Matchmaking

Hours turned into days and Ariel was still living like a prisoner in the castle. She barely come in contact with King But she wasn't complaining. Each time she was bored, she'll go to the garden and sit on the swing under the giant mushroom. Sometimes she'll have her three square meal there.

King Vladimir went on a week trip and won't be back until evening. Sometimes Lord Orpheus would keep Ariel company while the other Lords were busy doing their assigned work. Lord Luthur acted as if Ariel didn't exist.

At noon, Ariel had her lunch under the giant mushroom. Instead of sitting on the swing, she ordered her maid to arrange a small setting that'll make her comfortable. Therefore, she had a wide chair that can be occupied by three people and a table that was more to her liking.

While Ariel ate her lunch peacefully, Lord Orpheus came to keep her company. She didn't protest because she was already used to him keeping her company and preferred his company to that of the rest Lords including her so-called husband.

"Princess Ariel." He took her hands and kisses her knuckles, Ariel giggled in response.

"Lord Orpheus, would you like to join me for lunch?" Ariel said smiling.

Lord Orpheus chuckled at her kind gesture. Merely looking at him, you can easily tell that he was famished.

"I've been working a lot lately, I'm starving right now." He smiled at her while she motioned him to sit beside her and he did.

Ariel ordered her maids to bring some food and drink for Lord Orpheus and they did and immediately both of them had lunch together. Ariel had been curious lately about the kind of personality Lord Luthur had and also with the King so she decided to voice it out once they were done eating.

"Princess Ariel, what's with that look? Are you okay?" He asked after noticing the slight frown on Ariel's face.

Ariel took the opportunity to ask him about Lord Luthur and King Vladimir's personalities.

"I'm just curious about certain things."

"And what are those things? Princess Ariel."

"It's kind of about, Lord Luthur and King Vladimir."

"Why aren't you addressing the King as your husband?"Lord Orpheus asked the question on purpose because he wanted to hear her say what she had in mind about the King.

Ariel exhaled before she gave him a quick answer to his question. "King Vladimir and I are not like terms. That's all I have to say about him."

Lord Orpheus wasn't surprised. Although a lot of women fell on the King's feet to have a good look at his handsome face. Most times, they beg to be eaten raw by him. King Vladimir was good at rejecting desperate women and women that turned out to be virgins so it's gonna be hard for him and Ariel to mate. He has his taste in selecting women.

"King Vladimir is not what you think he is. He just claims to be hardheaded at times. As for Lord Luthur, that's his personality." Lord Orpheus said taking a bit from the strawberry that Ariel's maid offered him.

Arielle's curiosity grew into another dimension concerning Lord Luthur. She wanted to know more about him. Why he's so cold-hearted? Different from the others? As for King Vladimir, she wasn't interested in him.

"You shouldn't think about Lord Luthur right now. You should be thinking of how you can please your husband not that deadpan." Lord Orpheus advised.

"I don't think I and King Vladimir make a good couple. We aren't like terms." Ariel protested while she pouted her lips.

Lord Orpheus let out a low laugh, he found Ariel's words funny. "I think Amira can be of help, she's a marriage counselor and she's also good at matchmaking."

"Who's Amira?" Arielle furrowed her brow.

"You don't know her? She's the one that made you and Vladimir a couple. Remember matchmaking." Lord Orpheus grinned.

Ariel didn't find him funny this time and when he noticed it he coughed to clear his throat.

"She's the Prophetess."

The lass beside him looked surprised. It wasn't her fault since she didn't know the name of the Prophetess.

"I never knew. I'd like to see her today. It's been two weeks now and I haven't seen her. I'm just like a prisoner in this mighty castle." Ariel said letting out a deep sigh.

She looked pitiable. "There'll be a Royal banquet tomorrow and you might get to meet some dignitaries and also make friends with some cool ladies. The bouquet is for royalties and you might only get to attend if King Vladimir permits."

Speaking of the devil, he was right in front of them but he looked quite different.

"What is she going to attend?" King Vladimir asked with a serious expression on his face.

Lord Orpheus stood up to leave before then he kissed Ariel's knuckles again.

"I was just telling her about the Royal bouquet. I took pity on her after she complained about living like a prisoner. It's unfair don't you think?" Lord Orpheus retorted and left the angry king with his wife.

King Vladimir shifted his gaze to Ariel and sat beside her but was still two meters far from her to confirm if what Lord Orpheus said was true.

"Your Majesty, how was your trip?" She summed up the courage to ask him.

King Vladimir didn't respond. Ariel noticed something, he had a different look and this time he was irresistible. His long hair became short and she didn't want to ask him why his hair became short. Maybe he decided to make them short. King Vladimir's new look made him more charming. She felt like touching his face and his hair but she fought the urge. Instead, she stood up to leave.

Ariel halted when she heard him say, "We'll be attending the Royal bouquet tomorrow. Make sure you look forward to it." She nodded and left his presence.

"Umph! Weirdo!"