Part 23
Sunday came much too quickly for Danielle. Before she knew it, Antoine was at her door with a carriage to take her to his estate. “Hello Danielle.”
She quietly responded, “Hello.”
He helped her into the carriage. “I have a letter that came for you, but before you read it we need to talk.” Danielle placed the letter beside her on the seat. “I have been thinking a lot about what you said to me the last time I saw you. I think that maybe you might be right.”
Danielle looked up at him. “I am just trying to look out for you. I do not want you to make decision that you may one-day regret. Many times decisions that seem right at the beginning end up being wrong in the end.”
“I know Danielle. There is no need for you lecture me any longer. I have decided that I am going to leave this small town. Perhaps I will go to the palace. I understand that there are many eligible women there. I might just get swept off my feet again.”
The two of them embrace. Danielle only hoped that he when he went to court that he did not get to know Henry. If he did, he would find out who Danielle truly was, and than Henry would be after her. Danielle whispers in his ear, “Thank you. I am sorry but I can not do what you want me to do, but you know as well as I do that it is for the best.”
They hold each other for a little longer until finally Antoine pulls back. “Well, aren’t you going to read your letter. I know how anxious were to get news from home.”
Danielle grabs the letter from the seat next to her. It reads as follows:
Danielle,
I hate to disturb your new life, but your presence is requested at home. We understand if you do not come, but father would like you to. He has had a stroke, and the doctors are not very optimistic.
Henry
Danielle drops the letter. “Turn the carriage around.”
Antoine looks at her, “Why?”
Danielle adds more urgency to her voice. “Turn the carriage around now! I need to go home immediately.”
Antoine picks up the letter, and then joins her in yelling to turn the carriage around. “Danielle I am so sorry. You are welcome to use our carriage.”
“That is kind of you, but it will be quicker if I go horseback. The palace is at least a two and half day ride. It might already be too late. Give your family my apologize for not saying goodbye, but I need to leave immediately.”
“Your home is the palace?”
“Yes. I use to be known as Princess Danielle. I am surprised that you have not figured that out by now. Anyway, would you please inform all of my customers that I will give them back their money for any jobs left unfinished. I assume that you can tie up all of my loose ends for me. Who knows if I will ever be back here again.”
Antoine stared at her. He had no idea how she could be so strong when her world was falling apart around her. Everything made so much sense now. He now understood why she was so educated, and why she was so strong. Her whole life had been a trial. “I’ll help you pack.”
They silently went through her belongings, and found what she would need for the trip back. Antoine promised her that he would bring the rest of her belongings when he left for the palace. All she took with her was food, money, and her sword. She did not want to stop for food, but when she did stop for food she would trade her horse for a well-rested one. She was determined not to sleep. She was gone a half an hour later, and Antoine was left with the task of telling his family of the bad news.
***********************
Danielle did not sleep at all. When she had first left, it took her two and a half days to get to the town. If she did not sleep, she could make it home in a day and a half. Her journey was a tiring one, but it was worth it.
To her surprise, she did not meet with any obstacle on her way. She had draped herself in a dark cloak so that no one would recognize or bother her. It was not that she was afraid of a little adventure because she knew that she could beat anyone that came her way. It was more that beating them would take time. Time that she did not have.
She was able to meet her goal and was there in a day and half, which since she left Sunday morning she made it Monday evening. When she approached the gate, the guard stopped her. “Where do you think that you are going?”
“Into the castle.”
“I do not think so little missy.”
Danielle threw back her clock, “Well, I do.”
The guard immediately started to apologize. “I am sorry Your Highness…eer…or whatever it is I am suppose to call you.”
“I’ll let it pass this time.” Danielle quickly dismounted her horse and headed into the courtyard, which she found to be surprisingly empty. Nevertheless, she found who she was looking for. “Henry!” she shouted.
“Danielle?” he said with disbelieve. Quickly, he ran across the courtyard. “Danielle, I almost did not expect you to come,” he said as he gathered her up in a hug.
“You should of known better.” She tightens her grip on him. “It has been much too long.” Both of them just stood there for a moment. For once, both of them seemed to feel a strange level of comfort. Danielle then starts to pull back. “I really do hate to end this moment, but how is the King, I mean father, doing?”
They hooked arms as Henry says, “Let me take you to him. When I told father that I had written a letter to you asking you to come, he did not believe that you would, but I know that he will be glad that you do. Sometimes he is a stubborn old foul, but it all works out in the end. He will be glad to see you.”
“You did not answer my question.”
“Indeed I didn’t. The doctors say he has stabilized and that the next twenty four hours will decided his fate.” They walked in silence the rest of the way to Francis’s sick chambers. “Let me warn you. He has changed a lot since you last saw him. He has aged considerably.”
Danielle took in a deep breath before she entered the room. Marie was sitting at his bedside with a few nurses spread around the room. On the bed, Danielle saw a lump that she knew must be her father. Her whole body filled with trepidation as she stepped closer to him. Marie had silently got up and taken the nurses with her. In a weak whisper, Danielle said, “Father?”
Francis rolled over to face her. “Danielle you came home.”
Danielle rushed to his bedside. “How could I possibly stay away when my father needed me?” Silently Danielle took in her father in his new state. He had thinned dramatically and looked to be one step away from death. Danielle cried, “This is all my fault. If I had never left the palace, you would have been fine. I shall never forgive myself, and I do not blame you if you hate me.”
In his weak voice, Francis spoke, “Danielle this is not your fault. If it is anyone’s fault, it is my own. I have worried and worked much harder than I should have. It is my short temper that has put me here not you.”
Danielle gave her father a big hug. “No matter who my birth parents are you shall always be my father first and forever.”
“You know, my dear child, I never did right by you. I was always trying to make you do things that you did not want to do, but now I see that in spite of my many mistakes you turned out all right. Far better then I could ever hope.”
Danielle could tell that she was wearing her father out. “Get some sleep. I will not be leaving anytime soon.” She watched until her father had fell asleep; then, she continued to watch him. Eventually the nurses had returned, and she snuck quietly out.