Regret

"Your Highness, Prince Riley is awake," the eunuch finally announced, Jareth hurriedly stood up and dashed out of the room.

Jareth's heart soared with relief at the news of Riley's awakening. He wasted no time rushing to his brother's side, finding him accepting medicine from the royal physician.

Sitting down next to Riley, Jareth bombarded Riley with question. "Are you alright? How do you feel? Do you feel weak?"

"I'm fine, Your Highness," Riley replied, his voice low but filled with reassurance.

"It's not fine, Riley. None of this would have happened if I had protected you," Jareth lamented, his gaze dropping with guilt.

"It's not your fault, Your Highness. I'm just glad I could protect you," Riley insisted, offering a gentle smile.

"What do you mean by that?" Jareth asked, his curiosity piqued and his concern deepening.

"Nothing, your Highness," he hesitated, meeting Jareth's gaze before continuing, "How much do you trust Consort Vera?"

"Why do you ask? Do you suspect she had a hand in you being poisoned? You don't need to worry, I've started an investigation," Jareth assured him.

Riley nodded, and Jareth inquired further, "How are you feeling?"

"I feel strong, Your Highness, thanks to the antidote Edward administered," Riley replied, flexing his muscles.

"Antidote?" Jareth echoed, surprised. How had Edward managed to procure it?

"You should rest, now, Riley," Jareth insisted, gently guiding Riley onto the soft bed.

After ensuring Riley was asleep, Jareth left the room, concealing his inner turmoil. His footsteps slowed when he spotted Elora standing with her blindfold, facing the sunlight she couldn't see.

"Your Highness," Elora's maidservant greeted upon noticing him.

With the maidservant's help, Elora turned towards Jareth.

"Your Highness," Elora bowed with a serene smile.

"What are you doing out here, Elora?" Jareth asked, his expression softening as a sense of calm washed over him.

"I wanted to visit Her Highness, but I was informed she wasn't available," Elora explained.

"Do you like scarlet?" Jareth asked thoughtfully.

"Yes," Elora nodded eagerly.

"Don't worry, I will make sure to bring her back," Jareth promised before turning to Elora's maidservant.

"Escort Elora back to her chambers," he instructed. Pausing to gaze into Elora's blindfolded eyes, he added, "I will be back soon."

With that, he departed. "Is he gone?" Elora inquired, and her maidservant confirmed with a nod.

Elora removed her blindfold, revealing hazel eyes gleaming with a mischievous smirk.

******

"Where's Scarlet?" Edward blurted out as soon as he saw Athena dressed up and Scarlet nowhere in sight.

"In her room. We're heading out, so she's getting ready," Athena replied, adjusting her belt with a brisk motion.

Scarlet hurried out, and Edward's eyes fixated on her, unable to look away. His heart raced as he found her exceptionally attractive in that moment.

"Do I have something on my face?" Scarlet asked, touching her cheek upon noticing Edward's intense gaze.

Edward quickly shut his mouth, blinking in surprise. "Where are you two going?" he managed to ask, at a loss for words.

"Somewhere fun," Athena chimed in with a smile, linking arms with Scarlet and leading her out.

Edward trailed behind them, nervously biting his lip. Thoughts of Athena and Scarlet together nagged at his mind.

Amidst the bustling crowd, Edward struggled to keep pace with them. Cheers erupted as they found seats, their attention drawn to a newcomer entering the scene. He strode in shirtless, his physique chiseled and commanding attention.

Edward scratched his neck nervously, observing Athena and Scarlet's rapt gazes fixated on the well-built man. A flush crept up his cheeks as he watched the two women giggle and openly admire the man's physique.

The crowd's cheers increased as the man began his performance. He was a fire dancer, manipulating flames with both his hands and even his mouth.

Edward scoffed and rolled his eyes. "What's so special about that?" he muttered under his breath.

Throughout the performance, Edward fidgeted, his brow furrowing in annoyance.

When the fire dancer concluded his act with a bow, the audience erupted in applause. Both women and men hailed him for his skill. Edward rolled his eyes yet again.

"That was so captivating!" Scarlet exclaimed enthusiastically.

"I found it dull. I nearly fell asleep during his performance," Edward retorted, feigning a yawn and rubbing his eyes, a clear sign of his boredom.

"It's my first time seeing a fire dancer. That's probably why I found it fascinating," Scarlet replied, her eyes averting downward briefly.

"Oh," Edward murmured, his gaze drifting towards Athena, who met his eyes with a knowing look.

"We should head back," Athena suggested, breaking the silence. Scarlet nodded in agreement, and they departed from the scene.

***

"His muscles don't look that great. I'm much better than him," Edward argued, walking alongside Athena and Scarlet. Luckily, their homes were not far from the village square, making their return quick.

Athena scoffed. "You're skinny and pale. He's far superior," she retorted, shaking her head.

Scarlet never expected to find herself caught in their banter. They seemed like old friends in her eyes. Since leaving the village square, the topic hadn't left their conversation. Her cheeks flushed as she recalled Jareth's physique. She pouted, regretting not getting a better look at him that day.

"Well, you can do that now," Jareth's voice echoed, and Scarlet froze in her tracks. She couldn't believe her ears; it was as if he were right beside her.

"Turn around, Scarlet," Jareth spoke gently, and she obeyed, only to find him standing there in his usual black robe, looking devilishly attractive under the moonlight, much like the night he had saved her from that beast.

Jareth's eye twitched at the realization that Scarlet knew he had rescued her. He walked toward her, his gaze fixed on her, oblivious to the astonished looks on Athena and Edward's faces.

"How did you know I saved you?" Jareth's voice carried a mix of curiosity and urgency as he searched Scarlet's eyes for answers.

Athena swiftly interjected, releasing Scarlet's hand and pulling Edward into the house. She sensed his agitation and knew he might act impulsively if left with Scarlet.

Alone now, Scarlet turned to face Jareth. "What are you doing here?" she demanded.

Jareth grinned teasingly. "What else? I came to find my wife who left home without informing me."

"I am not your wife, so please leave," Scarlet replied firmly, turning to walk away. Before she could take another step, Jareth's hand encircled her waist.

Jareth whispered into her ear, "Not my wife? Fine. I don't need your permission to claim what is mine," his touch both gentle and possessive as he drew her closer.

"No one owns me, and neither do you," Scarlet paused, turning to face Jareth as she gently removed his hands from her waist.

She took a deep breath, swallowing the lump in her throat, her brow furrowing deeply as she struggled to articulate her feelings.

"You should go back," she choked out, her voice cracking with pain. Sorrow and resignation etched her trembling lips, her eyes once bright with hope now brimming with unshed tears that mirrored the ache in her heart.

"It's better this way," she continued, her voice barely above a whisper, each word carrying the weight of shattered dreams.

Turning away, Scarlet couldn't bear to watch the person she loved walk away from her.

Jareth furrowed his brows, unable to contain his frustration. He pulled her back towards him, his emotions taking the best of him.

Tears welled up in Jareth's eyes, freezing him in place as Scarlet's painful words pierced his heart.

"Go back?" he repeated, his voice trembling with disbelief. His hands hung limply at his sides, desperately wanting to hold onto her, to stop her from slipping away. He searched her face for any hint of doubt or regret, hoping against hope that she would retract her request and pull him close.

His expression shifted from shock to profound hurt, his brows furrowing as he struggled to comprehend.

"You owe me," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the ache in his chest. Scarlet furrowed her brows at his words, the weight of his statement sinking in.

"I once told you that if I had a wish, I would share it with you. I have one now," Jareth stated firmly, his voice carrying a mix of longing and determination.

"What wish?" Scarlet asked, her voice filled with confusion.