All she could do was cry. There wasn't enough strength in the world for her to gain composure. Her face burned from the harshness of his hit.
Her cries were the only sound reverberating throughout the entire court. Everyone had all stepped back, in fear of what might become. Even Rodmilla and Maguerite had been taken aback at the Prince's actions. The harshness of the air had been broken with a single phrase.
"What have you Done!"
Leonardo had arrived to see Danielle on the floor, her eyes red with tears, and the Prince in fowl mood. Leonardo rushed to her side and helped her stand up. He brushed away her tears and set her to the side. Now face to face with the Prince, Leonardo gave the Prince a piece of his mind.
"Have you any idea what she went through to get here tonight?!" Leonardo scolded.
"What SHE went through? I was the one lied to!" Henry spat back. "What would you know? You build flying machines and walk on water and yet you know nothing about life."
"I know that she bled to get here! I know that she was locked in the pantry without a key by that thing called a stepmother!" Leonardo pointed at the Baroness. "And I know that life without love is no life at all!"
Henry processed the words that were laid out before him. Locked in a pantry? Bled? But even before he could get a word out, His father had taken charge.
"What are you still doing standing there!" The words directed to Captain Laurant and his crew. "Take her to the dungeon! 100 Lashes!"
Queen Marie felt sorry for the girl but even more, it made her rethink her entire life. She had never had the courage and conviction in her life to stick up for her feelings and here was a peasant girl fighting for love. "Hold on!" She Yelled.
Everyone had turned their attention to her. The queen had never went against the King but here she was, telling them to stop.
"I shall take her under my care. She should not be punished for falling in love. If we are to convict her, what are we saying about love? No, I shall take her and she shall work for me."
Silence
Rodmilla stood there furious. Danielle belonged to her, not the bloody queen of France! "Your Highness, she is my servant and I shall take her away if it is your desire."
The Queen would have none of it. "You, Baroness, have lied to me. You told me that the Comtess lived with you where as she was fictional. You will hold your tongue of this matter or I shall be forced to punish you as well."
Rodmilla stood motionless. The thought that Danielle would be given a royal treatment when she should be the one in the palace killed her. She thought she would give another go. "Of course madame, But what am I supposed to do without my step-daughter?"
Shock and gasps took up everyone's breaths. Prince Henry's eyes grew, King Francis couldn't close his mouth, and the Queen was furious.
"YOUR STEP DAUGHTER?" King Francis yelled.
"Baroness de Ghent, Are you telling me that this child is your daughter and you used her as a slave?"
She was at a loss for words.