Lili froze in the doorway. 'Crap. Why is he here? Did I walk into the wrong room? Or is this another kidnapping situation?'
"Come in, Princess," Wang Huo said, his voice deep and vibrating with authority. He didn't smile.
Lili gulped and stepped inside, the door clicking shut behind her. "Grand Duke Wang... what a coincidence."
"Is it?" Wang Huo gestured to the seat opposite him. "You sent a letter to the 3rd Prince. It was intercepted."
Lili's blood ran cold. 'Intercepted? By him? Does that mean he's enemies with Feng Jun? Or worse, is he working for the King?'
"I don't know what you mean," she lied, putting on her 'scared bunny' act. "I was just..."
"Save the tears, Yang Lili," Wang Huo cut her off. He poured tea for himself, his movements fluid and deadly. "I know you are playing a game. First, you claim to be a victim of debt in a brothel. Then, you claim to be an abused wife running away. Now, you are passing notes to the 3rd Prince."
He looked up, his gaze pinning her to the chair. "Who are you really working for? The Queen? Or are you just a chaotic element looking for trouble?"
Lili felt a genuine shiver of fear. Unlike Zhang Zuo (who was easy to manipulate) or Lu Wei (who was righteous but simple), Wang Huo felt dangerous. He saw through her bullshit too easily.
'He is definitely NOT Samael,' she decided firmly. 'Samael is an angel. This guy is a demon king. He's probably the final villain I have to avoid.'
"I... I am just a woman in love," Lili whispered, sticking to the script Feng Jun gave her, hoping it would confuse Wang Huo. "I love Prince Feng Jun. I am helping him."
Wang Huo studied her face for a long moment. He didn't buy it, but he couldn't find a crack in her expression either. He leaned forward, his face inches from hers. She could smell sandalwood and something metallic, like blood.
"You are playing with fire, Princess," he warned, his voice dropping to a whisper that sent goosebumps down her arms. "Feng Jun is not the saint you think he is. If you continue down this path, you will be consumed."
"Why do you care?" Lili asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Wang Huo pulled back, his expression unreadable. "I don't. But I dislike unnecessary casualties. Consider this a warning. Stay away from the 3rd Prince's schemes. Go back to being a spoiled Duke's daughter. It's safer."
He stood up, towering over her. "And the next time you decide to play 'Mimi' in the red-light district... don't."
With that, he swept out of the room, leaving Lili clutching her teacup with shaking hands.
She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. 'Okay, cross him off the list. Definitely not sleeping with him. He's terrifying. He's like a strict homeroom teacher with a sword.'
But despite her fear, she couldn't deny that he was incredibly intense. If he wasn't so scary, he would be exactly her type. 'Pity,' she thought. 'A waste of a handsome face.'
Just then, the door opened again. This time, a gentle, melodious voice drifted in.
"Lili? I heard you were here."
Lili looked up to see Feng Jun standing there. He was wearing white robes that seemed to shimmer in the light. His smile was warm, gentle, and utterly disarming. He looked like a savior descending from the heavens.
"Feng Jun!" Lili exclaimed, relief washing over her.
'Now THIS is Samael,' she thought, her heart fluttering. 'Look at that aura. Look at that smile. He's totally the angel.'
Feng Jun walked in, his eyes scanning the room. He noticed the second teacup. "Was someone else here?"
"Just... a disturbing encounter," Lili said, standing up and moving towards him. "But I'm so happy to see you. Did you get my note?"
"I did," Feng Jun lied smoothly (he hadn't, Wang Huo had intercepted it, but he had his own spies who told him Lili was here). He took her hands in his. "You are taking great risks for me, Lili. I am touched."
"I would do anything for us," Lili said, gazing up at him with what she hoped were love-struck eyes.
Feng Jun smiled, but behind his eyes, a calculator was running. He needed a pawn to disrupt the alliance between the Queen and the Grand Duke. Lili, with her erratic behavior and connections, was perfect. And if Wang Huo was interested enough to visit her... even better.
"Lili," Feng Jun said softly, caressing her cheek. "I have a task for you. It is dangerous, but it will bring us closer to the throne... and to each other. Will you do it?"
Lili nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! Whatever it is!"
'Yes! Give me a quest! Does the quest involve your bedchamber? Please say yes.'
"I need you to get close to General Lu Wei," Feng Jun whispered. "We need the military on our side."
Lili almost choked. 'Way ahead of you, honey. Way ahead of you.'
--
TBC