Part 18
Auguste and Henry had a long chat. To say the least, Auguste was shocked. “This is so out of Danielle’s character. Are you sure that she ran away?”
“Well, she did not exactly runaway. She did have the option to stay here, but she did not take it. She took this opportunity to live her life as she has always wanted to live it. From her letters, she seems to be actually happy. She has started a small dress shop in a town, but she refuses to tell me which town she is in. All my letters have to go through Jacqueline. Personally, I am not sure that she is as happy as she says she is, but I have to believe that she is happy.” Auguste stared out of the huge window for a long time; Henry sat contemplating on the couch. Auguste looked out the window as if the longer he looked the better chance he would have of seeing Danielle.
When Auguste first married the Baroness, he had no idea what had happened to his daughter. He did not know if she had died lying by the door or if a servant had taken her in. A few days after they were married, the Baroness insisted that Auguste take her to court. He was reluctant, but he was eager to please his new bride. Personally, he had not been to the court since he married Nicole, neither of them cared much for the politics involved with going to court.
When he did take her and her two daughters to court, he basically let his wife introduce herself to the people of the court since he himself did not know many of them. Auguste was bored out of his mind until he saw a little boy and girl playing. He had seen Henry many times, but he had never seen the Princess until now. His heart practically leapt out of his chest. He just stared at the little girl. She had so much of her mother in her.
The rest of time at court he watched as Jacqueline joined the two young Royals. The three of them got along so well. Without him realizing it, Marie had come out and stood next to him, “They seem to already be friends. I will have to say that I hope that you shall bring up little Jacqueline up to play with Danielle as much as possible. Although, I fear my daughter will be a bad influence on Jacqueline.”
“I doubt that. If what I hear about your daughter is true, she is just what I would want in a daughter, or stepdaughter in this case, to be like.”
Auguste comes back to the real world and looks back at Henry, “It must be hard for you to live without Danielle.”
“Hard does not even begin to describe what it is like to live without Danielle. Whenever she went off to boarding school, I always knew that she would come back, but now I do not know if I will ever see her again. Things between us shall never be the same.” At this, Henry let out a slight sigh.
Auguste took a seat next to Henry on the couch. “I am sure it is not as bad as you make it out to be. Besides, you will see her again. I do not believe that she will stay away forever.” Auguste paused to think for a moment. “Knowing Danielle, she is just trying to prove to the world that she can live on her own. Once she has done this, I am sure she will allow you to come and see her.”
Henry smiled, “I hope you are right. I have known Danielle her whole life, and I would hate to think that something that was out of our control would take her out of my life forever. Now then, I think that a change in scenery is necessary. I think we have had enough seriousness for one day. How about we go and see my mother? She always loves visitors.”
Both men tried to put the sobering conversation behind them, but it was impossible. Eventually, Henry left Auguste in the care of his mother and went to find something to take his mind off of things. Before he was able to accomplish this feat, Charles found him.
“I have been looking all over for you. A guard told me you were in the library. When I got there, another guard told me that you were in the gardens with your mother and Auguste. They told me that you had just left them ten minutes ago. Do you have any idea how many different location a person can get to in ten minutes?”
Henry smiled. “I have to keep you your toes. No one else seems to. Besides, life would not be worth living if it were always easy. Everyone needs a challenge ever now and then. It shakes thing up.”
“Indeed. Even you need a challenge. Perhaps that is what Danielle is?” Henry stops walking and stares at his friend. Charles stops walking as well and stares back at him. “What is wrong Henry? Did you honestly think that I would not find out the truth behind your feelings for Danielle? After the ball, I had all of the pieces to the puzzle it just took me a little while to put them together.”
“I do not know what you are talking about.” Henry starts to walk down the hall again.
Charles follows. “I suppose then you would not mind if I were to tear up this letter from Danielle. How much could it really mean to you.” He waves the letter in front of Henry’s face.
Henry snatches it. He then tries to explain a few things to Charles. “I do not cherish these letters for the reasons you think I do. She was my sister for seventeen years. We have always been close because both of us have always had royal obligation over our heads that neither of us wanted. Just because she has been striped of her title does not mean that she should lose everything.”
Charles let out a slight laugh, “You do not need to get so defensive. If you say that she is only a friend, then I will let you live in your delusion. But mark my word, one day you shall realize what I have…that you two are perfect for each other.” Charles smiled, “I will not bore you any longer. I know you are anxious to read your letter.”
Henry was anxious to read his letter, but he did his best to act as if he could careless. All Charles could do was shake his head and laugh as he walked away. The moment Charles was gone Henry opened the letter.
Dear Henry,
It feels like I have been away from the palace forever. In away, I do miss the palace life, but at the same time I am glad that I am no longer living it. Over the past two months, I have not been completely honest with you, and I am sorry for that. I believe that it is now time to come clean and I only hope that you shall be able to forgive my foolish ways.
When I first came to town, no one would hire me. As a result, I started my own business as a seamstress. For a whole month and a half, no one would ever come near my shop, and all sorts of rumors were spread about me. One day, Anne entered my store, she is the daughter of a Count. She needed a gown for her brother’s birthday. We got to talking, and she invited me to come to the ball. I was reluctant to go, but she made it near impossible for me not to go.”
When I arrived at the ball, I was afraid that everyone would snub me, and at first they did. What changed their minds was that Anne talked to me and introduced me to some of her good friends. Apparently, Anne’s family is the wealthiest and most respected family in town. A good word from her and you could do anything. It is kind of like royalty but on a smaller scale.
Anyway, I was never without a partner the rest of the night. I even danced a few times with her brother Antoine. He is rather handsome and intelligent too. I am not afraid to admit to you that I have a bit of an infatuation on him. But no need for you to worry, it shall come to nothing for he is of so much of a higher class then I am. It could never come to anything thanks to your father. If only I would have met him while I was still a princess, everything would be different.
I feel that I am now probably depressing you, but that was not my original reason for writing you this letter. I wanted to let you know that I am truly okay, and that I shall tell you nothing but the truth from here on out. Lying does not sit well with me.
Love,
Danielle