A Deal With The Devil

It was a situation she never thought she would encounter - the choice between ending a criminal's life or her own. Making a decision shouldn't have been too difficult, but being asked to kill someone was not something she was willing to do. She wasn't cruel like the devil.

"I can't do it," she said firmly, her gaze shifting away from the assassin as she swallowed hard, wishing for it all to just end.

"Then you will be my little feast for tonight," he snarled, his hands tightening around her neck with all his might.

She struggled to breathe, but it was impossible. Was her life going to end today? Tears escaped her eyes as she thought about her own fate. She could change someone else's, but why not hers? Why was everything so difficult for her? What could she do to save herself from this situation?

She thought long and hard. What if she made a deal with the devil?

"I have so-" she didn't even get a chance to finish her sentence before his grip tightened even more, leaving her no room to breathe and talk.

"Jareth-" Scarlet managed to say, and upon hearing his name, he suddenly calmed down. It was as if by magic. He released his hold on her neck, and she fell to the ground, coughing and gasping for air.

"Why don't we make a deal?" Scarlet said as she struggled to stand up and rubbed her neck.

"A deal? You want to make a deal with the devil?" Jareth raised an eyebrow and let out a light chuckle.

"What kind of deal?" he asked, noticing the seriousness on Scarlet's face.

"If I can negotiate a peace treaty between Elvonia and Corea-" Scarlet was interrupted by Jareth.

"How do you know about that?" He demanded.

"Well, you can't keep anything that concerns the kingdom a secret. The safety of your people should be your top priority," Scarlet replied, playfully hitting his shoulder.

Jareth was speechless. How did Scarlet find out about this? He had kept it a secret from his people to avoid causing fear. But now, seeing his reaction, Scarlet couldn't help but chuckle to herself. She was the one rendering Jareth speechless. And then her voice brought him back to reality.

"If I can do that, you should spare my life and fall in love with me." Scarlet stated confidently.

Was she joking? That was the initial thought that struck Jareth upon hearing the statement.

"I cannot and will not love you," he replied with furrowed brows.

"Do you not wish to exact revenge on my parents? If I were to ensure a peace treaty between Corea and Elvonia, causing Corea to turn against Ivory, you would have the perfect opportunity to strike back," Scarlet said smirking.

Jareth's full attention was on her as he observed her facial expression.

"Why would you support me in killing your own parents?" he wondered, unable to contain the question.

"If my own father and the former emperor of Elvonia had not joined hands and had not killed your parent and Elora, you would not have become the person you are now and maybe I wouldn't be here," she wanted to say, yet found herself unable to do so.

"You could simply say I was treated unfairly, for I was not given the same treatment as my sisters," Scarlet said, forcing a smile onto her face. Despite her timid nature, she had always been bullied by her sister, resulting in a scar on her leg. Yet, her father, the king of Ivory, did nothing, as she was the child of his beloved concubine who died giving birth to her.

Jareth studied her expression and could see the pain and anger within. Curious to know more, he said, "Deal."

"But on one condition: if you do not follow through, both you and the assassin will meet your demise," he added, stretching out the word "dead." Scarlet swallowed hard, determined to make the peace treaty successful and return to her world. It all seemed so simple to her.

"Agreed! pinky promise?" Scarlet said, holding out her thumb.

"What is that?" Jareth asked, unfamiliar with the gesture.

Scarlet gently took his warm thumb and pressed it against hers, sealing the promise. As he watched her do so, Jareth couldn't help but find her endearing. Her hair had fringes at the front, held in place by pins, while the rest was pulled back into a cute bun.

Her gaze lifted, causing him to awkwardly avert his eyes from her.

Scarlet released his hand and spoke, "You should not go back on your promise."

"And I must not find any flaws in Consort Scarlet's plan, or else you will be rotting in the hellfire that you will create," he said, turning towards Commander Raynell.

Scarlet left Jareth, who was deep in conversation with Commander Raynell. This was the first time she felt truly happy here. Finally, she had found a way back home, to the world she missed.

She playfully skipped back to her chamber, where Emily and Ilvia were waiting for her. Ilvia smiled when she saw her lady in such a good mood, knowing that things must have gone well with His Highness and her lady.

"My lady must have received good news," Ilvia remarked.

"A very good news, but sadly I cannot share it yet. However, I will tell you when the time comes," Scarlet said, walking over to where Emily was sitting quietly.

"Thank you for saving me, my lady," Emily said, standing up and bowing to her.

"You should be grateful, and you must not steal again if you are truly thankful," Scarlet replied, smiling at Emily. Ilvia stood by, observing her kind lady speaking to the young girl. She couldn't help but wish that her lady could have a child of her own to care for.

"Ilvia, please take Emily to have a bath, and she will be staying with us from now on," Scarlet instructed, and Emily was both grateful and surprised that Scarlet knew her name.

Scarlet watched as Ilvia led little Emily away. Her world was once full of bliss, especially with Jayson. She had always wanted to have a child with him, but that was no longer possible. He had hurt her, and now she was consumed by the need for revenge. She couldn't believe that vera had once brutally killed the child she was seeing now.

She shook her head, pushing aside those thoughts. She had a pressing matter on hand now that she had finally spoken with Jareth. How was she going to handle Edward?

The name alone sent shivers down her spine. Just like Jareth, he was not human, but the King of Vampires.

She was in a fantastical world, far beyond her own league and how was she going to talk him out of it when he would be here in three days time.