Scarlet's Awakening

Scarlet submerged herself into the water, swimming around the pond while immensely enjoying herself. The moon was already shining full, up in sky. Its reflection making the water glow like a dark jewel under its light.

Scarlet's movements were at ease as she looked like a fish in the water, paddling away as she laughed. It's been so long since she had time to leisurely swim like this. She gasped for air when her head came out of the water. She was nȧkėd, and alone. Talon was nearby guarding her in the distance but she can still feel his presence even when she couldn't see him anywhere near her.

Scarlet let her body float in the water as she stared at the cloudless night sky.

'Beautiful…' She thought.

She never had the chance to look at the skies when she left school and started working. In fact, she never remembered looking at the sky- ever- until she died. She was busy with work, doing her sideline jobs and stuff to help the orphanage. She didn't have time to enjoy her life after reality hit her in an early age. And being carefree in that moment, swimming without any worries in her mind made her think that life was too short for her to waste it away with something she didn't enjoy.

Listening to her surroundings, Scarlet closed her eyes and stayed floating in the water. She could hear the tranquil sound of the water; the cold night breeze blowing gently on her skin; and Aqua's voice ordering people around to finish building the tents. They haven't eaten their dinner yet that's why she sounded so agitated.

Scarlet suddenly smiled, remembering Aqua's facial expression when she first saw Ishid. He was walking behind her when they came back to the carriage. Aqua was smiling at first when she approached since she was able to handle the issue with the road blocking incident and was waiting for Scarlet to compliment her, but then, her smiled froze when she saw another person with them, specifically, Ishid.

"Your majesty," she respectfully greeted her first, her voice low- almost quiet so that the people around them won't hear her before looking at the person behind Scarlet, "Who is this?"

Aqua was clearly not pleased to see Ishid for some reason. The two of them haven't met yet but she was already showing him hostility, unlike Talon- he was able to accept Ishid a little bit.

However, Scarlet already knows that Talon doesn't trust him with her safety yet- and Scarlet can understand why he's being like this...

Talon had been protecting her poorly this past few days and now he was determined not to fail with his job. Hence he was being strict with himself since her safety is his first and foremost priority.

"Aqua, meet Idris… Idris, meet Aqua." Scarlet introduced them both with a slight smile. Aqua's eyes widen a little at the introduction. She looked surprised because the man actually has a name, and the queen was already treating him like a close friend...

On the other hand, Jasper just gave Aqua a nod, recognizing her presence and nothing more.

His actions insulted Aqua a little...

Aqua leaned in to ask Scarlet in a whisper, "May I ask?"

Scarlet nodded.

"Why is he with you, your majesty?" She asked. For her, she personally doesn't like this man named Ishid...

The first time she saw him- aside from his unusual beauty that was a level higher than Eigeel. The look, that weird ȧss look, in his eyes when he's looking at Scarlet gave her the warning chills. He looks like he'll swallow her whole or something.

"Oh!" Scarlet snapped her fingers; "I bought him from an auction just now. Starting today he'll be protecting me as my bodyguard as well..."

"But, my queen. You have Talon and I to protect you. We're already enough."

"It's better to be prepared, Aqua. Also, don't worry. Ishid won't hurt me." .

"How can you be so sure?"

"I just know."

"...What's that thing on Talon's back?"

"Oh!" Scarlet snapped again; "That's another item I bought from the auction house. It's a doll."

A doll...?!

"I-I see…"

***

Aqua silently observed Jasper silently when they started traveling. The way to Donatel was a two day journey so they had to set camp and rest for the night since it was not safe to travel at night, there were demon beasts roaming around this time of the day that's why Scarlet was swimming in a nearby pond to wash herself while the others were busy with setting camp and preparing dinner.

"Talon?" Scarlet called out in the air and she felt a shadow appear behind her standing at the bank of the pond.

"You called for me, my queen?"

It was Talon's voice. "I want you to bring Ishid here. I want to ask him something..."

There was a slight pause but then he answered, "As you wish..."

Talon's silhouette disappeared and Scarlet took the opportunity to come out of the water and dressed herself with a bath robe she created after swinging a finger.

Swoosh!

"I have brought him for you, your majesty..." Talon said, kneeling on the ground when Scarlet turned around.

"Thank you." She looked behind him and saw Ishid kneeling as well. "Leave us alone for a moment will you, Talon... I want to talk to him for a bit."

He nodded, "As you wish. I won't be far..."

And then he disappeared again...

Ishid stood up, silently watching Scarlet as she approached him.

"I want to ask you something,"

Already guessing what she wanted to talk about, Idris immediately made an invisible air pocket that would serve as their private space, disguising their conversation from anyone that would try to listen.

"Now, you can begin asking me..." he said confidently.

Scarlet raised her eyebrows at him slightly; "Why did you let them do the slave contract?" she asked, "You know that it was unnecessary but you still did it even after I told you not to."