sɪxᴛᴇᴇɴᴛʜ.

She pulled her hand away the moment he let her go. She gave the folder back to them and quickly walked away with the Seventh Prince. A smile formed on his lips and he traced it with his fingertips before walking back to the Student Council office. The Secretary took his seat on the couch and gave him a look. The Vice President did the same and he raised his brow at them.

Meanwhile, the Ninth Princess excused herself for a while since she needed to go to the restroom. After washing her face with cold water, she stared at the mirror. She lifted her hand and looked at the love mark that the Third Prince left on her ring finger. She couldn't help but to blush furiously. She washed her face again to calm herself down. When she walked out of the restroom, a hand grabbed her arm and she started running along the stranger who snatched her away.

Her eyes widened when she realized that it was the Third Prince. He brought her to the parking lot and quickly opened the car door for her. She remembered that her bag was still inside the school premises but he placed his hand on top of her head and pushed her inside the car before closing the door. She looked at him while fastening the seatbelt. He started the engine and drove away. He reached for her hand and she slid her fingers through his.

"Where will we go?" She asked but he just placed a kiss on the back of her hand. She smiled softly, feeling like they eloped. He stopped in front of a floral shop and he bought a bouquet of pink and white roses for her.

"Somewhere. You will know once we arrive there." He finally answered and she nodded. She trusts him, so she sat on her seat comfortably while loving the roses.

It took them an hour before they could finally arrive at their destination. He stopped the car in front of a small tree house. He turned their phones off and then, he brought her up there. She laid down on the bed and chuckled at its fluffiness. He laid down beside her and stared at the glass ceiling. They can clearly see the clouds.

"Are you hungry?" He asked and she nodded. She didn't have breakfast and snacks, so she could hear her stomach grumbling.

"Let me check if there is food here." He said as he got up from the bed and walked in the small kitchen.

He opened the cupboards and saw that there were few instant food there. He took everything he could find there and checked if it was edible. Then, he threw away the expired ones, leaving the instant ramen alone. He also checked the water and found out that they will not be able to cook the ramen. So, he went back to the bedroom.

"Let's go to the nearest grocery store. There's no water and food here." He said and she stretched her arms up. He gently pulled her closer to him and hugged her.

"I didn't bring my wallet." She pouted and he smiled, leaving a peck on her lips. She buried her face on his shoulder and they enjoyed each other's arms for a while before going there.

She looked around and saw a small box of her favorite chocolates. He caught her staring at him, so he took one and placed it in the grocery cart. She bit her lips and tugged his arm. He couldn't help but to keep her close to him as he felt like someone would take her away from him. He wrapped his arm around her waist and the people around them thought that they were newlyweds.

"Sho, you know that this is not right." She mumbled and he just nodded. Taking away the only Princess of the Hasegawa Clan is something punishable. He can tell that they are looking for them now.

"Let's tell them where we are and that we are safe and sound. Mako-nii will surely be worried about me." She continued to mumble and he let out a deep sigh. He knows that they are not even an official couple, so what can he do aside from keeping her by his side?

He pulled out his wallet and gave some paper bills to the cashier. He brought the car along with them, so it was easy to go back to the tree house. She helped him bring the bags inside and when they were finished, he cornered her on the kitchen counter and stared deep in her eyes. Her face turned crimson and she accepted every kiss he gave to her.

It was already afternoon when he gave her phone back. She turned it on and she received bunches of messages and most of them were from her twin brother. She immediately replied to his messages and then, his caller ID appeared on the screen. She answered the call but she put her phone away from her ear because he started to shout at her.

"Makoto, let me have her for a day and night. I'll bring her back tomorrow morning." He took her phone from her and talked to the Eighth Prince instead.

"Sho, just make sure she will be back here untouched and safe. Or else, you will know what can happen." The Eighth Prince said from the other line and he chuckled lightly.

"I know, I know. I will not touch her. Those kinds of things are not yet in my mind. Let me just spend time alone with her." He answered back and then, the call ended. She puffed her blushing cheeks and resumed eating the potato chips.

"Do you like me, Fuyu?" He suddenly asked and she stopped for a while. What does she really feel for him? He confessed to her last night and now, she is struggling with her feelings for both Princes.

"I still don't know, Sho. I want to be honest with you. I like Hokuto because we have been together since we were kids. We spent a lot of time together and shared unforgettable moments. Our families considered us as childhood sweethearts." She started and he smiled faintly while listening to her.

"But ever since we started to attend Royal High, I noticed you because you just kept on staring at me. Even though we don't have anything to say, we just keep on communicating through our eyes. I got used to it. I acknowledge your presence and now, you're pursuing me. It is making my heart confused. Do I still like Hokuto or do I like you now?" She added and he reached for her hand.

"I will not force you or anything. I want you to always be honest with your feelings. I will accept everything that you will tell me, even if it will hurt me. But I want you to know that I will never stop pursuing you until you say so. You didn't mean what you said earlier at the library, right?" He asked and she slowly nodded. She can feel her heart beating so fast when she is with him.

"If you really like me, talk to my parents, especially to my grandfather. Tell him that you are pursuing me and you don't want the engagement to happen." She smiled softly. He pulled her closer and hugged her tight. It is almost dark outside. She is sure that the Seventh Prince is looking for her because of the family dinner.