Chapter 38 –Difficult Times

As war loomed on the horizon, Henri prepared himself for his possible deployment. The Emperor had invaded Provence in the south in retaliation for the most recent wars incited by France to reclaim the Duchy of Milan. The imperial army was advancing and King Francis and Montmorency were rapidly preparing to defend the southern territory. Montmorency had assured the King that a victory was possible. The Grand Master would be serving again as Lieutenant General, and was ready to leave for Provence with his troops early the following morning.

Henri was told he would not be joining Montmorency in Provence, but that he would soon be leaving with the King to a nearby location. "You might join Montmorency later, I am not sure yet. Stop asking, please," the King had said in response to Henri's protests.

Henri was torn between his duty as a prince and his desire to be with his wife. He was eager to fight alongside Montmorency in the battlefield; after all, he was a servant to his Crown and he was proud to serve his country as Dauphin and future King. But his responsibility in Court was equally important, shaping its future with his wife alongside him. Thus, he was determined to dedicate the little time he had left to be with his wife; their time together should be sacred.

Every morning they got up before dawn and asked for breakfast to be served in their apartments. Then, before the courtiers started to gather in the courtyards, Henri and Danielle went for a ride in the nearby forest, leaving directly from the stables to avoid prying eyes. Danielle's injury did not allow her to take long walks, but she could ride and she enjoyed the early morning outings alongside Henri, alone, or almost alone, as they were always followed by Laurent and their guards at a discreet distance. They would return two hours later, exhilarated by the exercise; then spend a few minutes in the chapel before returning to their apartments for lunch and quiet time together. Often, they would lay on the couch in front of the fireplace in their private library, reading poetry to each other and admiring the illustrations in the illuminated manuscripts they collected.

Henri avoided talking about his imminent departure, but Danielle knew that their time together would soon be cut short and she was getting increasingly anxious. Today she was particularly worried, as Montmorency and his troops were leaving the following morning and it was common knowledge that the King and the prince would soon follow. To distract herself, Danielle picked a book of poetry for them to read ensemble. Danielle loved the privacy of their library where Henri had commissioned especial decorations just for her. Their interlaced monogram "HD" had been inlaid from the floor tiles, to the capitals of the columns, as well as the carpets, the ceilings, and the mantle of the fireplace. This was one of the few places where they could enjoy total privacy, as neither Danielle's ladies nor Henri's attendants were admitted here.

As they lay on the couch side-to-side reading to each other, their fingers wandered lovingly over each other's bodies and Danielle felt a little calmer. Soon they stopped reading and embraced, holding each other tight, in an effort to calm their underlying anxiety. Once she felt relaxed again, Danielle sat up on the couch, tucking her feet neatly beneath her gown. Then cradling Henri's head in her lap she began to ruffle his hair. Lulled by her touch, Henri closed his eyes and relaxed. He started talking about his life, offering her images of himself as a boy in the palace of Saint-Germain-en-Laye where he was born, and where he grew up playing with his late brother François, whom he missed very much.

"My brother and I used to run from our governess and hide in the kitchens, where Mme. Cruzat, the head cook, would indulge us with fresh pastries. Saint-Germain was not only the royal children's home, it was also home to some of the children of the nobility. François and I loved to play tricks on them." Henri smiled, remembering many of his childhood adventures. But he was careful to leave out the sad period spent as a child prisoner in Spain. He would only give Danielle images of his happy childhood to match those of the happy little girl living with her papa Auguste that she had related to him.

Danielle loved to talk about Auguste. "When I was young, my papa would stay up late and read to me. He would always bring me new books from his travels, and I couldn't wait for him to read to me every night. It's so funny, he always called me his princess. If he could only see me now! Oh, how much I miss him." Danielle spoke softly, reminiscing. She might be the daughter of the Duke de Bourbon, but for her, there was only one papa, Auguste de Barbarac.

They stayed on the couch talking for hours. It was as if they were rediscovering each other, shedding their mature selves to reveal their most inner childhood dreams and longings. Later in the evening, as they would retire to their bedchamber and lie together in their bed, they would continue sharing their emotional and physical selves, kissing and caressing, seeking every pleasure known to lovers. Henri would move his hands across her body, igniting each little part of it with his touch, and Danielle would close her eyes and abandon herself to his caresses, dissolving under his touch.

These were the intimate moments that Henri treasured, knowing that these memories would sustain him in the battlefield.

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The following morning Montmorency left for Provence with a large contingent while the rest of the French army set camp in the rugged Rhône area.

As the war was deemed inevitable, the King decided to move the Court to Lyon, to the Château de Corcelles, close to the Rhône, were they would spend several weeks while the war was being fought. Princess Marguerite went several days ahead of the move to have the Château open and ready to receive the Court. Queen Marie and Princess Danielle were in charge of the move, while King Francis and Prince Henri continued to Valence so that they would not be that far off from Montmorency.

Moving the entire Court to Lyon took four days. They crossed the country fields, stopping frequently to rest and water the horses, and to eat and stretch their limbs. As the caravan of horses carrying hundreds of trunks, carriages, coaches, and fashionably dressed courtiers on horseback moved through fields, cities and villages, local villagers took delight in meeting the royal entourage. During the day, the Queen insisted on stopping in several towns and villages to meet and greet the people. She was aware that at times of war, it was important to maintain the goodwill of the peasantry as well as the local merchants and nobles; their loyalty was imperative. The nights were spent in the châteaus of the local nobility along the route.

The Queen took the opportunity to present Danielle, and the people took special delight in meeting the new Dauphine, whom rumor had it had been a peasant herself. The Queen was grateful for the welcoming receptions in each town, and for the loyalty the people showed to their monarchs. Descending their coach, Danielle and the Queen met thousands of commoners and Danielle took the time to embrace many of them, which surprised the people not used to touch a royal. With her simple manners and kind disposition, the Dauphine captivated her subjects and the Queen felt grateful for it.

It was a long and strenuous move and both the Queen and Danielle were feeling tired. Feeling nauseous and dizzied by the musty smell inside her coach, with her whole body aching from the constant swaying, Danielle tried in vain to fall asleep. Surrounded by her ladies, she leaned against the red damask cushions and looked through the window. The winter landscape of the Lyon's countryside seemed sad and desolate, reflecting how she felt at that moment. She could not help but think about Henri. Was he already in a war camp? How was he doing in the middle of a battlefield? Was he scared? She wished she could be with him to receive him and be his strength after a battle, and to hold him as he fell asleep. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. They would soon reach their destination and she would be able to sleep properly and write to Henri.

After four days of travels, they reached Lyon. It was almost midday and they were exhausted but happy to be received by the local seigneurs and finally settle in the homey Château de Corcelles.

Meanwhile, the Emperor was advancing in Provence with an army of 50,000 men; simultaneously, the attack in the northern province of Picardy was intensifying. From Valence, King Francis and Prince Henri monitored the two open fronts, but the King knew that under the leadership of Montmorency the situation in Provence would be resolved soon and thus, he decided it was better to be closer to the Lieutenant General and bring additional support as needed.

Waging War

Montmorency's troops advanced through Provence fighting the imperial army, and the fierce battles were producing numerous casualties for the French. By virtue of having been named Lieutenant General, Montmorency was now the head of the armed forces and head minister for all affairs of state. He had full authority to direct the war. The King had given Montmorency the authority to apply any method he deemed necessary to stop the advance of the foreign invasion. And as casualties continued to mount, Montmorency realized that it was time to implement his most brutal strategy. Risking the starvation and anger of the local population, the Lieutenant General set to destroy the whole of Provence to make it impossible for the hostile army of the Emperor to find sustenance.

The Lieutenant General temporarily suspended the active fighting and ordered his army to be restrained at camp, away from the battlefield. Instead of open battle, he and his captains, supported by the local nobility, set to trap the Emperor's army in desolate territory. His defense strategy was one of destruction—wells were filled; vineyards, olive-yards, grains, fruit, and vegetable crops were destroyed; cattle was driven away and villages and towns burned to the ground.

As Provence was engulfed in flames, Henri pleaded with his father to allow him to fulfill his military duty and join Montmorency in the field. The King was still protective of Henri, and although he was reluctant to risk his only son he finally agreed, giving Henri strict orders to defer to the counsel and authority of Montmorency. When Henri arrived in Provence, the French troops and nobles, impatient at being so long restrained in the camp, hoped that the Dauphin had come to lead them against the Emperor's army. But Henri respected the Lieutenant General's plans and conducted himself in accordance with the intention of the King, which was to be under Montmorency's command.

The destruction of Provence was brutal. Town after town fell in devastation, the population abandoned the province and the few inhabitants who did stay were dying of starvation. Dead bodies of villagers peppered the area. The invasion of Provence, however, proved more disastrous to the Emperor's army. As the region lied completely devastated, the towns, with no food or supplies available, were unable to support the invading troops. Between famine and disease, the Emperor's army dispersed and Montmorency's troops were able to reclaim the territory.

Montmorency and Henri then gathered the French army and advanced to Piedmont, where Henri faced his first active battle to reclaim the towns at the French-Italian border. This was Henri's first war and he was already repulsed by what he was experiencing. Provence was in ruins from the siege, but they were winning the war in Piedmont without having to resort to extreme measures. More towns fell, more deaths, and more destruction. Without realizing it, he was becoming a fierce soldier. Although he was under the command of Montmorency, everyone looked to him as a leader and he wanted to behave like one. During the day, he fought alongside Brissac and Laurent, living in camaraderie with his fellow soldiers, following every strategy designed by the Lieutenant General. But in the evenings he reclaimed his privacy, and protected only by the guards assigned to him, he would take refuge in his isolated tent, away from others. It was then that he put time aside to think of Danielle and write to her. He didn't want to worry her, so his communications were short and reassuring. Early on the morning before the troops were set to depart for Piedmont, Henri wrote:

"Mon ange,
 I shall not write you a long letter, having fully informed the bearer of this, and also because I have not the leisure, since I find myself on the point of departure to Piedmont. I beg you to believe that our troops are splendid and animated by an excellent spirit; and I am confident that Our Lord will aid us with his Grace in this campaign. I shall not tell you anything else, but remit all to Monsieur d'Aranson who is presently returning and who will tell you all in person. Nevertheless, I entreat you to keep in your remembrance him who has known only one God and one love, and to assure you that you will never be ashamed of having given me the name of husband, which I will cherish forever. HD"

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Back in Lyon, Danielle was consumed by the anxiety of waiting and the fear of losing Henri in a campaign. Her anxiety often sent her back to the fear that she felt as a child, when her papa would leave her with Louise and Paulette, traveling for weeks. Back then, she was always afraid her father would not come back, and silently cried herself to sleep at night. She was now a princess, France's Dauphine; she had crossed the threshold from being an ordinary woman into the highest realms of the Court, but she still felt as lost as she felt as a child in the manor house, crying for her father. Why did the men that she most loved leave her to live in such despair?

In addition to her emotional agony, she was now feeling sick. She barely had energy to get out of bed in the morning, and was not able to keep anything in her stomach. Queen Marie and Princess Marguerite were constantly worrying about her, and she felt embarrassed to add to their worries. After receiving Henri's letter Danielle decided to have breakfast with the Queen and Marguerite and share the news sent by Henri.

"Good morning, Mother," Danielle greeted the Queen as she entered the family dining room. She traversed the table to kiss the Queen's cheeks.

"Good morning, darling. How are you this morning?

"I am well, Mother, thank you."

"You look pale Danielle. Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, Mother, I did. In fact, I think I am sleeping too much these days." Danielle knew the Queen was worrying about her and immediately set to change the conversation. "Mother, I received a letter from Henri. It seems that the campaign is going well and that they soon will be going to Piedmont, and hopefully finish the war. It's such good news, don't you think?"

"Oh, my dear, I am so happy to hear that. It is wonderful to receive news from Henri. I've been worrying about him."

"Me too, mother. I feel guilty about him taking time in the middle of the war to write to me, but he knows that I feel better every time I hear from him. He tries to write as often as he can."

"Pray, don't feel guilty. I assume it makes him feel better too," the Queen smiled while carefully dipping her biscuit in her tea and signaling the footman to refill the cup. Then turning to Danielle she asked, "Tea?"

"Yes, please." The footman circled the table placing a cup of tea in front of Danielle. Another footman placed boiled eggs, bread and cheese in between them. The Queen observed that, for a while, Danielle didn't touch a thing, cocking her head to the side ever so slightly. This reticence was a new thing, as Danielle had always had a healthy appetite. But then, to the Queen's surprise, Danielle asked for an apple, and a sliced apple was served to her. She drank her tea and eat the apple with a slide of cheese. Then she asked for another apple, and then three more. She ate five of them; it was all she wanted to eat.

"Is Marguerite joining us?" Danielle asked, trying to divert the attention away from her while eating her fifth apple.

"Yes, she will be here shortly. But you are not eating well, Danielle, you are just having apples. Are you sure you are well?"

"I am, Mother. But I'm not very hungry. I just wanted some fruit this morning."

"Well Danielle, at first I thought that your loss of appetite had to do with missing Henri. But now I see that you have strange cravings and Thérèse informed me that you are suffering from severe morning sickness."

Danielle lowered her eyes. She had not wanted to worry the Queen, hoping that these retching episodes will soon pass. But she was constantly tired and was not able to keep anything in her stomach. Only apples.

The Queen continued, "Luckily, Dr. Fernel arrived in Court a few days ago. It is time he examines you."

"Mother, do you really think is necessary? I am not sicK." Danielle was apprehensive. Although Dr. Fernel was a dear friend, she detested being poked by doctors.

"Absolutely, my dear. But you should not be worried. If my guess is correct, you will be happy with the doctor's exam," the Queen smiled. Seeing Danielle's intrigued expression, the Queen took her hand and patting her lovingly, said, "I think you may be with child, darling."

Danielle opened her eyes in amazement. Would that be possible? Queen Marie stood up and took Danielle by the arm. "I'll accompany you to your chambers, Danielle. I'll summon the doctor and we'll soon have an answer to your mysterious cravings and your morning sickness."

As they walked to Danielle's suite, the Queen ordered her ladies to bring the doctor to the Dauphine's bedchamber and tell Princess Marguerite to join them there. An hour later, the doctor confirmed the Queen's suspicion: Danielle was with child. And the whole Court —even those who didn't particularly like the princess— rejoiced with the news of a new French heir.

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The French troops in Picardy were fighting an uneven battle against the Emperor and needed reinforcement. So having driven the Emperor's army out of Provence, King Francis decided to dispatch a great part of the army to the northern region to support the troops there.

Montmorency and his army were still savoring the success in Piedmont when they received the message from King Francis: the orders were to leave for Picardy to help reclaim that territory.

Despite the destruction and death toll in Provence, Montmorency's army was in great spirits. They had understood the necessity of the extreme measures taken to save the region; they had driven the Emperor away and now wanted to savor their victory. Their last day in Piedmont was spent in celebration, and the Lieutenant General gave the men time off to relax and rejoice, encouraging the soldiers to enjoy themselves in the town.

The soldiers were heading to town in small groups in accordance to their battalions. Colonel Brissac was heading out when he realized that both the Dauphin and Capt. Laurent were absent. Intrigued, the colonel went to the Prince's compound and found that Henri had retired to his tent and Laurent was there, trying to convince him to accompany the men to town.

"Your Highness, the men are celebrating our hard-earned victory. It is important that you share this joyful occasion with them. They deserve your recognition," Laurent argued.

Henri sat on his cot and removed his boots. "I recognize them, Laurent. However, I believe it is Montmorency's recognition that they seek. The Lieutenant General will be there in town with them, will he not?"

"Yes, he is coming with us," Brissac responded from the tent's entrance. "But you are mistaken, Your Highness. They respect and obey the Lieutenant General, but it is the recognition of the Crown Prince that they crave."

"Gentlemen, don't try to persuade me. I know they will be drinking, singing and behaving foolishly in a raucous tavern. I don't particularly enjoy that rowdy atmosphere," Henri retorted with an ironic smile.

The sound of the clanked guards' spears outside the tent announced the presence of the commander, and few moments later the tent's entrance flap opened and Montmorency let himself in. The Lieutenant had heard the last part of the conversation and decided to interfere.

"Your Highness, with all due respect. This outing is not about me or you or what we enjoy. It is about being there for the soldiers. I encourage you to make an effort and accompany your father's army, even if the place they want to visit is as distasteful as it promises to be."

Henri looked at Montmorency silently, and then lowered his eyes. He felt a little embarrassed to be chastised by the Lieutenant. True, he was the Crown Prince and his social rank was above Montmorency's and all others in the army, but he respected and admired the Lieutenant General as his commander in this war, and as a dear friend. Montmorency had taught him the art of warfare, surrounding him with the best captains, spending time not only training his body and teaching him his strategies, but also nurturing his confidence.

Because of Montmorency, Henri had become a proud and strong soldier, ready to serve his King and country. Montmorency was more than his commander, he was his mentor, a father figure to him. They had become very close and Henri didn't want to let him down.

"You are right, Lieutenant," Henri treated him formally as he had always done when addressing Montmorency publicly in the camp, showing him the respect accorded his military rank. "I was being selfish. It is about the soldiers and I would accompany them as their prince." And donning his boots again, he headed out of the tent with a satisfied Laurent. Montmorency and Brissac followed them outside and they promptly joined the group of soldiers and headed to town.

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Le Poulet Gauche tavern in Piedmont was a dark establishment of ill repute, but it offered decent food and plenty of ale. Beyond the front door was a dark bar with a large counter area where men from all walks of life congregated. Leaning on the counter with ale cups in hand, or perched on high stools, the men engaged in arguments with each other, or talked animatedly with the flirtatious bar maidens with very revealing décolletés.

Beyond the bar, the room opened wide, and was filled with long wooden tables and benches. Scarcely lit by wall sconces, the room offered a more than indulgent atmosphere. By the time the French soldiers arrived in the early evening, the place was crowded with a mix of workers and merchants of various nationalities and other unidentifiable subjects.

Heads looked up at the soldiers when they made their noisy entrance, but after a few minutes no one except the women paid attention to them.

A couple of smaller tables in the front, off to the side, lit with kerosene lanterns, were occupied by well-dressed businessmen engaged in negotiations. In another corner, some men sat covered with hooded cloaks to conceal their identity. These were most likely Italian nobles who did not want to be seen in such an establishment. In the back of the room an old fireplace provided the warmth needed for a chilly night. Suddenly, a group of musicians started to play in a corner and men began to sing and dance around then.

The tavern also had a second floor with rooms that could be rented by the hour, and where favors were given and taken by the women working girls and other women of ill repute. The whole place had a sour, moldy smell of wet wood mixed with ale and the salty smell of human sweat. All in all, Le Poulet Gauche was one of the nastiest, but fun filled taverns Montmorency had seen, and he had seen plenty.

As the French soldiers started to drink and loosen up, the place got even rowdier. The men were now seeking women with whom to drink and dance, paying lavishly for their company. And when the tavern women realized these newcomers were French soldiers, they began circling, flirting with them and sitting on their laps, offering glimpses of their breast, and inviting them to share rooms upstairs. They knew these soldiers had the money to pay for their entertainment.

Henri sat at a table in the back of the room and ordered a pitcher of ale. Then he invited Montmorency to sit with him. Laurent went to stand behind Henri.

"Oh come on, Laurent. You can sit with us. There is no need for protocol here."

"It would be inappropriate to sit with Your Highness in view of other soldiers."

"Except when I order you to do so," Henri laughed. "I could use your company now. Please sit."

Laurent sat next to the Prince as a couple of bar maids approached their table, and pouring more ale in their cups, started flirting with the three men. Henri promptly rejected their advances and the women left, but not without promising to return soon.

"You can enjoy yourself a little, Your Highness," Montmorency advised.

"Thank you Lieutenant, but I am not seeking that kind of enjoyment."

"Well, Your Highness, we have been three months away from civil life, away from our wives and families. A little feminine warmth will relieve the insanity of war; there is nothing wrong with enjoying some inconsequential affection," Montmorency said with a mischievous smile.

"I'd rather drink and enjoy yours and Laurent's company." Henri smiled back at the Grand Master, wondering if Montmorency took him to be like his father the King, who, back in his youth, could not stay one day away from women and kept numerous mistresses.

Henri had heard many anecdotes about the King and the Grand Master, dating back to the first Italian wars, when the two men had looked for consolation in the arms of dubious women. Before his father was King, he and Montmorency had fought together in many wars, sharing not only the horrors of the battlefield, but also shelter, drinks and women. These experiences had cemented their friendship and secured a high position in Court for Montmorency when his father became King.

Henri didn't want to censure his friend and mentor, but in matters of the flesh he didn't need mentorship. The King was known for being indulgent. His father, like most kings, had married for dynastic reasons, and although Henri believed that he had grown to love his mother, it was certainly not the case at the beginning of their marriage. Henri, by contrast, had chosen to marry for love. He was very happy with his wife and his married life. He could not see himself with another woman, and he could not wait to get back to Danielle.

Henri's thoughts were interrupted when one of the women from the tavern returned to the table, and without any preambles, sat on Montmorency's lap and started to nibble on his earlobe, kissing him and whispering in his ear.

The Grand Master, smiling wryly, gave up to the seduction and returned her kisses and soon abandoned the table. He followed the woman up the stairs to the second floor, where they disappeared in one of the rooms.

Laurent and Henri smiled, shaking their heads. "I guess our friend's iron will only serves him in the battlefield," Laurent commented while sharing a pitcher of ale with the Prince.

"I, for once, would love to indulge with one of these women, but Jacqueline..." Laurent's sentence drifted. "I know I would not enjoy it. She is due to return to Court soon, and when she does, I am proposing to her. It's all I think about."

"Oh, I understand. Since I met Danielle, she is my sole enjoyment."

While Henri and Laurent confided in each other about their beloveds, the cheerful atmosphere at the tavern dissipated, and as the consumption of alcohol increased, it became lustful. Many of the soldiers, now drunk, were singing loudly and dancing on tables, others were fondling women sitting on their laps, while others had retreated upstairs to spend time with the women offering carnal services. It was a typical night for a border hostel pub.

At one of the corner tables, gathered into a drunken huddle, five soldiers talked animatedly with several women sitting with them.

"Who are those two darlings sitting by themselves in the back table?" One of the women, a French courtesan named Colette, asked the soldiers.

"They look like they need company," said another woman, giggling and kissing a young soldier.

"Oh, them?" the soldier looked over his shoulder at Henri's table. "The Prince and his guard."

"A Prince? Is he really? Hmm… our new Italian friend here, Filippa, could probably keep him company. Her brother is a squire, and she is a maiden, so she is qualified to entertain the Pince." Colette laughed. "And the guard is charming as well."

"You should go and keep them company," the soldier said to Filippa and the other women at the table. "They may want to warm up with you," he laughed indiscreetly.

"And …he could be generous with his coins," an Italian woman named Sofia, added with a giggle.

"I would not recommend it," another young soldier said. "You see ladies, the Prince is a dreamy man obsessed with his Princess. He will not go for it."

"We'll see about that." Colette laughed. "Come Filippa, I'll teach you how it is done." And holding Filippa's hand they swayed towards the Prince's table while signaling to their barmaid friend to prepare their special drink.

"Good evening gentlemen," Colette sauntered forward with an eager smile. "I hope you don't mind some company. I would like to introduce you to my friend Filippa, here."

"Good evening," Laurent responded with a friendly smile. Henri just looked uninterestedly at the women, greeting them with a nod.

Even when they were not invited, the women sat at the table and initiated a playful chat. Henri and Laurent made polite conversation and when it became clear that the pair was not interested, Colette signaled the barmaid to bring the drinks. A pitcher and four cups were delivered to the table and the women insisted that Henri and Laurent share a cup with them. After a while, Colette, who was more interested in the money than in the men, asked Laurent to buy them another round of drinks, and continuing her innuendos, offered the Captain some of her services for the right amount of gold coins. Filippa, for her part, was more interested in the Prince. She had reserved herself for a man with a title, a member of the nobility who could provide for her. Spending some intimate time with this Prince could result in a more lucrative arrangement.

"If you wish, we could have some fun time upstairs, Sir," Colette said touching Laurent's chest. I can guarantee that you won't be disappointed."

"We won't be staying much longer, madam." Laurent said, slowly removing Colette's hand from his chest. But then he looked at Henri and saw that the Prince had a dizzied expression and was having trouble staying upright, his head falling onto Filippa's breast.

Filippa was now sitting next to Henri, snuggling up and kissing him. Suddenly, Laurent realized what was going on. The women had obviously conspired with the barmaid to pour some kind of potion into their drinks, probably a strong aphrodisiac, and it was now too late. Henri was smiling a silly smile, losing control, and Filippa was seducing him into compromising his principles. Laurent lunged from his seat with the intention of grabbing Henri, however, he was quickly overcome by a dizzy spell, his legs buckled and he fell to the floor. He felt weak and was unable to control his limbs and then he felt Colette embrace him. As he began to lose consciousness, Laurent realized in horror that he had failed the Prince.

A couple of hours later, Henri found himself in a strange room, with a terrible headache, and lying undressed on top of a naked Filippa. She had a satisfied expression on her face as she played with Henri's hair.

"You are extremely passionate, Your Highness. Your wife is a most fortunate woman," Filippa said with a seductive smile. "You must know that this is my first time. But you were not very courteous; you kept repeating her name throughout our enjoyment."

Henri jumped out of bed, and swiftly dressed. He refused to look at the woman. What had he done? He was angry; at the woman for being so pleased, at Montmorency for bringing him here, but mostly he was angry with himself. What happened was nobody's fault but his own. Full of anger, he turned to Filippa, and with what he felt could have been a lifetime of contempt he threw her clothes at her and demanded that she get dressed. "Get Out!" Was all he could muster, feeling broken and like the arrogant Prince he thought was a distant memory. This woman had managed to bring out the worst in him, and he was enraged beyond belief.

Frightened by his menacing tone, Filippa hurried to get dressed. She tried to talk. "But Sir, I just….

"Get out! Now!" Henri screamed curling his hand into a fist.

Filippa, half dressed, grabbed her clothes and rushed out of the room. Once she was gone, Henri sat on the bed. With his head in his hands he cried. He had broken his vows and he regretted it deeply. He had wanted so much to be faithful! He took pride in being different from his father, different from all those princes who offended their wives by parading their mistresses. How could he face Danielle now? He was disgusted, angry at himself, but mostly, he was terribly sad. He threw his head back, trying to control the tears burning his eyes and finally rolling down his face unchecked. He rocked back and forth like a child, hugging himself in a desperate attempt to calm down. When he regained his composure, he dried his face and straightened his shirt and hair. He suddenly realized that all his money was missing, but he didn't care. He felt stupid, he had allowed himself to be manipulated into an unwanted encounter, but worst of all, he had failed Danielle and broken the promise he had made to her. He felt the burden of his sorrow weighing him down. It was the same regret he felt after he had thrown Danielle to the wolves at the masque. Once again, he had betrayed her, and once again he regretted his actions.

It was past midnight when Henri descended the stairs and found Laurent waiting for him. Montmorency, and the rest of the soldiers were already outside ready to return to camp. Without looking Henri in the eyes, Laurent followed him outside and the two men silently joined the contingent of French soldiers. Henri, Laurent, Montmorency and the other captains mounted their horses, and rode away from town with the soldiers marching behind them.

The following morning the French army, with Montmorency and Henri at the head, marched towards Picardy to provide the needed reinforcement to the King's troops.

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Having driven the Emperor's army away from Provence, the French felt empowered to fight and reclaim their invaded territories. They planned a defense strategy of ambushes and surprise assaults throughout their march north to Picardy. Upon their arrival, they launched a series of successful attacks, ending the war after only three days of fierce battles. The Emperor's troops were forced to retreat, and the French army took Picardy and the whole region. The defensive warfare had been successful, and the French had won the war, repelling two invasions and inflicting a blow to the King Emperor.

After holding a defensive position for so long, Montmorency and Henri were eager to enter in direct battle with the Emperor in a position of power. They started to plan their offensive with the intention to invade the commune of Thérouanne, and then Desvres in the Flemish frontier. However, before they could advance into those territories, they received an envoy with a letter from the King informing them that the Emperor had proposed a truce. After months of relentless battle, the complete destruction of towns and villages and suffering innumerable loses, King Francis welcomed the truce proposed by the Emperor. In truth, both sides eagerly accepted the armistice.

The letter also included other important information: the Court had returned to Fontainebleau and Danielle was with child. The news of the Dauphine's pregnancy had already spread through France's large cities. In fact, the ambassadors of all European Courts to France were excited at the news of a new prince or princess on the way and made sure that the information was announced throughout their respective kingdoms.

Henri, frustrated that he hadn't heard the news sooner, could not contain his happiness, and welcoming the truce he celebrated with Montmorency and the troops. He was ready to leave the front and go home to Danielle. Montmorency made the plans to pull out the troops, determining that Henri should return to Fontainebleau with the majority of the soldiers. He, as Lieutenant General, would travel to Provence with a small group of men to assess the damages and manage the region's recovery.

Two days later, Henri arrived in Fontainebleau to a welcoming hero's reception. The troops were praised by the King at an elaborate banquet in their honor. The celebrations went on for days, and Henri was delighted to resume his life with Danielle, proudly waiting for the birth of their child.

Montmorency, meanwhile, had arrived in Provence to assess damages and make reparations. And per the King's instructions, with money and supplies, he was to compensate all landowners and peasants who contributed to the war's success. It was then, that while conducting his clean up of the ravaged region, Montmorency received word from his men in Piedmont that the Italian courtesan Filippa Ducci, Henri's liaison that evening at Le Poulet Gauche, was expecting the Dauphin's child.

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Thank you for taking the time to read our writing. We hope you enjoyed it. Please leave a review and let us know your thoughts. Thank you to our friend Jelani for his input from a masculine perspective regarding Henri's unfortunate affair.