PERFECT PAIR    ❦︎ ︎ ︎ Chapter Two.

"Now, why would you think me of all people would willingly do a favor for you?"

THE CLASH OF STEEL ECHOED THROUGH THE TRAING HALL, punctuated by the rhythmic shuffle of feet and the sharp intake of breath. Scarlett's focus was razor-sharp, her every move calculated as she parried and thrust, matching her opponent's agility with her own.

Across from her, her mother, Mulan, moved with a grace and precision that spoke of years of battle-hardened experience. Every motion was fluid, every strike deliberate. Scarlett felt the familiar mix of awe and excitement that always accompanied their sparring sessions.

"Keep your guard up!" Mulan instructed, her eyes never leaving Scarlett's. Scarlett adjusted her stance, blocking a swift strike aimed at her shoulder and countering with a rapid leap forward. Mulan met her blade effortlessly, their swords locked in a momentary stalemate.

Scarlett's muscles burned with exertion, but she refused to relent. Fencing was more than just a sport for her; it was a discipline, a way to channel her restless energy and sharpen her mind. The world outside the training facility, with its tangled web of relationships and responsibilities, faded into the background as she lost herself in the dance of combat.

With a quick maneuver, Mulan went left and striker from the right. Scarlett narrowly avoided a touch, her heart pounding with the thrill of the fight.

She grinned, adrenaline coursing through her veins. This was where she felt alive, every nerve tingling with the challenge of outwitting her opponent—especially, her war hero mother.

"You're getting faster," Mulan said, a note of pride in her voice. "But remember, it's not just about speed. Control your breathing, anticipate my moves."

Scarlett nodded, her focus unwavering. With renewed determination, she saw an opening and struck, her blade connecting with Mulan's chest guard. The buzzer sounded, signaling her victory. She stepped back, lowering her weapon and pulling off her mask, her face flushed with adrenaline.

Bowing for respect, her mother soon brought her into a hug, laughing at the sudden mood change from intense battle to a loving mother daughter bond.

"Well done, my love," Mulan praised, a smile crossing her stern features. "Your form has improved significantly."

"Thanks, Mom," Scarlett replied, wiping the sweat from her brow. She glanced at her mother, who was already removing her mask and beaming at her.

"You've been practicing," Mulan said, a twinkle of amusement in her eyes. "I can tell."

Scarlett shook her head, feeling a sense of excitement despite the fierce competition. "I have to keep up with the best, don't I?"

Mulan laughed softly, the sound like music to Scarlett's ears. "You certainly do." A wink followed after before her eyes trailed off to a figure behind her daughter.

    "Oh? To what do we owe the pleasure?" Mulan snickered, causing Scarlett to turn around, her expression immediately shifting to one of distaste.

    "Shang mentioned you two would be here." Prince Ben cleared his throat, swallowing nervously at the sight of two formidable women who could easily best him in a fight.

    "Were you looking for us?" Mulan took charge of the conversation, fully aware that Scarlett wouldn't even dare to speak.

    "Just Scarlett." He admitted, his hands clasped behind his back as he stood politely, waiting for a response. Scarlett, however, simply stared at him, completely unamused.

   With a sigh, Mulan nudged her daughter. "I better get going. Your father and I have a dinner to attend." She glanced at Scarlett with a fond smile. "See you soon, my fiery dragon." She pressed a brief kiss against her daughter's jet-black hair before walking off, leaving Scarlett and Ben alone in the sparring room.

    "Wait." The older woman stopped. "I'll take this." She snatched her daughter's fencing sword. "I love you." Mulan laughed and bid the two goodbye once more. Prince Ben giving her a relieved look.

With her eye practically twitching at the fact her mother left her alone with Ben, Scarlett felt the urge to just ignore his presence as she removed more of her fencing protection gear.

    She was clearly annoyed by his presence as awkward silence filled the room. Scarlett never failed to let her disliking for Ben go unnoticed. It's always been like this since they were kids.

    Back then, there had been a time when they were friends, or at least something resembling friendship. They would chase each other around the castle gardens, their laughter ringing through the air like a forgotten melody.

    They had shared secrets, dreams, and the sort of innocent mischief that only childhood friends can understand. But those days felt like a distant memory now, blurred and obscured by the passage of time and the bitterness of their rivalry.

   The turning point had come when Ben, in a misguided attempt to assert himself, had started calling her names. Simple teasing at first, it had quickly escalated to more hurtful taunts. Scarlett, proud and fierce, had tried to ignore him, but the words had cut deep, leaving scars that had never fully healed.

    They were young but, he never apologized.

    The final blow had come when Ben learned his beast roar. He had used it as a weapon against her, unleashing a sound so terrifying that it had rattled her to her core. Scarlett had been so scared that she had hidden for hours, trembling and tearful.

    Since that day, she harbored a profound fear of loud noises, a phobia that was both a physical and emotional wound. Something so simple and unharmful made her feel weak, and she resented him for that.

    Because Scarlett Li was not weak.

    Now, standing in the training room, that old resentment simmered beneath the surface. The years had not dulled her memory, and the sight of Ben only served to rekindle the flames of her anger.

    Scarlett's hands moved with mechanical precision as she removed her fencing gear. She was determined to ignore him, even as the silence between them grew heavier.

    She unfastened the protective jacket, shrugging it off her shoulders to reveal the tight-fitting practice shirt underneath. She could feel his eyes on her, a silent plea lingering in the air, but she had no intention of making this easy for him.

"What do you want?" Scarlett finally spoke up. Helping herself off the bench and standing a few feet away from Ben with her arms crossed.

"I—uhh..." Ben trailed off at a loss of words. Scratching the back of his head as he stared at her nervously.

"Right..." Scarlett nodded.

"I have a small request." He finally found his train of thought. "Please."

Staring at him with furrowed eyebrows, the Li girl practically laughed in his face. "Yeah, No." She immediately declined before attempting to find her way to the exit.

"No wait! Please, Scarlett, just hear me out." Ben quickly got in her way. His taller and broad body stopping her from taking any step further.

"Are you actually going there right now or do you need to get your ass kicked again?—I'm not playing. I said no." Scarlett scoffed.

"You don't scare me." The prince narrowed his eyes as Scarlett's face stayed neutral. "Okay, maybe a little bit, but not as much as before."

"I'm giving you three seconds to back off. Like actually." Scarlett warned once again.

"Scarlett, I need you. Please." Ben listened as he backed away, but still practically begging for her help.

"No."

"You don't even know what it is!"

"I'm fine with that." She shrugged. "Now, why would you think me of all people would willingly do a favor for you?"

Getting frustrated, Ben let out an annoyed sigh. "You're impossible." He continued to argue, but a smile still stayed on his face.

"I like to give others a challenge, thanks." She was quick to shoot back with a taunting wink as she let her hair down.

"Scarlett, just hear me out. Please." He tried to convince her once more. "There's nobody more perfect for this job, and that's all I'm asking."

"Flattery won't get you anywhere." She sarcastically smirked, leaning all of her weight onto one leg as she waited patiently for his request. "But fine." She grumbled.

"Go ahead."

    Letting out a deep breath and inhaling once again, Ben calmed down and looked down at the girl in front of him. "I want you to welcome the VK's and show them around when they arrive." He said. His posture raised high as he tried to seem more confident.

    "Yeah, not happening." Scarlett laughed before trying to walk away from the situation once again.

    "No, wait!" Ben grabbed her hand but she immediately pulled away as a reflex. "I'll actually do anything for you if you accept this favor—please..."

    "I said no, time to find another person to do it!" She reached forward and tauntingly pat him on the shoulder.

"Scarlett." Ben sighed.

"You don't scare me, whatsoever." She sarcastically frowned. "But like actually, leave me alone."

"Is there anything thar will make you say yes?"

Shocked that he still wasn't backing off, Scarlett took a deep breath and straightened her posture. Keeping her arms crossed upon her chest, she rolled her eyes and glared at him. "How badly do you need me to do this?"

"More than anything. They arrive in two days and I have no one willing to give them a tour or give them a warm welcome." He explained.

"And why can't you do it? You're kind of the reason they're coming here in the first place." Scarlett retorted, trying to jog his memory as if he didn't already know how he was in this predicament.

Nodding at her words, Ben already had an explanation for that. "I have king duties to attend to. I'm swamped that morning. I can join you all in the afternoon, but I really need someone to help them feel welcome and comfortable."

"And you think I am the best fitting person to do that?" She quirked a brow in disbelief.

"Well..." Ben trailed off. "I feel like they'd prefer a princess like you more than a princess like Audrey."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Scarlett questioned, keeping a straight face to try and scare him into thinking he said the wrong thing—But she didn't care, she would hate to be similar to someone like Audrey.

"Oh, no, no! I—I didn't mean it like that! I mean that you're more laid ba—"

"I know. I'm just messing with you." Scarlett interrupted his sudden panic. "No need to freak out."

Taking a deep breath, Ben nodded and straightened down his suit jacket. "Right... of course."

Running her fingers through her hair, Scarlett looked Ben, dead in the eyes, glaring him down as he had bullets of sweat form on the side of his forehead.

"I'll do it." She finally gave in.

"Really?!" His eyes lit up.

"Yeah." Scarlett nodded slowly. "But, I'm doing it for me, and not for you. Who knows, maybe I can make some new friends." She softly grinned.

"That's the spirit!" Ben exclaimed. "Yes! Thank you so much, Scarlett!" He beamed, opening his arms wide in attempts to embrace her in a tight hug, but she pushed him away by his chest before he could get any closer.

"Right, my apologies. Personal space."

"Uh huh..." Her tongue poked at the inside of her cheek. "Right. Well.. is that all?" Scarlett questioned, letting out a deep sigh.

"Practically, yeah." Ben nodded, a smile still written across his delicate features.

"Well then, you still owe me big time." She smiled. "I don't know what it is yet, but just know I'm not forgetting that you said you'll do anything for me if I go through with this favor." She said tauntingly.

"Of course." He listened closely. "Whatever it is..."

"... I got you."

💌 vera's voice!   (2.0k words)
haiiiii , i have now given u the scarlett and ben dynamic. This Trope is so beautiful for me to write. Ugh. Love.

vk introduction soon!! i think next chap ? :P

but yas!!! thank u for reading ^_^ Smirk.
BEVEK!!! Hello. (belle , elena, vin, ethan, kade.)
Love, vera.