Part 7
The next day no one made it to breakfast and only the King and Queen made it to lunch. Both Henry and Danielle were avoiding contact with the other. Henry though finally gave in during mid-afternoon. He was walking down the hall to the library when he saw Danielle sitting out in the garden. It was an unseasonably warm day.
Quietly, he took a seat next to Danielle. “I know how stubborn you can be, and I also know that I can be just as stubborn. We both know that we could go on not talking to each other for days, but nether of us want that. I went to talk to father this morning. I asked him to ease up on preparing me to be King. You were right last night. In the back of my mind, I knew all along that he was pushing me too hard. I guess I just needed to have more proof.”
A grin forms on Danielle’s face. “If you would have waited a little longer, I think I would have cracked first, but I am glad you didn’t. I also am sorry. I shouldn’t have called you a miniature of our father because it is not true. If it were, I would not be speaking to you right now.”
“Now that you and I are even, I feel that I needed to even things up between Charles and I. He told you a few secrets of mine it is only fair that I tell you some of his.” An evil grin starts to form on his face.
“Henry, mother always taught you to play nice. Two wrongs do not make a right.”
“Yes but neither does a right and a wrong. Now then, what shall I tell you about him.” He pretends to be deep in thought. “I know! I shall tell you that was he quite taken in by you last night. He came by to see me today, and all he could talk about was you. Of course, you are all the most of the courtiers are talking about.”
“He is nice enough.”
“I can never understand a women’s mind. Tell me does that mean you like him like he likes you?”
“Henry, I hardly know him, and even so I am too young to seriously consider anyone. I do not see what the big fuse is about me. I am not nearly as beautiful as everyone makes me out to be. In fact, most of the courtiers are more eye catching than I am. Besides I don’t like only being seen as a beauty. I would much rather be admired for my intelligence.”
Henry was greatly amused. “Boy, you really do have a strong stand on this subject don’t you? Danielle you can not expect everyone to see who you are on the inside in one night. Most people only got to observe you very few people actually had the pleasure of talking to you. Anyway, they are courtiers so how much can you really expect?”
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A few days later, Jacqueline and Marguerite were back from school. They both came up for a visit to the palace. Danielle’s duty was to entertain them, which she found to be a real challenge. Jacqueline apologized for missing her birthday, and Marguerite said that she truly wished she could have been there for the ball. Danielle was no fool; she knew that Marguerite hated the fact that she did not get a chance to try and seduce her brother.
Jacqueline and Danielle had a lot to chat about, but Marguerite quickly became bored. Danielle did her best to be a good host, but the thought was in vain. Because first chance Marguerite got, she went out into the courtyard to visit with the other courtiers. When she left, both Jacqueline and Danielle let out a sigh of relief. “I actually thought she was going to sit with us during your whole visit.”
Jacqueline smiled, “I was almost afraid of that too. I think she thought that your brother would be around sooner or later. I guess she decided that he would not be coming anytime soon.”
A voice was heard behind them, “It was not that. It was merely that I knew she was here, and waited for her to leave before making my grand appearance.” Both of the girls were immediately on their feet. “Jacqueline it has been quiet awhile since I have seen you. It is good to see that you seem to be happy.”
Danielle then noticed someone behind Henry. She quickly made a little curtsey, “It is nice to see you again Charles.” Both Jacqueline and Henry looked at her as if she had done something wrong. “Do not look at me like that. He told me to call him that so I am.”
“Getting a little personal aren’t we,” he whispers to Charles whose face is slowly reaching the brightness of an apple. He continues to whispers, “We shall talk later.” He turns to Jacqueline. “If I remember correctly, my mother was looking for you Jacqueline. Let me escort you there.”
Charles whispers to him, “That’s not obvious.” Henry just merely smiles at Charles. He then takes Jacqueline’s hand and starts to walk towards the house whistling a little tune all the way.
Danielle lets a small smile creep upon her face. It would have been impossible for her not to smile. “Jacqueline and I were going to take a ride before she left, but it looks as if she has more pressing issue with my mother right now. What do you say if you join me on that ride? Father would disapprove if I rode alone.”
Charles was more than eager to go. “If it is what Your Highness wishes, I would gladly join her on her ride.”
Danielle does her best to hold her laugh behind her hand. Men could be so strange. “You asked me to call you Charles, and yet you still call me by my formal name. Do you not think that it is only fair that you call me by my first name? Now then, there shall be no more of this ‘Your Highness’ business.” Danielle gives an approving nod. “Now then, let us be off.”
They headed towards the stables and Danielle started to place her horse saddle on the white stallion that Henry had given her on her thirteenth birthday. She quickly fastened her saddle on her horse and prepared her horse completely for the ride. The whole time Charles watched her. She then began to lead her horse out of its stall. “Do you always prepare your own horse?”
Danielle smiles as she guides her horse out of the stable. “I would not trust anyone else to do it right. Besides it irritates my father when I do it. What more of a reason do I need?” Charles offers her his hand to help her up onto her horse. She excepts it, but mentally she made note of how strange it seemed to be treated like a lady.
Charles mounted his horse, and rode up beside her. “Is your father really as bad as you make him out to be? Henry does not seem to think so, but you seem to almost hate him. What has he done to spawn such feelings in you?”
Danielle hesitates. It would feel good to tell someone the whole truth about why she disliked her father, but could she trust Charles? She just met him, and although Henry trusted him she was sure yet if she could. She gets an amused grin on her face, “I will race you to the river.” She speeds off.
Charles laughs and shouts to her, “This is unfair you have a head start.” He follows after her. He took a mental note that his question was left unanswered. He would not press her about it today, but one day he would again ask her that question. Today was a day that was made for simple pleasures.
Danielle won the race to the river, which was about half a mile away from the palace. She had not been in these woods for what seemed like forever, but she still remembered them very well from the many adventures Henry and her had shared there. Once Danielle was there, she wore a triumph smile across her face.
Charles saw her smile, “If this had been in my forest, you would have never won. As it is, you had the unfair advantage. Anyway, your horse is quicker then my will ever be.”
“Whatever helps you sleep at night.”