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CHAPTER 27
As pained as Scarlet was, she remained in her room with two new maids tending to her along with the Azadel's second maid.
With the reaction taken on her by the queen, all three knew better than to indulge her whims whenever she had it.
Before long, it was already two days since the incident of her capture.
Usually, she wasn't allowed anywhere without guards and her maid accompanying her but today, she needed to attend her etiquette class which her mother had made her retake just to pimp up her skills before her wedding.
Upon closing, she was surprised to find her maids nowhere close by save for two guards.
On her way back to her chambers, she caught sight of a woman looking no more than in her early forties and paused.
Her eyes squinted at her. She had seen this face before but could not recall where.
Suddenly, her brows relaxed and she looked at one of the guards with her.
"Who is that woman? Hurry and go find out for me," Scarlet instructed.
He took a bow, left to make enquiries and when he returned, his report only proved her guess right.
"Your Highness, she came here to claim her reward."
"What for?"
"Directing the soldiers to where you hid, Your Highness."
Her lips tugged downwards when she realized her mistake.
Out of anger, she had blamed an innocent person for it. It turns out she did know the lady, she saw her once when she had stepped out early in the morning, the second day when Pearl wasn't home.
Upon being seen, she rushed back inside and pretended as though nothing happened.
Never would she have even thought of that but here she was.
By the time she got to her room, several thoughts racked her brain with respect to what she had seen.
After some minutes of thinking, her lips curved upwards, revealing a subtle smile. "Yes. All hope is not lost."
Rising to her feet, Scarlet made her way towards the window in her room with both hands placed in front of her stomach as her smile grew wider.
A thought like no other flashed before her eyes.
If she thought she was in a predicament before then she had found a solution to her problem.
"Pearl is so awfully so nice. Once I apologize to her, she will forgive me and help me out in my escape plan with Zale. Perfect."
Smiling at her genius idea, Scarlet nodded thrice and then twirled back to her bed to prepare for her plans.
'I may just be able to escape this nightmare.' She hoped within her.
***********
In the dead of the night, while the village and its villagers took its rest, a young lady was seen sneaking around while checking back and front for anyone in sight.
With the vicinity cleared, she found her way straight into the house.
Slowly, she made her way to one of the rooms and walked closer to the bed as she leaned in and tapped on her victim's shoulder.
"Pearl, wake up."
"Hmm?" Her brows creased but her eyes remained closed.
Letting out a deep sigh. Her assaulter tried once more. "Wake up already, damn it," she called through gritted teeth.
Squeezing her eyes shut, opened them as her eyes settled on the one who disturbed her.
"Scarlet?" Her brows furrowed even more at her.
Not understanding the miracle that was supposedly happening, Pearl rose into a sitting position before fixing her now clear eyes on Scarlet.
"And what are you doing here? At this hour for that matter."
"Here me out, we do not want to wake your parents."
"Oh yes, we do not want to wake them up so they hear just how ungrateful you are and the kind of person you are."
She sighed and looked back when she heard a noise nearby. "Please."
"Fine."
Together they both sneaked a bit passed out to the front of the house, where she was sure they would not be heard by her parents.
"Make it quick. I need my sleep to function properly during the day something you clearly do not know."
"Look, I need your help."
"Surprise me," Pearl commented, not hiding her sarcasm one bit.
As forgiving as she was, she did not appreciate the fact that Scarlet did not apologize to her and knew she needed her help.
Ignoring the obvious tone of her friend, Scarlet presented her case.
"I need your help in eloping with Zale. As you may know now, he and I love each other. I do not need this arranged marriage my parents want to force on me."
0_0
For a minute there, Pearl remained stunned at the level of selfish and foolish decision Scarlet made.
As if that was not enough, she went on to state some of the plans she came up with that she was sure would aid in their escape.
"Just stop," Pearl let out a frustrated sigh with both hands partly raised at her side.
"Excuse me?"
"You're excused. What is wrong with you?" Pearl questioned and shook her head. "I am sorry. I cannot help you with your ridiculous request.
"Why not? With you and I and him, I know it would work. We can pull it off."
"No!"
"Yes," she retorted sharply.
"How could you think you can force a man to leave his plans and leave with you to start a life? Mind you, one who doesn't love you."
Scarlet's gaze darkened when she heard that.
'Doesn't love me?' She scoffed out loud.
"I am sorry but I will do no such thing."
"You are a bad friend," Scarlet blurted out in rage.
She had a chance to flee and live the life she wanted but here as was being denied by the one person who could help her.
Her eyes blinked severally at the turn of events. Here she was thinking that perhaps Scarlet had changed but no. She kept on proving how worse she could get.
"You are the one who stands between me and my happiness. Pearl. You are jealous. Admit it."
Pearl scoffed and remained quiet. It was useless defending herself now. She had seen the true nature of Scarlet.
"Admit it, already. No wonder you do not have any friends. Because you are wicked. You covet what I want and have."
"Stop being delusional. He has no feelings for you, can't you see it? I am helping your life here," Pearl reminded as she let her eyes rake over her in an irritated manner.
"Lies. You are after what I have. I was stupid to think that since you weren't the one who ratted me out, you will be good enough to help me."
"Help you? Are you insane? You never even apologized for all the words you said."
Tightening her jaw, Scarlet crossed both hands in front of her chest. "I won't. You only proved them true. A true friend would help out when…"
"A true friend would point you in the right direction when you are wrong!" Pearl hollered at her, cutting her short.
By now both ladies were worked up beyond expression but the rage and tension in them had risen beyond control.
"I should have known better. It is as they say. Royals are opportunists. All you see me as is a means to an end. You do not care about my feelings and wish to ride on my sincere friendship."
Angry as well, Scarlet scoffs in return. "Liar. You only love him and want to tear us apart but he loves me and not you."
0_0
As soon as her shock showed, she masked it and laughed.
"Yes. I love him and whether or not he loves me is not up to you to decide. However, do not play that victim card on me again. Escape if you wish but leave me out of it."
"I should have known you were a snake," Scarlet fired back.
"You are the opportunist. You wish to have what I have. My status, crown, my parents, wealth and all. You have always been jealous."
"Is this what you thought of me all this while?" Pearl questioned. It was both painful and head aching.
"I see my friendship meant nothing to you."
"Exactly. A waste of time mingling with commoners," she dissed with a hiss. "You and I are no more. There is nothing about this friendship again. From today, we are enemies."
'No. No. No. It should not have gotten to this.' Pearl refused in her mind.
Shocked by how things had turned out, Pearl tried to apologize but Scarlet refused to have it and stormed off.
As much as Pearl was angry, she hated to fight and worse with her best friend.
"Scarl."
"Get lost. It is princess Scarlet to you. I do not know you and you do not know me. Remember," Scarlet yelled her reply and marched on into the darkness.