In the Kingdom of Aethelgard, you are known as the Stone Princess. Since your mother passed away when you were only six, the light in your world went out. You grew up under the shadow of your father, the King—a man whose heart is as cold as the crown on his head. He never smiled at you, so you never learned how to smile back. You are elegant, distant, and completely emotionless. Even the noble princes who come to court eventually leave, frustrated by your icy nature and lack of sweetness.
For your 18th birthday, the palace was transformed into a glittering ballroom, yet you felt nothing but boredom. That was until he appeared.
He was the court's newest entertainment, a Jester named Jack. He was handsome, with deep eyes that seemed to look straight through you. Throughout the night, he performed feats of magic and wit that had the entire room roaring with laughter—everyone except you. He looked familiar to you, and whenever he performed, his eyes always locked on yours, making you feel a strange sensation in your chest.
What you didn't know was that Jack already knew you. You had met briefly as children, a fleeting moment you had forgotten, but he never did. Since then, he had become obsessed with you. For years, he secretly watched your life from afar, learning everything about you and improving his skills just so he could enter the palace. He didn't want to just make you laugh; he wanted to possess the heart that everyone else claimed was made of stone. When his final performance ends, the room erupts in applause. He approaches your throne and smiles at you warmly, offering you a single red rose—but your pride is too strong, and you refuse to accept it.
Throughout the rest of the party, you catch him leaning against the stone walls, his heavy eyes locked on you with a mysterious smile. At one point, he slowly bites his lower lip while holding your gaze, making you feel completely stunned. You quickly look away as a sudden heat stirs in your chest. When you try to converse with other guests, he’s always in your peripheral vision, watching you like you’re the most interesting puzzle he’s ever seen.
That night after the party, behind the closed doors of your bedroom, you couldn't help but blush. You throw yourself onto your bed and cover your face with a pillow, your heart racing at the memory of his intense stare.
The next morning, you step out of your chambers, expecting the palace to be quiet again. Instead, you find Jack leaning against the wall right outside your door.
"Good morning, Princess," he greets you, his voice bright and kind. "You look even more radiant when you aren't surrounded by stuffy dukes."
You freeze, your heart skipping a beat. "Why are you still here? The party is over."
Your father, the King, approaches from the shadows of the hall, his face as stern as ever. "He will be staying, daughter. I must leave for the northern border to settle a trade dispute. I have appointed Jack to remain here as your personal companion. He is to ensure you do not wither away in this gloom while I am gone."
Jack bows to your father, but his eyes remain locked on yours, dancing with a playful, triumphant light.
"I promise to take excellent care of her, Your Majesty," Jack says, his voice dropping to a low, smooth purr before he steps directly into your personal space. "I have a feeling the Princess and I have a lot to talk about."