I do not own the rights to Ever After. Only the characters I made up (if there is any in this chapter)

"A servant?! Is he mad?! HE WANTS TO MARRY A SERVANT?!?!?!" "Francis, sit down before you have a stroke." The King obediently plopped into his chair. "Need I remind you that she was forced to become a servant in her own home and that de Lencrate is actually a noble name so she is actually of noble blood?" the Queen lectured to her husband. "They love each other Francis. You said if he found a girl he loved within 5 days he could marry her. He is well within your restrictions so I don't see why you are so riled."

"Fine, fine, but only if we make her a countess before we announce it. And what, may I ask you, has she done to deserve that title?" the King said, deliberately trying to get out of this.

"Well, I shall have you know, that she saved your son's life yesterday. What do you make of that?"

Francis frowned, clearly beaten, "Fine, fine, call the court to order. I'll let Henry marry this...Danielle."

Danielle awoke with the sun shinning on her face through the bay window. It feels so nice to be able to sleep in again. She closed her eyes and stretched and when she opened them again she saw Henry's face smiling down at her.

"I see you've finally come back to life." he said leaning down for a kiss. "You are so peaceful when you are sleeping. But I am afraid I have some exciting news that may disturb that peacefulness."

"What is it?" Danielle said sitting up and leaning against his body.

"Well," he said wrapping his arms around her shoulders and laying back down on the bed, pulling her down with him, "my father has approved of our marriage on one condition..."

"And what would that be?" she asked as she snuggled into him and started playing with one of the tassels on his chest.

Henry propped himself up on one elbow, "My parents are calling the court to order and you are to be named a countess." he said brushing the hair out of her face.

Danielle sat bolt upright, "A countess?! What on earth have I done to deserve that?" she exclaimed, her hair falling back across her forehead.

Henry sighed, "I just fixed this," he said brushing the hair back out of her face. "My father would just feel better if you became a nobleman before we announce our engagement tonight. Besides, you saved my life."

Danielle nodded slowly and then abruptly got off the bed. "Well, if I'm going to appear before the court I'd better be dressed."

"Ah, I have brought you a maid to help you with your dresses and hair. Unless, of course, you wish for me to help you." Henry said slyly as her watched her buzz around the room.

Danielle gave him a playful punch as she passed him, "Ha ha, very funny, but I think I'll chose the maid." Henry stuck out his lower lip. "Don't give me that puppy face, out." she said pointing at the door.

Henry obediently left and seconds later a confident looking maid came through the door.

"Milady," she said curtsying low. Danielle sighed I guess I'm going to have to get used to that. "Shall we pick out a dress for your appearance?" She seems friendly enough.

Twenty minutes later Danielle emerged for her chamber in a deep blue velvet dress and her hair braided and twisted into a bow while the rest of her hair hung down to her mid-back.

Henry rose for the love seat where he had been waiting patiently and walked over to Danielle. "Why are you smiling milord?"

"You're amazing," he breathed.

"Really?" she said taking a step closer to him.

Henry leaned down and kissed her. "Come, my parents wish for us to dine with them." Danielle gave him a panicked look. "Don't worry; they only want to get to know you before they present you before the court. I'll be with you the whole time."

Somehow that thought was the most comforting one she'd heard in a long time. Henry looped her arm in his and the couple started for the royal dining hall.

"Father, this is Danielle." Henry beamed as he offered Danielle a seat.

"Well here is the mystery girl!" the King chuckled. The four ate breakfast and made polite conversation. IN the end Danielle had told the King everything about the last five days and also gave him a short list of people she would like to invite to the wedding. "Now Danielle, what is this little encounter with an apple that Henry has told us about?"

Danielle felt her face turn bright red. "I--I didn't recognize him! I didn't mean to, honest!"

"Oh dear, we find it quite amusing. He needs to be knocked off his high horse once in awhile." the Queen said sweetly.

Danielle gave a short laugh. "He does get a bit cocky doesn't he?"

"Mother, father, should we discus the masque?" Henry said trying to change the subject.

"Ah yes, Danielle, when we announce the engagement you will be up on the throne platform with us. We'll announce the event and then both of you will share a dance." the King said assuringly.

Danielle nodded slowly. They are so welcoming. They treat me as if I am already their daughter.

"Do we need to find you a dress for tonight?" The Queen asked tenderly.

"I have plenty of dresses to choose from in my rooms. I believe I found one this morning that would do nicely."

"And what of the wedding? Do you have a dress for that?"

"Ummm, actually, my mother's wedding dress is back at the manor. If I could send a friend of mine to fetch it..." Danielle trailed off but was saved when Henry chimed in.

"Mother, don't you think it is getting a little late?"

"I suppose I should go call the court..." the Queen muttered to herself getting up.

"Henry, get your crown. Danielle, prepare yourself to become a nobleman." the King said in an official tone.

The royal trumpets bellowed and all the people in the throne room, including Danielle, scurried to their positions as the royal family entered. As they took their places (the King and Queen sitting in the thrones and Henry standing next to them) the room lapsed into silence.

"Danielle de Barbarac, will you please step forward?" the King bellowed. Danielle stepped out from her place in the crowd, walked to the base of the throne platform, and gave a low curtsy. The King ignored this act and continued on with the ceremony. "Is it true that you saved the Prince's life the day before yesterday?" he said as she rose back to her feet.

"Yes, it is"

"Then I believe that you must be rewarded, please kneel. From now on you shall be known as Countess Danielle de Barbarac." Danielle rose, smiling at Henry and returned to her place in the crowd.

As soon as the King and Queen left the room a flood of courtiers came down at her.

"What was happening to the Prince?"

"How did you save him?"

"Who was trying to kill him?"

Danielle tried to find Henry in the sea of skirts but soon gave up. It wasn't long before he found her though. As she was trying to answer everyone's questions all around her the women sank to one knee. Henry. Danielle whirled around to find him smiling down at her. "Your highness." she said curtsying slightly and clearly trying to annoy him. Henry rolled his eyes enough so that only she could see and offered her his hand. She gladly took it and allowed him to escort her out of the room.

Ok, how was that? Please review or I'll have to send the super sisters after you. Please don't flame me though. Like I said, it's my first fan fic.