Chapter Four: Waking Up to Royalty's Life, the Good and the Bad

The next morning, as Danielle awoke to the beautiful dawn of a new day, she felt as safe and warm as she had when Henry had been holding her that night at Amboise. Upon opening her eyes, she saw Henry sitting on the edge of her bed, intently watching her as she lay there.

Seeing her eyes stare back at him, Henry leaned over to her and kissed her. "Good morning, my love. How are you feeling today? Did you sleep well?"

Danielle sat up slowly; taking in the words he'd asked her and thought of a reply. Finally, she replied, "I'm a little sore, but I'll live." She smiled. "I can't believe I'm going to wake up like this with you for the rest of my life." Henry's smile widened, and he leaned forward to kiss her once more, basking in the happiness of his love for her.

A knock sounded on the door, then, without warning, bustled in a maid before Henry had had the chance to respond. "Good morning, Your Highness, my Lady. I'm here to help milady dress for breakfast with your parents." Moving into the dressing room, she could be clearly heard, mumbling about what dress to select.

Henry helped Danielle up, even though he knew she really didn't need it. "I'll be waiting in the sitting room, my love." He kissed her again. "I love you." Seeing that the maid had left the dressing room, he turned and walked into the adjoining room and shut the door.

"Come, milady, your bath is waiting." The maid gently pushed her in the direction of the bath.

"I don't need you to give me a bath, really. I can do it on my own, thank you." Danielle resisted the maid's pushing and prodding.

"I was instructed to do so by Her Highness herself, and I intend to follow her orders, now, into the tub with you." The maid pointed to the tub. Danielle looked at the basin full of steaming hot water and turned towards the maid.

"Oh really, I'd rather have some privacy, if you don't mind. I am perfectly capable of bathing myself. I've done it since I was a child."

"Well, milady, you're no longer at your manor and here at court it is simply not done. Now, get undressed before I do it for you and get into the tub!" Danielle replied by scowling and tossing her nightgown at the maid before gently letting herself down into the hot water that waited.

A half an hour of scrubbing and arguing later, Danielle was in her undergarments, and was being dressed in a baby blue gown, with tasteful trimmings of lace and beadwork on the bodice. The sleeves were tight to her elbow, than fanned gracefully to the backs of her hands. After her attendant had finished lacing up the back of Danielle's dress, she made Danielle sit at the vanity so she could brush her hair with 100 strokes. After making her hair nice and smooth, the maid began to intricately braid Danielle's hair, weaving in ribbons and pearls as she went.

When Danielle finally stepped out of her bedroom, Henry stood there gazing in utter awe, speechless. 'She looks like an angel—my lovely, perfect, angel,' he thought. When he could finally speak again, he said "You look…stunning".

She laughed. "Oh, Henry, I do love you. You must be the kindest, sweetest man I've ever known." Henry gathered her into his arms and held her close, breathing in the rose perfume that now emanated from her. She snuggled further into his embrace, silently wishing that they could be together without any interruptions, or problems. Then, reality settled in, as Henry pulled back slightly to look into her eyes.

"Are you ready to go to breakfast, my love?" Henry inquired. "I'm sure that Mother and Father are waiting for our arrival."

Danielle shook her head. "I'm really nervous, Henry. What if they changed their minds? What if they don't like how I act? What if—"

Henry placed his finger gently to her lips and silenced her with a tender kiss. Danielle immediately melted into her soul mate. Henry looked in to her eyes knowingly and stated in a firm voice, "Danielle, I love you. Nothing will ever change that, not even the king and queen of France. Besides, they adore you, and I will be by you side the entire time, alright?"

Danielle smiled. "Yes, Henry." She giggled as he bowed to her and offered his arm to her. "Thank you, milord." She curtsied. He chuckled as he led her from her rooms to the breakfast hall.

When they arrived at the breakfast hall, Henry led Danielle to her seat and helped her sit down, as chivalry dictated. He seated himself next to her, bidding Marie and Francis a good morning. As the servants began to serve the food, Henry noticed that his father was uncharacteristically quiet, and his mother looked as though she had been crying. "Mother? Father? What is wrong? You two look as though someone has died." Henry clasped Danielle's hand, worried, and getting a feeling in his gut that something had indeed gone wrong.

Francis shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Son, ah...well, there's no easy way to tell you this, but—"

Queen Marie angrily interrupted. "Your father has lied to us both! He said that the treaty is off with Spain, when in fact it is still in effect! I—"

"I'm sorry, but I didn't think that Henry could fall in love in Five days!" Francis yelled.

"Well that's what you get for making assumptions!" Marie shrieked, bringing her crystal chalice down so hard on the hard wooden table that it shattered, spilling wine all over her food.

Henry had heard enough. He stood up. "Silence, both of you!" he roared. Marie and Francis stopped arguing instantly and looked at him with shock. Danielle gazed at Henry, terrified and panicked, but let Henry deal with the situation. "What exactly do you mean by the treaty still being in effect? Didn't you figure out some other treaty that didn't deal with my marriage, Father?"

Francis sat there for a moment, still too shocked that his son had acted like a king, instead of a spoiled, selfish boy. "There's no other way, Henry. The treaty was made and cannot be broken. You will have to marry Princess Gabriella or risk going to war with Spain." Francis looked at his son sadly, realizing that Henry was finally a man.

Both Henry and Danielle looked at him with absolute horror. Danielle finally piped up and said, "What?"

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Dragonwolf 77 here, updating for L.F.Sprite so we can get this done. Hope you like it!

Dragonwolf77