Seducing The Prince

I know you're not one to gossip, Nemere, but I truly appreciate you coming to tell me about Prince Mayo and Soma. So, you said someone saw Soma running out of the prince's backyard the other day?

Nemere bit her lips before she nodded in response to what Asha had asked.

"You can speak freely. There's no need to be afraid. We are safe right here in our backyard. My sisters are still asleep, but I couldn't sleep and rushed out the second I saw you running errands. I am very interested in knowing what's going on between Prince Mayo and Soma. It could be my own way of protecting my sister's interest."

"I hear the rumors that she may be the prince's wife."

"Yes the king has promised that Prince Mayo would marry my sister" Asha answers. 

"You know the Royals and the privileged people of Maribah do not know we have eyes and we can see, and that we have ears and we know all that's going on behind closed doors. So, my mistress, there is something definitely going on between Prince Mayo and Soma."

"My sisters would never believe me if I told them that Soma is having something fishy to do with Prince Mayo. something that shouldn't be, and that's why they're sneaking around to keep it hidden. Just imagine the consequences for Chief Nnutu's family if the king discovers his daughter pursuing the prince, who already has a promised wife."

"It would be disastrous, but perhaps Mistress Soma's father is unaware of her sneaking out to see the prince."

"Now, what do I do? Is it right for me to hide something that could jeopardize my sister's future and not share it with her?" Asha bit her lips, nervously twisting her morning robe, contemplating whether to inform her sister about what she had learned about Prince Mayo. Will it make any difference if she did?

"I don't have the answers to your questions. Please, I'd like to be on my way if that's okay with you. I can't risk being seen talking to you or neglecting my duties.

"I'm really sorry for keeping you. I hope your mistress won't give you a hard time?" Asha felt a twinge of guilt, realizing she had forgotten that Nemere, as a servant, could face punishment for even the slightest delays.

"She's still asleep and won't notice I'm gone. But before I leave, there's something I'd like to share, if that's okay." Asha asked politely, and Nemere nodded for her to continue.

"The royal celebration day is coming up, and I have a feeling they might announce the prince's future wife. That might explain why Soma is so eager to snag the prince before his official marriage. Please try to let your sister know; her impending marriage might be in jeopardy." With that, the servant girl left, leaving Asha alone with her thoughts.

Asha wouldn't mind if Soma ended up with the prince, but she knew her elder sister would be deeply hurt, especially since the prince had made it clear the last time they met that he had eyes for her. Asha was sure her sister's happiness hinged on winning the prince for herself. Though she couldn't quite grasp the appeal of joining the royal house, she couldn't just stand by while her sister suffered. She had to talk to her about what Nemere had revealed.

Her intention was to discuss Prince Mayo and Soma with her sister, but upon entering their room and witnessing her sister berating their maid, Asha realized her sister would push her away before she could even say a word. Mistreating and belittling others were her sister's disgusting habits. If Asha revealed the details about Prince Mayo and Soma, her sister would likely question how she knew, leading to more trouble for Nemere, the servant girl who witnessed the events.

"Do you not know your sister at all? You were actually planning to tell her that you saw Prince Mayo and Soma together. Don't you know she'll rush to him, spill the beans, and maybe even pressure our father to persuade the king to announce their marriage sooner, making us look desperate?" Nena advised Asha when she finally confided in her about Nemere's findings.

"So, what should I do now? Keep it to myself?"

"Yes, keep it to yourself! The only way she'll believe you is if she witnesses it herself. We can work on that later. For now, I'll find a way for her to spend more time with Prince Mayo."

"But is that a good idea? I don't trust him. If he's sneaking around with Soma, then he might not hesitate to flirt with Zeep as well. And you know she can't be seen doing that. It will spoil our name"

"They're getting married. They'll eventually get to all that! It won't hurt anyone if she flirts with him just to keep him closer," Asha was about to respond to Nena when Zeep walked in on them conversing in hushed tones while sitting on their beds.

"What are you girls talking about? You know you shouldn't keep any serious matter from your sister. What did Asha do this time?" Zeep narrowed her eyes, looking accusingly at Asha.

It was fortunate that Asha hadn't spilled the details about Nemere's findings. Who knows what might have happened? Asha thought to herself, excusing herself from the room to avoid irritating her elder sister.

"Tell me, Zeep, what happened the last time you were with the prince? What did you both talk about? Did he mention he was happy about your marriage? Did he say he was in love with you?" Nena questioned as Asha walked away slowly from their room.

"Should you be asking such sensitive questions? Why do you care?" came Zeep's harsh tone. And Asha rolled her eyes on her way out. 

"Come on, Zeep, you know I would be the next in line, and I need to know what to expect when my turn comes."

"I don't know if he truly cares about me, but I know we will be married soon and he will have to spend his entire life with me." She giggled

"Are you sure? What about Soma?"

"What about her?"

"Didn't you see the way she was watching you the last time you both were together? What if she tries to snatch the prince from you?"

"How? You know that isn't possible!" Zeep answered haughtily. "The king has promised I would be Prince Mayo's wife, and there's no going back!"

"Do you truly believe that if the Prince finds someone else before the announcement is made, the king will stick to his word? We all know the royal house is filled with lies and deceit!"

"Do not say that about my future home!" Zeep retorted, but deep down, she knew Nena was right.

"So what do I do now? What if Soma genuinely wants the Prince, and on that celebration day, I'm shocked to find out she will be queen?"

"You must make sure you are everywhere the prince is. Dress beautifully, smile around him, talk freely with him and make sure he never leaves your sight," Nena advised. From the doorway where she stood listening, Asha felt it was terrible advice, but perhaps it could salvage Zeep's impending marriage.

"You are right! I have to spend more time with him and make him fall in love with me!"

Asha cleared her throat and walked in, carrying a plate of roasted yam.

"Have you been listening to our private conversation?" Zeep asked sharply.

"Why would I? I have no interest in your business!"

"Soon, my business will be everyone's business! Every single person in Maribah will fight to be in my hood graces! Soon!" Zeep replied, flipping her robe and settling onto her bed. Nena smiled, knowing she had cleverly prevented Soma from disrupting her sister's marriage to the prince without revealing anything about Asha's discovery of Prince Mayo's secret relationship with Soma.

But on her bed, Zeep was deeply troubled by what Nena had shared. She knew Nena was right. Soma could very well steal the prince from her if she did nothing. She needed to flirt with the Prince to convince him that she was the best choice among all the maidens in Maribah. He would have eyes only for her when she was done. 

"Tell me, Nena, what do you know about seducing a man?" Zeep's question surprised both Asha and Nena. Nena stammered, unsure how to respond.

"You see, none of us knows anything about captivating a man, and Soma might!" Zeep exclaimed, hitting her bed in frustration.

"But you don't need to trap him when he is already yours!" Asha advised.

"Just shut it for once, Asha! Nena has opened my eyes to a great truth, and you want me to do nothing because of the king's words. When we all know the royal house… just whatever!"

"Maybe Mezin can help! She's way older than us!" Nena suggested.

"You mean I should take advice from a mere servant on how to seduce a prince?" Zeep scoffed before jumping back onto her bed. She knew nothing about pleasing a man, but she wouldn't stoop low to ask a mere servant. She would find a way to seduce Prince Mayo on her own, Somehow.