Chapter 10: I forgive you.
The next day, Rodmilla's mood was good, as if nothing had happened. She ate her breakfast with a smile and talked to her daughters happily.
"I don't like this at all." Honorée confessed to Louise and Paulette, after have served the meal.
"Why? That your sister is happy for once in a long time?" Paulette answered.
"How can she be happy? You know how she came home yesterday night, she was crying and din't want to talk to anybody!"
"Well, Honorée, leave her, perhaps she has realized that the Marquis won't be hers." Louise added.
"Are we talking about the same person?" Honorée asked, ironically.
"Be grateful, at least she is annoyed with you."
"Yes…. I suppose you are right."
"I have it on good authority that before your rather embarrassing debut last night,
the Prince was about to choose Marguerite for his bride."
Danielle did not answer. Instead, she picked up a basked of vegetables she had already picked and walked away from her stepmother, who followed her.
"Men are so fickle. One moment they're spouting sonnets, and the next you're back to being the hired help."
"My embarrasing debut, stepmother? I though it was you who run away because of the shame caused by your own sister."
Rodmilla smiled.
"Bite your tongue, Danielle, because I know that you had to tell all the truth to the Prince and he was quite disappointed. "But, I must say, I've never seen you
quite this dedicated to your chores."
Danielle spat out a few words as she walked. "What makes you think I do any
of this for you?"
"My, my, aren't we feisty this morning?" Rodmilla took a shortcut and Danielle
found her path blocked.
"Let me pass!"
"You brought this upon yourself, you know."
"Rodmilla, please! Leave her alone!"
The Baroness turned back and looked coldly at her sister.
"Go away, Honorée there is nothing to talk between us."
"Rodmilla, please… I didn't mean…"
"Oh! You didn't mean? Oh, that's lovely, it's a pitty that you destroyed my life! Well, Why don't you move into the palace with your marvelous Marquis!"
"Baroness, Honorée is just saying…"
"And perhaps throwing you out of this Manor you won't be my problem anymore!"
"Is that all I am, your problem?" Danielle was stung. "I did everything you ever
asked me to do and you denied me the only thing I ever wanted!"
"Oh, and what was that?"
"You are the only mother I have ever known. Was there ever a time, even in its
smallest measurement, that you loved me at all?"
Rodmilla was going to explode.
"Why should I give you my love when I never received it from my own mother? I have you here, with my family because of your Father! He should be alive, here with us, with me! But I'm not a lucky woman, my fate is to be alone all my life!"
"Rodmilla, please, calm down…"
"Shut up, you spoiled mum's girl! You, the favourite, the precious girl! You departed Mother from my side because you were the youngest!"
"Rodmilla, how can you say that?"
"I have all the right to say this, Honorée!"
"You are so unfair!"
"How dare you speak to me in that way?"
"Rodmilla! Please, listen. I know that what I have done is horrible but… you are my sister, and I love you. I must know if you have ever loved me too…"
Rodmilla closed her eyes, sadly.
"Honorée, don't talk anymore. Leave me alone, I don't want to see you in a long time, it's understood?"
She was going to leave when Honorée followed her.
"Wait here." She told Danielle.
She was walking behind the Braoness and almost begging her.
"Rodmilla, please! Listen!"
"Go away!"
They reached the main garden where Le Pieu was waiting.
"Oh Baroness, here you are! Where is Danielle?"
Rodmilla looked at him, angrily.
"Go away with all those objects, Monsieur. I won't give you my stepdaughter."
"What? But… we had an arragment!"
"Yes, we had, now it is finished."
He grabbed her by the arm.
"You can do this to me, Rodmilla!"
"How dare you touch me you sickening man?!"
She released herself and left the man, with Honorée at her back.
That was when they saw him.
Rodmilla stopped and narrowed her eyes.
"What are you doing here?" She asked.
He didn't know what to answer.
The Honorée arrived.
"Rodmilla, I… Cristobal?"
"Honorée!"
He went towards her and huged her.
"What are you doing here?"
"I come to bring you with me! I want you to marry me, my dear!"
Honorée was puzzled.
"Wha… what? Ma… marry you…?"
Rodmilla laughed.
"Aw, look at the happy, lovely couple." She smiled. "I'm sure I have nothing to do in here."
She was going to leave when Honorée reached her.
"Rodmilla, wait!" She held her hand. "I won't do this if you don't want"
Rodmilla was amazed.
"Honorée, what are you talking about?"
Honorée turned to the Marquis.
"I'm sorry sir, but if our love will hurt my sister, is better for us to forget it."
The Marquis was going to talk when Rodmilla talked first. With her eyes full of tears she smiled and huged her sister.
"My dear, Honorée! You are so good to me! I can't belive this, how could I be so blind! Please! Forgive me!"
Honorée embraced her too.
"Of course I forgive you Rodmilla! Aw, I love you so much!"
Cristobal went towards them and smiled, touching Honorées face.
"So, will you marry me?"
Honorée's eyes shine as she nodded.
"Is that a yes?"
"Of course it is!" Rodmilla replied.
They three laughed as Honorée kissed Cristobal's lips.