all the legal stuff
Hi again! hope you like this chapter as much as i liked wrting it!
About a week after the masque Henry and Danielle went back to the manor to retrieve Danielle's wedding dress. Paulette was the first to the door and let out a loud squeal when she saw Danielle. The two ran towards eachother and shared a loving hug as Henry joined on the doorstep. Paulette and Louise were so happy about seeing Danielle that they completely forgot about curtsying to Henry. He didn't mind though, it felt nice to be ignored.
When the couple entered the main hallway Margarite appeared at the top of the stairs. She saw Danielle and her smile automatically went to a frown. Oh, I really think I could kill her... Danielle responded to this by simply ignoring Margarite and pressing on up the stairs with Henry close behind. What does he see in her? She's just a lowly former commoner. Lost in her thoughts, Margarite began to silently stalk the couple.
Danielle found the floorboard in Palette's room and kneeled down to lift it. Henry bent down to help her; she gave him a sly look and playfully pushed him on the ground. Ha! Got you! Henry in turn tackled her into a pile of hay and began to kiss her passionately. OK, this works too.
Margarite was so enraged that she took the nearest object to her (a small clay pot) and hurled it at the couple. That should be me! Luckily, the pot shattered on the ground next to the couple. Danielle jerked away and stared at Margarite in shock and Henry was on his feet faster that she could get out of the way.
"THAT'S IT!" he yelled. "I told you if you tried to hurt her again you'd be shipped to the Americas, and I will keep to my word!"
Danielle had never seen him so angry. She got up and walked over behind Henry and ran her hands down him arms, trying to calm him down.
Henry squeezed her hand as if for support. "Captain Arong will take you to the next boat." he said very slowly.
"Danielle, you're not going to let him do this, are you?" the baroness stammered desperately.
Danielle took a step closer to Henry. "I believe you've finally got you what you deserve."
At that moment the captain came in and led the shocked baroness and sobbing Margarite to a carriage bound for the docks.
Danielle got the gown and shoes out of their hiding spot and she and Henry headed home.
Danielle looked at herself in the mirror. She was quite pretty in her mother's dress. Oh gosh, I'm really need to calm down. I'm so nervous. I can't believe I'm getting married. Her thoughts were interrupted when Jacqueline walked into the room. She, Paulette, and Louise had decided to stay at the manor when the baroness and Margarite where shipped away.
"You're so lucky...I'm so happy for you." Jacqueline said when Danielle had turned around. She walked over and gave Danielle a very sisterly hug.
"I'm so glad you could be here." she said to Jacqueline when they pulled away. "I'm so nervous..." she trailed off.
"What do you have to be nervous about? That he'll back out at the last second and run off to save Margarite? I've seen you two together...he loves you so much Danielle, and you're going to be the princess..." Jacqueline trailed off with tears in her eyes.
"Don't cry, or I will too." Danielle said fighting off her own tears.
Paulette burst through the door in a frenzy with Danielle's veil. "My child! Is your hair done? Good, it is. We need to put on your veil. Hurry hurry!" Danielle clipped the veil into her hair and turned to see her reflection in the mirror and was awe-struck by what she saw.
Half of her hair fell curled down her back and the rest of it arranged in a braided fish net. Her veil hung down to her thighs and outlined her face perfectly. It was a sheer white fabric and was speckled with tiny sapphires to match her glass slippers. "It's perfect." she breathed. Henry will be very pleased.
"Danielle, we should probably be going to the church." Jacqueline said, once again interrupting her thoughts.
Danielle took a deep breath. "OK, let's go."
Henry paced back and forth in front of his parents. "Where is she?"
"Henry, dear, calm down before you have a heart attack. She'll be here." the queen assured him.
I'm so nervous. But what do I have to be nervous about? Everything will be fine. I love her, and I know she feels the same. She couldn't be having second thoughts, could she?
At that moment one of the palace messengers stuck his head in the door. "Your Majesties, the Countess has arrived. I believe it is time to start the ceremony." The king gave him a wave signaling the go-ahead.
OK, she's here. I can't believe I'm getting married! Henry took a deep breath and walked out into the sanctuary and turned to face the door where Danielle would be entering.
The doors opened and Henry saw his soon to be wife for the first time in almost a day. If there's a possibility that she could be more beautiful than ever, she is.
Danielle met Henry's gorgeous loving eyes form the doorway. Breathe, just breathe. She thought to herself as she began to walk slowly down the aisle. She reached Henry and then let out a long sigh. "Well at least that part's over." she said as they kneeled in front of the priest.
"I don't think I would be able to handle that." Henry replied in a low whisper.
They both half listened to the Latin service. Danielle glanced over at Henry. Am I really spending the rest of my life with him? I can't believe I'm getting married! Heaven is really going to have a lot to compete with. Her thoughts were cut short when she felt Henry's hand take hers. He brought her to her feet and slid the wedding ring on her finger. It had to be the most beautiful ring Danielle had ever seen. It was a thin golden band with a tiny diamond in the center. Simple but elegant, it was perfect.
Danielle felt her veil being moved away from her face and lifted her head to look into Henry's eyes and felt tears stream down her face as he leaned in and gave her a passionate kiss. Henry reached around her back and tilted her back slightly.
Henry withdrew and then turned with Danielle to address the crowd. Everyone in the room sank to one knee. As Henry and Danielle walked back down the aisle the crowd stood back up and began to applaud.
"Come with me, I have something for you." Henry whispered in Danielle's ear once they got out the door. He led her up to his chamber and let her in. Danielle had never been in Henry's room before and even though they were married now it still felt a little odd to be in a room that he rarely ever let anyone in. All the furniture was the same color and fabric as in Danielle's chamber but with a more masculine style. In the far corner was a desk and a large bookshelf stuffed full with philosophy and legal theory books. The fireplace was in the same place as in Danielle's room but instead of a love seat and reading chair, across from the fireplace was a large over stuffed couch.
Henry led her to the desk and opened one of the many drawers. He reached in and pulled out what must have been the most beautiful crown Danielle had ever seen. It was pure gold with rubies on each point and fit perfectly when Henry gently placed it on her head.
"Oh Henry!" she gasped when she looked in the mirror. "It's wonderful!"
"Do you like it?" he asked coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her waste.
"I love it!" she exclaimed turning to face him. "I don't know what to say! It just so...there's no words!"
"Sometimes actions speak louder than words." Henry whispered drawing her closer to him. He leaned in until his lips gently landed on hers. One of Danielle's hands pulled Henry's neck towards her to deepen the kiss while the other caressed his muscular arm. Henry slowly backed to the couch and pulled her down with him. Suddenly there was a sharp rasp at the door. Henry groaned and laid his head on Danielle's shoulder. "What is it?" he said, not even bothering to open the door.
A little servant stuck his head in the room and gave a little bow. "Your Highnesses, the King and Queen request you presence immediately."
"Thank you." Henry replied his head still on Danielle's shoulder.
The little servant gave another slight bow and left as abruptly as he had come.
"Henry, perhaps we should go see what they want..." Danielle suggested.
Henry moaned as he lifted his head from her shoulder. "We haven't even been married an hour and they're already coming up with social events they want us to appear at." He said giving her one of his irresistible puppy faces.
"Oh no, not the puppy face." Danielle said getting up. "Come on, if your parents want to speak with us then they will. Come on, up up up." she said pulling him off the couch.
"We have something that we would like to give you." the Queen said opening one of the many oak doors in the palace. "This is your new chamber."
Danielle and Henry stepped into what had to be the most beautiful room Danielle had ever seen. Instead of the royal red fabric that upholstered the majority of the furniture in the castle, the entire room was midnight blue. There was an enormous fireplace on the right wall with a large overstuffed couch, much like the one in Henry's chamber, sitting directly across from it. The floor was oak with a shine finish. On the far wall there were two large windows with curtains that fell to the floor. Between the windows was a grand study desk and bookshelf that went almost to the ceiling.
The adjacent room was the bed chamber. It was arranged much like Danielle's was but on a much larger scale. The bed was a king size and the sitting bench had enough room for two people to stretch out on. But instead of a separate vanity and wardrobe there was a walk-in closet with a washroom. Just like the study room, everything was midnight blue. The bed had a sheer canopy with gold stars and the corners hung to the floor.
"It's beautiful!" Danielle exclaimed turning and giving the queen a hug. "I don't know how to thank you!"
"Don't worry about it my dear. It's our wedding present. I hope you enjoy it."
Henry was speechless. "I-I--" he stammered.
The king let out a hearty laugh. "You're married son, did you think we were going to make you stay in separate rooms?" he said giving him a slap on the back.
"Francis, we should leave. It's getting dark. If you need anything, call for us." she said to Danielle as she closed the door behind her.
"Well princess, now that we have this beautiful room what do you propose we do?" Henry asked making a big deal of her new title.
"Henry, if you insist upon stressing my title, I believe I might have to punish you." she said slyly backing him to the bed.
"Well do as you wish my fair lady, for I am yours now." Henry said with arms open wide.
Danielle jumped into his warm embrace and knocked him backwards onto the bed, kissing him passionately. Henry sat back up and took off his jacket and threw it across the room, still not breaking the kiss and then slowly brought Danielle back down on the bed as he began to unlace her dress.
TADA! ok just to tell you, the whole point of the ending of ths chapter was to tick off one of my friends (I love you marco!) so please don't be mad at me! R&R or i'l have to send super lou after you.