Wayward [The Princess' jewellery box]

[X] Slump

"We, the emperor's swords, cannot divulge anything to anyone, unless you possess the clearance needed; if you were to discover anything, then I urge you to keep to yourself. However, if you were to leak whatever you managed to discover, then... I, in the name of the Crown, will have to act accordingly, no matter how high your position is and whoever you are. Be it the empress, his majesty's concubine or even the royal highnesses princes and princess." Like a switch, Lucetta Archinoe, countess of Ayrshire, adopted the demeanour of the Scarlet fox, knight and commander appointed by the emperor himself.

Gone is the loving and bubbly persona belonging to Lucetta: their beloved topaz. In front of them, the Scarlet fox, the ruthless and cruel commander; feared by enemies and allies, likewise.

The Scarlet fox, did not gain her title by accident. Far from that.

It is said that, the Scarlet fox was born after she stained an entire battlefield with the blood of her enemies, single-handed. She, who was believed to be a fair and innocent lady, proved to be as fierce as men; innocence having no place in a war, Lucetta won the respect of each side.

However, just the extermination of a platoon was not enough, she had to ensure the absolute and indisputable victory of the empire; the kingdom had to fall and the complete submission of the opposite side was no less expected.

Despite knowing the prowess possessed by the scarlet-haired woman, they didn't truly believe that they would receive the end of it. They thought that Lucetta wouldn't go as far as threatening them; thankfully, they are not her opponent, otherwise... They fear that blood would have spelt and everything tainted in red... Perhaps, instead of teasing a harmless house cat, all this time the cat revealed itself to be a lioness ready to pounce on the first unfortunate soul, if so... They could only be relieved.

While the others were thinking, still numb after witnessing a new side of the woman with red hair, they didn't notice Lucetta's fingers twitch nor the unfamiliar blank expression she had; it's like all the pressure she had, crashed down on her, making her unable to control her feelings and regain her composure.

Thinking about what her inability to remain as 'herself' made guilt bloom in her chest, after all, they didn't have to see this ugly side of hers. 

If only, 'she' was better. Better? No, perfect.

THEY expected her to be perfect, and nothing less. 

She has to perfect.

To be such, she has to... She has to eliminate the crown's every single obstacle, leaving nothing, in order to avoid the insurrection of good for nothing insects; the Crown can be soiled, but never its face.

They can be as corrupted as they want, but the face has to stay as clean as possible, no soil nor blood shall ever dirty it, no even the smallest speck.

'I have to...'

Lucetta couldn't finish that thought, as suddenly, everything seemed to disappear, leaving nothing at all.

While the jewels and the princess were dealing, with the after-effect of Lucetta's bloodlust, they suddenly heard an unexpected loud sound, like something with a certain weight had fallen on the ground. Looking around for the thing that could've fallen down, they noticed that one person was mission: Lucetta.

Connecting the dots together, they finally understood what happened; Lucetta had blacked out, thus making her unable to catch herself before falling out of her seat, making her land on the ground.