"Ma, you called me-" Yi Hua halts on her words, eyes wide as she watches Lin Yi before her eyes, Hu Ying looks at Yi Hua as she stands still, shocked and processing everything.
"Yi Yi!" Yi Hua shouts, and with a sad but relieved smile, she runs to Lin Yi, throwing herself against the weak girl's embrace, startling Lin Yi herself while Hu Ying watches her daughter show deep affection to the maid.
Hu Ying couldn't understand why Yi Hua was getting so attached to the maid, she didn't seem this attached before, Lin Yi gasps, not knowing what she should do, hug her back? Or stay still?
Lin Yi hesitantly looks at the Queen, looking away as she grows nervous, "Your Highness… you s-shouldn't hug me…" Lin Yi stutters out her thoughts, Yi Hua frowns and pulls back.
"Why shouldn't I?! I was so scared…thank god you are out of that shitty place. Let's return back." Yi Hua says, grinning happily as she grabs Lin Yi's hand and drags her to the door.
"Hua, stop there." Hu Ying speaks with authority while Lin Yi hangs her head down, scared and nervous, Yi Hua tilts her head, confused and curious as she faces her mother, anticipating something.
"Yes?" Yi Hua asks, the silence overbearing to her curiosity.
"We need to talk." Hu Ying says, sternly knowing very well her daughter wouldn't enjoy what she was about to share, but she had a daughter to protect and she wouldn't, not at any cost let her daughter suffer.
"Ma?" Yi Hua frowns, growing uncomfortable with the sudden tension between them.
Yi Hua gulps and looks at Lin Yi as she stays silent just beside her, like a statue, not even a movement.
"You must be aware of the rumors acknowledging that you tried to escape." Hu Ying starts walking toward Yi Hua, Yi Hua gulps and senses a different firmness and sternness in her mother's tone.
"Uh… yeah." Yi Hua says, looking away.
"Ma, I don't want-"
"I know." Hu Ying cuts Yi Hua, taking in a deep breath, Hu Ying stands before Yi Hua, "I don't want that either." Hu Ying adds, caressing Yi Hua's head and giving a sad smile to which Yi Hua smiles widely.
Her mother was against the marriage, she was happy she wouldn't have to work hard.
"Then, will you talk to, father?" Yi Hua asks, hopefully, Hu Ying shakes her head no as she looks hesitantly into Yi Hua's confused eyes, "Why?" Yi Hua asks, letting go of Lin Yi's hand and grabbing her mother's hand with sad eyes.
"You know your father. He won't listen… for him human existence matters more than his family but for me… I can't bring myself to choose our existence over your life and happiness." Hu Ying says, grabbing both of Yi Hua's hands and cupping them softly.
"Ma…" Yi Hua calls.
"I have already decided… I am going to protect you." Hu Ying says, looking determined, Yi Hua smiles, "But how will you do that?" Yi Hua asks, growing relieved and thankful for her mother being so supportive.
"Did you hear that the demon wants to find himself a bride? Either he has someone he wants or he is trying to provoke the King and showing his power." Hu Ying says, gritting her teeth in rage, the demon sure is playing with her mind.
"... or, he just doesn't want to be married to anyone, I mean just anyone." Yi Hua adds, "I hope he has someone so that he wouldn't want me." Yi Hua says, grinning happily. Just the thought of him not wanting her made her happy.
"But the king is determined to get him to marry you." Hu Ying says and the smile fades off of Yi Hua's face, "But why?!" She whines, "Because you are a royal. If this is to provoke the king then the king wouldn't just watch, he sure wants you to get married."
Yi Hua gulps, "Ma, this is gonna be such a mess." Yi Hua says, imagining what would happen in the coming future.
"You are going to stay hidden." Hu Ying says, grabbing Yi Hua by her shoulder, "Is that why you had me locked inside my chamber?" Yi Hua asks, gasping in disbelief.
Hu Ying avoids looking at Yi Hua, "Ma! That doesn't work this way!" Yi Hua snaps, Hu Ying frowns, "Then how does it work?!" Hu Ying blurts out, "Ma… " Yi Hua mutters, biting her teeth in nervousness.
"I just want you safe." Hu Ying says, her voice now filled with love and concern, "I will have to see him anyway, Ma. I am the princess, right? If the demon king comes here… he will surely ask to see me."
"That's why I am saying you should stay hidden." Hu Ying retorts back, "Ma, that's absurd. How will I stay-"
"This maid, she will be the princess as long as the demon lord stays here. She will take your place." Hu Ying says, cutting Yi Hua in between her words, Yi Hua scoffs in disbelief.
"You are joking, right?" Yi Hua asks, shaking her head she places her hands on her hips as she looks at Lin Yi, "Did you agree to it?" Yi Hua asks, "Agree? She has to obey and why are you asking a maid for her opinion?!" Hu Ying snaps, weirded out because of Yi Hua's changed demeanor.
"Because she is my friend! Her opinion matters! I can't risk her life for me, I won't do that!" Yi Hua shouts, Lin Yi widens her eyes, lips trembling in shock as her eyes water, never had she ever thought Yi Hua valued her this much.
The love and affection Lin Yi felt from Yi Hua's words were indescribable, "Your Highness, I want to do it." Lin Yi says, for the person who cared for her so much to not risk her life, she could do anything.
Yi Hua was everything to her, her family, her friend, and her home and because of that warmth and appreciation from Yi Hua, Lin Yi was happy enough, "I will do it. I will protect you." Lin Yi adds, smiling through her tears.
Yi Hua looks at Lin Yi surprised, "You cannot always sacrifice for me… you deserve so much more." Yi Hua says, tearing up and shaking her head.
"You don't have a say on it, Hua. The girl wants to do it, if you try to interfere, you will be locked, you want that?" Hu Ying asks, raising a brow, Yi Hua scoffs.
"I can't believe you are telling me to -"
"Guards, take her to her room and don't let her out." Hu Ying says, looking right into Yi Hua, daring her to go against her order.