Francisco's POV

Nagising ako sa maingay na tunog ng alarm ko. I groaned when I realized it's still early. Ayoko pa sanang bumangon dahil inaantok pa ko dahil napagod ako kagabi. Pero wala akong magagawa kaya agad akong bumangon ako sa kama at agad na nagstretching. 

This will be the last. Pagkatapos nito ay tapos na ang misyon ko. 

Pagtapos kong mag unat ay pumasok na sa banyo para makapaghanda na para sa huling bahagi ng paligsahan. Ilang sandali pa ay lumabas na ako ng para magbihis at nagulat na lang ako ng may dalawang lalaking humatak ng mga kamay ko. 

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Lisa

"Mauna na ko sayo sa labas Yati. Jisoo texted me. May ipapakita lang daw siya sakin" paalam ni Babs. 

"Mukhang nagiging close na kayo masyado ni Jisoo ah. Don't tell me---" 

"Pwede ba Yati we're just friends. Wag ka ngang nang iintriga dyan" pagputol niya sakin bago ako inirapan. 

"Okay sabi mo eh" 

"Sige na mauna na ko" 

I nodded my head at ibinalik ang tuon ko sa pagbibihis. Di nagtagal ay muling bumukas ang pinto. Di ko na tinignan kung sino dahil malamang si Rosie lang yan at may nakalimutang dalin. 

"Oh may nalimutan ka?" tanong ko ng hindi tumitingin sa kanya. 

Wala akong narinig na sagot kaya nagtaka ako. Akmang lilingon na sana ko ng may magtakip ng mga mata ko. 

"Baby" nakangiting sabi ko. 

"How did you know it's me?" nakapout na tanong niya.

Di ko naman napigilang pisilin yung cute na cute niyang pisngi. 

"Your smell" sagot ko before giving her a quick peck. 

"I know pretty well how you smell" dagdag ko pa. 

She s her arms around my neck and smiled seductively. Jeez! Is she really teasing me this early morning? 

"And how do I smell?" she asked while leaning into my face. 

She's brushing her lips with mine but not literally kissing me. She's more of teasing me. Yung feeling na tinatakam ka ba. 

"Sweet" sagot ko naman bago ko siilin ng halik ang mga labi niya. 

Her smell and her lips are both sweet. Hinigpitan niya yung yakap niya sa batok ko para mas lumalim pa yung halik namin habang inilapat ko naman sa gilid bewang niya ang mga kamay ko at hinila siya palapit sakin. Gosh! I'll never get enough of how good she tastes. She's very addictive.

I her lower lip asking for an entrance but instead of opening it, she moved away. Napakunot noo naman ako kung bakit habang pinagmamasdan yung paghabol niya ng kanyang hininga. Naramdaman kong parang bigla siyang natakot. I can read that on her facial expression. I cupped her cheeks and made her look at me. 

"Why?" tanong ko. 

"I'm scared Lisa. I felt like something bad will happen" bakas ang pangamba sa mga mata niya.

Natatakot siguro siya na baka hindi ko maipanalo ang laban na to. This will be the last day of the competition. Me and Francisco are on tie habang wala pang panalo si Kai. If in case maipanalo to ni Kai, tuloy ang kompetisyon pero kapag isa samin ni Francisco ang mananalo, tapos ang laban. At aaminin ko maski ako kinakabahan. Sobrang pressured ako pero hindi ko pinapahalata dahil ayokong mag alala si Jennie. Kung hindi ko man maipanalo ito, hindi ko na alam kung anong mangyayari. Hindi ko kayang makasal si Jennie sa iba. Pag nangyari yun wala akong ibang choice kundi ang itakas siya. Pero siyempre ayokong dumating kami dun kaya gagawin ko ang lahat maipanalo lang tong horse backriding. 

"Hey baby listen to me. Whatever may be the result of competition, I will never let anyone take you away from me. But if anything goes wrong, would you runaway with me?" seryosong tanong ko sa kanya hindi naman siya nagdalawang isip sumagot. 

"Yes Lisa. I will runaway with you" 

I nodded my head. 

"I know you will. But don't worry, I will do my best so we don't have to do that. Just trust me, okay?" 

"I trust you" sabi niya before she gave me a big hug. 

Nagpaalam na si Jennie at nauna na siyang pumunta sa venue dahil tinext siya ni Jisoo na hinahanap na umano siya ng hari. I told Jennie na susunod ako dahil hindi kami pwedeng makita nang magkasabay pumunta roon. 

After a couple of minutes, I decided na lumabas na nang kwarto. Pagbukas ko ng pinto ay may dalawang lalaking nakaharang sa pinto. 

"Sino kay---" 

I wasn't able to finish what I have to say ng bigla na lang tinakpan nung isang lalaki ang bibig ko. 

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Kai's POV

I smiled when I roamed my eyes around the area and noticed that Lisa and Francisco is nowhere to be found. I'm sure my men already got them. I looked at my watched and grinned widely when I notice that the only remaining time for them to be here is 5 minutes. Kapag hindi sila dumating sa loob ng limang minute they will be disqualified in the game. 

Nagtataka na ang lahat including the King and the princess. Bakas sa mukha ni Jennie ang pag aalala. Sa tingin ba nila magpapatalo ako ng ganun ganun na lang? Hindi ko tiniis ang pagiging sunod sunuran sa hari para lang mapunta sa iba ang trono at mapunta sa basura ang lahat ng pinaghirapan ko. Kung merong dapat pumalit sa trono at ikasal kay Jennie, wala nang iba kundi ako lang. Kaya naman I told my men to take care of those two and make sure na hindi na sila babalik pa rito sa palasyo. Kung pano nila gagawin well then it's up to them now. I don't care if they beat them or kill them. 

"My king, if they didn't come within 5 minutes they should be disqualified" nakangiting paalala ko sa mahal na hari. 

"I know the rules Kai, you don't have to remind me" the king said before walking to the podium.

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Jennie's POV

Kanina lang kausap ko pa si Lisa and she told me susunod agad siya sakin but until now wala pa rin siya rito. Even Francis is not here. May nangyari kayang masama sa kanila? I know Lisa will not ditch this. This is very important for us. My eyes landed on Kai and he smirked at me. I clenched my jaw. Why does he looks so happy? Posible kayang may kinalaman siya kung bakit hanggang ngayon wala pa rin yung dalawa? I swear to God, kapag nalaman ko lang na may ginawa siya kay Lisa, hindi ko alam kung anong pwede kong gawin sa kanya. 
I fished my phone and dialed Lisa's number. 

"Gosh! Love, pick up! Please..." 

I tried calling Lisa multiple times but she's not picking up.

"Jendeuk, I thought Lisa is on her way?" bulong sakin ni Jisoo. Beside her is Rosie na bakas sa mukha ang pagaalala. 

"That's what I thought too" 

"Jisoo, do you think Kai has something to do with this?" tanong ni Rosie. 

Jisoo looked at Kai while I looked at them confused. 

"What does Kai have to do with this? Are you guys hiding something to me?" kunot noong tanong ko. 

"Jen, we didn't tell you coz we don't want you to worry. I saw Kai. He's talking to two suspicious men in the garden. I know he's up to something but I don't want to conclude coz I'm not sure" 

"But why didn't you tell me? Oh my God! What if they kidnapped them? We have to do something! We have to find them!" 

"Jen calm down... We're not sure yet, we're n---" 

"No! What if they hurt them. The king needs to know this!" sabi ko sabay tayo sa kinauupuan ko para lumapit sa hari na nakatayo sa likod ng podium.

My dad has to know this before it's too late. While walking towards the king, my heart is beating so fast as tears flowing down my cheeks. Hindi ko mapapatawad ang sarili ko pag may nangyaring masama kay Lisa. She doesn't deserve to be hurt. She came here for me so I have to do something.

"Everyone listen up!" 

I stopped when the king started speaking on the podium. 

"As you can see, Prince Francisco and Lisa is still not here and we only have 3 minutes left for them to come here. If they didn't show up at the said time... I'm sorry to say but they will be disqualified" 

I clenched my jaw and looked at Kai and he grins like an evil on the side. 

"But what if something happened to them?" I shouted. 

The whole audience including the King looked at me. His brows were furrowed and his eyes were asking me 'what do I mean'. 

"What if they just realized that they don't want to do this anymore and better to just give up?" nakangising sabi naman ni Kai. 

I balled my fist. Sure, I want to throw punches on his face but I'm trying my best not to coz I am still the crown princess and I don't want to embarrased myself and my King in front of the whole palace. 

"Whatever their reasons are princess, a rule is a rule. If they didn't come on time, I'm sorry but they will be disqualified" 

"But father---" I was cut off when a guard went to my father and whispered something. 

I saw the expression on my father's face hardened as if he received a bad news. Mas lalo akong kinabahan. What if that bad news is about Lisa and Francis? What if something really bad happened to them.

My father nodded his head. 

"Get him!" utos ng aking ama. 

Bakas ang sobrang pagkaseryoso at disappointment sa mukha ng aking ama while the guards started walking in. Teka... anong nangyayari? 

"What is this. What are you doing? Hey don't touch me! I SAID DON'T TOUCH ME!" sigaw ni Kai haban inaaresto siya ng mga guwardiya ng palasyo. 

Halata sa mukha niya ang pagkagulat habang nagpupumiglas sa pagkakahawak ng mga guards. 

"I SAID LET ME GO! MY KING? WHAT IS THIS? WHY ARE THEY ARRESTING ME?" 

Teka ano bang nangyayari? Pati ako naguguluhan? Bakit nila inaaresto si Kai?

"ENOUGH OF YOUR LIES KAI! I KNOW EVERYTHING NOW!" 

Kai's eyes widened while everybody went silent. 

"Matagal na kitang pinaiimbistigahan sa mga tauhan ko Kai. Ayokong maniwala nung una but when they gave me all the evidences pointing you, natauhan ako. But I still gave you the benefit of the doubt. Pinadouble check ko ang lahat ng ebidensyang nagtuturo sayo, pinasubaybayan kita at pinaimbestigahan hoping na mali ang naunang report sa akin but I was disappointed that everything was true. Alam kong ikaw ang lider ng mga sindikatong nakikipag ugnayan sa mga taga North Korea para magbenta ng ilegal na armas sa mga terorista. Wag mo nang tangkaing ikaila pa dahil nahuli na ang mga kasamahan mo at umamin na sila na ikaw ang namumuno sa kanila. At hindi lang yun. Pinagtangkaan mo pa ang buhay ng dalawang taong ito. How evil can you be just to acquire power?"

Everybody gasped when Francisco show up. Behind him was Lisa. They have bruises on their faces. 

"Oh my god!" I gasped. 

Agad akong tumakbo papunta kay Lisa sa sobrang pagaalala ko at niyakap siya. Wala na kong pakialam kung marami pang tao ang nanonood sa amin. 

"Itinuring kitang anak Kai. I made you who you are right now. I gave you the power that I thought you deserve but you disappointed me when you used that power to do wrong. Minsan din kitang ginusto para sa anak ko. Mabuti na lang at nalaman ko agad ang kasamaan mo coz I will never forgive myself kung sa isang tulad mo lang mapupunta ang anak ko" 

"Nagkakamali kayo mahal na hari. Wala akong kinalaman sa mga yan My King" 

"ENOUGH! TAKE HIM!" utos ng hari sa mga kawal. 

"NO! YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME? NOT AFTER EVERYTHING I DID FOR YOU! NO!" sigaw ni Kai habang nagpupumiglas sa mga kawal na humuli sa kanya. 

"Trust me Kai, I can. At sisiguraduhin kong pagbabayaran mo ang mga kasalanan mo" 

"NO! PAGBABAYARAN MO TO KING HENRY! PAGBABAYARAN MO TO AT NG ANAK MO!" 

The King ignored his threats and turned his back on Kai. 

I cannot believe Kai can be that evil but I am now relieved that he's gone and Lisa and Francis were safe. 

"Are you okay Love? Does it hurt?" tanong ko kay Lisa habang dahan dahang hinahaplos ang mukha niya. 

"I'm fine babe" she said before kissing my forehead. 

Nabaling ang atensyon namin ng muling magsalita ang hari. Nakaharap na siya samin ngayon and his expression softens unlike earlier when he's talking to Kai. 

"Prince Francisco, Ms. Manoban, I want to apologize on what happened to the both of you  but don't worry I will make sure that he'll pay for what he did " the King said and bowed 90 degrees in front of them. 

I was shocked when he did that. This is the very first time he lowered himself like that. The King never bowed to anyone. I guess he's really disappointed and embarrased of what Kai did. Lisa walked towards him at itinayo ng tuwid ang aking ama. 

"You don't have to do that your highness. It was his fault not yours" Lisa said. 

The King nodded his head and he smiled at her. 

"But my King? Can we still continue the competition or are we already disqualified?" 

"No more competition Lisa coz I quit" Francisco said that made me, Lisa, Jisoo and Rosie's eyes widened and confused. 

"Quit?" Lisa asked. 

"Yes" 

"But why? I thought you're here for Jennie's hand? To be her ---" 

"I just said that to hide the real reason why I came here which is Kai. We've also been investigating him for quite some time now and I was the one who gave the King the evidences involving him to the sindicate. We've caught some terrorist on our country and they said that the supplies of firearms was from here. That's why the King and my nation made an alliance to catch Jongin. We didn't have enough evidences back then but after further investigation we gathered a lot which is enough to file a case against him and prove him guilty. But we have to be careful. We don't want him to be suspicious of my presence so I came here to act as one of the men who's pursuing you Jennie. The King and I planned this competition as part of the show. Everything was just an act my little dumpling. There's really no competition ever since the beginning" nakangiting sabi niya.

My mouth went agape, even Lisa. Wala akong masabi. Tumingin lang ako sa aking ama at pati siya nakangiti lang din sa amin. 

"If all of this was just an act, what will happen to us?" naguguluhang tanong ni Lisa while running her fingers through her hair. 

I looked at my father and he walked towards her. The King tapped Lisa's shoulder. 

"I agreed on this plan coz I want to prove two things. One, to prove Kai's involvement with the sindicate. Second, to prove your love for my daughter. I want to know if you are willing to fight for her. I want to know if you can handle the pressure. I want to know your determination. Coz if you are to marry my daughter, you have to be strong, determined, and brave enough to face challenges. Marrying my daughter comes with a price Lisa and it is to rule South Korea. Ruling a kingdom, a nation isn't easy. So, I have to gauge your capability. I need to know that you won't give up easily but the most important thing I need to see is how much you love my daughter and you didn't failed me. So, congratulations coz you now have my blessings to marry my her" my father said to Lisa that made me cry. 

I hugged my father tight. Hindi ako makapaniwalang pagsubok lang ang lahat. 

"Thank you, Dad. I love you!" 

"Aigoo! I love you too my princess. All I want is your happiness" 

Lisa walked towards us so my dad broke the hug.

"Thank you your highness. I promised you, I'll love and take care of Jennie" 

My dad smiled. 

"I believe you but... no more sneaking out as long as you're not yet married. I know you two have been sneaking out to see each other behind my back. So, I'm warning you two, if you want your marriage to happen, you'll follow me. No , no kissing. Not until marriage. Are we clear?" 

"But dad!" reklamo ko. 

He's being impossible. No ? No kiss? Hindi ko na ata kayang wala nun. Okay maybe no can do, but no kiss? Hell no!

"Okay! Kiss is allowed but no . Are we clear? Believe me I have eyes and ears in every walls of this palace so if I were you I w---" 

"That's okay with me your highness" sagot ni Lisa before my father could even finish his sentence. 

I looked at Lisa as if I am asking her if she's sure about it and she just smiled at me. I nodded my head and smiled in return. 

"Good! Now let's go and eat lunch. I'm starving!" sagot naman ng hari bago ito tuluyang umalis sa harapan namin. 

"Seems like you can't do it without Jen" pangaasar ni Franciso paglapit niya sakin. 

"Please stop it Francis! Of course I can!" depensa ko sa sarili ko which made him and Lisa laugh. 

"What are you laughing at?" I said as I glared to Lisa. 

"Nothing your highness" sabi niya sabay akbay sakin. 

Jisoo, Rosie, and Francis congratulated us before they followed the King on the banquet hall habang kasunod lang nila kami sa likuran. 

"Are you sure about that? Can you really control yourself?" tanong ko kay Lisa. 

"I can. Seems like you can't, my love" nakangising sagot niya. 

"Of course I can! I'm just thinking about you. I know you have needs and what if you look for someone who can give you that?" 

"Hey! Don't you trust me? Have I not proven myself yet about how much I love you?" 

"Of course you do! It's just what if. By the way, we can still sneak out" 

"Oh no we can't. Believe me Jen, your father knows everything that's happening in here. He has his eyes on me. He even know about Kai's plan to attack me and Francis that's why he let some guards to follow me and watch over me. Yes. All this time I thought I was being paranoid that someone was following me but I am not wrong coz there is. So, if I were you, I will not be breaking your father's trust. I want to marry you and if he wants me to prove that I can wait to get you until marriage, I will. That's how much I love you Jen. I can wait for you. I'm not just after , it is you whom I came here for. I love you Jennie" he said before giving me a kiss. 

I was moved by what she said and my heart thumps so loud now to the point that I can already hear it. I am very lucky to have her. I am very happy that my Dad approved us and I can no longer wait to marry this beautiful girl beside me. 

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Di pa pala ending!!  Last chapter maybe tomorrow or on Sunday! I can't believe this book is almost done! 😭😭😭😱😱😱😔😔😔