Chapter Eight
Marina sighed as they pulled away from the palace. She looked over at her two beloved stepgranddaughters across from her. Tears still streamed down Danielle's face, but Marina could see that the tears were a part of cleansing herself after how she had spoken to the man she loved.
"You still love him," came Meredith's voice.
"Yes, I do. But it doesn't matter. I will never forgive him for what he said or for the fact that he believed Rodmilla's lies," Danielle said vehemently before she looked out of the carriage at the passing scenery, effectively ending the conversation.
Meredith sighed before turning to her grandparents. "Is there anything that we can do?"
"No, I am afraid not. Unless his highness can prove somehow that he is worthy of our forgiveness, there is nothing that we can do," Andrew said.
Henry stared out the window of his room, sadness filling his being. He couldn't believe that the truth Rodmilla had said the night before was a half-truth. Danielle, his beloved Danielle, was a noblewoman. And she no longer loved him.
He understood why his father and mother, as well as the Marquis and DaVinci, had given him such stern reprimands. If only he had been willing to listen.
A knock sounded on the door at that moment, and his friend, Captain Laurent, came into the room.
Henry turned to him and sighed. "So, you've heard."
"The King informed me of what happened and also told me some good news," he said.
"What good news?"
"Jacqueline is to take over the Manoir de Barbarac and become Baroness once her mother's punishment is decided. It was Danielle's gift to her. Jacqueline never mistreated her and Danielle also knew that Jacqueline wasn't as doted upon as Marguerite was," Laurent explained.
"Is Marguerite to be punished for how she treated Danielle?" Henry asked.
"Yes. Marguerite will be a servant at the Chateau de Loncret for the next two years. Marguerite always had regrets about how Danielle was treated, but could never go against her mother. She also apologized to Danielle for how she treated her," Laurent said.
"If only I could do something like that and earn Danielle's forgiveness, but now she hates me," Henry said.
"You hurt her, twice! First at the masque and then in the gardens earlier. She's hurting so much right now. Give her some time and maybe she'll forgive," Laurent said.
Later that night, Marguerite settled into her modest room in the servant's quarters of the Chateau de Loncret. She looked around and placed a few of her most precious belongings on the shelves along one wall of the room.
She looked around the simple room and knew tht she had it much better than her mother. Her mother was down in the dungeon of the Chateau, in a cold cell with just a cot to sleep on, while she had at least a few thin blankets to cover up with and clothes that she was given to wear to match the rest of the servants around the Chateau. Her mother only had the dress she had been wearing that morning.
She sat on her bed and contemplated what she had done during her life and realized that much of what she had done would not be seen as noble or loving. She knew that she had to change and she knew that paying for how she had treated both Danielle and Jacqueline would be a good start.
A knock sounded on the door at that moment. "Come in," she beckoned.
Danielle came into the room and closed the door behind her. She smiled at her stepsister before she began to speak. "Grandfather asked me to brief you on what you will be doing for the next two years."
Marguerite nodded. "Of course. Would you like to sit?"
"No, I would not. Tomorrow, you will be under the jurisdiction of Mrs. Bund. She is the head of our kitchen staff. You will help with the preparation of the meals as well as helping clean the chateau. Normally, you may not see us unless we happen to call upon you or if we come upon you while you are cleaning. As long as you are working, you are to address us properly. First names are not allowed to be used when you are addressing us. As long as you do as you are told and taught, your time here should be relatively easy," Danielle said.
Marguerite nodded. She then asked, "My lady, if it is allowed, may I ask of my sister?"
"Jacqueline will gain the title of baroness and she may choose to punish you as well. She will remain at the Manoir de Barbara and hopefully bring it back to prosperous times," Danielle said.
Marguerite smiled. "I am glad you chose not to punish her."
"Jacqueline was the one who made you and your mother bearable. She never treated me as you did. And she was the one who treated me after I was lashed.
Marguerite nodded. "I am sorry for that. I never should've said what I did about your mother."