XVI. When a lover suddenly catches sight of his beloved, his heart palpitates.
The stands were full to bursting and many who couldn't gain entry were on nearby hills trying to catch a glimpse into the tourney fields to see what might happen. Danny's chest tightened as he entered with his father and they made their way to the podium.
His father presented the third and second placed competitors with their prizes while Danny stood, back straight but eyes low listening to the pounding of his heart and the blood rushing through his ears. Everything was dulled and he felt a little dizzy and unsure.
He was nudged by his father and stepped forward, taking the shining necklace from the presentation pillow and held it up to place around Steve's neck.
"To the Champion," Danny said as Steve accepted the medallion. "Sir Steven, you are victorious for another year. Your third."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
"I know what you're thinking," Danny blurted. "You would fall on your own sword would you not? In an attempt to spare me any hardship."
Steve reached into his pocket and pulled out the favor Grace had given him of Danny's lacing and held it out, returning it to its rightful owner. "I am a knight. I live by a code to do no harm. I could think of nothing worse than to hurt you and if you truly do not want to be with me, then I will walk away."
Danny ignored the proffered gift and stepped closer, his head tilted back to look into Steve's eyes. "Ask me," he said quietly.
"What?"
"The greater hurt would be to miss a chance at happiness. To see you suffer because of my stubbornness. I was taught by a knight, I know the code and I want to live by it, too. So please, if I have not upset the course of fate by my actions earlier today… ask me."
Steve stood unmoving like he hadn't heard a word of what Danny had said. Like he'd resigned himself to what he thought was going to happen and yet here was Danny tipping it back on its head. Steve turned his head to look at the crowd. Then after a moment, his eyes shifted by Danny to Sir Edward in a question that was answered with an indulgent smile. Finally the knight looked to Danny, keeping his eyes on the prince, as he took a knee. A gesture that the crowd responded to with a roar so loud it would be impossible to hear anything Steve would have said.
They waited for the noise to die down enough then Steve looked up at Danny. "Prince Daniel, it would be my greatest honor, if you would consent to our union... our marriage."
Danny smiled and nodded so the crowd understood his answer. "It would be my honor to accept," he said and took the lacing from where Steve's hand still clutched it and began to feed it through the holes in the top of his shirt.
Steve stood and batted his hands away. "Leave it loose. It suits you," he said and before Danny could make a pithy remark they were kissing and the crowd was going berserk in response but Danny didn't hear any of it, nor did he hear Sir Edward's hearty clapping or the sound of Grace screaming as she ran from the royal box and onto the field in excitement.
"Tonight we celebrate!" Sir Edward announced to the crowd as Grace threw herself between Steve and Danny and hugged the stuffing out of them.
Maybe the tournament wasn't so bad after all.