Danielle had intended to go back to work. She really had. But upon reaching the manor with Maurice, she jumped down, and headed for the water. The water that had been a play toy to her as a child. The water that had come to be a comfort to her when her stepmother had driven her crazy. The water that had chanced her second... no third encounter with the prince. The prince. The one thought she didn't wish to have in her head. Staring out at the water, the memories began to flood back to her.

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"You dare raise your voice to a lady, sir?"

That was the first indication she had had that he was there.

The guard had spoke, and Danielle found it odd that she could remember his words. "Your highness? Uh forgive me, sire. Uh, I meant no disrespect. Uh, it's just uh I'm following orders here. It's my job to take these criminals and thieves to the coast..."

Even now the words brought a fire up from in her."A servant is not a thief your highness, and those who are cannot help themselves." The amusement that had been on Henry's face was clear even now beyond the tears in Danielle's eyes.

"Really? Well then, by all means enlighten us."

"If you, suffer your people to be ill-educated, and their manners corrupted from infancy, and then punish them for those crimes to which their first education disposed of them, then what else is to be concluded, sire, but that ye first make thieves and then punish them?"

Thomas Moore. Utopia.

"The prince has read Utopia..." She had marveled at the thought.

"I found it sentimental and dull. I confess the plight of the everyday rustics bores me.."

"I gather you do not converse with many peasants."

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"Oh, Henry... why did you have to be so wonderful?" She breathed aloud, putting her head into her hands.

"You've asked me that once before, Milady, and I did not understand how it was a problem." Henry spoke from where he had moved to stand behind Danielle, wanting nothing more than to embrace her, but yet, he held back. They still had so much to say to each other.

Jumping up, the woman turns around quickly, staring in shock at the prince before her. "Hen-.. You're highness, you should not be here!"

"It is not a matter of whether I should be here, or not. I want to be here..." He steps towards her. She steps back. "Why?" Another two steps each.

"Because..." Another step. Suddenly, reaching out, grabbing Danielle before she toppled into the water. As his arms went around her, and pressed against her sore back, Danielle let out an anguished cry. This was not the first time Henry had heard this sound pass her lips when he embraced her.

"Does my touch really hurt you so deeply?" He inquires, his voice low as he glanced up to her eyes.

"No..." She moans, struggling to pull away.

"No? No, what? No I do not hurt you? No, do not touch you? No, you do not want me here?" He demands, becoming exasperated.

"Henry, please!" She looks down, putting her arms up to try and shove his away from her. Having none of it, he pulls her back. Now, holding her arms against her sides, he stares at her.

"Danielle, I'm sorry. I do not deserve your forgiveness, but I ask it of you anyway. I swore to you the world, and turned my back upon you in your deepest time of need. I denied you, your love. I hurt you, something that I had sworn to myself I would kill another for doing...Danielle... I'm sorry. Look at me, please look at me..." Henry pleads with her, trying to bend his head so he could look up into her eyes. They were tightly shut, but even that could not prevent the tears that slide down her cheeks.

"Say it again..."

"I'm sorry..."

"No... my name... say my name Henry... I have longed to hear it pass your lips..." She whispers, still not giving him the satisfaction of a smile, or looking into her eyes.

Henry though, didn't hesitate, and produces the shoe which had been the only thing he had to remind him of her.

"Where did you get that, Henry?"

"The owner of this shoe has stolen my heart, and I have no intentions of taking it back from her, so long as she will allow me to hold onto hers..." He whispers, moving to kiss her forehead.

"I am but a commoner." She says, a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

"No, Danielle. You are a woman. A free spirited, intelligent, indescribable wonder, and the only person who I could ever love. Not to mention the only woman who has told me to my face that I am spoiled. You are an excellent judge of character milady..." Henry smirks at this. "For if I cannot marry you, then I refuse to marry all together. Deal with that."

Danielle now stares at him. "You want to marry me, what about Spain, and your parents, Henry? The crown you were born into will never allow it."

Henry sighs, a hand gingerly running through her tangled hair. "To hell with anything and anyone who tries to get in our way. Just say yes... Please, Danielle. I ask you now as a man in love, but I would feel like a King, only if you are at my side."

Danielle breaks into a smile, soon followed by laughter, at which Henry pulls her into his embrace once again, kissing her deeply. He felt her tense in his arms, now furrowing his brows. "Danielle, I want an answer..."

"Yes, Henry, yes, a thousand times yes..." She begins, but he cuts her off.

"Does my touch really hurt you so deeply?" He restates his earlier question.

"Oh, Henry, not now, please not now..."

"Yes, now."

She sighs, stepping back, and turning. "Lift my hair..." She says, staring at the ground.

Curiously, Henry follows her instructions. Lifting her matted hair up off of her back, he pulls it gently to one side, and stares at the sight that lay before him. "What happened to your back?"

"I... was punished for speaking harshly to my step-mother earlier this day." She speaks quietly.

"And... at the Ruins?"

"For neglecting my chores and speaking out of line. Then, even more so, for striking Marguerite..."

Henry laughs despite his angry and concern. "You struck her? The black eye was from you?"

"I fear so, yes. She insulted my mother. The woman I have adored my entire life, without ever meeting. And then she threw Utopia into the fire." Danielle admits, moving to step away from his gaze.

Henry frowns deeply, leaning down to kiss her neck. "Let me wash them, Danielle. I will be gentle."

"What, you, a prince? I doubt you clean your own wounds, Sire."

"Henry... and if you call me anything but again, I shall be forced to tickle you." He grins mischievously.

Danielle rolls her eyes, though allows Henry to lead her back to the manor. Once they were inside, it was decided that Paulette would be the one to tend Danielle's back, though for all their arguing, Prince Henry refused to leave her side. As she lay on the bed, the back of her dress pulled open, Danielle blushes a little, causing Henry to laugh softly, and lean down, sealing her lips with his.

"What, Danielle de Barbarbac, embarrassed?" He teases.

She rolls her eyes at this. "If you do not stop, I shall be forced to tickle you." As she finished speaking, Paulette lay down the first strip of wetted cloth, causing the patient to gasp in pain.

Henry closes his hand around Danielle's reassuringly. "My love, if you marry me, you may do whatever your heart desires..."

"Then stop talking, and kiss me again." She grins at him, the smile growing infectious, though he was kissing her before he had the chance to smile.

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Wow... that one was longer than I expected.... well, they are passed the challange of forgiving each other... and Baroness Rodmilla is no longer a problem.... or is she? Hmm, haven't decided what to do with her as of now. Well, any how, review, and let me know if you like where this is headed...

Thanks to MelBelle and Amethystdancer!! The support is great! Hope you both enjoy this chapter...