Chapter 48

"We'd better get back," Henry said, smiling, "or they'll send the Royal Guards to look for me."

Danielle nodded her head in agreement. "They've done that before."

"More than once." He laughed. "I've never been gone long enough for them to catch me."

"Well, then, what are we waiting for? The sooner, the better."

Henry grinned and looked at Danielle. They stared into each other's eyes before Henry picked up his hand and brushed her cheek with his fingers. He stopped smiling.

"I can't believe that we've done it, Princess," he whispered, looking into her eyes. "I don't believe that I've loved you and hurt you so much at the same time. I want to make it up to you, Danielle."

She looked at him, smiled and shook her head. "We have a lifetime to do that, Henry. Please don't blame yourself."

"I can't help it. If I hadn't seen Thérèse in the garden behind the manor, I don't know if any of this would've have happened."

"You don't know that for sure, nephew," a new voice called out and Henry noticed a form coming out of the shadows. "But, I am still glad that I had a little to do with that, large or small."

"Aunt Thérèse," Henry gasped, watching her coming towards him. "I thought that you were."

"Dead? Yes, Henry, I am. I have been granted some extra time on earth in order to complete what I have left undone. This includes witnessing your marriage vows and other chores that need my attention. One part of the plan is complete, there are so much more that needs doing."

Henry looked at Danielle. "Did you know about this?"

Danielle smiled and nodded. "She came to me in my room early this morning. I think I mentioned this in the garden."

"All you talked about was the need to rebuild the greenhouse so that my aunt had somewhere to live."

"I also mentioned that she was alive, Henry, and that she would be watching over us for a time. And yes, I spoke about how the greenhouse would be used for her quarters for the remaining time she had on earth." She frowned. "I guess you haven't paid much attention to me, have you?"

"Listen to me, children," Thérèse said, "there is to be no squabbling among yourselves. " She looked at both of them. I wish the two of you would forget your some of your petty differences and learn to resolve your issues. After all, you two are married now and will be spending your entire lives together. It is not essential that you stop arguing, for that is good and will make for a healthy relationship. Remember that they are like flowers, they need love and care to bloom and grow."

"You know that she is right, Danielle, " Henry said, looking into her eyes.

"We have to set an example for the rest of the world."

Danielle frowned. "We? What do you mean "we?"

Henry looked at her, a small smile playing on her lips. "I only mean that we as the Royal family have to show courage and fortitude in the face of adversity. We have to teach others to look up to us as leaders and earn their respect at the same time."

"Others?" Danielle cocked her head. "What others?"

Now Henry was confused. "You know," he said, "the common folk."

"Ahh," Danielle said, a little angrily. "You mean the peasants."

Henry looked at her. It was now his turn to frown. "I didn't say that Danielle, you did."

"Oh, and I suppose when the time does come for decision making the chore will all be yours?"

Henry looked at her and shook his head. "No, Princess. We will rule jointly, you and I. You will make a great Queen when the time comes, strong, passionate, and intelligent with a great sense of humor."

He stopped and thought for a second, still looking in her eyes. "I'm sure that there's something I left out, in fact, I know I did. It's right on the tip of my tongue. I wonder what it could be."

He rested his arms on top of her shoulders, and then pulled her closer.

"Do you think that you could help me remember?"