Authors Note: Okay I was hoping more for March but I'll take the beginning of April. Sorry about the short chapter. It's one of the more boring ones. Just to get something clear, at the end of the chapter, you might notice that Paulette is a bit cranky. I just figured that since she never met Henry and witnessed Danielle's broken heart, she would react that way.

However it links in some of the stuff seen in the movie. I also added in a line from the mini-series Pride and Prejudice. See if you can find it. Yay find-a-phrase! Okay, it's 1:30am and I'm tried! Get used to it!

In Year 10 now, so lots more of assessments. Three due tomorrow, in fact. Meh! I hope you'll like it. Need more reviews to keep up the motivation. Enjoy

P.S Birthday on 12th

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Cold Irony

After the conference I spent hours in the royal library, searching through, what seemed hundreds of books, for a law that could absolve the destruction of the ruins.

Nothing.

The plans were too efficient, too precise. Every possible fault was defeated in meticulous detail. There was no legal possibility that the plans could be stopped.

I cried out in frustration, which echoed in the empty room. Anger pulsating through my veins, I stood up quickly, knocking over the chair. This simple act only angered me more. In a rush of fury, I knocked all the books that were laid out on the table, scattering them around the room.

Bursting out of the room, hot faced and fuming, I made my way up to my bedchambers. A servant was in there but upon seeing my face, made no attempt at apologies and left swiftly out of the room.

I paced the large room, trying to gather my thoughts with no success. At one point I walked out onto the balcony connected to my room. Taking no notice of the beautiful scenery that I have often gazed at lovingly before. A cool breeze swept across my body making it shiver. I considered going inside to reach warmer clothing but at once the clouds broke loose and released a torrent of rain.

Normally I would have leapt inside to avoid getting wet but something stopped me. I stood there, soaked and immobile, waiting for my answer to come.

Two hours I was in the rain, feeling sickness grab its icy hands on me, still I did not move. Something I could not hope to explain was telling me that my answer would come. Until then, I fought to fed off ill.

Yet another hour passed and the constant rain would not cease. No strength left in me allowed the first symptoms in. Shaking uncontrollably I remembered back to a time when I chose to fight the rain.

I would give anything to have that day back. Oh, what I would change!

She would be here, she accuse me of being insane, wrap a warm blanket around me and give me consultation.

Yes, Danielle would know what to do.

Danielle would know what to do.

I was instantly hit with the realisation of the simpleness of the answer. Why had I not known to turn to her before? Was it not she who set me on my path as majesty?

Giving thanks to the heavens, I noticed that it had stopped raining and the dark clouds were beginning to clear. I smiled, despite myself, to the irony of it all.

Not bothering to change out of my rain sodden clothes, I made my way to my answer, leaving a trail of water behind me.

Outside the castle, I decided against riding a horse to her house, thinking that the long walk would be useful to think of what to say to her.

Do I start off by making pleasantries? How do I ask her for her help? Should I be direct or formal? What do I offer if she refuses? Bribery? Pleading?

A many number of scenarios circled my head, I hadn't even the time to choose when I realised I was standing outside the manor.

There was only one word that could properly explain my emotions… panic.

How was I to approach her, asking of such a task? Looking up at the entrance, it loomed with enormousy. I made a few hesitant steps before a darkness crashed upon me. What if it was no Danielle who answered the door? Surely the other servants will have heard of my reputation and refuse to let me in, even if I am a king.

Day was breaking, hopefully Danielle would be tending to the farm by now. Perhaps if I go around the back I could wait until she is alone before I reveal myself.

Softly treading on the ground, I crept around the side of the house and surely enough, two women were working vigorously on the crops. One seemed immensely troubled.

Backing away so they could not identify me, I walked around the other side of the manor. At a distance, I could see a figure near the woodshed. Assuming that was Danielle, I plucked up all the courage I could muster and headed towards her.

The sun, now fully risen above the horizon, was beating down on my back, however, my clothes were still quite wet and my hair, flopping lazily into my eyes, was dripping with water.

I took no notice because as I worked my way over a hill towards her, my hands became moist, my heart was beating at an abnormal rate and it became difficult to breathe.

She was aware of my presence but it was only until I was a foot away that she drew a sudden intake of oxygen and stared dumbly at me, waiting for me to speak.

I soon became aware that all planned conversation tactics were forever lost. It took me moments to remember why I was even there. After dealing with that minor difficultly, I decided on the most direct approach.

Taking a deep breath I finally spoke, "I need your help."

She looked down at her feet, no doubt wondering what to say. She glanced up at me a few times before looking back down.

Was she as lost for words as I was, moments ago? I wanted to give her time to reply as she had done me but a sudden cold rush of air arrived from the hill, in my next breathe, it entered my mouth, constricting my throat. A string of hoarse coughs escaped my lips and I soon found myself bending over in an attempt to regain breath into my lungs.

Warm hands rested on my shoulders and led me back to the house. I was seated in front of a fire, which soon sent tingles through my stiff legs.

I glanced over at Danielle as she removed a blanket from a closet. Her face was contorted in deep thought. She slowly made her way over to me and wrapped the heavy cloth around my chest.

Our eyes locked for a second. I could see her confusion, her worry and also, beneath the mask she wears so well, exhaustion of the psychological kind.

I am sure, through my eyes, she could see all the emotions I have hidden from the world but most importantly a deep feeling of irretrievable loss.

Still staring at me she sat quietly, waiting. I swallowed the great lump that had risen in my throat and began to speak. I told her of the plans for the prison. She seemed as shocked as I was of the news. A deep sense of gratitude filled me, to know that someone felt the same way about the ruins.

Danielle stood from her chair and paced the room slightly. I watched her movements, trying to guess what was going through her head at that moment.

"What do you want from me?" she asked with a blank expression.

"Help me… help your country. By taking on this cause, France will –"

"Do not act as if my help will serve directly to France. If you need my help then ask for it, do not bring your country into this, there is no place for it. You want this for yourself then take responsibility for it." Danielle said, her tone rising a level.

"Danielle", I said, attempting to raise myself out of the chair but collapsing feebly, "Please. I need your help."

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My head swirled with thoughts. Looking up at the figure in front of me, it only seemed to aggravate my loss of concentration.

"As king I have the power to refuse the proposal but without reason, it may provoke some leading statues of authority, to question my dedication to the throne for dismissing a morally worthy task." Henry explained.

"Yes, you wouldn't want to ruin your image." I snapped, irritated by his reason.

He appeared hurt by this comment and tried to defend his statement, "That is not what I meant –"

"Of course not. Forgive me." I apologised, eyes downcast. I placed my elbow on the table and rested my head in my palm, breathing slowly.

A shuffle of movement forced me to look up to see Henry moving towards me. He took a few uncertain steps before quickly changing his direction. I got up and walked towards him, stopping a few feet short upon hearing noise coming into the room.

Paulette and Louise had walked into the room, eyes wide at royalty.

Henry snapped his head to look at the gawking figures in the doorway. It was at this point that he had removed most of his wet clothing, including his shirt. Only the blanket hung from his shoulders, which he tugged at sharply to conceal part of his bare chest.

I shuffled towards Paulette and Louise, pushing them outside. As soon as we were around the corner of the house, Paulette dropped her basket of various goods and yelled, "What, in the name of Jesus, is he doing here?"

Using the calmest voice I could muster I answered, "Do not jump to conclusions. He is here on official business."

"Horse shit! What official business would bring him here?"

"That I do not know," I admitted, "He has not expressed in full detail what he wants of me."

Paulette's eyes twinkled with menace, "Oh, I can think of a few things."

My eyes widened with utter disbelief, "Paulette! He is married and not of that sort! You know I would rather die than succumb to that."

Louise, whom had remained silent, rested a loving hand on my arm and nodded in understanding. I turned to Paulette, whose stature had only been weakened slightly.

"The last man I trusted rests beside your father. Do not presume to think I will give him an ounce of what he does not deserve." she proclaimed.

"I would not think any less of you. Know I feel the same yet believe his intensions are genuine. I will not border on anything I feel is unjust and Henry will respect that. He is the King and I must give him what he requests." I explained.

Feeling that enough was said, I retreated to the house. A few metres separating myself from the door and Paulette called out mockingly, "Is that why he is lacking in clothes?"

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Upon walking back into the manor, I noticed two disturbing aspects that influenced upon each other. The first was that the door to the main room was ajar and the second that a certain person was missing.

Discarded on the floor were the remains of his clothes and the blanket. Yet on the table, a note sat.

Danielle

You have much been in longing of my absence

I know I had lost your trust long ago

Your actions are entirely understandable

Yet if you decide to accept my offer, meet me at Joan's Rock next morn

King Henry

I pondered over this message for hours, not knowing what to do. His composed writing astonished me. After overhearing my conversation with Paulette, I had not predicted he would be so sympathetic of my situation. I thanked him quietly and placed the note in a carved box, hidden beneath the floorboards of my bed, along side my mother's glass slipper.

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