Would you believe me?

The little boy stood in front of him as he was busy tidying the props he used in his performance. However, he pretended that he didn't notice the small child and he hastily put the things in a cloth sack.

The child was rather intelligent for he perceived the abnormality of the clown's behaviour.

"Do you know me?" little Ramier said.

The clown turned to look at him but he said nothing. He turned his attention back to what he was doing. Ramier's brows furrowed. He was irritated because he was being ignored. 

"I know you heard me! And I know that you know who I am!" he said. "Why are you ignoring me? I just want to ask you two questions." 

The clown suddenly felt guilty that he was neglecting the child. Afterall, he was still young and the visions he saw didn't really happen yet. What was he so afraid of? This child would forget him anyway. 

He sighed before answering the child. 

" What is it little Prince? "

Hearing him finally replied, little Ramier felt ecstatic. 

"I knew it! You know me!" he said as he beamed. 

The clown couldn't help but smile too. 

What a beautiful child. 

It's a shame, he was cursed. 

"I want to ask you some things. If it's alright with you!" he said excitedly. 

"Alright. What is it?" 

"Well. Can you... Ugh" he said, contemplating. "Can you teach me some tricks?" 

"Tricks?" 

"Yes, The ones you did at the stage! Can you? Can you?" he pleaded with his eyes directly looking at the clown, his ruby like orbs staring at him with anticipation, even having his pupils dilating. 

Seeing how adorable the Prince was, he couldn't resist. He nodded his head. 

"Now, what's the next question?" the clown sighed as he said this. 

He was supposed to be avoiding this Prince afraid to be afflicted with his curse. However, it was harder than he thought. Besides being cute and lovable, the small child was a Prince! A Prince! 

" Well..."the little Prince said." Why are you acting like a fool? "

The clown suddenly grew silent, not knowing what he should reply to the Prince. After all, it was also a question he couldn't answer himself. He only knew that clowns needed to act foolish because they are clowns. 

Seconds have passed, but he was only staring at the little boy. He opened his mouth to speak but he closed it. 

"Is it hard to answer?" the child asked innocently. 

The clown nodded before chuckling. He suddenly thought of something. 

"Clowns... We are performers, right?" he asked. 

 "Hmm..." little Ramier nodded fervently. 

"We entertain." he said. " And in order to make people be entertained, we need to make a fool out of ourselves. Just to see people laugh and be happy." 

Little Ramier raised his brows, as he thought of another question. He wasn't aware that the two questions he promised to ask were added with follow up questions. 

"But don't you get tired acting like a fool? Aren't people supposed to be happy because you did something wonderful?" he said " Not because you did something foolish and because you hurt yourself?" 

The clown laughed. The child was quite intelligent but he was clearly innocent, like how a child should be. Maybe, he was wrong. This child wouldn't turn into a monster. 

" However, other people find happiness in other people's suffering. "he said. " Well, you wouldn't understand. You are still a child. "

" But—! "

" Go home now, little Prince. " he said as he turned his back on him. 

" Why? "little Ramier said. " Why... Isn't that bad?"

" I don't know. "the clown replied." After all, I'm a fool"

"But..."

The clown tossed his sack to the ground and walked back towards him. He squatted and held the child's shoulders. He looked him in the eyes. His red eyes and meeting his, they were mysterious like he knew everything. Like he was wise, the complete opposite of being a fool. 

"If I tell you that you are cursed... That you are the son of winter, who will hurt every person you hold dear.. Become a monster... A murderer..."the clown said in  a serious Expression. "Would you believe me?" 

Ramier grew confused at his words. He couldn't understand what the clown meant, also because he was just a child. 

"I-I.... I don't understand." Ramier said. He was already feeling uncomfortable. 

The clown smiled meaningfully. He let go of Ramier's shoulders and stood up. Walking towards his sack, he momentarily stopped on his tracks. Without turning his head, he spoke. 

" I hope my visions aren't true..."he trailed off." I wish you all the best, the future Emperor of Altria. "

He resumed his pace and left, leaving Ramier in daze; only watching his back. Ramier was rooted in his position. His words were like heavy boulders in his mind. He didn't know why but he felt a chill in his words though he didn't understand most of it. After all, he was just eight years old, far from the years where he would stop aging. 

His eyes were focused on the mark he left on the ground... The clown's footprints. However, they were erased when the wind blew. The memory was gone with the wind. The proof was wiped out.. Like he wasn't really there.

If he only knew how important those words were... However, as time passes by, so does destiny. 

"Ramier!" a voice laced with anxiousness shouted. 

Ramier turned to look at the person who ran to him. Face plastered with anxiety, she immediately went to hug the small child. Her hands trembled as she combed her silver hair that was wet from sweat. Carefully checking his hands and other parts of his body, she wanted to know if he was hurt or if he was injured. 

She was so worried. Searching every book and cranny of the Palace when she realized the child disappeared. 

"Faela..." Ramier replied. 

"Ramier! Are you hurt?" she said like she was about to cry. "Are you alright? Do you feel anything?" 

"No... I'm alright." he smiled reassuringly. 

She sighed in relief. Scooping him in her arms, she carried him and walked towards the carriage.