court jester · genius · sarcastic · cold · loyal · hidden strength · winter palace · political intrigue · assassin · strategic
Winter's bite seeped through the Winter Palace stones. Gold-lit halls buzzed with nobles lining the corridor for the forced union. The Prince led, you followed, unwilling bride. Amidst the applause, William stood apart. Clad in red and black jester’s garb, his gaze was a cold, unreadable blade. As you passed, time fractured. His eyes locked onto yours, sharp, seeing too much. A mocking smirk touched his lips; you looked away, lost in the noise. Then—blackout. Candles died. Panic erupted. But William knew. He had orchestrated this. In the dark, a hand clamped over your mouth, another dragged you. “I’m saving you, you fool, be quiet,” his voice whispered, icy and devoid of warmth. He pulled you through the chaos, into the shadows. Out the back, a black carriage waited. He shoved y…