Chapter 18: The Plan

Pearce woke up in his room and without a word got up immediately from his bed, went straight to the CR to get dressed and then… stood in front of his door first. He stared at it first and slowly lowered his gaze to the door knob. We can't say what this guy is really thinking because he is staring at things first… before he touches the door knob and turns it to open.

When he opened it, someone immediately greeted him. He even looked at the woman in front of him.

"Good morning Pearce," and instead of giving him a happy smile, Elesa smirked at him.

Pearce just gave back a blank stare at her and closed the door as well. He must be surprised why this woman is in front of him because she is not the princess who talked to him for the next tour… but it is not obvious on his face because he knows it will really come.

"Let's go. Let's talk in a shop. So you can have breakfast as well. I'll treat you anyways,” said Elesa and started walking… and it took a while before Pearce followed.

When they arrived at the shop, they immediately ordered and while waiting,

“Hay. Fortunately, this is also the day she is your tour guide,” Elesa began and there was a smile on her face while Pearce didn’t say a word and even avoided looking at her.

"Oh, why are you like that hah Pearce?" Elesa asked. “Don't tell me that you already backed down to our plan. Does that mean you don't need my help anymore?”

“Tsk,” Pearce clicked his teeth after she said that.

Who wouldn't back down from her plan when the condition she is asking for is difficult? She knows it's easy for Pearce but…

He faced Elesa with a really serious face. "Just for your knowledge princess, this plan is against my will…"

Elesa waited for his next words by crossing her arms right in front of her and didn't show a hint of fear at what he was showing. Pearce gritted his teeth.

"…but I need you so badly in my plan so I can not refuse," Pearce said, trying his best to control himself.

Even so, Elesa just smirked back at him. “That's good. Should I be flattered?”

Pearce didn’t answer her back and averted his eyes. At the same time, their food arrived.

"So, can I explain the plan for later?" Elesa asked as she prepared to eat.

Pearce didn’t answer her again and just ate the food he ordered. Elesa just smiled even though the other person ignored her.

Elesa began to explain as they ate and even though the irritation on Pearce's face was still obvious as he ate, he is really listening to every word the princess says. Also, if they fail in this plan, this woman may immediately change her mind and not join his plan. Besides, this is all for his plan to get Yani and Jethro back.

Elesa just accelerated her explanation because she knew that after they talk and eat, Pearce would also return to his room for…

The princess immediately turned around and was shocked to see Pearce who was already outside his room because she was in front of his door and would have knocked on Pearce's bedroom door.

"Pearce," as she approached him. “There you are. Good morning!” she greeted me happily.

Pearce just looked back at her. He did not know why he suddenly felt sorry for this innocent princess.

“Let’s go, Pearce. I am excited to tour you at the Water Cabin,” she happily stated as a child as she dragged him to their destination.

Pearce, on the other hand, let her pull him and was not really surprised by what this princess, the water princess, wanted. He still doesn't lose his pity for her because she is not aware…

…she’s a victim of a serious plan.

As they walked out of the Main Cabin, Pearce didn’t realize he was walking on sand.

“Yehey. We are here at the beach Pearce,” Femme said happily.

Pearce looked at the sea and somehow, just hearing how the waves crashed to the shore, he seemed to lighten his mind. When was the last time he went to a beach?

"So Pearce," Femme said so it caught Pearce's attention. "Can you breathe underwater?"

When she asked that, Pearce thought for a moment because… he knew once in his life, he knew he could breathe underwater that a normal person could not… but…

"Just an hour," Pearce replied.

"Is that so," the princess said weakly. "That’s too bad. I would have toured you the whole cabin from the outside first,” and she pouted.

Yup, Pearce knew she would do that.

"Anyways then, come," Femme offered and she stood somewhere near the shore. "Stand here next to me," as she pointed at it.

Pearce stood up at where she was pointing and the sand suddenly disappeared from where he was stepping and there was a hole and the platform he was standing came down. He was a little surprised by what happened but it also stopped coming down and a door in front of him opened.

"Welcome to the underwater path Pearce," Femme happily said like she was very happy it’s her first time here… but the first time really…

Pearce can't help but be amazed at what he sees because this is the first time he has seen something like this… seeing the underwater and not getting wet because you are surrounded by clear glasses.

"But this is not the Water Cabin hah Pearce," said Femme. “This is where the rest of us pass. Especially when you are new to this place. Hehe.”

Pearce doesn’t seem to be listening because he’s looking around just to see the beauty of the bottom of their sea… but he heard what the princess said. Not only does he see fish outside… he also sees a lot of people playing or even waving back at them. If he could just stop first to be amazed at what he saw, Pearce would have done that.

When they reached the end of the underwater path,

“We are here at the gate of the Water Cabin Pearce. I'm excited,” Femme stated excitedly. "Open Sesame!"

And just after Femme said that, the huge gate opened.

“Yehey! Welcome to our cabin Pearce, the Underwater Cabin!”

Pearce was even more amazed when he saw the inside because it was a city surrounded by clear glass that seemed to serve as their wall so their very city was also under water that they could not get wet.

“There’s so much to show you. Where do you want to start?” Femme asked the visitor happily.

Pearce was also speechless as he still looked around. There are a number of buildings he sees that he wants to visit. He also started to get excited because he wanted to know what kind of water people are. Maybe it's because he's also infected with his tour guide.

"You know my suggestion, Pearce, let's start at our school here… is that okay?" Femme asked.

Pearce looked at her and nodded in response.

“Okay. Let's start with the Water Academy!”

When they got to the front of their school, the princess just said that water people like her study there, and it’s just like any ordinary school but only for water people. He also found out about their hospital and the various restaurants but they have a place where in any cabin there is none… their underwater park which is just outside the clear glass of their cabin. Pearce sees that because there are a lot of people walking, swimming around and having fun outside the clear glasses.

Pearce also thought he could learn a lot about how unique a water person is but just like everyone else, they are just simple people. The strange thing is that they can breathe underwater with no time limit and they also don’t like solid foods. Meaning, they want soups and beverages. The princess even said that even so, she doesn’t eat fish… not because she doesn’t want to, but because she has a saying "Fish are friends, not food".

And last of all, they can walk on the surface of the water and they dry up quickly when they come up because most of the time, their body absorbs a lot of water. What can you say… in fact, here we can say that the number one priority of these people is water.

"Oh right. By the way I still have something to show you,” Femme said. "What is common in our houses?"

Pearce went in with the princess to a house that was unoccupied and what Pearce saw, it was just a simple house and you could see the equipment they needed but when he was invited to the bedroom of that house, Pearce was surprised at what he saw.

"Tada!" Femme added that Pearce wondered.

Okay… should he wonder about the size of this room's aquarium?

"As you can see Pearce, the aquarium you see is not a decoration so we have that in every house here," Femme explained. "Of course because that's our bed."

Pearce was surprised when he heard that from the princess.

"Bed?"

“Yes. We sleep under water.”

Ah okay. That's actually… really interesting.

When they left the house,

“So I guess that's all. Do you want to go to my office? For us to rest as well,” Femme smiled at him.

Pearce nodded again in response.

Pearce was a little disappointed when the princess said that because he knew… he knew their tour was coming to an end and he seemed to be not satisfied with all the information he came to know… but that was what he thought. When they arrived in front of the palace… oh scratch that because it is not an ordinary palace, it’s an Underwater Palace that he is even more amazed because of its design even though he only sees the outside.

When they entered, he saw that this palace seemed to be the end of their cabin because almost all of their windows were clear glass and the bottom of the sea could be seen when you approached it. As they walk, strangely instead of the princess getting greeted, the princess greets them. Almost everyone greeted them. Seems like she has not missed anyone.

When they arrived in front of her office, they also entered it and Pearce immediately turned his gaze to examine her office… and also find out what kind of person she is.

Yes, he only sees a simple office… and since it’s an underwater palace, of course the theme of his room is also underwater but he doesn't really expect…

…with stuffed toys on display.

“Come Pearce. Sit down so you can rest,” offered the princess and Pearce sat on a soft sofa. He was even slightly surprised because he had a blue teddy bear next to him.

"Here, a drink," the princess immediately offered him, which surprised him again because unlike other princesses, they first ask if he wants something to drink before giving it to him.

Pearce is not that thirsty but he was offered one so he took it. If he rejects this princess, she’ll be weeping in no time.

“Sorry we don't have juice now. I also don't know what you want. Hehe,” Femme apologized.

Pearce just nodded while drinking the water given to him.

Knock, knock. There was a knock on the door of her office.

"Come in," Femme said immediately and the door immediately opened and a woman appeared.

"Sorry to disturb you, your highness," the woman politely said.

“No it's okay. You're not disturbing us at all Anne,” smiled Femme as the woman approached her.

"If you may, princess, but Prince Eaux would like to give you this task for today…" while the woman handed the paper to Femme.

"Oh uhm is that due today?" Femme asked.

"Yes," she replied.

"Oh I'm so sorry," Femme immediately apologized. “As much as I wanted to but I have something very important to go to today so I'm not sure if I can finish that today.”

The woman was slightly surprised. “Is that so…”

"I'm so sorry," Femme said.

“Okay. I'll just inform Prince Eaux then,” said the woman, bowing in front of her and leaving the room…

…while the listener is also distracted by the situation because he is thinking.

Whatever that 'very important thing'… Pearce knows himself…

Knock, knock! There was another knock on the door and Femme was about to answer but the door immediately opened and the prince went in.

“Okay. What's this important thing, young lady? You've got some explaining to do,” the prince opened immediately.

"Pri-prince Eaux," Femme stated in shock. “I'm so sorry. I really need to attend this event. It's the first time Zoltar invited me for a date.”

The prince was silent for a moment after he heard that.

“A date? Zoltar asked you for a date?” Eaux asked in astonishment.

"Yes," Femme answered immediately.

The surprise on Eaux's face still lingered. "Well that's..."

"Amazing right?" Femme entered while smiling.

Eaux could not speak again and just let out a sigh.

“Well I guess… I can accept that reason.”

Even though the princess was happy with his answer, she could see the prince's regret because he's thinking, he has a lot more to do so,

"I'm really sorry Eaux," the princess repeatedly apologized. "I promise I will make it up to you after this. I will spend in this office if I have to just to finish all the tasks I have to accomplish—“

"No it's okay Femme," Eaux interrupted her immediately. “Don't pressure yourself. You're a very diligent person and I have no complaints that you are the chosen water princess. It's just that lately, I get easily tired… but I do agree, Zoltar asking you for a date is really a rare occurrence so you should go.”

Femme smiled. “Thank you Eaux.”

Eaux just smiled back as a reply… but it also disappeared immediately.

"But… are you sure he'll come?" Eaux suddenly asked, which shocked Pearce. He almost choked at what he was drinking.

"Of course he will," replied the innocent princess. "He's the one that invited me."

Eaux paused first. “Okay. Just trying to make sure about that. You know Zoltar. He can easily be swayed by his scientific experiments.”

"Oh not this time," Femme confidently said with a smile in her face that surprised the two men inside the room.

Eaux smiled. "Well as you say so," and he turned around. "I'll take my leave then."

"Please take good care of yourself Prince Eaux," Femme said goodbye to him before he finally left the office.

Right now, we don't know what Pearce is thinking after he just heard that conversation... he just finished his drink so that he could swallow what he was feeling.

After that, the princess also got dressed immediately to prepare for the date she said… then she also took Pearce back to the Main Cabin.

As before, Pearce immediately bid goodbye to the princess because she had to leave first so that she would not miss that date and another thing… he had to go to Yani's office first. Femme left with a carved smile on her lips as Pearce waved back to the princess and watched her leave.

When she was completely gone, for the first time, Pearce didn’t know what to do. Even with a plan in mind, he still began to doubt it. He was even thinking of locking himself in his room but…

Suddenly the electric princess' face appeared and their agreement in his mind so he clicked his teeth again and walked to Yani's office. He had to let her know first before making the plan but when he got to the office… of course he knocked first. He has already learned from his mistake but…

…after the princess said “Come in”, she opened the door and this time, she was still shocked… that this princess was here.

“Ah Pearce. You’re right on time,” this time, Elesa stated happily. "We were just talking about you."

Pearce's face was blank at what the princess said and just entered the office. Yani let out a sigh to start the conversation.

"So just like what Elesa said, Pearce, we were talking about you because Elesa is asking for a request that if she can 'borrow' you first."

Pearce didn't say a word and just looked straight at Yani.

“I don't know if you have an agreement or what but it's okay with me. Also, please don’t say that he is 'borrowed' as if he is something because he is a human being and I don’t own him so that is his choice,” added Yani.

Pearce remained silent.

“See, it's your choice, Pearce. What do you say?” Elesa asked so Pearce glimpsed at her.

He first closed his eyes when,

"Sorry princess," Pearce said, which surprised the two princesses because of what he said. “…but…”

It took a while before he finished what he said. He even sighed.

“…but I have to accompany this naughty electric princess. It is against my will, but what can I do?” Pearce seriously said that startled only Elesa while Yani smiled after she heard that.

"Haha sorry Pearce," Yani said. "That’s the case since we are princesses."

Pearce did not speak.

"Pero pansin ko lang… (But I just noticed…)" Yani gave them a confident smile. “…you two look good together.”

The two were surprised by what she said, not only because the princess spoke English to them… but also because of what she said. The princess only speaks English once if the conversation is really serious and the two of them know that so,

"Ah so uhm we’ll go ahead Yani," Elesa stammered and just pushed the visitor out. “Thank you for your uhm time. We’ll go ahead first,” she repeated and the two finally went out while Yani was left… still smiling.

As they walked down the hallway, the two were silent… they could not even look at each other. We don't know what the princess is thinking right now but for Pearce…

… hopefully this will end now.

When they arrived in front of a diner, they stopped at the entrance first and…

"Oh here," Elesa said while handing him something that Pearce looked at and took. “That’s where I will contact you for signals. You must be attentive.”

Pearce just pocketed the phone in response.

“You already know what you are going to do, right? Or do I have to repeat it to you again?” Elesa asked.

Pearce just let out a sigh and entered the restaurant.

Upon entering, he immediately looked for what to look for… and when he saw the princess at a waiting table, he immediately looked for a table where he could sit without being seen by the one he would observe.

When he found the table where it was just right away from the table and where he could sit without the princess seeing him, he immediately sat down and looked at the princess from behind her.

"Sir, may I take your order?" a waiter told him so he paid attention to him. He first looked at the guy and just took the menu given to him.

He thought that when he took the menu, he would also leave but… he's patiently waiting for him to make his order.

“You can take the orders of the other customers first. I would like to take my time to choose the food I want to eat,” Pearce politely said to the waiter.

“Ah okay Sir. I will be right back at you,” and he bowed to him before leaving.

It's good that people here are respectful, Pearce said to himself while looking at the menu. He was very attracted to the food stated in the menu because the types of food are really different depending on what kind of person you are… and because of that, he didn’t realize that…

Kring! Kring! The sound of his phone startled him a little. He immediately took it out of his pocket to look and saw that a message came from an unknown number. He opened it and stated,

You can now approach her.

When he read it, he only remembered what was happening now so he immediately glimpsed at the princess he should be watching and well, she’s still there. He just closed his eyes before hiding the phone in his pocket again.

He first thought about what the plan was again and what he should do… and when he opened his eyes, he immediately got up from his place and started walking to the table where the princess was sitting.

Okay Pearce, time to act casual. You can do that, can't you?

He was close to her table and he should act surprised that they were in the same restaurant as the princess but instead… when he approached her…

Femme felt his presence so she looked at him and she was surprised… but she started to wonder because Pearce was approaching her… and he's like glaring at her. It was good that the princess was not scared.

"Oh Pearce, you’re also here,” Femme smiled at him.

Okay Pearce, you should be surprised that it is a coincidence that you are also here at this restaurant… you can do that…

"Who is with you princess?" Pearce asked…

Deep inside him: he made a facepalm when he heard what came out of his mouth. He asked the wrong question so if he had been nervous lately, now, he’s starting to panic. It's good that it's not obvious on his face.

Femme just gave him an innocent smile and replied, “Ah I should be with Zoltar now but he is not here yet. Maybe he took care of something first. I asked him what he wanted me to order so that they could cook it already but he’s not replying.”

Pearce only regretted that it was what came out of his mouth because he just realized that he should have known that because he had heard what they talked about earlier. He did not even know if this princess was also acting to be innocent in front of him.

"Ah okay," Pearce replied and just looked at the door. "Uhm I'll go ahead.”

"Uhm okay," Femme answered and Pearce immediately went to the door.

When he came out, he let out a deep sigh to get rid of the nervousness inside him that he had been accumulating in himself.

"Pearce?" a voice said so Pearce looked at her… but he gave her a face.

"Are you done talking with her?" Elesa asked immediately. "That was fast."

“Pssh,” Pearce looked away. "I don’t know what to say," he bluntly answered.

Now, this time, Elesa was the one who made a face… but immediately sighed.

"I just said 'act casual'," Elesa exclaimed.

"I don’t know how to do it," Pearce replied.

"Hay…" Elesa sighed again. "Just go back there and don't go out there until you can talk to her, do you understand?" Elesa ordered.

Pearce wanted to answer but he could not say no because the princess in front of him was serious now. Even though most of the time he ignores this woman, he still knows to himself that she has a position in this nation so he has no choice and enters again. His face was full of irritation because of the naughty nature of that naughty princess but when he entered, he looked again at where Femme was and was surprised. 

She's just there, sitting… but if you look at her face, even though the sadness is obvious on her face, she's patiently waiting for him. He didn’t know if it was because she’s worried that something might have happened to his prince so he was delayed… or maybe… just like the water prince said… that he already knew he would not come? He even saw that she even tried to call the prince but he’s not answering it. But even so, even though Pearce had a signal that he should talk to her… he sat down at a table again and waited.

It took an hour before he thought of approaching her again which Femme surprised again.

"Pearce—"

"You have been here for so long princess," Pearce entered. Femme was speechless after that because she didn’t know what to say.

Pearce would have spoken and asked if the prince was coming but he knew the answer so it was a waste of saliva. He just looked at the food and thought.

“The food is cold. Don't you have any plans to eat them?”

Femme looked at the food. "I don’t know."

Even though the wind was heavy because of what the princess was showing, and even though she hadn't said anything, Pearce sat down and started taking food, which surprised Femme.

"Please be patient with me princess," Pearce said while putting rice on the plate. “If you just wait for them to cool down, it seems like you just wasted it. If you’re not going to eat it, it’s better to just give it to the people there who have not eaten yet.”

Femme was surprised by the attitude of the visitor but instead, she slowly smiled and chuckled so Pearce looked at her.

“Haha. You’re right. Sorry Pearce,” Femme smiled as she took the spoon and fork to eat with him.

Even though Pearce did something wrong, and the food served in front of him was for another person… Still, even though he did not show it on his face, he felt happy that somehow, he made this princess smile.

The two started eating and because Pearce was really hungry, it seemed like almost all the dishes on the table, he took a bite from each. It’s not obvious to his body but this man is also greedy from time to time. As Femme watched him, she also smiled.

"Ah wait Pearce," Femme said suddenly so Pearce stopped while he was holding the plate of a dish. "If possible, I hope we don't just reduce that dish," Femme pleaded. "That's Zoltar's favorite."

Pearce looked at the dish for a while and was even a little surprised to find out… because it’s a Fried Tilapia (A/N: ‘Tilapia’ is a famous fried fish in the Philippines). He even looked at the princess, because he could not forget the motto of the princess earlier…

"You’re letting him eat fried fish?" Pearce asked as he put the dish on the table.

The princess smiled first. “That was the first Filipino food he tasted and since then, it has become his favorite. Of course he even asked me if it's okay… it's okay even if other people eat fish as long as I don't eat it. Hehe.”

Pearce just got another dish.

"I'll just take that out… in case he doesn't come," Femme lastly stated before she continued to eat.

Pearce looked at the princess and sadness returned to her face after that conversation. He started thinking of something to talk about so that somehow, she would feel better… but instead of that, the princess started it so…

"Is it okay to ask about your relationship with your prince?" Pearce asked.

…and it took a while… Femme swallowed what she was chewing before she answered.

"It's okay. I know you have been curious since you heard what Eaux and I talked about earlier.”

Pearce put on food on his mouth, chewed and swallowed before,

"I'm sorry if I’m intervening."

Femme shook her head sideways.

"Don’t say that. I gave you permission,” Femme smiled.

Pearce looked at the princess again… and paused before he asked all the questions he could ask about them.

Femme was even smiling while answering him, especially when she recounted the happy events every time she and Zoltar were together. Pearce, on the other hand, sees the princess' joy even though their situation is also a 'forbidden love' - that they are also not allowed to touch each other because this time, the water person is doomed if that happens.

Whenever Pearce listens to the princess' story, he can't help but be upset because just like Hera and Eaux love, he also doesn't want to mess with this love… but because they have a plan, he has to do it…

"I didn’t think," Pearce said when the princess finished talking. “…there is such love. The type of 'forbidden' just because your bodies are 'incompatible' for each other... but…”

"Yeah. It's really surprising,” Femme interjected so Pearce stopped and looked at the princess. "Me too, sometimes I never thought in my life that I would meet Zoltar… that our lives would cross…"

Femme smiled at him. “…but it's really different when you love him. You know that only person who can make you happy. Yes you have friends and family members who can really make you happy… but it is really different when you love that person. Whether you are happy or sad, you don’t realize… he is what you are looking for.”

Pearce fell silent… and after he heard that, a small smile formed on his lips. He closed his eyes first to process what he had to say… at the same time, he faced the princess.

"Then… I hope you do what is best not only for you, but for both of you two," he said that this time, Femme was surprised…

…and somehow convinced her.