Phil had had bad days.

He had had days where he was certain he would be mauled by some sort of bear during a hunt. Days where he would rather be attacked by such an animal than be stuck in his current situation. And, of course, days that just sorta sucked.

Today was not one of those days.

Today was the kind of day he just wished he could take a pleasant stroll through the garden, where a warm, peaceful wind would gently urge him forward...towards the edge if a cliff, where he would fall off and die.

Weddings never seemed to be the best of days for anyone. Even the now-queen, his father's second wife, had cried on the day of hers.

He couldn't help but wonder how Merabeth was feeling. Was she sad? Angry? Happy? Did she even care?

Phil would try to be a good husband to her, though he knew it wouldn't matter. When she had to, she would stand by his side and support his decisions. The perfect queen, when the time came. At every other time, she would ignore him, most likely. Run straight from his side into her lover's arms.

At least he knew he would be able to do the same.

Dan hadn't been there in the morning. He never skipped that time; Phil may not need him to help with anything, but it was the time when they talked. About their sisters, Dan's family. The future and the past alike. He loved those moments; they both did. It was one of the only times during the day when they could both be truly candid with each other.

Phil had checked with Alice and Daniella, but neither of them had seen him all day either. They didn't seem to mind; neither had ever loved schoolwork, even with Dan.

It would make sense that Dan wouldn't want to be at the palace, today of all days. Between the chaos outside, where a colorful crowd of citizens and guests was already gathered, and the fact that he had somehow managed to hurt his leg in the past few days, Phil would be incredibly surprised if he would be able to make it to the palace at all. Or if he would even want to. As much as Phil wanted to convince himself that Dan was being distant for any reason, any besides the obvious, he knew. After today, it was official. He could never be Dan's, and Dan could never be his.

Even he was struggling with the pain of it.

As Phil walked down the hall, visiting lords and dukes and ladies bowed and curtsied to him before scurrying away again like there was fire at their feet. The only one who didn't was a pretty girl in a maid's uniform.

He smiled and stepped to the side, putting an arm around the girl and leading her to walk with him. Lucy was a childhood friend of his, and one of the sweetest people he knew. Having seen how close they had gotten even just during the past week, Phil could only guess she would be Dan's future wife.

He could find no resentment towards the girl for that. After all, it was only fair that Dan find someone to settle down with, and she the same. With his bitter tinge and her overall sweetness, they would form a perfect sort of balance. It would only be natural.

"Alice. How're you doing today? Did you get to see any of the performances in the square? It's quite chaotic. Fun, but chaotic."

"Hello, Your Highness. I didn't manage to get out yet; maybe when I'm done with today's work I can head outside. I'm sure the events after the wedding will be even more grand. This kind of thing only happens for people like me once in a lifetime, you know."

She was right, of course. While the prequel to the nuptials would be fun, after would be twice as amazing. Not just to celebrate the future, but the past and present as well.

"Well, from now on I give you leave to go out and enjoy all of it." He handed her a handful of coppers as well, "And take these, too. If anyone objects, send them to me."

"Thank you, Phil," her eyes shined as she accepted the money. "I really do appreciate this. Though before I go, I must ask, are you alright?"

"Hmm?"

"You seem slightly distant today. Are you happy?"

He ran a hand down his face with a sigh, looking around the hall. The few people who lingered in it scurried immediately at his glare. Once they were gone, Phil shook his head, letting his shoulders drop. "No, Alice. I'm far from it. I don't want to marry Merabeth, I want to...well, I suppose it doesn't matter. And Dan isn't here today, so I suppose I'll need a new butler for the day."

"Oh, of course you won't," she beamed. "I can't help you with the first part, but I don't suppose you'll need to find new help."

"Is he-is he here?"

Alice nodded. Phil was barely able to sputter out a strangled "Goodbye" before taking off down the hall and turning into his room.

A tall figure stood near the bureau, light from the nearby window illuminating his face in a blinding halo. Dan turned around so that he was facing Phil and smiled slightly. It was one of the smiles Phil always gave, closed-lipped, only halfway there. But it was enough for now.

Phil stumbled towards him blindly, wrapping his arms around Dan's shoulders. The other boy gave a small grunt at the sudden weight, but hugged him back nonetheless.

"What is this all for?" Dan asked, pulling away to sit on the edge of the bed. Phil joined him.

"I wasn't expecting you to come today. You weren't there this morning."

"I just took a while to walk here. I had to head back about halfway because my leg started bleeding again." Phil gave him a scrutinizing look and he sighed. "Honestly, Phil. It hurts to see you with...her, the princess, but not nearly as much as it would to go on without you. Therefore, you're stuck with me 'till the end of time."

"Even when it causes you pain?"

Dan bit his lip and took Phil's hands in his own, rubbing his thumb in rhythmic circles on the back of Phil's palm seemingly subconsciously. "Look, Phil, the whole time I've known you, I've also known that I...that I could never be with you." His voice remained strong as he spoke. "This is just another stab wound, really."

Phil leaned his head against Dan's shoulder. It felt strange, being the vulnerable one. Voice muffled against the other's shirt, he murmured, "Do you ever wonder what it would be like if this was different?"

"Which part?" He said tiredly, "You and I? Our roles, as king and servant? Our genders? The world? Simply the wedding, with me in place of the princess? Take your pick, because I've thought for far too long about all three."

Phil could relate.

"The latter, I suppose."

"Well, I'm certain it would be one of a kind." Dan chuckled slightly, "But just as celebrated. Even now, not many probably care about the actual union. It's all about the celebrations that come along with it. It would be grand, it would be elegant, and the night after the honeymoon your father would kill me."

"He wouldn't."

"Possibly."

"What was your parent's wedding like?"

"Horribly romantic. My mother's friends spent hours searching for the most beautiful flowers, and then braided them in her hair. They used to say their vows from that day after every fight, as a reassurance that they were still in love. 'And you'll be mine and I'll be yours, and if you die I'll die, and 'till the end of time we'll be together'. Their type of love was the kind you always felt like you could drown in, or drown just from being around. I always wanted to find someone I could love like that."

"And?"

Dan kissed Phil's cheek. "And I did. C'mon, you need to get dressed. It's going to start in an hour."

"You sound way too upbeat for that."

"I'm just trying to pretend it's us getting married today. It's a cruel sort of therapy."

Phil couldn't have agreed more.

The king had personally offered Dan a front row seat to the event. Of course, after their little "chat" he knew it wasn't exactly from the good of his heart.

"Your Majesty. Is there something you'd like to speak to me about?"

"Don't be sharp with me, you child." The king lifted his sharp chin. His features were so like his son's-high cheekbones, full pink lips. Blue eyes like a peak of sky through the clouds. "I am your superior, and I think you know just how easily I could have you disposed of."

"Of course I do, Your Majesty. Master Phillip already filled me in on that particular detail."

Dan glared at him, hoping to get as much contempt across as he physically could with just his eyes.

"You may be wondering why I wanted to talk to you."

"I'm absolutely baffled."

"I saw you with my son."

"Oh?"

"In the garden. I have to say, I never knew anyone could taint his mind more than that wretched Christian."

Dan's fists curled at his sides. Warmth spread through him, but not the good kind, like what he felt when he looked at Phil. The hot, angry kind. One of fury. "It was Carlton, sir. The one you killed was named Carlton, and you're a monster for doing so. You damn near killed your own son, and-"

The king waved him awake flippantly. "You can't possibly believe that I actually care. At any rate, Phillip decided to protect you, though I can't imagine why. It would only take him another few weeks to find a new peasant to play around with."

"You know, everyone says that's what he's doing, but it sure doesn't seem like that when he kisses me."

"I would advise you to stop right there."

"Or when he wraps his arms around me. Or when I walk into his room every morning, and I think he's just going to say hi, but instead he spurts out the most romantic thing."

"You're nothing but a peasant who doesn't deserve a second of his attention."

"All a matter of opinion, I suppose. You know what I think? I think you're a sad, misunderstanding little-"

The king snapped his fingers and stepped away from the raging boy. A group of burly men stepped up instead and pushed Dan against the wall.

His head hit the stone, and when he woke up an hour later Daniella and Alice were leaning over him with worried faces. The king was gone.

Dan opened his eyes. The wedding was in full swing, by now. The priest was spurting some crap about "duty" and "honor" and "life, for our country and themselves".

His eyes were focused on Phil, looking impossibly indifferent and regal with his blue suit and gold staff, when he heard the scream.