Phoenix Feather

"What do you mean, Scarlet?" Jareth replied, his eyes darting anxiously before locking onto her gaze.

Scarlet scoffed, placing a hand on her hip. Leaning in, she whispered into Jareth's ear, her breath hot with anger. "You know exactly what I mean, Jareth. Don't play dumb with me. I'm not some toy you can trade away."

"Scarlet, it's not what you think—"

"Not what I think?" she snapped, her voice trembling with rage. "Trading me for a peace treaty, like I'm some kind of bargaining chip! How could you?"

"Scarlet, that is not what I meant. You don't understand—"

"Understand?!" Her eyes blazed as she stepped back, her voice rising. "The only thing I understand is that you see me as nothing more than a means to an end. I trusted you, Jareth. And you betrayed me in the worst way possible."

"Scarlet, please, just let me explain—"

"No, Jareth, we're done here," she said, her voice cold and final. "You can take your peace treaty and shove it. I'm no one's sacrifice, and I never will be." She turned on her heel, the door slamming behind her with a resounding bang.

Outside, her legs began to shake. She had managed to hold it together, but the pain of realizing she meant nothing more to him than a disposable pawn tore at her heart. 

Tears cascaded down her cheeks. She clutched her chest, feeling as though she was being pummeled by a hard rock. It hurt so much—why did it have to hurt this much?

The more she thought about Jareth, the harder she cried. She forced her weak legs to carry her to her room. Once inside, she closed the door and collapsed onto her bed, curling up and sobbing uncontrollably. She clutched her legs to her chest, seeking solace in the only way she knew.

Faintly, she heard Ilvia calling and banging on the door, but she couldn't bring herself to respond. Her eyes grew swollen from the tears, and she felt utterly weak and vulnerable, as if her very soul had been drained from her. Was this love? She knew now that she loved Jareth, was willing to die for him, to protect him—was that not what love was?

First, it was Jayson, and now it was Jareth. Love just wasn't meant for her, Scarlet thought.

She sat up, straining her ears, but couldn't hear Ilvia's calls anymore. She assumed her maidservant had left. Rising, she opened the door only to find Ilvia sitting right outside.

"Scarlet," Ilvia called out, quickly standing up as soon as she saw her.

"What are you doing here, Ilvia?" Scarlet asked with a sigh.

"Did you and His High–" Ilvia stopped mid-sentence when she saw Scarlet's fierce glare.

Seeing Scarlet heading out without returning to her room, a shocked Ilvia followed. "You may leave, Ilvia," Scarlet said.

"I'd rather stay with you, my lady. At least my future is safe with you. What are friends for?" Ilvia said, locking her arm with Scarlet's, making her chuckle. This gesture reminded Scarlet of Anna. Had Anna ever felt this way about her? she wondered.

Ilvia felt relieved to see Scarlet laugh. When Scarlet emerged, Ilvia immediately noticed her puffy, red eyes and tear-streaked cheeks, signs she had been crying. Ilvia didn't know what had transpired between Scarlet and His Highness, but she wished Scarlet would stop hurting.

"You don't need to worry about me; I am fine, Ilvia," Scarlet said, attempting to reassure her handmaid. But Ilvia found it hard to believe.

Still, Ilvia decided to nod her head. She wanted Scarlet to open up about what was bothering her. As long as she was here, she would stay by Scarlet's side.

"Look who is here, our empress consort," Vera remarked with a fake smile, curtsying mockingly.

"I can't believe His Highness would actually choose her as his future empress," Belinda added, glaring at Scarlet with disdain.

Scarlet felt a headache coming on and just wanted to escape their presence.

She was about to leave when Corinna stepped in her path. "Don't you think our empress consort should also be part of the preparations for His Highness's birthday?" Corinna stated, her voice dripping with insincerity.

Scarlet's heart sank. She could feel the weight of their scrutiny, the suffocating air thick with the scent of lavender now turning sickly sweet. 

"Or did our empress consort forget His Highness's birthday?" Belinda asked, her mouth agape in mock surprise.

"You really are not fit to become the empress," Vera stated, folding her arms and hissing disdainfully.

"My lady is—" Ilvia began, but Scarlet raised her hand to silence her.

"If anyone should be called befitting, do you think you can call yourself that?" Scarlet said, stepping closer to Vera with a devilish smirk.

"You and I both know you're just a tool for your greedy father, Vera. You're not qualified to be the future empress. Not because of Jareth, but because you lack both the ability and the beauty," Scarlet whispered into Vera's ear, watching her face twist with fury. 

Truly, Vera had admired Scarlet beauty the first time she stepped into the palace. Among all the consort, Scarlet was the most beautiful even if she was more petite.

Scarlet straightened her back and stepped away from Vera before declaring, "As the future empress, no one is entitled to talk back to me. You all should show me the respect I deserve."

The corridor's stone walls loomed around them, flickering candlelight casting eerie shadows. Corrina and Belinda stared in shock as Scarlet walked away. Neither could believe she had stood up to them. Where had the previous Scarlet gone? they wondered.

They glanced at Vera, who stomped her feet and stormed off. Their hearts raced from her reaction. Something inside them warned that peace would be hard to come by in this place again.

"You did great, Scarlet," Ilvia said, giving her a thumbs up after noticing her uneasiness.

Scarlet chuckled at Ilvia. "Did I look cool?"

"Of course!" Ilvia replied, mimicking Scarlet's poised stance.

"But won't you buy His Highness something for his birthday?" Ilvia asked, blinking her eyes innocently and composing herself.

"What do you suggest? I don't think His Highness would appreciate anything from me," Scarlet said, biting her lip and looking down at the ground.

"I heard His Highness likes the phoenix feather, but no one has ever managed to get one, not even his Highness. It's said that only one person in all of Elvonia has it but the person had remained hidden for years. His highness would be so happy when you give him the phoenix feather."

"Why don't you leave that to me? I'll handle it," Ilvia said confidently. Scarlet nodded, and with her permission, Ilvia dashed off, her short legs moving quickly.

Scarlet laughed, watching Ilvia's cute, determined run. Soon, her smile faded as the thought of His Highness's looming death made her anxious again.

*****

Ilvia happily skipped through the crowded market, her eyes scanning for the perfect gift for Jareth. She had entered many shops, but none had what she was looking for.

Just then, Ilvia caught sight of someone she knew all too well.

"What is he doing here?" she asked herself, her curiosity piqued.