.

Suddenly, Lei's hands were yanked off her ears. The Jester was holding her wrists, and he forced her up into a semi-standing position and then turned around and began to lead her down the path. 

"The castle is the opposite way," Lei said, regaining her stamina to speak just a bit, and the Jester didn't say anything for a minute. Lei couldn't see the castle anymore, and slowly her breaths calmed down, one by one. 

"I don't care where it is. I told you I wouldn't force you to do anything you didn't want to. So, we're going back. I'll find another way." The Jester said, and Lei blinked. He was still holding her wrists. 

"But I want to help. I agreed to it, anyway." The Jester frowned. "Lei, you're more important to me than my curse is." Lei yanked her wrist away. "But why are you doing all this! you don't even know me!" 

Then the jester was silent.

Lei rubbed the faint fingernail marks on her wrist, and, finally, turned around. Then she simply picked up the skirt of her dress and ran down the path again, leaving her beloved Jester watching her go but not following.