Chapter Text
It was the subtle murmuring growing throughout the castle ballroom that alerted Daniel. He and Lando both turned from their conversation to seek the source but everyone else was of the same mind, moving and frustratingly blocking the view.
It was Michael who, as always, provided the required information, his tone the appropriate signifier of calm surprise, “Princess Max and Princess Victoria have arrived.”
Daniel’s eyebrows rose high. He hadn’t seen either Amsterdam sibling in years, his last memory of them was their powerful father, King Jos, striding into a similar ball with his children trailing after, subdued and mute. Daniel remembered Max as gawky in a seafoam-green gown but with lovely eyes. Daniel had been expected to make the acquaintance of a fellow monarch’s son, and he had wanted to, wanting to see more of Max’s lovely eyes. But his father had shaken his head, wearing his most serious expression. King Jos was a skilled sorcerer with a swift temper and many ugly confrontations to his name. Many had feared him, until his sudden disappearance years later into one of the towers of his enormous gothic castle, leaving his first born in charge.
Many said that Princess Max had killed his father.
Lando’s eyes were wide as dinner plates, “Daniel, what do I-?”
“Speak to him,” Daniel encouraged, thoughts swiftly returning to the present. “You’re the host, he’s answered your invitation.”
“An invitation sent for pure protocol! No one expects him to answer!”
Daniel gently pushed his cousin forward, “But he has, a great honour. Let’s not offend him back to his castle.”
Lando’s eyes were still wide but he straightened his shoulders, hands adjusting the chiffon layer of his gown, and crossed the room, immediately flanked by castle guards. That parted the crowds so now Daniel could see Max and Victoria. Well. They both looked stunning in blue, Victoria’s gown was more of a summer sky while Max’s was the darker shade of dusk and revealed an intriguing flash of ankle. Both dresses were long-sleeved with bodices tastefully sparkling with jewelled embroidery. It looked especially fetching on Max, like stars in a sky. He also wore gloves that matched the colour of his dress and his hair was long down his back, styled away from his face. His tiara was simple, featuring diamonds and sapphires identical to both those in his ears and the number draped around his neck. He could no longer be described as gawky; his shoulders were broader and there was a challenging hardness in his eyes. His eyes were still lovely though. He gave every appearance of being not only comfortable but confident. It suited him very well. Daniel smiled, happily astonished, his heart doing something brand-new.
“You’re staring, Your Highness,” Michael pointed out in an undertone.
“I don’t see how anyone couldn’t.”
“You are likely the only one staring in that manner.”
Daniel blinked and gazed around the ballroom. Yes, people were staring, but mostly with distrust and fear. What could Princess Max want here? Who was he going to hurt? It was said he had turned a neighbouring kingdom’s platoon of soldiers into birds when they dared pilfer supplies meant for Amsterdam. It was said he kept his palace enslaved to his will through magic, that no one dared leave Amsterdam out of fear of what this ruling witch would do. No one dared to visit either, except those that brought supplies and were accordingly extremely well-paid. And here Max was now, a figure from the darkest stories told across kingdoms, the Dutch Witch, strolling in on the arm of his sister as though he was merely another guest. Daniel admired that brazen confidence, he admired a lot about Princess Max.
Lando currently had his hands tucked behind his back, a minor nervous tell. His own tiara sparkled prettily as he talked quietly with the new arrivals. Victoria was smiling as though genuinely enjoying the conversation, while Max was watchful, standing protective at Victoria’s side. No one else approached the trio, everyone had perceptibly hushed, even the musicians were playing more quietly, as though they could listen in. The castle somehow seemed darker now despite all the candles arrayed in the ballroom. And Daniel could see now the tension in how both siblings held themselves, despite their confidence. Every movement of theirs was being watched and they were apparently aware of, and affected by, it.
Now Daniel could see it, it was painful. He had no wish to spend his evening frozen in tableau or to see Max and Victoria made to stay at the centre of it so uncomfortably. He'd never been afraid of a certain degree of pushing protocol and he wasn't going to let his cousin's ball, the first Lando had hosted alone to mark his step into adulthood, be tarnished. So he tipped his head at Michael, informing him to keep watch, and strode over to the group, “Dear cousin.”
Lando’s relief was palpable but not unseemly. Apparently he had enjoyed the conversation despite his fear.
“Daniel! May I introduce Princess Max and Princess Victoria from Amsterdam? And this is my cousin, Prince Daniel of Perth.”
Daniel bowed appropriately low, he wasn’t going to insult them, and smiled warmly as they both curtseyed beautifully. “A pleasure. I believe I last saw you both when we were all a lot younger. I’m glad to meet you properly this time.”
“Indeed,” was all Max said, heavily-accented, his assessing gaze fixed on Daniel now.
Maybe it was the flattering cut of Daniel's breeches, coloured such a dark blue they were almost black, with a matching embroidered doublet open to reveal his grey shirt that was unlaced at the throat. Combined with his polished circlet, he knew the effect was striking, and that he and Max would look good together
But Daniel turned to Victoria instead, “I’m sure my cousin was about to suggest this but would you do me the honour of a dance? Lando cannot keep up with me.”
“You dance to your own tune,” Lando scoffed, but reassured Victoria hastily. “I’m sure he’ll behave better for you.”
“He will,” that was Max again.
Daniel kept his smile but nodded at Princess Max in agreement before returning to Victoria. A young princess should always dance at times like a ball. He was struck suddenly that her betrothal prospects had likely been shallow for years now. She smiled though, looking delighted.
“That is most kind, Your Highness. I would love to.”
Her voice held the same heavy accent as her brother's and her smile was beautiful. Daniel offered his hand, smiling with another nod as Victoria placed her hand in his with a confident air. At a gesture from Lando, the musicians began to play a much louder waltz and Daniel swept Victoria into the proper hold and movement. He was aware of Lando and George dancing together too, to take some of the attention. Other couples very slowly joined them, though the murmuring gossip did not die down.
It was Victoria who spoke first, “You have put yourself under such attention with this dance, Your Highness.”
“I promise my intentions are honourable. I enjoy dancing and did not enjoy the way you were received here.”
Victoria looked surprised and perhaps even touched at his words. It was heartbreaking. The stories of Max were chilling, even if there was only a grain of truth to them, but a life entirely isolated seemed too much punishment. Daniel knew his classics, and so knew that to treat anyone with such a lack of kindness rarely brought reward. He was very aware of Max’s gaze on them still, it made his heart behave strangely again.
“I seem to be under your brother’s attention now though,” he chuckled.
Victoria lifted her chin, looking not one ounce apologetic, “He has every reason for such concern.”
“He would be a regrettable brother if he did not watch you,” Daniel agreed. “My own sister is here, she stands with Duke Michael. He’s the tall gentleman in grey watching us. He holds concern for me and my spontaneous ideas.”
Victoria chuckled, her gaze sliding past Daniel’s shoulder and back again, “It’s well for you to have such caring friends.”
Daniel nodded and they danced until the music ended and applause rippled through the keen observers. Daniel bowed to Victoria and offered his hand to escort her from the floor. She smiled her thanks, her eyes shining, as they walked sedately together, whispers trailing in their wake. Daniel ignored them, he was glad to give the princess a better story tonight than any she’d overhear about her family from others.
“Truly, I thank you very much for the dance, Your Highness,” she said quietly.
“I would happily dance with you again, Your Highness, though I must be honest. I have no intent for anything but dancing and friendship. My interest lies elsewhere.”
Daniel would not lead her to a conclusion that was not foregone, he would not be so cruel. She was truly beautiful but his heart was already telling him loudly where he should be so focused. Victoria’s answering smile was warm and pleased.
“Your consideration does you credit, Your Highness. I am grateful for it. I promise not to while away hours with dreams of you.”
Daniel was surprised into a louder laugh and shook his head, “See that you don’t, Your Highness. Your hours could be much better spent.”
They arrived then at Michael and Michelle, who was wearing a beautiful green gown with gold accents and a matching tiara. Her smile at Daniel said she was proud of his actions and Daniel smiled back.
“Princess Victoria has agreed not to spend her days daydreaming of me,” Daniel said as a greeting, with a smile to Michael that said all had gone well. “So we must settle for friendship. Your Highness, this is Duke Michael who consents to spend his days running my life instead of dreaming of me, and this is my sister Princess Michelle who has much better dreams indeed.”
Michelle and Victoria curtseyed low to each other as Michael bowed and retorted, “Her Highness’s gracefulness was a distraction from your footwork.”
Victoria and Michelle laughed and fell into easy conversation together, to Daniel’s pleasure. Max was still watching him and there was a curiosity in his expression now that Daniel liked. He looked back and dipped his head in acknowledgement – he had behaved extremely well with Victoria. Max inclined his head in reply, his curiosity growing. A man approached then, blonde and broad-shouldered and dressed in a manner that indicated a rank likely similar to Michael’s. He talked quietly to Max who nodded in response.
There was loud laughter from a corner where Prince Charles of Monaco was ensconced with friends. Alex and George were trying to distract Lando but his focus was obvious to anyone paying attention. Charles was not paying attention. Daniel sighed,
“Affecting another rescue?” guessed Michael quietly.
“My brother, the errant knight,” teased Michelle, though she squeezed his arm in agreement.
Victoria looked puzzled and Daniel apologised, “It is not my story to tell, Your Highness.”
She nodded, “I wouldn’t ask you to break a confidence. Please, do not delay for me.”
Daniel bowed away and crossed quickly to Lando. George spotted him first, eyes lighting up. Lewis had already been and gone, due to meetings with Wales. He had brought several caskets of ale as a gift though and George wasn’t wearing any disappointment, no doubt he would be seeing his fiance later. Daniel patted him on the back and offered a hand to Lando.
“Come, cousin, I haven’t danced to my own tune with you yet tonight.”
Lando pulled his longing look from Charles’s corner and settled a slight frown on Daniel, “I don’t want to miss-.”
“Lando,” Daniel was gently insistent. “You are not a tree, don’t stay rooted all evening.”
Lando sighed but allowed himself to be escorted into a waltz, murmuring at the first steps, “If I am a tree, he is the sun.”
He sounded wistful and sad and Daniel hated to hear his cousin so, reminding him, “You invited him and he’s not said a word to you.”
“He’s deep in grief and I thought an invite to a ball might bring him some joy. None of you realise, I am happy to feel the sun’s rays, even when not directed to me. I do not expect more.”
Daniel shook his head. He didn’t dispute that Charles had suffered more than any should in such a short space of time, but it did not excuse how he breezed through life as though his actions affected no one. Daniel hated that his cousin knowingly poured love towards someone who did not act as though he could return it, or even notice it.
“You deserve more, cousin,” he said firmly.
Lando smiled, eyes glossy but certain, “That is my choice, cousin.”
Daniel returned Lando to his friends and danced with both George and Alex enjoying their company. Alex was especially sparkling as his betrothed was returning that week from her journey to see family. Daniel had missed Lily’s company and told Alex that they would have a quieter gathering to all reunite with her.
Charles had been drinking wine and was getting louder. He was staying upright for now, slouching back against a wall but Daniel was sure he was perilously close to tipping himself into the nearby ornate fireplace that currently housed a warming, burning, fire. If Daniel had his way, he would remove Charles and refuse him entry again until he was able to behave with a modicum of awareness and not scandalise at a ball that Lando was hosting. The wider world was not his to pour his pain into without consequence.
Lando would not have it though. And, Daniel noticed, Princess Max was looking at Charles with a deeply-felt disgust, murmuring something now to his sister who had returned to his side, likely warning her to keep away. If so, they were wise words, especially when Charles seemed to trip over nothing and only just stopped himself from falling. Daniel looked around until he spotted Prince Pierre, Charles’s closest friend and the most likely to hold sway over him. He caught Pierre’s eye and nodded towards Charles in question. Pierre’s eyes were very sad in response, he looked pained by Charles’s behaviour, and his husband, Prince Dany, looked stonily angry.
Still, he did not prevent Pierre from making his way over to the group. Being a minor royal married to a prince of one of the largest kingdoms, he commanded respect as he softly set about reorganising the group and removing Charles. Charles protested as his goblet was taken away and several members of the group looked disappointed that such amusement was ceasing. They would find others willing to dance with them though, Daniel was sure, just as he was sure that if any of them were invited to a ball in Perth, Michael would have them watched.
Pierre tucked his arm around Charles and gently but firmly guided him towards the doors. Charles didn’t protest much now, his eyes dull and somehow challenging, and he didn’t even glance towards Lando, his host. There was no goodbye or thanks for the evening. Lando’s face was pale, marked by pain and worry. George and Alex immediately gathered around him, offering comfort and shielding that only the closest of friends could provide.
Daniel approached Dany. They did not know each other well, though Daniel greatly admired the precision and speed that Dany could achieve on horseback. Dany was reserved away from his horses, a manner that was the way of his people that was even more pronounced when Pierre was not present.
“I apologise for using your husband like that,” Daniel said anyway, bowing in greeting.
Dany shook his head, his accent strong but not nearly as thick as Max and Victoria’s, “He is like a brother to Pierre, he hates to see Charles lose himself like this. It is too close to his heart to ever turn away.”
Pierre returned to the ballroom now and to his husband, his mouth tight with pain. “His coachman is taking him home, and swears he will ensure Charles doesn’t leave his palace tonight. I will apologise to Lando.”
Dany clasped one of Pierre’s hands between both of his. He spoke quietly and comfortingly in a language Daniel had never been able to follow but that Pierre understood, smiling softly and nodding in response. They were almost in their own world together, Daniel stepped away to give them the time they needed.
The ball was a little subdued now but there was still more dancing. Daniel made sure to keep spirits lively, his cousin’s ball was going to be a success. He noticed that Princess Max wore his gloves all night despite how warm the ballroom was and that the goblet he drank from never needed refilling. That was a very useful kind of magic.
Everyone but Victoria and Lando gave Max a wide berth and the gossip rose and fell around him, he made no attempt to counter it. Daniel watched him without shame and with a great deal of interest. Max met his gaze several times, still curious and assessing. Daniel smiled with steadfast warmth and his own open curiosity. Max’s gaze was cooler in return but Daniel detected some interest there. His heart refused to stay still.
“You will return home tonight with a curse you know nothing of,” Michael warned him.
“Then I will need to see him again to see it lifted,” Daniel smiled surely.
In fact, he was able to speak with Max when he and Victoria were leaving. Daniel had danced once more with Victoria, after Michael had danced with her with a willing smile and easy manner that made her smile in return. Then Max and Victoria had talked together quietly before going to Lando to thank him for the evening. It was not overly early and they were not the first to leave but their exit of course caught everyone’s attention. Daniel focused on them, and formed a plan.
When Victoria came to wish him a good night, he offered his hand, “Allow me to escort you to your coach, Your Highness.”
Victoria’s smile twinkled, “Are you sure you will not dream of me ?”
Daniel laughed in delight, dropping his hand, “Perhaps then, Michael could escort you, and I could escort your brother?”
Victoria’s smile twinkled some more, “I think that is a perfect idea.”
She accepted Michael’s now-offered hand, chatting to him easily as Daniel turned to Max who stood not far from his sister. Daniel offered his hand with a smile.
“Your Highness, may I escort you to your coach?”
Max’s gaze was still cool and roamed Daniel thoroughly. It left trails of heat in its wake though and Daniel’s smile grew slightly. Max nodded, placing a gloved hand in Daniel’s. Daniel’s breath caught in his throat, surprised by how he was affected by the simple feel of Max’s hand in his, as Max answered,
“Thank you, yes.”
Daniel took a deeper breath, nodded and led the quartet from the ballroom, past guttering candles and gossiping guests.
“I hope you enjoyed yourself, Your Highness.”
“Your cousin hosts well,” Max replied, the fabric of his gown whispering as they walked.
Daniel smiled with pride, he’d make sure Lando heard that comment, “It’s been a pleasure to meet you properly, I hope not for the last time.”
Max cast a glance at him, not offended at Daniel’s boldness, but curious again, tinged with a protectiveness that was soon explained, “You will be visiting my sister, I expect?”
Daniel shook his head, “Your sister is an excellent dancer and excellent company, I’m sure my sister wishes to speak with her again. But I have told Princess Victoria that I have other interests.”
He made sure his own gaze was appreciative as he looked at Max, as they all slowed in the entrance hall, where cloaks were returned to them. Max looked back, his protectiveness melting somewhat when he and Victoria shared a conversation in Dutch. Victoria was smiling encouragingly, as a servant wrapped a cloak around her shoulders and others carried lanterns to light the way outside to where their coach waited.
Daniel took a rich embroidered cloak from a servant and turned to Max, “May I?”
Max considered him a moment and nodded, turning so that Daniel could drape the thick fabric around his shoulders and back. He adjusted it slightly so that it draped correctly and thought for a moment about freeing Max’s hair from under it, but that was a step too familiar. He settled for brushing a hand against the cloaked plane of Max’s back. Max went very still but he didn’t shy away or look offended. His gaze was always assessing, and he took Daniel’s hand again when the prince offered. It was far from Daniel’s first time courting but never had such simple gestures felt as though they were setting off sparks.
The air was biting outside but Daniel didn’t complain as he handed Max up into the coach, watching as Michael did the same for Victoria and then stepped back, leaving Daniel to talk to the siblings. They looked more alike now, sat close together, arm in arm. The sight made Daniel smile. He was glad that they had each other.
“Are you travelling far tonight?” he asked.
“We leave for home tomorrow,” Victoria replied. “We have all we need for rest tonight.”
That was not a revealing answer. Daniel smiled knowingly, and asked Max, “Am I permitted to see you tomorrow, to wish you well for home?”
It was bold to ask but Daniel’s mind was made up. The manner in which Max affected his heart, and how the touch of Max’s hand felt, Daniel could not allow that to just fade into memory, not without making his serious interest unmistakably clear first. Max did not look scandalised, he did look unimpressed though, as though he’d been insulted. That receded a little as he studied Daniel, and Victoria gently nudged him with an encouraging nod. It was very good to have such close support.
“If you are able to find us tomorrow,” Max decided.
Daniel’s smile grew in appreciation. He was being issued a challenge, he was not being refused. His heart was dancing. He nodded deeply and asked,
“Do you have enough blankets for the journey?”
“Yes, we are well prepared,” Max responded as Victoria pulled only a couple of thick blankets from beneath the seating, beginning to unfurl them.
Daniel didn’t think that would be enough but then he thought of Max’s goblet never needing refilling and decided that the coach was likely to be the warmest place in the kingdom that night.
“Then I will wish you a good night and a pleasant journey,” he said, sharing a smile with Victoria. “Dream well, Your Highness.”
“I will, Your Highness.”
Daniel shared a gaze with Max for a brief moment, “I will see you tomorrow, Your Highness.”
Max nodded faintly, then deliberately knocked a gloved hand against the coach’s ceiling, “Drive on.”
Daniel stepped out of the way as the horses whinnied and moved at instruction from the driver. Max could have been coldly dismissing Daniel but he’d held Daniel’s gaze as they’d been driven away. Max’s expression had been challenging with a hint of being intrigued, telling Daniel to follow through on his words. Oh, Daniel loved how that made him feel.
“You’ll find yourself buried up to your neck by sundown tomorrow,” warned Michael.
But he was smiling. He knew Daniel’s interest was singular and special, because he knew Daniel. And despite the warnings, he clearly believed Daniel wasn’t in any serious danger yet. Daniel squeezed his arm, with a wide smile.
“Then I should drink well tonight. They should be preparing the hot wine inside as we speak. Let us garner Lando’s ball even more gasps and delight, and see how many have decided I am already betrothed to Princess Victoria.”