Remove It, Mate!

Scarlet shook her head at the thought of having sex with Jareth. She had come here solely to assist him, and nothing beyond that would occur. She attempted to reassure herself.

"No, Your Majesty," Scarlet managed to utter with difficulty, she swallowed hard.

"Why don't I select a date for the two of you?" The Empress Dowager suggested, clattering her golden spoon on the table.

"I don't think that will be neces-" Scarlet began, only to be cut off by Jareth.

"Actually, Empress Dowager, I have been contemplating the matter, and I believe it is about time we consummate our marriage," Jareth declared, his gaze still on the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager clasped her hands, smiling, and turned to her handmaid, instructing, "Prepare for His Highness's consummation with Consort Scarlet tonight." The handmaid bowed in acknowledgement.

"T-tonight?" Scarlet stuttered, scratching her neck anxiously.

"What! Is Consort Scarlet not ready?" Jareth inquired, raking her with his gaze, making her feel exposed. Vera clenched her fist in jealousy.

"No, I am perfectly fine," Scarlet said, forcing a smile. She was uncomfortable with the topic and wished to change it.

"I can hardly wait for my grandchildren to run around in this palace," The Empress Dowager remarked, dabbing at her mouth with a tissue.

Sirius scoffed, saying, "What's the point? A bastard will only give birth to a bastard child."

"Indeed! What can be expected from a bastard emperor, except a bastard child? And I am intrigued by anything that is a bastard," She stated confidently, biting her lip. Unbeknownst to her, her words had elicited a lustful growl from Darcie, and Jareth inwardly scolded.

Jareth continued to stare at her, relieved that someone was on his side, but questioning why that would be. The thought lingered in his mind.

*******

Ilvia walked beside Scarlet, who was lost in thought, thinking of ways to prevent the upcoming consummation.

"My lady, you must prepare," Ilvia said, smiling foolishly.

"Prepare for what?" Scarlet snapped, turning to her with a strained expression. Ilvia blinked in surprise.

"Curse the consummation. Damn it," Scarlet uttered in frustration, her feet stamping in protest.

"My lady, there is no need to be scared. It will only hurt for a moment and then it will be gone by tomorrow," Ilvia reassured with a wide grin, assuming her lady's fear of the discomfort.

Scarlet let out a sigh and began to walk away. "Forget it, you'll never understand," she muttered.

"My lady!" a familiar voice called out from behind. She halted and turned to see Riley running towards her.

Breathless, Riley stopped in front of her. "My lady, where are you headed?" he asked.

"I am going to my room," Scarlet replied wearily. She had no desire to engage in conversation with anyone after the conversation of her consummation with Jareth earlier.

Does he hate her? Why would he accept the proposal from the Empress Dowager? she pondered.

Exhaling heavily, Scarlet turned away. "She is his sworn enemy, why would he agree to such a thing?"

"Who are you referring to?" questioned Riley, his hands clasped behind his back.

"Nobody, fourth brother," replied Scarlet, to which Riley waved dismissively.

"You can address me as Riley," he suggested, but Scarlet couldn't help but scoff at his behavior. Ilvia, on the other hand, rolled her eyes.

"Why do you behave like that?" Riley directed the question at Ilvia, who rolled her eyes in response.

"How impolite. Scarlet-" Riley began, only to be interrupted by Ilvia.

"What! How dare you refer to my lady by her name?" Ilvia exclaimed, her eyes bulging.

"Scarlet is like an elder sister to me, as she is married to the third brother, His Highness," explained Riley, playing with his tongue. Ilvia was itching to teach him a lesson for playing a prank on her when they first arrived.

Commander Raynell, appearing impatient, approached them and bowed slightly, as if he had an important message to deliver. "Have you seen His Highness?" he inquired, addressing no one in particular.

"He is with the Empress Dowager," answered Riley, before commander Raynell walked off. Scarlet watched him leave, bemused.

"Truly the most rude person in the entire kingdom," Riley remarked.

"How could you call Commander Riley rude?" snapped Ilvia, her foot stomping in anger.

"Ilvia, I thought you wanted me to prepare," Scarlet interjected, trying to distract Ilvia from Riley. Scarlet remembered Ilvia's feelings for Raynell, but they had ended when Ilvia left after Scarlet's death.

"Yes, my lady," Ilvia responded meekly, biting her lip as she bowed down her head.

"Scarlet, may I come visit you anytime?" Riley asked, his hands hooked onto Scarlet's as he played with them.

"Of course, third- Riley," Scarlet responded smoothly, changing her words as she saw the worry in Riley's eyes at being called an "elder brother."

With that, Scarlet bid him goodbye, walking confidently with Ilvia by her side.

"She's so cute," Riley remarked, a foolish smile spread across his face. As soon as he realized it, he quickly wiped it off and fanned himself, walking away.

*******

"Empress Dowager, be careful, it's hot," warned Jareth with a concerned expression.

"I have instructed you to refer to me as 'mother,'" she reminded him firmly, carefully placing the cup on the table. Jareth remained silent, averting his gaze from her.

"But I will be patient. I will wait for the day when you will call me 'mother,'" she insisted, gently grasping his hand and giving it a comforting pat.

Jareth offered her a small smile. "Why did you suddenly bring up the consummation with Scarlet? That is unlike you," he inquired.

"I have been keeping an eye on her, and I must say, she is truly a good girl. She could make a more suitable empress than Consort Vera," she said, her words causing Jareth to freeze at the mention of Vera.

"I know you love her, but I hope you will make a wise decision when it comes to choosing the empress," the Empress Dowager pressed, her tone almost pleading. Jareth simply nodded in response.

"You know I will always love and support you, right?" she said with a warm smile, standing up from her seat.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Jareth affirmed with a slight bow of his head.

"And as for what Sirius said earlier, do not let it affect you. You are still a part of this family," the Empress Dowager reassured him, beginning to walk away.

"Thank you, Empress Dowager," Jareth expressed his gratitude.

"I would like to retire to my chambers now," she announced, giving his shoulder a final pat before leaving.

He watched her go, feeling a pang of guilt for having killed her son. But then again, he too had lost his own parents.

"Your Majesty, I have discovered who wrote the letter," Raynell announced, spotting Jareth coming out.

"Who is it?" Jareth inquired, walking alongside his advisor.

"It was Alvin," Raynell revealed, keeping pace with Jareth.

"How dare that sly wench," Jareth seethed, clenching his fist.

*******

As night fell, the moon's radiance filled the room, casting a scarlet glow that was achingly beautiful. 

"My lady, you look stunning. His Highness will be head over heals with you," Ilvia gushed, admiring Scarlet's appearance. She had just been dressed by the Empress Dowager's handmaiden.

"That's the problem. I don't want him to be," Scarlet sighed, turning to the handmaiden.

"Her Majesty did not need to go to such lengths to find this gown for me," Scarlet forced a smile. She was wearing a red nightgown adorned with lace on the sides, from her waist to her legs and a v neck that revealed a glimpse of her breast.

"It was an honor for Her Majesty," the handmaiden curtsied before leaving the room, dragging Ilvia along to not disrupt the consummation process.

Scarlet nervously sat on the soft, red-covered bed. 

The door opened and Scarlet stood up, clutching a scissor that was placed at the corner of the bed.

Jareth's eyes roamed over her body, causing Scarlet to feel exposed. Her heart raced and her cheeks flushed with a light blush.

"Don't you want to remove it, mate?" Jareth playfully taunted, his gaze filled with desire. Scarlet closed her eyes and approached him, unable to believe he was calling her his mate.

"Here, mate," he said, placing Scarlet's hands on his buttons before closing his eyes.

With each button undone, Scarlet's heart raced faster. By the second button, she couldn't feel her feet anymore.

Jareth's eyes fluttered open, startling Scarlet. They burned with lust, as if he wanted to devour her whole.

He pushed her towards the edge of the bed and took a deep sniff of her scent.

"Stop, Your Highness!" Scarlet pleaded when she felt uncomfortable.

"If you didn't want to make love to me, why wear this garment, mate?" Jareth inquired, his blue eyes that was now red fixated on her mouth. She clenched her lips in anticipation of his touch, until her gaze fell upon a glinting blade on the nearby surface.

Scarlet lunged for it, and with a swift motion, plunged it into Jareth's stomach, causing him to crumple to the ground, unconscious.

"Is he dead?"