Take me For a fool.

My footsteps were hurried as I almost ran down the castle halls. Any footwear would make noise on marble this polished.

Why would the king summon me this late at night? I had already wondered this before I left my room. The possibilities only made my heart race more, so I tried not to think about it. I’ve come this way a hundred times, but for some reason I can’t remember where the door to the king’s throne room is now.

“Here it is!” If I’m going to be fired, I might as well be prompt.

Taking a breath, I pushed the heavy oak doors. I slid into the throne room and pulled the door shut with deep, thundering finality.

“Here goes nothing.” I turned. “What can I do for you, Your Highness?” The bells on my hat jingled as I spun. One flamboyant bow later, I started the long walk down the now very intimidating burgundy carpet toward the king.

“You came,” said the deep voice from the throne at the other end of the room.

Why wouldn’t I? I wondered. “What does my king request of me this fine evening?” Gotta keep this professional.

“A dangerous offer from a jester.” He leaned in. “What would you be offering, Coedwyn?”

The way he used my name made me pause. “Depends on what your highness would like?” I replied, slightly more stiffly. What’s going on?

The sounds of the other staff and life outside the castle faded; my fear for my job increased. He was watching my movements with a quiet scrutiny I couldn’t quite place. He watched, yes, but there was a softness that didn’t make sense.

“Rise,” he said, his deep voice filling the empty throne room. “Drop the formalities, please. Everyone else bows; I’d rather you didn’t.”

I slowly straightened. “Ok, Sure.”

He unclasped his royal mink and rough cape, moving slowly and deliberately. He barely made a sound, even with the quiet flicker of the torches to contend with. He made his way to me. I stood waiting for something; anything.

He stopped closer than a normal public interaction would warrant. The closer he got, the more details I could make out: his brown, wavy hair, his gray-blue eyes, and a slender royal outfit in various shades of blue.

“What I would like,” he started, his gaze locked on mine, a flicker of vulnerability beneath his calm, “is honesty. The court hides its true feelings, but I long to see yours. I want a real conversation with a real person.”

The last of my act drained from my demeanor; I had no prepared lines for this. “Understood, Kaius. I can do that.” I even let my voice return to its normal, casual lilt. “What can I do for you, Kaius?”

“Walk with me. There’s a place we won’t be disturbed,” he said softly, his voice betraying a hint of weariness beneath the authority, hinting at unspoken burdens.

He gestured with his finger, and I followed cautiously, getting about as far as the throne to see him start through a well-hidden door behind a tapestry.

“Coming?”