The Jester's Princess

Chapter 3

The queen's departure left Aulette standing alone in her chambers, the sapphire gown suddenly feeling heavier than before. Her fingers tightened around the lace trim of her sleeve as she processed the news.

Warren would be performing at the ball.

Which meant she would have to watch him from across the room while trying to appear interested in princes who only wanted her crown.

A sharp knock echoed from downstairs - likely one of those princes already arriving early. The sound grated on her nerves.

With a frustrated sigh, Aulette moved toward the door leading to the grand staircase. She could delay no longer; her mother would send someone to fetch her if she didn't appear soon.

As she descended the marble stairs, Aulette forced herself into princess mode. Chin high, shoulders back, every step measured and regal. The familiar routine should have brought comfort, but tonight it felt like a cage.

The ballroom came into view below - glittering with candlelight and filled with nobles in their finest attire. Music swelled as musicians played a lively waltz for early arrivals. As Aulette reached the bottom of the grand staircase, all conversation seemed to pause for a moment.

Heads turned, eyes fixed on the princess descending like a vision in sapphire and gold. Whispers followed her path across the polished marble floor - "Her Highness" this and "the future queen" that.

She moved through the crowd with practiced grace, acknowledging greetings with slight nods but not stopping for conversation. Her destination was clear: find her mother and begin playing hostess before these princes could corner her too quickly.

But even as she navigated toward Queen Angora's position near the main entrance, Aulette's gaze involuntarily swept across the room searching for one particular face.

And there he was.

Warren stood near the musicians, his back to her as he conversed with a group of nobles. He wore a jester's costume - motley breeches and a tunic adorned with bells and ribbons. But somehow, on him, it looked less ridiculous and more... intriguing.

As if sensing her gaze, he turned slightly, and their eyes met across the crowded ballroom. A smirk tugged at his lips before he deliberately looked away again.

Aulette felt a flicker of annoyance - followed swiftly by an unfamiliar flutter in her stomach. She tore her gaze away, focusing instead on reaching her mother's side.

Queen Angora greeted her daughter with a nod, then turned to face the growing crowd.

"Ladies and gentlemen," she announced in a clear voice that silenced the murmurs, "please welcome our honored guests."

As the queen began introducing the princes from neighboring kingdoms, Aulette stood beside her, listening with half an ear. Her attention kept drifting back to Warren - wondering what he was thinking, what he would do next.

As the queen continued her introductions, Aulette found herself growing increasingly restless. The princes' names blurred together - Alaric of Norwyn, Cedric of Valemont, and so on. They all seemed to blend into one another, their titles and lineages meaningless compared to the jester across the room.

Warren, meanwhile, had begun his performance. He stepped forward, commanding attention with an ease that surprised even Aulette. His jokes were sharp and clever, drawing laughter from the nobles despite their initial reservations about a common jester entertaining royalty.

The princess couldn't help but notice how he moved - with a grace that belied his clownish attire. His eyes sparkled with mischief as he spun tales and cracked jokes. And every so often, she caught him glancing her way, as if daring her to look away.

As Warren performed, Aulette found herself increasingly distracted. The princes' conversations washed over her, their words blending into a dull murmur compared to the jester's vibrant presence.

"...and so, Your Highness," Prince Alaric was saying, his voice booming with manufactured charm, "I believe our kingdoms could forge a powerful alliance."

Aulette blinked, forcing herself to focus on the man before her. "An alliance would indeed be beneficial," she replied automatically, her tone polite but distant.

Prince Cedric leaned in from her other side. "Your Majesty," he began, his eyes roving over her figure in a way that made her skin crawl, "I've heard tales of your beauty, but they do not compare to the reality."

She resisted the urge to shudder at his touch on her arm.

Aulette forced a smile, her eyes flicking briefly to Warren as he entertained the crowd with a clever wordplay that drew hearty laughter. She couldn't help but feel a pang of envy at how easily he commanded attention, while she was stuck here enduring these princes' insipid flattery.

"...and I'm sure we could come to a mutually beneficial arrangement," Prince Alaric was saying, his gaze heavy with implication. "One that would strengthen both our kingdoms."

Aulette tore her eyes away from Warren, trying to focus on the prince before her. "I'll consider your proposal," she said smoothly, her voice dripping with polite disinterest.

"And perhaps we could discuss it further... privately?" Prince Cedric suggested, his hand brushing against hers in a way that made her skin crawl.

Aulette's patience finally snapped.

Every prince she had spoken to tonight was exactly the same. Different faces. Different titles. The same tedious conversation. Political alliances. Future heirs. Mutual benefits. Not one of them seemed interested in who she actually was.

Only what she represented.

"I beg your pardon," she said, rising gracefully from her seat. "If you'll excuse me for a moment."

Before either prince could object, she turned and slipped away from the gathering. The farther she got from the crowd, the easier it became to breathe.

The laughter, music, and endless chatter faded behind her as she stepped into one of the quieter corridors near the ballroom.

She released a long sigh. "Finally."

For a brief moment, she simply stood there.

Alone.

Away from princes.

Away from her mother's expectations.

Away from—

Her thoughts betrayed her.

Away from Warren.

Annoyed with herself, Aulette shook her head.

That was when she spotted a familiar figure near the powder room entrance.

"Elara."

Her personal maid immediately straightened. "Your Highness."

Aulette glanced around the corridor before lowering her voice.

"The party is dreadfully boring."

Elara's lips twitched, fighting a smile.

"I gathered as much."

Aulette folded her arms.

"Would you do me a favor?"

"Of course."

"Help me acquire something from the banquet table without drawing attention to me."

Elara blinked.

"Food?"

"Food."

The maid looked genuinely confused.

"Your Highness, you could simply ask a servant."

"I could," Aulette agreed. "But then three servants would rush over, someone would announce my request, and before long my mother would be asking why I've abandoned the princes."

A dramatic sigh escaped her. "I simply want a few pastries."

Elara laughed softly.

"The fate of the kingdom rests on obtaining pastries?"

"At the moment, yes."

The maid shook her head fondly.

"Very well."

Together they peeked toward the ballroom. Most of the guests were gathered around the center floor. And there, commanding the attention of nearly every noble in attendance, stood Warren.

The jester was in the middle of another performance. The crowd erupted with laughter. Even several guards were struggling to keep straight faces.

Elara followed Aulette's gaze.

Then slowly turned to look at her.

"...You know, Your Highness, you seem awfully interested in the new jester."

Aulette nearly choked. "I am not."

"Mm."

"I am merely observing."

"Of course."

"Elara."

The maid's smile widened.

"Let's go steal those pastries before the jester notices you're watching him."

Aulette immediately looked away.

Which, unfortunately, only confirmed Elara's suspicions.

Elara's knowing smile made Aulette feel exposed, but she refused to admit anything. "Don't be ridiculous," she said sharply, though her cheeks felt warm.

"I'm merely ensuring our guest entertainer is performing adequately."

"Of course, Your Highness," Elara replied with mock seriousness. "His performance is quite... captivating."

The maid glanced back toward the ballroom, where Warren was now juggling flaming torches while reciting a bawdy poem that had several nobles turning red.

"Though I must say," Elara continued casually as they began walking toward the banquet hall entrance, "for someone who claims to be so disinterested in him, you seem to know his schedule quite well."

Aulette's steps faltered for a moment before she caught herself. "I am the princess of this kingdom," she stated primly.

"It is my duty to monitor all entertainment provided for my guests."

"Naturally," Elara agreed cheerfully.

"And I'm sure your duty includes knowing exactly where the best pastries are located on the banquet table."

Aulette shot her maid a warning glare, but it lacked its usual bite. The truth was, Elara's teasing was almost welcome - a brief respite from the suffocating formality of her royal duties.

As they approached the banquet hall entrance, Aulette could hear Warren's performance winding down. The crowd's laughter grew louder, more enthusiastic. Even from here, she could see how he commanded attention - not just with his jokes and tricks but with something else entirely.

Something that made nobles forget their titles and guards lower their weapons just to watch.

With Elara acting as a shield against curious eyes, Aulette managed to acquire an impressive collection of pastries from the banquet table.

A lemon tart.

Two strawberry cream puffs.

A small chocolate éclair.

And, most importantly, a honey-glazed pastry she had been eyeing since the beginning of the evening.

Success.

The two slipped away from the crowded ballroom and into a quiet alcove hidden behind a marble pillar near one of the palace's tall windows.

The corner remained cloaked in shadow, far enough from the chandeliers' glow that no one would notice them unless they were specifically looking.

Which, fortunately, no one was.

Everyone's attention remained fixed on Warren.

Aulette took a satisfied bite of her pastry.

"Much better."

Elara stood nearby, trying not to laugh.

"You abandoned three princes for dessert."

"I abandoned three princes for peace."

Another bite.

"I fail to see the problem."

The maid smiled.

The princess looked far happier hiding in a dark corner with pastries than she had all evening surrounded by royalty.

The contrast was almost embarrassing.

Aulette leaned against the wall and glanced toward the ballroom entrance. From here she could still hear occasional bursts of laughter. Warren was clearly still performing. The crowd adored him. Even from a distance, she could tell he was the center of attention.

Again.

A strange feeling twisted in her chest.

She immediately shoved another bite of pastry into her mouth to ignore it.

"Your Highness."

"Hm?"

"You are staring."

Aulette nearly choked.

"I am not."

"You absolutely are."

"I am observing."

"The jester."

"The ballroom."

"The jester in the ballroom."

Aulette shot her maid a warning look.

Elara merely smiled.

Before the princess could think of a response, another roar of laughter echoed through the hall. A familiar voice carried faintly through the music.

Warren's.

Aulette hated that she recognized it instantly.

Absolutely hated it.

She took another bite of her pastry.

Then another.

And another.

As though pastries could somehow solve the increasingly troublesome problem that was Warren.

As the moment Warren has done performing, her mother found her, hiding in the dark with Elara.

Queen Angora appeared in the alcove doorway, her expression shifting from curiosity to exasperation as she took in the scene. The queen's formal gown rustled as she approached, her heels clicking sharply on the marble floor.

"Aulette," she said, her voice carrying that familiar tone of maternal disappointment. "There you are. I've been looking everywhere."

Elara immediately curtsied and stepped back, leaving Aulette exposed under her mother's scrutiny.

The queen's gaze swept over the crumbs on Aulette's gown and the half-eaten pastries in her hands. "You're hiding in a corner like a common servant girl while your guests wait for you."

Aulette set down the pastry with deliberate slowness, wiping her fingers on a napkin.

"I was merely taking a moment to breathe," she replied calmly. "The princes are all quite... boisterous tonight."

"Boisterous?" Angora raised an eyebrow.

The queen's gaze swept over the crumbs on Aulette's gown and the half-eaten pastries in her hands.

Before Aulette could answer, a loud round of applause erupted from the ballroom.

The performance had ended.

The laughter and cheers gradually blended into the familiar buzz of noble conversation as guests returned to their mingling.

Unfortunately for Aulette, that meant the distraction was over.

The crowd would soon realize their princess had vanished.

Angora folded her arms. "There. The entertainment is finished."

Aulette sighed internally. Of course it was.

"There is no reason for you to remain hidden now."

The princess glanced wistfully at the remaining pastries.

A tragic loss.

"The princes have been asking after you," her mother continued. "Prince Alaric appears convinced that you've wandered off to contemplate his proposal."

"I wasn't."

"I know."

"Prince Cedric?"

"He believes you became overwhelmed by his charm."

Aulette nearly laughed. "How unfortunate."

Angora pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Aulette."

The princess straightened her posture.

She knew that tone.

It was the same tone her mother used whenever duty was about to crush whatever remained of her evening.

"You are the future Queen of Calimstone."

"Yes, Mother."

"You cannot spend the entire ball hiding behind pillars eating pastries."

"Why not? It has been the most enjoyable part of my evening."

Elara quickly looked away to hide her smile. Angora was less amused.

"Come."

The queen gestured toward the ballroom. Reluctantly, Aulette glanced at the final untouched pastry.

Then at the brightly lit hall awaiting her.One looked considerably more appealing than the other.

Sadly, duty won. With a quiet sigh, she handed the plate to Elara and smoothed the skirts of her gown.

"Very well."

As she followed her mother back toward the ballroom, her gaze instinctively searched the crowd.

She immediately regretted it.

Because the first person she found was Warren.

Standing across the hall.

Watching her.

And judging by the infuriating smirk slowly spreading across his face— he knew exactly where she had been.