Sex is Power

Isabella's mouth gaped, shocked at her mother's language. "Mom!"

"It's true." Emiko smiled, "And that is the secret weapon you possess. Something that us women can use against them, and something they will never fully understand."

Isabella could feel her cheeks flush as her mother continued, "If the man wants sex, then give him some. Play along, but don't promise anything. Let him think he's in control, but only when the time is right. Seduce him. Charm him. And once he's under your spell, then you can ask him for everything you want. Men are fools, Isabella. They think they're the ones pulling the strings, but in reality, they are nothing but puppets."

Emiko paused, looking intently at her daughter.

"That is the most important lesson I can teach you. The power to control men, and everything else in life. Sex is Power, Isabella."

Isabella could feel her heartbeat racing. She had never had such an intimate conversation with her mother before.

"I wish to bring you to Palmeria with me one day, when the danger is over. An empty and frozen palace that I transformed into a paradise, and all I had to do was lie on my back and spread my legs sometimes. A place where we can be free and safe, a place where you can be yourself."

Palmeria. Isabella had heard stories about her mother's mysterious and hedonistic private life in the summer palace, but never in her wildest dream did she expect them to be true.

"I would love to come, mom." Isabella said, smiling.

Emiko's expression softened, but she resumed her severity in a flash.

"But first," she said, her voice grave, "We have to survive the funeral. Everything rests on this day, and nothing can go wrong."

Emiko rose, pulling her daughter into a hug. "Be careful, Isabella. I will be back as soon as the preparations are done."

With a quick squeeze, she released her daughter and swept out the door.

Isabella was left alone, her mind racing with the information.

Her mother's words echoed in her mind, and she felt a strange sense of pride, as if she had finally been accepted by her.

"Sex is power," she murmured.