A/N: I don't own Jane and the Dragon. This is a late Christmas present for jatd4ever. Hope you like it.

I Am Second

As a Jester, it is my job to be a fool.

But sometimes people tend to underestimate me.

Especially Jane.

She doesn't have time for me anymore. She jousts and trains and runs off with that blasted dragon whenever the wind takes her.

I'm second in everything when it comes to her! When she's jousting, when she's training, to Dragon and even to Gunther.

I'm sick of it.

She always cancels our plans. ALWAYS. Because she has training. Because of Dragon. Because of things she could really push aside for one evening a week to spend with me.

But no.

She won't.

Not even when I try to talk to her about it. It goes right over her head. She doesn't understand and I don't think she wants to. I'm not good enough for the great Jane, am I?

I'm always angry and frustrated and I scream and fight against a pillow to get rid of it! I don't like being second and I think I'm worth more than barely a second at breakfast. We were supposed to be betrothed.

That was why I left her a note. I took my leave from the King, who understood that I needed to broaden my horizons at age 18 and study a bit, maybe I could be a lawyer or an actor on stage.

Dear Jane

You have hurt me enough. I'm tired of being second and I'm tired of being angry at you. It

I'm leaving this kingdom and I'm leaving you.

Do not find me.

Jester

I laid the note on her pillow when she was out training, wanting to avoid a confrontation with the lady. I didn't think I could handle doing this face-to-face.

As I stepped out of the castle, I waved at my few friends who I cared to tell that I was leaving. They weren't happy that I was going.

But I was.

I hated to leave things as they were.

But stepping out of Kippernia… I felt a weight lift from my shoulders and my heart opened up.

. . .