Awakened

"My lady is the best, Empress Ariel never imagined you would rise to the rank of empress. She always treated you with disdain, unaware that you would one day become the next empress of Elvonia and capture the heart of his highness," Ilvia spoke in a dreamlike tone as she delicately brushed scarlet silky brown hair.

Scarlet smiled as she gazed at her reflection in the mirror. Her injured eye was slowly healing and she was grateful, hoping that it would not leave any scar.

"My lady-" She began, but Scarlet cut her off and turned to face her directly.

"Please, Ilvia, call me Scarlet," Scarlet pouted.

"My lady, it is not proper for me to address you in such a familiar manner. I am but a humble servant and do not have the right to speak your name," Ilvia bit her lip, almost drawing blood, as she averted her gaze to the ground.

"Can we be friends, Ilvia? Would that give you the permission to use my given name instead of 'my lady'?" Scarlet's expression turned sad.

"My lady, I- " Ilvia started, but Scarlet interrupted her once more.

"Perhaps it is because I am happy for his highness that I am experiencing this. I suddenly yearn for home, for my mother, for my father, for everyone. All I want is for someone to call me by my name, to long for me while I am away," Scarlet's voice cracked and she chuckled, trying to stifle her emotions.

But when she could no longer contain her feelings, she burst into tears and Ilvia knelt down to Scarlet's level. This was the first time Scarlet had cried in front of Ilvia, not because of weakness but because of her strength. That was what Ilvia thought.

Ilvia gently patted Scarlet's back, trying to offer comfort. It felt strange to do so for her lady, but she was relieved that she could be here for her and lend her a shoulder to cry on.

Ilvia swallowed hard and awkwardly folded her hands, clearing her throat. "Um, my- Scarlet."

Scarlet's tears only increased at the use of her name, and she said, "Right, it is now Scarlet."

Ilvia was perplexed by her lady's words and continued to soothe Scarlet's who was crying profusely. Suddenly, Athena burst into the room, her rage palpable. She clenched her fist and arched her brow. "Did you really have to take it that far?"

Scarlet unaware of the reason for Athena's anger, spoke in a hoarse voice. "What's going on?"

"Why did you bring Elora here?" Athena asked, her tone now calmer as she tried to suppress her anger.

Realizing that her lady and Athena needed some privacy, Ilvia curtsied and turned to leave. She gently closed the door behind her.

"I need to escape from this place-" Scarlet stated sniffling her tears before Athena interrupted her.

"You think Elora can save you? You're mistaken. Only you can save yourself from Elvonia, or rather Jareth's grasp," Athena stated firmly.

"What do you mean by that?" Scarlet asked, standing up in confusion.

"Stop being delusional, Kayla - no, Scarlet. This is where you belong, and only fate can save you from Jareth," Athena said, turning to leave. But Scarlet grabbed her hand before she could go.

"Who are you?" Scarlet asked, her brow furrowing in bewilderment. Why did Elora provoke Athena's anger?

"Since you asked, can you handle the truth?" Athena raised a challenging brow.

"Does that even matter? You're quite peculiar, Athena," Scarlet scoffed.

"A half-demon and half-witch," Athena revealed, causing Scarlet to release her grip. As Athena took a step closer, Scarlet was stunned. "So watch and listen carefully."

Scarlet watched as Athena placed a hand on her eyes and whispered something she couldn't understand. It felt like a spell and something the blue- like thing penetrating into Scarlet's eye.

Then, she closed her eyes. When she opened them, Athena already left. She felt no pain in her eyes and, as she looked in the mirror, she saw that they were healed. How was that possible? Oh, yes. She was both a witch and a demon.

Scarlet couldn't trust anyone who claimed to be human. She knew Athena was not entirely human, but the extent of Athena being a demon and a witch surpassed even Scarlet's wildest imagination.

As she sat down, Scarlet's hands shook and she gazed at her reflection in the mirror. She saw no scars or injuries, just a flawless and unblemished image. But how could Athena be both a witch and a demon? Scarlet pondered to herself.

And why did Athena say that only Scarlet could save herself, not Elora? Scarlet couldn't find an answer, even though she knew she had to ask Athena to truly understand. Athena was the answer.

"My lady," Ilvia's voice interrupted Scarlet's thoughts, causing her to raise her head and meet Ilvia's gaze.

Scarlet stared at her maidservant or rather her newfound friend, evaluating her from top to bottom, before whispering, "Ilvia, are you human?"

Ilvia fought to hold back her laughter and replied, "yes, my La - Scarlet."

Hearing Ilvia call her by her name in an affectionate tone, Scarlet couldn't help but smile. Then she remembered Jareth and scolded herself for thinking about him.

"The Empress Dowager has invited you to visit her," Ilvia beamed.

"She is very fond of you, and I'm sure she's thrilled that his Highness has chosen you. I could see the way she looked at you in the dining hall," Ilvia imitated the Empress Dowager's affectionate gaze.

Scarlet laughed until her cheeks ached and then got ready to dress.

**********

Edward aimed another arrow towards Elora and Jareth. But Elora pushed Jareth out of the way and took the shot instead. She grunted in pain.

"Your Highness," she said before coughing up blood and collapsing to her knees.

Jareth knelt down beside her and tended to her petite body. He touched her face with a trembling hand and called out, "Elora."

"Your Highness, I'll be fine," she reassured him, despite the large amount of blood she was losing.

As he watched his sister bleeding profusely, Jareth's heart ached. He couldn't bear to see her in such a state.

Raising his gaze, Jareth's eye transformed into a bloody red, while his fangs extended and his nails grew longer. Elora tightened her grip on his cloth, managing to utter, "I will be fine, your high- Jareth."

"Well-played, Jareth. Looks like someone has fully awakened," Edward sneered with a smirk.

A thunderous growl reverberated, causing the leaves to rustle heavily. As Edward looked around, he noticed that the leaves were catching fire.

Furrowing his brows, he then heard another loud growl, distinct from Jareth's. It was coming from someone else. And who could it be?

And there it came, running as fast as it could.