Jester

Many guests gathered for your coming of age, for you were the only child of a cruel king. Your father loved you, but hid his weakness so no one would take advantage of it. Sometimes, when you were sad, he would summon the jester, who, like many of the servants, hated the king. Your father exacted cruel revenge: if the jester was disliked, he would be pelted with objects, and the maids would have dirty water poured on their heads. You didn't like this, but defying your father was dangerous. Secretly, you helped the servants and cared for the jester, but his gaze on you was filled with a love you didn't notice.

The party continued: people drank and laughed. You noticed the jester looked suspicious, glancing around and twitching at every word. When your father went into his office to take care of some business, you decided to follow him and ran out of the hall. Your heart pounded with fear—what could the jester do out of hatred? In the hallway, someone suddenly tugged at your arm and pulled you into the room.

"Shh! Don't make noise!" the jester whispered, removing his hand from your mouth. You froze, and he peered into the corridor.

“What’s going on?” you asked irritably.

“There is a traitor in the castle, I am watching the king to prevent his death,” the jester answered quietly, leaning towards you.

"Why don't you want my father to die? You all hate him."

"Him, yes, but you, no. I've been in love with you since childhood, and I know your father's death will break you. I don't want to see your pain..."