THE PRINCESS RACE | ZB1 RICKY FF

19.

14 years ago
Shanghai, China

Elise sat on her knees in the garden of her uncle's house as her hand digged into the bush nearby, grabbing a escaping earth worm with difficulty. Standing up, Elise grinned proudly as she saw her aunt and uncle on the porch putting different meals on the table outside.

"Uncle! Aunt! Look what i found!" Elise screamed excitedly, her little feet running as fast as they could take her. Her aunt turned around first, her long blonde hair turning around first before her body.

"Oh what is it Eli- Ahhh!" She screamed out as Elise showed the fat worm she held between her two fingers. Smiling uncomfortably, her aunt stepped back her blue eyes looking between Elise and the worm finding ways internally not to hurt her.

"Elise, i think you must put that worm down." Her aunt said softly as Elise smiled brightly her hand going down slowly before she was pushed down to the ground.

Rahne saw her fall to the ground as she looked at her confused. "Oh sorry cousin, i didn't see you!" Her 12 year old cousin said as her mother chuckled patting her brown curls in admiration.

"It's fine Rahne you probably didn't see her." Her aunt said as Rahne nodded in agreement, giggling. She took out her crotchet napkin and showed her mother who gasped.

"Rahne this is beautiful!" Elise heard her aunt say as she looked at Rahne who smiled brightly, her eyes diverting to Elise before winking. Elise looked at the ground sadly.

The memory faded that night as the contestants sat around the table in the resort dining room for dinner. Elise chewed her food slowly watching the contestants laugh and listened to Rahne's stories.

"I learnt how to crochet by age twelve and how to swim by age ten, as a child i was very active. That's how i was raised." Rahne said innocently but Elise could tell she was bragging. The contestants around her scream in awe.

"I know your dad might be very proud of your achievements." A Contestant said as Rahne nodded sniffing softly as the contestants immediately cooed. Elise rolled her eyes and Jeongeui crossed her arms looking into the distance.

"I know he looks down on me everyday and is proud of my progress in The Princess Race, i will become a Princess just for him." Rahne said determined causing the contestants to clap.

"Can't believe you get the first dance with the Prince tomorrow." A Contestant said excitedly as Elise raised an eyebrow. "First dance?" Elise said as the contestant nodded.

"We will be meeting the King, Queen and the Crown Princess at a ball organised by the Prince, the winner of the elimination dances with him then he decides afterwards, Rahne won the first dance." The Contestant announced as Elise nodded slowly.

She obviously didn't miss Rahne smirking triumphantly at her.

Rahne won
Again.

Zai Zai left the studios later that night exhausted as she put her phone in her bag. "I need a drink." Zai Zai said as she walked out to the parking. Her second hand car was on the other side of the parking and Zai Zai cursed herself for parking so far.

As she walked, Zai Zai noticed a distinct black van parked in the near corner. Pausing, Zai Zai furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "I've never seen that van before." Zai Zai commented.

A gasp escaped her mouth seeing Matthew come out of the back and he was holding something  which was concealed, Zai Zai watched with large eyes Matthew remove a sniper from it's packaging and putting it in a separate bag.

Zai Zai's feet were working faster than her brain as she ran over to her car. 

Elise twirled around in a small circle in her room, Mary on a videocall looking at her in concentration. Her phone was on the bed in a standing position.

Her hands were out and Elise attempted to dance, it wasn't her strong suite either. Her feet stepped on each other causing her legs to lap over each other and she hit the floor with a thud.

Mary groaned.

"Elise get up! You have to be perfect for tomorrow." Mary said as Elise sat up, her hands on her lap. "Easy for you to say! Mom signed you up for ballet!" Elise complained and Mary scoffed crossing her arms.

"She offered you too at my age and you refused so suffer the consequences!" Mary blurted out and Elise sighed tiredly.

"This is gonna be a disaster i can feel it in my bones!" Elise said standing up as Mary hissed alerted. "Rebuke that right now! The Prince will be my brother in law!" She screamed out as Elise put her hands on her hips.

Quànrui looked out in the window in his bedroom, his eyes glued to the large shining moon above him. He thought of Elise and the fear that rushed through his body seeing her drown, closing his eyes. Quànrui heard a knock on the door.

Turning his head, Jiwoong gently let himself in as Quànrui smirked. Bowing, Jiwoong looked at Quànrui "Your majesty." Jiwoong said as Quànrui walked over to his bed.

"Jiwoong, am i doing it right?" Quànrui questioned, Jiwoong looked at him puzzled. " I'm not understanding your question your majesty." Jiwoong said causing Quànrui to chuckle looking to the side.

"I should be listening to my head but i can't help but listen to my heart.. it's conflicting Jiwoong." Quànrui stated putting his hand on the cheek Elise kissed him a couple of days ago. Jiwoong looked at Quànrui grinning slightly.

"Is your heart by any chance your majesty, leading you to Contestant Elizabeth?" Jiwoong questioned and Quànrui snapped his hand to him, he coughed slightly. "I didn't say that Jiwoong!" Quànrui defended and Jiwoong chuckled.

"You were thinking that your majesty." Jiwoong said honesty and Quànrui cleared his throat holding onto his gown tightly.

Jiwoong looked down smiling. "Your majesty, you created The Princess Race to have a choice, i believe you shouldn't waste the opportunity." Jiwoong said looking at Quànrui who stared back.

"I shouldn't waste it..." Quànrui trailed off looking into the distance once more.

What does that mean?