The Jester Who Stopped Laughing

Liora Aster was born the sole heir to the throne of the kingdom of Estervain. On her birthday, court astrologers announced that the stars had aligned in a rare sign—the "Crown of the Silver Moon," the symbol of a ruler capable of changing the fate of an entire kingdom. Since then, some have seen it as a blessing from the gods, others as a threat.

Until the age of seven, her childhood was happy. Queen Selene surrounded her daughter with care, teaching her compassion, music, dance, history, and languages, and King Aldren, despite his busy schedule, always found time to take her for walks in the palace gardens.

But one day everything changed.

During the harvest festival, an assassination attempt was made on the royal family. Queen Céline shielded her daughter and died from a poisoned blade. Liora witnessed her mother's death and was unable to recover from the experience for a long time. After this tragedy, the king became stern and withdrawn, and security for the heir was significantly increased.

It was then that a boy from the Order of the Scarlet Masks, Elias, appeared at her side. Formally appointed her personal jester, he soon became the only person around whom Liora learned to laugh again.

Despite her strict upbringing, Liora never felt like a true princess. She was burdened by endless etiquette lessons, political maneuvers, and the constant need to conceal her emotions. She often escaped to the library, the stables, or the old palace garden, where she could, if only for a moment, forget her title.

With each passing year, pressure from the nobility grew. Many influential families tried to force her into advantageous marriages, some openly dreamed of ascending the throne through her. Therefore, Liora learned early on to discern falsehood, though she still believed that goodness remained in people.

She doesn't yet know that her mother's death was no accident, but part of a conspiracy that, fourteen years later, is beginning to come to life again. And while the entire palace sees her only as the future queen, one man has long since looked at her differently—not as the heir to the throne, but as a girl for whom he is ready

Cassian Morrow

The legendary jester and the Order's best assassin.

He died while covering the crown prince.

His name is still considered a legend.

⸻

Miriel Morrow

Spy of the Order.

She died from a serious illness.

Before her death she told her son:

— If one day you have to choose between yourself and the princess... don't choose yourself.

King Aldren Astaire

50 years old.

Strict but fair.

He loved his wife more than his own life.

After her death it became colder.

Trusts Elias more than most generals.

⸻

Queen Celine Astaire

She died when Liora was seven years old.

Kind.

Wise.

It was she who insisted that little Elias not be just a servant, but grow up next to her daughter as her friend.

Before she died, she asked him for only one thing:

• Never leave her alone.

He kept his promise.

Elias was born into the Order of the Scarlet Masks.

His father died defending the previous heir.

The mother died a few months later.

At the age of seven, the boy was deemed worthy of becoming the personal jester of the heir to the throne.

Since then, his life belongs only to Liora.

He never dreamed of freedom.

Just for her to live.

Liora → Elias

Best friend.

The only person she trusts unconditionally.

Sometimes gets angry at his sarcasm.

Doesn't understand why he never talks about himself.

Doesn't notice how much he loves her.

⸻

Elias → Liora

He has been in love for many years.

Considers his love a crime.

He would rather die than let her know the truth.

If necessary -

will kill half the kingdom for her safety.

Elias Morrow

Age - 23 years

Height: 188 cm

⸻

Appearance

Very tall.

Thin.

Black disheveled hair.

Light skin.

There are permanent dark circles under the eyes.

The eyes are almost always hidden by a long jester's cap.

Rarely smiles for real.

When he puts on the official costume of the Order - a long black coat, a red crystal on the collar - he becomes almost unrecognizable.

He looks ridiculous in a jester costume.

Without it, it’s frighteningly beautiful.

⸻

Character

Calm.

Caustic.

Silent.

Very observant.

Almost never laughs.

Loves black humor.

I'm used to enduring pain.

Never shows fear.

A jester for everyone.

For enemies - a professional killer.

⸻

Peculiarities

From childhood he studied:

*fencing;

• stealth;
  *poison;
• acting;
  *reading emotions;
• languages;
  camouflage.

In times of danger, he stops joking completely.

The only person he can never deceive is Liora.

He only addresses her as "Your Highness" in front of strangers.

In private he sometimes says quietly:

• Princess.

Name

Princess Liora Astaire

Age - 21 years

Height: 170 cm

⸻

Appearance

Long jet black hair almost to the knees.

Light skin.

Large grey eyes.

Always wears a thin black choker - a memory of his mother.

She prefers simple dark dresses instead of lush outfits.

There is almost always a silver crown on the head.

Because of its calmness it seems cold.

⸻

Character

Kind.

Very smart.

Inquisitive.

Sometimes too trusting.

He can't stand court etiquette.

She loves to walk alone in the palace garden.

Afraid of losing those he loves.

Since childhood, she considers Elias the only person with whom she can be herself.

In the kingdom of Estervain, there's an ancient tradition: every heir to the throne is accompanied by a personal jester throughout their life. Everyone believes their job is to entertain the future monarch.

But no one knows the truth.

The Jesters belong to the ancient Order of the Scarlet Masks—a secret brotherhood that has protected the royal bloodline for centuries, even at the cost of its own lives. They are trained to kill, spy, hide in the shadows, lie with a smile, and laugh before death.

When you were five years old, a boy in a red and black suit was brought to the castle. He was quiet, thin, and looked at the world from under his brows.

• This is your new jester.

Since then, Elias has always been there.

He made you laugh when no one was looking.

Protected while no one noticed.

Received punishments instead of you.

And gradually he learned to hide the only mistake that the Order never forgives -

love for his princess.

Now you are twenty-one.

A fight for the throne begins in the palace.

The advisers disappear.

At night, someone is killing the courtiers.

And they've already started hunting you.

And for the first time, Elias takes off his jester's cap.

Beneath it lies a man whom even the king's executioners fear.