Four Months Ago (Part 12)

["Don't pretend to be clueless. I hate liars the most"] Prince Ping's words endlessly reverberated inside Xiao Yiu's mind, slowly eating away at her confidence. She parted her lips wanting to respond to him. Yet, under Prince Ping's intense glare, Xiao Yiu's mouth became hopelessly dry and not a single word would come out.

"Speak," Prince Ping said loudly, his patience dangerously reaching its limit. [Liu Ding Yiu, why won't you say anything?] He restrained himself from charging over, grabbing the girl and physically shaking her for a response. [Liu Ding Yiu, talk to me!]

Feeling increasingly angsty from the pressure coming from Prince Ping, Xiao Yiu could only look away. The little amount of calmness she was able to gather shattered completely with his few words, and she began to doubt herself again. [Prince Ping is this angry with me, did I possibly do something...] Her eyes instinctively moved to stare at the black straw doll lying on the ground. [Have I honestly not seen this doll before? Or....] She nervously clutched at her dress, sweat coating her palms [or... do I just not remember seeing it?]

Xiao Yiu wasn't the only one experiencing a dreaded nervousness, Prince Ping was as well. He had to turn his gaze away from her for half a second to calm himself. [Liu Ding Yiu, why are you reacting like this] a silently observing Prince Ping questioned. He had kept his eyes on Xiao Yiu the whole time. He deliberately allowed Tong Liluo to question Xiao Yiu, all so he could watch her reaction and judge for himself. But the longer he watched, the more desperate he felt. [One second you look confused, then the next you look so calm and now your acting scared. Why? What does this all mean? Did you or did you not curse Yourong?] "Stop acting like a mute and explain yourself Liu Ding Yiu," Prince Ping angrily demanded.

"Your highness I...." Xiao Yiu managed to say but paused. She didn't know what more to say, for she had no idea what was going on. The situation was a massive confusion to her. And most importantly, she wasn't certain if she had once again lost her memories.

"Tell me Liu Ding Yiu. Why are you here? Why do you have this cursed doll with Yourong's name on it?" Prince Ping continued to interrogate. [Answer me honestly. I'll listen if you say you're innocent] he sincerely thought. "Liu Ding Yiu, don't lie to me," he said.

His words though not intended to be, came out sounding like a severe warning to Xiao Yiu. "I will not lie to you," she responded clearly and honestly. "That's why..." [I can't say anything more] Xiao Yiu couldn't finish her sentence. Tears swelled up in her eyes. [I don't know what's happened. I don't know because my memories are gone again...] Her grip on her dress tightened [that's why I've nothing to say. Because I will not lie to you... I'm sorry, Qian Ping].

Seconds of silence passed by as Prince Ping waited. He never averted his gaze from Xiao Yiu, patiently waiting for her to say something. However, Xiao Yiu remained silent. Her lips were tightly pressed together as though sealed shut forever. She couldn't say anything. What could she say? Tell him about her memory loss? No. Xiao Yiu just didn't have the courage to let him know.

"So, this is your final answer," Prince Ping finally said. He then yelled out, "Liu Ding Yiu, do you know your silence is the same as your acceptance of guilt?"

Unable to bear anymore of this, Xiao Yiu looked away from Prince Ping. [Without my memories, how can I know] she wanted to say. [I wish I could be more certain. But every time I lose my memory, I know I've done and said things I wouldn't normally. This time too is no different]. She now clenched her hands together [that's why I'm scared].

[You won't admit through words you've done it. So are you implying you're innocent? If you are innocent, then why won't you deny cursing Yourong?] Prince Ping wanted to continue shouting out. [Liu Ding Yiu, like this, what do you want me to do?] Clenching his fists in vexation, Prince Ping finally turned his back on Xiao Yiu. "I gave you a chance. You gave me your answer. So I'll take it."

"Prince Ping...." Xiao Yiu could only meekly utter.

"Liu Ding Yiu, I don't ever want to see you again," Prince Ping stated. He made his way towards the door, "I've never felt so much hate for someone before. You are the first."

Tears flowed down Xiao Yiu's cheeks. Her watery eyes losing sight of Prince Ping who left, leaving her all alone again. She clenched at her aching chest and cried. "Why did this happen?" she sobbed, unable to control her tears or emotions. It felt as though her heart was breaking; as though she was dying from the inside. "The last thing I want is for you to hate me...." she cried louder. "Why? Why did this happen?"