The Prince and The Knight

Chapter 1

Songs of the chapter: You give good love by Whitney Houston

The meeting room at the studio was buzzing with excitement, filled with the energy of actors, some of the best in the industry, who were all waiting for one person—Luca Guadagnino. Freshly cast in his latest passion project, a fairytale film that would explore love, loneliness, and identity, the actors sat around a sprawling table, flipping through their scripts or exchanging polite smiles.

Joshua Bassett's heart pounded as he fidgeted with his water bottle, trying to mask his nervousness. This was his first serious role, and he was set to play the runaway prince. A character who wasn't just a royal but someone torn between his freedom and his heart—a role unlike anything he'd tackled before. This project was huge, a Luca Guadagnino fairytale, with a cast that included Beyoncé, Elizabeth Olsen, Don Cheadle, and Jace Norman as the knight sent to retrieve him. Joshua swallowed hard, feeling out of his depth.

And then, as if his nerves had somehow summoned him, Jace Norman sauntered into the room. Dressed casually in a hoodie and jeans, Jace had a presence that commanded attention, even though he seemed completely at ease, his hands tucked into his pockets as he strolled in. Joshua watched him from the corner of his eye, feeling even more nervous now. Jace was playing the knight who would cross the land to find and bring back the prince—and, in the story, ultimately fall in love with him. Joshua had read through the script and couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement every time he thought about their scenes together. But meeting Jace in real life? That was something else entirely.

Jace glanced over, his eyes meeting Joshua's, and he shot him a quick, friendly nod. Joshua tried to smile, but it ended up as more of a shaky half-grin.

"Hey, Joshua, right?" Jace said, moving over to the empty seat beside him. "You're playing Prince Alessio?"

Joshua nodded. "Yeah, that's me." He forced a laugh. "Hopefully I don't butcher it."

Jace chuckled, sliding into the seat beside him. "You'll be fine. It's gonna be fun."

As the rest of the cast filtered in, Joshua found himself caught in the whirlwind of introductions. Beyoncé was there, a regal presence in a casual but effortlessly chic outfit. She was playing Queen Celeste, Alessio's mother, and as they exchanged a warm handshake, Joshua felt his nerves begin to settle. Beyoncé had a grounding presence, and she gave him a reassuring smile that made him feel like he belonged. Elizabeth Olsen and Don Cheadle, playing powerful sorcerers, were poised and charming, instantly slipping into character. Isaac Powell, Nico Greetham, and Maxwell Jenkins rounded out the cast, bringing an infectious energy that lifted the room.

Luca Guadagnino finally entered, calling everyone to attention with a few soft words. He radiated warmth and creative energy, and the room seemed to hang on every word as he introduced the project, explaining his vision of a fairytale unlike any other. He wanted the film to be "authentic and intimate," a journey into love and courage that would stay with audiences long after the credits rolled.

Joshua found himself tuning in and out, distracted by his own nervousness. But then Luca called for them to begin the read-through, and suddenly Joshua's stomach flipped.

As they read through the script, Joshua could feel his nerves bubbling up, his hands shaking slightly every time he had a line. But when it was his turn to deliver Alessio's first line, Jace leaned over, his voice low and calm. "You've got this."

That simple reassurance steadied him. Joshua took a deep breath, letting himself sink into the character of Prince Alessio. He read his lines, letting the words wash over him, letting himself become the prince who longed for freedom yet was caught in the web of his obligations. And every time he looked up, Jace was there, playing the knight who saw through the prince's mask, the one who, with every line, seemed to care just a little too much.

Their chemistry was undeniable. Joshua could feel it, and from the smiles exchanged around the table, it seemed like the rest of the cast could, too. Beyoncé, in her role as Queen Celeste, delivered her lines with a depth that made Joshua's character feel real. When she put a hand on his shoulder in a motherly gesture during one of her lines, he could feel the beginnings of a bond forming between them, not just as characters, but as actors. By the end of the read-through, Joshua felt something new—a spark of excitement, a thrill that he was part of something magical.

After the read-through, Luca clapped his hands, clearly pleased. "Thank you all for bringing such life to the story today. Joshua, Jace—great chemistry. I've set up a dinner for the two of you tonight. I want you both to feel comfortable, to understand each other beyond the script."

Joshua's heart skipped a beat. Dinner with Jace? Alone? He barely managed to nod as Luca dismissed them.

Later that night, Joshua found himself sitting across from Jace at a cozy, dimly lit Italian restaurant. The initial awkwardness soon melted away as they started talking. Jace was easygoing, asking questions about Joshua's journey as an actor and sharing funny stories from his own experiences on set.

"I have to say, you killed it today," Jace said, dipping a piece of bread into olive oil. "For your first big role, that was impressive."

Joshua laughed, feeling himself relax. "Thanks. I was a wreck. I mean, Beyoncé was right there, and I was trying not to faint."

Jace laughed too. "She's something else. But honestly, you belong here. Luca doesn't just pick people at random."

They talked for hours, the conversation weaving between their lives, dreams, and the pressure of the industry. They had more in common than Joshua expected. They both understood the highs and lows, the feeling of constantly being watched, of always having to be "on." By the end of the night, it felt like he'd known Jace for years.

Outside the restaurant, Joshua shivered in the cool night air. He hadn't realized how late it had gotten.

"Need me to walk you home?" Jace asked, hands tucked in his pockets, his breath visible in the chill.

"Sure," Joshua said softly, his heart racing again.

The walk was quiet, but comfortable. When they reached Joshua's apartment building, they stopped, standing under the faint glow of the streetlight.

"This was fun," Joshua said, smiling up at Jace. He felt a sudden rush of gratitude, realizing how much Jace had helped him today, both with his nerves and just...everything.

"Yeah," Jace replied, smiling down at him. "Glad we got a chance to talk."

Before he could overthink it, Joshua leaned in and hugged Jace. It was brief, but the warmth lingered, and when he pulled back, he could see a softness in Jace's eyes that made his cheeks heat.

"Good night, Joshua," Jace said, his voice low.

"Good night," Joshua replied, watching as Jace walked away.

As he went upstairs, Joshua felt a strange sense of longing. He pulled out his guitar and let his thoughts flow, the warmth of the night inspiring the first chords of a song that he titled You Give Good Love. It was soft, soulful, with an '80s groove, and as the melody took shape, he couldn't stop himself from smiling. He had no idea where this journey with Jace would go, but for the first time in a long time, he was excited to find out.