THE PRINCESS RACE | ZB1 RICKY FF

18.

Elise attempted to flap herself out of the water, but the more she sinked the more she couldn't reach the surface anymore. It was that deep. Elise's eyes opened briefly to see the other contestants floating perfectly as they continued the race.

Elise's heart thudded. It didn't even hurt her that she was drowning but it hurt her that she didn't even get eliminated honorably. She was right after all, The Prince needs someone like Rahne, not a constant liability like her.

Quànrui and Zhang Hao sat up and Zhang Hao looked at the monitor through squinted eyes "What happened to Contestant Elizabeth?" Zhang Hao questioned confused, when he got no response he turned his head to find Quànrui no longer next to him.

"Quànrui? " Zhang Hao questioned looking around to find no one around.

Rahne had caught 5 flags and Jeongeui 3 went Quànrui ran down from the  podium, the elimination paused as all the contestants looked at Quànrui whose face turned completely pale.

Kicking off his shoes effortlessly, Quànrui jumped into the pool causing the contestants to scream in confusion.

Swimming deeper to the ground of the pool, Quànrui saw Elise sinking completely down and Quànrui swam to her, just as her head was about to thrust into the ground Quànrui grabbed her wrist pulling her towards him. He looked at an unconscious Elise, carrying her bridal style before swimming to the surface with his legs.

Quànrui exhaled loudly as he made it to the surface, Elise's head popping out seconds later. The contestants gasped in horror as Rahne's top lip twitched from anger.

Putting Elise's body  on the ground gently, Quànrui put his two hands on top of each other before pumping Elise's chest. Elise was still unresponsive , Quànrui pumped her chest harder to remove the pool water that entered her system. He leaned down to her mouth ready to do CPR but Elise woke up , the pool water from her mouth spraying on Quànrui's face.

Taking a loud exhale, Elise coughed loudly as Quànrui leaned back holding his knees relieved. Elise looked at her surrounding mildly confused before her eyes diverted to a wet Quànrui and her body on the ground.

The contestants didn't know how to proceeed. Quànrui jumped looking at the intercom knowing what they were gonna announce.

"Hold on." Quànrui ordered to the intercom putting his hand out. "Roll out the viewer's votes." Quànrui said smirking. 

"Remember we said the viewers votes were gonna be needed this elimination? If Elise's viewers votes are high she still stays in the competition regardless of whether or not she finished the challenge or not. " Hanbin informed as Mary sat on the floor crying loudly before her head shot up at the news screaming loudly in victory.

"You not going anywhere sister!" Mary announced triumphantly putting her fist up in victory.

The viewers vote were shown on the monitor.

Rahne was at third with 123 109 votes.
Jeongeui was second with 207 444 votes.
And Elise was first at 470 000 votes.

Rahne's jaw flung opened as Chun cheered, Jeongeui looked at the votes with furrowed eyebrows.

"Contestant Elizabeth is staying in this competition." Quànrui began standing up before looking at the contestants in the pool. "She is a fan favourite and her votes have managed to save her from elimination, the rest of you still need to complete the elimination." Quànrui announced as he glanced at Elise briefly before leaving, Jiwoong behind him.

A staff member came up to Elise helping her up and escorting her back to the contestants home, Rahne looked at the scene punching the water in frustration, Chun watching her.

Elise sat on her bed looking at the ceiling silently. It's been a while since she's been back and she is so embarassed. Quànrui had to save her because she was so intent on winning a challenge, she was never gonna win regardless.

Maybe she wasn't cut out on being a Princess, she did enter the show in the first place to escape her marriage alliance with Farmer John so why would she think she's cut out for this. Something people like Jeongeui and Rahne have prepared for their entire lives, why?

Elise was taken out of her thoughts by a phone call, looking at the Caller ID she started to smile. "Hello?" Elise said causing Mary to scoff. 

"Elise, you almost died and you're so casual about it!" Mary screamed over the phone as Elise flinched, sitting up. "I didn't die did it?" Elise questioned as Mary scoffed "That's because my future brother in law came to save you!" Mary said proudly and Elise could tell she was grinning.

"Future brother in law?" Elise questioned as Mary hummed. "He is! Did you see how he saved you? Only husbands would do that for their wives." Mary said dreamily causing Elise to snort loudly.

"You won't catch dad doing that for mom and they've been married for 26 years." Elise deadpanned causing Mary to groan out loud "But you get my point don't you?" Mary questioned as Elise hummed.

"Do you like him?" Mary questioned again, Elise's eyes widened. "What! Mary!" Elise complained causing Mary to laugh "I'll tell my kids of this day." Mary said laughing out loud, Elise rolled her eyes.

"Don't talk about kids when you have maths homework to do!" Elise wheezed out loud before Mary groaned over the phone. "Hey!" Mary complained as Elise laughed.

"Go do your homework I'll call you later." Elise ordered as Mary hummed. Elise cut the phone as she heard the contestants cheering downstairs.

Walking downstairs, Elise saw the contestants circling around Rahne who smirked proudly.

"Congratulations on winning the elimination Rahne." A Contestant said as Elise's heart dropped.