Have You Consummate Your Marriage?

"My lady, where were you? I was worried when I entered the room and did not find you," Ilvia inquired of scarlet as soon as she caught sight of her and hurried toward her.

"His highness was with me," Scarlet replied, gracefully walking while holding onto the flowing fabric of her flawless gown. Ilvia smiled at the knowledge that her lady was in the company of his highness.

Scarlet jumped onto the bed as soon as she reached her room, and said, "My body hurts."

"Have you already spread the rumors, Ilvia?" Scarlet uttered, grabbing a nearby pillow and holding it close.

"Yes, my lady," Ilvia replied with a smile and clasped her hands together.

"A invitation from the Empress Dowager has arrived," a sudden announcement echoed from outside, causing Scarlet to stand up and adjust her clothing. She had read about the Empress Dowager, but she did not play a significant role in the plot as she rarely appeared in the script.

One thing was certain, though - she was on Jareth's side, for she knew how power-hungry her late son was. She remained unfazed when she heard of his death, even though rumors suggested that Jareth was responsible for the emperor's demise. However, there was never any concrete evidence to support this speculation; it was merely speculation born from the fact that his parents had also died.

The door opened, revealing the Empress Dowager's eunuch. He had white hair, a sign of his old age. He opened a white scroll and read from it.

"May Consort Scarlet accept this?" He requested, extending his arms forward. She had no choice but to accept the invitation and prepare for a breakfast meeting with the Empress Dowager. The eunuch turned and left, closing the door behind him.

"Ilvia, help me prepare for breakfast with the Empress Dowager," Scarlet declared, making her way towards the bathroom. Ilvia followed closely behind. Scarlet slowly eased herself into the luxurious golden bathtub filled with fragrant chrysanthemum flowers after removing her clothing.

"Hello, mate," Darcie's voice interrupted. Scarlet let out a sigh upon hearing him.

"You always seem to show up at the most inconvenient times," Scarlet thought to herself in frustration.

"Perhaps I do want something," Darcie responded, inching closer to her.

Scarlet's mind raced as she heard his response.

Scarlet experienced a unusual sensation on her leg, causing her to twitch uncomfortably. "You left without saying anything last time. Do you know something about Elora that Jareth doesn't know?" Scarlet posed, raising an eyebrow inquisitively.

"You seem to have forgotten, mate. I am Jareth, and Jareth is me. There is no way I would keep something from him without his knowledge," Darcie replied, biting his lip nervously.

"Right. I just hope you aren't keeping anything from him," Scarlet remarked, rising from the water. "And it's inappropriate for you to keep coming here. You should respect your mate's privacy," she advised, draping a towel around herself. Ilvia wore a suspicious expression, sensing that there was something on Scarlet's mind.

"Did you truly see Elora last night?" Darcie queried, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Of course, and even though Jareth still doesn't believe me, you do, don't you?" Scarlet replied with a smile, capturing Ilvia's attention.

"Yes," Darcie answered, and Scarlet could imagine him nodding in agreement.

She paused before continuing, "Now that I think about it, you seem very suspicious. Why do you ask if I've seen Elora?"

"My lady, what do you think of this dress?" Ilvia intervened, showing her lady the garment in question.

"I quite like it, Ilvia," Scarlet complimented, rising to get dressed.

Noticing that he remained silent, Scarlet came to a conclusion that, he's avoiding the topic again. She was now certain that Darcie was keeping something hidden from Jareth, but what exactly could it be?

******

"That was quite amusing, playing with her," Jareth stated with closed eyes, a wide smile painting his face as he relaxed in his chair.

"Your majesty, the empress dowager has sent an invitation for breakfast," Jareth's eunuch announced, extending his arm to hand Jareth the scroll.

"That is rather unusual of her," Jareth remarked, taking the scroll and breaking the seal to read its contents. The empress dowager typically preferred to dine alone at the Eastern Castle, making it a rare occasion for her to invite Jareth for breakfast.

He rose from his seat and made his way to join her. After their conversation yesterday, he was curious to learn more about Scarlet, even though he was skeptical of her words. There was a hint of sincerity in her voice that he couldn't ignore. He pictured the expression on Scarlet's face when she found out the truth - that it was not Darcie, but Jareth.

As he walked, Darcie growled in disapproval upon hearing his thoughts.

The huge black doors of the castle were opened, held by two dragons on either side. Jareth passed by the maids holding the doors and entered through multiple doors before reaching the dining hall for breakfast. There, he saw his brothers, the second and first princes, with their wives, giving him disapproving looks. The fourth prince, however, smiled upon seeing him.

"Good morning, your highness. How was your night?" the fourth prince, Riley, greeted him. The empress dowager also smiled at his arrival. His other brothers remained silent, Ralph and Sirius.

Jareth took a seat next to Vera, who wasted no time in questioning him. "Your highness, where were you last night?"

His brothers were suddenly intrigued by this topic.

"I was out with Consort Scarlet," Jareth replied confidently.

Riley couldn't help but cough at his response.

Everyone knew that he was in love with vera, but now he was out with Scarlet, and it was a whole different story. Riley and Empress Dowager had a smile on their face. Vera clenched her fist and gritted her teeth.

The door creaked open, revealing a stunning Scarlet adorned in a light emerald gown with a delicate silver hairpin. She walked gracefully alongside Ilvia, while Vera's mouth hung agape at the sight of this unfamiliar Scarlet. With an elegant curtsy, Scarlet greeted the Great Emperor Dowager, saying, "Greetings, your highness."

If she couldn't have Elora, she could use the Empress Dowager for a while, she thought as she forced a smile.

"Please take a seat, Consort Scarlet. You are quite the obedient child, unlike some," the Empress Dowager remarked, flashing a fake smile at Vera who scowled in return.

She had put her best efforts into looking beautiful, hoping to impress the Empress Dowager. If she could gain her recognition, she could use it to become the Empress.

Scarlet sat across from Jareth and noticed the smirk on his face. He raised an eyebrow as if to say something, and Scarlet couldn't help but find his behavior strange.

Glancing around, Scarlet noticed Consort Corinna and Belinda were absent. Did the Empress Dowager purposely leave them out? As the food was served, Jareth's gaze remained fixed on Scarlet.

Noticing this, the Empress Dowager remarked, "Have you and Consort Scarlet consummated your marriage?"

Scarlet choked on her food, taken aback by the sudden question. Was she serious? That was never going to happen. She was only here to assist the devilish Emperor, nothing more. As she struggled to swallow, she couldn't help but think about Jareth between her legs, making love to her.