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Henry had just proposed to Danielle, as she jumped into his arms and he spun her with laughter and breathless joy mingling as they kissed again and again.
From a distance, Captain Laurent watched, a quiet smile tugging at his lips. He had seen battles, betrayals, and bloodsheds. But this, he thought, was rarer than any victory.
Henry finally set Danielle down, though his hands lingered at her waist. She glanced at herself, brushing at the dirt and damp fabric of her dress with a self-conscious laugh.
“Look at me,” she said, “I’m filthy”
He gently tilted her chin upward, his gaze steady and certain, “you’re beautiful”
The simplicity of it made her smile more than any grand declaration.
Still holding her hand, he led her to his horse, and with care, he lifted her into the saddle before mounting in front of her. As she wrapped her arms around her and took the reins, they set off toward the castle, the fading light casting gold across the road ahead.
Laurent followed at a respectful distance, allowing them have their moment.
Danielle leaned forward slightly against Henry, as the rhythm of the horse beneath them stirred a memory, and she smiled softly.
“This reminds me of the night we were with the gypsies, and you brought me home” she said with a smile
Henry chuckled quietly, “a night I’ll never forget”
Her smile faded into something more uncertain, “Henry…are you sure about this? I thought, you were going to choose Marguerite”
He tightened his hold on her hand, “I am sure. Completely.” He paused, gathering his thoughts, “truthfully, before I ever saw you at the masque, I had already decided to choose Princess Gabriella, when I heard you were supposedly engaged. We were meant to be married today”
Danielle looked at him with surprised,
“But when the moment came,” he continued, “I saw it in her eyes, plus she was sobbing and didn’t want this either. She was too in love with someone else.” He smiled faintly, “so, I told her to go to him, and I walked out of the church”
“You left your own wedding?” Danielle asked, half in disbelief
“I did, and I would do it again.” His voice softened, “I found the servant you rescued, Maurice, and he informed me you were sold and I asked to who. Then Jacqueline approached and informed me you were sold to, Pierre Le Pieu.” His jaw tightened at the name, “I knew what kind of man he was, and I didn’t hesitate and went straight to find you”
Danielle’s grip on his hand tightened, “and the shoe? Where did you find it?”
“Leonardo,” Henry said, “he came to confront me. I didn’t want to listen…not at first. But he told me something I couldn’t ignore,” he said and turned to her, “that you were my match and that a life without love is no life at all”
She smiled faintly, “that sounds like him”
“He left the shoe with me,” Henry continued, “even though I refused to hear him out. When I finally looked at it…” he laughed softly, “I thought it was the most beautiful shoe I had ever seen. I carried it with me after that. I suppose…part of me already knew he was right”
Danielle looked down at her feet, still wearing the shoe, “they were my mother’s. Both the shoes and the dress I wore. It was her wedding dress.” Her voice softened, “they were the only things I had of her. The other shoe is still at the manor, but the dress…the rain ruined it”
Henry turned again to her and kissed her temple, “you could have worn rags, and still I would have thought you were an angel”
They rode on, the castle rising in the distance, and for the first time, Danielle told him everything.
She spoke of her father, kind, loving and when he married the Baroness and how immediately after his death, she became a servant in her own house for ten years. She told him of Maurice, whom she had freed with the gold Henry had given her, after she threw apples at him. And of Jacqueline, who was always kind to her in the house.
Henry listened to it all in silence, his grip on her tightening, as he turned to her, “glad my gold went to a good deed,” he said with a smile
By the time they reached the castle gates, his expression settled into something resolute, as he dismounted and helped her down from the horse, and entered into the castle, as servants hurried forward, “see that she is bathed, fed and given fresh clothes,” he instructed the maids gently. Then, turning back to Danielle, his voice softened, “I will return for you soon”
She nodded, though nerves had begun to creep into her chest, as she went with the maids.
Henry wasted no time, as he walked through the grand halls and into the presence of his parents and Leonardo da Vinci, “mother, father. I’ve found her.” He announced, “the woman I will marry”
Leonardo smiled and gave him a wink
The king barely looked up, and knew what he meant, “no, Henry, no. She’s a servant. It’s not happening”
Henry’s jaw tightened, “she was made a servant. The Baroness is her stepmother, and she forced her into it after her father died”
“It changes nothing,” the king replied coldly
“It changes everything,” Henry said, his voice rising, “I love her. She is my match in every way. Just ask Leonardo”
The king looked at Leonardo, who gave him a nod, but shook his head.
Then the queen, who had been watching her son carefully, spoke with quiet authority, “Francis, let us at least meet the girl”
She turned to Henry, her expression softening, “ever since you met her, you’ve changed”
The king rolled his eyes and looked back at Leonardo, “Signore da Vinci”
“Your highness?” he responded
The king studied him for a moment, “what is your opinion of the girl?”
Leonardo did not hesitate, “I can say, with complete certainty, that she is Henry’s match”
Francis drew in a slow breath, his expression shifting as he considered Leonardo’s words, “was she your inspiration…for the university?”
“She was, and she is the reason I invited the gypsies as well”
The king exhaled, as though surrendering to something he could no longer deny, “very well,” he said at last, “we will meet her”
Relief flashed across Henry’s face, as he bowed his head briefly before turning to leave, on his way, he paused beside Laurent.
“Captain,” he said gently, “I have a favor to ask”
Laurent straightened at once, “anything, your highness”
Henry gave him a brief nod before continuing on.
When he reached Danielle’s chamber, he stopped at the door and knocked quietly.
From inside, her voice came, soft but hopeful, “is that you, Henry?”
“Yes”
A small pause…then, “you may come in”
He opened the door and stepped inside…and for a moment, he could only stare.
Danielle stood before him, transformed, the traces of hardship had been washed away, revealing her natural grace. Her hair was neatly braided, her features softened with the lightest touch of color, and she wore a deep burgundy gown that seemed to glow in the candlelight.
Henry was utterly speechless, when he finally found his voice, “Danielle…you’re breathtaking”
She smiled though a hint of nervousness lingered in her eyes, “I hope your parents…the king and queen…will like me?”
He crossed the room to her and gently lifted her chin, his gaze warm and reassuring, “my darling, I already know my mother will love you. She’s seen what you’ve done to me…how you’ve changed me. She supports it”
Danielle hesitated, “and your father? The king?”
Henry smiled softly, “he will love you too. You have nothing to fear”
He offered her his hand, “come, let’s go meet them”
They walked hand in hand through the grand corridors, as Danielle could feel her heart racing with every step closer to the throne room.
When they entered, she immediately released Henry’s hand and lowered herself into a graceful bow, “your highnesses”
The queen regarded her warmly, “so…you are Danielle?”
Danielle lifted her gaze, “I am, your majesty?”
“It is very nice to finally meet you properly”
“The honor is mine,” Danielle replied sincerely
The king, however, studied her more carefully, his expression measured, “my son has told us…quite a story. I would hear it from you. Why were you living as a servant? And is everything he has said…true?”
Danielle took a breath, steadying herself, “forgive me, your majesties, for any deception. I never intended harm. I only wished to save a man who has been like a second father to me.” Her voice softened, “I did not plan to continue seeing Henry…but fate had other plans. I meant to tell the truth the night of the masque, but my stepmother…the Baroness…intervened.” She lowered her eyes briefly, “you know the rest”
The king’s gaze did not waver, “why did she make you a servant?”
“She married my father,” Danielle said, “but he died shortly after. From that moment on, my place in the house changed. For ten years, I served in my own home.” A flicker of pain crossed her face, “only days ago did she finally admit…she never loved me. Everything she told you was a lie”
The queen stepped forward slightly, her expression softening, “and Nicole de Lancret?”
Danielle’s voice grew quiet, “she was not a countess. But she was my mother, and died giving birth to me”
The queen’s eyes filled with sympathy, “oh, my dear child…” she crossed the space between them and embraced Danielle gently, “I am so sorry”
Danielle returned the embrace, surprised but comforted.
The king remained thoughtful, as he glanced briefly at Leonardo, who gave him a subtle, reassuring nod.
Then the king asked, “tell me…were you truly the inspiration behind the idea for the university?”
Danielle blinked, caught off guard, “that is what Henry told me,” she said honestly, “so…I suppose it must be true”
A faint smile touched the king’s lips at her humility. He stepped closer, his voice firm but not unkind, “if you are to stand beside my son, as a princess, and one day a queen…what do you hope to accomplish?”
Danielle met his gaze without fear now, “I hope to help Henry rule France with wisdom and compassion. To help build the university, so others may have the chance to learn and grow. And…” she smiled softly at Henry, “to be a devoted wife, a loving mother to our children, and a worthy queen”
There was a long pause, then the king smiled, “well then….welcome, Danielle,” he said, “you have our blessing”
Relief washed over her, as she bowed again, “thank you, your majesty”
The queen took her hands warmly, “you may call us mother and father, if you wish”
Danielle’s eyes softened, “I would like that very much. Thank you” she embraced the queen once more.
“Now,” the king said, his tone shifting, “we must address the matter of the de Ghents”
Danielle hesitated, “my stepmother and Marguerite were cruel to me…but Jacqueline, please spare her. She has always been kind”
“As you wish,” the queen said gently
Henry stepped forward, urgency in his voice, “mother, father…I believe we should marry at once”
The king raised a brow, “at once?”
“In case they attempt anything,” Henry continued, “I will not risk losing her again. Not to them or Pierre Le Pieu”
The queen nodded approvingly, “that is wise”
The king considered it, then gave a firm nod, “very well. Can you both be ready within the hour?”
Henry smiled, “we can”
“Good. Guards,” the king called, “fetch the minister. Tell him it is urgent”
The guards bowed, “yes, your majesty”
As Henry and Danielle made their way back through the halls, Henry caught sight of Laurent, who gave him a subtle nod. Henry returned it.
Danielle noticed, “what are you planning?”
“You’ll see,” he said with a small smile
He opened the door to her chamber and Danielle gasped, “Jacqueline?”
There she stood, smiling, beside the bed. Draped across it was her mother’s dress, but restored and the matching shoes.
“My mother’s dress…how?” Danielle rushed forward, “I thought it was ruined”
“With the help of Paulette, Louisa, and a very talented seamstress here at the castle,” Jacqueline said proudly, “we managed to repair it”
Danielle threw her arms around her, “thank you. You’re risking so much for being here”
Jacqueline shrugged lightly, “mother and Marguerite are otherwise occupied”
Henry stepped forward, “Jacqueline, is it?”
She curtsied, “yes, your majesty”
“Please…Henry,” he said kindly, “and thank you”
Danielle turned to her with a hopeful smile, “would you…be my maid of honor?”
Jacqueline’s face lit up, “I would be honored”
Henry glanced back toward the door, “Laurent,” he called
The captain stepped in, “your highness?”
“Will you stand as my best man?”
Laurent bowed slightly, “it would be my honor”
Just then, a group of maids hurried into the room, “your majesty…out,” one of them insisted, ushering Henry toward the door, “we must prepare the bride”
Henry laughed softly, “as you command”
In less than half an hour, everything was ready. The chapel glowed with candlelight as the minister took his place, as Henry stood at the altar with Laurent, as his hands clasped, and his heart pounding. The queen sat nearby, with Leonardo beside her.
Then the music began, as the chapel doors opened.
Jacqueline stepped forward first, walking gracefully down the aisle, and then Henry saw her, Danielle.
Wearing her mother’s gown, she seemed almost otherworldly, as though she had stepped out of a dream.
She looks like an angel…he thought, his breath catching
The king himself escorted her down the aisle, placing her hand into Henry’s before taking the seat.
Henry held her hand tightly as they stood together beneath the arch, as the minister began the ceremony.
Henry spoke first, his voice steady and full of feeling as he repeated the vows:
“I, Henry Francis, Prince of France, take you, Danielle de Barbarac, to be my wife. To have and to hold, from this day forward”
Danielle followed, her voice soft but certain:
“I, Danielle de Barbarac, take you, Henry Francis, Prince of France, to be my husband…to have and to hold, from this day forward”
Henry and Danielle stood together their hands entwined as though they had always belonged that way. The minister’s voice rose like a song, weaving their promises into something eternal, until at last he declared them husband and wife.
As if guided by fate itself, Henry drew Danielle close, and they shared a kiss that seemed to seal not only their vows, but their destiny.
A gentle sigh of wonder rippled through the chamber.
At the minster’s gentle instruction, they bowed their heads. Henry guided Danielle with quiet reverence as two golden crowns were placed upon their heads. In that moment, she was no longer just a bride, she was a princess.
Applause erupted.
The king and queen beamed with pride, while Leonardo, Jacqueline, and Laurent joined in, their smiles bright with joy and relief.
But the celebration could not linger.
There was still a kingdom to face, and the court had yet to hear the news, and appearances had to be carefully managed. Jacqueline, despite everything, would need to return home at once to avoid suspicion.
Plans were swiftly discussed, as Danielle will be doing her first task not only as a new princess…but a queen in the making.
The End