AN: Bonjour Mes amis! In order to make up for the long-awaited and all too short chapter 11 I got on my muse like a slave driver! As always I strive to blend 16th century accuracy without destroying Ever After world. So, here is our little history lesson before our customary French. In 1538 about five years before Henri met Danielle, give-or-take as I set this in late August 1542. The real Henri II had his first child by a Piedmontese lady named Filippa Duci. Now, this was a huge deal because real Henri II had been receiving a lot of flak for being childless after being married for five years to Catherine de Medici. The child proved it wasn't his fault. (To be fair it wasn't Catherine's either, not entirely anyway) he was at war, it was a fling, but the girl born was acknowledged by her father, her mother wanted to enter a nunnery anyway, so she was raised as a princess by the woman Henri II really loved Diane de Poitiers. Well, adding this bit of history, (with changed names and circumstances) adds more depth to Ever After Henri, and honors history.
AN2: To forestall any heated comments about the sexual mores portrayed in this story, please remember this is 16th century France and although the Reformation is about to explode both sides agreed that Sodemy was a mortal sin and you were going to hell for it. I do not believe in a lake of fire where Almighty God would torture anyone! However, the laws of man and both churches decreed that if anyone was found guilty of being a Sodomite (homosexual) a red hot spike would be forced into his nether regions until he was dead. I'm also not a person who believes in the death penalty. However, even in Ever After world they would have believed in the laws of the Church and men. So, please no hate here, I'm just working with history. Oh and the doctors are the actual doctors that Henri II used and relied on!
French Translations:
Ma enfant- literally my girl child.
La Comtesse- The Countess.
Ma Cherie- My dear (feminine) Ma fille- My Daughter.
Non- No.
Madame La Dauphine- My Lady the Crown Princess.
Le Dauphin- The Crown Prince.
Monsieur Le Dauphin- My Lord the Prince.
Mon Amour- My love (masculine).
Quel un tempérament vous avez, mon Coeur- What a temper you have, my heart. Mon Coeur is a French endearment. Basically saying that the man you love is your heart, Or woman, or child, or friend.
Mon Dieu- My God.
Ma Femme- My wife.
Première l'humeur maintenant le mélancolie- First the temper than the melancholy.
la pluie sur un desert- Like the rain in the desert.
Ma Amie, ma femme, ma vie- My Beloved (ancient French) my wife, my life.
Chevalier- Knight.
Soldat- Soldier.
le fils de France- The sons of France.
Dieu soit loué parce qu'il est Miséricordieux- Praise God for he is merciful.
j'ai une fille- I have a daughter.
Ma petite Papillion- my little butterfly.
Maîtresse-en-titre- Official Mistress (in the carnal sense.)
Danielle stood in front of the highly-polished silver mirror trembling in fear and awe of her appearance. 'How can this reflection be mine? The woman in this glittering dress of blue, silver, and pearls cannot be me. The shining chestnut hair coiled in a pearl encrusted snood, feels heavier and thicker than my own. Has my skin always glowed as it does now? What is that rich scent mingling with the rose and oils that the Comtesse had so gently massaged into my aching body? Could it be my own natural scent?' Years making sure the Baroness had her weekly baths along with Margarite's tyranny, had made her own hygiene a distant memory. Even her swims in the river failed her. 'The night of the masque I'd felt beautiful for the first time in my life, but now, I feel something more than beautiful.'
"Are you well, ma enfant?" the queen asked as she entered the room.
Startled from her reflection and the swirling thoughts in her racing mind the young woman dropped into the deepest curtsy automatically. "Good evening, Your Majesty. I am tired but well. La Comtesse has made every effort for my comfort and aid. It is truly more than I could ever expect or deserve."
"Oh, ma Cherie, ma fille, nothing is too much for the woman who has made my son live again!" exclaimed the Queen, as she embraced Danielle. "You look so lovely, and I can't possibly imagine a better use for my Madeline's unused gowns. Now, I can look at them with happiness. Danielle, no matter what the challenges you will face I swear by Almighty God that you will never face them without the support of those who love you." The Queen swore as she kissed Danielle's cheeks.
"Your Majesty, I pray that you find me to be a good daughter and servant to France! I ask your help, your strictest guidance in all things, and your instruction in every grace and virtue I am lacking. May Almighty God, and Our Savior, grant me wisdom and humility to learn," Danielle answered. Her arms slowly reached around to embrace her future mother-in-law.
Tears filled the Queen's eyes at Danielle's hesitant embrace and returned it with all her meager strength. "Come now, ma Cherie, there're only a few things left to do before you're ready."
"Still more?" Danielle questioned, her eyes wide with disbelief.
Laughing the Queen guided the reluctant girl back to the dressing table with another large polished mirror. "Only some finishing touches," the Queen assured. "First your hood. As a maiden, you can wear your hair loose, but a true noblewoman always wears a hood with a veil. Only during your wedding, and at your coronation will your head be completely uncovered in public again." Antoinette handed the Queen the gown's matching blue silk hood encrusted with larger pearls and trimmed with gleaming silver bands. The sheerest black veil that passed her shoulders cast only the quietest shadow over the glittering web of silver and pearls, holding her silken hair. "Now, for the final addition!" exclaimed the Queen with girlish delight. Danielle gulped as she saw two ropes of perfectly matched pearls each pearl the size of a quail's egg being brought to her by the Comtesse.
"Oh, non!" Danielle pleaded. "I will never be able to walk wearing those!"
Both Helene, and Marie burst into pealing giggles at the young woman's objections. Regaining her composer first the Comtesse attempted to reason with her young charge. "Madame La Dauphine, did you not carry Le Dauphin on your shoulders when you were both ambushed and accosted by a band of Gypsies? I assure you these pearls weigh far less than he. Also, to go before the King one must be at their most magnificent. If they are not, he will consider it a sign of gross disrespect."
The confusion and uncertainty filling the green-blue eyes of her future daughter-in-law, along with the longing etched in her youthful face, tore at the Queen's tender heart. "Ma Cherie," she cooed, once again taking Danielle in her arms. "I cannot imagine how difficult this must be for you, living the life of a slave only a few hours ago. Now, you probably feel as if you're being dressed up like a doll with only your face as your own. However, believe me when I say that this costume is vital for success, not only as a future Queen, but for you to take your rightful place among the ruling class. Your pride in the people of France must be reflected to the world in every aspect of your life. It cannot be encompassed in only fine and intelligent speech, good deeds, and justice. Every person that you will ever meet, or who will ever hear of you, must be assured by your dress, deportment, manner and reputation all add to the glory of France! True, it may not always be to your liking, but when you chose to love my son, you chose this life. It is a great burden, but he needs you. Danielle, you are the only person who can help him become what he needs to be for our people."
Danielle gently released the Queen, and stood tall with shoulders back and head held high. "Your Majesty, I now understand why Monsieur Le Dauphin referred to his life as a gilded cage. However, as you say I chose to love him and agree to reside here with him. I have no greater desire than to see him become a great King and to see my country and her people rise to the heights of human ability that Almighty God, who has created us in his image will allow us to achieve. I have much to learn, and much to assimilate within myself to be the wife he needs. Still I swear by our Savior that he shall never lack my love or devotion to him, even for one instant of our lives. Now, I think we should hurry, for I do long to see him."
"As soon as we finish with these last pearls, Madame, I shall escort you to Henri myself," Helene assured. "Now, this first rope will swag across your décolleté from shoulder to shoulder," as she attached the magnificent and quite weighty adornment. "The last rope is only a girdle with a silver pomander with oils of rose, cinnamon, and black pepper. It will help you endure any foul smells you may encounter. Most people still believe regular bathing to be dangerous," Helene sighed. "A false notion of course, however centuries of ignorance and fear cannot be overcome all at once. Fortunately, the King is careful to bathe more than once a week and changes his shirts and hoes often. I can guarantee this court smells better than the one in Spain!"
Danielle couldn't help but giggle. "Comtesse, you must have noticed my own horrific odor when I arrived. I certainly cannot judge anyone else." At last the girdle sat properly on her lower torso, and hung down the center of her gown and kirtle perfectly. The spicy floral perfume wafted through the air without being too cloying.
"Nonsense!" Helene replied. "Even the poorest can be clean if they are taught. You were horribly mistreated. Hygiene and good health has nothing to do with rank or fortune."
The Queen chuckled and interrupted her dearest living friend. "Now, Helene, spare the child your sermons. Take her to the gardens. I'm sure Henri has been waiting long enough to consider breaking down these doors! I must go make sure that the arrangements I made with Montmorency are completed, and that the King will remember to come to supper."
Helene and Danielle both dropped into curtsies. "Will Francis' Anne be at supper tonight?"
At the name of her husband's Official Mistress the Queen paused. "I am unsure. If the King wishes her to be present she will," with that, she swept out of the boudoir.
Helene sighed. "I wish to God that the King my brother would see that wretched d'Heilly for what she is! 'Tis bad enough that kings are exempted from all laws of fornication and adultery, but to flaunt that brazen, scheming, wanton, and greedy harlot to all the world is too much."
"The King is your brother!" Danielle exclaimed in shock.
"Oh yes," Helene answered with a wink. "I'm one of the bastard daughters of our father the late Comte d'Amgouleme my other bastard half-sister is married to the Duc de Lorraine, Marc's father. I fell in love with his younger brother and avoided a nunnery. It's just as well, I wasn't married long, but a monastic life is not for me. My sister wanted to be an Abbess, but my brother insisted she marry. So, she's formed her own dynasty! Marc is the oldest of twelve children, and to get even with our brother four of them, two boys and two girls are property of the church." Helene then took Danielle by the arm and began leading her to the Queen's gardens. "Personally, I think that my dear sister Louise should have let the children decide for themselves, but thankfully they seem happy enough. The only nephew that worries me as much as Marc is Pierre, he may be a Bishop, but he'd rather be a treasurer. That boy has a talent for squeezing coins out of anything. Yet, I cannot say he negligent in his duties. I think it will be better when he comes to court. He's too easily bored and cannot stand not having good conversation and a good game of chess."
Danielle, divided her mind between the Comtesse's lively chatter about her exceptionally large extended family, and memorizing the rout they took to the gardens. "When do you think, he will come to court?" Danielle asked.
"Oh, sometime early next year I think. Rome seems to want to lock him up there. I don't know why? Pierre has always had his own mind. I'm certain it's caused quite a few storms," Helene answered, her voice floating on the last bits of summer air. "Through this door, Madame La Dauphine we enter the Queen's private gardens. Nobody is allowed entry save for the King and family. I'll find a place where I can discreetly watch both you and Henri, without hearing any discourse. You both take the time you need to talk."
"Merci," Danielle whispered to her future aunt and squeezed her hands in gratitude. "Now, I just pray Le Dauphin will recognize me, or worse might laugh at me."
Helene kissed Danielle. "Ma Dauphine, he will not laugh. Hurry to him now."
The guards threw open the elaborately carved oak door emblazoned with Queen's armorial achievements. Danielle and Helene stepped out into the gardens bathed in the light of an orange-red sun. Taking a deep breath and turning her face to the sinking sun Danielle finally let the terror and exhaustion of the long weeks out completely. Throwing her arms out she twirled under the sky thanking God in her heart for finally granting her the freedom she longed for. Completely absorbed in her thoughts, prayers, and the beauty of nature around her that she did not see her future husband standing at the hedged edge of a rose garden staring at his beloved bride.
"I truly believe that if you requested it, God would take you into his arms and allow you to soar through the heavens," the young Prince cried out.
Dropping into a curtsy Danielle giggled. "Alas, mon Amour I have no desire to ask such a thing. I would rather stay right here on the ground with you," she blushed as Henri lifted her into his arms.
"Good! Because, I don't believe I could let you go even for God," Henri answered, kissing her lips gently. "How are you feeling? I know how much you've suffered today. Did Fernel treat you gently? I am so sorry that you had to go through it."
Placing her finger onto Henri's soft lips she smiled. "I'm very tired, and I admit it was uncomfortable, however, meeting such a kind intelligent man made it worthwhile. He praised Jaqueline's nursing me all these years, and he gave me a lovely salve that sooths my back immensely."
"Your back?" Henri queried. "You didn't say anything about it at Le Pieu's. Danielle, what happened to you? Please, I need to know so that I can protect you!" he urged, with eyes darkening with rage.
Danielle ran her fingers through Henri's dark unruly hair. "Quel un tempérament vous avez, mon Coeur! I suppose I did know that, but usually I was annoyed with you so I didn't pay attention," she chided as he stole a kiss from her cheek. "The Baroness beat me, lashed me, for any offense. The day of the Masque, she wanted Marguerite to wear my mother's wedding dress and shoes in my place. I objected, I even punched Marguerite after she insulted my mother's memory. She burned Utopia even after I gave up, and the Baroness lashed me. I knew you were waiting at Amboise, so Jaqueline saw to me and then I met you. I'd decided to confess everything to you. The name you demanded that was not my own, my station, why I impersonated a noblewoman, all of it— "
"Then I started my speech and you couldn't do it for fear of my slitting your throat I suppose," Henri mumbled. "When I tried to take you in my arms you cried out. Mon Dieu! How it must have hurt you to have me touch your wounds!" he exclaimed. "Forgive me, ma femme. That entire day and night I was the lowest of men."
"Première l'humeur maintenant le mélancolie. Sire, it is not fit for Princes' moods to be so changeable. Besides, to take the blame for the entire calamity only on your own shoulders is unjust and untrue. I bear equal fault for that day's and night's sad events. After all, I deceived you and I should not have done that. I had many times to repent and confess, yet I selfishly kept up the pretense, because you healed my heart. Your words at Amboise they were like la pluie sur un desert. God knows I would never have survived without: Maurice, Louise, Paulette, Gustav, and ma Cherie Jaqueline. However, the basis of their love for me is of loyalty and pity. You loved me for myself, however unconventional or opinionated I am to others. I have not had that since my father breathed his last words." She paused, and swallowed the mass of emotions threatening her composer. This was her sacred confession to her husband in all but name. She would not break down over past sadness's. "I couldn't break your heart with my falsehood in that priceless moment. A moment I believed would be the only great gift from Almighty God would give me for the rest of my life."
"Danielle, I drove you to deceit— "Henri tried to object.
"That may be, mon Coeur, it does not dissolve me from my own choices. I am a woman and I am born in sin the same as all mankind. It was my choice to continue the deceit, my selfishness, and my unwise actions hurt us both. Still, you should not be hurt over the beatings and lashings the Baroness bestowed upon me in ten long years. However, I think you should know one of your chambermaids fainted when she saw me in my bath. The scars are many, and they envelop my skin in malevolent spider's web. You'll find me far from a seductive beauty in our nuptial bed," she sighed, lowering her eyes.
Henri lifted her face to his. "Ma Amie, ma femme, ma vie, do you think I do not know the sting of the lash or harsh hand of a bully? When I was six years old, my brother and I were traded as hostages for the King after he lost at the battle of Pavia. There was a great treaty drawn up, and he promised that we would be treated well, and we would only be away a few months. Francis and I believed him not only as our father, but as our King!" he spat as his resentment began to boil. "How innocent we were. Not only did our adored Sovereign and father break the treaty immediately after setting foot back on French soil, but for five long years my dearest brother and I were prisoners of war, not royal hostages! Our friends and servants were either sent back to France, or worse sold off as slaves and prostitutes. All for Charles' warships and brothels. At last we ended up in little better than a dungeon ourselves. The guards delighted in tormenting us in abusive, profane speech, and would find any excuse to hit us or lash us. I would not and could not allow my brother, mon Dauphin, to endure the beatings so I took them for my country. When we finally came home, there were as many scars on my body as there are festering wounds on my soul. Helene with her determination and skill with medicine erased the physical scars of my boyhood with her elixirs and patience. Still, ma amie, I am a Chevalier and I am a soldat for France. I have seen battle and I have been wounded. Nothing serious really, they don't allow le fils de France in places where they are likely to be killed. Now, that I am Dauphin they cosset me to death! Do not think I will be repulsed by scars, Danielle, you are now and will always be the most desirable, beautiful, and enticing woman I will ever see. Our marriage bed will be a place of faithfulness and passion in every way. Just as Almighty God has deemed it to be."
As she sat listening to Henri's voice she heard not just mere words but music as emotions became his instruments. His passion and empathy, his bitter contempt for his father's actions. His quiet rage recounting the horrors of his years in captivity. His relief being loved so well by his aunt. Every feeling a note flowing together in a tragic ballad of loneliness, rage, resentment, hope reborn, love, passion and a hint of lust. Tears filled her eyes as her own empathy entwined her heart even tighter with his. Forgetting that they were not alone, Danielle threw herself completely into Henri's arms. Pressing her lips to is as she had done when he had asked her to be his wife. She murmured. "Dieu soit loué parce qu'il est Miséricordieux!"
Henri pulled away sighing. "Ma Amie, how I wish that was all I had to confess to you. Still there is more that you must hear and it may be impossible for you to forgive," he continued, his deep voice beginning to hitch.
"Henri, you are a good man," Danielle whispered, taking his face in her hands. "You may be impetuous and quick tempered, but you are incapable of any evil I could not forgive gladly."
With the admonitions of both his mother and Leonardo to be brutally honest and hold nothing back ringing in his heart, his dry throat formed the terrifying words. "Danielle, j'ai une fille!" he cried out with a gasp.
For a moment, the young woman felt her heart skip a beat. On this eve for lovers' confessions her future husband's words could not have shocked her more than if he had told her he'd committed cold-blooded murder. Yet in the stillness of that moment she felt no pain. She instinctively felt that the man she loved would not betray her, nor would he ever pursue a life of dissolution and sin. Henri had pulled completely away from her, shame and despair infused his entire body. She gently took his hands in hers and whispered as gently as she had the night he'd brought her home from the Gypsy camp. "How old is she, and what is her name, Henri?" she asked, grasping his large hands again in her own.
Henri had braced himself for rage, agonizing sadness, disappointment, and even a withdrawal of Danielle's love and promise to marry him. The thought that she would be gentle and willing to hear more about his beloved child stunned him into silence for a short time. Finally, he allowed himself to gaze on her infinitely patient and wise eyes, and found himself able to speak. "Ma petite Papillion, turned five this July, and her name is Madame Marianne-Therese de Valois. I begged my father to legitimize her after she was born, but he didn't see why he should. Also, he said it would be inappropriate to give my bastard equal rank with my future legitimate children." Again, his voice changed from timid, hopeful paternal love, to the bitterest gall when referring to the King. "However, for you to understand everything I have to start at the beginning. I shall not try to make it seem like a passing fancy, or a youthful indiscretion. I wasn't overcome with lust for a woman, this was and still is a matter of life and death. Ma femme, I need you to say nothing until I finish speaking. When I have pleaded my case to you I leave what happens next in your power. I know it's ironic that I'm asking you for what I denied you on the night of the Masque. I am pleading for not only our future together, but the future of the only person I have given myself to completely until you. Do not condemn ma enfant for her father's pitiful state and weakness."
Danielle gently squeezed his shaking hands in her own steady and warm hands. "Tell me everything, Henri," she admonished with gentleness and love.
Henri sighed and rose from their comfortable bench to pace. "I suppose I should start with one important fact. When Francis and I returned from Spain we had a terrible time adjusting not only to being home, but to our father's insistence that we behave as proper French Princes. He said he hated, 'Sleepy, sullen, dull, children.' We were to forget everything in the past five years and be the perfect models of our father. Neither of us could do it, but Francis was always more aware that the good of the nation was more important than a father's love or understanding. The King was needed in his country, and we did our duty by going to Spain in his place. We began to argue bitterly about it, because I knew he broke his word and left us to rot. He had our youngest brother Charles, and we were collateral damage. Our father's new Maîtresse-en-titre did not help the situation. I despised her then and I despise her now. She is a greedy, haughty, and wanton whore. However, Francis also felt that as King of France our father had the right to have any woman he chose, and it was the duty of our mother to accept it. As for my personal beliefs and opinions they didn't matter for I was first a subject and then a son. Personally, I don't think Francis liked Anne any more than I do, but he knew his destiny and he never questioned the rights that would be his. Anne flattered and praised him, and he did enjoy it, but he never joined her circle completely. Then there was our youngest brother who had until our arrival back home had been France's cherished and pampered Prince. Now, do not think Francis or I were envious of this. After all, he was only eight at the time, and he still is the favorite of all my father's children, because he was my father's image in personality. However, Charles didn't like having to step back for either of us especially me; the Prince who would not be what his father wished. By the time, we all grew up, Francis thought me a fool, and Charles thought I was little better than a common foot soldat. Still, while Francis lived we maintained a civil truce. After he died, everything changed. My father detests the fact that I am his heir, that I survived at all. Poor Charles, he loved my father so much and between Anne's hatred for anyone who sees her for what she is, and my father's wish that Charles could be his heir, they drove us further apart. During a campaign in Piedmont, I discovered one of Charles' friends had started spreading innuendos that I had acquired a taste for the unnatural in Spain and that was why I had no mistress or any dalliances at court. Slowly these innuendos morphed into horrific rumors that I was a Sodomite!"
Unable to keep quiet any longer Danielle bolted up from the bench to hold her Prince. "How could anyone dare slander you in such a heinous way? How could your own brother condone this?" she hissed.
Taking her by the hands, Henri led her back to the bench. "Honestly, I don't think Charles knew anything about it. He was fighting much too far from me to have started it. While he didn't like, I was heir, I was still his brother. Honor meant a great deal to him. However, if word got back to my father, he'd have a perfect reason to disown me, and he could have chosen for me to suffered the punishment for unnatural inclinations. He's already signed a treaty that gave my birthright the Duchy of Milan to Charles, and was in negotiations to marry Gabriella or her cousin, so that one day he could challenge me for the thrown of France. The rumors would have been an easier way out of the mess. Fortunately, I had an ally that I didn't know I had. I was staying in the Mayor's house after we drove the Spanish from the town. He had a widowed sister named Anna-Teresa and she had heard the rumors—" Pausing Henri swallowed the tears in his throat and forced himself to continue. "She was a fine woman, Danielle. A lot of the Commanders had their eyes on her, she wasn't a great beauty, but she had a fire in her that burned hotter than the sun. After her husband's death, she wished to take the veil, but her brothers wouldn't let her. One night, she knocked on the door of my bedchamber and begged me to let her in. Thinking some of the men had gotten drunk and were harassing her I did. That's when she saved my life and gave me the only gift that has ever been truly my own. However, we did not fall into each other's arms. No, that dear selfless woman had to talk me into it. I'll never forget what she said…"
"Monsieur Le Dauphin, soon the rumors will reach the King and then what? I have kept my eyes and ears open. You have enemies stronger than you are. You have no way to prove your innocence. I have loved only one man, my husband. When he died, I also died as a woman. My own brothers want to control his fortune. They will not let me go to a convent. However, if we lie together, they must send me away, and you have proof that you are no Sodomite!"
"Still, I refused!" Henri emphatically continued. "I told her I had no wish to be guilty of fornication, nor did I view her so disrespectfully that I could lie with her and then discard it like my chemise in the morning. In my heart though I knew that if my father heard even one whisper that the best I could hope for was being locked away in a monastery. I argued. She argued. Finally, I gave in. It was agonizing for me, not only because of sin, but because this woman four years older than I had taken it upon herself to save me. She could have gone to anyone to get her freedom, but because she saw my catastrophe she chose to save me. The next morning, she kissed my brow, thanked me, and told her brothers. They were angry, but they couldn't stop her anymore. Every soldier we had in the army knew about it before vespers, and I spent half the day praying by myself and attending confession. I insisted that we escorted to a convent in France where she would be completely protected. I even shared my quarters with her to protect her, and keep people believing I had a Mistress. In truth, we never laid together again."
As the late summer sun turned from red to bronze, a gentle breeze swept through the garden. The perfumed air saturated with the scent of honeysuckle, lavender, rosemary, roses of every color, and lilac further served to sooth Henri's feelings as the weight of years' worth of secrets fell away while confessing to his love. Calmer and confident that the worst passed, he rejoined Danielle on their bench and took her hand in his. To his delight and awe, Danielle leaned into embrace him and lay her head on his shoulder. "I'm ashamed that I thought of you so harshly in the beginning," she whispered. "After I first went to the palace, I told Paulette I thought you and Marguerite deserved one another. Oh, how wrong I was! You have suffered far beyond what I can imagine." She kissed his cheek and laid her head again on his shoulder.
A smile broke out on Henri's face. "How ironic when all I wanted to see you and be scolded again," he chuckled. "Admit it, you enjoy putting fools in their places," he insisted.
"You are no fool mon Coeur! you are hurting and perhaps misguided. However, I could never love a fool! As you have commanded me I must obey, I do like debating with you. As for true fools, it does please me when they fall due to their own failings," Danielle agreed. "Now, please finish. I have many questions, about the daughter I've been blessed with."
Gazing down in amazement at her beautiful, bright, loving, and intelligent face, Henri held her tighter. "In a matter of weeks Anna-Teresa discovered we had conceived. I'll never forget how she told me…"
"Sire, we have conceived a child. I am quite concerned as I have only delivered to my late Lord Husband dead children. However, all children are gifts from Almighty God, and I will fight to preserve this sacred life within my womb. That said, I regard this child completely as completely yours. It is still my intention to take the veil, for the outside world holds no joy or interest to me. Think not that I care nothing for this child, for this child is the savior of both our lives. However, I am the vessel to nurture its life. I cannot be its mother in truth. You are the heir to France. I am a common Italian woman. The woman you marry will be the mother this child will know, for I know you would never marry one who would reject your child. I am forever in your debt, Sire, for you have given me the life I crave. I hope this child will bring you comfort and joy."
"As you might imagine I was shocked and terrified out of my wits. I lashed out at Anna-Teresa saying that I had been abandoned by my own parents and I would not allow my child to suffer thus. I pleaded with her, for I did not know how to be a father, how would this child survive without the love and affection of a mother," Henri continued. "She would not be prevailed upon to any compromise. For Anna-Teresa the child was a savior not her child. When I realized, my arguments were futile I wrote to my mother and Helene. I Insisted that the child be born at Blois, the Queen's most cherished home. Mother and Helene arranged for the finest medical care, and everything the baby would need boy or girl. I insisted that the preparations be fit for a prince or princess of France. I would not let this child be swept under the carpet like so many royal bastards. Even though the child had been conceived outside of wedlock it was under duress on both our parts. We had no other options. Anna-Teresa agreed to all my demands under the condition that as soon as the baby came, I would take her directly to the convent. I gave her my word. After I made sure that everything was prepared and Anna-Teresa was settled comfortably in Blois I went back to the battle. As soon as word reached me that the baby would arrive within the week, I rode back to Blois with only Marc and Jacques my two most loyal and best friends. Jacques is in London now, as an attendant to his father our Ambassador to England," Henri added. "We rode for three straight days and nights. When we arrived, the labor had just started. Little did I know how it would turn out. For four days Anna-Teresa battled bring my child into this world. Doctor Ambroise Paré a surgeon who had saved many men on the battlefield and a genius at the most difficult forms of surgery both on wounded men and on mothers had been there for weeks in case of the worst. However, in spite all his and Doctor Fernel's diligence, skill, and dedication, Anna-Teresa started fading no sooner than my little girl was swaddled and placed in my arms. Like always she insisted on her own way. Her last words to me were…"
"Sire, do not think you or this child are responsible for my death. I always knew either the child would live or I would. I am glad it is your child who lives. I have endured too much of this world and its evil cruelty. I am glad to be going to sleep, with no more grief, pain, or malice in my heart. If the child should ever ask about me, you must say that it is because I gave birth to it that we were both saved from the horrors of evil men."
"Then she closed her eyes forever." Henri finished unable to keep a tear from escaping and rolling down his cheek.