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CHAPTER 25 - Scarlet's Outburst
Zale barely got the chance to finish his sentence before Pearl snatched the flyer and stormed off in the opposite direction.
"This is bad," he muttered to himself and chased after her.
As soon as Zale got to the front of the house, he halted in his steps and watched the scene play out before his eyes.
An angry Pearl stopped a few centimetres away from where Scarlet remained seated on the floor, looking pitiful.
The more she saw this side of her, the angrier she got. They both knew she was strong enough to stand up on her own but she remained there.
"Until when are you going to act so pitiful?" Pearl inquired.
"Huh?" Scarlet gaped without looking at her friend. Her simple action further fueled Pearl's rage.
Ignoring who she was, she threw the flyer at her and demanded. "Explain."
Shocked by the audacity her friend had, Scarlet whipped her head up to look at Pearl, ready to burst out in anger for her actions when her eyes settled on Pearl's angry face.
Never in her life had she seen Pearl angry before as she did today.
"W-wha…"
"Read and explain," Pearl demanded through gritted teeth, her eyes blazing with fury.
Lowering her head, Scarlet's eyes fell on the flyer and her eyes went wide almost instantly.
She's been found out.
Slowly, she lifts her eyes once more, hoping to save herself from the shame and seek help while she could.
"Don't even think about it, Scarl. You lied to me, played me for a fool!" She hollered at her, letting her rage slip out.
"So please, don't you dare lie to me again and explain."
"I can explain Pearl."
"Great, I think everyone would like that. Ex…" she took a pause, making sure Scarlet saw boiling rage in her as she drew out the words. "Plain…"
She gulped, swallowing down her fear while her brain thought of ways to get out of trouble.
"I am waiting," Pearl reminded her and tapped her feet against the floor impatiently.
She had wished to get up on her feet and speak. She hated this belittling position she was in now.
Sadly, life was not ready to give her such a chance. As soon as she pried her lips open, the thundering sound of footsteps could be heard hurrying in their direction.
Everyone whipped their head to the sound when four soldiers rushed into their line of sight with intimidating looks in their eyes as they scanned the trio in search of their princess.
"Princess," the first guard uttered almost in disbelief but immediately he got those words out, his forehead furrowed at the sight before him.
Should the king and queen be here, heads will roll for the sight before them.
The royal princess was seated on the floor before common folk.
Absurd!
"Get the princess up now!" He commanded.
Following his order, two men marched forward towards Scarlet, ready to pick her up.
Her eyes went agape all the more at how much her plans had failed and she had been caught.
Snapping her head to the side, she glared daggers at Pearl. "You!"
Feeling the murderous aura quickly enshrouded her, Pearl returned her gaze to her and saw the malice etched deep in her eyes.
"How dare you do this to me?"
"I-I…" She swallowed watching the guard move to either side of Scarlet and hoisted her up.
"No. It wasn't me. I never did."
"You lying bitch! I should have known all along! You did this out of jealousy!" She screamed at her as she struggled against the guards, forcing them to wait for her to speak.
"What?" Pearl sounded surprised by how much her behaviour changed in the blink of an eye.
"Do not play dumb with me. I know you are jealous of me. God damn it I was too blind to see it, but you are a lying scum."
"Excuse me? Hen have I ever lied to you?"
"Oh, do not lay the victim card with me. You sold me out! You were jealous Zale liked me and not you. You sought his attention but he gave it to me. That is why you ratted me out."
She let out a burst of gutting eating laughter and then settled her infuriated eyes on Pearl.
"I hate you."
Every word and insult spewed at her made Pearl's eyes open more.
She had thought she had a good friend. Cared for her and did whatever she wanted. But in the end, when push came to shove the true nature of the so-called friend was out in the open.
"Take her away," the first guard ordered and they obeyed, pulling Scarlet with them.
No one uttered one more word to each other.
More than anything, Pearl was stunned out of her mind at the scenario that happened.
One thing she was glad for, her parents weren't at home to witness such an annoying scene. Else they would have spoken up and shut Scarlet down, calling her a bad friend.
Zale on the other hand did not do or say anything. Instead, he kept his gaze fixed on Scarlet.
He may not have spent so long with her but he could tell she was a good person. And he knew she wouldn't have ratted Scarlet out knowing the dilemma she would face once she gets caught.
A few minutes passed and Pearl let out a small laugh, shaking her head.
"I should have known better. I regret ever helping her in the first place. Ungrateful," she muttered to herself before walking inside the house.
Unknown to her, Zale heard it all but he never judged her. Indeed, the very same human race she belonged to, did this to her too.
Her pain must have eaten deep into her. He was sure of it.
'Relax your mind, Pearl. I will always be right here when you wish to talk.' Zale voiced internally.
Keeping his thoughts at bay with everything that happened, he walked over to the bench and gently sat on it.
He had his problems but he was sure Pearl felt like a mess right now.
Her only friend enunciated those words without holding back. Aside from the embarrassing words, the pain of losing her only friend bothered him so much.
He knew he couldn't stay in the human kingdom forever. In the end, she would be alone.