The Discovery

Earlier Xiao Hui had informed Meryl of the Marquis arrival, Hence Meryl was anxiously waiting for her father's arrival. She didn't know what to expect or how to react. She didn't know if he would recognize her as his daughter or as the prince's fiancé. She didn't know if he would love her or hate her. And didn't know if he would protect her or harm her.

She felt a surge of emotions. She felt worried, anxious, uncertain, and fearful. She wondered how her father would be. She didn't know what kind of person he would be if he could hurt innocent people and cause chaos and destruction. She wondered how different he would be from her real father she knew and loved.

She also felt curiosity, confusion, and doubt. And wondered why this had happened to her and what she should do, if she really transmigrated into the book or if this was all a dream. And most important of all, if there was a way to go back to her own world or if she was stuck here forever.

She didn't know what to expect.

She wished she could talk to her real father, the one who was in her world, hear his words of advice, and feel his hug of comfort, telling her that everything will be okay, that everything will work out fine.

But she couldn't.

She was stuck in this world, in this body, in this role.

***

While in thought, She heard footsteps outside the door and tensed up. She saw the door open and two men walk in. Two men who looked like they came out of the book. Two men who looked like...

The Fourth Prince and the Marquis.

They were Lu Xian and Yuan Wei, the prince and Yuan Xi's father.

She was surprised to see both of them. She had met the prince before and it was a nerve wrecking encounter, although she didn't remember what happened next because she blacked out, but as for the Marquis, she was surprised because she didn't expect him to be so handsome and young looking, "i mean this man hasn't aged one bit", thought Meryl to herself.

They walked into the room with confident steps, scanned the room with their cold eyes until they landed on her. They stared at her with unreadable expressions, and spoke with deep and commanding voices.

"Yuan Xi, are you awake?" Yuan Wei asked.

"Yes... father," Meryl startled out of her stupor answered.

"How are you feeling?" Lu Xian asked.

"I'm fine,....thank you," Meryl said.

They each approached the bed and one sat on her side while the other was standing. They looked at her one with a look of concern and affection, while the other with a warm gaze. Her father touched her face and hair gently and smiled at her warmly, while the prince subtly smiled at her.

She knew they were lying.

They didn't care about her well-being or happiness. They only cared about their own ambition and power, and only saw her as a pawn in their game.

She knew they hated each other so much, they wanted each other dead.

But they hid their true feelings behind masks of courtesy and civility.

They were enemies pretending to be allies, waiting for who will slip up and reveal his flaws first.

***

Meryl felt uncomfortable and uneasy. She didn't know what to say or do, and didn't know how to act or behave. She didn't know what they were trying to do, who to trust or who to believe.

She could feel the undercurrents surging between the two of them and the tension filling the air in her room.

She wished she could escape from this situation and from this world right away, and go back to her own world and to her own life. But she couldn't.

She decided to play along and pretend to be Yuan Xi, although right now, she really is Yuan Xi. She hoped to find some clues or answers that could help her understand what was going on and what she should do. She hoped to find some allies or friends that could help her survive and adapt in this world, while also hoping to find some way or chance to go back to her own world.

She decided to play along until she found a way out.

***

She asked them questions about the attack, the culprits, the investigation, and the situation. They responded with vague and evasive answers, avoiding any details or specifics. They reciprocated by asking her about her injuries, recovery, feelings, and needs. She replied politely and gratefully, refraining from complaints or requests.

During their conversation, they engaged in superficial exchanges, pretending to care while secretly testing each other's intentions and motives.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. They turned to see a maid entering the room, bowing respectfully.

"Your highness, your lordship, My Lady, please excuse me for interrupting," the maid said. "But I have something important to report."

Lu Xian, growing impatient, asked, "What is it?"

"Your highnesses, your lordship, I found this under Lady Xi's bed," the maid said, holding up a crumpled piece of paper.

She handed the paper to Lu Xian, who opened it and read its contents. His expression turned cold.

Yuan Wei also examined the paper, furrowing his brow but maintaining his composure.

Meryl looked at the paper, gasping in surprise at the words written on it.

Meryl's mind screamed, bewildered by this unexpected turn of events.