When Mother announced that she would be leaving again for the day, I didn't wait too long before asking Daddy the same question as the day before. Unable to say no, he nodded his head, and I left the dining hall early.

"Daniel!" I yelled to get his attention, running at full speed into the stables. He turned and smiled as he saw the riding outfit I was wearing, his smile only widening when I ran into him, hugging him boldly. I couldn't help it...why should I hold back?

His arms wrapped around my shoulders, pulling me closer in his warm embrace. The sweet aroma of his work permeating my nose as I leaned in closer, rejoicing in his touch. I pulled away after a long moment, worried my bashfully pink cheeks might give away the butterfly feeling in my belly. "Let's go..." I whispered with a grin.

Daniel guided Rocinante out further than our typical spot, telling me I would love where we were going. "What's so special about it?" I asked repeatedly, but he wouldn't tell me.

He jumped from Rocinante's back first, a girlish smile creeping to my lips as he offered his hand out to me. We were still on the castle pasture grounds, but I had never been allowed out this far. Rolling green hills surrounded us, but in the distance opposite the castle something caught my eye, "What is that?" I asked Daniel, pointing.

"It's an old village," He answered, joining me once Rocinante was tied up properly. Daniel watched my mesmerized eyes as I scanned the horizon. "I've never been in one of the villages..."

"Never?" He sounded surprised, like he didn't believe me.

I shook my head, "Mother doesn't usually bring me on her trips...and the only places I've ever been allowed to visit are the homes of the royal families Mother visits."

"Oh..." He whispered, sitting down beside me in the grass. I didn't mind getting my riding outfit dirty, as long as Mother didn't see. "Have you heard of firefly hill?"

"No...Have you been there?"

"I have...It's beautiful... At night after the sun sets, it looks like a thousand little stars floating around you... The fireflies are everywhere. And you can see all the villages from the top of the hill..." He explained, a soft, dreamy look in his eyes as he spoke about the beautiful place. But his eyes always looked dreamy...

"That sounds so amazing... I've always wanted to see other places." We were both quiet for a long moment, but I broke the silence, "Where else have you been...? Did you travel a lot before you came to work here?"

We were close. Close enough that I had to quickly pull my arm away as it accidentally brushed against his as I reached out to flick a leaf aside. "I traveled a good bit for a few years...while I was on my own."

"On your own?" I murmured, quickly apologizing when I realized I had rudely interrupted.

"It's alright," Daniel smiled, his gentle eyes meeting mine. "I was on my own for a long time. My parents were killed when I was a child, and I stayed with a family friend for a while after that. He taught me a lot..." He stopped talking, as if worried he was going to bore me. Which certainly wasn't the case, although I was timid to ask more questions.

"What did he teach you?" I asked, turning my head so I faced him instead of the open pasture.

"He was the one who taught me how to ride horses, and how to take care of them. I learned a lot about keeping grounds, castle work, and other village jobs. He kept me up until I was able to find work."

"Why aren't you still with him?" I asked, his deep blue hues dropping the long gaze we shared when the question was asked.

"He...he passed away a bit before I decided to come here," His soothingly deep voice faded away. I could tell, this man, whomever he was, meant a great deal to Daniel. Without thinking, I lifted my hand from where it was lying on the ground, gently placing it on top of his. His eyes lifted, searching my dark orbs, unsure. I gently squeezed his hand, and he smiled.

"He's the reason I'm able to take care of myself today, even if that means working as a stableboy. I enjoy riding," He turned his hand over in one swift motion, his palm up as my hand rested in his. "I've enjoyed teaching you as well, although you were already a quite brilliant rider."

Our smiles grew easier, my hand unmoving in his, I tried to lighten the mood, "Am I the first 'student rider' you've ever had?" Daniel laughed at my playfully taunting stare, knowing the answer I wanted to hear, "Yes you are, Regina." I grinned brightly, "You're lucky then," I continued to teasingly joke, "You got an easy start."

"Oh I'm so lucky," He flashed me the brilliantly white smile I had come to love, and we laughed together until the peaceful silence overtook us again.

"I wish I could see firefly hill...and all the other places you've been," I whispered, my voice like a child sharing a secret.

"Maybe you will one day," He answered in his always soft tone, "One day."

I was running late for the evening meal, and Daddy made sure I knew it once I arrived. "Regina Mills, do you realize that your Mother could've returned long before now? Or what she could've done had she found that you weren't here?" These nags continued for several minutes, but I continued to ignore his pounding questions. He sighed, giving up.

I had made up my mind. As crazy as it sounded, even in my head... Seeing Daniel was worth any trouble I could face with Mother, even her magic. Seeing him was the only freedom I had ever felt. He was the only person who had always shown he cared, and I cared for him too. I refused to let it go.