"Prince Elet will be expecting you in his chambers today."
My heart leaped right into my throat.
My first assignment... or maybe my death warrant.
***
I used way more color today, masking my face with bizarre patterns until I was completely unrecognizable.
I had managed to turn the meager scrap of fabric my grandmother sent into a tiny skirt that wrapped around my hips.
I inspected the loose stitches. Despite my clumsy needlework, it actually hugged my curves perfectly.
For a royal jester, my outfit was an absolute disaster. But for now, my only goal was to remain under the mask.
*Every single prince had been at that masquerade ball... I had to be extremely careful.*
*But since I'm this close, and in this disguise... what's the harm in asking around about Gonzavi?*
I was on the verge of surrendering to the thrill slowly creeping up inside me.
"No!"
I cut off my own inner voice with a sharp warning, channeling my grandmother's strict tone.
*I have one job, and I am not going to screw it up this time!*
I shook my head, silently scolding myself.
*Just focus on the gossip! And I'll do whatever Prince Elet wants!*
"Ugh."
Forgetting where I was for a moment, I threw myself back onto the bed. My ribs groaned in protest as my back slammed against the rock-hard mattress.
"Ahhh!"
Whenever I listened to the nobles talk about the palace, I pictured a place full of magnificent chaos.
But right now, in this palace swarming with women, I am probably at the very bottom of the barrel.
From what I could see, the Southern Palace was crawling with women. I'd spotted a few men, but none of them looked remotely wealthy.
*I'd be the one tossing them a tip, not the other way around.*
I let out a long breath.
Prince Elet must be the one running the Southern Palace…
And my appointment to him meant:
I cleared my throat.
"In the midst of all this work, he needs a lackey to entertain him-.."
"Eh... but aren't all these women dying to cure his foul moods anyway?"
I paused.
"He must be into the works then..."
*Whatever. I've officially started working at the palace. I'm not going to wear myself out until I actually see the prince.*
A sudden thought of possibility flickered on my mind.
*But what if I had just stayed home?*
*I'd just have a soft bed anyway.*
I tried to brush it off.
*Instead of all these useless fancy decorations, they could have just given me a soft mattress.*
I sat up.
It was a bit smaller than my own room back home, but built from the same materials. The distinct scent of wood gave it a somewhat domestic feel.
*Even though a prince governed this place, they had clearly paid way too much attention to the details and carved wood motifs... a display of prestige, I guess.*
The sound of knocking instantly shattered my thoughts. I snatched my marotte off the bed and swung the door open.
A young woman, no more than a few years older than me, stood there.
"You are expected in Prince Elet's chambers."
My heart hammered against my ribs. Since my role as the fool had to start the second I stepped out of this room, I approached her with an idiotically wide grin.
"Of course! Let them know the prince's most useless servant is on her way!"
My sudden approach and bizarre expressions made her recoil in sudden fear.
I couldn't help but laugh right in her face; her reaction was just too funny.
Looking visibly disturbed, she took a step back, turned around, and began to lead the way.
As I trailed behind her down the corridor, I could feel the eyes on me. I practically skipped on my tiptoes, shooting massive grins at everyone around.
Their stares weren't exactly welcoming, but they weren't rejecting me either. Their reactions just fueled the fire building inside me.
*I can't even gauge the limits of what I can get away with! I could probably scream my head off, and no one would question it.*
"Ahahamm"
*No, no, not now!*
Feeling the restless twitch in my body, I took a deep breath.
*If I act out right now, I might ruin my performance in front of the prince.*
*Maybe Prince Elet is looking for wit, not just cheap entertainment.*
"The governess is waiting for you."
When the woman stepped aside, I realized we were standing in front of a rather plain-looking door.
"The governess?"
I meant to say it in my head, but the word slipped out.
Before I could even look at the maid, the door to the prince's room swung open. My attention instantly shifted inside.
Before I knew it, I was lunging into the room.
*Eh?*
My pace slowed as I took a quick look around.
Everything was a mess...
*I never imagined a prince would live like this... Did I come at a bad time?*
While scanning the cluttered room, I forgot to watch my step.
At the last second, I noticed a dark shape right near my feet and leaped back in a panic. I looked down to see what it was .
*A little boy?*
He was crouching on the floor, clutching a toy tightly. He was glaring into the depths of my soul with a furious expression, as if I were his mortal enemy.
A child... a little male..
*Is this what they look like? So different from men…*
Seeing a tiny male for the first time in my life, I froze. My jaw dropped right along with my eyes.
I shook my head to snap myself out of it, making the bells on my hat jingle sharply.
*Whose kid is this?*
*This couldn't be the wrong room, but the maid definitely said 'governess', didn't she?*
*Wait. The governess... could she be the prince's?!*
My face lit up with sudden realization.
"Oh! Prince?"
I couldn't believe I was acting like this toward a prince! I even made eye contact!
*Then again, he's just a kid; he doesn't have that much authority, right? He wouldn't have me executed... right?!*
Flustered and not knowing what to do, I threw my hands in the air and attempted an awkward curtsy, bobbing up and down.
A thick, almost hoarse voice filled my ears, making me snap my gaze across the room.
"It is my greatest wish that Prince Elet receives the highest quality of education. Therefore, this is what I expect from you as well."
A dark-haired woman emerged with slow, measured steps.
Without a doubt, the governess.
She was a middle-aged woman, and the permanent frown lines etched into her forehead gave off a chilling aura.
Though I tried to meet her eyes while she spoke, she didn't take me seriously enough to even look at my face; her gaze wandered everywhere but my eyes.
She scanned my outfit from top to bottom for what felt like the tenth time. When she clicked her tongue in disapproval, I felt myself shrink.
*I need to stay far away from this woman...*
I had to muster every ounce of courage just to reply.
"Prince Elet will have fun and learn at the same time! The birds will snatch that angry look right off his face,"
I said, though my voice wavered despite my bright smile.
The governess completely ignored me and moved toward a chair a short distance away.
Feeling the brief pressure lift off me, I immediately looked down.
I wanted to figure out what kind of creature a little boy was. My body was buzzing with restless itch again.
I locked eyes with the tiny man who had been studying me throughout my entire exchange with the governess. I dropped to my knees right in front of him.
I want to touch him just to confirm how small he is.
*I can't believe a man this tiny exists!*
*But is he innocent? *Ugh, what am I saying... there's a prince in front of me.*
"My esteemed prince, do you like my outfit?"
I contorted my face into such a bizarre expression that my muscles actually ached.
"No."
He shook his head, his lips hovering somewhere between a smile and pure disgust.
I can't use wordplay or talk in circles with this kid. Turning things into a game might be the only way to appeal to his tastes.
I clutched my chest dramatically, as if a dagger had just been driven through my heart.
"The prince doesn't like these beautiful clothes I wore just for him!"
I closed my eyes and placed the back of my hand against my forehead, acting as if I were about to faint.
When I heard a sudden giggle, I peeked open one eye.
"You're so silly."
When he flashed that slightly gap-toothed smile, I felt a strange flutter in my chest.
*Cute...*
"How did you know, my prince?!"
I laughed along with him, opening my eyes wide.
His full-bellied laughter was like an old, comforting melody I hadn't heard in a long time... It made me want to genuinely laugh, too.
"The prince is so clever,"
I added it immediately.
"Is that your toy?"
He pointed at the marotte in my hand.
"Yes, my prince. This is my assistant, and my toy."
I gave the marotte a little shake.
The prince suddenly jumped to his feet and ran to snatch a wooden toy resting by the governess's feet.
"This is my puppet."
"Good heavens! The prince's puppet is prettier than me!"
I made the marotte squeak in a high-pitched voice, as if the puppet itself were furiously jealous.
"Aren't you too old to be playing with toys!?"
I couldn't hold back my laughter at his bluntly ordinary question.
*This kid isn't like men. And he's funny...*
Pretending to be deeply ashamed, I hid my face in my hands.
"I told my body to stop! I said, 'Don't play with toys!' but it wouldn't listen, my prince! I'm not as smart as you are..."
I slowly lowered my hands, doing a quick sweep of our surroundings before leaning in close to him.
"...But I know a very mysterious story about toys!"
I whispered.
"What is it?"
He put his hands on his hips, raising one eyebrow.
"It's about an old toy maker. Are you sure you want to hear it, my prince?"
I only said it to build his excitement.
*but did he just go quiet?*
Does he not like stories?
His eyes darted toward the governess. Following his gaze, I lifted my head; the woman was currently whispering with a maid.
*Is he intimidated by the governess?*
My eyebrows rose slightly in surprise. I decided to tread a bit more carefully this time.
"It's a very important story that stays strictly between us,"
I whispered again.
"Things like that aren't real,"
he muttered, scuffing his foot against the floor.
He kept avoiding my gaze, looking as if he didn't even believe his own words.
"Haven't you heard the rumors that the old toy maker sold you those very toys?"
He looked down at the toy in his hand, and then back at the governess. When he looked at her, my curiosity peaked, and I strained my ears to catch what she was saying.
"How incredibly indecent of those low-borns to think they can just waltz into the palace."
"Sneaking into the palace is one thing, but infiltrating the ball! And committing a murder!"
"Who knows how much gold that commoner woman was paid to join this scheme."
My brain stopped functioning for a solid second. As I listened to them, my face was masked in absolute shock, my eyes glazed over.
**DAMN! THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT ME!**
Thunderbolts crashed in my mind as the realization hit. I snapped my head toward the two women in the distance for a split second before turning back to the front.
The prince was staring at me, his head tilted slightly to the side.
*I really need to listen to these rumors...*
***
That woman is truly terrifying; I shiver just thinking about her.
Getting a tutor ki kedi out just because someone is coming to visit?!
If only I could have listened a bit longer, I might have actually learned something.
Now I'm going to have to practically beg the palace girls to gossip around me -I'm that desperate.
*Every corridor I pass through falls dead silent anyway, and all heads turn my way. How the hell am I supposed to eavesdrop like this?!*
While wandering aimlessly down the hall, a door caught my attention. I stopped in my tracks when I thought I heard something from inside.
I didn't approach the door until I checked to make sure no one was around.
I pressed my ear against the solid wood; the scent of timber filled my nose with every breath I took.
*Are they coming closer?*
Their voices were still muffled, but now I could make out the words.
"Another death? And in this palace? I thought the Southern Palace was well-guarded by the King."
"Mhmhm, I was so shocked when I heard too. But a low maid was found dead in her room. I suppose the King doesn't provide protection for servants."
A sudden *click* made me jump backward. Right in front of me, two ladies-in-waiting appeared, their faces completely frozen in surprise.
When our eyes locked, a bizarre, heavy silence hung in the air. So, I spoke up.
"Please carry on, esteemed ladies. I'll just be over here acting like a statue."
I stepped aside to give them room to pass.
*Another dead body? This isn't a palace, it's a damn bloody graveyard...*
The murders have certainly spiked since I last tuned into palace gossip.
*And doesn't it look incredibly suspicious following Gonzavi's death? It's as if someone is cleaning people out, one by one.*
Suddenly realizing my mind had drifted right back to murder, I shook my head.
Once I scattered my thoughts, I watched the two girls hurrying down the corridor.
*Would gathering this gossip even be of any use to Prince Elet? ...Probably not.*
With quick, silent steps, I trailed rapidly behind them. I took large strides to make sure I didn't lose them.
*After all, I'm on my break. I wouldn't lose any money by overhearing a thing or two…*
A sudden image flashed in my mind's eye.
My steps slowed until I came to a dead halt.
My shoulders slumped under the heavy weight I was carrying. I turned around, heading back toward Prince Elet's room to go to my own room.
*Since when did the voice of my emotions get so loud? I will do what I have to do.*
While I was quietly fuming at myself, the door a short distance away opened, and I looked up. It was Prince Elet's door.
*Was the visitor left after such a short meeting?*
A young male-ish appeared, wearing a long blue caftan. His golden-blond hair stopped right below his jawline, save for two long strands.
Two locks of hair flowed from behind his ears, cascading over his shoulders.
I realized he had caught me staring as he stepped out of the room. When his reddish eyes locked onto mine, a look of pure, judgmental disdain settled on his face.
I paused, completely caught off guard by the unexpected reaction.
He didn't miss a beat. He scanned me from head to toe, judging me with the exact same haughty air as the governess, before turning and walking in the opposite direction.
*Who the hell is this bitch…*