THE PRINCESS RACE | ZB1 RICKY FF

26.

"Contestants the Prince plans on meeting you right now in the backyard of the resort." The intercom rang out waking Elise up from her slumber, Elise blinked her eyes to no light realising it was now the evening.

Sitting up, Elise stretched her arms and stared into nothing. Her mind went back to her time with Quànrui, exploring the city, eating noodles, planting stickers on each other faces then-

"We kissed!" Elise screamed out, covering her mouth immediately with both hands after realising she was too loud.

She really kissed the Prince and confessed her feelings at the same time, the Prince confessing his feelings back and telling her she was the one he planned on marrying. Elide's cheeks started to blush furiously.

Being in love made Elise feel weak because she laid back on her side and she kicked her feet in the air, squealing into her pillow, her heart jumped from excitement on meeting the Prince once more. She had to do great in tonight's challenge so she can stay in the race, no matter what.

Getting out of her bed, Elise got ready for tonight's challenge by changing into her usual tracksuit when she did challenges.

"Elise, you've been sleeping the whole day? Are you sick?" Chun asked Elise as the remaining contestants walked to the challenges area, the resort already too big to navigate plus it was super dark, the bright moon an only source of light along with the flashlights handed to them by staff.

Elise bit her lip "I had an all nighter, i was watching dramas." Elise lied and Chun nodded her head believing the lie. Elise looked away and immediately caught Rahne's heated eyes on her, furrowing her eyebrows. Elise forced herself to look away.

The contestants made it to the challenge area seeing it an re-enacted version of the chocolate room in Charlie and the Chocolate factory at least from what Elise could make out.

Large fake candies were all over the grass, followed by a pink pathway that started from where they stood. Elise looked around in confusion. "Isn't this Hansel and Gretel?" Chun asked anothet contestant who put her shoulders up in confusion.

A loud trumpet was heard and Elise's heart leaped out of her chest. The contestants turned to welcome the Prince and Zhanghao and Elise's eyes widened.

Prince Quànrui looked different, his blinding blonde hair was dyed a pitch black and the bright makeup he usually wore was downplayed making his handsome features stand out more. Elise blushed, his new look just made her more in love.

Quànrui smiled once he saw Elise but the contestants including Elise bowed.

"Introducing the Prince of the Kingdom of China, Prince Quànrui." The intercom announced as Quànrui shrugged off everyone's bows. Zhanghao keeping his eyes on Jeongeui.

"Contestants, welcome to the semi-finals of The Princess Race." Quànrui said as the contestants gasped, Elise nodding in determination whilst Jeongeui looked at Zhanghao not breaking eye contact.

"The competition is getting more intense and i hope you all took my advice from the ball." Quànrui stated before putting his hands in his pockets.

"Today's challenge is called witch hunt." Quànrui said as the intercom shrieked loudly at that moment, Elise scoffed before covering her ears from the sound.

"Contestants, today's Challenge is called Witch hunt, in this maze , contestants have 30 minutes to navigate the maze by completing the puzzles that stop their path, but beware of the witch amongst all of you who will kill you off if you're not lucky." The intercom said causing Elise to furrow his eyebrows in confusion. 

"Is there a witch amongst us?" A Contestant said causing Quànrui to chuckle. The contestants turned back to look at him.

"Yes but that Contestant will be notified on their wrist, if the witch isn't caught at the end of the challenge, the witch still goes through regardless of who still won." Quànrui explained causing Elise to groan out softly. Rahne smirked.

"Good luck on the challenge contestants, I'll be watching you." Quànrui said as he walked away with Zhanghao, Elise following him with his eyes before shaking her head.

She had to focus.

"Hello viewers at home and welcome to The Princess Race!" Hanbin and Sang Zhi said at the same time as Mary jumped up excitedly, Mrs Okayu not too far away as she lokked at the TV through their open kitchen.

"Today's challenge proves to be a difficult one as contestants must beat the maze and also avoid a witch on the hunt." Hanbin said to Sang Zhi who nodded "Exactly, the contestants need to be dilligent if they plan on winning today's race." Sang Zhi said as the two hosts looked at the camera together.

"Contestants on your mark." The intercom announced, the contestants got on the starting line, Elise taking a deeo breath, Rahne stretching her arms and Jeongeui stretching her neck.

"3,2,1 go!" The intercom said as the contestants started to run, the lights from their challenge spot shining brightly. Elise ran on the pink pathway looking left and right in sign of any witch, turning left as an arrow directed her too, Elise got deeper into the maze being met with a wall.

"Huh?" Elise said confused before looking around, all the other contestants went the other way causing Elise to face palm herself before running with the others.

"Contestant Elizabeth got confused there for a moment, she needs to be more careful." Sang Zhi commented as Mary bit her bottom lip anxiously.

As the contestants ran through the maze, a scream was heard from a distant area causing one of the bright lights to switch off.

"Contestant Hue has been eliminated." The intercom announced as the contestants screamed in fear, the witch was succeeding in her hunt. The contestants stopped at an intersection causing all of them to spilt up.

As Elise ran she saw a puzzle, shouting excitedly.

"Contestant Elizabeth found the first puzzle in the C section along with Contestant Jeongeui in the A section." Hanbin said as Sang Zhi nodded "These two contestants are currently in the lead, let's see if they can escape from the grasps of the witch." Sang Zhi said.

Elise stopped at the puzzle scratching her hand as she looked at the large scrambled puzzle pieces depicting a picture. Another light switched off followed by a damning new announcement.

"Contestant Chun has been eliminated."