5 Princes and I

The Queen was in the place where the humans in this world would call a mall. You might be thinking why she doesn't call herself a human because she is not. She is a fairy from another world and another kingdom.

Although she is a foreigner from this world, she loves it here. She would always buy books and comics. If she had the time, then she would go out and watch a movie in the theaters. Of all the stories that the humans have created, she loved the romance once. Especially ones that involve stories related to people of different worlds. Fantasy. It's similar to her world.

She would fall in love with the pages and would stick her nose in books. She knows that she is too old for romances and too late since she already found her beloved King. Although she is old enough for that, it doesn't mean that the other princes in their world aren't. Since she and her husband could not conceive a child, they decided to pick one of the youngest Prince from different kingdoms.

They would put them through a test. With five gorgeous Princes in their house, the queen thought of something: their charms would be wasted if they would be stuck here without a teenage girl to admire them. Oh, what a waste! If only there would be at least a single female who is about their age!!

Then it hit her.

She would go to the mortal world, since her world is full of supernatural creatures, and get a single female. But she wanted one who isn't easy to break. That's why she made an illusion about a dating simulation game. When certain females would fall under her trap, they are not eligible for the task. She wanted someone unique to play into her schemes. Someone who wouldn't rely on what they saw playing out in-game and apply it in real life. A girl who can solely depend on herself for her actions.

She was slightly disappointed when only a few of the girls would pass. The illusion was the first test, the second one is more of to test their heart by faking an older woman in need, but they would just walk past her.

She was on the verge of giving up because hours and days had gone with no one appearing eligible. She came to a halt when she noticed a pissed-off girl exiting the shop. She was the girl she witnessed being dragged around the store by her friend.

A small young woman with chest-length ash-blonde hair. She was attractive and appeared uninterested in everything.

With a light yet excited chuckle coming out of her, she decided to approach the young girl. 

"It's here! Really here." My friend gasped and shook me back and forth.

I put my hands over my ears and looked around the game store. Girls all over the place were enthralled by a new game called 'Choose Your Prince.' I snorted at the title and game's absurdity. Seriously, what kind of moron would give their game a name like that? It's merely a low-cost dating game.

The more I saw these girls rushing into the store in the hopes of purchasing a copy, the more irritated I became. 

Shame on you all! In my head, I screamed. Why would you waste your parents' money on something so useless?

"Do you really have to go, Jen?" I asked. I was annoyed by the screams around us. Any second now and I feel like I would punch the next person to scream in my ear.

"Yes, Rose. I do. If you're a normal teenage girl then you would do the same." she said.

I rolled my eyes and sighed "Yeah. And if you were a smart girl then you would keep that money of yours and buy yourself some cake instead." I said.

"No way. I have waited for this day to come! I need to get that game." Her eyes sparkled as she gazed dreamily at the poster where the banner of the game was posted. I rolled my eyes. 

"If you badly needed the game, then why did you drag me along?" She promised that we would go to a dessert bar and not some crappy video game store!

"Because you're my friend." She said in a soft and gentle tone of voice that wasn’t like her.

I stared at her, not believing that it was the only reason why she brought me here. She rolled her eyes when she saw my look. "Fine. You're supposed to be the sacrifice to those girls if I have some trouble getting a copy. I want you to tackle any girl that gets in my way."

"Jen!"

"What? That's what friends are for, right?" She gave me an innocent grin in which I countered with a glare. The nerve of this girl. She was willing to sacrifice her one and only friend for a game. But her purpose was clear. I'm doomed if I don't find a way out of here.

Knowing her, I can't convince her to change her mind about not buying the game.

And now I wish I had a few more friends instead of one. It's my fault anyways why I don't have that many friends.

"Jen? Do you mind if I look around for a while?"

"Planning on ditching me again huh? Come on, Rose. Live a little." She said without looking at me. She knows how much I hate the crowd and she knows me too well to know that I don't have the patience for these kinds of stuff.

I looked at the crowd of teenage girls gathered around the shop and sighed tiredly at her. I wrinkled my nose at the prospect of entering. After I charge in there, I might not be able to get out alive for all I know. "Jen, I'm serious. You can't expect me to accompany you there. You know how I feel when I'm surrounded by people." I confessed. Imagine charging into a store filled with rabid girls all vying for a chance to get their hands on the game.

Since when did dating games become so popular?

She puckered her lips and begged me with her eyes. "Won't you do it for a friend?"

"No."

"I might need some backup."

"Not my problem."

She looked at me then sighed with resignation. "Fine. But if you ever beg me to lend you the game, expect a big NO to it. Some friend you are! Leaving your friend all alone...."

I stifled a laugh. "Sorry, Jen. I'll make it up to you - And don't give me that look or try to guilt me with our friendship. It's not working. And besides, mom and dad are going out on a date leaving Stella alone."

She let out a huff. "You're choosing a 7-year-old kid over me?"

"A 7 years old kid who is my sister? Yes." I nodded.

She locked her gaze on me for a few moments before realizing that I would not - and would never - accompany her on her silly quest to obtain her game. "Fine. I give you permission to depart." With her hand, she waved me away. "However, you must understand that after this, you owe me a drink from Barkbucks."

I patted her on the back. "Sorry, Jen. Maybe you should look for a boyfriend instead. That way, you won't need a game and you'll have another companion." She reached out and attempted to slap me. I laughed and moved away from her attack.

"Yeah yeah get out. Just say hello to Stella for me." I nodded at her as I went out of the shop. I tried to be as casual as I could until I was pretty sure that I was far from that place as possible. Once I was a good distance away, I checked my right then my left.

"Yes!" I whooped and yelled, causing a lot of people to stare at me. In any case, I can finally go home and watch some movies, preferably fantasy movies. I don't know why but for some reason I have become addicted to it. I have this whole bunch of collections in my room that I kept hidden from Jen. Knowing her, she'd throw them in the trash and replace them with a bunch of romance chick flicks.

I looked around the mall, trying to find something to eat. Maybe I could buy some popcorn or something. Better yet, cake or ice cream. Stella would definitely love ice cream. Now would be the perfect time since mom and dad wouldn't be home until tomorrow.

Seriously, after I reach the age of 17, they always have their weekly dates like teenagers. And yet they wouldn't allow me to even date.

Not that I really care.

I took a breather when I noticed a woman tripping over her grocery bags. Her silver hair and wrinkled fingers indicated that she was well into her senior years. She struggled to pick up a slew of fruits and other items that had rolled out of her shopping bag. I couldn't help but notice that no one seemed to notice or care about this. They could have at the very least assisted her.

What's the matter with this world? Don't they feel sorry for her? They acted as if they didn't see her, despite the fact that she was right in front of them.

What is she? Invisible?

I shifted my weight and caught one of the falling apples that had rolled in front of me. As much as I could, I cradled them in my arms. I made my way to her and handed her the fruits because I couldn't carry them any longer.

She grabbed them from me with wrinkled hands and gave me a kind smile. "Oh thank you, child," she said.

"No problem," I said and eyed her grocery bag. No wonder she tripped. "That's a lot of bags for you to carry, are you sure you're alright with that?"

"Yes, I am. By the way, child. I saw you coming out of that game shop over there. Were you interested in that game?" She asked.

I looked behind me to the shop, which was currently crowded for sure. I'm pretty sure that one of them is Jen. Although I couldn't really see her right now.

She must be dead.

I cringed at the sight and offered a silent prayer to my departed friend before I answered granny. "No way."

The old woman chuckled. Her silver hair falling from her bun. "Why so?"

I shrugged "It's strange. At least for me, that is. I mean, sure it's kind of interesting? But what happens when you finish the game? Game over. That's it."

She nodded as if she were digesting my words. "Indeed it will." She said in wonder. "But wouldn't it all be worth it once you have played? Who knows? Things might get interesting."

I raised an eyebrow at her in confusion. "What do you mean by interesting, granny?"

"The game. Aren't you the least bit curious of what's in it?" Okay, is it me or is this old woman here the old version of Jen? Anyone? "Sure. But right now the only thing I'm curious about is how much that game will cost me my lunch." I said and glanced at my watch. It was already 1 in the afternoon. Once again, I looked at the old woman and offered her a smile. 

"As much as I love chatting with you. I believe that I should be heading home to my sister."

She chuckled "Well as a token of my gratitude, please take this." She handed me some sort of charm.

"Take it, child. It is a token of my appreciation. It's a good luck charm." she said.

"Ma'am, you need luck more than I do. I can't take it." I said politely.

"Take it."

"...no."

"Come on, child. I know you want to." Her eyes sparkled as she continued to force the sketchy charm towards me.

"Um, no. I don't want to..."

"Take.It." She said through gritted teeth.

"Uhhh....n-"

"TAKE IT!" She shouted angrily.

I quickly took it.

She smiled victoriously. "Good. Now just imagine that it has some sort of magic that can make your wish come true, dearie. Oh and don't give it away. I'll know if you do." She winked before walking off.

Weird.

In haste, I kept the charm hidden in my bag and hurried home before I encountered any more of these weird old people in this place. I swear people are just insane, whether they be young or old. But on my way home, I couldn't help but feel that I was being watched.