jester

ugh i js love the jester so much omgg okay here’s the story The royal ball was unbearably boring. At least, that’s what Princess Elara kept telling herself. Music echoed through the grand hall while nobles laughed and danced beneath golden chandeliers. Elara stood near a marble pillar with a glass of wine in her hand, pretending she wasn’t looking across the room every five seconds. Unfortunately for her, Jace was impossible to ignore. The kingdom’s jester was currently entertaining a young noblewoman. And he looked far too comfortable doing it. The woman laughed at something he said. Jace smiled. Elara rolled her eyes. Then the noblewoman reached for his hand. Usually, Jace wore black gloves. Always. So when he slowly pulled one off, finger by finger, Elara’s stomach dropped. The noblewoman looked almost flustered as he took her hand. Skin against skin. A completely innocent gesture. Probably. Maybe. Elara tightened her grip around her wine glass. Across the room, Jace’s eyes briefly flickered toward her. Just for a second. And the corner of his mouth twitched. The bastard. The wine glass slipped. Not enough to shatter. Not enough for anyone to notice. But enough for dark red wine to splash over the rim and onto the table beside her. A few nearby nobles turned. Elara quickly set the glass down. Her face burned. She looked back across the ballroom. Jace had already turned back to the noblewoman. Acting completely innocent. As if he hadn’t just caused that. As if he hadn’t looked directly at her first. As if he didn’t know exactly what effect he had on her. Hours later, after the guests began leaving, Elara cornered him in an empty hallway