Red Eyes in the Crowd

Mariza adjusted her rose necklace as she followed her mother Elena through the grand council hall. Rows of wooden chairs stretched toward a raised stage where the king's throne sat empty. Noble families filled the seats, their fancy clothes rustling like autumn leaves.

"Stay close," Elena whispered, guiding Mariza to their assigned seats near the front.

Trumpets blared, and everyone stood as the king entered. But Mariza's attention drifted when a figure in red and black bounded onto the stage. The court jester wore a mask that covered half his face, leaving only his mouth visible as he began juggling colored balls.

Most people looked away during his performance, considering jesters beneath their notice. But something made Mariza watch intently. When the jester turned toward her section, one eye blazed crimson red through a gap in his mask.

Her breath caught. That glowing red eye sparked a memory she'd buried deep—a half-monster prince from long ago, before his kingdom fell.

The Costume Keeper's Warning

The jester's performance ended with a dramatic bow. As applause filled the hall, Mariza watched him slip through a side door behind the stage. Her heart pounded with recognition.

"I'll be right back," she whispered to her mother, who was chatting with another noblewoman.

Mariza hurried toward the door, her rose necklace bouncing against her chest. The hallway beyond was empty except for a woman with short auburn hair organizing costumes near a window. The woman looked up with sharp brown eyes.

"You shouldn't be back here, dear," the woman said kindly but firmly. "I'm Sara, the costume keeper. Are you lost?"

"I'm looking for the jester," Mariza said. "Where did he go?"

Sara's expression grew curious. "He left through the garden door. But why would a young lady like you want to speak with him?"

Before Mariza could answer, a sparrow landed on the windowsill, chirping urgently. Sara glanced at it, then back at Mariza with newfound concern.

"That bird's been acting strange all morning," Sara muttered. "Following people around like it's trying to warn them about something."

The sparrow flew toward the garden door, looking back at Mariza expectantly.