The princess games

What they are looking for

*Charlie*

Tessa and I float lazily in the large pool, our laughter merging with the gentle sounds of splashing water. It feels like paradise, but there’s a nagging thought in the back of my mind. Arabella sits on the edge, her perfectly manicured toes dipped into the water, a picture of impatience.

“Can you believe this place?” Tessa exclaims, her bubbly energy infectious. “It’s like a dream! But honestly, where are all the guys? I thought this was supposed to be like a ‘find a man’ thing!”

Arabella crosses her arms, her tone dripping with disdain. “Ugh, I don’t know, Tessa. It’s just us women here right now. It’s like a sorority party without any brothers to crash it.” She tosses her hair back dramatically. “I came here to mingle with potential suitors, not just to splash around in a pool with you guys… no offence.”

Nia, who’s been lounging on a nearby pool chair, rolls her eyes. “You know, Arabella, not everything has to be about finding a prince. Maybe we can just enjoy the sun and relax for a bit.”

“Relaxing is great and all,” Arabella huffs, “but I didn’t fly halfway across the world just to bathe in sunscreen and sip cocktails with my best friends.”

I can’t help but smile at her antics, even as her impatience bubbles over. “Actually, I met a guy earlier… he is one of the servants, his name is Malik. He was really nice.”

Arabella’s eyes narrow, a flicker of disdain crossing her face. “A servant? Charlie, please. You know that’s not what we’re here for, right? You can’t possibly be interested in someone like that.”

I feel a pang of defensiveness. “Why not? He was genuine, and we had a nice conversation. He treated me like a person, not just another guest.”

Tessa swims closer, her curiosity piqued. “Wait, you actually talked to a servant? What was he like?” Her eyes twinkle with interest, and I can’t help but feel a rush of excitement at sharing my encounter.

“He was… different,” I admit, my thoughts drifting back to Malik’s warm smile and the way he treated me with respect. “He didn’t seem to care about the whole ‘prince and princess’ charade. He just wanted to chat.”

Nia sits up, a glint of mischief in her eyes. “That’s actually kind of refreshing. I could fear that most of the guys here is more interested in their status than anything else. At least he’s authentic.”

Arabella rolls her eyes, her skepticism evident. “Sure, that sounds charming and all, but let’s be real. You think a servant is going to sweep you off your feet? He’s probably just trying to charm you because you’re a guest here. I mean, come on he wants a good tip.”

“Ugh, Arabella!” Tessa interjects, splashing water in her direction. “You’re being such a snob! Just because he’s a servant doesn’t mean he’s not worth talking to. Besides, have you seen some of these guys?” She gestures toward the bar, where a few staff members are gathered, their laughter echoing in the air. “Some of them are really handsome!”

“Sure, they’re hot,” Arabella concedes with a smirk, “but they’re not the ones we’re supposed to be looking at. We need to aim higher than some guy in a uniform.” She flips her hair again, and I can’t help but roll my eyes at her entitlement.

“Maybe you’re right,” I say, trying to keep the mood light. “But I can’t help but think there’s more to life than titles and money. We might be missing out on some great connections just because we’re too focused on status.”

Nia leans back, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “You know what? I think it’s time we start a secret list of all the hot staff members we’ve seen so far. Malik can be our first entry, and then we can rate them!”

I laugh, my heart lightening at the ridiculousness of it all. “You know what? I’m in! But only if we’re not mean about it.”

Arabella shakes her head, a reluctant smile creeping onto her lips. “Fine, but you two better not forget that we came here to find princes and not just some random guys who serve them cocktails.”

“Whatever you say, Princess Arabella,” I tease, splashing her again before turning back to Tessa and Nia. “But I have a feeling there’s something special about Malik. I can’t wait to see him again.”

As the sun begins to set, casting a warm, golden hue over the water, I feel a sense of adventure bubbling inside me. This trip is turning out to be more than just a vacation; it’s a chance to discover new connections, and maybe even a little bit of magic. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?

“Let’s make a pact,” Nia suggests, a playful glint in her eye. “No matter who we meet, we promise to stay open-minded. That includes princes, servants, and everyone in between.”

“I’m in!” Tessa says, raising her hand dramatically. “Here’s to the adventures ahead!”

“Cheers to that!” I chime in, splashing my friends with water as we all laugh, the sound ringing out like a promise of the excitement to come.

As the afternoon comes to an end, the world feels alive with possibilities. I glance toward the bar, half-hoping to catch a glimpse of Malik again. I know that this trip is just the beginning of new adventures and perhaps, my own unexpected fairy tale.