Another day passed, and the Joker sank deeper into despair. The once free, all-known star of the town was now trapped, forced to perform for the king's amusement.
Yet, even amid the clamor of the castle, the Joker couldn't get the wax princess out of his mind.
He was summoned once again to entertain the guests. This time, he performed not for the nobles or the king, but for her — his eyes following her at every turn, every move, every flourish. The hall erupted in laughter, every gaze on him, yet all he noticed was her still, impassive form.
The feast ended. The performance concluded. And, as always, he failed to get any reaction from the wax princess.
The nobles and the king started to chit chat among themselves leaving the joker alone standing there.
Left alone with a few scraps of colored paper, he went to a corner, he crossed his legs, back against a pillar, and let his fingers move. Fold, crease, bend the paper to create something beautiful— a delicate paper rose bloomed from the paper in his hands.
The princess's gaze shifted, and for the first time since he entered the castle, he saw a spark in her eyes. A faint, fleeting reaction. In that moment, he felt as if he had his wings back.
Later, walking through the empty corridors, he was surprised to find a maid waiting for him.
"The princess wishes to see you in her room," she said.
He nodded silently and followed.
The princess stood by the window, eyes fixed on the night sky. She turned to him:
"You may sit."
He settled near her, the silence between them charged.
"How did you make that rose from just paper? Can you do it again?" she asked.
The Joker nodded.
"There are empty papers on my table. Use them. Make one for me."
He rose, moving to the table. Among the blank sheets lay a few beautiful drawings, but before he could examine them, the princess snatched them and tossed them out the window.
"Do as I said. Nothing else," she snapped.
He simply nodded. Carefully, he folded the papers, creating another exquisite rose, and placed it gently in her hands.
For the first time since his arrival, the princess smiled.
"Can you teach me how to make this?"
He nodded again.
"You may leave now. You will be summoned when needed," she said.
Without a word, he slipped from the room.
But that night, he couldn't sleep. He silently crept past the guards, not to escape the lifeless castle but just to retrieve the drawings the princess had thrown away, and returned to the castle. Went to her room and Quietly, he slid those drawings, along with a small letter, under her door.
Before going to his room . The night was beautiful. For now, it didn't matter if he could fly or not — he was truly happy to see under all that wax there is a person still alive.