THE PRINCESS RACE | ZB1 RICKY FF

9.

"Oh my goodness! I deeply apologise your majesty!" Elise said getting off Quànrui and bowing so low her nose touched the grass, Quànrui stood up holding his pained eye before laughing. Elise put her head up in confusion.

"Really it's okay, stand." Quànrui said as Elise followed his instruction still unable to look him in the eye due to embarassment consuming her whole. Elise looked around to see Quànrui usual bodyguards no where to be seen.

"Pardon me your majesty but what are you doing here?" Elise questioned as Quànrui glanced at her before walking ahead of her, Elise looked at him confused before Quànrui stopped turning his head at her. "Won't you come with me on a walk?" Quànrui questioned as Elise furrowed her eyebrows . "M-me?" Elise said as Quànrui nodded, it seemed to finally click in Elise's head who clapped her hands in realization and ran up to where Quànrui was.

The two walked in silence at first, Elise not being able to bear such an awkward atmosphere before Quànrui started speaking.

"Sometimes i desire a break from the palace life." Quànrui said as Elise listened intently looking at his side profile to find it frustratingly perfect. Quànrui continued "All my life I've been in the spotlight, i sometimes desire the life of a commoner." Quànrui said looking at Elise while flashing his charming smile, Elise nodded.

"When i was younger i wondered what it meant being a royal now i see it first-hand here, I'll rather stay with my gullible mother and controlling father." Elise grumbled on looking at Quànrui who said nothing, amusement gracing his face. Elise cleared her throat "I mean.. the life of a commoner is bare compared to a life of a prestigious royal your majesty, forgive me if i went too far." Elise said bowing as Quànrui shook his head grabbing her hand before she could bow any further "No.. it's okay don't treat me like a royal.. not tonight." Quànrui said softly as Elise finally made eye contact with him, he let go of her hand before walking with a sense of class again.

Elise walked next to him once more.

"So tell me, without the cameras here why have you joined the Princess race?" Quànrui questioned as Elise heart dropped.

Was she legible to tell him?
Mary told her not to.

"If the Prince asks you your intentions on the Princess Race, say you are simply there to fufill your family wishes on finding a husband." Mary stated out as Elise packed her bag in a frenzy looking over her shoulder "But I'm not being very honest." Elise argued as Mary groaned , slapping her into reality, Elise looked at her shocked cupping her paining left cheek.

"Do you want to get married to Farmer John?!" Mary screamed out as Elise shook her head in pure disagreement "N-no." Elise said as Mary grabbed her shoulders "Then lie like your life depends on it."

"I aim to fufill my family's wish of getting me married, I'm a hopeless romantic after all." Elise said as the last few words slipped out unconsciously. Quànrui looked at her skeptically "Is that so?" Quànrui questioned and Elise felt like slapping herself.

He could see through her lie.

"Can i be honest with you your majesty?" Elise began as Quànrui positioned his body to look at her "I was only looking for honesty the whole time." Quànrui said as Elise sighed "My father wants to marry me off to his friend 31 years my senior." Elise stated as Quànrui's eyes widened but he managed to keep his composure forcing Elise to continue.

"I have my whole life ahead of me, i can't conform to that alliance so that's why i joined the Princess race..." Elise trailed off looking down in embarassment "You can eliminate me right here if you want to." Elise said not knowing why her heart was pounding the way it was.

Quànrui said nothing for a few seconds before taking a step forward, carefully and slowly he lifted her chin up with his finger making her look at him. Elise felt her heart pound against her ribcage.

"Elizabeth we are more similar than you think." Quànrui said smiling at Elise who smiled back.

The dark background of the star painted sky behind them.