His Way of Curbing Her

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CHAPTER 12

While Pearl had it somewhat nice, the same could not be said for Scarlet.

She had found the man of her dreams, dashing, strong and gentlemanly. Nothing could stop her now from wanting to find out who he was and how to get his attention.

Well, nothing except for this cursed imprisonment of a life she was born into.

Being the first daughter and only child of the King had its perks and doom.

By fate, she was destined to be married off to a prince of a very wealthy Duke for the sake of an alliance and strengthening the kingdom.

Like most princesses, while that did not bother her before as she loved the attention and grace that came with her title, the moment she laid eyes on him, her world crumbled and so did her thought.

'I must have him. One way or the other.' Scarlet determined in her mind.

She had recently returned to the palace after managing to sneak out only to meet such disappointment. Still, she was not devastated.

For now, she planned on lying low until she could win her parents' trust back and afterwards, she would resume her outing properly.

However, what she did not take into consideration was the supposedly, breathtaking news her parents had for her.

No sooner had she gotten into her room, already changed back into her royal attire, a crimson short-hand silk gown that hugged the upper part of her body, coming to a big flair from her waist down, then she heard the sound of a knock on her door.

"Azadel?" she heard the all-familiar voice of her mother call out.

Quickly, Scarlet looked around, her red hair taking a turn with her every move as she searched for her maid.

"Tsk, where is she?"

She had been too busy with her thoughts to not realize her maid wasn't in her room as she had ordered prior to her departure.

"Azadel is the princess in?" Queen Diamonique questioned from outside.

Seeing as she had been abandoned, Scarlet shook her head, straightened her gown properly, kept her chin up a bit and cleared her throat, preparing to answer her mother's call.

"Your Majesty!"

Just as she had opened her mouth, ready to answer, she heard the voice of her maid call out from within her bathing chamber and paused.

'Seriously? Was she in there all this time? Tsk, what was she thinking keeping mother quiet when I asked her to stay in bed and pretend to be sick on my behalf?'

Scarlet let out an exasperated sigh as she turned towards the bath chamber at the very same time Azadel chose to emerge.

"Your H-High…"

Her words were immediately silenced by the cold look Scarlet shot at her.

"Get the door." Her order was swift, with a bit of anger and impatience but Azadel knew better.

"My apologies, Princess."

She bowed her head and scurried for the door, opening it immediately, her feet came close.

She locked eyes first with the queen, as though she needed a reminder that indeed that person was present.

Earlier on when she heard her call, her heart had flown into her chest at the untimely arrival of Her Majesty.

The queen, unlike most, was very sensible and could easily pick out a lie. Her intimidating presence alone snuffed that out without question.

No one needed a friendly reminder to know the kind of torture that awaited them, should they be found in Her Majesty's bad book.

With that, she feared how she was going to fare, should the queen choose to come in and speak to her daughter. Thankfully the princess returned on time.

Lowering her head, Azadel greeted her and moved to the side to grant her entrance.

"What was with the delay?" Queen Diamonique questioned, sending a suspicious look at her daughter and her maid.

"What do you mean, mother? There was no delay."

"I am no fool, Scarlet," she snuffed out her word like a cunning predator of a witch. "There was."

"My apologies, Your Majesty, I was cleaning Her Highnesses' bath chamber and did not hear your call on time. Then I had to help present Her Highness," Azadel chipped in, still lowering her head.

"What Azadel is trying to say is that I was tired, I lay down and when you called, I wasn't that presentable. You know your knack for appearances mother."

"Hmm," came Queen Diamonique's response.

After a few seconds, her quizzical look changed and she shook her head briefly, just like how Scarlet had done a few minutes ago and lifted her chin.

That was a mother-and-daughter thing when they were changing expressions or topics.

"Yes, you are right. I love good appearances. And as such, Azadel, get back to what you are doing. You smell like bathwater."

"My apologies, Your Grace."

Immediately, she closed the door and dashed out of their sight without a minute to spare.

"Yes, you must have come here for something. What is it, mother?" Scarlet inquired, keeping a stoic expression on her face.

She wished and wanted her mother to see her anger towards her punishment in hopes of having it lifted up.

"Yes, there is news, child but as a reminder, sulking would not help you out of your punishment."

She gave a bit of a wicked smile and slowly walked past Scarlet into her chambers and sat on the bed.

"I know you. I know what you can do but I am here to inform you that before you get a chance to sneak out a gain, measures have been put in place to curb you," Queen Diamonique announced.

"Curb me? Am I a pet or a dangerous animal, mother?"

"It is for your own good and safety, Scarlet. In fact, one of the good news just arrived and your father is most glad."

She was sure her mother was all smiles now and she could not wait to wipe that smirk off her face but hearing her father in that statement, she had to turn and be sure this was no joke.

The news was important, all right.

"Interested? Great. As you should be." She rose to her feet, exhaling slowly as her chest heaved up and down with her.

"Scarlet, a messenger came in this afternoon, bearing a message for your father." She took a quick pause, ensuring she had her daughter's full attention.

"The King of Meridore has approved of His Majesty's marriage alliance proposal."

"What?"

"And as such, the Prince of Meridore, Jasper, would grace the Kingdom with his presence. A visit to the castle to meet his betrothed."

"No."