Claim Scarlet

Vera moved down the hallway with cautious, silent steps, each one amplifying the eerie quiet that surrounded her. The corridor stretched endlessly before her, making her destination seem impossibly distant. Her heart pounded with the fear of being discovered, and she clutched the hem of her purple gown with both hands, lifting it to avoid any noise.

Just as she approached Scarlet's chamber, a voice shattered the silence.

"What are you doing?" Riley's young, bright voice rang out, full of suspicion. Vera's heart sank. Why did it have to be him? Couldn't he just ignore her presence for once?

Turning slowly, she found herself face to face with Riley and Ralph, their eyes fixed on her with intense curiosity.

"What are you doing here?" Vera stammered, desperately trying to change the subject.

"We were on our way to watch the fight between His Highness and the Emperor of Corea," Riley replied, his gaze sweeping over her from head to toe with evident distrust.

"What are you doing near Scarlet's room?" Riley demanded, his question hitting Vera like a bolt of lightning. She forced a smile, her mind racing for a plausible excuse. 

"I came to look for Scarlet," she said causing a long stare from Riley just then, Ralph intervened. She had lied knowing if she told them that she was here to find something in Scarlet chamber to frame her, she would end up in trouble.

"You may go and watch the competition, Riley. I will accompany Consort Vera to the place," the first prince said smoothly. Riley nodded, though not without casting one last suspicious glance at Vera before leaving. 

Vera swallowed hard, watching Riley's retreating figure, feeling her heartbeat slow just a little. She turned to Ralph, who studied her with a mix of amusement and intrigue.

An unsettling feeling gnawed at Vera, hinting that she was in trouble. She felt uneasy, her mind a whirlwind of anxiety and anticipation.

"May we?" Ralph's voice was gentle, exuding an air of gentlemanly grace. His smooth hands extended towards Vera, inviting hers to rest atop them. She placed her hands in his without hesitation.

"Thank you, elder brother," Vera replied, a shy smile playing on her lips.

"You may call me Ralph, Vera," he suggested, his eyes momentarily dropping to the ground as Vera turned to face him.

"I don't think that's appropriate, elder—" Vera began, but Ralph interrupted her.

"It doesn't matter, Vera. I gave you permission to do so," he insisted, his eyes meeting hers as she nodded. An unconscious smile tugged at his lips.

"Okay, Ralph," she agreed, a blush creeping across her cheeks.

Ralph's gaze drifted to her hand, a look of concern crossing his face. "If I may ask, what happened to your hand?"

Vera forced a longing smile, her eyes staring into the distance as she walked alongside Ralph, who kept glancing at her sorrowful face.

"It was done by my maidservant," she finally said, her voice laced with a calculated mix of sorrow and bitterness. 

"I didn't even know she was becoming rebellious towards me and my former maidservant." She paused, her voice trembling with feigned distress. 

"You must have heard about the death of my maidservant? His Highness is suspecting me now as her murderer. If not for Consort Scarlet—no, it's not Consort anymore; it's Empress Consort," she continued, as fake tears began to stream down her cheeks, leaving glistening trails until they fell onto her clothing.

"His Highness doesn't believe me because she has manipulated him," Vera added, the tears coming more freely now. Ralph felt a pang of sympathy, his heart aching for her.

The thought of Scarlet made him clench his fists, a surge of protective anger swelling within him. He released his fists and slowly closed the small distance between him and Vera.

He raised his hands and, with a tender touch, wiped away her tears. Vera sniffled, trying to keep the rest of her tears at bay, her eyes shimmering with a mix of gratitude and lingering sadness. The closeness between them, both physical and emotional, wrapped around Ralph, making him more determined to protect her from the perceived injustices she faced.

Vera's heart raced as Ralph's comforting presence made her deception feel almost justifiable. She leaned into his touch slightly, allowing herself to appear even more vulnerable, her tear-streaked face a portrait of misery and delicate charm.

He carefully rested her head on his shoulder and began to pat her back, more gently than ever. Deep down, he didn't want this moment to end. When Vera wrapped her hand around his waist and adjusted her head, it brought him out of his thoughts.

His heart began to race at Vera's actions, and a blush crept up his cheeks. He liked Vera, but she never gave him much attention. Her eyes only saw his brother. His smile faded away, and he gently unwrapped Vera's hands from his waist, pushing her away with a gentle touch.

"If Consort Vera wishes, she may go watch the competition. I don't want to watch it any longer," Ralph said, avoiding Vera's confused gaze.

She wondered, "What is wrong with him?"

Before she could say anything or question him, he turned his back and left, leaving her speechless. But a knowing, almost devilish smile crept up her face.

Why didn't she think of this before? If she couldn't have Jareth, Ralph was available, and she could make him emperor in no time. The only problem was that he was married and whether he desired the throne too.

There was no need to worry, she told herself. She would take it slowly. She hummed to herself, forgetting the purpose of her visit.

Riley came out of his hiding place, he had heard all that was being spoken from Vera's mouth. In frustration, he sighed.

*****

Scarlet closed her eyes, not wanting to witness Jareth taking the hit. Her breath grew heavy, and she trembled all over. She couldn't bear to see Jareth hurt because of her. Ilvia had rushed into her bedroom, recounting everything that had happened, and now she found herself watching Jareth and Edward fight for her.

Before she knew it, a tear cascaded down her cheek as she saw Jareth fall to the ground. This was exactly what she had been trying to avoid – seeing him in pain.

Her heart raced, thudding painfully in her chest, as she fought the urge to run to Jareth. The sight of him lying there, vulnerable, made her stomach churn with a mix of fear and guilt. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to steady her shaking body. Every fiber of her being screamed to help him, to do something, but she felt paralyzed by the overwhelming emotions flooding her.

The thought of Jareth suffering because of her was unbearable. The tears continued to fall, each drop a testament to her anguish. She couldn't stand it anymore. The pain in her heart was too much, threatening to consume her entirely.

Her heart ached for him, and her legs suddenly decided to move as fast as they could. She plunged into the misty crowd, faintly hearing Ilvia's call. But that wasn't what bothered her. Jareth was there, fighting, and nobody was stopping it. Instead, they watched their king struggle with that stupid vampire. If anyone should die, it should be her, she chanted to herself.

With renewed determination, she sprinted even faster, swiftly entering the battle ring. She pushed Edward off Jareth's body, causing Edward to fall to the ground.

Edward looked at her in shock, his face contorting with a mix of pain and confusion. Seeing her hateful expression confirmed what Athena had told him—it was one-sided again. She would never love him, just like always.

Edward let out a deep, pained chuckle. He watched as Scarlet helped Jareth up, placing his hands on her shoulder before she turned to give Edward a disdainful look. Or was it hate? He was left in confusion.

He blamed himself for wanting to claim Kayla. She was always his, then and even now, and would forever be his. He turned his head and saw Athena smirking before she disappeared into the crowd.

*******

Both Scarlet and Jareth remained silent. Jareth felt uncomfortable under her silence, which was unlike her.

She opened the door with a light kick, and they both entered. Gently, she assisted Jareth in sitting down and was about to leave when Jareth held her hand.

"Are you angry? I'm not hurt! Don't you know who I am? I can—" Jareth began, but Scarlet interrupted him.

"Do I look like a pawn in your silly game?" Scarlet asked, her brows furrowed in frustration.