Lack Of Self Confidence

Amira and the Lords arrived at the woods where Ariel had explained about her meeting the King there.

No trace of both Ariel or the King was left. They couldn't even find the water demon. Frustration was visible on their faces as they were already tired from the search and had to retire for the day in the enchanted cave where the Prophetess; Amira lived.

She sat down on her spooky chair gazing at the Lords seriously. The Lords sat on the dusty chair, they all were wearing a long face.

"What would become of Vallat now?" Lord Orpheus asked with a hint of sadness in his words.

This was uncalled for and they really didn't know how to tackle the situation.

"We need to wait for a few more days," Amira suggested but none of them bought her suggestion.

"He doesn't even have an heir." Lord Louisville blurted.

If truly the king had an heir, they won't be here worrying about him.

They stared sternly at Lord Luthur with different thoughts crossing their minds.

What were they thinking? He didn't know and he was the only one with a different thought.

"How about Luthur takes the king's position for now until the king's arrival?"

On the other hand, Princess Ariel was contemplating how she was going to put Duchess Graciela's words into practice. She was only through the first step of seduction and here she was shaking like a jellyfish.

"Tease him first!"

She thought about the difficulty and the stress attached to it. From the looks of things, her husband was difficult to please and she can't tease him as an act of seduction. He might get enraged.

Duchess Graciela on the other hand was still wondering why Princess Ariel was finding it difficult to tease her husband.

"You can't tease him?" She asked, rubbing her temple.

This was harder than she thought.

Ariel nodded innocently.

"What about the second step? Maybe it's going to be easier than the first!" Ariel thought but she received a cold glare from the duchess instead.

"You can't even tease your husband talk more of wanting to go with the second step." Graciela chuckled.

"Just read it to me."

Sigh!

Graciela was already tired so she continued with the lectures.

"Princess Ariel, the second is the 'No hand rule.' If this game will work, your husband will be down forever for you. The rule of this game is you cannot touch your husband with your hands. Use of the hand is forbidden for the husband. Only you can do whatever you want. Gradually, it will increase the excitement of the king towards his wife." Graciela heaved a sigh of relief and waited for Princess Ariel's reaction.

Princess Ariel burst out into a peal of hilarious laughter. Graciela stared at her with a blunt expression but she couldn't help but join her to laugh.

"You're gonna make me do all these to a man that doesn't even know a woman's worth?" Ariel continued laughing.

Graciela paused from her laughter and gave Ariel a nonchalant look at what he noticed.

"What's with the look?"

"It's nothing, Princess Ariel! Should I go on? You need to be able to choose one out of them and I'll show you how it's done." Graciela smirked hysterically.

Sigh...

"But Graciela, you know I can't do all of these even though you show me how," Ariel complained, murmuring some words but Graciela's ears caught her words.

"You lack self-confidence!"

"..."

"To seduce a man, you first need to seduce yourself - Learn to be yourself. Forget about all the expensive things that will make you look instantly pretty. Forget about the imposed beauty standards and focus only on yourself. What are the things you like the most about yourself? Are you curious, extroverted, caring, or generous? What are the things that you'd like to change about yourself?"

"Seducing yourself is about being in touch with your true self. To seduce a man, you need to know who you are and what you offer. Self-confidence is something you can't buy. It comes from within you and not from other trivial things. Fall in love with your imperfections and you'll boost your confidence. Show the world that you're proud of who you are and you will seduce any man you desire."

Princess Ariel nodded in understanding. This was what she had been longing to hear for so long instead of teasing and no-hand rule. She truly lacked self-confidence.

"I'm exhausted already, Princess Ariel!" Graciela stood up, taking a deep breath before turning to face the latter was drowned in thoughts. "We'll do some practicals some other time."

Ariel stood up as well and they both enveloped their selves in a warm hug before departing. She watched Graciela's back till she didn't get a sight of it again.

"My Lady, we'll take you inside. You're exhausted as well." Sabre offered, seeing the look in her mistress's eyes, she knew the latter was in need of something...

...rest.

"I won't be going to my room, but His Highness's other room," Ariel said as she helped herself walk.

Her maids were speechless, they didn't know if she should be allowed to go to the King's other room but they didn't have the right to refuse her request.

'I need to boost my self-confidence; it's what I lack right now.' Ariel assured herself inwardly.

She got to the room but hesitated a bit before creaking the door open. She entered the room, looking at every corner of it.

It's like no one have been in the room for months. She saw the mask her husband wore when she saw him the first day, hanging on the stand. Ariel couldn't help but take a look at it with admiration I'm her eyes.

"Do you find me attractive now?"

She heard a voice say but before she could turn toward the direction of where it was coming from. She passed out and helplessly fell on the titled marble floor.