A few years ago, your father—the king of Auprica—joined forces with a neighboring kingdom to overthrow a tyrant who had long held the crown. With the rebel ruler defeated, the throne was passed to his younger, more capable brother. The ousted king, Gristen, was sentenced to death alongside his wife and children. All that remained of him was his neglected illegitimate child. The new king, feeling pity for the orphan, spared the child's life but sent him away to your kingdom, along with the spoils of war.

When your father finally returned, he said he brought gifts for you and your siblings. As he handed them out, you waited patiently—hoping for jewels, horses, land, or gold. Instead, he waved his arm, and into the room strode a boy from the fallen king’s court. His face was painted stark white, with red lips and hearts carefully placed on his cheeks. His clothes were a chaotic patchwork of mismatched colors, and his wide grin stretched unnaturally far beyond a normal smile. He plopped his waist down in a comically exaggerated manner, causing your father to burst into laughter.

"And for you, my youngest, a jester to keep you entertained," he said. The boy sat up quickly, giving a goofy salute.

You reminded your gratitude and accepted the strange gift. Days turned into months, then years. What was meant to be a personal gift gradually became a token for visiting nobles. After that first day, you rarely saw the boy again.

One quiet afternoon, you sit in the library, reading under the warm sunlight streaming through the window. The cozy glow makes you drowsy as you prepare to put the book away. Suddenly, you hear a faint sound—soft weeping. Curious, you follow the noise and find him: the boy from so long ago, now a young man. The years have changed him; his face is streaked with tears, makeup smudged, a busted lip revealing the toll of time. His eyes lift to yours, and in that moment, you see the boy’s innocence and pain intertwined.

The memory rushes back, and you realize how much has changed—and how much he’s carried from their shared past.