Chapter 7: The Past Returns, Part A

Chapter 7: The Past Returns, Part A

"Guards, Take that man and woman into custody. Bring them to the castle. I will deal with them later." Francis could be heard almost half way across the tiny village.

Henry was tending to his wife while Laurent was tending to Jacqueline. Neither had woken up and had been down for at least 10 minutes. Leonardo had summoned for a doctor and was also trying to calm the churchgoers and clear out as many people as possible. The Queen, very angry and also worried, was pacing the aisles. She was worried sick for the two women she considered daughters and didn't know what to do. Danielle's lady in waiting was in a private chamber preparing a bed for the princess. The only person who was nowhere to be found was Marguerite.

Marguerite had slipped out of the church un-noticed by all. She was now sitting behind the church and was sobbing. She couldn't believe that her mother could be so cruel. How could she come back and do this? Why did she need to continue to ruin her life? She was also worried that she was going to be put in the stocks, or worse, beheaded. She continued to cry, as she knew she had nothing to do with her mother or that nasty Le Pieu showing up at the wedding. She also believed that no one would believe her. She was crying so hard she hadn't noticed the figure standing in front of her. When she looked up, she could see through the tears in her eyes, it was Gustave. He was looking down at her curiously. He had seen her run out of the church and thought she may have had something to do with this. He had second thoughts though when he turned the corner and saw her sobbing hysterically.

"Marguerite, please tell me you had nothing to do with this. For the sake of your sisters, please tell me."

"Oh Gustave. I swear on the life of the King I knew nothing of my mother coming back. For all I knew she was in the Americas. I had no idea she was coming here today. Please, you have to believe me. I have learned to love my sisters and I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize the new relationship have with my sister. Even I wouldn't go so far as to ruin her wedding."

"Margie, even with the obviousness of the situation, I do believe you. The hard part will be to convince everyone else. The only question I have left for you is this. What were your mother and Le Pieu talking about?"

"Sit down, dear Gustave, and I will tell you the tale."

Meanwhile, inside the church, Danielle was finally coming around. Henry was relieved. He let out an audible sigh that he had been holding since he had seen Danielle faint. He had been at her side and had carried her into the private chambers. As she came around, he had Lance, her guard, go to Marc and check on the status of her sister. Finally, Danielle tried to sit up and speak.

"Henry, what happened? Where am I?" She was looking around the room, bewildered. She had no idea where she was.

"Sshhhhhhh. Rest now. You are at the church. You fainted during the wedding. You are going to be fine."

"Oh, Henry. I had the most horrible nightmare. I dreamt that Rodmilla had returned and broke up the wedding. Henry it was awful. I hope that I didn't disturb the ceremony to badly. I haven't been feeling well these past few mornings. I don't know what came over me."

At hearing Danielle's dream, he turned away and winced. She thought it was a dream. He had to tell her. But not yet.

"Rest now love. I am going to fetch the doctor. Be sure to tell him of this morning sickness you are experiencing. I will call Ellie in to care for you. I need to speak to my father." He kissed her gently on the lips and helped her lie back into bed. He then went back into the church and sent Ellie in to be with Danielle. He also found the doctor and sent him in to see his wife. He then went to see his friend, who was sobbing in the corner of the church.

"Marc how is she? Has she woken?"

"No, not yet. The doctor said she is in shock. She is doing fine but they do not know when she will awake. Henry, I could kill both of them with my bare hands. Why did they have to do this? I also haven't seen Marguerite since this has all happened. I just know we couldn't trust her. How's Danielle?"

"She will be fine. The doctor is in with her now. She said she has been suffering from morning sickness the last few days but otherwise no worse for wear. She has no idea what is going on. She believes that she fainted and then had a bad dream about Rodmilla. I don't have the heart to tell her until I know she will be ok."

" I am sure she will be fine. She is a strong woman. I just can't believe this is happening. Why today? Why to us? Everything was going so well."

The King and Queen interrupted their conversation.

"Henry, your mother and I are going back to the castle to deal with this little problem. Please bring the ladies back to the castle as soon as they are well enough to travel. We have much to discuss and need to get started as soon as possible." He turned to Marc and put his hand on his shoulder "Marc, I think of you as my son. I am sorry this had to happen and I promise we will make it right. Go to your bride and make sure she is ok. I am sure we will learn the story in due time."

Marc began to sob again. He could only nod to the King and then turned and went to Jacqueline. Henry watched him until he disappeared behind the door then turned to his parents.

"I will be sure their heads roll. Rodmilla will die for not following through on her punishment and Le Pieu will die for what he has done to my wife."

"Henry, calm yourself. We will discuss this when you return to the castle. Now go to your princess and make sure she is ok. We will see you when you return to Hautefort. Now go." Francis gave his son a hug. Marie then took her son into her arms and kissed him lightly on the cheek. She then whispered in his ear, "Take care of her, I feel she will need it soon." Henry looked at his mother strangely and only nodded. He bid them good-bye and returned to his wife. As he started to open the door, the doctor exited the room.

"Doc how is she?" Henry said with a worried tone.

"She will be fine. She just needs to rest. But there is something I must tell you. I haven't told her yet considering what she has just gone through. Henry, you may want to sit down for this one."

Henry looked at the doctor and thought about what his mother said to him.

"Henry, your wife, The Crowned Princess of France, is with child. Your highness, you're going to be a father." The doctor had a huge grin on his face.

Henry promptly fainted to the ground.

Look for Chapter 8: The Past Returns, Part B