3 months later, in the family room with all my family, my mother joyfully exclaimed, "Ro, you are betrothed!"

"WHAT!" The rest of us shouted.

Prior to that, my last 3 months were not that dramatic.

After the Danny Phantom crossover, we finished off the rest of the criminals who would have no memory of those ghosts. We also found a phone among the vicinity.

"What is this?" Fiona asked in wonderment. She was tapping it and exclaimed in wonderment when it opened with a beep.

"Looks like something an elf would make," Selena mused as Fiona was having fun with it. Sounds and pings were coming out.

"So, should we show it to Zelda later?"I asked.

"How would we explain it to her we found this?" Riana asked.

"What are you so worried about? We just found it and we don't know what it is, so that's why we are asking her," John said.

"Agh!" Fiona screamed.

"What?" We all asked when we saw the phone and backed away.

In another universe... a lone ghost was rummaging to his pocket and said, "Butter biscuits, my phone. My favourite pictures gone!"

Danny heard this ghost and sighed, "Fruitloop."

Back to our universe, we were very repulsed to see very suggestive pictures of some woman or as I know it Maddie Fenton.

"Agh," I said and took the phone from her and deleted all of it.

"That device is a monster," John declared.

"Or the owner is," Riana said.

"Thanks for removing that," Elly said.

"How did you know to do that?" Riana asked.

"There was a trash can button and I had to put the pictures where they belong," I said.

Afterwards, there wasn't much to be said. We showed the phone to Zelda and it was a wonderment to be examined. That was mass produced 2 weeks later minus whatever loopy stuff we found and got a bit grossed out, given the name 'phone' by Riana. Now, I have one and I've been downloading songs and games into it. Finally, some progress in this world.

It was not amiss that I am the owner of the Pisces Bracelets. The story is that I found it and it chosen me over a fierce battle with the monster that attacked the village as it's guardian. Having defeated the monster, I was chosen as its owner. No one knows of my ghost powers, I made sure to keep that under wraps for the sake of avoiding a Magicalypse.

The only people to know the truth was the gang, including my brother, because 'weird' things seem to be happening around us and it's best to make sure. My brother fussed a lot but both Riana and me managed to soothe him.

With the Pisces Bracelets, I can finally move on to my next phase of retrieving the Arceus Diamonds. I joined it with both Mayura's Necklace and Noir's Ring.

Chains sprouted from both bracelets, including a white glowish one that seems transparent and add the black and purple gems crisscrossing until it made that Mickey Mouse face until it faded away to reveal the same Pisces Bracelets except the etchings are glowing more brightly and flecks of Mayura's Necklace and Noir's ring can be seen.

I hid that carefully and the three months I spent searching proved to be naught.

Now, this betrothal problem... ever since I got the Pisces Bracelets, I became very popular with many betrothal requests. Dad, Clover and me did our best to get rid of them from Mom's prying eyes who wanted me betrothed ever since Clover was but we weren't lucky this time.

Back to the present, Mom clapped happily, "Aren't you excited, Aurora?" she asked.

More frightened and anxious is accurate.

"Who is it?" Clover was swift.

"Oh, you won't believe it but it's the Fairy Queen's son, Ain Henir!" Mom exclaimed joyfully.

"WHAT?!" We choked out the same response.

Ain Henir... I can't believe it.

He was the sheltered son of Queen Diana and Prince Consort Cole.

Unlike other kingdoms, the Queen holds the highest power and there is no King. The second most powerful would be called Prince Consort who is married to the Queen.

The Queen has no daughters and even if she did, does not mean the daughter will inherit the throne. All fairy girls who show themselves capable have the right for the throne and will be tested throughout.

Despite that, the offsprings of the current Queen will be made dukes or duchesses and Ain is no exception to that rule. That makes him very powerful indeed, including being a fairy with fire and light powers. No wonder Mom is so excited.

The rest of the family was anything but.

"Why are you so gloomy?" Mom was quick to notice our expressions, "You are betrothed to a future Duke. Your future is assured, Aurora!"

"But Mother, I don't want to be betrothed. Is it so wrong to be single for all time?" I asked. The cons of being a noble.

"Oh, it's time for you to grow up, Aurora," Mom scolded, "All girls need to marry for a fine life, well, look at me," she gestured to herself. "Anyway, you are going to visit Ain tomorrow afternoon and will have the betrothal party the week later."

Every betroth has a party once it's announced like Clover and Riana's a week after we found them kissing. It was beautiful and lot of squealing, mostly from me.

Mom left, humming and skipping happily but she turned around, "Oh, yes, Aurora? If you think of escaping this, then your chocolate stash will suddenly gone missing... and you will not have any for a year..."

Sometimes, Mom can be the Devil.

Then she ta-ta at us and left, the rest of us were looking at each other forlornly.

"I thought we burned all the letters yesterday," I said. That's what we did to all betrothal invites.

"Yes, I'm sure," Clover said, "Could we have missed one?" We looked at Dad.

He was rubbing his temples, "I made sure all the letters were removed and burned. It was even double checked by the servants!"

"The servants?" I inquired.

"Most trusted to me," he said.

"Is one of them a woman?" I asked.

"Yes," He said, "Why do you ask?"

I groaned, "That explained why the maids were all giggly yesterday. One of them must have discovered the letter and decided to arrange my love life. Ugh."

"How can you be so sure of that?" Clover asked, eyes raised.

I sighed, "All the women household like me and have always gossiped to who I'll end up with so I guess one of them would take the opportunity to speed it up."

We all groaned.

"What are we going to do?" Clover asked exasperated.

There was no answer.

                                ***

"WHAT?!" Everyone at the Mindscape asked when I broke down the news.

"Congratulations," Black said to me.

Lia was laughing.

The new resident, my ghost half that we dubbed Ezmia because she looked a bit like Maleficent, looked thoughtful.

"What?" I asked her.

She turned to me, her black hair still floating and flowing in place.

"Why would someone as important as Ain Henir would be betrothed to you?"

"Is that an insult?" I asked.

"No," Ezmia said smoothly. My ghost half was as graceful inside as she was outside. "What I mean is that although you are the owner of the Pisces Bracelets, there are still better suited women or fairies for the son of the Queen of Kingdom Jirachi."

Hmm... there's a point there.

"So you think there is a reason for this betroth other than being the owner of the Pisces Bracelets?" I asked Ezmia.

"You better hope so," she said, "Otherwise there's no escaping this."

I groaned.

"Imagine what your friends' reaction will be when you tell them," Lia chortled after she somewhat subsided her laughing fit.

I groaned some more.

"You haven't met the guy," Black reminded me, "For all you know, he could become your beloved."

I snorted.

"Thanks a lot," I snarked, "No idea how to get out of this."

"Nothing decent," Lia said.

"Only time will tell," Ezmia said.

"This could be a good thing," Black added.

"I just want to wake up now," I said. This was getting nowhere. And wake up I did.

                                    ***

"WHAT?!" My friends shouted, including John and Alex the next morning. "You are betrothed?!"

I clutched my head, I feel like I'm having a headache.

My girlfriends squealed while Alex and John looked flabbergasted, Alex especially so.

"Congratulations!" My girlfriend said simultaneously.

"How on Earth did you manage to be betrothed with the sheltered son of the Fairy Queen?" Fiona asked.

I shrugged helplessly.

Fiona, Selena and Elly were confused why I was so exasperated with this situation but Alex and John weren't because they understood what the girls don't.

Alex shook his head, "Man, Ro, you have all the luck," said sarcastically.

Elly nudged him, "Jealous?"

"No," Alex said but he was blushing. I sighed.

"God, all I wanted from my life is to not be betrothed, graduate from school to be a doctor and live a secluded life," I said.

"Is that what you really want?" John asked.

"Yes, no more of this drama," I said.

They nodded their heads. Drama, they understand.

"So when are you going to meet him?" Selena asked.

"A few hours from now," I said, "And about time for me to go home to be tortured into dressing, makeup and Mom."

"Good luck," they all said in unison. I nodded my thanks because I really need it.

I was right. They were preparing me way too much for a simple first visit. The maids were talking a mile a minute with gossip of Ain Henir and compliments for me and about this whole betrothal business. I was glad when the head maid stopped them because I was starting to form another headache.

It was a little more than an hour left to the appointed time of the visit that they finished me up in a sleeveless long cut satin pomp turquoise dress and black sequinned boots. My hair was tied up and coiffed to perfection with a touch of make up.

I thought I was way too overdressed for just a visit but Mom and the maids insisted on making a good impression with that.

I doubt it. Too much make up and overdressing were not ways to impress a boy.

At least in the books I read. Simplicity is everything.

Sooner than later, Mom as my guardian and I were riding off. Both Clover and Dad wished me luck. I still need it, in whatever context you like to put it.

"I'm so happy that you'll have a great betroth," Mom told me and I nodded. Then she started to gossip to me as if I were one of her friends from those teas she throws.

I just nodded but had not uttered a word until we reached the Jirachi Kingdom.

"Wow," I softly said, because the kingdom stole my breath away.

Nothing is ever perfect but the Jirachi Kingdom was nearly there.

Past the Togekiss Gardens, where every flower bloomed under the lilting sun was a massive kingdom that shimmered with a faint light and a picturesque look to it.

The river was flowing while sparkling throughout the kingdom past dollhouses in human size. Plant life sprung alight throughout the kingdom passing the cobblestone path we are passing through.

All the fairies with their different looking wings were going around their business as usual, no one suffering from poverty as far as I can see.

Our destination was reached soon enough and my breath caught as I saw the castle in front of me.

The river ends up as a moat for the castle before continuing its journey and ahead was a gem studded door intricately decorated.

The building itself was magnificent as if it looked like it was built from gold itself which I don't really doubt. It was massive with plenty of towers and big open windows.

The drawbridge settled down once we got off the carriage and we walked through it and Mom knocked the fine looking door.

It was opened by one of the servants who greeted us in cordially and told us to follow him.

The hall following through the door led to a grand staircase and two big archways opposite each other before it. Doors were scattered where there was any wall left after the archways.

He led us to one of the archways which consists of a big table where I assume the Queen holds her banquets. Curtains draped the place, making it comfortable yet regal. There were more doors here and he took us to one.

It led to some kind of lobby with even more doors. God above, how big is this place?

He told us to wait here before going through one of the doors. A moment later, he beckoned Mom but told me to stay.

I was only too happy and started playing around with my phone until another door opened and a voice floated out, "This place can housed a million elephants. It's so easy to get lost!"

Laughter could be heard and out came three people I didn't expect to see.

"Milan? Greg? Nate?" I asked in astonishment when I saw the three people coming out, "What are you doing here?"

"Ro?! What are you doing here?" Milan asked.

I decided to answer, "I'm meeting with the Queen's son."

Milan looked shock. "Wait. So that means you are the one betrothed to him?!"

"WHAT?!" Greg and Nate asked.

"Wait, how do you know about it?!" I asked. I sure didn't tell her or the rest of the gang yet.

Milan shrugged, "It was the gossip in the castle yesterday that someone powerful accepted the betrothal from the Queen's sheltered son. I had no idea it was you."

Greg shrugged, "I'm not exactly surprised if I heard of this gossip. Ro, thanks to the mysterious Pisces Bracelets, is labelled as powerful."

Milan smiled to him and I asked, "You haven't answered my question. What are you guys doing here?"

"Well, I live here and Greg and Nate here are visiting the castle with family for political reasons and are staying over a week," Milan said.

I looked at her. "You live here?" I asked.

"Well, duh, me and about half a thousand Queen hopefuls here do. We stay here to train and for our tests for the rights to the throne."

"Oh," I raised my brow. That was in the otome game blog, how could I forget?

"Anyway," Milan continued, "I cannot believe that reclusive boy has finally reached out to someone, let alone as their future fiancé."

"Wait, what do you know about Ain Henir?" I asked. Unlike the maids or Mom, Milan was honest and won't spread gossip if it isn't true. And there's the fact she lived here in the castle.

Milan frowned. "Well, there's not much I can give you, Ro. I seen him a few times in this castle but he's always kept to himself. He shies away from human contact, even at his debut, which was one of the only parties he ever attended. Mostly, the rumor is that he hates people and I don't not believe it. He really locks himself in his room and does his own thing, not reaching out to anyone, not even his parents."

"Wow, and after all this time, he reached out to me?" I asked.

Milan tilted her head, "That is a big question mark as to why. Hence, plenty of gossip. But maybe this is showing a new side to Ain-san. Not unromantic, if you asked me."

I raised both my eyebrows, "You did not strike me as a romantic."

"What? I've always been a romantic. In fact," she whispered to me so that Greg and Nate cannot hear her, "since I met Alex."

"Really," I said, eyebrows shot up, but I wasn't all too surprised. This was otome game knowledge. I just wondered why she didn't show it until now. Maybe the hypocrisy is strong, who knows?

"Yeah, but he likes someone else, no matter how hard I tried..." she smiled ruefully at me. I get what she meant, I'm not that dense.

And now she said it, I do remember the few times I've seen them together, Milan was simply all cute and happy, a heroine personality and Alex smiling at her, sometimes patting her head like a puppy but when I hear snippets of their conversations, I heard Alex said, "Glad we are friends." Emphasized.

"But I may have a shot now," Milan said.

"Or you will like someone else," I said mischievously.

Milan looked askance at me, "Did you really liked Alex?" At this point Greg and Nate were just background.

"As friends," I amended, "but who knows..." I wanted to see her reaction. She purses her lips but otherwise no signs of jealousy. "Now, I'm just going to be betrothed with Ain-san, so who cares at this point?" I said mostly to appease Milan.

Milan still stared at me. A part of me, the paranoid part anyway, was thinking of the bad ending between Milan and Alex. The what ifs made it possible to be a reality. But now, I don't know how to tackle it.

Suddenly, the door opened and the man, although surprised to see my company, still beckoned me inside.

"Good luck," they all said to me.

Now, walking toward that door like it's my doom, I really do need it.