The castle was tense. Every corridor seemed quieter than usual, every shadow deeper. Prince Lucien had grown bolder, moving through the halls with the arrogance of someone who believed the crown and the princess were already his.
The princess stayed close to the joker, her eyes wide with fear. She no longer whispered her protests—she had learned that speaking could provoke the prince's temper. The joker, however, had learned patience and cunning. He observed, planned, and waited for the right moment.
Late that night, the prince cornered the princess in the garden, far from the watchful eyes of the castle guards. His grip was firm, his intentions clear. "You will come with me," he hissed. "No one can stop this, not even your precious joker."
The princess struggled, tears streaking her face. "Let me go!" she cried. "This isn't what I want!"
The joker appeared from the shadows, his face calm, eyes sharp. He had anticipated this. Every step the prince had taken, every trap, every corner—he had prepared for it.
Lucien sneered. "I've been expecting you," he said, pulling the princess closer.
The joker didn't hesitate. In one swift movement, he drew a hidden dagger, the steel glinting in the moonlight. His hand was steady, his intent clear. He struck with precision, ending the threat before the princess could be harmed.
The prince fell, shock and disbelief frozen on his face. The joker stood over him, chest heaving, but eyes never leaving the princess. He knew there would be consequences, but nothing could outweigh her safety.
The princess ran to him, wrapping her arms around his waist. "You… you saved me," she whispered, voice trembling. "I—I don't know what I would have done."
The joker held her tightly, his own emotions a mix of relief, exhaustion, and quiet rage. "No one will ever hurt you while I am here," he said softly, pressing his forehead to hers. "I promise."
But even the cleverest plans could not outsmart the king forever. The joker had walked right into a trap.
By morning, he was caught. Chained and humiliated, he was paraded through the town streets, flanked by the king's knights. The princess could do nothing but watch, her heart breaking with every step.
The joker was taken to the center of the town. The king's voice rang out above the crowd: "Let him be stoned to death! Let all see the price of defying me!"
For the entire night, the joker endured torture. The once-celebrated star of the town stood there, battered, humiliated, yet unbroken. The townspeople wept quietly, their love for him preventing any from lifting a stone.
He ordered the executioner to behead him but even the stone hearted executioner couldn't make up his mind to kill the joker the king realised things were going out of hand
The king, seeing the executioner falter, approached himself. With a sneer, he slit the joker's throat. "You may have turned this kingdom against me," he spat, "but I will not lose my crown!" He stomped on the lifeless body, mocking the fallen hero.
But the people could take no more. The air filled with cries of rage. Rocks flew through the sky, striking the king again and again. "What are you doing, fools? Protect me!" he screamed.
Even his knights hesitated, their loyalty broken. In the end, the king fell, stoned by the very people he had ruled with fear. The kingdom, long oppressed, finally tasted justice.