Chapter Text
I walk into the hall, seeing Prince Daniel sitting in his throne, all the way at the far end of the hall. 'fuck, he looks incredible' I think to myself. If only he knew what I really thought about him, how I don't think him marrying the princess of the neighboring kingdom is right. But honestly, why would he listen to someone like me? All I am to him is mere entertainment
His mother, Queen Mary, hired me to try and entertain him in preparation for working at his wedding. He is to be married in seven months time.
I finally got a few feet in front of his throne. I'm just close enough to see what he's wearing: a royal blue tunic paired with dark brown trousers, and black boots. Odd, royals never wear boots, perhaps he had been out riding hours before. I'm a tad embarrassed to admit I have watched him before. I mean, with a man this beautiful walking around the kingdom, how could I not watch him? It's like having a piece of living art for just me, but he's not mine, and he never will be.
"You! Jester!" Prince Daniel bellows, his voice ringing throughout the seemingly empty hall. Gods, his voice could command an army. And it most likely has at some point in time. "Come closer. I want to speak with you before your little.." he pauses and looks me up and down, but not with a look of disgust, but intrigue. "show. If that's alright, of course." He tacks on at the end.
"Yes, sir." I reply, calmly and as professionally as I can. "What would you like to discuss, sir?" I ask as I approach his throne. I glance up and see the red velvet cushions, but the buttons on the inside aren't gold like you would expect. Instead they're silver, much like the outside of the throne. This is because he doesn't like gold. He finds it to be too "showy", as he loves to call it. I recall him having a conversation with the queen about it, well, more an argument, but nevertheless. He finally answers my question.
"I'd like to discuss wedding details. Now, as you know, I am to be married in seven months time. Which to most doesn't sound that close, but in reality it is. I would like to plan a show for it. Now, obviously you and i know very well that is why my mother hired you, correct?" He pauses, waiting for my reply. I nod in response, not speaking until I'm told to. I don't usually do very well with that, but for him I've gotten much better. "Very well. I would like to walk the gardens with you and discuss, rather than just sit in here. Unless, of course, you'd prefer being here?"
"No, sir. I'd love to walk the gardens with you. I actually have some ideas for that night, if you wouldn't mind me sharing them?" I ask hopefully. He is far kinder than most people in this kingdom, he actually allows me to speak my mind, rather than keep it all inside. I appreciate it more than he knows. I'm far more used to being dismissed in my ideas and thoughts.
"Of course! I'd love to hear your thoughts about this!" He replies enthusiastically. "In fact, how about I ask my mother if you and I can go into town? We can go to all the little shops, maybe get food. If that's alright with you, of course." He starts to stand as he lists off his ideas, almost as if he's wanted to do this with someone for ages. I can't imagine what it's like being stuck in a large castle like this, needing to ask permission to go out and do simple things. This is why I enjoy being the jester, I rarely have to ask permission to go off the grounds. Only when the town has festivals going on and if it is a member of the family's birthday. Which happens to be only once a month, so the other days I can leave whenever. But, why would I if I had Prince Daniel?
"I would love to, sir! Shall I ask your mother, or would you like to, sir?" I ask, hoping he would ask her instead of me. Not that I dislike her, but she scares me a little bit. Ok, a lot. She is a very kind woman, and extremely beautiful. However, anytime I've seen her lately, she seems upset and extremely on edge.
"No need to ask, but I appreciate the offer. I can ask her. And, Phil?" He asks before turning to go find his mother.
"Yes, sir?" I ask, shocked he addressed me by my actual name. Nobody here does that, unless of course, they are in dire need to do so.
"You don't have to call me 'sir' everytime you address or speak to me. You can call me Daniel. Or even Dan, if you'd like to!" He replies kindly, and his extremely kind smile. Gods, how I love that smile. I could look at it for days.
"Really? I just figured that I would have to, considering that is what your mother told me when I started here. But, if you would prefer that, I can call you that instead." I reply as formally as I can manage, given the situation and topic, I suppose I can let go of some of my formality, right? I try to add on to the reply, but as I open my mouth to reply, he starts speaking again.
"Yes, Phil. I would much rather be called that than Prince Daniel or sir. I'm still 27, remember." He laughs as he replies to my shock. 'Oh, right. He's still 27. Shit.' See, I'm older than he is, not by many years. But it can be seen as a lot to many people.
"That is very true, I suppose calling you sir all the time probably makes you seem, and feel, much older than you are." I make a very poor attempt at trying to make this seem humorous, it does not work well. His once happy smile turns slightly sad.
"You're very right, Phil. But please don't let that make you feel bad. You were only following orders. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Now, I am going to go and find my mother, I will see you in a little bit. Goodbye, Phil." Dan yells as he runs off, before I can even say anything.