𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘦'𝘴 𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 || A Compilation Of Short Stories

Jester [1]

{Date: October 17th, 1674}

{Time: 2:03PM}

{Location: Kingdom of Caratonia, England}

The wind is nice today, or at least as nice as it can be while I'm rushing to the front gates of the king's palace. He expected me at least sometime today, but he never said when. I noticed where the sun was when I finally woke up and I had quickly collected my clothes and threw them on before I ran out of my house. Exhaustedly, I stopped in front of the doors to the throne room and one of the knights approached me and looked to me. "Name, and present yourself." I stand myself up straight and look to the knight, taking deep breaths so I can catch my breath. "My name is Aldrid Herisay, I'm the uh.." I show off my outfit, which is recognizably a jester's costume. The knight looks at me for a few seconds and steps aside, allowing me to open the large doors to the throne room.
As I approach the king, I realize two bone chilling details. First, his wife is joining him on the throne. I hardly ever see her around or even in the throne room... except for occasions where she's upset or, worse yet, if they're planning on executing someone. Then second, their daughter is standing partially behind the throne, peeking her head out. Their daughter's name is Elizia, and she's been the only person from my knowledge who's enjoyed all the jokes and acts I've ever performed. Sometimes she's even asked her father, the king, if I could stay a while longer just so she can hear more jokes. The fact that she looks as scared as she is, scares me to my very soul. "Jester, stop before me." I stop several feet away from the throne and look to his wife, who looks upset and rolls her eyes. "You're much later than I would have hoped, but you made it regardless." The king corrects himself on his throne, sitting up and looking at me. "You've been a good jester, especially to our daughter. She's the only one who seems to understand your..jokes, if they're even deserving of such a title." He pauses for a moment, my heart is slowly pounding. "That there lies the problem, you only jest properly for our daughter. You're meant to jest for the king, as I've allowed you life and a home and suitable gold, but that seems not enough for you to jest how you should. So we have come to a final decision, and there is to be no discussion further." I quietly nod and it feels as if a rock sank into my stomach. "You are set to be executed in three days time, your compliance is required and must you attempt to run, you will be charged with treason and I will set a high mark for whoever manages to return you here, be it alive or dead." My heart drops. I knew this was going to happen, but I hoped it wouldn't. I slowly nod and the king stands up. "Very well jester, you may prepare for your execution. Leave my sight."
The king walks away, his wife tailing behind and I take several minutes to try and collect my thoughts. I thought I was a good jester, even if the king didn't laugh. I thought it was important that someone at least laughed, even if now I realize I should've tried making the king laugh. I feel a tug on my sleeve and it's Elizia, who I can see now was crying. She looks to me and I slightly manage a smile, as I get to a knee and hold her hand. "Listen, it's alright. You'll be able to find a new jester, who can make you laugh as much as I could." She shakes her head and hugs me, slightly sniffling. "I don't want a new one, I want you to stay." I hug her back and use one of my hands to rub her head, attempting to comfort her. "I wish I could stay your jester, but you dad already...set a day for me to be executed. I won't be alive to be your jester Elizia." She very slightly nods, and I can feel tears landing on my costume. I keep hugging her and rubbing her head for a minute more before we both let go of each other. She's still noticeably upset, but she's realized she can't change anything, so she slowly walks to where her parents went, and in another minute she's vanished from sight. I stand up and slowly walk back out the throne room door, then the main gates, back through the streets of the village, and then finally into my house, where I simply go to my bed and lay down. I think for several minutes about what I could've done better, how I could've impressed the king, then about Elizia and how much she'll miss me once I'm dead. The thoughts keep looping in my head until eventually they put me to sleep.

[849 Words] 𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐! 𝙿𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚎 𝚟𝚘𝚝𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚎𝚗𝚓𝚘𝚢𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚖𝚎 𝚙𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚛𝚝 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚢 𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚊𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚜!