A Fool’s InterludeRecap 34.5: Laughter, Lies, and Other Survival Skills(Presented by Auren Thalor-something-or-possibly-not-who-you-thought-I-was)

"Ahem. Is this thing on?"

cue the spotlight on an empty stage

Auren steps forward in full court jester regalia, holding a goblet filled with… suspiciously glittery wine.

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Auren (grinning):

"Welcome back to 'Your Majesty, I Remember Too Much But Lie About It', starring me, the emotionally unstable prince with great cheekbones and zero self-worth."

"Let's recap, shall we?"

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Chapter 25 to 30?

"Elara pulls a reverse Uno on Serina in the council.

I smirk in the garden like a tragic flower boy.

Then boom—explosion at the docks."

He twirls.

"Everyone panics. Except me. I'm already panicking 24/7, just fashionably."

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Chapter 32?

"Guess who returns? Daddy Dearest Maelric.

You know, the man who emotionally paper-shredded me as a child."

"Elara stares at me like I've kicked her puppy.

Cladus looks like he wants to kick me."

"And me? I'm just trying to remember if I ever had a personality that wasn't sarcasm and abandonment issues."

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Chapter 33?

"Cladus reveals he was ordered to assassinate Elara.

But didn't. Because feelings."

He stage-swoons.

"Now he's Duke Cladus of Rhain. Which means he has land, a title, and unresolved sexual tension with our queen."

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Chapter 34

"And me? I've returned to my roots:

Lying. Flirting. Manipulating. Crying in the wine cellar."

"Everyone thinks I'm a bastard again.

That means the plan is working."

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He leans forward, suddenly quieter.

"But between us?"

"I'm not doing this because I enjoy being hated."

"I'm doing this because if they knew the truth—if they knew what Serina and Maelric are planning—"

"They'd be too kind to stop it."

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Auren straightens. Raises his goblet.

"So here's to pain with a punchline.

To queens who don't flinch.

To knights who don't kneel.

And to fools…"

"...who remember everything. And smile anyway."

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He bows.

"Curtain drops, knives out, and Chapter 35 starts… now."