(A/N: Hello! Thank you again, and again for all of the wonderful reviews, favorites, and follows! Your reviews and encouragement helps the muse! I am so sorry for the long wait! Hopefully, I'll get on another roll..I still have doe writers block issues though.. Here is Chapter #4! :-) Please Review! PS- If there is anything you might like to see, or suggestions, please PM me. I will take it into consideration. :-) ~The Rising Phoenix~)

Previously on Open Wounds:

I didn't tell him immediately of my doubts…

We then made our way from the Ruins to the Palace.

Chapter #4 –

"Henry, wait," I whispered before entering the throne room with him.

"Yes?" He asked. His voice seemed to convey some impatience. I deduced he really wanted to tell his parents everything as soon as possible.

"How am I going to tell them?" I worried very much, partly of my own fate, but moreso for everyone that I would be leaving behind should the King and Queen overrule their son.

As happy and content as I was for Henry's reaction, at this point he was my last and only hope to save those I loved, should his parents feel otherwise.

I was more pleased that he did not surprise me like he had when we had unexpectedly met up at the lake, considering his views on servants at the time.

Henry beamed. What in the world is he beaming for?! I thought incredulously.

"Danielle, you just let me handle everything, alright?"

I sighed. "Alright…" I was still doubtful…

Before entering, I glanced down at the dress I wore. It was a beautiful red-orange garment and while it covered my back, it was not tight (or itchy). We had discarded the red dress that I had on previously (I suspect Marguerite had worn it recently, perhaps even the day before as I could smell the perfume she typically uses).

A moment later, Henry took my arm and gracefully led me into the room where his parents were waiting in quiet conversation.

"Ah, Henry. There you are. And who might this be? Is this the Contess you have asked me about?" Queen Marie inquird, upon seeing her son and myself, as we politely bowed in greeting.

I shot Henry a pointed, almost terrified look at the knowledge that his mother was at least aware of the Contess fabrication.

"Actually, Mother, I regret to notify you that I unknowingly misinformed you."

"Oh, how so?" Her Highness replied, clearly wanting to know more.

Henry squeezed my slightly quivering arm. To me, the room suddenly seemed very cold. I heard thundering in the distance, until I realized I was only hearing the beating of my own heart pulsating within my eardrums.

This is it…Goodbye Henry, Jacqueline, Paulette, Louise, Maurice, Gustave, Señor da Vinci... I thought with dread. I kept quiet anyway, holding on to the slimmest beacon of hope that Henry could indeed handle this as he claimed.

"Mother, Father, this is Danielle de Barbarac. She resides as a servant at a manor currently under Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent's hand," Henry started, as he presented me, gently pushing me a step or two forward. I bowed again and stayed kneeling.

"Henry, do you mean to tell us that this Lady is not a Contess?" King Francis' booming voice echoed throughout the room. I could feel him glaring at Henry and myself.

I shot daggers at the floor. Really Henry? This is how you start things? That is it then, I am done for... I'm glad I at least held my bow.

"Father, the land is rightfully hers! Her father, Auguste de Barbarac owned the land before his passing when Danielle was still a child. He had married the Baroness only weeks prior. The Baroness stripped Danielle of her rights, and made her an additional servant to the three they already had."

"You there, why would you even think of dressing, let alone acting above your station?" King Francis demanded of me.

I was still kneeling, and kept my head down partly out of respect, and partly because I was honestly afraid of His Majesty. He was very intimidating. Perhaps like his son, though, his bark was worse than his bite.

"Of-of which station, your Highness?" I asked, needing clarification. Was he referring to a servant acting as a Contess, or why a woman who should have inherited land would work as a servant?

"Of a Contess when you were a servant?" King Francis asked, a bit more softly. I still detected impatience, however, within his voice. My guess is he could sense my fear.

"Francis, she isn't rightfully a servant. Haven't your hard a word Henry has said? Her father owned land." I heard the Queen say. Then she addressed me, "You may rise, child." I obeyed gingerly, and looked at His and Her Highness. "Henry said your father's name was Auguste, what was your mother's name?" Queen Marie asked delicately.

"My mother's name was Nicole de Lancret, your Majesties." I replied.

"So that's where your name came from. Nicole means 'Victorious People,' with Saint Nicholas as the Patron Saint of Children, while Danielle means 'God is my Judge.' Did you know your mother, as you did your father?" Queen Marie questioned.

"No. Papa said she died when I was born, right after they gave me my name. My father died when I was eight. Although I had Paulette and Louise, who were always very nurturing whilst I was growing up, The Baroness is the only mother I have ever known."

I could have sworn The Royal Family shuddered ever so slightly at my last statement.

I let my head drop a bit to the floor, unsure if I could hide my amusement.

Fortunately I did, as King Francis spoke again.

"Didn't you just have tea with the Baroness and her daughter? What was her name? Mary, Mable, Madeline…?"

"Marguerite, dear." Queen Marie replied, helping out her husband. "And yes, I did. She had a black eye come to think of it...She said she saved a baby from a runaway carriage."

I thought to bow my head in shame initially feeling guilty at causing Marguerite's black eye this morning… but that was before I heard the end of the Queen's sentence. Saving a baby!? Marguerite's no more maternal than…than...So I can't think of an analogy. She still deserved what she got... I pondered quickly, my temper clearly rising. Still, I was rather proud of that moment, damn the consequences.

Well, God is my judge after all... I believed.

"Unfortunately, that was my doing, your Highness. She insulted my mother, while wearing a dress she left me for the Masque tonight. The dress was for my wedding, should I be blessed enough to be married one day. While I mean no disrespect, I must be getting home soon as well…"

"No. I will not let you go back there. You don't deserve to live like that. I won't let you be hurt again!" Henry said.

"Sire, it is my home. I love it there…With all due respect, I need to be there…"

Henry nodded in understanding, but as we were both quite stubborn, we knew the topic would come up again at some point.

"Henry what do you mean? Danielle was hurt?" Queen Marie asked, echoing her son's words.

To this, Henry and I both sighed. I kept my mouth shut; I no longer wanted to speak anymore.

"She was lashed by the Baroness for hitting Marguerite after her cruel comment about Danielle's mother." Henry supplied.

"Have our doctor look at it at once, Henry."

"I will, just in case. However, Jacqueline, Danielle's step-sister did rather well in starting the healing process. I think, if given the opportunity, she may do well to become a doctor" Henry complimented.

I smiled, and nodded in agreement.

"Well what of tonight's Masque Henry, and the engagement to Gabriela? I did not invite all of our guests for nothing!" King Francis demanded, his temper flaring once again.

"There will be an engagement announcement, Father. Danielle and I of course." Henry said, smiling wider with happiness, his eyes sparkling with love as he glanced towards me. I felt my cheeks warm, probably turning a slight shade of pink in the process.

"Besides, were you not the one to suggest to me, that if it was love that I sought, to find the one I love by tonight? If I haven't, then you said you would announce the engagement to Gabriela" Henry continued.

Henry has to know his parents will not be pleased – simply because I am a lower station to begin with… This isn't looking good. I thought.

"Absolutely not!" King Francis roared furiously.

Judging from the look on Henry's face and the roll of his eyes at the King's furious reply, I imagine Henry's thought process was Ugh! Here we go….

"Francis, seriously, this is about love!" Queen Marie cut off what could surely be an argument between father and son.

"Henry, Danielle, please come. Let us discuss this more, while Francis oversees the final touches to the Masque" Queen Marie said as she bids her son and myself over to afternoon tea.

Henry and I looked at each other; Henry had a confident look on his face, and myself felt quite puzzled. After a beat, Henry escorts me forward…

(A/N: Please Review! ~The Rising Phoenix~)