Scarlet's Awakening

The continuous tapping of Jasper's fingers on the table could be heard echoing inside the luxurious guest room where he slept in last night. He was getting impatient with a scowl on his face as time went by. He was waiting for Scarlet to visit him, but the woman didn't show up.

"Anselme..."

The blanked faced Anselme who has been patiently standing behind his master immediately responded. "Yes, my Lord?"

"How long have I been waiting here?" asked his icy childlike voice.

Feeling the dark aura rising from his master's little back, Anselme gulped his own saliva before answering his question, "Uhm... Almost an hour, my Lord...?" Because of his response, the dark aura around his master's silhouette grew thicker and darker than before making Anselme flinched in terror.

Huhuhu! So scary... His master has been waiting early in the morning expecting Scarlet to pick him up and spend the day with him. He also prepared himself, including taking a bath and cleaning himself. He even terrorized him a while ago for choosing boring outfits for him to wear even though he looked cute and handsome in anything that he wears. This is the first time his owner has been selective for his clothes.

On the other hand... Jasper's little jaw clenched as his deep oceanic eyes narrowed into tiny slits, thinking about Scarlet.

That woman. How dare she make him wait! Since the moment he opened his eyes, he wanted to see her face. Clearly, he missed her and not seeing her face for the day is making him grumpy as hell.

"Ahem! My Lord..?"

Jasper snapped. "What?!"

"I-I Uhhh... I heard from one of the palace maids that the queen already has already made commitments to talk to the Scarlet Order for today. I think she's having a meeting with them right now."

Jasper abruptly went silent. "Is that so..."

"Yes," Anselme replied, smiling enthusiastically so his master would believe him.

"Are you sure of that?" Jasper asked, looking straight into Anselme's eyes.

"Absolutely sure, my Lord."

"Ah, well then," Jasper said, rising from his seat and headed to the door. Anselme followed him immediately.

"Uhh. My Lord, where are you going?" he questioned, feeling the growing fear inside his c.h.e.s.t.

Jasper stopped. His face serious. "To see my wife..." he said before heading back to the door.

Anselme felt his jaw drop. "HA?! W- Wait, my Lord!"

EVERYONE fled the throne room, except the seven members of the Scarlet Order. When they all got out, Scarlet spoke.

"Let's continue our discussion in the meeting room." The members of the Scarlet Order nodded their approval. Scarlet stood up and came down from her throne, while the members of the Scarlet Order followed her in two lines, one led by Eigeel and the other by Eireen.

The palace guards opened the double doors for them when suddenly, Scarlet stopped.

"Is something the matter, my queen?" Eigeel asked with concern.

Scarlet snapped her fingers. Like she remembered something important.

"Red..." she called out. And the crimson nine tailed fox flinched at her voice. He raced to Scarlet's side immediately.

"Hnnng?" he tilted his head to his side, making an adorable sound inside his mouth, asking, "What is it, Master?'

"Come here." Scarlet invited. She gestured for the crimson fox to jump on her arms. Her former self always has Red lying in her l.a.p, c.a.r.e.s.sing and scratching his fur during meetings or whenever she doesn't use her hands to do official work. She almost forgot this habit of hers, good thing she remembered to do it now.

His eyes light up instantly with joy. Red initially thought that his master had already forgotten about him.

Red resized himself to be about as tiny as a squirrel. After that, he jumped straight to her arms, searching for a comfortable spot to lie down while purring. Scarlet was smiling. Cute...

When Red was finally lying comfortably in her arms, she turned to the others, "Let's go."

The meeting room was not far from the throne room. Two palace guards were waiting at the doors, and they stood in the attention as Scarlet approached.

Scarlet glanced at the two officers, and they rushed to open the door for her. She went inside, not saying thank you to the guards even though she wanted to. Her other self wouldn't do that so she stopped herself from doing so.

Scarlet was seated at the most extravagant chair among the seats on the long table located at the head of the table. Eireen was seated on her left side; Silver and Aqua were seated beside her. While Eigeel took his place on her right side, and Levin was seated beside him. Only Talon remained standing behind Scarlet as her bodyguard while Red was napping comfortably on her t.h.i.g.hs.

When they were all seated in their chairs, Scarlet spoke.

"Now, going back to the investigations that you have obtained from the human realm during my absence. What information have you learned from there so far? Tell me everything in full detail. Silver, you go first."

"Of course, my queen." She stood up and placed a peculiar gadget in the center of the table. The tool was round in form, and in the middle of it was a large green crystal that was beautifully polished in the manner of a small ball.

As Silver returned to her seat, the crystal lit up on the magical device, and an image appeared above it.

"Ehem." Silver cleared her throat. "... your majesty, during our investigation, my subordinates sent me a report that a mysterious power was growing in the human realm." an emblem emerged on the floating ill.u.s.tration and almost looked like a ram or a goat. Silver continued... "There have been numerous cases of killings done by this organization and they always leave these symbols on the scene of the crime. Their victims were mostly very important people, including the late King of the Kingdom of Burgundia." she explained.

"Assassination of the King is no joke. Have you learned who these people are and what name they call their organization?" Scarlet asked Silver

"I'm afraid I haven't been able to answer this question at the moment, your majesty. They've been increasing their power and prestige for over a hundred years. My people and I still don't know the name of their organisation, their leaders and their motives are still a mystery to us," she replied.

"Being in the dark is a frightening thing, Silver ... You know, we can't stay ignorant about this organisation any longer. Besides having superior power, knowledge is also very important. Make sure to find out about these men."

"I understand, your majesty. And I'm embarrassed of my incompetence. They've been smart enough to cover their tracks that we can't track them down. Please give me and my people enough time to investigate, and I'll make sure I come back to you with the information you're searching for."

"My queen, with your approval, let me assist her with this assignment." Levin unexpectedly stated, his expression stern.

Silver's expression turned sour.

"There's no need for you to dip your fangs into my business, Levin. I can handle this on my own." Silver snapped.

"In the past few years, my informants and I have been keeping tabs on the realms, nations, organisations, and entities that could be a potential threat to Gehenna and to her majesty. This... mysterious organization or group... is at the top of that list. You've been hunting them down for a hundred years... The Queen needs immediate results. With my aid, this mission will be over in no time."

Scarlet nodded in approval with Levin's words. "Levin is right, Silver. You two should team up to finish this task."

"But my queen-"

"Her majesty has agreed that you should team up with Levin, Silver. Try to forget your grudge and cooperate with him for the greater good of Gehenna." Eigeel interjected silencing Silver who's now scowling at her predicament.

"Thank you, Eigeel," Scarlet said, and Eigeel answered with a quick nod. She was able to convince Silver to partner with Levin, thanks to him.

"Listen well, all of you members of the Scarlet Order. Silver and Levin will start working on this mission tomorrow. The others will help them when requested to do so. There are no exceptions... or excuses. Understood?" They all bowed their heads, acknowledging her instructions.

"As her majesty bids it. We will follow."

"Good! I'll be expecting your reports Levin... Silver..."