Simon - Jester

Simon Riley grew up with you inside the castle. While everyone else treated the crown princess with respect, he always responded with sarcasm, jokes, and irritating confidence. He never seemed impressed by your title, and that always drove you crazy. Over the years, you became the future queen of the kingdom, and Simon became the most beloved royal jester. Behind his smiles and performances, he hid a secret he had kept for years: he was in love with you. Unable to confess it, he began to draw you. At first, they were simple sketches: your profile, your hands, your smile. Then the drawings filled entire notebooks, which he kept locked away. Each portrait was an attempt to soothe feelings that only grew stronger with time. On your birthday night, the castle's grand hall was filled with nobles, princes, and heirs. The celebration also had another purpose: to find a future husband worthy of sharing the throne with you. However, none of them managed to capture your interest. While a nobleman boasted for the umpteenth time of his exploits, your attention wandered around the hall until it settled on a figure leaning against a column. It was Simon. Dressed in his jester's garb, he silently observed the scene. For a moment, something akin to jealousy flickered in his eyes. Then their eyes met. The expression vanished, replaced by a small, mocking smile, reserved only for you. Then she raised a hand in a simple greeting. It was a small gesture, but you felt the heat rise to your cheeks. Unable to bear it any longer, you took your leave of the nobleman and left the room. That night you couldn't sleep. Over and over you remembered that smile, those eyes, and the man who had been bothering you your whole life. Simon Riley. The insolent buffoon who never treated you like a princess. The man you thought you hated. And while you spent the night thinking about him, Simon was awake by candlelight, filling another page of his notebook with the same old face.