The Joker

Die

He chuckled when he noticed that I did not laugh at his lame joke. I was about to believe him but it turns out like this.

"Chill, Carleigh. You almost faint" he smirked and grabbed a tuna and put it on his smart mouth. "You look serious" he suddenly laughed.

I tightly hold the spoon and fork and force a smile. I almost caught on my sudden reaction. "You're different today," he said while chewing the food. Make glances at me. I calm myself and try to eat.

After a short talk, Jiro suddenly excuses himself. Lucky, I discovered that Jiro is Carleigh's cousin. And the guy who went inside the dressing room was Jude, Jiro's younger brother. Carleigh is the only girl in both families. And will be the next Queen when she turns 21. I stopped a bit when I remembered the box that I saw in Carleigh's dressing room.

"Young master," Quinn said when he saw me in the dining room. I raised my head and glanced in Quinn's direction. Do I need to tell him about what I discovered? Or keep it to myself. Quinn is a quiet person. And the first time I saw him in the coffee shop I felt scared. Maybe because of his mysterious aura.

He gave me the letter and politely left the dining room. I went upstairs when it's past 9 o'clock. I lock the door and get the box under the table. I rewatched the videotape if there's a clue that I can get. I can't sleep if there's a question that will remain on my mind.

I stop the video when she's in the darkroom. Then, I noticed that she went to the closet again but I can't see everything properly. I stood up and went to her closet. Search for something that I don't know what will be the value. But when I was about to close the door suddenly I touched a hard thing on her pink jacket.

'Necklace?'

I stared at the necklace blankly. Then realization sinks in me. I went to my bed and got a small wooden box. I hope this will work,' I said on my mind.

And Viola! The small wooden box suddenly opened. But I frowned when I saw torn papers. "Aaah," I said, frustrated. I thought I would get a clue but it turns out like this. I roamed around the whole room of Carleigh. Maybe I should stop it. I just need to play safe for them. I have a long time to think. When my head hurts, I just lay on the bed and started at the ceiling then I fell asleep.

Morning came and Quinn told me that my grandfather Sebastian will arrive soon so I should prepare myself. But I'm not 100 per cent ready. He did not tell me the exact date and I felt anxious. He always did not give me a d*mn clue. It's always a question mark.

When I got bored at the palace I decided to go out. I even told Quinn that I want to be alone but he refuses it unless I'm with Martha. One of the maids that he trusted. I wore a cloak so no one could recognize me.

One of the biggest rules of being royalty, they should not see the face unless they are of the same standard of life.

Martha is quite the whole walk that I could not feel her presence. She's always in behind. And I feel ashamed. "Martha can you please walk beside me," I said almost in a whisper. She did not talk and looked surprised. We stopped at the mini-mart.

"Can you tell me a story?" I said when she did not talk. I held her both hands and looked at her rounded brown eyes. "You can tell me a story?" I repeated. "You don't need to call me a young master or princess when we're outside the palace" She nods quietly. I smiled. It's been a long time since I talked to someone. These past few days that I spent inside the palace. No one tries to talk to me not unless they are serving me and talk about some stuff that I don't even understand.

"What do you want to hear?"

"Tell me, who am I before I run away from the palace?" She blinked twice and her eyes widened a bit.

"You always dreamed of a simple life” she begins. " You do the things that you think will benefit the other people even though it's too risky" I quietly nod. Imagine the things that she tells me. "You're so naughty and also break the royalty rules. Quinn and his guard are always chasing you" I suddenly laughed and little by little I visualised Carleigh's behaviour.

I walked a little that I did not notice I'm halfway through walking and Martha is behind me. I feel the fresh air, the cold weather during December. And reminds me of the day my parents and I are playing outside our house. Laughing. I close my eyes and the laughters are getting louder in each step that I make.

"Carleigh, would you mind if I ask you this question?" she said almost a whisper. I stopped in front of the pond. And listen to her carefully.

"Why did you go back?" I face her. Clueless on what she said. Did I hear it right?

"Pardon," I said and stood straight.

"Why did you go back?" she repeated. I tried to make eye contact with her but she looked away so that I might read her thoughts.

Then, a sudden noise from afar made all the people scream and run. We look around the place. Everyone is scared.

'Is that a gun?' I look at Martha and she's sitting on the ground, not moving. Suddenly a chariot appeared in front of us. Then, the man with a black cloak threw a box in me. My hand is shaking when I open the box. My whole body froze as I read the word. Die!

The next thing I knew I felt a cold hard metal that hit me on my shoulder. The blood came out and I slowly fell on the ground. The box slipped into my hands. The paper slowly fell on the ground.