The Truth Must Be Told
Disclaimer: Nope not mine
Note: This is the next chapter. There will be more to come. I have decided to make this a chapter fic. I hope you all enjoy it and I ask you please, if you read also review, it is my lifeline and encouragment to continue. Thanks.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Danielle could not remember ever feeling as unbelievably content as she did at that very moment. She had told Henry, her prince, the truth and he had accepted her for who she was. 'And now' she couldn't help but think 'everything might just turn out alright.'
Henry pulled Nico... no Danielle gently to her feet. 'This may take some getting used to' he thought with regard to her change in name. 'But, 'Danielle' suits her well.' He was in love and so everything was wonderful in the world.
"My love?"
"Yes, Henry?" Still she felt ill at ease calling the prince of France by his christian name. Even if she did love him and he her, it felt so informal. She was used to the life of a servant, being treated as little importance to anyone, the knowledge that someone cared for her so greatly was hard for her to accept.
"As much as I would love to stay here with you forever. We must decided what we intend to do now."
Henry was right, and Danielle's utopian world came crashing down. What could they do? The Baroness? The thought of her turned Danielle's blood cold and she shivered involuntarily. Henry pulled her closer, gently and kissed the top of her head. He felt he needed to protect her. She had been on her own far to long.
'And then there was the King and Queen. How would they take the news that their only son, and heir to the throne had chosen to marry a servant? Certainly that would not sit well in the royal court.'
"Henry?" Danielle spoke softly, frightendly looking up at him and deeply into his eyes. "Your Mother and Father? I'm not sure that this is a good idea, they will hate me for what I am. You are too good to be with a servant." As she saw him begin to argue she quickly added "even if you do not think so, they will. And if they don't the rest of the royal court shall. Henry I'm sorry, but you deserve so much better."
She turned away form him then, too ashamed to face the one she so loved. She thought of running, but she knew Henry deserved for her to stay and end things peacefully, she had run from him too many times.
Henry inwardly scolded himself. He should of simply led her to the safety of the palace instead of worrying her so. But he hadn't been thinking clearly, he was so caught up in his feelings of love. But now that the thought had been bought out into the open Henry couldn't help but ponder the truth in it.
How would his parents react? Perhaps his mother would be fine, and then maybe should could convince his father. King Francis was a hard man, however he always listened to his wife, especially when it came to matters concerning Henry.
But would he want Danielle to be there to witness the first encounter his parents had with the news? He did not want to frighten her, when she was already so fearfull of royal life. With plenty of reason he added, for royalty had never been exactly lenient, nor kind to the class of servants.
The more Henry thought on this matter the more it amazed him. His entire life he had never given his many servants a thought. They were there to do as he wished, nothing more. They were not people who had feelings, hopes, dreams, aspirations. They wanted only to do as he commanded.
Now he was ashamed of his past attitudes. Here standing before him, with her head down, worry crinkling her perfect visage, was the most wonderful woman in the world. A woman he loved beyond all others. And she was a servant.
'Yes' he thought with grim resolve, 'I cannot have Danielle around when I tell my parents the truth. They were unpredictable people and he wanted nothing less than to upset his beloved.
He looked at her lovingly. Her back was towards him. She was to upset to face him. And then he remembered, her back, he would have to get a physician to look it over, and where would she got to, if not with him now. He would never send her home, to her master, when horrible things like this could be waiting for her again. He was at a complete loss as to what to do.
"Danielle my dear, please look at me"
He placed his hands on her shoulders, carefully, lovingly. He then bent down so he could see into her amazing eyes, for she would not lift her chin.
"I will never allow you to go back to your masters house again." He said with more conviction than he felt, for he never knew how the day may turn out. "However I feel it would be best if I was to inform my parents of the news of our engagement alone.
She bit her lip softly, he could tell she was worried. "Henry I am more trouble to you than I am worth, do not worry about me so. I shall go home, if it is easier for you."
She was so wonderful, she would do anything for him, he loved her so.
"No my dear please never speak like that again. You are worth anything and everything. You are the world to me. Fear not fair princess for I have a plan. You will come with me now to the palace, however, and for this I apologise profusely, I think it should be for the best if you were to enter around the back, into the servants quarters, I will show you where to go. I will station someone there to clean you up, and look at your wounds. A fresh gown will be bought to you, and you may wait there until I come and collect you. It shan't take long my darling Danielle and then I can introduce you to your new parents in law."
He was quite pleased with his plan. And Danielle agreed. She felt no shame, she had said at entering the palace through the servants entrance, and why should she. He was glad for he had not wanted to offended her.
However whilst telling her of his plan many questions had been bought to his mind. He knew little of Danielle's life and family. Up until a moment ago he thought she was the beautiful cousin of the Baroness de Ghent. And with just cause he thought suddenly, for was it not within that manor, the manor of The Baroness that he had picked her up on the way to the monastery. How on earth had such events come about. There was so much he needed to know. He debated to himself, as he grabbed her hand and they set of on the long walk to the castle whether she was strong enough to tell him right now. However he concluded that he must know all the facts before talking with his parents, and besides he reasoned Danielle had never proven herself to be anything but strong in the time he had known her.
"Danielle?" he began tentatively not wanting to upset her and feeling as though he were walking on dangerous ground.
"Please before I speak with my parents there are many things I must know, so that my story is in order."
"Yes Henry." Replied Danielle worriedly for this conversation could only turn bad. "You may ask me anything you like, for you are, of course, entitled to know." She tried to smile at him then, but failed, she was dreading too greatly what he may ask her. And she knew she could not lie to the crown.
"Why is it" He began wishing to god he had had more sense than to bring up this uncomfortable conversation. "That when I came to visit you, under the impression I received from a peasant boy that you were the cousin of the Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent, at the de Ghent manor you were already inside there, and fully dressed as a noble woman?"
Danielle gasped. There was no decent answer to this question other than the truth. She would have to tell Henry everything.
She breathed in deep, then stopped him. She wanted to tell him this story without interruptions. It was all very important to her.
"Henry, you know, as I have told you before, that my father is dead. He died when I was eight years of age."
She paused and saw the look of acknowledgment and recognition in Henry's eyes. So far so good she thought.
"What I didn't tell you" She continued in a very subdued voice. "Is that two weeks before he died he bought home a new wife. My own mother had died shortly after giving birth to me. His new wife was the Baroness de Ghent."
Henry gasped and began to speak but Danielle urged him with her eyes to silence. She needed to complete her story.
"Her two daughters had come with her. And for two weeks we lived all together in the manor rather uneventfully. I was just a child and to me life continued almost as normal. But then, two weeks later as I said, my father died. I was an orphan now. And I was under the guardianship of my new step-mother the Baroness. 'She owned me now' was how she put it. I was but eight years old and to me this made sense. I thought she was grieving the death of my father, as I was, and that was why she was always in a bad mood. I didn't wish to upset her more, she was after all my step mother. So I did as I was told, without complaint, when she told me to move out of my room I simply did so, and when she told me to help in the kitchen, make breakfast, light the fires, clean the manor, I did so.
Life continued like this for years. I never did anything to contest her. She was my darling fathers wife, and it was out of love for him that I did as I did. I loved the manor for it was his home and I knew, as the Baroness told me so that if I didn't do as she said that she could send me of the property, the only memory left of my father."
Danielle looked down. She wondered what the prince would think of her now. He knew her story, she had nothing left to hide. She awaited his reaction with nervous anticipation.
Henry, had never felt this angry in his life. As her story had begun he had felt little but pity. However as she went on his blood began to boil. The Baroness was Danielle's master, her step mother. Had the Baroness been the one to.... he had to know.
"Danielle?" He questioned softly, he didn't want to upset her and he knew that that had been hard for her. "My darling look up at me and don't feel ashamed. Nothing is your fault, you are wonderful, and I love you. But my dearest I must know, was it the Baroness who, who." He faltered it was so painful for him to think that anyone would ever want to hurt someone as wonderful as Danielle.
"Was she the one" He began again "Who, hurt you?" He couldn't speak of what was done but she knew what he meant.
A silent tear fell from her eyes as she nodded "yes" she replied weakly barely above a whisper.
Henry stepped up to her and cradled her body within his own. They rocked gently back and forth on the spot. Henry kissed the top of her head over and over muttering to her.
"I'm sorry darling, I didn't mean to upset you. She will never hurt you again. Don't you worry she will pay."
"Don't feel bad Henry" Danielle spoke looking up at him for one of the first times. 'It's not your fault."
Come he said to her grabbing her hand protectively and began walking again. We have much to do.
There was no way he would allow his mother and father to refuse her now. Never would he send her back to the Baroness.
They walked hand in hand towards the palace and stopped just before it came into view.
Henry turned towards Danielle "Are you ready my darling"
She nodded determined to be strong for his sake. Inside she was petrified at the thought of entering the royal palace.
"Come then, there is much to do."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Hey thanks for reading. Next part coming soon. Don't forget to review.
Love always
Annie
xoxo
Disclaimer: Nope not mine
Note: This is the next chapter. There will be more to come. I have decided to make this a chapter fic. I hope you all enjoy it and I ask you please, if you read also review, it is my lifeline and encouragment to continue. Thanks.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Danielle could not remember ever feeling as unbelievably content as she did at that very moment. She had told Henry, her prince, the truth and he had accepted her for who she was. 'And now' she couldn't help but think 'everything might just turn out alright.'
Henry pulled Nico... no Danielle gently to her feet. 'This may take some getting used to' he thought with regard to her change in name. 'But, 'Danielle' suits her well.' He was in love and so everything was wonderful in the world.
"My love?"
"Yes, Henry?" Still she felt ill at ease calling the prince of France by his christian name. Even if she did love him and he her, it felt so informal. She was used to the life of a servant, being treated as little importance to anyone, the knowledge that someone cared for her so greatly was hard for her to accept.
"As much as I would love to stay here with you forever. We must decided what we intend to do now."
Henry was right, and Danielle's utopian world came crashing down. What could they do? The Baroness? The thought of her turned Danielle's blood cold and she shivered involuntarily. Henry pulled her closer, gently and kissed the top of her head. He felt he needed to protect her. She had been on her own far to long.
'And then there was the King and Queen. How would they take the news that their only son, and heir to the throne had chosen to marry a servant? Certainly that would not sit well in the royal court.'
"Henry?" Danielle spoke softly, frightendly looking up at him and deeply into his eyes. "Your Mother and Father? I'm not sure that this is a good idea, they will hate me for what I am. You are too good to be with a servant." As she saw him begin to argue she quickly added "even if you do not think so, they will. And if they don't the rest of the royal court shall. Henry I'm sorry, but you deserve so much better."
She turned away form him then, too ashamed to face the one she so loved. She thought of running, but she knew Henry deserved for her to stay and end things peacefully, she had run from him too many times.
Henry inwardly scolded himself. He should of simply led her to the safety of the palace instead of worrying her so. But he hadn't been thinking clearly, he was so caught up in his feelings of love. But now that the thought had been bought out into the open Henry couldn't help but ponder the truth in it.
How would his parents react? Perhaps his mother would be fine, and then maybe should could convince his father. King Francis was a hard man, however he always listened to his wife, especially when it came to matters concerning Henry.
But would he want Danielle to be there to witness the first encounter his parents had with the news? He did not want to frighten her, when she was already so fearfull of royal life. With plenty of reason he added, for royalty had never been exactly lenient, nor kind to the class of servants.
The more Henry thought on this matter the more it amazed him. His entire life he had never given his many servants a thought. They were there to do as he wished, nothing more. They were not people who had feelings, hopes, dreams, aspirations. They wanted only to do as he commanded.
Now he was ashamed of his past attitudes. Here standing before him, with her head down, worry crinkling her perfect visage, was the most wonderful woman in the world. A woman he loved beyond all others. And she was a servant.
'Yes' he thought with grim resolve, 'I cannot have Danielle around when I tell my parents the truth. They were unpredictable people and he wanted nothing less than to upset his beloved.
He looked at her lovingly. Her back was towards him. She was to upset to face him. And then he remembered, her back, he would have to get a physician to look it over, and where would she got to, if not with him now. He would never send her home, to her master, when horrible things like this could be waiting for her again. He was at a complete loss as to what to do.
"Danielle my dear, please look at me"
He placed his hands on her shoulders, carefully, lovingly. He then bent down so he could see into her amazing eyes, for she would not lift her chin.
"I will never allow you to go back to your masters house again." He said with more conviction than he felt, for he never knew how the day may turn out. "However I feel it would be best if I was to inform my parents of the news of our engagement alone.
She bit her lip softly, he could tell she was worried. "Henry I am more trouble to you than I am worth, do not worry about me so. I shall go home, if it is easier for you."
She was so wonderful, she would do anything for him, he loved her so.
"No my dear please never speak like that again. You are worth anything and everything. You are the world to me. Fear not fair princess for I have a plan. You will come with me now to the palace, however, and for this I apologise profusely, I think it should be for the best if you were to enter around the back, into the servants quarters, I will show you where to go. I will station someone there to clean you up, and look at your wounds. A fresh gown will be bought to you, and you may wait there until I come and collect you. It shan't take long my darling Danielle and then I can introduce you to your new parents in law."
He was quite pleased with his plan. And Danielle agreed. She felt no shame, she had said at entering the palace through the servants entrance, and why should she. He was glad for he had not wanted to offended her.
However whilst telling her of his plan many questions had been bought to his mind. He knew little of Danielle's life and family. Up until a moment ago he thought she was the beautiful cousin of the Baroness de Ghent. And with just cause he thought suddenly, for was it not within that manor, the manor of The Baroness that he had picked her up on the way to the monastery. How on earth had such events come about. There was so much he needed to know. He debated to himself, as he grabbed her hand and they set of on the long walk to the castle whether she was strong enough to tell him right now. However he concluded that he must know all the facts before talking with his parents, and besides he reasoned Danielle had never proven herself to be anything but strong in the time he had known her.
"Danielle?" he began tentatively not wanting to upset her and feeling as though he were walking on dangerous ground.
"Please before I speak with my parents there are many things I must know, so that my story is in order."
"Yes Henry." Replied Danielle worriedly for this conversation could only turn bad. "You may ask me anything you like, for you are, of course, entitled to know." She tried to smile at him then, but failed, she was dreading too greatly what he may ask her. And she knew she could not lie to the crown.
"Why is it" He began wishing to god he had had more sense than to bring up this uncomfortable conversation. "That when I came to visit you, under the impression I received from a peasant boy that you were the cousin of the Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent, at the de Ghent manor you were already inside there, and fully dressed as a noble woman?"
Danielle gasped. There was no decent answer to this question other than the truth. She would have to tell Henry everything.
She breathed in deep, then stopped him. She wanted to tell him this story without interruptions. It was all very important to her.
"Henry, you know, as I have told you before, that my father is dead. He died when I was eight years of age."
She paused and saw the look of acknowledgment and recognition in Henry's eyes. So far so good she thought.
"What I didn't tell you" She continued in a very subdued voice. "Is that two weeks before he died he bought home a new wife. My own mother had died shortly after giving birth to me. His new wife was the Baroness de Ghent."
Henry gasped and began to speak but Danielle urged him with her eyes to silence. She needed to complete her story.
"Her two daughters had come with her. And for two weeks we lived all together in the manor rather uneventfully. I was just a child and to me life continued almost as normal. But then, two weeks later as I said, my father died. I was an orphan now. And I was under the guardianship of my new step-mother the Baroness. 'She owned me now' was how she put it. I was but eight years old and to me this made sense. I thought she was grieving the death of my father, as I was, and that was why she was always in a bad mood. I didn't wish to upset her more, she was after all my step mother. So I did as I was told, without complaint, when she told me to move out of my room I simply did so, and when she told me to help in the kitchen, make breakfast, light the fires, clean the manor, I did so.
Life continued like this for years. I never did anything to contest her. She was my darling fathers wife, and it was out of love for him that I did as I did. I loved the manor for it was his home and I knew, as the Baroness told me so that if I didn't do as she said that she could send me of the property, the only memory left of my father."
Danielle looked down. She wondered what the prince would think of her now. He knew her story, she had nothing left to hide. She awaited his reaction with nervous anticipation.
Henry, had never felt this angry in his life. As her story had begun he had felt little but pity. However as she went on his blood began to boil. The Baroness was Danielle's master, her step mother. Had the Baroness been the one to.... he had to know.
"Danielle?" He questioned softly, he didn't want to upset her and he knew that that had been hard for her. "My darling look up at me and don't feel ashamed. Nothing is your fault, you are wonderful, and I love you. But my dearest I must know, was it the Baroness who, who." He faltered it was so painful for him to think that anyone would ever want to hurt someone as wonderful as Danielle.
"Was she the one" He began again "Who, hurt you?" He couldn't speak of what was done but she knew what he meant.
A silent tear fell from her eyes as she nodded "yes" she replied weakly barely above a whisper.
Henry stepped up to her and cradled her body within his own. They rocked gently back and forth on the spot. Henry kissed the top of her head over and over muttering to her.
"I'm sorry darling, I didn't mean to upset you. She will never hurt you again. Don't you worry she will pay."
"Don't feel bad Henry" Danielle spoke looking up at him for one of the first times. 'It's not your fault."
Come he said to her grabbing her hand protectively and began walking again. We have much to do.
There was no way he would allow his mother and father to refuse her now. Never would he send her back to the Baroness.
They walked hand in hand towards the palace and stopped just before it came into view.
Henry turned towards Danielle "Are you ready my darling"
She nodded determined to be strong for his sake. Inside she was petrified at the thought of entering the royal palace.
"Come then, there is much to do."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Hey thanks for reading. Next part coming soon. Don't forget to review.
Love always
Annie
xoxo