Authors Note: Okay wow it has been forever. Every month I'd say, 'I'll post it this month but I never have. So unbelievably sorry. This chapter I'm disappointed with I wanted it to be so much longer but at least it's a chapter.

Finished my exams today. I've had nine exams in five days so I've been I tad stressed. Okay stressed is an understatement.

Number of times I have kicked bed post - 8

Number of teeth that have ground down to half its original size - 14

Number of times I have screamed at inanimate objects - 23

Having your parents look at their youngest daughter screaming at a chair and thinking we should have put ice on it that night - PRICELESS

There are some things you can't break with a sledgehammer, for everything else there's Mastercard.

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Gone

My palms were sweaty and the early morning mist chilled me that much more. My eyes shifted nervously amongst the trees. Leaning against the extremely large boulder, opted the name of Joan, I tried once more to calm my rapid breath.

This was the important stage in my life that presented with an opportunity, more like poignant intelligence that benefits the heart. The recurring question unable to find an answer throughout the last dozen months will be given a clue into its resolution.

"Does Danielle still love me?"

Her avoidance of me and anxious mannerism in our last meeting could only point to the most probable solution. Since the masque, it is only natural that Danielle despises the every essence of my being due to the harsh conduct in which she was treated, not to mention the broad public awareness of the issue. This type of ill treatment would encourage her against assisting me with my dilemma and as such she will not appear today and prevent any conference with me in the future.

However, if she turns up… that is an entirely different matter.

Feeling the need to change the subject, since endless questioning could quite possibly lead to mental deficiency, I flicked through the legal documents and some books I brought from the King's Library. They would be quite useful to her… if she does show up.

Oh, here I go again!

I hastily grabbed the water pouch at my side and splashed the contents in my face. The ridiculous scheme did nothing to distract me from my thoughts and could very well possibly worsen the dreaded illness that came upon me, despite Danielle's attempts at recovery, during agitated sleep.

Wracking coughs sent me sprawling across the rock but it was nothing compared to the pain I already felt.

"If she does not show in the next half hour, I will leave." I declared, whilst talking to Joan. After a moment I regretted doing so. Talking to inanimate objects could only lead to psychological dysfunction, I realised, softly pounding my head against the jagged stone.

I paused this repeated movement long enough to hear a gentle voice behind me, condensed with confusion.

Swinging around to meet Danielle's face, I smiled despite myself to what this could mean.

Her eyes flickered towards mine and I could see she was blinded by inner misery, enough of which my heart swelled with sympathy.

"What am I doing here?" she asked softly. Every word in her question was pleading for me to answer.

Having no response to that question I tried to change the subject, "I'm glad that you came."

She nodded diligently, looking at the ground. No more than a minute passed before she looked up again, face determined and eyes resolute. Her moment of weakness had gone.

"Did you ask to meet you here for a specific purpose or shall we make idle conversation to pass the time?"

Smiling I moved to the satchel behind me. My hands fumbled with the papers inside and I noticed, from the corner of my eye, Danielle moving slowly, ever so cautiously, towards me pulled by the familiar force of curiosity. Not daring to look up, I waited until she was but three feet from where I stood.

Retrieving all the necessary papers from the leather bag, I laid them onto my lap. Along with mine, her eyes scanned across the ink blotched parchment, taking it all in. After shuffling quickly through all the documents, I felt I might need to offer some enlightenment. "I have spent two long days, pouring over theses documents, plans, books, previous construction experience, anything that might be of relevance. All 48 hours of study I have collected here. I need a fresh set of eyes, a stable head, preferably one that hasn't been sleep deprived."

A soft chuckle emitted from her lips and Danielle visibly relaxed. She moved closer towards me held by confident stride. For one optimistic second, my breath caught in my throat as her face leaned close to mine. Before our lips collided she delicately angled her head to look at the paper in front of me.

Mentally, I kicked myself, for being so foolish, for believing I had another chance and for her taking advantage of me. Immediately I reverted back to my potent royal demeanour and seethed at her, now, unperturbed figure. Inside I knew I was over-reacting yet all my noble training had taught me to dominate over anyone, especially those within the female stature.

"And you have not come across any flaw within the plans?" she asked, head bowed in analysis. From my position I could not see her face yet I imagined her eyes to be full of mockery even though her voice left no trace.

"Are you cynical of the amount of hours I have studied? Or perhaps my dedication to the task? If I am required to prove myself to you than maybe I should question your own loyalty? Perhaps I underestimated your value and will do best in finding assistance elsewhere." I lashed.

However, during this little speech, Danielle, with arms full of documents, walked calmly towards me, face blank yet a suspicious glint evident in her eyes. So close now that I could feel her breath on my cheek she said, "Then leave" and shoved the papers into my chest. Turning away, the force pinning the parchment to me left with her, sending the papers floating in various directions towards earth.

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After leaving, a dark cloud rained over my head. How could I have trusted him? I was angry with myself for believing he needed me. I feel like such a prize idiot.

When arriving home, I brushed off Paulette before she could tell me, 'I told you so'. However, my haste to get upstairs did not allow me to drown her disdainful murmurings. Stopping in my tracks, I gripped the banister, white knuckles protruding through my skin. Swinging my head over to face her down below I screamed in frustration, "For once in your life, Paulette, leave me alone."

My feet pounded up the last few stairs and into my room. I slammed the door behind me and rested my head upon the wood. A single tear ran down my cheek yet I wiped it off unsympathetically. I was in no mood for crying.

Heat rose up in my neck as I replayed the words he said to me. Pushing myself away from the door, I paced my room heatedly. Clenching my hands into fists, I punished myself for going there today, what more for letting myself take his abuse.

How Dare He!

Were there a book of pitiful acts history has displayed, I would surely be in it, proudly relaying my stupidity. How the handsome prince tricked, yet again, the young maiden into trusting him.

Such is the saying, 'Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.'

In shier frustration, I lurched myself at my nightstand and ripped the thin fabric off, watching the objects previously on top scatter to the floor, emitting dull thuds. This, however, did not satisfy my hunger for destruction and I went off to find something else to break.

After tipping over my bookcase, tearing the sheets off my bed, smashing a vase into the wall and kicking the wardrobe, I fell upon the ruins.

Hands shaking with the remnants of rage I closed my eyes and let the awful memories seep in. I remembered his face as he spoke, his posture as he waved about his hands in demand, his eyes as he looked at me in disgust and his silence as I left.

My chest heaved a sob and I trembled in despair. Does he know what he does to me? My heart is withering away with every word and I will lay here, broken, until it happens again.

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One word could sum up my thoughts.

Merde!

After riding my horse around near empty paddocks, with such force and callous manner, the mare soon grew irritated and tired, throwing me off it's back. Pain coursing through my back gave me another reason not to move. I replayed my meeting with Danielle, her thoughtless manner and indifferent tone angered me to no end.

Grinding my teeth I regretted even thinking of asking to acquire the task. Such official tribulations should be left to those of higher ranking. Going to all that trouble to persuade her come, time wasted. And for what, have her criticise the work I have accomplished and play tricks on my mind for her own amusement.

I despise the woman! Only one as stubborn as she would speak that way to royalty. Yet I cannot understand what I loathe the most, the simple fact that a servant, a woman at that, would act so accusingly and apathetically towards members of authority or that I loved her for doing so.

My father was correct. Affiliating with the lower class was even beneath me. Not only to stain my reputation as King but degrade the status system that our country is built on. Danielle De Barbarack's sole existence has forced uncertainty within the faith of the French people on my family's rule. My involvement with her will inevitably lead to my downfall.

"Why do you torment me so?" I yelled up at the looming sky.

I stared at that sky many a while, waiting for it's response. I watched clouds roll clumsily past, pushing past one another to reach first the horizon. Sooner than expected stars appeared, sprinkled along the darkness. The light grew dimmer yet I did not move. Hours passed till my blood settled and the shock set in.

The sliver of trust gained in me was long gone. Reviewing our conversation it dawned on me that her behaviour, that I proclaimed to be treacherous, were innocent acts of kindness and curiosity.

I dropped my head in my hands in despair. She was the only person I found capable of the task. My chance of receiving assistance was diminished, faded like the long since setting sun. Only remains are darkness and lost hope.

Sitting up abruptly, pain shot through my spine but I was far from caring. The sun will rise. It may take a while yet no hope is forever lost. I just needed a method to regain her faith in me. Simple as that…

I was doomed!

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