Chapter 21: Plans Gone Right
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CHAPTER 21
Both girls had their eyes budging out of their sockets at his solution.
While one was happy and dancing internally, the other was shocked by the turn of events.
For a moment there, Pearl thought she heard wrongly but seeing the seriousness in Zale's eyes, she knew she heard correctly.
"You what?!"
He swallowed, forcing himself to brace whatever rage she was about to let on.
"I said…"
Before he could start or finish, Pearl, interrupted him quickly. "No."
"Pearl, I understand if you do not want to get in trouble with your parents considering her status but then we have to help her."
"I know but you can't." She shook her head and knelt down properly then moved her head a bit so she was facing him.
"You are a man, Zale. You cannot be seen with a woman you are not married to yet. It will be seen as inappropriate if she was to live with you."
"But…"
"Wait," Pearl cut in once more holding up her palm.
"First of all, you do not have a house, you stay at the inn. Secondly, you will be ruining her image if she is seen there with you. No one in their right mind would think clearly on that matter," Pearl explained throwing her hands in the air.
For her, the sheer thought of it was absurd.
"I do not mind," Scarlet smiled. "Any option is better than going back to the palace like this. I will cover my face."
"No!" Pearl hollered at her friend. "You can't."
"Pearl, I know you…"
"I said," Pearl trailed off with a strong tone. "No. You will stay with me. I will plead with my parents but on one condition."
Not wanting to sound ungrateful since Pearl was not going to allow her to get what she wanted, she decided to play the happy card.
"What is the condition? I will do anything to prevent my parents from knowing."
"That is the problem. I need you to send a message to the palace. We cannot have them proclaiming you missing and put the whole kingdom in an uproar."
Scarlet paled listening to those words from her. There was no way in hell she could believe what was happening.
Send a message?
"Pearl, I know I said anything but tell my parents what?"
"I don't know. You are their child. You know best what you can tell them to get out of this without having them feel worried."
At her advice, Scarlet's thoughts drifted away, searching her mind for the perfect alibi to escape her parents' wrath.
"Fine, I got it," she announced a couple of minutes later, getting both of their attention as they waited to hear it.
"The rumoured firefly blast that happens at this time annually. I would tell them I snuck out to see it and would return three days later."
"But that is…"
"Mother knows my love for fireflies. I will promise them my return. That way, they know when I come, I am ready to dance to anything tone but I will seek out the royal physician and get proper treatment to avoid my parents from finding out."
The ways he spoke convincingly gave anyone the notion that she was well vast with this and her parents would believe her.
Even Pearl was convinced but still scared about any problems.
Zale on the other hand, who did not know how the human kingdom worked, kept his suspicions at bay and watched from the sides.
"Fine. You win. But three days. No more, no less."
"Yes," she uttered mildly and attempted to get up.
"No. We can't afford you straining that ankle and getting bigger problems. Zale, I know you are just coming but please, do you mind?"
"Sure. The earlier you get her home, the quicker she can get treated."
Being able to help Pearl gave him the satisfaction he craved. Up till now, she had been the one who had gone out of her way for him. It was time to return the favour.
Picking Scarlet up, he got ready and they set out from the forest. Meanwhile, Scarlet could not be prouder of how things turned out to be.
Not only did she get to stay with Pearl but she was sure she would get more time to see Zale now that she could tell he was friends with Pearl.
Also, she wound up in his arms. Her prince charming carried her bridal style while she got to rest her head on his chest and listen to his heartbeat.
Her lips pulled back into a satisfying smile on their way back to the village. 'With her hair covered, she was sure no one could see her face.
On getting home, Pearl met her mother and explained briefly the problem they had.
Lotus and Lux being the kind-hearted soul they were, gladly welcomed any friends Pearl could make.
Not only Scarlet but Zale was very much welcomed. It was a change. After twenty-one years of her life, she was finally making another friend.
Their faces had all smiles as they instantly got to work in treating Scarlet.
Once the leg had been massaged with cold water and tied lightly, she got her message written and Zale took her outside.
Not wanting to be suspicious and link Pearl's home as her hideout, they walked further into the road and waited for the next passerby, journeying towards the palace.
By the time they found a man with a cart, Scarlet and Pearl walked over to him and gave their message, asking him to deliver the letter to the palace guard.
As much as she wasn't supposed to walk, she needed to play the part of looking fine, so that should in case he got questioned by the guards, he would tell she was in perfect health.
At first, the middle-aged man squinted suspiciously at them, but when Scarlet moved closer and whispered in his ears, he understood and nodded his head.
Thanks to that, he went on his way and Scarlet was free to live with her best friend for a few days while gracing her eyes with the handsomeness of her crush.
"Wait, what did you whisper in his ears?" Pearl questioned once she saw the man was out of hearing range.
Rather than answering, a subtle side smile formed on Scarlet's face.
**Flashback**
"I know you do not believe us. Honestly, it is all a ruse. I lied about being from the palace so please Mister, help me and pretend, but do not take that message to the palace. It will be better if we do not search out trouble. Thanks," Scarlet said with a smile.
"Sure. Young kids these days. You have my word," he replied.
He nodded at her before she pulled back and he hit his horse to move.
**Flashback Ends**
"Scarlet?" Pearl called out, pulling Scarlet out of her reverie.
"Huh, yes? Oh, it was a code. Something that will make the guards at the gate know I sent the message," she lied and hopped back to where Zale stood watching everything from afar.
"Let's go then. You shouldn't use that leg too much. Now I know your parents won't tear this kingdom in search of you."
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone