Haunted Manor

"What do you mean?" Jareth asked, his voice wavering, betraying his curiosity as he glanced away.

"Consort Scarlet is planning a war against Edward and you," Vera finally managed to say, her eyes clouded with pretended indifference.

"Do you think I would believe that?" Jareth scoffed, his gaze disdainful.

"Jareth, I wouldn't lie to you," Vera insisted, her eyes pleading despite her composed demeanor. "I know it's hard to believe, but I heard her myself. Scarlet is plotting against you and His Highness Edward. Please, you have to trust me on this." She rushed toward him, but Jareth stopped her with a raised hand.

Vera, seeing Jareth's stern stance, quickly added, "If only Consort Scarlet hadn't killed my maidservant. Your Highness, you have to believe me. She plotted to bring Elora here, and she is going to kill her after the peace treaty."

Hearing his sister's and Scarlet's names from Vera's mouth triggered a deep-seated anger in Jareth. He stepped closer to her, his face inches from hers. "It's Empress-Consort now, Consort Vera," he said with a dark glare that sent shivers down Vera's spine.

"Release her," he commanded a silent guard. Turning to leave, he left with Raynell. Vera watched him go, hoping he would believe her and destroy the little bond between him and Scarlet. She couldn't wait to see Scarlet's downfall.

---

"My lady, how did your conversation with the Empress Dowager go?" Ilvia asked excitedly.

"It went fine, Ilvia," Scarlet replied, staring out the window, her mind seemingly elsewhere.

"Is something bothering you, my lady?" Ilvia asked, her voice filled with concern.

"Nothing, Ilvia. And besides, didn't I tell you to call me Scarlet? Or have you taken back your words about being friends?" Scarlet said, giving Ilvia a warning look.

"No, Scarlet," Ilvia said quickly, blinking and waving her hands in front of Scarlet, trying to dispel any tension.

Scarlet sighed deeply, her gaze fixed on the distant horizon outside the window. Her mind was consumed with thoughts of saving Jareth. She needed a strategy. She sighed again, heavier this time, and moved to sit on the chair by the mirror stand, her reflection showing the worry etched on her face.

"Ilvia, what would you do if you had the opportunity to save someone?" Scarlet asked, her voice tinged with desperation.

Ilvia thought for a moment before responding. "If I were given the chance to save someone, I'd approach it like a chess game. Assess the pieces on the board, check my opponent's moves, and then execute a flawless strategy to ensure victory. Most importantly, saving someone isn't just about bravery; it's about outsmarting the odds," she said, her eyes calculating as she spoke.

An idea struck Scarlet suddenly, and she realized the only way was to use Ilvia. She opened her drawer and glanced at the deadly nightshade she had bought from the mercatus, its dark, ominous presence a stark contrast to the delicate items around it.

"His Highness is here!" came a loud announcement, jolting Scarlet out of her thoughts. She quickly closed the drawer, her movements anxious and hurried.

As Jareth entered, Scarlet positioned herself to block the view of the closed drawer, her heart racing.

Scarlet chuckled awkwardly, trying to mask her anxiety. "What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice betraying her surprise. Jareth was dressed in a commoner cloth and she was taken aback by this.

"May my Empress-Consort accompany me to the mercatus?" Jareth asked, his eyes narrowing slightly as he noticed her composed yet tense posture.

Scarlet blinked, taken aback by the request, and nodded slowly after a moment, still trying to process the sudden visit. Before she left, she also dressed in a simple purple gown with no intricate design. 

The walk was slow, allowing Scarlet to take in every view. She felt a deep comfort in Jareth's presence, though she didn't know why he had brought her out. The time spent together under the moonlight felt precious.

It was just the two of them, their steps unhurried beneath the silver glow of the moon.

"Scarlet, are you keeping any secrets from me?" Jareth finally asked, breaking the silence that had hung between them. His anticipation was palpable; he wanted to trust her completely, but Vera's words kept echoing in his mind.

"Like what?" Scarlet replied, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Did Vera tell you anything?" she asked, chuckling softly at Jareth's confused expression.

"Elora and I were attacked by Edward," Jareth admitted, watching her face carefully for any reaction.

"What? That bastard!" Scarlet exclaimed loudly, drawing some attention from passersby. She was thankful no one recognized them, as they were dressed in commoners' clothes.

"Are you okay? Did you get injured?" Scarlet asked, her voice filled with worry as she inspected Jareth's body for any signs of harm.

A devilish grin crossed Jareth's lips, a hint of mischief in his eyes as he watched Scarlet's reaction. "That 'bastard,' indeed. 

"We have a few scratches, but nothing that can't be healed. His greed will be his downfall," he explained, unable to suppress a smile.

Scarlet's worry softened slightly at Jareth's confident reassurance, but her concern lingered as she continued to check him over, her touch both gentle and fierce.

"Are you worried, Scarlet?" Jareth asked, his voice soft and probing.

"Of course. I will make sure Edward pays for what he did," Scarlet replied, her gaze narrowing with determination.

"What can you do to a vampire?" Jareth asked with a smirk, teasing her.

"Many things, Jareth," Scarlet said affectionately, her eyes softening as she looked at him.

"Why didn't you tell me when I asked you?"

"I didn't want to burden you. Besides, I can handle things," Jareth said firmly, yet with a hint of vulnerability.

"Even devils need to take care of themselves. Don't push yourself too hard," Scarlet advised, concern evident in her tone.

Jareth nodded, as Scarlet attention focused on checking his arm. Suddenly, Jareth winced in pain, a smirk hidden on his lips as a thought crossed his mind.

"Are you hurt? Do you need anything? Pain relief, healing ointment, or anything?" Scarlet asked, her worry intensifying. Unknown to her, Jareth was faking it. He nodded, and she quickly dragged him to a nearby medicine store.

After purchasing the ointment, Scarlet guided Jareth to a bench. Unbeknownst to her, Jareth had intentionally scratched his arm to see more of her caring side.

She slowly applied the ointment with care, blowing on it tenderly to soothe the sting. Jareth watched her closely, but when Scarlet looked up, he diverted his gaze, pretending to be preoccupied with the surrounding. 

"Do you believe I'm a devil?" Jareth had always wanted to ask this question after that incident, and now, he hoped she wouldn't be scared of him.

"Yes, I do," she said, pausing before adding with a smile, "in books."

Jareth smiled, not fully grasping her response to his question. Scarlet watched him as he gazed at the evening sky, her mischief bubbling up.

"Have you heard of a haunted manor?" she asked.

Jareth nodded, and Scarlet's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Do you want to go there?"

"Are you suggesting we should go to the haunted manor? I don't think—" Jareth began, raising an eyebrow, but Scarlet cut him off.

"Yes. It's fun, and I've always wanted to go there with my mother," Scarlet said, gripping his sleeve and playing with the fabric. The mention of her parents made Jareth feel a pang of sadness, knowing he had deprived her of seeing her unloving family. Well, Jareth knew her mother was dead right from birth and she had suffered from the Ill justice of her father, stepmother and siblings.

"Or are you scared?" Scarlet asked, batting her eyelashes at him. Jareth scoffed at her cute behavior.

"I'm not scared," Jareth said, pausing when he saw Scarlet's skeptical gaze. "Let's go. Don't regret this later," he said, standing up with resolve.

*****

The haunted manor loomed atop a hill, its once grand walls now weathered and worn. The gates creaked open as they approached, as if inviting them into a world of mystery. Chills ran down Scarlet's spine as she gazed at the eerie structure.

Inside, the manor was a mix of faded luxury and eerie emptiness. The foyer featured a grand staircase and old chandeliers that no longer lit up. Paintings of stern-faced ancestors seemed to follow their every move, their eyes filled with unspoken secrets. The air was thick with the scent of dust and decay, and the silence was broken only by the occasional creak of the floorboards.

The corridors were dark and twisting, leading to forgotten rooms and hidden corners. Cobwebs hung in doorways, and the air was thick with a musty, old smell. Every footstep echoed ominously in the silence, making them feel as if they were being watched.

In the ballroom, dusty furniture stood frozen in time, and an old piano sat untouched for years. Despite the quiet, there was an uncanny feeling that the past was still alive there, with whispers and distant sounds that sent shivers down their spines.

As night fell, the manor came alive with eerie shadows and strange noises. Scarlet instinctively grabbed Jareth from behind, her fingers clutching his coat. Jareth smirked and turned towards her, playfully teasing, "Looks like someone is scared now."

"I'm not scared; I'm just being cautious," Scarlet explained, glancing nervously around.

Jareth moved further into the manor, with Scarlet holding onto the hem of his coat. "Do you think ghosts are here?" she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.

"What do you think?" Jareth replied, his tone light but wary. Suddenly, a light bulb began to flicker, and an eerie sound filled the air, making Scarlet scream and close her eyes in fear.

When she opened her eyes, the light was back to normal, but Jareth was nowhere to be found.

"Jareth!" she called out, her voice echoing through the empty halls, filled with anticipation and dread.