Emyko1

CHAPTER 4

(Amelia runs into the city hooded dressed like a warrior and enters in a tavern of drunken gamblers)

Barman: aaaa my favorite customer, how's Madame Egeria?

Amelia: I just returned from a long trip Richard, give me the usual please I want it strong

Barman: yes ma'am I usually make strong drinks

Amelia: tell me, what happened in the last week?

Barman: Definitely nothing interesting since you went on an expedition last week, The usual drunkards and people arguing over losing at card games or any other game

Amelia:mmmh..... I miss playing, tell me.... Who is the strongest now?

Barman: mmmh..... Probably that guy from table 6, I heard that he cheat but no one has ever understood how.....

Amelia: Then I have to find it out

(Richard gives the drink to Amelia who drinks it in one gulp and then heads towards the big muscular man at table six)

Amelia: I beg your pardon, sir? ^^

??? : what the fuck do you want?

Amelia: I heard that you're the best player at the moment so I was wondering if you wanted to give me a chance for a game

??? : go away little girl, I'm busy and I don't play with people like you

(Amelia's eyes seem to glow as she looks at the man)

Amelia: yet if you don't accept my invitation.... Everyone here will think you're a loser and you certainly don't want that.... Or am I wrong? ~

??? : ghhh CHALLENGE ACCEPTED

Amelia: SPLENDID! ^^

??? : the great thor doesn't let himself be beaten by someone like you.... A young lady

Amelia: We'll see

Thor: Let's play full scale

Amelia: I accept

(The game ends with Amelia winning)

Thor: i-it's not possible.....

Amelia: did you think I didn't notice your friend here behind me suggesting my cards to you with gestures?!

Thor: I COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ANYWAY

amelia: well I'm sorry mate but you'll have to pay me for at least 3 drink orders

(The princess goes to the barman Richard with the money for the three drinks)

Amelia: My win

Barman: absurd.... How did you know the trick?

Amelia: I had already checked his hands and he had nothing, this means I had to see who was next to me or him

Barman: smart move

Amelia: it doesn't end there, I used a gilbreath shuffle to know exactly the order of the cards that would come out to both of us

Barman: you know everything

Amelia: Maybe not quite everything, but for now I want to enjoy your amazing drinks

(A person who was hooded right behind Amelia decides to approach her)

Bard: uhuhuh~ can I ask you for a game miss?!~

Amelia: Uh... yes of course, my name is Egeria

Bard: happy to meet you I'm the bard

Amelia: ok Mr. Bard, would you like to suggest a game?

Bard: of course~ I want to play the card pair game~ whoever has the most pairs wins~

Amelia: I'm in

(The bard begins to shuffle the cards and then places them face down on the table)

Bard: you can start young lady~

Hmmm….this guy is weird and has a familiar voice….i can't lose my imagine and honor in this place

(At the end of the first round all pairs of cards are counted to reach the conclusion that the first round was won by the bard)

Bard: aww~ angry? ~

Amelia: ghh (holds the card)

GO AHEAD WITH A NEW ROUND

Bard: Of course~

Ghh... I can't stand this guy. HOW DARE HE, I have to understand his moves

(Amelia checks how he's shuffling the cards)

I understand.... These cards have small decorative symbols on the back but if you pay so much attention you can notice that those small decorative symbols have a sort of sign that is repeated on another card..... Maybe that is the double card

Bard: I placed the cards~

Amelia: Good.

(Amelia turns over the cards that seemed to have the same symbol)

Bingo! I knew these cards are rigged

Bard: aww how lucky~

Amelia: yes..... All luck

(The game ends in a draw after a few rounds)

Bard: mmmh~ you're not stupid

Amelia: I understood the card trick, you know? AND I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT THAT DECK IS RIGGED

Bard: aww~ you're too smart~

(He lifts her face and looks at her intently)

Bard: Your intelligence goes very well with that pretty face~

Amelia: HUH?!

Bard: well thanks for the game

(the bard pays what he ordered and then leaves the tavern)

Amelia: what a strange guy....

Barman: definitely.... But he looked at you intensely

Amelia: In any case I have to go too before it gets too dark

Barman: see you next time then

(Amelia says goodbye and then runs and stealthily returns to the castle)

Amelia: phew.....

Maddie: I see you made it in in time

Amelia: yes and.... Thanks for not saying anything Maddie

Maddie: don't worry your highness I'm always here to serve you, if you want to have dinner I have some chicken left

Amelia: there's no need but thanks

(Maddie nods and then leaves the room)

What a tiring day but I had fun... After all I'm just enjoying my free time before my parents want me to marry a rich loser like the guy from the other night

Tap tap

Amelia: huh?!

(A hand taps on the glass of Amelia's window)

Amelia: who's there?!

Mr jester: huh?! ~ do you greet me like this? ~

Amelia: what are you doing outside my window?! It's high

Mr jester: There's a nice view~

Amelia: You'll hurt yourself if you fall...

Mr jester: mmmh~ is the princess worrying about a miserable fool? ~

Amelia: Excuse me if I act like a person with a soul

(Mr Jester chuckles and then sits on the window)

Mr jester: how serious are you, I was joking

Amelia: why are you here at night? Haven't found any woman to spend the night with?

Mr jester: I don't want to spend the night with any woman, I just want to be here~

Amelia: ghh why on earth?

Mr jester: just passing the time, how was your day princess? ~

Amelia: I was in the library

Mr jester: lie~ you weren't there~

Amelia: You can't say for sure

(Mr Jester takes a small box out of his sleeve with some memory cards inside)

Amelia: I can't believe it..... THE BARD

Mr jester: I was just curious~

Amelia: NOW YOU'RE SPYING ON ME?!

(Amelia thinks back to when the "bard" took her face in his hands and knowing that that man was now right there with her illuminated by the moon leaves her with a mental block)

Mr jester: keep the cards too, consider it a prize for the victory~ if you understood the trick you will be able to cheat and win many games in that tavern~

Amelia: U-uh..... Thanks

(Mr Jester nods and tries to leave but is immediately stopped by Amelia)

Amelia: WAIT

Mr jester: huh?

Amelia: do you want to.... Play again? I have other card games

Mr jester: maybe next time your highness~

(Just as he arrived he winked and left)

amelia pov

It's absurd.... I can't believe I'm seriously about to do this, MEET THE JESTER?! I MUST BE MAD, maybe I should go back

(Amelia looks around and then opens the door of the royal library)

No... I can't go back, if that clever jester has already seen me then he might mock me again in front of the court... I can't allow it

(After closing the door, she starts walking towards the Central Hall where everyone reads the books only to see an unmasked shadow behind her)

Mr jester: good evening princess~ I hope I haven't ruined your dreams

Amelia: why did you want to see me here?

Mr jester: how cold we are, would you like a cookie?

(The jester lifts the lid of a tray revealing delicious cookies with chocolate on top and chocolate chips)

Amelia: yum.... I mean no thanks I don't take anything from people like you

Mr jester: yet you came here to see me~ you accepted my invitation

(He starts eating his cookies sitting on the table)

Amelia: I just want to know what you want

Mr jester: mmmh.... Actually nothing at all~

Amelia: lies

Mr jester: okok I have to admit that every time I do some show you never smile, a real ice queen~

Amelia: It's none of your business

Mr jester: aww you break my heart princess~ I just wanted to help, It's a good jester's job to make the whole court laugh~

Amelia: I don't need to laugh especially from someone who occasionally wears a ridiculous mask or idiotic make-up

Mr jester: if my make up disgusts you so much then why are you looking me in the eyes? ~

Suddenly...I don't know why I feel so small and inferior, he is slightly taller than me but twice as big, I can't let him defeat me

Amelia: I look everyone in the eye, I fear no one

Mr jester: and yet.... You didn't even give Prince Albert a glance~

Amelia: these are private things that don't concern you Mr Jester, why don't you go and have fun with one of your mistresses?

Mr jester: mmh~ why are you talking about those princess ones? ~ are you spying on me by any chance? ~

Amelia: Everyone knows about the rumors going around about you

Mr jester: OH?! but really? ~ who knows which rumors will be true then

Amelia: I don't care

(Mr Jester approaches Amelia and squeezes her cheeks with one hand)

Mr jester: let me entertain you princess~ I will do my best every day

Amelia: What if I don't want to?

Mr jester: let's decide with a coin

Heads you win while if tails I win

Amelia: I'm in

(The coin is tossed and caught deftly)

Mr jester: and the result is...... TAILS

amelia: gh

Mr jester: it seems I won, miss, you will have to keep your promise

Amelia: OK.... But don't get too much into My private life, I'll just put up with your stupid performances

Mr jester: uhuh~ stupid you say? ~ yet that card about the future fully knew your romantic situation

Amelia: no and then uh-

(She is interrupted by the jester's hand passing through her hair to make a card appear between his fingers)

Mr jester: oops~ an ace of spades your highness, that's not a good feeling~

Amelia: I won't believe you

Mr jester: hold a cookie come on

Amelia: Absolutely not

Mr jester: I insist

(He places the cookie in her hands)

Amelia: OK..... I'll keep it

Mr jester: see you tomorrow then~ WHAT IS THAT?

amelia: what?

(As she turns over; the jester seems to have disappeared)

Where did he go?! Let's forget it, I'd better go to sleep... Yet I can't get those eyes that look into my soul out of my head

(The princess looks at the cookie and after thinking about it for a while begins to eat it, savoring its flavour)

Damn.... It's really good, I didn't thought that a jester could also cook, better if I go to sleep, tomorrow is another day

(The princess without being noticed returns to her room and then gets under the covers where she sinks into a deep sleep)

Mr Jester: Princess~ Princess~

Amelia: what?.....WHY ARE YOU HERE?

mr jester: here.... In the garden? I was just looking at the clouds and..... I was hoping to see you again

Amelia: are you insane?!

Mr Jester: you know~ stay with you a little longer

(He started to stroking her hair and then starting to kiss her neck)

Amelia: I... I can't

Mr jester: everything is possible if you want

Amelia: I would like...

Mr Jester: Miss, wake up

Amelia: huh?

(Mr Jester's head turns into Maddie's head)

Maddie: Miss

Amelia: AAAA, oh maddie it's you... What a strange dream

maddie: did you go to sleep late miss?

Amelia: gh.... How long did I sleep?

Maddie: mmh not for a very long time

Amelia: Thank goodness

Maddie: I put breakfast on your bedside table

Amelia: thanks, listen maddie.... Couldn't you hide me today?

Maddie: Again? It's the second time this week

Amelia: I know but I want to go to town

Maddie:OK I'll hide you

Amelia: you're the best maddie

Maddie: ah yes before I go I was told that Mr Jester is waiting for you in the garden, strange that he asks for you, it has never happened in two years, maybe he's sorry for the show

Amelia: yeah...... I'll hurry up and see what he wants

Maddie: Whatever you want miss

(Once Maddie leaves the room, Amelia quickly finishes her breakfast and then hastily starts getting ready so she can run out quickly.)

Perfect, I did everything, but.... Maybe I should stop in the kitchen and bring him something to eat, somehow he was nice to Me yesterday despite being annoying, and then he gave me a cookie so I definitely have to do something

(The princess goes to the kitchen and starts preparing two toasted sandwiches with raspberry jam)

Perfect... Now all I have to do is go towards the courtyard

(After a few seconds she comes to the courtyard and sits on one of the benches looking at the rose bushes)

Mr jester: they are beautiful aren't they?

amelia: AAA have you gone crazy?! You scared me

Mr jester:HAHAHAH I know I'm quite clever~

Amelia: ghh you're annoying

Mr jester: but this time too you accepted my invitation~

(She takes the sandwiches rolled up in paper and holds them out on his lap and then looks away)

Amelia: thanks for yesterday...

Mr jester: huh?

Amelia: for..the cookie

Mr jester: no problem~ aww is this for me? ~ what a noble soul

(Mr Jester starts eating the sandwiches and then looks at Amelia with a satisfied face)

Mr jester: they are really good, I mean it~

Amelia: yes well... Don't expect any more nice gestures mr jester, I'm only here because I lost a bet with you

Mr jester: really? But you're the one who accepted the bet <3

Amelia: I'm not backing down

Mr jester: yes, it's a good quality congrats

Amelia: Why did you want to see me out here?

Mr jester: I promised I would give you some private shows so I'm going to do just that, now... Have you seen those rose bushes?

Amelia: of course yes, I've been there since I was little

Mr jester: have you ever thought about wearing a rose?

Amelia: Well no

Mr jester: then why do you have one in your hair? ~

Amelia: I don't have any-

(Before finishing the sentence she runs a hand through her orange hair and notices a red rose among it)

Amelia: wait..... When did you put it on?!

Mr jester: sssh.... Magic~

Amelia: It's not such a fantastic trick

Mr jester: you only say that because you said you would never have fun with one of my shows, yet I have fun

Amelia: I.... I have things to do now

Mr jester: ok then see you later your highness

(He takes her hand and kisses it and then puts on his mask and goes to the other Ladies)

AMELIA POV

It's Morning and I can finally "forget" all the things that happened yesterday

Knock knock

Maddie: Can I come in?

Amelia: Sure Maddie

(Maddie opens the door while in her right hand she carries a silver tray with several sweets and a cup of tea on it)

Maddie: I brought you breakfast miss

Amelia: Thank you for your work Maddie

Maddie: I do my job..... Anyway miss I heard everything that happened yesterday, I'm sorry your evening went like this

Amelia: don't worry Maddie, things happen.... Of course I could have avoided being humiliated even by Mr Jester

Maddie: oh..... Mr jester

Amelia: huh? What can you tell me about him?

Maddie: I don't know his real name but there are certain rumors about him... Like that he sleeps with some court women and some who are already married

Amelia: It's disgusting

Maddie: And then he's a guy who arrived here when he was only 20 years old, in fact he's been working at court for two years but I avoid speaking to him..... Some people even say that he uses dark magic but I don't know much about it

Amelia: I still don't understand why my dad finds him funny

Maddie: I don't know, he'll have a lot of charisma

Amelia: Whatever it is, you should never trust a jester

Maddie: Oh now that I think about it, Queen Lea told me she's waiting for you in the garden after breakfast

Amelia: thanks Maddie, let my mother know that I will join her in a few minutes

Maddie: okay miss

(Maddie leaves the room while Amelia finishes her breakfast and then goes to take a bath and put on her green dress accompanied by her pearl necklace and the crown on her head in her orange hair)

I used to love looking at my reflection in the mirror...... But now I only see a girl who wants to escape from her life as a future bride and a future queen, just the thought makes me feel so empty...... As much as I love adventures so much this doesn't mean I don't want to have a family but..... I just wish I could choose who to be with and do whatever I want instead of having to look like a puppet all the time..... Better to go before my mother gets impatient

(Amelia runs out of the door and then reaches the garden doors)

Lorna: Looks like you're late

Amelia: It's none of your business, sis

Lorna: Well.... Mum is in her usual place in the garden and... She doesn't seem to be in a good mood

Amelia: She's never in a good mood

That's the last thing I needed

Lea: Amelia, come here darling

Amelia: I'm here, mother

Lea: Yesterday you refused Prince Albert's invitation to go for a walk in the garden

Amelia: Yes I wasn't feeling very well

Lea: AMELIA, No matter how you feel, you've been turning down suitors for two years and Prince Albert is from a good family so your father and I thought it would be a perfect match

Amelia: I told him to show up this week

Lea: you don't have to give him orders, you just have to look nice and obey, you know? It's a very simple task, I've been doing it for years

Amelia: but..

Lea: don't say anything Amelia, next time you will accept everything the prince wants, end of discussion

Amelia: yes mother...

(Queen Lea leaves the garden while some ladies start talking under some gazebos to have breakfast, however Amelia notices a masked figure near a wall)

And while I try to stay calm..... Here I see him again..... MR JESTER.... Still with his creepy mask watching me from the corner of the garden, who knows how long he has been there

(The jester shakes his head and then joins the other ladies to entertain them with his usual card games)

Mr jester: and now beautiful ladies~ I'll show you how I'll find your three cards

Lady 1: it's impossible, there are three of us and each of us has taken a different card

Mr jester: nothing is impossible in life~ if you want...everything is possible.... It also depends on what risks you want to take, this is also what determines who can be a winner or a loser in life.... Or you're just simply a fool

(Mr. Jester taps the deck of shiny cards on the table where the ladies were having breakfast and drops three cards.)

Mr jester: let's see what fell

(The jester turns over the cards and shows them to the ladies)

Lady 2:HOW?!

Lady 1: fantastic.....

Mr jester: were these your cards? ~

Lady 3: it's crazy, you definitely have some powers mr jester~

Mr jester: I'm just a boy like many miss~

(Mr Jester kisses the lady's hand with the lips of the mask)

Lady 3: if you ever need me, you can find me in room 109 of the castle~

Mr jester: thank you for the invitation~

Ghh I hate him, always so flirty but who does he think he is?

He's so nice to women but I bet he doesn't know how to treat one properly..... I don't even know why I'm even thinking about it.....

(Amelia gives the jester a slight glance)

Yet that costume suits him really well... I had never noticed the size of his shoulders WHAT AM I SAYING, someone like him is just a slimy guy who probably wants fun

(The jester shifts his gaze again to Amelia who, as soon as she notices him, decides to return to the castle)

What a crazy day.... I'm devastated before lunch time and.... Huh? What's on my bed?

(Amelia takes a small paper puppet with a white game card with a message inside)

"Meet me in the royal library at 11pm - Mr Jester"

In the village of Vael'Shar everything is always good, the days are calm and everyone does their job and gives when my father became king there are also subsidies for those who are poorer so that everyone can eat, a good life right? Well at least not for me, my name is Amelia Whitethorn and I am the first daughter of King James as well as the heir to the throne, immediately after me is my sister Lorna..... She is not such a nice person, in fact she is more of a spoiled 18 year old girl. Lately I've been thinking about how I can change my life but the more I think about it the more I have no ideas, it's since when I was little that my parents taught me to have to stay quiet and obey all their orders and have to look nice and always clean and tidy, for all my 20 years I always did what they asked of me but when they weren't looking at me I devoted myself to more fun activities like playing cards in a drunken tavern in the village disguised as an homeless lady but that's another story, the real reason why I'm brooding over my thoughts is that..... My parents want me to find a husband..... However, suitors are boring and disgusting.... The mere thought of having to go to bed with them makes me sick, this evening there will be another elegant dinner with an upper class family who will introduce me to their son, I will play the nice and docile girl to please my parents and then I will dump yet another rich man who wants me as his wife.

Knock knock

(The door of the room opens showing a purple-haired maid)

???: Miss? did you get the dress you need to wear?

Amelia: yes Maddie come in too

(Maid Maddie makes Amelia wear her gorgeous red dress instead of her usual green dress)

Maddie: Miss, remember that this is an important dinner

Amelia: yes I know.... I will behave as always

(Maddie smiles and then leads Amelia into the dining room)

King James: Oh here she is Amelia My daughter

Here we go again..... Here my father already wants to introduce me to this family of assholes

King James: Florian, Amanda this is My daughter Amelia and I am sure she will get along very well with Prince Albert

(King James immediately leaves the two guests to take his daughter to a blond and haughty boy)

King James: Albert meet my daughter Amelia, I'm sure you'll get along well

Albert: I'm sure of it (Albert looks at Amelia and then takes her hand)

Albert: you, young lady, seem very pretty, could I accompany you to the snack table at the banquet and offer you a good glass of wine?

Amalia: sure ^^

And now I'm already regretting having accepted.... Not that I had that much of a choice

???: PEOPLE PEOPLE ADMIRE THE SHOW THAT IS ABOUT TO BEGIN

(The lights turn colorful as a figure appears out of nowhere with an explosion of confetti)

???: WHAT AN EXTRAORDINARY AUDIENCE WE HAVE HERE TONIGHT

amelia: ghh.....

And when you think things can't get any worse..... That's when you realize you're wrong when you see HIM....... MR JESTER. Years ago my father hired him as his court jester because he finds him FUNNY.... Well there's nothing funny about someone who mocks you pretending it's irony while wearing that hideous makeup Or usually as in this case he puts on a disturbing mask..... He's never made me laugh but luckily I've always avoided him.

(The jester starts doing magic tricks with cards and starts making political jokes mocking all the aristocracy)

Albert: what do you say miss if we go for a walk?

Amelia: I apologize, maybe we'll postpone it to another time, I'm tired, I'd like to go back to my room

Albert: Sure then I'll come back this week

Amelia: sure ^^ goodbye sir

Finally I can run to my room

(When Amelia tries to leave the room she is immediately grabbed by the jester)

Mr jester: AND NOW A NEW SHOW WITH A SPECIAL GUEST WHO NEVER PARTICIPATES... HERE IS PRINCESS AMELIA

Amelia: um...

Mr jester: our dear princess will only have to draw a card and I will be able to determine her future, come on princess take a card

(Amelia forces a smile and then draws a card with two broken hearts)

Mr jester: WELL PEOPLE, it seems that our princess has bad taste in love..... BUT WHAT AM I SAYING?! she's a princess, she doesn't have the right to choose what to do with her life, right?!

(All the nobles burst out laughing and clapping while Amalia runs away embarrassed..... The jester was right)

I'm SO tired..... Now I'm going to go to sleep hoping not to find that jester's gaze in my dreams too......and yet there's something strange about him...even through his mask I could still see his eyes...I feel like I'm hypnotized...WHAT AM I SAYING I better go to sleep, tomorrow is another day

Author: do you guys want more about this? Let me know ^^