Beyond Castle Walls (Janiel AU)

Chapter 3: Perfection and Promises

Daniel's P.O.V

I stare in shock as I'm met with the gorgeous, sparkling blue-green eyes of Prince Joseph. The man of my dreams, the man of every young lady in our kingdom's dreams. And oh my how beautiful he is. With a shimmering golden crown sitting on top of his perfectly shaped light brown hair. Light skin, a little stubble and lips in the perfect shade of pink. He really was everything you could dream of in a prince. Oh, how I wish I could be of a higher class so that I may get to look upon his face every day. Unfortunantly that is not the life I was given.

"May I be so bold as to ask you for your name?" He speaks in his beautiful voice. My name? Why would the prince ever want my name?

"Of course Your Majesty. It is Daniel, sire. Daniel Christopher Preda." I say bowing my head to honor him. He sits down next to me before placing a finger under my chin to lift my head up to meet his gaze.

"Don't. Such beautiful eyes should never be staring at the ground. They should be drowning in the golden rays of the sun. And it's Joey, not Your Majesty, not sire, not even Joseph. I would want nothing more than for your lips to speak my name the way I wish it were." He says with a slight rosyness covering his cheeks. I feel my mouth dry up at his words. He wants me to adress him by a simple nickname? Me? 

"Your Majersty, I couldn't possibly. I am but a simple servant, an eight, sire. I tend to fireplaces and serve people from higher standings. I do not deserve such kindness." I say weakly. He takes my hand and hold it in his own.

"That, my sweet Daniel, is why you have to call me by my true name. I am surrounded by people every day who never listen to what I have to say if it is not an order. I feel eaten alive by people born into a life they do not deserve and I find myself filled with self hatred as I walk around like a god while others suffer. But in your eyes I see truth, honesty and true selflessness. So therefor Daniel, my name is Joey." He says truthfully. I am taken aback by his words. I feel lost as to why he opens up to me so, but I feel a strange tingeling sensation in my stomach at the fact that he does. He seems so interested in me and I cannot help but to wonder if he is in fact like me. But he couldn't be could he? There was no way the prince that every woman and young lady in the kingdom wanted, was in fact interested in boys, right?

"Fine, then my prince. I shall adress you as Joey, if that is what you wish." I say with a slight blush covering my cheeks. He smiles warmly at me and I can't help but think that this must be a dream. But as he sits down next to me, so close that I can feel the heat radiating of his body, I know it must indeed be reality.

"Good, I would want nothing more than to get to know you better Daniel, and for that to happen I believe that using what I consider my real name a good start. So, how come you are traveling so far into the woods?" He asks.

"I'm picking blueberries, sire. The maids of the house piced too few, and they were busy serving breakfeast. So the cook asked me if I would be willing to go, and of course I would never let her get in trouble for something she did not do." I say honestly as I show him the basket full of blueberries that I picked earlier. I bow my head a little, embarrased by myself and how I'm wasting his time talking about this. 

"That is truely sweet of you, Daniel. But once again it's Joey, not sire. And never hide away that beautiful face of yours, such a face should be shown off to the entire world so everyone can see what true beauty looks like." Joey says as he lifts my chin up to meet his gaze. I feel fragile under his gaze but god how I wish I could listen to him speak like this every single day of my life. Unfortunantly the sun his high in the sky, and I am running late.

"I apologize Joey, but I have to get going. I need to get  back before they notice I am gone, otherwise I will be awaiting a good whipping." I say sadly. He looks furious at my statement, and I can't imagine why. Whipping is a common punishment in the kingdom and perfectly legal aswell. 

"Who do you work for?" He says through gritted teeth.

"Ehm, I serve the Grimshaw residence." I say quietly.

" No wonder you would get whipped, I hate that horrid family. If they lay a hand on you please tell me, send me a letter or inform me the next time we meet. No one should have the right to hurt someone else like that. That is one of the first things I will forbid once I am king." He states. I sit and stare at him in complete admiration. How could someone be so beautiful inside and out? How could someone be so utterly perfect?

"Thank you, Joey. But wait, next time we meet?" I ask confused. He gets up and reaches a hand out to me. I get up aswell and he smirks at me.

"Of course, you didn't honestly think I would let you go without ever seeing you again, did you?" He says as I smile shyly.

"But how is that going to happen? I am barely allowed out of the house." I say sadly. It is however the truth, most days I hardly see sunlight except for the small rays coming in through the windows. Joey steps closer and wraps his arms around my waist. I gently lay mine on top of his shoulders while leaning into him. He smells of roses and honey and I can't help but try to inhale as much of his sweet scent as possible. A shiver runs down my spine as he lays his mouth close to my ear whispering;

"I will find a way. I promise, Daniel."