Hero 108: Lin Chung and the Cat princess

Chapter 11

Nina pov.
"Are you the mysterious girl from the bamboo forest?", Lin Chung asked me, sounding like he already knew the answer. "I'm sorry, I didn't want you to find out this way, but I knew that I did have to tell you sooner or later.", I said, feeling really guilty about lying to him. "When were you planning on telling me?", Lin Chung asked. "The night after our wedding?", I said as I looked at him. "Nina, you shouldn't have lied to me.", Lin Chung said. "Are you mad?", I asked as my ears flattened against my head. "No, I'm just... disappointed. Do you not trust me?", Lin Chung asked me.

Lin Chung pov.
After I asked this question, Nina gave me a surprised look as her ears stood up in alarm. "N-no, Lin Chung, I do trust you. I've only known you for a few days, but... I feel like I've known you forever. You understand me better than anyone else. I'm sorry for lying to you; I thought that if you knew, you wouldn't want me around.", Nina said as she teared up a bit. "I wouldn't have cared who or what you are or what you can do. I can tell you're kind and smart and thoughtful, but you didn't have to lie to me. I would have understood. I'll still be here for you, okay?", I asked her as I reached out and gently grabbed her hand, causing Nina to blush a bit. "Okay, thank you, Lin Chung.", Nina said, giving me a soft smile.

A moment of silence passed as I sat down and looked at her. "Nina, do you actually want to get married?", I asked her. "W-why do you say that?", Nina asked, sounding surprised by my question. "Because when we were in the forest the other day, you told me that the Cat King was making you do something you didn't want to do. Do you not want to get married?", I asked her.

Nina pov.
I think about my answer for a moment before I spoke, wanting to tell the truth and not wanting to hurt Lin Chung's feelings. "I don't. And it's not because of you, it's just that my father wants me to take over Cat Castle if he decides to go back to Big Green, and I don't think I'm ready for that kind of responsibility.", I admitted. "Because you want to write?", Lin Chung asked as I nodded in response. "Yes, and because I wouldn't be able to leave the castle if I was queen. I want to go out, have my own adventures, and help people, and this place makes me feel... trapped.", I said as I felt Lin Chung put a hand on my shoulder. "Then you should tell your father. Maybe you both can find a compromise.", Lin Chung said. "No offense Lin Chung, but the chance of getting my father to compromise is about as high as us getting out of this hole.", I said.

3rd person pov.
Suddenly Jumpy's jump rope came down next to them. Nina and Lin Chung both looked up and saw Jumpy, holding onto the jump rope as Mystique Sonia held onto Jumpy with her tongue, along with a couple of the cat kings servants holding onto each other, making a chain up to the top. At the top of the hole, Bear Stomp and Mighty Ray are holding onto everyone. "Grab. On.", Jumpy said. Lin Chung grabbed the rope with one hand and held out his other hand to Nina. Nina grabbed his hand as Lin Chung pulled her close, wrapping an arm around her waist as Nina put her arms around him. "Pull. Up.", Jumpy said. "You heard him, pull!", Mighty Ray said as he, Bear Stomp, and the rest of the cats started pulling everyone up.

When they pulled everyone up, Lin Chung climbed up before pulling Nina up. Everyone cheered as the Cat King rushed over to Nina and hugged her. "Oh princess, are you alright?", The Cat King asked her as Nina hugged him back. "Yes, father, I am perfectly safe. Nothing happened.", Nina said. As soon as the Cat King stepped away, High Roller jumped in between them. "Not yet!", High Roller said as he pulled out a pink rose from his front pocket before blowing the pollen into her face.

Lin Chung pov.
I saw High Roller blow some pollen into Nina's face as she started coughing. "What did you do to her?", I asked as I reached for my staff. "Lin Chung don't! he used the love rose on her.", Woo the Wise said as he stopped him. "What the heck is a love rose?", Mighty Ray asked as Woo the Wise flipped open the book on his hat to a picture of a pink rose before pointing to it. "The love rose is a rare and magical flower. If you smell its pollen, you will fall madly in love with the first person you see.", Woo the Wise explained.

"Besides, you're already too late! Now she'll love me instead of you! Zebras! Boost me up!", High Roller ordered as the zebra brothers quickly lifted High Roller onto their heads so that he would be face to face with Nina. Nina soon stopped coughing and rubbed her eyes before looking at High Roller. I saw a slight pink sparkle in her eyes before she blinked and gave High Roller a big smile. "Oh my darling!", Nina said as she picked up High Roller before hugging him, causing everyone to gasp in surprise. "You-you can't let this happen! Break them up!", Mighty Ray said to the Cat King. "I'm sorry, but I'm afraid that there's nothing I can do.", the Cat King sadly replied.

High Roller pov.
I glanced over at Lin Chung as the princess hugged me. Ha! Beat that Lin Chung; I finally won! I got the princess, and next I'll get the castle! The princess then put me down before leaning down, closer to my level. "Sweetheart, I have a surprise for you. Close your eyes.", The princess said. "Of course, my sweet.", I said as I closed my eyes before puckering up.

Lin Chung pov.
I felt my heartbreak as I watched this. Nina, the girl I admired and admired me a moment ago, was about to kiss High Roller. I was about to step in and stop them, but Woo the Wise stopped me. "Patience Lin Chung, something tells me that you will want to watch this.", Woo the Wise said. I was confused by his statement, but then I saw something very unexpected happen.