SnowFall

The absence of scarlet jogged his mind to the events that had unfolded earlier today. His heart raced as he left his robe behind and stepped outside to look for Scarlet.

"Scarlet," he cried out in anguish, like a child seeking his lost candy. She stood there, entranced by the falling flakes of snow. Blissfully unaware of Jareth's call, she extended her arms to catch each snowflake as it descended.

Jareth swung his arms around her waist in despair and with heavy breathing. "Why did you leave the room? I was worried sick."

A smile crept onto her face at the sight of Jareth in this state. Did he truly care for her? She was unsure.

"I was afraid something had happened to you. I couldn't sense your emotions anymore, even when I was alone in the room. I was scared," he mumbled, his voice breaking.

Her reassuring presence gave him immense relief. He couldn't bear the thought of her disappearing again.

Resting his chin on her shoulder, he tightened his hold on her waist to prevent her from slipping away. The mere thought of losing her filled him with sorrow.

"I won't vanish, Jareth," she said, pronouncing his name as though she had practiced it a million times. Jareth couldn't help but smile.

"How will I know if you're gone?" he asked.

"Just call for me, and I'll come," she promised, sneezing moments later.

"You can catch a cold if you stay here any longer. Let's go inside," he said, releasing his grip on her.

"I won't, as long as you're here," she replied. However, seeing that it would be difficult to convince Jareth, she added, "It's been so long since I last saw the snow fall."

A genuine smile spread across her face as she faced Jareth.

Those smiles warmed their way into Jareth's heart, and he stayed back to witness the first snowfall in Elvonia, an experience scarlet had never thought could happen.

"It's even more beautiful than I remembered," Jareth remarked as he wrapped his arm around her waist, enveloping her in warmth.

"When was the last time you witnessed a snowfall?" asked Scarlet, her face just inches away from Jareth's. Unconsciously, she found herself staring at his lips and then quickly looked away.

"Ever since my mother passed away," replied Jareth, smiling. The scriptwriter had not done a good job of portraying his childhood, but Scarlet knew little about his family and his people at least it could help in returning back to her world. She thought inwardly.

"That was the last snowfall I watched with her before she was taken from me," Jareth said, his expression pained. He seemed lost, staring into the distance.

"But you're watching it with me now, so it's like a long-awaited snowfall for both of us," Scarlet said, smiling. Jareth nodded and grinned from ear to ear. Scarlet was the first woman he had ever brought here. This place was his sanctuary, where he could escape from the outside world, but having Scarlet here made it even more special and complete.

Eventually, the snow stopped and Jareth suggested, "Let's make a point to come back here next time."

Scarlet agreed with a nod and a smile. However, Jareth soon announced, "We should start heading back now."

Scarlet felt a tinge of sadness that their time here was over so soon. She pouted, and Jareth couldn't help but smile and pat her head before going inside to take his robe he had left.

When he emerged, the two of them rode off on horseback. The journey back to the palace was difficult due to the snow, and Jareth had to move slowly so Scarlet could keep up. If he had been alone, he could have effortlessly teleported back, but he had to take into consideration that Scarlet was human and needed to be treated as such.

Eventually, they reached their destination. It felt like an eternity for Scarlet. She headed to her chamber while Jareth went to his. Deep down, they both felt a sense of sadness at parting ways.

However, Jareth didn't exert himself and used his teleportation skills to return to his lonely chamber.

"Why the show off," Edward, with a sly grin playing on his lips and a dangerous aura surrounding him, sat by the window. 

Jareth, without glancing at him, asked, "What brings you here?"

"What are your thoughts?" Edward inquired, raising his brow. "We need to get down to business."

"What kind of business?" Jareth asked possessively. "If it's about Scarlet, then I have no interest in that conversation."

"Really?" Edward challenged. "What if it's important? You know I don't waste my time on trivial matters." He furrowed his brows as he looked at Jareth.

Jareth turned to face him. "You have seven seconds to tell me, or you'll be thrown out that window."

"How much do you trust Scarlet? Don't you find her behavior to be quite peculiar?" Edward probed, causing Jareth to pause in his counting.

Jareth had also noticed Scarlet's unusual actions, especially when she mentioned a different world that night after watching her happy face as she watched the fireflies and accidentally slept off. He had dismissed it as nonsense, but now even Edward seemed intrigued.

"Let's make a deal," Edward proposed. "I'll sign the peace treaty and you hand over your mate to me." Jareth's brows furrowed at the audacity of Edward's request.

So this was what he had been hinting at. How dare he try to claim her? Jareth thought with rage.

"She is not the queen on your chessboard," Jareth chuckled deeply.

"Let's watch and see then," Edward said with a sly grin before leaving.

Jareth felt like he could break Edward into pieces for his words. He wanted to throw him into his own personal hell.

Scarlet was his and no one could dare claim her. Even after Edward had left, Jareth couldn't shake off the uneasy feeling that lingered. What if Edward was serious? Would Scarlet truly choose him over Jareth?

"Your Highness," Commander Raynell panted, rushing in with urgency. "I bring news."

"What is it, Raynell?" Jareth sighed in frustration. He wasn't in any mood to hear anything.

"The ministers are petitioning about the future empress," Raynell informed him.

"It is about time," Raynell said quietly so he won't trigger on Jareth angry side.