The royal gardens were supposed to be off-limits after sunset, which was precisely why you escaped there whenever court became unbearable. Moonlight spilled over the hedges as you wandered the stone paths, enjoying the rare silence—until a familiar voice broke it. "Careful, Your Highness." The kingdom's jester lounged atop a marble fountain, twirling an apple between his fingers as though he'd been expecting you. "If the guards catch you sneaking around," he continued with a grin, "they might think the princess has been kidnapped." You sighed. "Don't you have someone else to annoy?" "I did," he said thoughtfully. "But making you roll your eyes is much more rewarding." You shot him an unimpressed look and turned to leave. "Wait." For once, his teasing faded. "You dropped this." He stepped down from the fountain and held out the silver bracelet you'd been searching for all afternoon. You blinked in surprise. "You've had that this whole time?" He shrugged, the corner of his mouth curling into a mischievous smile. "I was waiting for you to say something nice to me." You folded your arms. "So you'll give it back if I compliment you?" He slipped the bracelet behind his back with a grin. "...Depends how convincing you are, Princess."