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Daniel was never good at biting his tongue, which was something that ended up helping him more than it hindered him considering it was how he ended up working as a Fool. However, with all his work before, he was never in danger of having his head cut off over a poor joke.
When the royal court announced their need for a new jester, he’d thrown his hat in the ring without a second thought—it would be an honour to perform for the King Armand (and live so luxuriously), even if King Armand was known for his poor temperament and loose use of his executors. He reminded himself of this as he entered the palace, steeling his nerves.
Yet, the second he stepped foot in the throne room, any material he’d prepared beforehand disappeared from his mind as he took one look at the King. He was more handsome than any portrait or description had portrayed. It made Daniel breathless. Quickly, he recovered, bowing his head and introducing himself. Then he launched into a humorous, exaggerated tale of a man who mistook a scarecrow in a field with his wife and his wife mistaking the scarecrow as a mistress.
Armand didn’t laugh, he didn’t even smile, it struck both Daniel’s fear and his ego. So, he did what only the Fool could do—he insulted the King. “With such a sour reaction like that, no wonder you old jester up and disappeared. I’m only surprised your humourless highness has attempted to find a replacement.”
Finally, that earned him a reaction, Armand tilted his head slightly and his eyes actually focused on him. “Perhaps your story was just not funny.”
Daniel’s eye twitched in irritation, “Who am I to argue with you? I am just a poor Fool,” he replied sarcastically, ignoring the scathing insults screaming in his head, “And I quite like having my head attached to my body.”
“Yes,” Armand smiled—a small victory, “I’d imagine you do…”
“It is my second best feature.”
“What’s the first?” Armand raised his eyebrow, taking Daniel’s bait.
“I’ll show you later if you ask nicely enough,” he said, winking with a voice full of innuendo.
At that, King Armand laughed—loudly and freely—and Daniel found himself for the first time in his life wanting to produce that sound more not because it was his job, but because it was so melodic and beautiful. All of the King’s worried creases disappeared in a moment of pure enjoyment. Warmth blossomed in Daniel’s stomach.
“Of course such a high brow man would have such low brow humour,” Daniel rolled his eyes, not bothering to hide his proud smile.
Daniel breathed a sigh of relief and leaned against a wall in the hallway finally having finished his audition. He was just thinking about how glad he was to have made it through the interaction with his head, when suddenly King Armand rounded the corner and approached him.
“Your majesty,” Daniel bowed. Armand appraised him, looking him up and down, yet there was more to his gaze than simple judgement—there was a hint of interest and desire. “Careful no one sees you look at me like that. It may cause a fair few rumours in the court.”
The King stepped forwards, Daniel felt his heart rate elevate as he panicked that his comment had offended the man, then he lightly touched a ruffle on Daniel’s tunic, “Perhaps I’d like that…”
“Then I’ll get started spreading some immediately, my Lord,” Daniel joked, shoving down his nerves while looking into Armand’s big, brown eyes.
Armand smiled, “Or instead you could come give me a private performance,” his eyes drifted to his lips, “In my chambers.”
“ Very interested in seeing my best feature, huh?” Everything in Daniel screamed that it was a bad idea to agree. Armand was a temperamental man, known for executing people for the smallest slights. It would only end horribly. But, living up to his role as the Fool, Daniel responded, “Anything for you, my King.”