The Prince and The Knight

Chapter 2

Song of the chapter: Saving all my love by Whitney Houston

Joshua hadn't slept much, but he didn't mind. He'd spent all night working on You Give Good Love, the melody and lyrics flowing easily as he replayed moments from his dinner with Jace. It was the kind of inspiration he hadn't felt in a long time, and he couldn't help but smile every time he replayed the chords, imagining Jace's easygoing laugh, his bright eyes, his warm, unassuming presence. Somewhere around four in the morning, he finally put down his guitar, exhausted yet buzzing with excitement.

The following afternoon, he arrived at the studio for their first costume fitting. Rows of intricate garments lined the room—gowns in deep purples and reds, flowing robes, and a display of metallic armor. It was breathtaking, like stepping into the world of their film.

Joshua's stylist, a cheerful woman named Elena, guided him to a rack filled with his costumes. "So, these are your prince costumes," she said, holding up a lavishly embroidered jacket. It was opulent, with gold embellishments and rich blue fabric. Joshua ran his fingers over the intricate stitching, marveling at the attention to detail.

After a few minutes of wrestling into the elaborate outfit, he turned to look at himself in the mirror. He barely recognized the figure staring back. He looked every bit the prince—a young royal weighed down by the responsibilities of his status. The outfit was flashy, dripping with jewels and embroidery. It was beautiful, but it felt foreign, like he was hiding behind layers of fabric.

"How do you feel?" Elena asked, tilting her head as she adjusted his collar.

"Overwhelmed," Joshua admitted with a laugh. "It's incredible, but... a lot."

Elena smiled knowingly. "Wait until you try on the later costumes."

A few minutes later, Joshua had changed into his second outfit, one he'd wear during the film's later scenes. It was much simpler—a deep, dark tunic and trousers, with just a hint of royal embellishment around the cuffs. It felt closer to him, stripped down but dignified, and he immediately felt more at ease.

As he admired his reflection, Beyoncé walked in, her presence instantly commanding the room. She wore her Queen Celeste gown, an extravagant piece in deep purples and shimmering gold. The neckline was adorned with gemstones, and the sheer volume of the dress made her look both regal and untouchable. Joshua stared, momentarily lost for words. She looked like she had stepped out of a dream.

"Joshua!" she greeted him warmly, moving toward him with a graceful smile. She could tell he was a bit starstruck, and with a knowing grin, she gave his shoulder a gentle pat. "How are you doing? This must be a big change for you."

Joshua smiled, feeling some of his nerves dissolve under her kindness. "Yeah, it's... surreal," he said, scratching the back of his neck. "It's my first serious role, and then to walk in here and see all of this..."

"Luca has an eye for talent," Beyoncé said, her voice filled with warmth. "And I can see why he chose you. There's something real about you. That's rare." She looked him over thoughtfully. "You seem like someone with a lot of heart."

Joshua was taken aback. Here was Beyoncé—Queen Celeste in all her glory—saying things he'd only dared hope people might think about him. "Thank you," he said softly, feeling his cheeks warm. "That... that means a lot."

"Tell me about yourself," she said, leaning in, a genuine curiosity in her eyes. "How did you get here?"

Joshua hesitated. He wasn't used to talking about himself, not in a way that felt meaningful. "I grew up doing theater, small stuff," he said. "And then I got a few breaks, you know, things here and there. But this is the first time I feel like I'm... really acting, if that makes sense?"

She nodded, an understanding glint in her eyes. "You'll do great, Joshua. Just trust yourself. Acting's like music—you just have to feel it."

Joshua couldn't help but smile, feeling a rush of gratitude. Beyoncé wasn't just a superstar—she was genuine, comforting, almost motherly. They shared a moment of warm silence, and he felt a sense of belonging, as if he were exactly where he was supposed to be.

Just then, the door swung open, and Jace walked in, trying on his knight's armor for the first time. It was sleek and polished, with a rugged, hand-crafted look, accented by leather and steel. He looked every bit the knight—noble, tough, and undeniably attractive. Joshua's breath hitched, and he felt his cheeks heat up as Jace flashed him a quick, casual smile.

"Whoa," Jace said, looking Joshua up and down with an approving grin. "You look amazing, man. Definitely a prince."

Joshua stammered, trying to find his words, but his mind had gone blank. Jace's presence in that armor was almost too much, his confidence radiating from the polished metal and leather. Beyoncé, noticing his reaction, hid a smirk behind her hand, her eyes glimmering with mischief.

"T-Thanks," Joshua finally managed, feeling his face flush. "You, uh... look great too. Very... knightly."

Jace laughed, relaxed and easy. "Glad to hear it." He looked around, seemingly oblivious to the effect he was having on Joshua, and ran a hand over his armor. "Feels cool to actually try it on, you know? Makes everything feel more real."

Joshua nodded, forcing himself to focus. "Yeah, exactly," he said, his voice a bit steadier. "It's like stepping into character."

They chatted about the costumes, about the upcoming scenes, but Joshua could barely focus. Every time Jace flashed him a smile or made a casual remark, Joshua felt his heart skip a beat. It was ridiculous, really—he'd only known Jace for a few days, but something about him just felt... right. Effortless. As if they'd known each other much longer.

Beyoncé, watching this unfold, simply chuckled and excused herself, giving Joshua a wink as she left the room. Her knowing expression made him blush even more.

Eventually, the costume fitting wrapped up, and Joshua found himself back in his apartment, his head still spinning from the day. He dropped onto his bed, staring at the ceiling, letting himself replay every moment. The way Jace had looked in the armor, his easy smile, the warmth of his presence. Joshua's mind drifted back to their dinner, to the quiet moments between them, to the comforting sense of connection he hadn't been able to shake.

He reached for his guitar, his fingers instinctively finding a new melody, one that felt softer, more vulnerable. This song was different from You Give Good Love. It was quieter, aching with a kind of longing he couldn't put into words. He called it Saving All My Love, a bluesy, soulful tune with a hint of the '80s heartthrob vibe that seemed to capture exactly how he felt. The lyrics spilled out, talking about waiting, about holding on, about that hopeful, unspoken tension of new feelings.

The song filled the room, the chords ringing out, capturing the way Jace had left him feeling—like he was teetering on the edge of something, something that could be real and breathtaking and entirely worth the wait.

As he finished, he strummed the final chord, letting it linger in the quiet. He sat there, his guitar resting on his lap, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. Jace Norman was more than a co-star; he was becoming a part of Joshua's music, of his inspiration. And he wasn't sure where this feeling would lead, but he knew one thing—it was only just beginning.