.

Sebastian kept walking the whole night. Not simply because he didn't want to turn around and look at the butler, but also because he knew he wouldn't sleep that night. He had nowhere to go anyway. Not the ducal estate, not the palace, not even the jester's hut. 

He was all alone.

So he kept walking. 

Meanwhile …

Lei woke when ice-cold water was dumped on her head from a rusty pail. She was in a dusty, old jail cell, and some of the water went up her nose, so she coughed, fully awake now, and tied up. In front of her was a Jester, with a face that was painted a mask of white and a costume, and a hat with bells at the end. This wasn't the person who had locked her up - that had been her parents - so, then, was this person her savior?

"Good morning, Dearie. Sorry about the water - I wanted to make sure you were alive." The jester said, and Lei continued coughing. "Oh, you took in too much water. I'll only fill the bucket up halfway next time. Anyway, turn around, and I'll cut you loose." He said, and Lei stared for a minute, before turning around with her face to the wall. Her ropes were cut free, and she turned, sodden and dripping, to face the jester, who was grinning from cheek to cheek. Lei frowned. 

"Do you know Sebastian and Jylan?" The jester asked, and Lei, with a final cough, stood up, a hand resting on the wall, and said, "Ye, I do, why?" Huh. What did this Jester want with her favorite matchmaking duo? The jester thought for a minute and then rolled back her sleeve to show Lei a crest. It was a golden brown, with many different lines swooping through a circle.

"No way. Really?" Lei said, blinking. 

The Curse of Frsk Sfsn, would not be removed until the condition was complete. "What do you have to do?" Lei asked, and the Jester winked. "The same thing you have to do, my lady. We have to bring Jylan and Sebas together." Lei stared at her for a minute, and then said dubiously, 

"Why should I trust you?"

The jester winked and held out a hand. Lei slowly took it and followed him out of the cell. 

"Simply because you don't have another choice."