will keep that in mind." Yi Hua says, pouting, Hu Ying smiles, "Forget that and eat. I know you are hungry, how can my daughter stay starved?" Hu Ying comments, smiling as she places the chicken back in a bowl before her.
"Eat it with rice and soup." Hu Ying mutters, Yi Hua too mesmerized by the food to even respond back, "Leave us alone." Hu Ying says, eyeing the maids and gesturing to them to leave.
The head matron bows her head, walking out while the rest maids walk out following the head matron. Yi Hua grabs the chopstick and hurriedly places a mouthful of rice making Hu Ying smile.
"Eat." Hu Ying says, tucking Yi Hua's hair behind her ear, Yi Hua chuckles with her mouth full and goes back to digging the bowl, Hu Ying watches Yi Hua eat silently as they exchange a smile and a glance in a while.
—---
"Dao Ye." Yi Zhen calls out, Dae Ye who was walking on his own mind, halts, he turns around and bows his head, "Your Highness." He addresses Yi Zhen and smiles, "I have something to talk to you about." Yi Zhen says, receiving a nod from Dao Ye, they excuse themself to a little corner to avoid being seen by others.
"Yes, Your Highness." Dao Ye speaks, and Yi Zhen clears his throat, "I want to know how and in what condition did you find Hua." Yi Zhen gets into the situation and demands answers.
"Your Highness, we found princess Yi in very ragged condition as if she went through a lot. One of the soldiers first saw her walking her way towards the kingdom with dirt and bruises." Dao Ye says, recalling his memories from the event.
Yi Zhen nods his head, "Did you find anything suspicious?" Yi Zhen questions, observing the man, "Actually…" Dao Ye starts, hesitant and embarrassed but his hesitation has sparked curiosity in Yi Zhen.
"What is it?" Yi Zhen asks, tilting his head to the side.
"Uh, Your Highness… Princess Yi was talking to herself on her way back." Dao Ye says, looking away and scratching his neck, "What do you mean by that?" Yi Zhen asks, startled and in disbelief.
"I mean…I mistook her words for order as she later said it was nothing but I caught onto her talking…as if with someone but I could find no one but her." Dao Ye says, heaving out a deep breath.
"I know this doesn't make sense." Dao Ye mumbles, bowing his head and apologizing, Yi Zhen nods his head and frowns, "You can go." Yi Zhen orders, Dao Ye bows his head down and walks to his right.
Yi Zhen turns back to Dao Ye and speaks, "Wait!" Doa Ye turns back around, anticipating orders from Yi Zhen, "I want you to be by her side, all the time. Make sure you keep an eye on her and protect her from danger."
Dao Ye widens his eyes, "Me? Your Highness?" He asks, surprised.
"Yes, you. I want you to keep her safe. I can't leave her alone. What if she gets taken away again without our knowledge?" Yi Zhen speaks, seriously. Dao Ye gulps and nods his head, "Your Highness, don't you worry. I will protect her with my life." Dao Ye says, raising his sword and placing it close to his heart as he makes his vows.
Yi Zhen smiles, nodding his head he turns in the opposite direction and walks away, Dao Ye takes in a deep breath, and he too makes his way for what he had planned.
—--
"You were that hungry? Look at you and the mess around." Hu Ying says, shaking her head in disappointment, Yi Hua pouts, looking at the table with spilled soup around, some rice scattered around, and bowls upturned.
"I am sorry, Ma." Yi Hua apologizes, Yi Hua burps, gasping she closes her mouth, "Hua…didn't I teach you to control your body reactions?" Hu Ying asks, startled and astonished.
Yi Hua looks away, embarrassed, "I am truly sorry, Ma! I will not embarrass myself again!" Yi Hua shouts, pleading as she kneels on the floor with her head, Hu Ying takes a deep breath.
"It's fine. Get up." Hu Ying says, Yi Hua sits straight and avoids looking into her mother's eyes, "Ma…" Yi Hua starts, slowly stealing glances from her mother who attentively looks at Yi Hua to continue.
"I heard Lin Yi is in prison. It's not even her fault then why-"
"Then why were you taken away? She failed to do her job…she was supposed to look after you!" Hu Ying says, a little loud, Yi Hua widens her eyes, shaking her head no.
"It was not her fault, Ma. I did find myself in the middle of the jungle all of a sudden, okay? She is just a human. How can she do that?" Yi Hua says, trying to justify her mother but Hu Ying gasps out loud, her eyes bulging big with terror.
"What do you mean?" Hu Ying asks, cupping her mouth close in shock.
"Eh? I said Lin Yi is not at fault." Yi Hua sticks to speaking up for Lin Yi but Hu Ying wasn't even listening to them, "Did a demon take you away?" Hu Ying asks, tearing up.
Yi Hua frowns, "What?" She asks, startled.
"Did a demon take you away? Is that it? Oh god-"
"Ma, calm down." Yi Hua regrets bringing it up, yet she wasn't even aware of her words now that she mentioned it. How was she gonna handle the situation of her sudden disappearance when she just appeared?