'I want to disappear.' She thought, sniffling as tears streamed freely down her face. 'Just why did I have to say all of that nonsense and run off?!'
Through Kaari's tear-blurred vision, the heavily adorned palace corridors were nothing more than vague smudges of color as she dashed aimlessly, unsure of where to head.
The soles of her feet throbbed painfully, begging her to stop but she pushed on, knowing that if she paused, she wouldn't have the strength to rise back up again.
The ballroom was off-limits now, as she was reluctant to return to the party for fear of crossing paths with Lex and also trouble Gabriel with the sight of her tear-stricken face.
'I should just head back to my room. I'm in no shape to pretend I'm fine in front of people I barely even know.' She reasoned with herself, turning around as the dull ache in her head grew stronger, demanding her attention. 'I'll have the maids send my apologies to Gabriel for leaving so soon again. I'm sure he'll understand...'
Her muddled thoughts were abruptly broken by the sound of heavy footsteps approaching from a distance, steadily closing in on her.
'What are the Valors doing here?' She thought, recognizing the distinct golden Exousian-style armor the men wore as they swiftly approached. 'Don't tell me... something happened at the ball while I was gone?'
"We found her!" One of them declared, interrupting the tranquil midnight air before they quickly made their way to her and swiftly apprehended her. "Quickly, grab her before she decides to run!"
"W-What is the meaning of this?!" She demanded as she tried to resist but it was no use, she was far too overpowered by the two strong armored men. "L-Let go of me! This clearly is just a misunderstanding-"
"Why, what a pleasant surprise." A teasing voice rang out, and when Kaari looked up, it was none other than the High Rose she had seen walk into the ball hand-in hand with Lex. "I was honestly worried about how to find you without much trouble, but thankfully, it turns out my worries were simply unnecessary."
Scarlett took her time studying the princess, the subject of endless whispers among the other nobles for the past few weeks, yet the woman kneeling before her seemed to possess nothing particularly striking to draw anyone's attention.
'So, this is the human Lex is supposedly obsessed with?' She mused, feeling a touch underwhelmed by the fragile sight before her. 'How... utterly ordinary looking.'
Her blood boiled the more she thought about the possibility that she had been outdone by something this plain after all the years she had spent trying to win Lex over since they were just kids.
Scarlett had been silently uneasy of her plan of getting rid of Kaari, fearing that she would anger Lex in the process, but now, she felt certain that the human's sudden disappearance would not be noticed.
After all, the only reason a Roseabelle would bother keeping a mere human around was for their looks or their skill in bed, and Scarlett guessed that was likely how Kaari had managed to survive under Lex's ruthless reign.
'No matter, everything will go back to where it rightfully belongs once she's out of the picture.' Her eyes briefly glinted with malice at the thought. 'Then, Kaiden will finally be mine.'
"W-Who are you?" The princess' frail voice quickly snapped her out of her thoughts, and in a heartbeat, her wavering expression shifted into a calm, unreadable smile as she turned to meet the princess's gaze. "Why are you doing this?"
"... Allow me to introduce myself, Princess Kaari, though I'm pretty sure you've heard of me. I am Scarlett, the goddaughter of the headmaster."
"Lady Scarlett, what is the meaning of this?" Kaari demanded, still struggling to break free from the Valor's firm grip on her arms. "I demand an explanation, now."
"I'm sorry, Princess, but I'm simply just following the emperor's orders." Scarlett said, reveling in the way her expression faltered at the mention of Lex. "It looks like he no longer sees any reason for you to be by his side."
"Of course, I know better than to pry, but it seems he didn't take kindly to what you said to him tonight." She shook her head slowly, as though disappointed in Lex's behavior. "His Majesty has a reputation for cruelty, but even this feels like too much, don't you think?"
"This has to be a mistake." Kaari's voice broke as she tried to deny her claims, tears falling from her eyes yet again. "He... He would never do this. Please, just let me talk to him-"
"If he genuinely wished to speak with you, he would address you himself, not through me, don't you agree?" Scarlett said, her tone turning cold and detached. "I've heard of your naivety, but surely you don't believe His Majesty regards you as anything more than a mere instrument?"
After Scarlett's harsh words, a heavy silence hung between them, broken only now and then by Kaari's soft sniffles.
"... As a child, did you ever wonder why we were warned not to love anyone outside our kind?" Scarlett asked suddenly, her voice carrying an unusual hint of emotion, almost as if she pitied the princess. "It's because you end up with lovers as impulsive, selfish, impudent as His Majesty. Because once when they get bored, they toss you aside like you never mattered to them in the first place."
"...Such a tragedy, isn't it?" Scarlett sighed, brushing aside a loose strand of hair that had fallen across the princess's face during her struggle with the Valors. "That this has become your end, all because you chose to fall in love with something as cold and unfeeling as a Kaxarene."
"I'm telling you this because I care, Princess, but maybe it would do you good to consider this a lesson and perhaps in your next life, things won't end in such a sad, pathetic way." Scarlett reassured Kaari with a warm smile, though her words did little to ease her.
"I'll make sure His Majesty is well looked after, and as thanks for keeping him company in my absence, I'll see to it that your death is swift and painless."
"... Take her to the Dwellers' lair. I've heard the recent changes Lex made in favor of the humans have made it tough for them to forage for food. I'm sure they will appreciate our little gift." She ordered with a straight face as she watched the color drain from Kaari's face with silent glee.
"And while you're at it, bring back her skull after they're finished feasting—it'll make a great decoration for my study."
"Of course, Lady Scarlett." The Valors answered in uncanny harmony, swiftly hauling Kaari up from her knees and making her stand.
Scarlett could barely contain her grin as she watched the Valors drag the helpless princess into the darkness that was the Stygian night, her faint pleas ignored without a second thought.