felicity ;

two

Dan found the hundreds of guests to his kingdom a lot less menacing when he was among them instead of the object of their judgement. It wasn't hard to fall into conversations, offering just enough attention to the nobles that they were satisfied, and that his father would leave him alone for awhile.

After a few conversations, though, it became exhausting. Dan found it harder and harder to hold his fake smile as the intruders to his kingdom poked and prodded at his family, at their laws, complaining that the food wasn't to their liking or that the music was too loud.

He made his way to the edge of the room, slipping behind a pillar. His curls fell over his eyes as he laid his head against the cool stone. The bubbling voices bouncing around the room filled his ears until they ran together, blending into a single and horrific note.

"You, too, huh?" A soft voice whispered.

Dan jumped away from the pillar, spinning around to face whoever had spoken. A tall man with a mop of brown curls and striking green eyes stared back at him, an amused sparkle in his gaze.

"What do you want?" Dan hissed in a voice light enough so only the man could hear.

"I don't want anything. You're the one who intruded on my hiding spot."

Dan's cheeks warmed. "I thought I was alone."

The man pushed away from the wall he was leaning against, "Well, obviously not, or I wouldn't be speaking to you." He offered his hand to Dan, his lips spreading into a friendly smile. "PJ Liguori. Water faction."

Dan took his hand hesitantly. "Liguori? You're the Prince of the Water faction?"

"Sadly." After a moment, Pj seemed to realize who he was talking to, pulling his hand back "I mean, take no offense to this, Your Highness, but I really do not want to be here." He sheepishly played with a bracelet wrapped around his wrist, "I was born into this life, I most definitely was not made for it."

Dan looked at the tall man before him in new light, "I don't want to be here either, actually," Respect laced the tones of his voice. He chuckled lightly, watching Pj begin to relax.

"But this is for your birthday!"

"It's not, really, my father just wants an excuse to strengthen ties within the kingdom. Even so, I'd rather spend my birthday with my brothers and my sister, not with these stuck up nobles who think they are entitled to my presence."

They both fell into a sharp silence as footsteps drifted close to the pillar they were hidden behind. A sigh of relief fell from Dan's lips as they continued on without stopping. He glanced up to find Pj staring curiously at him, returning his interested gaze with a glare.

"What?"

"Nothing," He spoke. A look from Dan led him to continue, "I just find it ironic that I've heard of you since I was a child, of how influential and important you are. I imagined that you would be some kind of hard ass, but you're literally hiding with me from the nobles."

Dan let out a chuckle, "Imagine being the center of attention in this bullshit," he threaded his hand through his hair. Pj tilted his head, watching Dan's movements. "It's draining."

Pj scoffed, "I guess you could say that," They sat in silence for a moment, the voices of Dan's party guests bouncing off the tall ceilings of the ballroom. Pj shifted his gaze to the crowd, "You're probably being missed. You should head back."

Daniel let out a deep breath he didn't know he was holding in, his attention sliding back to the pulsating crowd of people talking in groups about the room,"I suppose." His eyes made their way back to Pj's. "Will you join me? I know that might be a strange request, seeing as we haven't known each other long, but you happen to be the nicest person I've met tonight. I'd appreciate your company."