Ever After: Remix Story
Chapter nine: Sold
"Of all the insidious jokes, telling the prince you're a countess" Rodmilla snapped cornering the younger girl.
"It's almost as absurd as a prince frequenting a servant who sleeps with pigs!" Marguerite sneered. Danielle sighed.
"What bothers you more, Stepmother? That the prince knows who I am, or that I am competition?" Danielle asked. Rodmilla ignored the question.
"Where's the dress, Danielle?" She asked harshly.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Danielle replied.
"The gown. The slippers? They were in my room and now they're gone. You hid them, I know it!" Marguerite said angrily.
"Where did you put the gown, Danielle?" Rodmilla asked again.
"Where are the candlesticks and the tapestries and the silver? Perhaps the dress is with them!" Danielle shouted, tears in her eyes.
"You produce that gown!" Rodmilla snapped.
"I would rather die a thousand deaths than to see my mother's dress on that spoiled, selfish cow!" Danielle shouted. Rodmilla sighed.
"Hmm. Perhaps we can arrange that." She dragged Danielle outside. Pierre Le Pieu was waiting by a cart full of the stuff that had dissapeared over the last week.
"Ah, Monsieur le Pieu. Right on time." Rodmilla said. The man smirked.
"It's all here, Baroness right down to the very last candlestick." He said. Danielle was furious.
"Father's books? His paintings? You sold them to him?" She asked.
"Yes. And now they're back." Rodmilla said. "I couldn't have us looking like paupers when the King arrives." There was something Rodmilla wasn't telling her. suddenly Danielle was grabbed by two of Pierre's men.
"Let go of me" She cried.
"I'm a businessman, Danielle not a philanthropist." Pierre told her.
"I don't understand" Danielle said. Rodmilla smirked.
" I couldn't have you around distracting the Prince." She said.
"The Baroness and I have come to an arrangement." Pierre said. Romilla nodded.
"You, for all this although I do think I'm getting the better end of the deal." She said. The men began to drag Danielle toward the carriage.
"No! No!" She cried, but it was too late. Rodmilla turned to her daughters.
"Ladies, gather everything we can sell. We're going to town tomorrow." She said. Jacquelin watched the carriage leave sadly.
"Mother... it's only a ball." She said.
"Yes, and you're only going for the food." Rodmilla spat.
"Engaged? To a Belgian?" Henry laughed. Marie smiled.
"That's what She said" The queen told her son. Henry shook his head.
"Do you know what this means?" He asked. "This means that the Baroness has found some way to keep Danielle from attending the ball" Henry exclaimed. "I must find her"
"Perhaps you should wait. If something has happened to her, Someone will surely tell you" Marie said softly.
"You are right mother" Henry agreed. "She is the one I wish to marry"
"Go to the prince, tell him what has happened" Maurice urged Gustav.
"Of course" Gustav replied. "I will let him know. But how can i get in, I am not dressed for a masque" Maurice handed him an outfit.
"Where this" He whispered. "It was Danielle's father's" Gustav grabbed the clothing and hurried away.
Henry paced the corridor. There was no word about Danielle. He hoped she was alright.
"I understand you wanted to see me." King Francis said, coming into view.
"Yes, Father. I did." Henry said turning to him.
"Listen, Henry. Perhaps it was unfair of me to put so much pressure on you about the marriage contract." Francis told him. "I just thought it was time to make some changes in your life."
"I know father, But I have found the perfect bride, but I am worried that something may have..." He was cut off by shouting.
"Prince Henry! Prince Henry!" He turned to see Gustav running down the corridor. He skidded to a halt. "I have been looking everywhere for you"
"Gustav, what is it? what's wrong?" Henry asked.
"It's Danielle. The Baroness sold her to Pierre Le Pieu" Gustav told him. Henry's fists clenched.
"Is she a ware that it is treason to lie to the Queen of France and to sell a countess?" He asked, more to himself than anyone else. He turned to his father.
"I have to rescue her" He said. Francis nodded.
"Go with my blessing" He said. Henry nodded and beckoned for Gustav to follow him.
Rodmilla looked around the ballroom, but there seemed to be no sign of Prince Henry. Everyone quieted as King Francis spoke.
"Friends... honoured guests. I am sorry to announce that Prince Henry will not be joining us tonight. He has some business to attend to, There fore he will announce his intended bride at a later date. Please enjoy the refreshments, dance and be merry" He told them.
"Mother, what buisness do you think he is doing?" Marguerite asked.
"Something important no doubt. My guess is that he was too upset to come when he discovered that Danielle was engaged" Rodmilla whispered. They shared a secret smile.
Pierre was reading when there was a banging sound.
"Oh, I do so hate to see you in irons." He said when Danielle entered the room. "I'd remove them if only you'd promise not to run away again."
"I have no reason to stay." Danielle said.
"You belong to me now." Pierre said.
"She belongs to know one" Came a voice as Prince Henry and his guards stormed in.
"Your Highness," Pierre said.
"Let her go, by order of the royal court" Henry demanded. Pierre shook his head.
"She is my property" He declared. Henry pointed his sword at Pierre.
"Release her and I shall spare you" He said harshly. Pierre hurried unlocked the irons and watched as the prince led Danielle out of the room and castle. Once outside, they sat on a bench.
"I can't thank you enough" Danielle said. Henry smiled and got down on one knee.
"Will you marry me, Danielle De Barbarac" He asked.
"Yes!" Danielle said. "Oh Yes!"