The princess games

Not easy being a prince

*Malik*

The sun hangs low in the sky, casting a warm glow over the island resort as I stand on the terrace of my luxurious suite, overlooking the pristine shoreline. The sound of waves gently lapping against the beach fills the air, mingling with the distant laughter of servants getting the last things ready.

Zahir paces around the room, a whirlwind of excitement and ideas. Tomorrow marks the beginning of our three-week extravaganza, a carefully orchestrated event designed to bring together the eligible men of our small, wealthy nation and the hundreds of single women arriving from all over the world.

“Malik, come on! You can’t just stand there brooding,” Zahir teases, his voice light and playful. “This is our chance to meet someone special! You know how many beautiful women are coming?”

I turn from the view, my heart racing at the thought but my stomach twisting with trepidation. “I know. But that’s exactly the problem, Zahir. They’ll all see me as the crown prince… not Malik. I want to find someone who loves me for me, not for my title.”

Zahir raises an eyebrow, his charming smile fading momentarily as he considers my words. “So, what do you want to do? Hide away in our suite for three weeks? That’s not really gonna find you someone.”

“No,” I reply, shaking my head. “I want to go undercover. I want to experience this without anyone knowing I’m a prince.”

Zahir bursts into laughter. “You mean like a secret mission? This is the most ridiculous idea I’ve ever heard! But… I like it. How do you plan to pull that off?”

I take a deep breath, feeling both nervous and exhilarated at the thought. “I’ll dress down, drop the royal airs. Just a regular guy looking for connection. No crown, no royal insignia. I mean I have not been featured in international news for years, and I look different enough for people not to notice… I think”

“Okay, but you know you’re still, like, ridiculously good-looking, right?” Zahir grins, shaking his head. “Even in a T-shirt and shorts, you’re going to turn heads. You’ll need to work on your ‘regular guy’ persona.”

I can’t help but chuckle at his enthusiasm. “I’ll just have to be myself, but without the title weighing me down. I need to be confident, approachable. I need to be a servant.”

“A servant?” My brother says, blinking slowly. “Most of the women won’t look twice at a servant.”

“Exactly,” I tell him. “I want someone who isn’t looking for money or a title, someone who treats everyone the same.”

Zahir claps his hands together, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Alright! Let’s get you some new clothes, then. We can hit the local shops and find you a look that screams ‘average guy’ instead of ‘royal heir.’”

I laugh, imagining myself in some of the ridiculous outfits Zahir might pick out. “Just remember, I still want to look decent. I can’t show up looking like a complete disaster. And I need some servants uniforms.”

“Trust me, brother. I’ll make sure you look good,” he assures me, slapping me on the back. “This will be fun! We’ll make it a game… whoever can charm the most women wins!”

I groan, shaking my head. “You’re impossible. I only want to charm one woman.. and you have to promise me one thing.”

“What’s that?” he asks, feigning innocence.

“No playboy antics. I want to be serious about this.” I tell him. “And so should you be.”

Zahir holds up his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright! No playboy antics. But I can’t promise I won’t have a little fun myself. You know there’s a fine line between being charming and being a total flirt.”

“You wouldn’t be you if you were not a flirt,” I grin at him. “I want to be the man I’ve become, not the boy I used to be.”

Zahir nods, his expression turning serious for a moment. “You’ve come a long way, Malik. You’re not that shy, stuttering kid anymore. You’re strong, confident, and you deserve to find someone who sees that.”

His words touches me, filling me with a sense of purpose. I’ve worked hard to become the man I am today, shedding the insecurities of my past. It has been some hard years in our military, but it worked. The idea of connecting with someone on a deeper level… someone who sees me for me… feels like a dream I’ve longed for.

“Alright, let’s do this,” I say, determination fueling my voice. “Tomorrow, when the guests start arriving, I’ll be just Malik.” My full name is Raaja-Malik, normally only my family and close friends call me Malik.

Our mission begins with a trip to the local shops, where we sift through racks of clothes that feel foreign to me. Zahir picks out vibrant T-shirts and casual shorts, laughing at my reluctance to stray too far from my usual style. With each piece I try on, I feel a mixture of excitement and anxiety.

“Look at you! You’re practically unrecognizable!” Zahir exclaims, holding up a simple navy tank top against my chest. “This is perfect! Comfortable and casual. Just what you need to blend in.”

As we continue our shopping spree, I can’t shake the feeling that this game of disguise may be more complicated than I anticipate. What if I meet someone and they recognize me? What if I fall for someone who doesn’t even know who I really am? And who doesn’t want the hassle of marrying a future king.

But the thrill of possibility fills me with hope. Zahir’s playful banter and encouragement remind me that I’m ready to embrace this adventure. I’m ready to carve out my own path, one where I can find love without the burden of my title.

The sun begins to set as we finish our shopping, casting an orange glow over the island. We head back to the resort, and I feel a rush of anticipation for what tomorrow will bring. The party may not have started yet, but the excitement is already palpable.

As we approach my suite, I glance at the horizon, where the sun dips below the sea, and I can’t help but smile. Tomorrow, I’ll step into this world as just Malik, a man looking for love. A chance to discover if there’s someone out there who truly sees me for who I am… a chance to find my heart amidst the chaos of the approaching festivities.