Chapter 9: Confused

"And who are you?" Aunty Linda asked, sounding irritated. "How did you get in here?"

"Mom! He's the CEO of a famous company!" Scarlet shouted in a whisper.

Aunty Linda's eyes widened, and she suddenly became submissive, bowing to Prince like a sheep.

It was true, when you have money, you are respected, but when you have nothing, you're treated worse than a stray dog because, in their eyes, you're useless or have no value.

"Why didn't you say so earlier? I'm sorry . . . Uhm . . . have you eaten? Beauty, prepare some food--"

"It's not necessary," he said firmly, looking at me.

His face softened because of my current situation. He approached me and helped me stand up, and after that, he led me out of the house.

I felt like I was floating. My whole body felt weak from everything I had just heard. I was dazed as I got into the car, remaining silent and unable to speak because Aunty Linda's words kept echoing in my ears.

"Are you okay?" Prince asked me.

I couldn't look at him because my tears continued to flow. My lower lip trembled, trying to hold back the tears, but I couldn't stop them from falling endlessly. It felt like everyone had conspired against me.

It felt like I was being stabbed in my back, completely unaware of the conspiracy happening around me. The pain was unbearable, even worse than Aunt Linda's insults.

I covered my face with my arms, desperately trying to suppress my sobs, but I couldn't hold back any longer. Tears streamed down on my face uncontrollably. I felt betrayed by everyone around me. It was excruciatingly painful, this is more painful than Aunt Linda's insults.

I sensed Prince's hand on my arms, gently removing my cover and pulling me into his embrace, trying to comfort me.

"Let yourself cry for now, but I promise to make sure you won't shed tears anymore after this," he whispered softly.

I continued to cry until the heaviness in my heart gradually eased. He wiped the tears from my cheeks and as he wiped away the remaining tears from my eyes, he looked at me intently before asking.

"Are you feeling better? Has it lighten your burden, even just a little?" he inquired.

I simply nodded in response.

He smiled faintly at me before resuming his driving, which he had paused earlier due to my crying moments.

"I apologize. I'm late," he said. "I hope you can forgive me."

I shook my head.

"You don't need to apologize. Honestly, my emotions are a mess right now, especially the guilt I feel towards you."

"You shouldn't feel guilty. If anyone should feel guilty here, it's me."

I was confused, I turned to him, and he averted his gaze.

"W-why would you feel guilty? I should apologize because I lied to you, but you still saved me," I said while my voice was trembling.

"There are many things you need to know," he replied.

"Know? About what? I have some questions for you, but they're not that many."

"About your identity."

I felt like my world was spinning. I was once again hurt by the thought that everyone around me had conspired against me. I thought Prince was on my side, but it seemed like he knew something about me, even though we had only just met. Why am I the only one in the dark about my own Identity?

I looked at him, but he avoided my gaze.

"What do you know that I don't? How did you find out who I am? And why? I . . . I don't know anymore. I'm so confused. Do you know everything while I know nothing? Why is it? I don't like this!" I exclaimed, pulling at my hair.

"Please . . . calm down, let me explain," he pleaded.

I fell silent, even though a multitude of questions flooded in my mind. There were so many things I wanted to know, but with the overwhelming confusion, I didn't know where to start.

We arrived at a mansion that I was certain belonged to Prince. The car entered the premises, and my eyes widened at the grandeur of the place. It was more like a castle from a fairytale. If I weren't in my current state, I might have enjoyed and appreciated the scenery.

The car came to a stop, and a maid greeted us. Not just one, but four servants escorted us and provided us with shelter as we entered the mansion.

My jaw dropped at the sheer size of the mansion. All the questions I had earlier vanished from my mind, and my attention focused solely on the castle-like structure.

It wasn't just a mansion; it was a palace. There were numerous guards inside the palace. How wealthy was Prince Yuahn Lee?

I turned to Prince, who was looking at me. I had so many questions, and now there were even more. I didn't know where to begin, but I promised myself that I would ask him each question, one by one, especially regarding my identity.

I had a strong intuition that Prince knew my true family or had information about them.

Prince took hold of my hand and led me to an elderly man wearing a crown.

I could clearly see his age, his white hair tinged with gold, his white mustache, and the wrinkles on his face.

Prince bowed, and I panicked and I bowed as well. It seemed like a King was sitting in front of us on the throne.

My entire body trembled from the intense nervousness. It was my first time entering a kingdom, and I had no idea that a kingdom even existed.

I couldn't look directly at the man standing before us. His aura exuded authority, and I wasn't mistaken in assuming that he was the King of the kingdom we had entered.

"I-Is she my granddaughter?" the King asked Prince, and he looked at me.

"What is it, your Majesty?" I replied to the King and I turned to Prince, and our eyes met.

Confusion filled the room.

"Is she truly my long-lost grandchild?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, she is," Prince said.

The King is still looking at Prince.

Filled with bewilderment, I asked a series of questions.

"Who? Me? Why me? How?"

"Why not you?" Prince asked me with a smile.

I was overwhelmed by what I had just heard. Why did everything suddenly make sense? I was lost in confusion, unable to process all the thoughts racing through my mind.

Suddenly, I felt dizzy and disoriented. I didn't know what happened next, but I sensed someone lifting me, and I knew it was Prince.