Future Empress

Jareth strides out of his chamber, accompanied by Raynell. The only thought consuming Jareth's mind is danger. He is determined to eliminate every single one of them. Who are they to defy him? This is his kingdom, and no one has the audacity to make decisions for him.

"Your Highness, Emily is -" Raynell calls out, but Jareth pays no attention. He is not a puppet ruler like the former Emperor; he is different.

*********

"Ilvia, where is Athena?" Scarlet asks with a smile upon seeing Ilvia pacing nervously and biting her fingers.

"My lady, she is resting," Ilvia replies with a curtsy, her body trembling.

Scarlet notices her unusual behavior and inquires, "What is wrong, Ilvia?"

"My lady, I went to Emily's room to look for her, but she was not there. I searched everywhere, but she is nowhere to be found but the Fourth prince told me he saw Emily with Consort vera," Ilvia explains, her voice trembling, assuming something must have happened to Emily.

Scarlet storms off, remembering that no one is aware of Emily and fearing that Vera might harm her.

Vera sat on her bed, as her maidservant tended to her nails. She wore a pink gown, cinched at the waist with a golden belt.

The maidservant trembles under Vera's intense gaze, as if her head could be chopped off for the slightest mistake.

"Ouch!" Vera winces in pain as a cut and a bloodstain appears on her fingernail. Her anger boiling over.

"I am sorry, my lady," the maidservant kneels and bows in fear.

"Sorry? You think sorry is enough, when you deserve death!" Vera exclaims, gripping the maid's hair, causing her to cry out in pain.

"Please, my lady-" The maidservant's pleading voice is cut off by a loud shout from outside.

"Consort Scarlet is coming!" a male voice announces.

Vera stood up and sat on the bed, her palms resting firmly on her hips.

"What brings you here?" Vera asked, not giving Scarlet a single moment to breathe.

"You took what belongs to me. Where is Emily?" Scarlet demanded, possessively advancing towards her.

Vera nonchalantly picked up the tea from the table and ran her finger over it before taking a sip. She then handed it back to her trembling maidservant. Scarlet couldn't help but notice the maid's shaky hands.

"She's just a pathetic little thief. She deserves to be locked up," Vera stated firmly.

"She's just a young girl and an orphan at that," Scarlet pleaded, trying to suppress the urge to punch Vera and clenching her fists instead.

Vera let out a sigh and rubbed her forehead with her hand. "That doesn't give her the right to steal. And for that, she will be beheaded."

Scarlet's brow furrowed in confusion. "What? Did Jareth give you his approval?"

A sharp slap landed on Scarlet's face, her skin instantly turning red and a small cut forming on her lip from Vera's sharp fingernail. It was painful, not only for the fact that Vera had kidnapped her and caused injury to her eye, but now she had the audacity to slap her. Scarlet couldn't believe the level of disrespect she was receiving.

"Like mother, like daughter. Did your mother not teach you the respect that should be given to the Emperor? Oh, I forgot. You don't have a mother, just like your little Emily. You are a perfect matc-" Before Vera could finish her sentence, Scarlet's hand landed on her face, leaving a bright red mark. Vera's hair was disheveled from the impact.

In a fit of rage, Vera grabbed Scarlet's hair, but Scarlet wasted no time in retaliating. She too grabbed Vera's hair, yanking harder and showing no mercy.

As Vera exclaimed in agony, she clutched Scarlet's hair tighter in their ongoing squabble. Ilvia, witnessing the fight, attempted to reconcile the two, but Vera ended up injuring her as well

Word about their mickey mouse fight quickly reached Jareth, who promptly summoned them to the Court where his so-called ministers had been bowing non-stop.

This was the first time Scarlet had set foot in the Court, and she couldn't help but marvel at the intricate designs adorning the walls, the exquisite paintings, and the magnificent throne upon which Jareth sat.

All eyes were on the two consort, and had it not been for Scarlet's bruised eye, it would have been clear that Vera was the one who had received the worst beating. Her clothing was dirty and disheveled, making her look like she had been dragged around like a rag doll. Her hair resembled that of a buckwheat, tangled and unkempt. Her face were filled with marks Meanwhile, Scarlet, despite her injured eye, appeared relatively unscathed.

Vera felt humiliated that Scarlet had not even given her a chance to change before dragging her to the Court. She avoided her father's furious gaze, feeling ashamed.

As Scarlet curtsied and addressed him as "Your Highness," the Prime Minister, Vera's father, boomed out in a voice that shook the room, "How dare you lay your hands on the future Empress!"

At this, Jareth slammed his hand on the table in front of him, causing everyone to fall silent. "Future Empress? I have not made my decision yet. Show some respect."

Jareth's voice alone seemed to bring a sense of calm to the Court, and no one dared to speak out of turn, lest they incur the wrath of their Devil King.

"Your Highness, it is important that you choose an Empress soon-" But before he could finish his sentence, Jareth cut him off.

"Is that so?" he questioned, pausing before continuing, "In that case, I choose Scarlet as my Empress. Start preparations for her coronation day."

The room erupted in chaos at this unexpected announcement. Vera's father and everyone else, including Scarlet and Vera themselves, were shocked. Scarlet's mouth hung open in disbelief and excitement. She had always harbored the hope of becoming Jareth's Empress, but she had never imagined it to happen so soon, too soon for her liking, she was consumed by unease. 

If she becomes the empress what will happen next? Will it stop jareth from dieing? She couldn't help but ask herself.

As the saying goes, "the devil never gives up." 

Amell, Vera's father, spoke once more. "Your Highness, it is tradition to test the future empress for her qualifications. If she cannot surpass the other consorts, then she is not fit for the position."

There he went, changing the rules. Before, he was adamant about his daughter becoming empress without any challenges. Now, he sets up a competition, believing Scarlet to be weak like the former scarlet, but she is not.

"If only Scarlet would accept, then we could proceed with the contest," Jareth loudly called out, using Scarlet's name with a hint of affection. Vera's fists clenched at the sound.

"I accept, Your Highness," Scarlet replied gracefully.

Jareth's lip curled into a smile. "Then in one month's time, we will begin the competition."

"Emily should be set free. The meeting is adjourned," Jareth announced, standing and leaving with Scarlet.

Vera was shocked. How did he know? Did he suspect her? These thoughts raced through her mind.

*********

Vera left the palace in devastation, walking slowly. Her dirty dress caught the attention of others. She opened her door slowly, only to find a lifeless body.

Her scream echoed in her room, alerting the other maidservants.