Do You Know Alvin?

Scarlet sat across from Jareth, the exquisitely decorated table stretching between them, adorned with a lavish spread of dishes presented by the maids. The scene promised a feast fit for royalty, yet she hesitated, contemplating whether to halt the maids from serving more.

Before she could voice her thoughts, Jareth's voice cut through the air, accompanied by a gentle stroke through her silky hair. "You should eat more, you are skinny."

Scarlet's brows knit together in irritation at the comment about her weight. "I'm not skinny," she snapped back defensively.

"If you saw me in the real world, you would have been enchanted by my beautiful face," she added, realising what she had just said, she scolded herself internally. Quickly masking her vulnerability with a forced smile, she reached for the apple set before her.

Jareth's smile widened at the sight of her cheeks now filled with big apple. Scarlet slowed her chewing, aware of his amused gaze upon her.

Resting his chin on his hand, Jareth posed a question, his eyes probing hers for a response. "Wifey, what would people say if they saw you like this?" His tone was playful, teasing.

"They might think I'm not treating you well, silly," he chuckled softly, patting her head affectionately before turning his attention back to his meal.

"My Lady, you can't just—" Ilvia's voice interrupted from the dining hall entrance.

Startled, Scarlet looked up to find Vera's disdainful gaze fixed upon her, Ilvia restraining her.

Jareth didn't look back as he asked, his brows furrowed, "What are you doing here?"

"I heard His Highness was having breakfast with Consort Scarlet," Vera replied, pausing to glance at Ilvia, whose hand was holding her's.

"Remove your filthy hands," Vera demanded, gesturing pointedly at Ilvia. Ilvia glanced at Scarlet, who nodded in approval, prompting Ilvia to withdraw her hand and turned back to leave.

"It's Empress, Vera. Empress," Jareth corrected sharply, his anger evident.

"I don't think that's right, Your Highness. She hasn't been crowned yet, so she's still a consort, the least one at that," Vera retorted, her voice laced with disdain for Scarlet.

With a sudden movement, Jareth turned away and hurled a knife that struck itself into the wall. Vera's heart raced, realizing that had she flinched—or worse, had Jareth not deliberately missed—she would now be lying lifelessly on the floor.

She exhaled slowly, trying to regain her composure. "You've changed, Your Highness," she remarked softly, but Jareth couldn't miss the underlying timidity in her voice.

"I would change for anyone who changes too," he responded, taking a seat. Scarlet gently placed her hand on his to soothe him.

Upon seeing Scarlet's gesture, Vera clenched her fist and moved to sit opposite Scarlet, near Jareth.

"Isn't the future Empress going to start preparing? Or don't tell me you forgot about the competition," Vera remarked, her hands over her mouth and eyes wide open, feigning surprise.

"Consort Vera seems to be preparing to be Empress even though His Highness has officially announced me as the future Empress," Scarlet replied, pausing to glance at the training gown Vera wore. "But it's not bad to dream big."

Vera scoffed, masking her anxiety. "The future Empress likes to talk big even when she isn't prepared."

"I doubt Consort Vera is here just for breakfast," Jareth interjected, chewing his food slowly.

"I apologize, Your Highness," Vera quickly said.

The dining hall remained quiet until Vera broke the silence with a question.

"If I may ask, what gift was the future Empress referring to during his highness birthday party?"

"Why do you ask, Consort Vera?" Scarlet inquired, her tone laced with a mischievous grin. She knew Vera's curiosity all too well and understood exactly what Vera was trying to glean, but she had no knowledge of the Phoenix feather either.

"Pardon my curiosity, Future Empress," Vera replied, attempting to maintain composure.

"I heard His Highness liked the Phoenix feather and had been searching for it, so I decided to gift it to him. Unfortunately, it went missing," Scarlet explained, studying Vera's expression closely. She didn't notice the slight tremor in Jareth's hands at the mention of the Phoenix feather.

"But how did you manage to acquire it? Everyone know its difficult to find," Vera asked, unable to contain her curiosity.

"Edward gave it to me," Scarlet replied casually, dropping the emperor's name without hesitation. A pang of jealousy shot through Jareth like a lightning bolt.

"You must be quite close to the Emperor of Corea," Vera remarked, earning a scoff from Jareth.

"Excuse me, Your Highness. I simply want to ensure the future Empress isn't involved in any wrongdoing or seeing any other man," Vera said, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.

"I don't believe you have any right to insinuate that. Besides, if anyone should be accused of infidelity, it would be you, not me," Scarlet retorted, annoyance evident in her voice.

"You—" Vera began to retort, but Jareth cut her off abruptly.

"Do you know Alvin?" Jareth asked, his hands twirling his rings nervously as he glanced downward.

Vera's heart skipped a beat at the mention of 'Alvin'. She struggled to conceal her anxiety, her hands trembling beneath the table.

A maid approached, setting down tea for Jareth. As she did, Vera attempted to speak, her nerves betraying her as she accidentally knocked into the table, spilling tea onto Jareth's hand. Scarlet rushed to his side, soothing the burn with a gentle blow.

The maid, trembling, immediately knelt in apology. "Forgive me, Your Highness," she pleaded.

Aware that she was to blame, Vera tried to deflect. "You should have been more careful," she managed, feeling a pang of guilt.

Jareth abruptly stood, brushing the tea off his hand and clothing. Without a word, he left, followed by Scarlet.

Vera hissed in frustration, striding out of the dining hall and leaving the maid alone.

As she walked away, thoughts swirled in her mind. What happened to Alvin when he saw Jareth that day? Did he know I was his mate. Vera couldn't stop questioning herself.

Lost in her thoughts, Vera didn't pay attention to where she was going until she collided with someone.

"Can't you—" she began, but stopped abruptly when she realized it was Ralph.

"Your Highness," she exclaimed, a bright smile spreading across her face.

"I've told you to call me Ralph, Vera," he said firmly.

"Ralph?" she murmured, biting her lip seductively.

Ralph cleared his throat and looked away, avoiding her gaze.

"Have you finished breakfast with His Highness?" Ralph asked, a flicker of jealousy evident in his eyes.

Vera nodded and walked past him, with Ralph following silently behind. As they walked together, Ralph often stole glances at Vera's face.

Vera knew she had caught his attention, and a small smile lingered on her lips.

"Ralph, aren't you jealous of His Highness? Or Don't you desire the throne?" Vera asked, turning to look directly at him, their faces close enough that her lips almost brush his chin.

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