EVER AFTER
The Lost Interlude
By Tooki
Danielle sat with her back up against a tree in the woods, her worn copy of Utopia banked against her knees. She had read the book to almost ruin, as it was the last thing her father had given her before his death. Danielle's long hair blew around her face as she carefully turned the pages as she read. Her finger nails had dirt under them, but her hands were clean so that she didn't dirty the pages of the book.
So engrossed was she in the book that Danielle did not hear the leaves rustling as a rider on horseback neared her She twisted a strand of hair as she read the words that she had memorized many years before, yet had never tired of. It was nice to sit and read in peace, away from her stepmother's prying eyes and constant demands on her time.
He sat astride his mount watching her read; she was the most extraordinary woman he had ever met. He loved everything thing about her...from the way she spoke her mind with no fear, to the way she sat twirling her hair at this very moment. He steadied his steed, as not to disturb her. He wanted to watch a few moments longer. She vexed and intrigued him at the same time. She had more or less called him selfish and spoiled. If his father had done that he would have stormed from the room, but with Nicole it only made him want to be all that much closer to her.
Danielle suddenly had the feeling there were eyes upon her; she closed the book and looked around. Seeing the Prince she jumped to her feet. "Your Highness, I did not hear you ride up."
He smiled down at her, "Comtesse, I did not want to disturb you."
Danielle quickly brushed the grass and leaves from her dress and hid her hands behind her back. They were not the hands of a Comtesse, but the hands of a servant.
Prince Henry dismounted and came toward Danielle. She had the urge to turn and run, but she had the feeling he would only follow her. He reached out to her and plucked a leaf from her hair, "Have you given your servants the day off again, Milady?"
She shook her head slowly. "I come here to read sometimes." She answered for once not lying. "I like it in the woods, it comforts me when I am missing my father. Aren't you missing your entourage? Where is Captain Laurent?"
Henry looked at the ground as he spoke, "I slipped out again. It is rather hard to go unnoticed when you have half the castle guards surrounding you."
"I see, but I'm sure it is for your own protection, Sire." Danielle told the Prince. "It could be dangerous for his Highness to roam about the country side unattended."
The Prince looked up smiling at her. He put his hand to his forehead as he thought of the peasant girl who had hit him with the apple. "This is true."
Knowing what he must be thinking, Danielle began walking. Prince Henry followed closely, leading his horse. "Why do you feel the need to escape?" She asked then blushed, knowing that it was not proper to question Royalty.
"As you know my father wants me to find a suitable wife or he will marry me off to a woman I neither know nor love." He answered.
"Ah, the hazards of being Royalty." Danielle quipped.
"You talk about Royalty like it is a disease," Henry said, stopping. Danielle also stopped and turned to look at him. "After all you are a Comtesse, not exactly born into poverty."
"We-l-l," She hated lying to him but she was fearful now of what he would do since she had deceived him for this length of time. "But that is no reason to look down upon people less fortunate. After all, when it comes down to it there is really no difference."
"No difference?" The Prince looked at her quizzically. "Of course there is a difference. If it weren't for the rich, what would the peasants do?"
Danielle's mouth gapped open unable to believe the words that had come from his mouth. "Of all the arrant…" she begin then stopped her self. Danielle gathered her skirts around her and stormed off through the woods.
"Comtesse," Henry called, but she did not stop. "Nicole, please wait, I did not mean to upset you."
"Well, it is too late for that I fear, Milord," Danielle tossed over her shoulder, not stopping her march through the woods.
"Nicole," he called again.
"I don't have time for self-centered…" she mumbled as she shoved back a branch blocking her way.
Prince Henry did not see the branch flying in his direction until it was too late. The branch caught him square in the chest, knocking him flat. His horse whinnied and backed away.
Danielle turned, horrified, already knowing what had happened before her gaze fell on the prince sprawled on the ground. Her anger disappeared as quickly as it had come. "Oh my Lord," she cried as she ran back and knelt next to him. A line of blood was forming on his chin where a branch had scratched him. She pulled up the hem of her skirt and wiped the blood. "I am so sorry."
He caught her hand as she was about to dab the cut again. "I am fine," he said raising to his elbows. "Nothing hurt by my pride. I believe I received what was coming to me."
Danielle sat back on her heels, "I do get carried away at the injustices of the world."
"Injustices imposed by Royalty, I suppose," Henry said with the raise of an eyebrow.
"No, no....Royalty does not corner the market on injustices," she replied, thinking of her stepmother.
"Is that so? And what do you know of these, Milady?" the Prince asked. He was now sitting gazing in to Danielle's eyes.
"I must go," she said, not answering his question...for there was no way she could with out giving herself away.
As she started to rise to her feet, Henry reached out for her hand and pulled her back down. "Why is it you always run from me just when things began to get interesting?"
"The hour is late your Highness, and I must be getting back," Danielle answered.
"Then allow me to give you a ride home." He offered.
"There is no need, for I enjoy the walk," She said getting up once again and starting off through the woods.
Henry jumped to his feet, "Then allow me to walk with you, Milady."
Danielle stopped and turned to face the Prince. "That is very kind of you sir, but I thought you were trying to escape unnoticed. I do believe quite a stir would be raised if I came walking out of the woods with the Crowned Prince of France."
"I was not exactly escaping as much as I was looking for something," Henry said walking next to her.
"And have you found what you are looking for?" She asked innocently.
"Yes I think I have found just what I am looking for," he answered, not taking his eyes off her.
Danielle's heart began to pound as she felt his eyes on her. "I am happy for you but I must be on my way now."
"When can I see you again?" he asked boldly.
"I do not know," she answered.
The sound of pounding hoofs interrupted Henry's next question. As they walked, they had neared one of the country roads. The Prince glanced to see who was riding up the road ... Captain Laurent. He sighed and turned to speak to Danielle, but she had vanished…again. He looked around wondering how she could have disappeared so quickly. His Highness touched his chin where the scratch was, smiled at the way Nicole had tended him. Then, taking a deep breath stepped out onto the road to await Captain Laurent.
THE END