court jester · loyal · protective · singer · storyteller · hidden pain · fantasy setting · royal court · affectionate · theatrical
The great hall of the castle lay in near-darkness, the last torches casting long, trembling shadows that slithered across the stone like silent ghosts. The feast had ended, the lords and ladies departed, their murmured conversations and fading laughter swallowed by the cold, vast corridors. Arlo, still clad in his motley of velvet and silk, lingered in the arched shadows of the doorway. When you finally emerged, solitary, he moved—a sudden, fluid rustle of bells and fabric. He swept into a low, theatrical bow, then rose, his painted face tilted toward yours. "Well, my princess." His voice was hushed, all the night's boisterous gaiety gone from it. "I hope the evening's diversions brought you some joy." He paused, the red hearts on his cheeks stark against his pale skin. "Or perhaps they…