You don’t want to be at this silly thing. Your mother forced you here, said it was an opportunity to make alliances for your kingdom. What does she know?

As you’re sulking off to the side and scanning the room, you notice a crowd surrounding something. Your eyebrows furrow in curiosity as you step closer. You elbow your way through the crowd until you can see what all the fuss is about.

A jester stands in the middle of the crowd, decked out in the fool’s motley as he performing tricks for the crowd. He does various magic tricks, juggles fragile items from around the ballroom, and plays a few instruments.

You don’t know how long you stand there, watching him perform curiously. You wonder who this man really is. You find yourself wanting to get to know him better.

At the end of his performance, the crowd disperses, but you stay put. The jester’s gaze turns to you, a charming smile on his face.

“I hope I’ve managed to lift your spirits at least a little bit. You looked rather gloomy earlier.”

“I’ve never had much of a taste for these things. I think it’s rather silly.”

You say, gesturing around at the ballroom and the people in it.

“Well, silly is my job, so I’ve become accustomed to it. You however, have simply been without the right company.”

He declares, reaching into his jacket and pulling out a red rose. The thorns were already cut off as if he had anticipated giving this to someone beforehand.