The Four Prince And The Ugly Princess

"She doesn't look like someone who holds the key to an empire," bulong ni Ash, habang nakatingin sa dalagang nakaupo mag-isa sa campus garden.

"She looks like she doesn't even know how to use conditioner," dagdag ni Zeke, smirking, habang iniikot sa daliri ang susi ng kanyang sports car.

"She looks... sad," bulong ni Cassius. "And tired."

"Which means easy target," sabi ni Talon habang nagtatype sa phone. "We make her fall. We win."

Ngunit bago pa sila makalapit, may isang bagay na kumislap sa ilalim ng araw-isang bagay na bumasag sa katahimikan.

"Wait," bulong ni Ash, unti-unting lumapit habang pinikit ang mata, parang binubuhay sa alaala ang isang detalye. "That bracelet..."

Tumigil si Zeke, napakunot ang noo. "What bracelet?"

It was thin. Gold. May ukit na lumang simbolo-ang insignia ng General Navarro, ang ama ng nawawalang prinsesa.

"Tangina," ani Ash. "That's it. That's the bracelet Lolo showed us. That's custom-made. Iisa lang ang may suot niyan."

Elara. The girl na tinawag nilang pangit, kawawa, at wala.

Siya pala.

Siya ang nawawalang prinsesa.

The one they swore to make fall.
The one they should never fall for.

And in that moment, the game stopped being a game.
It became war.
Not for the crown.
But for control.
For survival.

Because she?
She's not just the key.
She's the storm that could destroy them all.

---

"The girl they judged is the girl who holds their fate."