OLD WRITING

___

"Please-- no-- don't take her! Scarlet!"

There were flames. Blood. Soldiers shouted and horses cried out. The enemies held the king back, pointing swords at him as he struggled. The leader of the miscreants—masked—smirked, keeping a terrified girl in his arms.

"My little girl—please—goddammit, unhand her!!"

The man smirked through the mask and struck the king across the face, making the girl in his arms cry.

"Let. Scarlet--"

Markos gasped like a fish out of water, sitting up in bed. Sweat rolled down his forehead as he panted, clutching his heart and glancing around the dark room.

"Scarlet," he whispered, rushing out of bed and slipping on his robe. He hurried down to his daughter's chambers, peering through the heavy wooden door. A heavy sigh left his lips as he saw a girl curled up peacefully in the covers, the reddish candlelight highlighting the milky skin of her face.

"Thank God," he breathed, closing the door and leaning against it, running his hands down his face. A tug at his robes momentarily startled him, and he exhaled when he saw a little girl by his feet.

"Ah, my little Pearl," the king breathed, hoisting her up and into his sheltering arms. "What are you doing out of bed?"

"I sensed distress from your chambers, Papa." Her beady black eyes glittered, silky white hair falling over his little shoulders. She tilted her head. "Was it the nightmares again?"

Markos glanced away from his youngest daughter, breaths still heavy from the shock. "Yes, my dear," he admitted. He gave a small smile to the little girl. "But it's all fine now." The king pressed a light kiss to Pearl's cheek before he set her down."Now off to bed, young lady."

Pearl hummed, staring up at her father. "I will sleep with Scarlet," she softly said, nodding. "So you won't worry, Papa."

The king gratefully smiled at her concern, chuckling and ruffling her hair. "Alright. Sweet dreams, my dear."

"As to you, Papa."

The little girl headed into her older sister's room, and Markos sighed as he remained against the wall.

I have to keep them safe.

***

The three royals-- the king with his two daughters-- sat at the grand table for breakfast, eating crumpets and truffles and sipping on milk or tea. Pearl, whose feet swung above the floor, was staring at her father. The king had an occupied look on his face as he twirled a chocolate truffle in his hand.

Pearl blinked.

"You had the nightmare again, Papa," she said. Not a question.

Markos glanced up, snapping out of his trance.

"What is it, dear?"

At this, the silent Scarlet looked up with the same hazel eyes as her father, looking between the two.

"The dream. You had it again." Pearl criss-crossed her legs-- something that wasn't acceptable for their posture-- but the king took no notice.

"I. . ." Markos sighed, knowing he couldn't lie to the gifted girl. "Yes, I did." He looked at Pearl with a smile. "But I wasn't as worried thanks to you, dear." He was mentioning their interaction last night.

"It's okay, Papa. I sensed your presence again last night."

The king lightly choked on his bite of truffle, taking a gulp of tea and clearing his throat. He glanced at Pearl, blinking.

"I--"

"Please quiet your senses, Pearl," Scarlet spoke up, referring to the girl's ability to read the auras of other people. "You're bothering Father."

The little girl stilled, humming. She glanced at her sister and slouched in disappointment.

"Sit up, dear," Markos quietly said, the girl obeying.

"Sorry, Papa."

The king smiled and ruffled her silky-white hair, looking at his two daughters. "Come. Let's head to the gardens."

***

The king held Pearl at his waist with an arm, his free hand in Scarlet's. Outside, the air was light and warm, the skies a vibrant blue and littered with wispy colors. Bees, critters, and birds all harried about, relishing the bright yellow sun.

Markos noticed that Pearl was at slight unease, brows furrowed as she wrapped her small arms around her father's neck.

"What is it, little Pearl?" he inquired, following the direction of her face. His heart skipped a beat as he saw a certain someone in the distance, dressed in casual black garbs.

"Damien," he muttered, staring at the man from afar. He startled when he noticed Pearl glaring at him; she always grew restless around the man.

"Pearl? Whatever is the m--"

"Father," Scarlet sighed, "she is only being stubborn again. Here--" she pulled her hand away and made a motion with her arms to take her sister. "I can watch her as you greet Lord Scarlegot."

Markos glanced at his youngest daughter before handing her over to Scarlet. "I'll be right back," he muttered.

Pearl glared, maneuvering out of Scarlet's grip and crossing her arms. "I don't like him," she grumbled about Damien, glaring after her father. "Danger. Don't trust."

"Oh, shush, Pearl," her sister scoffed, rolling her eyes. "You just don't understand."

"I do," Pearl stated simply. Her sister could see the older soul within the five-year-old. "Papa is in love again."

Her eyes darkened, and she looked at Scarlet.

"With a criminal."

...

"Lady Marzia? Well, I'm not surprised," the king chuckled as he walked alongside Damien. "That Felix character is quite persistent even for his position as a peasant."

Their shoulders brushed, making Markos' heart speed up.

"You have to see his actions to believe them sometimes, Your Majesty," Damien chided, a smirk on his lips. The king lightly scoffed.

"Please," he said suddenly. "You don't need formalities with me." Damien's eyes glittered, and he smiled.

"As you wish, Markos."

The king's heart fluttered at this, and he stopped, turning to face the man. The sun was still high in the sky, and, in the distance, the two daughters played with the flowers.

"Say-- how would you like to dine with us tonight? It's been a while since your last visit."

Damien hummed and smiled, crimson eyes slyly glancing at Pearl from afar. "I'd love to, Markos, but--" He looked at the king. "Your youngest daughter. . ." A sigh left his lips as he shook his head. "We all know she dislikes me, sir."

The king's hazel eyes glittered, and he sighed. "I don't see why," he breathed as he glanced over at the two girls from afar. "You're such a great man; someone I can trust."

Damien's eyes glinted at this.

"Ah-- perhaps we could. . . dine together?" the king suggested. "Just the two of us."

The man smirked. "I suppose there is much we should catch up on." He bowed his head. "It'd be a pleasure."

***

Markos sat up in bed again, panting as he clutched his heart. Even after the calm dinner with Damien, he still had that same nightmare. Always beginning with his screams. Always ending before that last phrase. . .

"Let Scarlet. . ."

Let Scarlet, what? Let her be taken?

Before Markos could slip out of bed, his door creaked open, revealing Damien with a candlelight in hand.

"Markos, sir?" the man whispered, taking note of the king's pallor. "Are you alright?"

The king panted, sitting back on the headboard. "Yes, yes," he said as he waved a hand. "Just the usual."

"The usual?" he echoed with disbelief. Damien further advanced into the room, sitting at the edge of the bed beside the king. "Your nighttime rests indulge in hysteria?"

Markos glanced away. "They're only nightmares. . ." The other hummed, searching the king's features.

"For how long have you had them?"

The king hesitated as he looked into those crimson eyes. He glanced away. "Since. . . since the attack on Fort Palist-nore."

There was silence.

Ft. Palist-nore was attacked a month ago.

"That long?" Damien shifted in place, setting the candlelight on the bedside table. "Tell me about it. Perhaps you've been bottling it in for too long."

The king frowned, pulling his legs up to his chest. The dream flashed in his mind. "Well. . . it's about Scarlet."

"Your eldest daughter-- nine years of age, yes? And?"

Markos hummed, looking down at his hands. "I. . ." He gave in with a sigh. "Every night is that same. . . The kingdom is on fire and my ranks are being slaughtered. . . But what really stands out is when I'm held back by enemy soldiers as their leader takes Scarlet away from me, and I'm yelling-- begging for him to unhand her. He strikes me across the face and the last thing he says is" 'Let Scarlet. . .' " He shook his head. "And it always ends there."

Damien's eyes widened in the slightest as they glinted, and he quickly glanced away.

"You could just be shaken up from the ambush, even after all this time," he said hurriedly. "Your daughters were with you then, too, were they not?"

"Only Scarlet."

"Ah, see?" Lord Scarlegot nodded. "It makes sense. You must be worried she'll be in harm's way again." Pause. "The mind is a wonder, isn't it?"

"I suppose," Markos sighed. "But. . . but why would they want to take her? I-I know it's only a dream, but--"

"Your Majesty, that must be obvious," Damien softly interjected. "The whole kingdom knows that your dear Scarlet had been gifted with the eyes of a Seer. She would be a great aid to other kingdoms. Perhaps a weapon."

The king blankly nodded, looking down at his hands. Yes, everyone knew of Scarlet's gift. . . but Pearl's was kept secret. . . She would not be in danger. . .

"But the same dream for months?" Markos breathed. "I-I don't--"

Damien lightly pressed his lips against the king's, silencing him. Markos' eyes widened, mouth going agape when the other pulled away. A blush rose to his features.

"Quiet, You Majesty," the man gently said, placing a hand over the other's. "If you really are worried, then you must watch over her more carefully. I can aid you in protecting her, too."

The king slowly nodded, still in slight shock. His breath hitched when Damien neared again, and their lips were connected in a slow, calming dance.

   .

And at the moment of the kiss,

   .

Pearl's eyes snapped open.

***

"I can't agree to this, Father!" Pearl shouted, addressing him crudely. The king was taken aback. "I don't trust Lord Scarlegot-- he's bad. No good!"

"Pearl, darling--"

"He only wants Scarlet! Father, he's using you! He doesn't love y--!"

"Pearl Melianne Fischbach!" he exclaimed with disbelief, eyes wide. The girl silenced, shoulders heaving as she glared up at her father, white hair so bright it could be mistaken as flames.

"Bad man. Danger. Don't trust--"

Markos hoisted the girl up, sitting her on her bed.

"Silence, Pearl," he ordered, tone warning. The girl scowled, crossing her arms as the king finished buttoning up the collar of her dress. "Now, I want you to be good to Damien. He's only going to watch you until I come back from my duties, and I'll be back as soon as I can. Alright, Pearl?"

The girl grumbled under her breath.

"I said-- Alright, Pearl?"

She groaned, glaring at her father. "Yes, Papa."

***

"Is it alright if you enlighten me further?" Damien kindly asked, looking at Scarlet as they sat on the floor of the study room. Pearl was in the corner of the room, gazing out the window and keeping her features blank. "Of that vision?"

Scarlet hummed, tinkering with some of the dolls in the dollhouse they sat in front of. She figured she could trust the man-- after all, he worked for their kingdom. Plus-- he had grown rather close to the king's side for a few months now.

"It's not a good one, as I said," she drawled, her phrases better built when speaking of her visions. "There is the stench of war. Betrayal." She glanced over at Damien. "I am in danger in this vision."

Damien's eyes glittered.

"Oh?"

Scarlet nodded, going on to explain. "A man takes me away. . . His men hold my father back from saving me, pointing weapons at him. The common grounds are aflame and there are soldiers screaming." She paused. "My father screams, too." She glanced at Damien, eyes curious. "Lord Scarlegot-- I know you are quite close to my father. And I know, though they've subsided, that he's had nightmares." She tilted her head. "Has he ever told you what they're about?"

Damien stilled, staring at Scarlet with darkened eyes. His aura shifted in the slightest.

"No," he lied. "He has not."

Pearl glanced over with dead eyes.

"Unfortunate," Scarlet hummed, shrugging to the side. The man nodded in agreement. "They must've been that bad, hm."

"He lies," Pearl suddenly whispered, eyes darker. Her sister glanced at her.

"Oh, come on, Pearl--"

"Can't you sense it?" the girl hissed, standing as she glared at Damien. The man kept his cool, but Pearl could hint the small ripple of panic. "Bad man. You. Lie."

"Now, now, Pearl--" Damien tried reassuring.

"Don't call me that!" she shouted, growling. "I don't want my name to be tainted by a devil's tongue."

"Pearl!" her sister gasped, standing. "Apologize to him at once!"

"Girls--"

"He doesn't deserve my apology--"

"You don't just call someone a devil--!"

"But he is--!"

"GIRLS!"

Cannon fire.

Gunshots.

Scarlet shouted in shock, covering her ears. Pearl glanced around, stunned when Damien's aura grew darker.

"W-what's going on--" Scarlet gasped.

Another cannon.

Impact.

The girls shouted as the ground shook. Paintings fell from the walls. The side of the study room crumbled down. Pearl looked at it. Shocked. She glanced back. Terror.

Damien was running off. Scarlet in his grip.

"Scarlet!!" Pearl screamed, snapping out of her trance. She stumbled after them with short legs, coughing as dust violated her lungs.

Another cannon.

And the study room collapsed.

Bringing her with it.

***

"PROTECT THE CASTLE! EVACUATE THE CITIZENS!" Markos yelled, ordering soldiers around and rushing around the castle.

"Scarlet. . . Pearl. . ." he breathed, looking around the chaos-stricken castle. The warning gong was beaten on, echoing over the whole kingdom. Markos' breaths were fast.

"Lady Boer--" he choked out when a woman ran his way. "Lord Scarlegot-- have you seen him? He has the girls--"

"Sir, oh, sir--" Panic flared in her teary eyes. "They were in the study room-- b-but it's gone-- your girls are gone, sir!"

Markos' eyes widened, and he ran off without another word, sprinting towards the study room. "Please, please. . ." he gasped. "Be safe. . ."

He stumbled through the castle, panting, gasping when he saw the ruined study room. Panic hit him when he saw flames. High. Touching the sky.

"Pearl?! Scarlet?!" he cried out, desperately looking around. He hoped Damien had saved them. But dread numbed him when he saw a small hand.

"Oh God, Pearl--" He lunged into the ruins of the room, throwing aside rocks and debris. "Oh, no no no no no--"

Coughing. Light sobs. She was still alive.

Markos pulled the hand out of the rubble, gasping when he fished her out of the ruins.

"Oh, my darling--"

"P-pa--" Pearl coughed, blood running down her porcelain skin. She grew tense. "Scarle-- he took-- Damie-- kidnap--"

The king ignored her words, looking around. "W-we need a medic-- hold on, Pearl--"

Something kicked him down. He shouted in pain. Pearl left his arms. Hands grabbed him. Forced him to his knees.

"No-- Pearl--"

A man in black took her.

"What about this one, Dark?"

The king looked up. Another man stood before him. The leader. Holding Scarlet.

"Dispose of her," the leader growled. Pearl was thrown to the floor.

"No--"

Others surrounded him. Swords at his neck. He struggled.

"Please-- no--"

"Papa, help!" Scarlet cried, kicking in the leader's grip. The man bared his teeth, backing away. "Please!"

"Scarlet-- my little girl--"

There were flames.

.

.

.

Blood. . .

Soldiers shouted and horses cried out.

The enemies held the king back, pointing swords at him as he struggled. The leader-- masked-- smirked, keeping the terrified girl in his arms.

"Goddammit, unhand her!!"

"I'm afraid I can't do that, Your Majesty."

Markos growled, lunging forward. The enemy soldiers stumbled.

"Let her go-- LET HER GO!"

The man smirked through the mask as the soldiers regained their hold and struck the king across the face, making Scarlet burst into tears.

Markos groaned, baring his teeth when he met the crimson eyes of the leader.

"Let--"

No. . .

"Scarlet. . ."

Markos couldn't breathe.

"Go."

Darkness.

.

.

.

All this time. . .

.

.

.

It was an omen.

***

Markos gasped, choking for air as he sat up. He was damp with sweat, heart pounding in his Adam's apple.

"S-Scarlet. . . Pearl. . ."

It was only a dream. . .?

There was darkness.

It was cold.

He stood.

But he couldn't.

Rattling.

The sounds of chains.

His breaths were fast. Shallow.

He was bound. . .

"Tell me, Scarlet," a low voice echoed from far away. Familiar. "What do you see?"

A quiet sob.

"Blood." Her voice quivered. "Fear."

Markos gulped, chills running over his flesh. Were the girls okay? Where was everyone? Pearl? Why couldn't he see?

"Tears. Screaming. Shame. Guilt. Cries. But n-not to me."

Markos bowed his head, tears beginning to flow down his face. This is my fault. . . all of this. . .

"And unto whom?" the dark voice drawled with amusement. It smirked.

If I'd been more careful. . .

Another sob.

"My father."

Markos' eyes widened.

Footsteps.

"Is that right?" said the voice. Closer.

Markos shouted as his hair was yanked back.

"What else do you see, Scarlet?"

Hot breath at his face. He grimaced.

Suddenly there was light.

Scarlet burst into sobs. But she could not be seen.

"I. . . I s-see--"

"No. . ." Markos breathed. He stared into the face of the leader. The man who took his daughters. Who tore down his kingdom. "Damien. . ."

"What do you see, Scarlet?" Damien repeated.

Scarlet cried.

"Death."

Damien smirked, staring the king in the eyes as he titled his head. His next words were slow. . . dragging. . .

"And un. . . to whom. . .?" he whispered.

Markos shook his head, hyperventilating. He felt betrayed. "No. . . n-no. . ."

"My fath-er."

.

.

.

Then darkness.

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

word count; 3082

so, there's a couple weird names that i added in here to make this oneshot a bit "deeper"

the name 'SCARLEGOT' is actually a scramble of letters that came to mind-- same for the other one. this word was actually the prompt for this. if you piece all of the letters together (re-using some of them) you'll get "Let Scarlet Go."

similar thing for the other one! 'PALIST-NORE' becomes "Listen to Pearl." Just wanted to try something a lil different ^-^

--any opinions? constructive criticism? I know this was a pretty rocky oneshot, but it was fun to write, at the least. (I hope you enjoyed it! 💞)

thank you so much for reading and have a fantastic day/night!

-sheera