AN: Bonjour, Ladies and Gentlemen! I've been writing fanfic for years in all manner of genres, but this is my very first foray into Ever After, and the historical fiction/fantasy genre. I love the film because, it's a gentle, sweet, two hours of entertainment. However, if you research the real story of Herni II of France the truth becomes a far more intriguing tale. His true love, Diane de Poitiers was Queen of France in all but the legal way, and 18 years older than he. His true 'Gabriella' was the infamous Catherine de Medici, and his childhood, tragic and completely devoid of love. I hope to blend many of the events of our Henri's childhood, and more of the real people in his life. I'll also add OC's made up from various historical persons as my plot moves along. As for Danielle, our beloved Cinderella already has *many* of the same qualities of the legendary Diane, and it's my hope to have her develop into a Princess and Queen in Diane's image without changing her. I hope I succeed, but let me know if I go astray. If I get any French wrong please correct me, and translations will appear at the beginning of chapters.


Translations: Bien-aime- Beloved One

Ma tresor- My treasure

Ma Ange- My Angel

Mon Cherie- My dear

Ma belle femme- My beautiful wife

Merci beaucoup, mon ami- Thank you very much, my friend

Je'taime- I love you.


Chapter 1

"Forgive me, Danielle, for my atrocious behavior the night of the masque," Henri whispered, as he gently kissed his fiancée's forehead.

The young woman sighed as she melted deeper into his embrace. "Bien-aimé, how could I not forgive you? You, le Dauphin de France, who is under no other authority except God and king's, have humbled yourself before me, a lowly servant."

Hot tears stung his eyes as he held her closer. "Ma trésor," he gasped. He tenderly pressed his lips to hers once more. After pulling back he took her lovely face in his hands. "I don't understand why Almighty God has blessed me with your love, Danielle, but I swear on all that is sacred and holy, I will become the man you deserve. It may take until my very last breath, but the spoiled, impetuous, boy who couldn't take the time to listen is now gone forever. I know you see a good king inside of me, and I know I cannot become that king without God's help and yours."

"Mon Cherie, I have never been blind to your faults. You must forgive yourself. If our Lord and Savior could forgive the very soldiers who crucified him, surely you can forgive yourself of the crime of youth and impulsiveness. I assure you, neither is a great sin." She paused, to run her hands through his silken black hair. "Remember, bien- aimé, the words of Saint Paul… 'Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth:' Henri, my love is based on this. That is why in spite of all that has happened, I have never, even for the smallest instant, stopped loving you. That is why despite your flaws, I see the man you truly are and the greatness you will achieve. You have this love burning inside of you just as I have. You only lack practice in showing it to the world."

"Come, ma ange, you shall never see this hell again," he whispered, taking her by the wrist.

Danielle didn't even try to stifle a cry of agony as the filthy fabric of her sleeve and the pressure of her royal lover's fingers set her ragged skin on fire. "Henri!" she yelped.

Immediately he raised her sleeve. His eyes narrowed and his blood turned hotter than molten steel in his veins. His eyes stayed riveted on the skin of her strong, slender wrist: welted, swollen, and caked with dried blood and puss. Without a word he lifted her off the ground once more, carrying her to the carriage he had waiting just beyond the fortress's gate. He gently settled Danielle on the lush velvet cushions and kissed the palm of her hand. "Laurent, come here!" he ordered, struggling to keep his voice calm and reassuring.

"Yes, Your Highness," the young captain answered, ready for any action he might be required to take. He offered a warm smile to his Prince's love, which faded when he noticed her injury. "We should return to the palace, Your Highness, so that the Mademoiselle can be seen to by a physician," he murmured.

"We will, I just need you to witness what I am about to do in case any of the foolish tongues try to spread lies and slander," Henri softly growled as his anger grew. "Do you trust me, Danielle?" he asked as he once again took her small foot in his hand.

"With all my heart, Sire," she whispered, overwhelmed by his tenderness toward her mixed with the rage pulsing off of his body after discovering her injuries.

Slowly, with trembling fingers Henri raised the skirt of the dirty, flimsy dress to just below her knee. "I'm going to take your hoes off now, ma belle femme. Don't be afraid," he soothed, feeling her tense up. "I will never dishonor you again."

"Forgive me, Henri," she sighed. "I've never…" she trailed off. 'I'm acting like a simpleton!' she thought as she slumped back in the carriage seat. "I think I must be more tired than I thought. Do what you must, bien-aimé."

Without any further delay, Henri reached just above her knee to pull the hoes off, being careful to make sure her skirts didn't go any higher. Once the hoes reached her ankles they stuck to her skin, making her hiss as if a thousand wasps stung her. "I won't pull them off!" Henri assured her. Taking his small dagger from its sheath on his hip, he gingerly cut the rest of the fabric away. The sight that met his eyes made his stomach sick, and a thousand curses filled his throat. "Why?" he asked.

Never had Danielle dreamed that her wild, reckless, wonderful, Henri could speak in such a deadly and dangerous tone. She shivered as she felt every hair on her body stand up. Not even the Baroness had ever made her feel such terror. "I tried to run away," she whispered as a tear fell down her sweaty cheek.

"Laurent, take her back. I have business with Monsieur Le Pieu," Henri ordered.

"Wait!" Danielle cried out, grabbing his hand. "Henri, what are you going to do?"

"I'm going to drag him to the Bastille, have him interrogated by our best jailers, then skin him alive and leave what is left for the vultures and rats to feast on! Finally, I'll have his head on a spike!" The young man spat through clenched teeth, as he strode toward the entry gate.

Before Laurent could say anything to stop his prince, Danielle jumped out of the carriage and raced ahead of him, blocking his path. "Henri, you cannot do this!" she shouted, grasping onto his shoulders with all that remained of her strength.

"You said it yourself, Danielle, I am under no authority except God and king's!" he snapped.

"Will you do the same for every runaway servant who is caught and put in irons?" she challenged, shoving him back.

"YOU ARE NOT A SERVANT!" he exploded as the stress of the last few weeks and his rage pushed beyond his control.

"Yes I am." she said calmly. "My father's father was a Seigneur who squandered every last asset his already depleted inheritance gave him. My father forfeited certain privileges of his birth status and became a merchant to earn enough to keep the manor and a very small bit of land left. He married a wealthy merchant's daughter, not only because he loved her, but because her dowry saved what we have now. Then I was born, and in the beginning I don't think it occurred to him to try and regain his rightful status. We were happy. Something must have changed, because he married the Baroness. Even then, it didn't matter for me, because he died before he could make a will. Under the law, everything he had, came under the Baroness's control she would later sell even more land, until now all that is left is barely enough to feed us and sell more than a few bushels at the market. My mother was a commoner, and my father had no title. Under the law, she had every right to make me into a servant. Under the law, she had every right to sell me to Le Pieu. Under the law, Le Pieu had every right to put me in irons. I want him dead more than you can imagine, Henri, but I will not see a man executed without trial, especially when he has committed no crime. If you find out he's guilty of something I'll be at the front row of his trial and his execution. Until then, you cannot touch him."

Henri fought the urge to shove past her and cut Le Pieu's heart out then and there. "What about justice, Danielle? How is it just that I walk away from what he's done to you? What kind of man allows another man to harm his wife without consequences?"

Danielle's heart soared even though her husband-to-be remained in a haze of rage and heartbreak. True to his word, the impetuous boy who refused to listen had vanished. Even with his temper at the breaking-point and every instinct screaming for action, he stayed and truly listened to her. Cupping his face in her hands, she kissed him gently. "If we leave now, you are a man who cares about true justice and not mere revenge. You are a man who realizes that kings are not only under God's divine authority, but also have a responsibility to the laws they make. You are a man who will not merely be a good king, but you will be someone whose people will follow into the pits of hell and back, because they know you will be leading the way to safety. You will be the only man I could ever belong to: mind, body, heart, and soul."

Henri looked toward the gate shocked to see Le Pieu standing there waiting. He wanted to see the horrible man suffer for every moment of pain, fear, and humiliation Danielle had endured. However, he would not and could not deny the truth of her words. If he killed Le Pieu without cause under the law he would be nothing more than a barbaric tyrant. Even at his most obstinate he was better than that, and Danielle deserved far more. Holding out his hand he reached for her. "Let's go home."

A smile brighter than the pale golden light of the sun appeared on Danielle's face. "Yes, Sire."

Once he settled Danielle back inside the carriage he mounted his horse and rode beside his most trusted guard and only real friend beside his future princess. "I've never experienced the feeling of wanting to kill anyone," he whispered. "Even when Francis and I were hostages in Spain I never got so angry that I wanted blood."

"What you're feeling is natural, Your Highness," Laurent assured him. "I'm glad you listened to Mademoiselle, she was right. As much as Le Pieu sickens me, to kill him now would be a mistake."

Henri took a deep breath and sighed. "I made a vow to Almighty God that if she forgave me I'd never act before listening to her again. I didn't want her to be right, Marc, but I'm not done with Le Pieu. If he is capable of something like this, then he's done far more horrendous things. I just have to find them, and when I do he will beg me to let him die."

"I'll be right beside you, Your Highness. He won't escape. What do intend to do with the de Ghents?" Laurent asked cautiously, more than aware that the Baroness deserved punishment, but anxious about her youngest daughter's future.

"Don't worry, Marc," Henri replied with a slight smirk. "I'm leaving them to Danielle. She alone will decide their fate. Not even my father has that right."

Laurent let out the breath he'd been holding. He trusted his future princess. If she could wait for justice with Le Pieu, she'd never harm her gentle stepsister. "Perhaps, you should ride in the carriage with her now."

Henri coughed to relieve the choking feeling in his throat. "I can't."

A frown darkened the older man's normally pleasant features. "Why?"

Suddenly the beautiful grey gelding Henri rode tossed his head in protest at his rider's grip on the reins. "I'm sorry Hermes," the prince soothed. "I wasn't paying attention, I'll be more careful." Turning his attention back to Marc he sighed. "If Le Pieu did any irreversible damage, there's no way my father will allow me to marry Danielle. Even if he wanted to make me happy, if she was violated—" he couldn't even finish the sentence as his rage came flooding back. "I can't ask her, and I can't not ask her."

"Sire, did you notice Le Pieu had a nasty slash across his left cheek?" Laurent remarked as he slowed his horse.

"What are you talking about?" Henri asked, abruptly stopping Hermes.

"He has a recent slash wound, I'd say he received it within the past hour. Aside from the wounds from the shackles Mademoiselle appears completely unharmed. Can you think of anyone else in that fortress with reason to slash Le Pieu's face?" he smirked.

"She's been here for weeks, Laurent!" Henri exclaimed, agitating his mount further.

"Henri!" Laurent snapped, grabbing the reins before the prince's horse bolted. "Listening to others doesn't only mean hearing them out when they speak. It also means being willing to ask the questions you do not wish to." The pain in his young prince's eyes pierced his heart. "Your Highness, you fear something that might not have happened. However, if it did happen, would you have the king's ministers drag her from your bed after you marry? What would become of her then? You know she'd be executed for treason, and you could end up marrying the de Medici girl thanks to Gabriella! She has a right to know that before you reach the palace. Now, climb down and stop running away."

"I can't lose her," Henri choked out softly. Taking a deep breath he straightened his shoulders and dismounted. Looking up at the man for whom he'd made life a series of chaotic disasters, a small smile ghosted over his lips. "You've stayed by my side when I've caused you nothing but frustration and grief. Merci beaucoup, mon ami." Laurent acknowledged the thanks with a nod.

The carriage stopped and Henri stepped up into it without waiting for the coachman's assistance. He found Danielle stretched out along the carriage seat dozing. He gently pushed her matted strands of hair away from her face, astounded that the smudges of dirt and soot highlighted her beauty. "Je t'aime," he whispered, placing a tender kiss on her lips.

Danielle opened her eyes to see Henri's deep blue eyes filled with passion and anguish. "What's wrong, Henri? Why have we stopped? She asked as she tried to pull herself up.

"We stopped so I can ride with you," Henri answered as he gently helped her sit up. "I'm afraid I tormented poor Hermes with my temper," he admitted.

Danielle shook her head, sweetly placing a kiss on his forehead. "It's over now, and we have the future before us. Don't waste time being angry about things that cannot be changed," she urged.

"So young yet so wise," he murmured, pulling the young woman into his embrace. "I can't lose you, Danielle, I'd become a breathing corpse."

"You won't lose me!" she assured. "Only God can separate us now."

Henri pulled back still keeping hold of her small, strong, precious hands. "Danielle, there is something I must ask you. I wish I could spare us both this, but if I don't ask I can't protect you."

Confusion and fear filled her jade green eyes. "I don't understand," her voice trembled.

"What exactly did Le Pieu do to you, ma belle femme? I need to know everything!" he asked, squeezing his eyes shut for a moment to block the tears that threatened to fill his eyes.

"You saw it Henri," Danielle answered.

"Danielle," he spoke tenderly. "How much do you know about customs of the French court?"

"Only what the Baroness and Marguerite prattled on about. It was always gowns, jewels, balls, intrigues. I learned to block most of it out," Danielle answered amused by the absurdity of it all.

Henri's face went pale at her answer, and he struggled not lose his composure. His sweet, innocent Danielle had no idea of what the court or life as a royal truly was. "They are fools! Despite my charming words, Marguerite would have never been my choice even if you and I had never met. France doesn't need such vapid people in power. Danielle, there is far more to being a Princess than that."

"Henri, I know that!" Danielle giggled. "I want to help you make this country as great as we can with God's grace."

"I know," Henri smiled. "I don't have any doubts that you would work as tirelessly for this country as you have for your home." His face turned solemn once more and he prayed for strength to continue. "Danielle, the court has many protocols. I wasn't jesting when I told you that it is a gilded cage. When a prince marries there are certain procedures in place to ensure the marriage is valid, and children will be born. On the wedding night, observers are in the nuptial chamber to ensure the bride and groom consummate their union, and also ensure that the bride is pure." He stopped as his stomach lurched in revulsion.

Danielle's eyes widened in horror and her cheeks flamed with embarrassment. "You mean they watch as…" she couldn't finish the thought. "They have to watch us?" she whispered, feeling tears prick her eyes again.

Henri's heart broke seeing her despair and kissed her face over and over. "Forgive me, Danielle. After all you've gone through I would give anything to spare you this knowledge but I can't!"

"It's not your fault, Bien-aimé!" she tried to sooth him. "I knew that by loving you my world would change. I can endure it, I will endure anything to be by your side."

He took her lovely face in his hands once more and let himself drown in her eyes. The sincerity and conviction in them took his breath away. "I know you would," he assured her. "That is why I have to know what happened with Le Pieu. If the ministers find any evidence that you were violated, you would be killed for treason. Nothing I could do or say would stop it. Any slight chance of a child being born that is not within the royal bloodline is dealt with quickly and without mercy."

The full impact of Henri's fears hit Danielle like a bolt of lightning. She knew that there would be people who hated her far more than the Baroness or Marguerite could ever dream of hating her. She also knew that some of them would have more intelligence and power than her stepmother, and devote their lives using it not only to destroy her, but the royal family itself. "Henri, I swear by Almighty God and on the graves of my parents, I am a virgin! The only lips I have ever kissed are yours, the only arms that have ever embraced me in passion are yours. The only man to ever enter my bed will be you. They will find nothing to tear me away from you, and to prove it, have your royal physician examine me as soon as we reach the palace. You mother should be there as well. I won't leave you ever again, and if I have to prove my chastity to the entire nation of France I will do it."