Scarlet's Awakening

After sparring, Talon and Aqua had a lot of questions they wanted to ask Scarlet. It was written all over their faces and they are itching to know all about that new weapon she used against Talon.

Scarlet was not in the mood to entertain their curiosity though. She left the Arena, saying that she's tired as an excuse.

However, Talon and Silver followed her like moths drawn to a flame. She ignored them at first... but after a minute of silence and giving her puppy dog eyes, she gave up and started answering their questions.

When Scarlet started explaining, both Talon and Aqua were very attentive. She talked about the functions of guns and how it can be used. Scarlet was just repeating everything Navy was telling her inside her mind but Talon and Aqua was really impressed.

They looked like kids who had their eyes open, especially when they learned that there are other kinds of guns other than the hand gun Scarlet used.

When Talon and Silver was finally satisfied with her answers, Scarlet retreated to her room to wash up. She dismissed the maids that were waiting in her room and did everything by herself.

After taking a bath, a messenger urgently knocked and came into her room. She silently acknowledged the messenger and listened to his report. The report was from Donatel and according to him, Eireen couldn't come back as scheduled. She encountered a bit of a problem at the battlefield and send a messenger to inform Scarlet of her delay.

"I see... Is that all?"

Scarlet's questioning tone made the messenger flinch.

Her voice sounded icy and cold. He couldn't decipher if she was in a dark mood or just plain nonchalant.

"Y-Yes, your majesty, that was all from Lady Eireen."

"Very well... Thank you for your service. You may leave now."

The messenger gratefully bowed and left her alone.

Silence immediately filled her room....

"Eireen getting delayed..." Scarlet wondered while looking outside the window. The worry on her face can be seen on the reflection as she looked outside. "I don't have a good feeling about this..."

Her eyes suspiciously narrowed into slits. The task should have been an easy one to accomplish by Eireen. The centaur brother's weren't even a match against her and yet, she got delayed.

Inside... Scarlet felt that something was amiss. That's why she immediately called Navy out to ask her for advise.

"Navy, come out."

The little blue fairy immediately appeared before her with an adorable smile.

"Mistress, you called?"

"Yes, I called you. I want to know what you think. I know you heard what the messenger said. So, tell me. What do you think should I do?" she asked.

It didn't take time for Navy to respond of course.

"Well, mistress, like you, I also don't have any idea what's happening. But the situation is very peculiar so, you have to send someone to Donatel to check what's going on." she adorably advised her.

"I see. I was actually thinking the same thing however I wanted to know what you think first before I acted on it."

"And for that, mistress, I am grateful that you asked for my input."

"Hmm. Do you have a person in mind for the task?" She asked. Since they thought of the same course of action, Navy must have a suitable candidate in mind for the task.

Navy's eyes twinkled happily.

"Yes! Yes, I do have one person in mind."

"Who?"

"Well, I was thinking of Silver... But! I think it would be much better if mistress and I would personally go there and see the problem for ourselves."

The corner of Scarlet's lips rose up. "You think so?"

"I know so..." Navy grinned. "And I think mistress will agree with my last suggestion."

"And why is that?" Scarlet asked.

"Well, I know that Mistress already plans on going out to inspect the lands after Lady Eireen triumphantly returns from her expedition. However, since Lady Eireen is getting delayed by a very peculiar reason, I guess it'll be great if Mistress kills two birds with one stone by doing the territory inspection earlier than planned." Navy explained.

"I'm impressed, Nave. Now I feel motivated now that I know what to do."

"Of course, mistress!" Navy's face brightened in a proud grin. "I'm your ever reliable and relate-able secretary. I know how your brain works... we have the same brain remember? Also, I've thought about it after listening to the messenger talk. I think it's a good opportunity for us to gather some information about the Kingdom outside while using this trip as our alibi."

"That's good... Anyway, we'll be leaving early tomorrow morning so I'll be looking for Eigeel to personally tell him about tomorrow. I'll leave you here and make the necessary preparations for tomorrow's trip, got it?"

"Of course, mistress! You can count on me..."

***

Scarlet stood outside Eigeel's door, taking deep breathes to calm herself before she decided to knock.

"Come in..." That was Eigeel's voice. Great timing! Looks like he's back.

Without anymore hesitation, Scarlet entered and caught sight of Eigeel busily looking at stacks of papers regarding the kingdom.

"My queen!" Eigeel stood up in haste when he saw her enter his office. "I didn't know you'd be here..."

Scarlet smiled, taking in the interior of his office before she faced him with an apologetic expression, "I'm sorry for the unannounced visit, Eigeel. I wanted to talk to you about something and it's just going to take a minute of your time so I apologize that I didn't bother with formal procedures."

"I see... You don't have to apologize, my queen. Now I absolutely understand your intentions... May I ask why you've decided to see me?"

"Oh! Well, that's- uhm. A messenger came awhile ago and informed me that Eireen got held up in Donatel so she couldn't come home according to schedule. That's why, I came here to tell you that I'm leaving early tomorrow morning to see what's going on in Donatel and personally bring Eireen back here"

"I see and I understand... Your majesty, you know that as the empire's prime minister and your most loyal subordinate, my biggest concern is your safety." Eigeel seriously said. "Gehenna suffered a loss when we lost you for 500 years. The empire and the scarlet order couldn't afford for it to happen again."

"Eigeel..."

"I can't stop you, your majesty, if you want to leave for Donatel tomorrow morning. But at least grant me relief if you'd just bring Talon and Silver with you."

Scarlet secretly winced, hiding her face from his sight. Goodness! 2 bodyguards..?

"Uhm, Eigeels... Talon's fine with me. I can bring him tomorrow however, I'll leave Silver here to help you run the kingdom while I'm gone."

"I beg to respectfully disagree with you, my queen... I can handle the matters of the empire by myself with Katerina's help. I don't need Silver... so please bring Talon and Silver instead with you. Then I can be at ease and certain that you'll came back to us alive and well."

Scarlet stared into Eigeel's eyes and saw that he was freaking serious. She sighed.

"Okay... Your condition is reasonable anyway so I'll agree... but honestly, I really thought you'll stop me from leaving though."

"... Well, I would've stopped you, your majesty. That is before I didn't know that you're entirely capable of protecting yourself now."

Scarlet frowned, "... Silver told you about the sparring session, didn't she."

Eigeel laughed. I soft little laugh before he took a seat. "Yes. Yes, she did..."

Scarlet's eyebrows rose up.

"Huh, I guess that's good then. I didn't have to talk anymore to convince you... Anyway, please inform Talon and Silver on my behalf. I'm leaving to Donatel early tomorrow morning. Tell them to be there on time."

Eigeel bowed his head, "As you wish..."