*****A/N******** To all my followers I am so sorry it's taken me so long to update. But life got crazy. I hope to do better at updating in the future. As always I own nothing but the idea and sadly Fox owns the rest :(
Taking her back inside the cave, sitting in the fur covered bed by the warmth of the fire. Pulling her into his lap, wrapping her in his protective embrace.
"Tell me, I promise not to interrupt and listen to you with no judgments" Henry told her placing his lips to her forehead in a gentle kiss.
Danielle leaned into Herny's embrace. Fear still running deep in her as she gathered her thoughts. How could she tell him everything? She a lonely commoner who cleaned and took care of her family home, a sevrant to her step-mother and step-sisters.
"When I was 8 years old my father returned home from one of his business trips. He was a traveling business man. He returned with a new mother and sisters from me. Baroness Rodmilla de Ghett, Marguerite and Jacqueline. A dream for me, I never thought I would have a mother again, let along sisters ever. I have no memories of her, but my father would tell me wonderful stories of her and her beauty. He said I reminded him of her. Our servants who are part of our family, say I look like her now. While yes, we have servants, we all do our parts of the house work." Danielle told him taking a sip of her wine to calm her nerves.
" A few days later he had to leave again on business again. I cried all night. I hated when he would leave. He was my best friend, besides Gastave. We always gathered outside and watch him leave; he always waves at the gate. He didn't make it to the gate, he fell off his beautiful steed, he had a heart attack. Sorry again for attacking you for that, he is one of the last things I have of him." she told him wiping tears from her eyes thinking of her father's last moments.
" Wait, Marguerite is your sister?" Henry asked shockingly.
"Yes, she is my step-sister" Danielle whispered.
" Please continue" Henry told him rubbing her back seeing how hard this was on her.
" A few days after my father passed and things began to get back to normal, Romilla moved me out of my room and moved me into the servant quarters and gave my room to Marguerite. All of my things but clothing and the last book my father gave me was taken away. I was made to sever them. Romilla used all of my father's money to buy whatever she wanted. She sold Maureces to pay her taxes. I used the gold franks you gave me for your silence in the field that day to bring him home. He is family. I couldn't tell you my real name at the time. So, I used a name no one had heard of in years. My mothers. Yes, I lied about who I was and what I am. But I was still me. All the conversations we have had was me." Danielle told him, holding her breathe scared to what he would say.
"Wow, I wasn't expecting that. I don't care you're not a servant of your own making. That was your step-mother. Don't worry she will get what's coming to her and her daughters." Henry said
" You really are okay with who I am? Please dont punish Jacqueline, she has never treated me harshly unless she was forced to. While she wasn't treated as bad as me, she wasn't treated the best either." Danielle told him finishing her wine.
" Of course. she will be left out of the punishment, when we return tomorrow, I will speak with my parents. This will not go on anymore. Let's get some sleep" Henry told her, pulling the furs over them and pulling her to him.
"Thank you for listening and understanding why I did what I had to do. Family means everything to me" Danielle told him laying her head on Henry's chest listening to the sound of his heart falling sleep, slightly worried about what returning would bring, but for now she was safe in Henry's arms.