I don't own the rights to ever after...
Danielle nervously smoothed her dress as she waited for Henry to return with drinks for both of them. Where is he? she thought as she fidgeted.
At that moment Henry came up behind her and whispered in her ear, "Miss me?" The suddenty of a voice in such close proximity made Danielle jump sky-high.
"Don't do that!" she scolded Henry as he laughed. "It's not funny! I can hardly breathe."
Henry put down the glasses on the table next to her chair, took her by the shoulders, held her out at arm's length, and squatted down so that their eyes were level. "You will be fine. You're with me now, nothing will happen to you. I promise." Henry stood back up and pulled Danielle into a warm loving hug.
Suddenly the royal trumpets blared the entrance of the King and Queen and the two lovers had to run to catch up with them. Henry squeezed Danielle's hand as the ascended the throne platform.
"Friends, honored guests..." the King bellowed, silencing the bustling crowd. "It is my privilege to announce a long awaited decision. Our son, Prince Henry, has chosen a wonderful young lady to be his bride. I give you Countess Danielle de Barbarac." Henry escorted his fiancée half way down platform steps to present themselves to the applauding crowd. Without even a thought as to the reaction or the consequences Henry leaned down and gave Danielle a short, but passionate, kiss.
It wasn't until after Henry had withdrawn that Danielle spotted Margarite. Her mouth was hanging open in a very unlady-like manner; her face was as red as a beet, and she looked like she could be knocked over with a feather. It took every effort for Danielle to keep from doubling over laughing.
How could she do this?! He was supposed to marry me! "Mother! How could you let this happen?!" Margarite hissed.
"Come on!" Baroness Rodmilla snarled grabbing Margarite's arm and dragging her towards the happy couple making their way to the dance floor.
Danielle saw her enraged stepmother coming after them before Henry did and scurried behind him.
"How dare you?!" the Baroness screamed.
"Do you dare raise you voice to your future princess?" Henry said standing protectively between Danielle and her jealous stepmother.
"Your Highness, she has deceived you." Rodmilla stated, desperately trying to redeem herself. "She is not a Countess; she has been as servant in my home for the past ten years."
"I am aware of that. You may want to check you facts again...Danielle was named a Countess this morning in front of the court."
Danielle clutched the back of Henry's jacket as she watched Margarite's face go from red to purple. Oh no, here it comes...
"I'm going to KILL you!" Margarite screamed. Before Henry could retort her she lunged at Danielle and caught her by the skirt of her dress as she tried to get away. Margarite jerked on the dress, making Danielle fall onto the floor. Pure panic shone in her eyes as she desperately tried to scoot out of Margarite's path.
What has this woman done to torture Danielle so? Henry thought the split second between when he saw the look in Danielle's eyes to when he was trying to prevent further blows to her body. Just as Margarite raised her foot to kick, Henry caught her arm and jerked her back. "If you touch...one hair...on her head...I will personally make sure you and your horrible mother are shipped to the America's." Henry said shakily, trying hard to control his anger.
Danielle got to her feet, walked over and placed one hand on Henry's tense shoulder. Calm down she silently told him. Henry dropped Margarite's wrist and turned to face Danielle. She was trying hard to hold back tears. He brought her into his chest and let her head rest on his shoulder as he gently rubbed her back, keeping in mind that she was in pain.
The Baroness gave them an evil glare and then stormed out of the castle. Soon afterwards, Henry and Danielle left the festivities and walked slowly back to Danielle's chamber.
"Oh Henry! I really thought she was going to kill me!" Danielle sobbed into Henry's shoulder once they had entered her chamber.
Henry tried to comfort her as her brought her down on the love seat and let her curl into him. "Would you like me to stay?" he asked, stroking her shoulder. She nodded as she got up and walked to her bedroom door. "Where are you going?"
"To change. If you're going to stay, I'm going to get out of this corset." she said opening the door.
Henry got up and built a fire and then returned to the love seat. Ten minutes later Danielle emerged form the bed chamber in a full length, loose fitting nightgown and her hair hanging lose down her back. She walked over and joined Henry. Once seated, Danielle curled up against Henry's chest and closed her eyes, absorbing the moment. She fell asleep there wrapped protectively in Henry's arms.
Henry gazed down at Danielle's sleeping figure. Should I leave or stay with her? Danielle snuggled in closer to Henry. She's had such a hard day...I suppose I'll stay awhile longer. "Je t'amie" Henry whispered as he laid his head against the back of the love seat and fell asleep.
Around midnight the King and Queen came up to Danielle's chamber to check and see if she was OK. The Queen gently knocked on the door and when she got no answer she slowly opened it and found her future daughter-in-law curled up in her son's arms, both asleep.
"Come," she said pulling the King out of the doorway, "let them be. They need rest." She gently pulled the door closed behind her and the two headed off down the hallway to their chamber.
HEHE! I loved writing this chapter! I hope you enjoyed it as much I did! review please!