Deceitful Allure (Around the fireplace series)

The light of the fireplace cast long shadows on the wall, the fire reflected in the eyes of the woman sitting on the couch with a blanket over her shoulders.
She had a bittersweet smile on her face as her mind traveled to the past days, nights long passed, nights she shared with her family when she was a kid. Memories she hoped to bring alive if possible.

First story: a story adaptation of a popular folklore in Nigeria; The Princess and the half man;

She had sworn on her mother's grave never to be blinded by emotions. But It'd seem she took after her mom in that aspect after all. Throwing all caution to the wind just for a man. She had thought she was different from the rest, leave it to reality to smack her back to her senses.

Her feelings for her dad was complicated, she could say she hated him, but that was not quite true, no matter what, he was still her father. The one who pampers and gives in to her every whim. She knew it was partly guilt and the fact she was his only daughter out of a battalion of boys that contributed to his attitude towards her. But so what, she didn't care much for affection, all she had cared for was getting what she wanted, and that had been true about her, until now.

Authors note: As a kid my dad will always sit us down at night, outside, in the darkness and tell us the most delightful stories of kingdoms long passed, Princesses and princes, magical creatures, much to the delight of us kids. But there's not much of that nowadays. So I want to share these delightful stories with everyone and I hope by doing this, these stories will not get lost in the sands of time. Thank you, have a nice read.
P.s: sorry for changing the cover multiple times. I think this cover is more suitable.