Scarlet's Predicament

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CHAPTER 20

As much as she wished to sympathize with her friend, she knew the kingdom would shake because of her disappearance.

'Sigh! I just need to convince her some more. Perhaps she can get her parents to change their minds with some more talking.

While she was deep in thought about the poor decision her friend was about to make due to love, she had no idea Scarlet was on a free spree.

'Hmm. Perhaps I can get injured and find a way to spend more time with him. I know Pearl's heart would not be able to take denying me if she sees I am in a difficult situation.'

Without further ado, she rushed to the nearest tree in sight and climbed it, ignoring the fact that she was putting on a gown.

After thinking for some time about the matter, Pearly finally decided to speak to her friend to reconsider her way first when she turned and saw no trace of the latter.

"Scarlet? Scarlet!" she turned while her gaze darted from place to place around her in search of the culprit.

"Oh no. Scarlet if you are hiding come out now. It is not funny."

"Over here!" Scarlet announced with a wave.

Pearl's eyes went wide and immediately she stormed over to where Scarlet was. However, before she could reach there, she saw her friend laughing and then the next thing she knew, she placed her leg wrongly on the tree and immediately fell off.

For a minute there, Pearl stopped in her tracks as she watched the scene unfold before her. Picking up speed, she hurried over to where her friend had fallen to help her up.

"Scarlet," Pearl sounded distressed but leaned in to help her friend up.

"How could you climb a tree when you know you cannot climb one," she scolded.

"Hehhee, I am sorry. I just felt too bound. After being locked in the palace for days now, I just wish to be free."

"One can be free without being stupid and hurting yourself," Pearl scoffed and placed both hands on her hips.

"Relax. Now you're acting like my mother. I am not hurt, hehe."

Letting out a deep sigh, Pearl stretched her hand for Scarlet to take and hoisted her up when suddenly she heard a sharp cry from Scarlet as the latter staggered backwards a bit and fell on her butt.

"Aaah, it hurts, it hurts."

Petrified by the sudden turn of events, Pearly rushed up to Scarlet to check what was wrong.

On the other hand, Zale who had been coming to their hangout saw the scene happen before his eyes.

Immediately Scarlet fell and Pearl rushed in, he followed suit to where the ladies were.

"Scarlet, what is wrong?" Pearl questioned as her gaze swept down first for her leg. "Did you hurt yourself anywhere?"

"Yes, yes. Ouch, it hurts. My feet, my ankle hurts," she pointed out whilst crying.

"Where?" Pushing her gown up on her fair legs, Pearl asked and tried to find a suitable cause.

"Here, here. Ouch, it hurts," Scarlet cried out again as she touched the particular part of her leg that was injured.

Trying to figure things out, Pearl lightly poked the affected area, forcing Scarlet to scream in agony.

"This is looking more severe than I had expected. You have strained your ankle," she analyzed carefully.

"What?!" Scarlet questioned while acting a bit shocked by the news offered to her.

"I am sorry to say, but it doesn't look good."

"Oh no, oh no, no, no, no," Scarlet chanted continuously while shaking her head at her friend as her eyes glistened with tears.

Almost simultaneously, Zale walked up to them, squatting close to Pearl and greeted her.

"Hello, Pearl. What's wrong?" He asked completely ignoring Scarlet on the ground.

As soon as Scarlet saw him her eyes glinted, jubilating in her mind at his appearance.

Ever since her arrival there, she had wished for nothing but his presence and now she had got it, at the best time.

"She stained her ankle and this is bad."

Pearl lifted her eyes to see Scarlet and without being told she knew the mess this would cause.

As if on cue, Scarlet masked every look of glee on her face and latched at Pearl's palm.

"You can't. You know I cannot go back. Pearl, please. Do not make me go home like this. My life would be over should I return," she pleaded earnestly to Zale's surprise.

He was sure from where he stood on his way that she was having fun and being daring with her play up in the tree.

Now, for someone who could not face the consequences of her action, he sure was suspicious of her.

"Scarlet," Pearl's tone weakened, seeing her friend begin to cry.

"Please let me stay with you for a few days. Three days or more till my leg heals enough for me to return on my own. Should I go back this way, I am doomed."

"No parents should kill their child for an injury," Zale chimed in while trying to understand the situation.

"Not my parents. Not my family. I am screwed because of this," she briefly explained to Zale before averting her gaze back to Pearl.

"Pearl please, you know what they did to me when they saw a scratch on me the other day. I cannot return to the palace like this. Please."

'Palace?' Zale questioned internally but maintained a calm face. 'No wonder she wished to reward me.' He noted in his mind.

As soon as he saw her, he knew who she was. He may be new in the human kingdom but he never forgot a face and her voice.

"I'll be locked up for good and even punished for sneaking out again," she pleaded.

"You cannot stay with me, Scarlet. It is not going to be allowed and if your parents find out, I can be…"

"Fine, then let her stay with me," Zale offered, cutting Pearl short.

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