"Yes, Your Highness. It was him." Lin Yi says, nodding her head, "When I walked into the room to get you, you weren't there." Lin Yi says, recalling the memory.
"Tell me everything you witnessed." Yi Hua says, dragging Hu Ying with her and she gestures to the Queen to sit down, Hu Ying looks at Yi Hua and then at Lin Yi before she takes a deep breath and sits down.
"Yi Hua sits down on the opposite side of Hu Ying and pats the space beside her for Lin Yi, both the woman gasp at her gesture, how was a maid supposed to sit before the queen and beside a princess?
"Ma, you should get used to the fact that Lin Yi is a dear friend of mine. She is not like any other maids." Yi Hua says, trying to ease the atmosphere, Lin Yi hesitantly walks to them and sits on the side of the table instead of the space directed by Yi Hua.
Hu Ying looks away, unused to this new setting and environment, "Go on and speak up." Hu Ying says, looking at Lin Yi, Yi Hua pouts but she understands their situation so she shuts up.
"I knew about the Princess and him, so I thought Princess Hua escaped out as she used to some time to meet him." Lin Yi says, biting her lip and growing nervous about the Queen's stare.
"And? Did he come to you? Or did you go to him?" Yi Hua asks, crossing her arms and listening to her properly. Lin Yi blinks her eyes, the questions startling her, "Uh, of course, me." She says, growing nervous.
How did you meet him? Was he here inside the palace?" Hu Ying speaks, Lin Yi bites her lips, the lack of emotions and harshness hinting in her tone made her shiver.
"Yes, Your Grace." Lin Yi says, looking down.
"Yi Yi, please explain in brief." Yi Hua says, urging Lin Yi to speak assuring her with her soft gaze.
"I started running around the building looking for you. You were supposed to meet him, Your Highness. And I thought you went without me so I started running to the place you meet him every time." Lin Yi says, taking in a deep breath.
"And? What happens?" Yi Hua asks, "And… when I went to the garden out of the palace, I saw no one. I grew scared so I started looking around further but no, you weren't anywhere."
Lin Yi looks at Yi Hua and then heaves out a sigh, "As I was returning back hoping to see you back in your room, I saw him."
"You saw him? Where? Was there anyone with him?" Yi Hua asks, growing excited and curious, Lin Yi widens her eyes, "Your Highness, Do you already have an idea about this?" Lin Yi asks, shocked.
Yi Hua chuckles, "Then, he must be with someone. TaoTao?" Yi Hua asks, raising a brow and growing serious again, Lin Yi gasps, "Oh my god, Your Highness, how did you know?"
Yi Hua smirks, "Don't worry about that, and just tell me what happens." Yi Hua says, patting Lin Yi's shoulder, "I saw him with Princess Tao Tao, they were… um, they were -"
"Don't get nervous Lin Yi, I am over that bastard and I don't care whatever he does. Just tell me everything you saw." Yi Hua says, assuring Lin Yi while Hu Ying looks at Yi Hua with sadness and affection before she focuses her gaze on Lin Yi.
"I saw them hugging each other and stealing kisses from one another. First, I assumed Princess Tao Tao was you but then I called out loud for you and they separated." Lin Yi says, playing with her fingers, bewildered.
Lin Yi licks her dry lips and looks up, "And then they threatened me to open my mouth about what I witnessed but I got angry because they were cheating on you…so…"
"So?" Yi Hua chuckles.
"I threatened them back that I will tell you everything but they were smirking at me. I went back to your room but you weren't anywhere. Soon, guards stormed inside my room and took me away." Lin Yi finishes, taking in a deep faltering breath.
"So, it's them. The second family wants to harm you. I will make sure-"
"Ma. This is my fight, okay?" Yi Hua stops her mother, and Hu Ying widens her eyes, "What? But you are my daughter." Hu Ying says, in disbelief.
"If something goes wrong then I wouldn't want you to get in trouble, Ma. You stay neutral but help me." Yi Hua says, flashing an encouraging smile.
"I need to out, Ma. With this marriage thing, I need to work fast. I need to gather information and take my revenge." Yi Hua says, determined.
"Is it necessary?" Hu Ying asks, "You can just speak up and tell your dad about it, no?" She adds, tilting her head and looking at Yi Hua, expectantly.
"Of course, Ma. It is, my life depends on it." Yi Hua says, taking in a deep breath and nodding her head, "But what about your safety?" Hu Ying asks, frowning.
"Your Highness?!"
Yi Hua chuckles, "I completely forgot about him." Yi Hua says, turning around, "Who is he?" Hu Ying asks, Yi Hua turns around, "He is Dao Ye. Brother Zhen assigned him for my protection. He will help me with my revenge." Yi Hua says, giggling, "Are you really sure about this, Hua?" Hu Ying asks, growing concerned.
Yi Hua looks at her mother, determined she nods her head, "I am fighting for myself, Ma. Nobody deserved to be hurt and betrayed." Yi Hua says, clenching her palm in rage.
Hu Ying and Lin Yi get startled by the depth of the rage and hatred she had borne inside her, the soft, calm and foolish Yi Hua was now smart, independent, and strong which caught them by surprise.
"Your Highness? Can you let me in?! I need to check up on her!" Dao Ye shouts outside, Yi Hua comes out of her trance and turns around, "Ma, I should leave. I need to have a talk with Dao Ye." Yi Hua says, standing up and bowing her head.
Lin Yi too, stands up and bows her head down, greeting the Queen goodbye, Yi Hua makes her way to the door and Lin Yi follows behind, "Your Highness-"
Dao Ye stops shouting when the door opens and Yi Hua comes out of the chamber, "Your Highness? Are you okay? They wouldn't let me in…so I had to scream, I apologize." Dao Ye apologizes sincerely, bowing his head down.
"It's okay. I am fine, let's go… we need to talk." Yi Hua says, walking ahead, Dao Ye smiles and looks up but widens his eyes seeing Lin Yi before him, "You…ahem, let's go." He mutters, walking ahead, following Yi Hua.
Lin Yi too, speeds up trying to catch up despite her injuries giving her pain and trouble.