Scarlet
By L. Hiiragizawa
Fire and Ice
"Come close Eriol."
Invidia's gloomy forests had a once colorful tale that everybody knew too well. It was never a frightful sight nor a haven of countless beasts of the past. Instead it was a portrait of the gales and laughter that the two of Invidia's fairytale characters had shared. Birds once flew merrily, animals grazed with freedom and trees swayed carelessly yet gracefully under the green forest's wind.
"Come and find me…"
Its past beauty was just a reflection of the giggles and chuckles that concealed a love once molded in the very heart of the forest's splendor.
Memories.
Only memories kept it alive…
Memories of one sunny afternoon…
"The forest is too big. Spare me and come out now"
A prince stood, eyes gazing the surroundings. His vision boring through every tree and specimen that covered his sight.
None. No sign of ebony locks behind the trees.
"You are really good at hiding."
He walked and at each step, his eyes moved seeking a familiar figure. Like a hunter searching for his hunt.
He suddenly grinned as a giggle echoed from among one of the trees that surrounded him.
"I'm coming…"
She peeped from the behind the tree she was hiding.
'Strange…he was just standing stupidly there a while ago…'
Her dark amethyst eyes moved around the scene that her eyes was beholding, at the same time, her brows arched in confusion. Everything was at peace in the forest. Only the chirps of birds and her hard breathing was all she could hear.
None. No sign of her blue-haired prince.
She suddenly felt fear as the thought of him leaving her alone appeared in her mind. Dusk was nearing and dangerous animals of different sorts may attack. She shivered.
"Eriol!"
No reply.
"This is no fair. You should be the one looking for me and not I!" She shouted as her voice echoed.
She gulped.
"E-eriol come out n-now Let's go home."
Still no voice replied.
Tears was nearly welling up in her eyes as she stepped out of her hiding place and sat down below a large oak tree, head bowed down.
"I was wrong. He left me. I should not have loved that creature in the first place."
The wind was becoming colder as the sun seemed to shut close its light, the sky in its bluish-indigo shade with streaks of orange splashed artistically into the heaven's abstract.
Suddenly a head popped up from behind the tree that made her gasp in surprise. Two blue eyes appeared as a grin appeared from the boy's face.
"Caught you."
The princess wiped her tears away and smiled in joy but right after a few minutes, she stood up leaving him behind, walking out of the forest in a fast pace.
The boy, surprised by her reaction, followed her, catching up with her speed.
"H-hey…I just meant to surprise you. Are you mad?"
"Isn't it obvious? You scared me. It hurts. Now you expect me to be happy?"
A hand halted her and he faced her, hand cupping her slightly flushed cheeks.
"Okay. I'm sorry I won't do it anymore."
"Promise?"
He nodded.
"Promise."
She smiled and removed his hands from her cheeks, swatting him playfully in the arm before his lips ever made contact with hers. She wore a smirk.
"Good. Now let's go back to the castle. It's getting dark."
She dragged him, as she picked up the basket she brought earlier.
"No fair."
He protested as he pouted and she smiled cheerfully.
"It is. Now let's get going."
They walked side by side out if the forest. Silence uncomfortably stood between them as the scene just a while ago bothered each into mental battles with themselves.
Finally, he broke the quietness.
"Wait. What were you saying a while ago when I found you crying?"
She recalled every word she said earlier and regretted the fact he overheard her and now was making her realize what fool she was. He was wearing the same teasing smile he always wears whenever she does something clumsy. A flush was now starting to get visible as she turned her back away from him.
"Oh that? N-nothing…" she denied although it sounded pretty fake…
'Uh-oh…'
"You are not a very good liar my princess, sorry to say."
"D-did I just say something important? I'm sorry I cannot recall anything that I said when I was crying."
She tried to avoid the conversation as she entered the palace doors finally.
"Goodnight my prince. I believe it's best to part now. Till—"
He grabbed her waist and smiled playfully.
"Avoiding me, eh princess? Not a very good idea.
Her eyes widened in shock as he bent down, face close to hers. But instead of pushing him away, she reluctantly closed her eyes as she waited.
"Don't worry I feel the same…"
He whispered as he allowed to drown himself into pools
And pools
And more pools…
The throne room doors flew open, which startled him from his thoughts. He stood up furiously as the captain bowed down to him.
"Y-your highness the—"
"How dare you enter suddenly without even my notice?" His voice streaked with anger.
"B-but your highness, Samuel told—"
"Enough! What brings you here?" His tone shifted to a gentler one that shocked the captain as he sat down calmly once more to this throne.
"Your highness we have the girl in captive you wish to meet."
He frowned at first. Lines were visibly sketched in his forehead. Face was expressionless and silence filled the throne room. The captain looked up to see him staring blankly at the open door.
"Bring her in but tie her eyes up."
"Y-yes your highness."
He followed the view of where the captain headed as he slowly disappeared through the throne room doors. He closed his eyes for his head still ached from the sudden flood of thoughts that entered his mind. He vowed never to dig up everything that he had buried in the past but he couldn't help but give in to the indulgence of his mind. The scene just popped up from nowhere and he didn't resist on recalling such happy thoughts that dimmed up after tragedy had fallen.
Yes.
Tragedy.
He opened his eyes only to see his men entering the throne room, bowing down to him. He loved respect and power and was very amused at the sight but a certain ebony-haired girl in front of him interrupted his gaze. His men released her hands yet a red cloth covered her eyes, preventing her to see his identity. He studied her from head to foot, noticing her pale, white skin and odd-looking clothes.
She sure was someone strange, probably the reason why his captain kept her. But there was something in him screaming out loud…
She looked VERY familiar.
If only he could see her eyes…
"This is boring. Are you killing me or what?"
She sarcastically broke the silence of the room, sending the king frowning in displeasure.
"How dare you say that before the king? You Araneans are nothing but dirty creatures…bow down!"
He heard the captain yelling at the captive, impressed by what he did but it made him frown more when she insisted on not obeying, noticing her lips outlined in a smirk. He stood up and went in front of her studying her closely.
Tomoyo felt someone move in front of her and though her eyes were just in front of mere blackness, she was sure eyes were studying her.
"You really are stubborn aren't you?"
She slightly jumped in realization…
That voice…
That same husky voice…
"Don't you know that those who fail to bow down at me find their heads off?"
It was familiar…
She kept her senses active as she felt him circling her.
"And later on they beg to me for dear life?"
When did she hear that voice?
When?
"Shame on those people. As I can see you are determined to follow their cruel fate, am I right?"
His voice was still in authority. Each tone signaled danger and power that would most likely make anybody tremble in fear. But to his surprise, she didn't even fidget. Instead she remained bold and calm.
To Tomoyo Daidouji, this was nothing but a game of who stands the last. Heck! A Daidouji never gives up. Nobody ever ordered her this way in her entire life and neither would she want to be.
"Isn't that always the fate of those who disobey you? Then why prolong me when you could strike me right here?"
This surprised the king. Never in his life anybody dared to speak to him in such a rude way. Everybody that he had sentenced to death always seemed to kiss his feet to save themselves from the wrath of the blade that would eventually take them down. But this woman was above the rest. She was determined to die and still stood by her principles in spite of the danger that awaits. This didn't anger him, to the surprise of his officials, but impressed him as a smile of mockery spread across his face. And today, since the time they were in service for him, was the first time they noticed him amused.
"Hmmm…strong will I see? Since when did you Araneans have that will? Your race was a race of cowards making them all fall into my hands so easily. It was just amazing you withstood it all…impressive."
Tomoyo crossed her arms in delight. This is going to be fun.
"Araneans your highness?" She said in a mocking tone.
"I don't even understand what hell and all these crap you keep on babbling. You are obviously a qualified applicant for the mental center, sir."
The king found it hard to catch up with what she meant. He had a hint she was teasing him but…
Crap?
Mental Center?
What the hell!
…this woman was someone foreign. Definitely not an Aranean.
"So, if you're not an Aranean, where do you hail from?"
He asked.
"Specifically speaking your highness,"
She stressed the words "your highness" as she continued to mock him in delight.
"You don't care about my affairs so do I care about yours."
At this, the captain stood up and drew his sword placing the blade near the neck of Tomoyo. The king was expecting her to be surprised or even gasp but she still remained collected despite of the slight brushing of the cold blade against her delicate skin.
"Nobody must dare speak harshly at King Eriol, the great highness of the land of Invidia on where you now stand. Pay respect you Aranean, or you die!"
Eriol gazed angrily at the captain and signaled him to place the sword down, which the captain followed at once, eyes still burning.
"Why didn't you continue that Oh Great King Eriol? Isn't that the main reason you called for me here?"
The king couldn't help but chuckle, which sent his officials looking at each other in surprise.
"You really are something woman. You really want to die do you?"
"My pleasure your highness."
He settled back at his throne as looked at her amused not even complaining of seeing who or what he looked like in reality. People always find so many ways to have a glimpse of him or even know how he looked but how impressive she was that she never dared to peek and remain contented in hearing his voice alone when she had all the opportunity since her hands were untied.
"What if I say I'll spare you and you stay as a guest in my palace as your punishment?"
Tomoyo gulped as she realized she would be staying with this arrogant beast. Anyway, she had nowhere to go since she was in a weird place that goodness who knows where in the world!
"I'll have your room prepared and fixed but you shall never meddle with my affairs nor attempt to see or go near me. Once you shall forsake my orders, you shall…"
His voice returned to its icy coldness and he regained his usual rude self.
"…Die."
She ever wondered what the fuss was about not letting her have a glimpse of what he really looked like. Why did she have to wear a blindfold all along and talk to somebody from the darkness?
'Was he that ugly to deprive me of seeing him?'
Suddenly she felt her being dragged by several hands, sensing she was nearing exit.
Eriol shifted his gaze to where the very first person who in his life of being a king, stood boldly and countered his rude attitude by imposing rudeness back. She was the first to make him smile at her wittiness and mocking remarks. Curiosity then aroused at her mysteriousness and still questions filled his mind. He then vowed to learn at why events like such happened like it was planned and why didn't he take her life instead…
All was odd…
'Odd…'
Tomoyo thought to herself as she reached the door. She clutched the necklace, which laid on her chest hidden beneath her clothes.
She was in the place they called Invidia…
There was this race they call the Araneans…
She was in a place where a king ruled a kingdom and dungeons were prisons…
Could it be she was in some other time?
'All is odd…'
At that she removed the cloth that covered her eyes in an attempt to find out the identity of the man who spoke coldly to her a while ago.
'To hell with death.'
She turned around just before the throne room door closed but all was in vain.
She did see something but it wasn't that clear because his face was covered in only a little light…
She did notice him sitting still in his throne, his gaze still on hers…
But only one thing was for sure…
His eyes were icy blue.
AN: In the next one, they'll see each others' faces because something unexpected will happen to… okay I'll shut up. Okay it's my finals and I was exempted in all subjects today and I hope that I'll also be tomorrow. This chapter is now long to those who demand for one. And there are numerous OOC-ness that you could point out here I know but of course they'll change eventually…
Again thanks to all those who reviewed except to legolas shinoda. My reasons? I'll keep it to myself. I'll kill her later. *Wink*
LEAVE YOUR E-MAIL that you may get an e-mail that a new chapter's up.
Btw… these are explanations to those who cannot get…
1. Invidia is Latin for hatred and it is the kingdom of Eriol.
2. Araneans will be explained later on. In Latin it means spider's web.
3. There is NO occurrence in History about this story. Yeah it was in England but in MY story it was divided into three kingdoms, which will be explained in the later chapters okay.
4. Sophia will also be explained later.
5. The flashbacks are memories of the past and it'll be clear later on. For now guess who are those and piece all flashbacks together.
6. The voice that haunted Tomoyo that will also be explained later so for now I'll leave you with that.
If there are other questions/complaints/suggestions, click on my profile to look up my e-mail add and email me freely. Please don't use this story or my poem on your site for heaven's sake and for respect as well without my concern.
Sorry for grammar errors it's 10pm and haven't studied… gahhh! (For the love of CCS).
Thanks to my ever-loyal reviewers…and net friends.