Episode 17 ...

Scarlet felt relieved when they all returned to the royal study of the Rozen Palace safely. When everyone reached the threshold safely, Eigeel left the study with the excuse that he had things to take care of and Scarlet gave him permission to go.

When Eigeel left, Scarlet gave Silver the task of taking care of the guests. It was originally Eireen's job, but she was still drained from making the portal so she gave the task to Silver instead.

Handling the affairs of the inner palace was Eireen's responsibility. She had been running the castle for a long time especially during her absence. But for now, she had to temporarily stop her from usual duties so that she could recover her strength. She will permit her to go back to work when she's in full health.

Actually, it would have been easier for Eireen if Scarlet was thrown out to the 1st level of the Other Dimension.

She wouldn't have exhausted almost all of her powers because of it. But, unfortunately, Eireen was forced to open a portal in the deepest part of the Other Dimension.

She needs to recover her strength. Nobody can do the job of handling the inner palace as efficiently as her, and in the face of these considerations, Scarlet made the decision of giving Silver the task, temporarily, so that Eireen could rest.

Silver may not be as experienced and knowledgeable in dealing with the palace's affairs as Eireen, but she has a little experience about the job. That's because she was once Eireen's deputy in managing the palace before.

Per Scarlet's instructions, Silver was about to take Anselme and Jasper to their rooms when Jasper suddenly rejected to follow her and snuck close to Scarlet's side, not willing to leave.

He reminded Scarlet about the wish she promised to grant him when they were stuck in the Other Dimension and Scarlet internally cursed herself.

Shoot! She almost forgot about that. If Jasper didn't mention it to her she would have completely forgotten about it.

Overhearing about the wish, Eireen, Aqua and Silver, who hadn't left the room, exclaimed in horror while Levin and Talon prepared themselves to attack the little boy when the situation turns south, never caring that he's just a boy or that's what he looks like... All of them were concerned about Scarlet's safety. To them Jasper may look innocent on the outside but they were feeling slightly wary of him, especially from the first time that they met him.

A kid who's obviously talented in magic and has a strong man under his beck and call is obviously not an ordinary kid.

Also, the mere fact that a helpless little child wouldn't be able survive the 3rd layer of the Other Dimension, and this kid survived and was able to meet their queen there, alive, is an undeniable truth that he's not as simple as he looks.

He shouldn't be able to endure the magical pressure that, that place has. High level beings like Scarlet and the members of the Scarlet Order may be able to take it. But for him? It was impossible if he was just a normal child.

If the kid was as strong as them then he is something the Scarlet Order should be concerned and be wary of. His identity was unknown and very suspicious. Plus he sometimes displays an adult like attitude, which is peculiar for a child!

In conclusion, he's a really a suspicious person...

Scarlet suddenly had a headache when the Levin, Aqua and Silver started persuading her to think about her safety. She already told them that Jasper was just a cute little kid who wouldn't hurt a fly! But they didn't believe her. How could Jasper harm her or even take advantage of her? For Scarlet, he is just a kid who acts like an adult gentleman sometimes, which is kinda weird, but that's just how he acts. Kids his age sometimes pretend to be adults, right?

While Scarlet was trying to put their minds at ease, Anselme was trying his best not laugh when his future mistress was trying defend his master's pretentious image, saying the he was too cute to be cunning.

For him, Scarlet has this illusion of his Master being a sweet and innocent animal. Like a little puppy. Which is what his master want his bride to think, for now... But the truth is he's really not sweet, nor is he innocent. In fact, neither of these things reflected his authentic self.

It took time for the discussion to come to an agreement. Levin and the others put up a ridiculous list of restrictions for Jasper and his wishes and the little lord agreed with all of them without batting his lashes since they wouldn't be able to stop him from what he planned to do anyway.

The day ended peacefully. After freshening up and eating dinner with Jasper, Anselme, Eigeel, Eireen and the others, Scarlet went to sleep.

The next day, Eireen took Scarlet to the throne room after dressing her up nicely.

Scarlet didn't want to get ready, but Eireen was adamant that she was expected to dress like a queen in front of her subjects. She made her wear a purple dress with gold and black lace, her hair bundled into an elegant bun putting it in place on top of her head with a purple rose hairpin, and under her feet was a pair of black sandals with a purple roses on top of it.

Eireen made her look like a Gothic Barbie doll and Scarlet didn't like it one bit. Good thing her gothic make-up was light since Eireen told her that they don't use make-up here in Gehenna that often. Just on special occasions...

"We're here,"

Eireen and Scarlet stopped at a large double door made of reinforced black steel with intricate golden patterns that formed a rose garden.

Scarlet noticed that almost every corner of the castle has a rose carving or rose design on them. Some of the furniture has those carvings, too. Scarlet must be fond of roses since every corner of her castle is lined with it.

Scarlet's thoughts were suddenly put on hold when the wide double doors in front of her made a squeaky sound as it began to slowly open on its own.

Scarlet's body froze up when the blinding light from inside the room shone out, blocking her sight. Eventually, her vision was blinded but her eyes immediately adapted itself to the light and Scarlet could now see what was in front of her.

Behind the double doors, was an unbelievably large throne room with huge and heavy pillars standing in every corner of the room, and four large candlestick chandeliers hanging on the highest ceiling she has ever seen.

The whole room was shouting royalty and splendor. And it overwhelms her commoner senses since it reveals how powerful Scarlet was when she was still alive.

Scarlet cleared her throat. Don't look so surprised and amazed Scarlet... You're 'the Scarlet' now, so pull yourself together!

But honestly, she still very scared inside. She has never been to a throne room before, like never. She's also not used to seeing these kind of luxuries.

She was an orphan. An orphan who was only going back and forth to the orphanage and the computer shop when she was in her teenage years. She did those things because she was making money while she watched the shop everyday. She used what she earn to help the children in the orphanage to buy more clothes, school supplies, and food. The owner of the computer shop was kind enough to offer her a job and the salary was reasonable so she was able to work there for almost 8 years.

With less money received from the charitable organizations each month, children in the orphanage were increasing and the Mother Superior was struggling to feed them all. That is also one of the reason why Sheila decided to stop going to school and help them focus on spending the money for the needs of the other kids instead of her.

She only used the money she earned by herself to buy some books, especially science and mathematics manuals, preferring to teach herself than go to school.

"Your Majesty." Scarlet was brought back to reality by Eireen's gentle voice. Scarlet looked at her, and Eireen smiled sweetly at her while gesturing her palms to the door. "Please, after you…"

Scarlet looked back inside the throne room. The aura inside was very oppressive and powerful. But it wasn't enough to intimidate her. Maybe it was because she's inside the body of Scarlet that she wouldn't run away.

She took a deep breath. This is it...