Chapter Three
"Danielle, Meredith, it's time for us to hear about your lives so that we may be able to proceed with any punishments that need to be given to Rodmilla and Esther," Andrew said.
Danielle and Meredith glanced at each other. Meredith nodded at her cousin. She would go first.
"Esther treated me as if I was her own daughter until shortly after father died. Then she started treating me with contempt, which neither Emilie nor Amelia could understand. They always treated me as if I were their sister. Even when she pushed me to be a servant in my own home, they still treated me as if I were their sister. The only time that Esther really got her way was tonight. She wouldn't allow me to go to the masque. I am kind of happy about that. It allowed you to claim me sooner, grandfather," Meredith explained.
Andrew nodded at his granddaughter and gave her a smile. "I understand, Meredith. Emilie and Amelia will not be punished. In fact, since Esther will be punished for mistreating you, I will bring them here to live with us."
Meredith's eyes light up at her grandfather's words. She loves her stepsisters dearly and didn't want that to change. "Thank you, grandfather!"
"You are welcome, Meredith," Andrew said and then turned to Danielle. "Well, my dear, it's your turn."
Danielle sighed and began. "Well, Rodmilla never truly tried to be a mother to me. Father tried to make her treat me as her own, but it never worked. Right after papa died, she turned me into a servant immediately. The treatment got worse from that day forward by all three of them, but Jacqueline has changed somewhat as the years have gone by. Marguerite is more doted on than Jacqueline is. I don't want her to be punished for any reason, just the two people who ruined my life tonight." Danielle paused before she began to tell them what happened at the masque. "Behind Rodmilla's back, I've been spending time with Henry using mother's name. Tonight at the masque, as Henry was bringing me up to the royal dais, Rodmilla stopped us and told Henry my real name and that I was a servant. I had no choice but to say she was telling the truth! And he wouldn't let me explain why I did it or the fact that Rodmilla was my stepmother! He just shunned me and walked away. I ran out crying and ran all the way back to the manor where you were waiting, grandfather," Danielle finished with tears running down her face.
"Don't you worry, my dear, Rodmilla and Marguerite will pay for their mistreatment of you. And Henry will get a mighty scolding from us as well when he finds out the truth," Andrew said, fury at Henry, Rodmilla and Marguerite radiating from his eyes. "As for Jacqueline, we can let her have the manor and she can bring it back to prosperous times."
Danielle smiled and nodded at his suggestion. "It may help her finally find happiness. She would be a baroness herself and she wouldn't be alone. I just barely saw her at the masque, but she was with Captain Laurent."
"Ah, yes. A fine match for Jacqueline, if I do say so myself. Laurent and Jacqueline would be very happy together. I believe that giving Jacqueline the manor will be a wonderful start to her life of love with Laurent," Marina said from her chair.
"I agree. Laurent is a wonderful man and will make a fine husband for Jacqueline and will be a wonderful baron for the Manoir du Barbarac," Livia said in agreement.
Danielle and Meredith smiled at each other. Three of their sisters would not be harmed, but Esther, Rodmilla, and Marguerite would be punished for mistreating both girls.
A few minutes later, the newly reunited family retired to their rooms. Danielle collapsed upon her bed, sighing in happiness. Anne came in a second later and helped Danielle ready herself for bed.
Danielle stripped her simple dress and Anne helped Danielle with a satin nightgown, white with silver inlays. Danielle also placed some satin slippers on her feet before Anne pulled down the covers and helped Danielle into bed. Anne tucked Danielle in under the quilt and blew out the bedside candle. Once Anne left the room, Danielle fell into a deep sleep.
"Where is she?" Rodmilla yelled as their carriage pulled up in front of the manor that same night.
Paulette instantly approached her mistress and said, "Danielle is not here, mistress."
"Maybe she ran away. Good riddance," Marguerite said as she stepped out of the carriage.
"I am sure she is saying the same thing about us. Especially after what happened tonight," Jacqueline said as she exited the carriage. "You ruined her life, mother!"
"She got what she deserved for lying to the prince," Rodmilla said as the three of them walked up to the door.
"So did you mother. Danielle is more than a servant, she is your stepdaughter and our stepsister! She deserves love and happiness just like the rest of the world! Why don't you see that?" Jacqueline asked.
"She is not of noble blood as we are, Jacqueline. She doesn't deserve the same things that we do. And no servant can ever truly find happiness unless their master or mistress is happy with them," Marguerite said.
"That is not true! Everyone deserves true happiness, no matter who they are, servant or noble. We are all the same, no matter what you believe, Marguerite. And you've just destroyed Danielle's only chance at true happiness and I will never forgive you for this!" Jacqueline shouted before she quickly marched into the house.
Marguerite stared after her sister before slowly walking into the manor, thinking about what her sister had just said.