Ever After: Remix Story

Chapter Eight: The Fight and Queen's conversation

Danielle was out weeding the garden when Louise motioned for her to come in side.

"You'd better hurry" Louise told her. Danielle ran toward the house and met Louise and and Paulette.

"What is it?" She asked. Louise and Paulette looked at each other and then turned to her.

"You'd better see for yourself" Paulette said pointing the way to Danielle's old room. Danielle entered the room to see Marguerite in her undergarments, about ready to try on Danielle's mother's dress.

"What are you doing?" Danielle asked, dropping the gardening tools. Jacquelin looked back and forth between Danielle and Marguerite.

"Trying on my dress" Marguerite said smirking. Danielle boiled.

"Honestly Danielle, did you think I'd let you go to the ball after this morning?" Rodmilla asked. Danielle tried to swallow her anger.

"These are my mother's" She said, picking up the pair of glass slippers. Marguerite just smirked.

"Yes, and she's dead" she said flippantly. That was the last straw. Danielle marched over to Marguerite and punched the blonde in the face. Marguerite flipped over the bed and quickly got up.

"I am going to tear your hair out" Danielle cried lunging at her. She managed to swing another fist at Marguerite, before the other girl fled from the room. Danielle raced after her.

"Mother, do something!" Marguerite cried running away from Danielle as fast as she could. as she ran past the fireplace she spotted Danielle's book Utopia and grabbed it, holding it over the fireplace.

"Get away from me or so help me, God..." Marguerite said. Danielle froze.

"No Marguerite, don't" She cried. "Put it down" Marguerite grimaced.

"Give me the shoes" She demanded.

"Put it down" Danielle repeated. Rodmilla walked toward her slowly.

" Consider carefully, Danielle. Your father's book or your mother's shoes. Though neither will save you from a lashing." She said coldly. Slowly, Danielle handed the shoes to Marguerite, but her step sister tossed the book into the fire anyway.

"No!" Danielle shouted lunging forward but Rodmilla held her back. In one swift move, Jacquelin swept the book out of the fire placeand stomped the fire out. She picked it up and inspected it. it was a bit singed, but seemed to be in good shape. Marguerite glared at her. Jacquelin cringed when she saw Rodmilla get the whip. She left the room, not being able to bear the sight of her sister getting whipped. She tucked the book into her bag, making a mental note to give it to Danielle later. After the whipping was over, Jacquelin helped Danielle to her loft and began soaking the wounds.

"I don't know what's come over me" Danielle whispered. Jacquelin sighed.

"Danielle, is there something going on that I should know about?" She asked. Danielle sighed.

"Do you know why Henry wasn't in church yesterday?" She asked.

"No" Jacquelin replied.

"He was with me" Danielle told her. Jacquelin was stunned. "We've been friends since we were little" Danielle explained. "He wants me to go to the ball so he can reveal Rodmilla and Marguerite for what they've done to me"

"Than you shall go to the ball" Jacquelin replied. Danielle sighed.

"But I will have nothing to wear" She said.

"Yes you will" Jacquelin replied. "We just have to hide the gown" it seemed like a good plan. " I shall never forget the way Marguerite's feet went up over her head!" They giggled.

Queen Marie was not quite as enthused about meeting with Rodmilla and Marguerite as she had been earlier for her son had just arrived with the news of Danielle. She decided that she would try to corner the truth out of them.

"What happened to your eye, my dear?" She asked when she saw that Marguerite had a black eye. Marguerite glanced at her mother.

"I, umm, I saved a baby from a runaway horse and nearly got trampled" The younger girl said quickly. Marie was thoughtful for a moment.

"You really must let my doctor look at that." She said calmly. "Anyway, I am sorry that my son can't join us, but he didn't get home till really late last night and has spent the majority of the time in his room sleeping" She thought she could see a glint in Rodmilla's eyes. "Anyway, Perhaps you could help solve a mystery for me. Do you know the Countess Debarbarac? Apparantly She moved back to France but no one Knows where she is staying"

"Danielle Debarbarac?" Rodmilla asked. She asnd Marguerite looked at each other.

"Yes, You know her?" Marie asked. Rodmilla's smile seemed a bit forced.

"Yes, She is staying with us in fact" Rodmilla replied. "I am her step-mother"

"Oh wonderful, you should bring her to the ball" Marie said enthusiastically. Rodmilla smiled grimly.

"I am afraid that won't be possible" She said firmly.