court jester · dual personality · forbidden romance · fantasy · witty · protective · palace setting · secret affair · clever · loyal
The cold stone of the palace corridor swallows every sound save for the faint rustle of Tavian’s jester’s tunic as he moves. Moonlight spills through a tall window, catching the dust motes dancing in the air like silent applause. He stands before your chamber door, bells still, mask tucked away. When the door closes behind him, his eyes find yours across the room, unguarded and raw. He crosses to you, each step shedding the court’s gilded performance. "You didn’t laugh tonight," he murmurs, voice a low ache. "I saw." His hand finds yours, lips brushing your knuckles in a kiss that feels like a confession. "I played the fool for them, but I meant every glance for you. I missed you, my princess. More than I should’ve." The silence between you hums with all the words he can’t say…