Chapter Text
The halls shine, porcelain pillars towering over me. “It’s beautiful” I say in awe.
The sun shines through the stained glass, onto the knight, making their armor light up in colours. “You will be seeing a lot of this, since your dormitories are over there.” The suited man says as he points to an open door, leading into a hallway.
His heels click on the stone ground, the synchronized rythym echoing. As we walk into the hallway I look around, there’s a door with a little nameplate hammered onto it.
‘Gwendolyn Haze - housekeeper’
We keep walking and I read every nameplate, a young woman with ginger hair and pointy ears, dressed as a housekeeper quickly walks across us with a heap of fabric in her arms. Gold fabric laced with flower details, white fabric with royal blue embroidery. “Ah, Gwendolyn is that fabric her majesty’s dress?” The man asks.
“Yes, she is hosting a ball so we have to make the best possible dress!” She turns away to leave but hestitates and turns back, staring at me. “Who are you?” She asks curious. “I’m Aera, the new jester.” I say as I shake her hand.
“Well how nice to have you here.” Gwendolyn says with a warm smile. “I do have to get going.” She waves goodbye and runs into a different hallway.
As we reach to the end of the hallway, the man stops at a door.
‘Aera Light - jester’ my name shimmers on the bronze plaque, I open the door with anticipation.
The room is very empty, white stone walls a few cracks, there’s a basket I assume for my clothes and a big white bed with satin sheets. And a wooden desk, with drawers.
I enter and put my heavy bags down on the floor. “It’s really nice.” I say and turn to the suited man who is smiling sweetly at me, he is a bit older in age. Seems like he has been working here for a long time. “I’m sorry, but I didn’t catch your name?” I ask him.
“No problem, my name is Victor Snow. I come from the Cliffs, the cold region.” He says, him being a cliff elf is very likely his drooping ears and cold aura is characteristic.
“I have never been to the Cliffs, is it nice?” I ask Victor.
“I suppose, there’s not a lot to do. I assume your from the city?” Victor looks me up and down. “Oh no, I’m from the country side. But there isn’t a lot of difference between us in appearance.” The country and city have the same weather, our elf body adapts to the climate we where born in. The country side and the city have the about same climate, that’s why most people can’t tell the difference.
“Wel Aera,” Victor looks on his pocket watch. “it seems time for me to help with supper, there is a schedule on the desk. With your shift times, I’ll see you in the servants kitchen?”
I nod, although I don’t know where the servants kitchen is. Before I can ask, Victor left and is walking down the hall.
I unpack my stuff, on the wall I put a photo of me when I was little, dressed up as a jester, it’s what I always wanted to do, make people smile and laugh, even though my parents don’t approve. I chuckle at the foto, I look ridiculous, my big blond curls poof out of the hat that barely fits. I put my jesters uniform ready on my desk, the bells on my pointy hat jingle as I put them down. I unpack everything, posters and more fotos of my familie are now hung on my wall. My clothes are stacked neatly and writing paper and a quil are placed on my desk. I make my way down the hall, into the foyer. I look around in the marble castle, searching for a sign somewhere. There’s is no one to be seen, I hear the faint sound of talking and cutlery clattering. Its far away, but I follow it. Into another big hall.
I end up at a big wooden door with gold handles, two knights stand infront it. “Is this the servants kitchen?” I ask. I hear a chuckle from under the silver mask. But no answer, just the sound of clattering and talking.
“Wren, that’s ridiculous.” I hear faintly, Wren..? Then I realize, I’m absolutely not servants kitchen. But at the door of the king and queens supper. “Finally realized?” One of the knights with a rude tone.
“I’m so sorry, I’m new.” I say quickly. The left knight sighs, “We know, the servants kitchen is downstairs.” He says. I nod and hastily make my way back down the hall.
“Why is this castle so big..” I mumble when I’m back in the foyer.
“They like glitz and glam.” A deep voice says from the door. I shriek as I turn to the door. It’s a tall, strong man with brown messy hair. He looks rugged and is breathing heavily. His eyes are a deep brown, I stare at them for a bit too long and he raises an eyebrow at me. “You alright?” He asks. I quickly stare down, feeling “Sorry, you caught me off guard.” I answer.
“Was it the wings?” He asks. I look up confused, and to my surprise he has two big wings in his back. Ones of a raptor. I can’t seem to get any words out infront of this man.
He walks towards me, his boots clanking on the ground. “I assume your new?” He asks. “I’m the new jester.” I say. I’m not normally so quiet, but this guy is just so… Captivating.
“Ohh, that makes sense. I’m Griffin.” He shakes my hand, with a strong grip. “I’m a beast tamer, for the army.” Griffin says. “Nice to meet you.” I say and smile up at him, his hand is cold from the outside air.
“Why aren’t you having supper?” He asks. “Oh, I couldn’t find the servants kitchen..” I say sheepishly. He chuckles softly, warmly. “I get that, luckily for you I’m going there as well.” He smiles at me and gestures at me to follow him. We walk into another hall, to a door leading downstairs. We walk down the dark stairs.
“Oh I hear Griffin!” A lady yells from out the kitchen. “But what about the new one?” I hear a young man’s voice yell back.
“Don’t worry guys, we’re both here.” Griffin says as we walk into the room, there’s a single lamp that softly illuminates a big table. Seated are many people, elves aswell as dwarves, a half elf half tabaxi and many others. I also see the red haired housekeeper, Gwendolyn. I take a seat, next to Griffin. Everyone is looking at me, uncertain of what I should do or say I blurt out “I look much funnier with my uniform.” I see most of them chuckle.
An older lady with short curly hair sets a big pot full of stew, potatoes and vegetables with meat. “Bon appetite!” She says as she sits down. I look around, there are about 15 people at the table, al servants or something alike. Of course Victor is there aswell, handing out plates. There are two other rugged men, sitting next to Griffin. One with big sharp ears and scars on his neck. And one that looks tired, a bit older and graying. I look over to the other side and see a little group of housemaids, Gwendolyn of course next to her is a blond woman smiling very big and a butler laughing loudly. The room is filled with a pleasant, happy atmosphere.
“Don’t you want some food?” Griffins deep voice wakes me up out of my daydreaming. “Oh yes, I’ll grab some.” I reach over to a big spoon and plate my food, when I sit back Griffin is looking at me, my stomach flutters. But it’s probably just because I’m hungry.. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name?” He asks me.
<><><>
“Aera Light.” His eyes shimmer as he introduces himself. Aera, the quiet jester. “Well nice to meet you Aera, you have a lovely name.” I say. I turn back to my food but my mind stays on him. The last jester left very dramatically, with a big fight. The king went ballistic, his yelling was heard through the whole castle. The castle is never quiet, the king and queen fight very often. They scream and yell, then storm of. Then the quiet period begins, how bigger the fight, how longer the quiet periode is. “Grif,” Silas, one of the other beast tamers in the castle, nudges me. “What do we say about the accident..?” I feel uneasy, remembering the incident today.
One of our beasts, had injured a nearby guard. It’s sharp claws ripped the elf’s skin, we had to rush him to the infirmary. “Is he doing alright?” I ask Silas. “Yes, he’ll live but miss many weeks of work. But what are we going to say? If we tell them that the beast accident slipped out of our hands, hell wil raise upon us..” It’s an accident for us, for the king and queen it can be as big as betrayal. The worst part is, we don’t know how they will react.
My heart rate raises, I feel unsettled and nauseous. “Are you okay?” Asks Edith, one of our housekeepers who often cooks for us. Silas puts his hand on my shoulder. “Don’t go.” I reach my hand over to his but it shakes. I feel lightheaded and break out in a cold sweat. “Grab some water, someone.” Silas asks.
Silas grabs the glass of water and splashes it in my face. “Silas! Don’t splash him!” Edith says bewildered. I cough the water out my throat and rub my face. I realize all the people at the table are looking at me, I’m making a scene.
“I’m fine.” I say. I stand up abruptly, my mind tolls but I stumble fastly out the room.
<><><>
“Do you know what’s wrong, Silas?” The housemaid asks, who from what I overheard is called Edith. The rugged man who was sitting next to Griffin is looking worried. “There, it was.. Work, something happened.” He stutters and rubs his faced. “Are you going to be in trouble?” Victor, who was sitting close asks.
“Probably..” Silas sighs.
“Maybe someone should check?” I ask.
“Yes Aera, go look for him please. If you get lost, remember we are downstairs.” Victor smiles obliquely at me.
I walk up the stairs, through the halls, back into the foyer. I feel the breeze of cold wind from the front port. He must have went outside, I think to myself.
I open the heavy two doors and make my way down the steps.
The cold evening breeze tingles my skin. At the very last step I see Griffin, his big wings wrapping himself. “Griffin? Are you alright..?” I ask quietly, I don’t want to scare him.
His wings loosen and I see his messy hair peek out. “Aera, I..” his voice seems shaky. “I’m sorry.” Griffin says. His wings open and he stands up. “You don’t have to apologize Griffin, I’m sure you had a reason.”
Griffin turns to me, his eyes are red and he looks tired. He runs his finger through his hair and sighs. The only sound we hear is the wind softly blowing and the trees rustling. The sky is dark and calming. “Goodluck on your first day Aera.” Griffin says. I feel different with Griffin, an unknown feeling. We walk back into the castle and I see the workers scattered around the castle. Silas walks up to us. “They had a conflict again, we definitely won’t be speaking with them this evening.”
Griffin nods, and just at that moment. The king runs out of two doors, up the stairs. “Mira!” He yells, his voice angry. I look up at him shocked. I had seen the king and queen earlier, when I got my job. But ofcourse never like this, he didn’t have his crown, robe. Just a simple velvet doublet, despite what he was wearing his presence was different aswell. The stern and powerful king I had met first, was now yelling for his wife and running up the stairs like an angry teenager.
I look around, at the reactions of the other workers. But they completely ignored it, looked up once and then started doing their own thing again. I nudge Griffin. “Why is everyone ignoring this?” I ask. “This happens so often, that the whole castle came to an agreement to ignore it. To not embarrass the king and queen as much and for us to get used to it.. I guess?”
“They often would get angry at us, if we stared.”
-
The full moons light shines into my room, now decorated with posters and little trinkets. I look at the row of little clowns on my desk, my clown uniform next to it. ‘I learned a lot today’ I think to myself. Hopefully tomorrow I won’t get lost. I wonder what Griffin does all day, as beast tamer he probably does very dangerous stuff. He’s so cool..
I lay out on my bed, wil I even get to see the second or third, or fourth floor? It’s so huge in here, I think back to my small home. My mom, who always disapproved of my dream to become jester. My dad, who thought I’d be better of in the army, like him. When would I visit them, would they accept me now…? I close my eyes, feeling unsure of what’s to come tomorrow. Who are the king and queen really…
<><><>
I comb through my red hair and look in the mirror of my vanity. The bags under my eyes scream at me, the wrinkles on my face slowly getting bigger. As I put my comb down
I hear footsteps coming closer to the door. “Mira.”
“What do you want Wren?” I sigh. “I’m sorry, I really am.” Wren says, trying to fix it again. “But?” I answer, I stand up my nightgown flows as I walk to the door.
“There is always something Wren, that makes me the wrong one.” I stand before the big wooden doors.
The coward walks away, I hear his footsteps walk off. The clacking of his shoes stops. Time and time again he never has the courage to speak up, ofcourse he does when we are fighting. Never have we fixed a fight, we just forget. Never speak of it again.
I clench my teeth, holding my anger in. But then a tear falls, down on my cheek. I feel everything at the same time, al coming up. I pick up my chair and throw it across my room, it bangs on the ground. I reach for a glass, something else to throw. My heart pounds in my chest and I’m shaking.
“Mira,” I feel her grabbing my arm, pulling me in.
I cry in her arms, as she holds me tightly. She grabs the glass out of my hand. “What happened, love?” She asks.
“Wren, he.”
“He used, he took.” I stutter.
She rubs my arm softly and walks me over to my bed.
“Wren used my money, our money.. For an investment, in a company we don’t know and have no ties with. He says they promise good ventures for his company.” I lean my head on her shoulder. “We don’t need investments, we rule the kingdom. It’s his excuse to feel more important.”
Wrens company is something he made up, a specific name that owns everything. It owns the houses, the stores and most of the other company’s. This investment, is a chance to own another company. To work with them. “He has wasted our money, we may do what we want with company’s. There isn’t any need to buy a part of them, or work with them.”
For a moment it’s quiet, I fall into her embrace. “Zena, what do I do?” I ask her. “Wren needs to feel independent, I still think you should talk with him. Come to an agreement about the company, about what is still important to do, like taxes and what doesn’t have to happend.”
“He won’t listen.” I say.
“Just try Mira. You are never alone.” Zena says and she kisses me on my head.
She stands up, but I hold onto her arm. “Stay with me, please.”
“Alright then.”
The night passes, I wake up to birds chirping and Zena no longer by my side. The light shines softly into my room. The gold accents on my walls shimmer.
I hear a knock on my door. “Your majesty, I’ve come to dress you.” It’s Marina, my personal maid. “You may come in.”
She puts the layers of heavy fabric onto me, beautifully draping ontop of eachother. A mix of dark green, to compliment my red hair and a muted brown, adding a nice elegant touch. “It’s beautifull, Marina. Who made it?” I ask.
“About all the ladies of the castle, but the sketch was made by Gwendolyn Haze.” Marina says as she fixes the folds of my gown. “Miss Haze, never disappoints.”
Time passes and im left with a gorgeous gown, my red ruby necklace and earrings on and my hair done up. “Thank you Marina.”
<><><>
“Goodmorning Aera!” Edith greets me from the kitchen, where she once again stands with a pan in her hand. I smell the savory eggs and toasted bread. “Take a plate.” She says and points to a stack of plates on the table. Seated are a few housemaids, Gwendolyn who is sketching away in a little book and someone new. A blond woman, her hair is up in a pony and she is wearing gray undergarments. She catches me staring at her. “Oh I’m sorry,” I excuse myself. “I didn’t see you last night. Who are you?” I ask.
“Seren Fawn, im not usually on this side. I’m stationed infront of the castle, as knight. But I always have breakfast here, Edith is amazing!” She introduces herself with a smile on her fac. She radiates strength. “Nice to meet you Seren, I’m Aera Light I’m the new jester.”
I eat my breakfast and chat with Edith and Seren, they both seem very genuine and kind. They tell me about basic rules of the castle, about where they are from, Edith is from the deep countryside like me and Seren is from the city. A bell rings and Seren quickly stands up. “My bell has rung, I’ll see you around Aera.” She waves us goodbye and walks up the steps.
Griffin also walks in, the two almost bump into eachother on the steps. “Morning.” He says, his voice even deeper than normal, it gives me goosebumps. “Goodmorning Griffin, take a plate you know the drill.” Edith says.
I look at him as he walks, his hair is messy and he still seems sleepy, his eyes still a bit red. He rubs a hand through his hairs and his arms flex. With a plate full of eggs and bacon he sits down infront of me. “Morning Aera, sleep well?” He asks and I smile awkwardly. “Yeah, I am a bit nervous though.” I stare into his eyes, he glances at my lips. I quickly glance away, down at my plate.
Luckily the awkward silence quickly gets interrupted, about ten people enter the dining room al at the same time. Yawning and grunting. Goodmornings and hellos exchange. Silas roughs up Griffins hair and smiles at me, the same kind of grinny-teethy smile Griffin has. The table gets full as everyone has their breakfast. Some bells ring and some people leave. I check the little paper I left in my pajama pocket, my bell should be in about half an hour. I still need to put my uniform on and my face-paint. So i stand up, wash off my plate and wave goodbye to my coworkers. Griffin waves aswell.
My uniform consists out of
A red and gold hat, with two floppy points that have bells attached to them
A doublet, red and gold checkered with red sleeves
Stockings with gold stipples, a red pointy skirt that’s half gold striped and half fully red
And pointy red shoes, with bells at the front points.
I grin at myself in the mirror, I jingle as I walk towards my face-painting supplies. With steady hands I paint two long red triangles over my eyes, with gold shimmery dots at the ends of them. I bedazzle my face with tiny gems, that I stick under my eyes. As a finishing touch u carefully paint my top lip red. Like a fool, with my mouth open I let it all dry.
I prepare my jokes one last time, hide my surprises with me. And make my way to the throne room as my bell rings.