Daniel has lived a simple life. As a stable boy he has never really had to deal with the politics of wealth or status. His life has always been of a more simple nature. This has allowed him to become a very optimistic man. He believes that happiness is of much greater value than wealth, or power. This is perhaps, why he is so ready to believe in true love and the power behind it. After all, what force could ever hope to stand in the way of true happiness?

It has to be said that, for his age and the life he lives, Daniel proves to be a naive man. He believes there is good in people, and is willing to give even the less savory individuals the benefit of the doubt. When Regina expressed her fears of what Cora would do to them if she found out, he was reluctant to agree. He wanted to believe that a mother would not stand in the way of her daughter's happiness, not even Cora.

Still, he chose to run away with Regina, with the news that Cora had agreed to have her daughter marry the king. He knew he would not be able to offer her much in life, but they would be happy together, and for him, that was more than enough. There is nothing that true love can not conquer, and so, surely, they would find a way to survive. He would do anything for Regina.

He proved to be more than willing to trust that Cora had, in fact, come to her senses and was willing to let her daughter find happiness, with her blessing, and so his murder came as a completer surprise to him, at her hand. What he fully believed to be a gesture of good will and forgiveness only sealed his fate, cruelly and far too soon. He underestimated Cora's willingness to put power and wealth above love, because he, himself could not understand why anyone would do such a thing.

He has faith, a good heart, and a lot of patience, but that was not enough to save him, and for his trust and naivety, he paid the ultimate price.