Doubles

An EA Alternative

Prologue

Prince Henry was walking in the marketplace with his friend and bodyguard, Captain Laurent de Richaud of the Royal Guard. He was there looking for that woman he had seen in the castle courtyard just yesterday. His eyes were everywhere. He just didn’t know where to look first.

She had been there to free her servant, Maurice, from being shipped to the Americas. He had confronted her and asked her name, but she refused to part with it. She had left him guessing. He had asked a number of people if they had known who she was. He was told her name was Danielle de Barbarac. There was not too much known about her except that her father, Auguste de Barbarac, had married some witch known as the Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent and that, after his death, she is single-handedly running the manor into the ground. One person was keeping it up and one person only and that was Danielle. There was something mysterious about her; all the servants would call her "Mistress" when the Baroness wasn’t around. They knew that Rodmilla kept her as a servant in her own home.

Henry was in love with her already. The courage, strength and passion she showed for living was a wonderful quality in a woman, why she was almost fit to be a queen. He was determined to get to the bottom of this mystery, but he didn’t know how. His father had arranged a marriage between himself and Princess Gabriella of Spain. The wedding was scheduled to take place within a fortnight.

Henry didn’t want to be the next King of France. He didn’t even want to marry this woman who was a complete stranger to him. He wanted to marry for love and he was determined to do so. If he could just make his father see he loved someone else, maybe his father would change his mind and call off the arrangement.

He couldn’t escape out his bedroom window anymore, he had tried that too many times and his father, King Francis, was already wise to his tricks. He had to think of something new, something different, something that no one else had come up with, but what?

"Look, Henry, look at that boy," Laurent said, trying to get his attention. " Why, I could swear he looks just like you."

Henry turned around and looked up. He had been searching for this woman everywhere and hadn’t even noticed who or what Laurent was staring at.

There, in front of him stood a boy, about his age, same complexion and coloring as he. If he hadn’t known better, he could swear they were twins.

Suddenly, Henry had an idea how to get out of his obligation and give him time to conduct his search. He would switch places with him.

Laurent looked at him as if he were crazy.

"You’ll never get away with it, Henry, your father would know immediately."

Henry smiled. "Let’s make a wager, shall we?"

Laurent smiled back. "You’re on, Henry."

Chapter 1

The boy looked perplexed. "You want me to what?"

"Switch places," Laurent said, "with the Crown Prince of France."

The boy looked at him. "Prince Henry?"

Laurent nodded. "You look just like him."

"You are crazy, you know, did anyone ever tell you that? Go, I have my work to attend to." The boy turned and faced the woman selling bread behind the table. He began to haggle with her.

"And what work is that?" a voice addressed him.

The boy stopped and turned to face the voice. He found himself staring at a mirror image of himself.

"Who are you?" he asked.

"This is Prince Henry, the Crown Prince of France," Laurent told him.

"What do you want of me?" the boy asked.

Henry smiled. He didn’t even bow to me, he thought. "Just to switch places, for a while anyway. I am looking for someone, a woman. Her name is Danielle de Barbarac."

The boy brightened. "Yes, I know her. I have been working at the manor as a stable boy ever since my mother was sold. I do other odd jobs around the house as well, sort of a handyman, if you will. I am the only one left in my family still working there."

Henry frowned. "Why would she let the other’s go, I wonder?"

"The Baroness is running out of money," the boy said, still watching the Prince.

Henry nodded. "What is your name, boy?"

"Francois," he answered, "and what do I get out of this?"

"A chance to spend some time in the castle, get a taste of what being a royal feels like."

Francois smiled at the thought. He would finally find out what it felt like to live in the castle. He had grown up in its shadow and always dreamed of what it would be like to live there.

"Why?" Francois asked. "Why do you want to do this?"

"I do not want to be King," Henry answered him, "plain and simple. I am giving you this chance. Besides, I had always dreamed of being free, living my own life and making my own decisions. I want to have no obligations, Francois, the freedom to marry the woman I love, not who my father picks for me."

Francois stared at him. I’d be a fool not to take this chance, even if it is only temporary. I mean, what harm could come of it? He would get what he wants and Henry would finally find out what it meant to be free, or what he thought was for free, anyway.

Francois smiled and extended his hand. "Very well, then, Your Highness, I will take the risk."

Henry smiled back. "It is no risk, Francois, no one will ever know the difference unless I tell them. And," he said, taking his hand in his, "the name is Henry."

They smiled at one another as they shook hands.

This is the beginning, Laurent said, watching the two of them. I wonder how it will end.

Chapter 2

Louise and Paulette were on their way back from the marketplace. They pushed a wheelbarrow piled high with vegetables and fruits that were grown in their own garden.

"Whew," Louise said, stopping. She pointed to the manor. "There it is, finally."

Paulette smiled and turned around. "What is keeping that boy? He usually keeps up with us?"

Louise smiled. "You are right, Paulette, he is always right behind us?" She called his name "Francois! Francois, where are you?"

Henry was walking with Gustave, Danielle’s best and oldest friend. He often went to the market to show off his wonderful paintings. Right now, he was helping Henry carry eggs and chickens all at the same time.

"Come, Francois," Gustave said, helping Henry balance a basket of eggs in one hand and two chickens in a cage in the other, "you’ve done this before and without a problem."

"Have I?" Henry asked. "I don’t seem to recall…"

A chicken’s loud cluck, cluck, startled him and he tripped. Another egg fell to the ground.

Gustave looked at Henry as if he had two heads. "It was only this morning, Francois," he said, then he smiled. "Come, give the chickens and the basket to me. You carry the paints and the easel. There will be more eggs on the ground before we get home then in our bellies. There will be nothing left when we arrive at the manor."

"Is it far from here?" Henry asked.

Gustave was still looking at him strangely.

"It’s right there." He pointed.

Henry looked up and stared straight ahead. "Yes, that’s right," he answered. "That’s where it always is, where it’s supposed to be."

Gustave smiled and shook his head. "Come on, it’s not far now. I’d race you as usual except I’m the one holding the eggs."

Gustave walked ahead of Henry, looking for Louise and Paulette. He saw them, smiled and waved. The two women waved back.

Gustave turned to look at Henry who was now walking a little faster, but not fast enough to suit him.

Henry let Gustave walk ahead. He was just as content to walk a little slower; he wasn’t used to this long walk. Actually, he wasn’t used to a lot of things, but he will be soon. He was confident that he would.

Chapter 3

At the other end of the scale, Francois couldn’t believe why anyone wouldn’t want to be the Crown Prince of France.

He looked up and around the room as he followed Laurent into the castle. This is so beautiful, Francois thought, why would he want to give all of this up. He stared at the splendor and richness of the castle, the beautiful walls with gold leaf, tapestries and paintings.

It was all too much at one time. He stopped to take it all in.

"Come," Laurent motioned for him. "We cannot have you just standing there, staring like that. You have grown up here, Francois. There is nothing new to you. In fact, you are bored with it."

He looked at Laurent and smiled.

"This is true, Captain, I am sorry,"

"Oh, yes," Laurent said, looking at him, "and one small problem. Don’t call me Captain in private or with friends. It’s always been Laurent since we were children. Only refer to me as Captain when we are in public or in front of strangers."

Francois smiled and looked around. He was beginning to wonder why he had accepted in the first place.

"Henry, there you are," King Francis said, coming out of the hallway.

"Where have you been, boy?"

Francois looked up at Laurent, who had been trying to hide a smile. He looked back and just shrugged.

"Your Maj…I mean, Father," Francois said. "Good to see you again." He walked over to embrace him, then stepped back and began to walk around the room.

Francis looked at who he thought was Henry and then at Laurent. He was a little confused. "Is he alright? There is something different, something very odd about him. I can’t explain it."

Laurent shrugged. "Same old Henry, Your Majesty," he said, "always a surprise. Never know what’s coming next." Wonder how long this is going to last, he thought, shaking his head. We are going to have to do something and quick.

Chapter 4

Henry took one look at the stables and shook his head. What a mess, he thought, as he grasped the shovel tighter in his hand. This wasn’t going to be easy. It was a good thing his father had forced him to do this as a young boy. He had just turned thirteen. "Just do it, Henry," he had said, "see what it feels like on the other side."

It had meant to be threat, to get him to stop complaining about how bored he was and tired of being groomed for the Kingship. His father thought he would take one look at the mess, throw down the shovel and walk away, but he didn’t. He had dug right in and done what was expected of him and in record time.

His father left him alone after that.

"Hello, Francois," he heard a voice call.

Henry looked up and turned around.

"Hello, Marguerite," Henry said, turning around again, getting back to his work. "How goes it with you?"

Marguerite smiled. "How goes it with you? She said, laughing. "We are getting formal, aren’t we? And since when are you so interested in your work?"

Henry stood up and turned around. "Am I not always interested?"

Marguerite walked over to him and pressed her body against his. "Most times, I seem to think you are just interested in me." She rubbed her hand over his chest.

Henry looked at her, a sly smile forming on his face. "I thought you were only interested in the Prince."

Marguerite smiled and reached up to put her arms around his neck. "You look just like him, you know, anyone ever tell you that?"

"I am sure there are many differences," Henry said, removing her arms from around his waist. "Now, if you just leave me to my work," he said, picking up his shovel.

Marguerite stared at him. "Why, you are certainly different from the last time," she said, a little angrily. "I thought that you were…"

"Marguerite, that’s enough."

Henry and Marguerite both turned toward the door.

"Mother, I was just making conversation."

"With the stable boy?" Rodmilla screamed. "Out, young lady, I don’t care how much he looks like the Prince, he simply is not."

Henry turned away and began his work. He was trying to hide the smile that was forming on his lips.

Chapter 5

Who did he think he was kidding, Laurent thought as he paced up and down. And why the heck did I agree to all this.

He was training Francois in the fine art of being a royal. Manners, pointing, eating, protocol, everything.

He had just finished giving him a little history lesson on relations between him and his parents. He was having an early supper with them, right now, something the real Henry had no interest in doing, ever.

He wished that he was down there right now, just to sort things out and smooth things over.

"Psst, Laurent," someone called from the door.

Laurent turned and found Francois sticking his nose in the door.

"What are you doing up here?" Laurent whispered walking toward the door. "You should be down there with your family. They were looking forward to it."

Francois walked in the room and closed the door behind him.

"The Queen is in shock," Francois said. "She fainted the minute I walked in the dining room. The King took one look at me and then at her and called for the court physician. The meal’s been called off until Her Majesty gets her strength back."

Laurent laughed and shook his head.

Francois looked at him, puzzled. "Something funny?"

Laurent couldn’t stop laughing.

"You never show up at supper, Francois, well, I shouldn’t say that, Henry never shows up. And I shouldn’t say that either, he does come, rarely, but he does come." He looked at Francois. "I should have told you that, Francois, I am sorry."

"Henry, where are you?"

Francois looked up. "It’s the King," he said.

"Your father," Laurent corrected. "Come let’s see what is bothering him this time."

Chapter 6

Henry lay back in the hayloft. So, this is where Francois sleeps. Rodmilla couldn’t even give him a decent room to sleep in. When he became king, he was going to…

But I will not be a king, will I? I don’t want to be a king, all I want is my…

"Francois?"

Oh, no, Henry thought, not Marguerite again. And where was Danielle anyway, that’s who wanted to meet. Not some little spoiled brat who was having an affair with the stable boy.

"Francois? Are you here?"

Henry rolled his eyes. He picked himself up from the bed made of hay and started down the ladder. "Listen, I am sorry. It’s just that I am really tired right now and I…."

He stopped in mid-sentence.

There, at the door stood the woman he had been waiting for all day. He tried to hide his smile.

"And you what?" Danielle said, smiling up at him. "All I wanted to do was talk."

"And I am here to listen," Henry said, looking at her. She looked almost the same; her hair was loose, not tied back as it had been at the courtyard.

"But you just said…"

"Never mind what I just said," Henry answered, looking at her. "I was half asleep and anyway, I thought you were Marguerite."

"But you like Marguerite, Francois, you are always going on about how headstrong she is. I am not that fond of her temperament myself, but to each his own."

She smiled up at him and he almost melted. He was, literally, at a loss for words, until he saw a small welt on her back.

He touched it, the lightest of touches. "What’s this?" he asked.

"That is what I came to talk to you about," Danielle said. "She gave me another lashing."

"Another one?" Henry whispered, touching her face.

Danielle nodded. Her eyes welled up with tears.

"What happened?"

Chapter 7

"I talked back to Marguerite," she said, crying. "It’s not the first time, Francois, you know that."

"She whipped you for talking back to Marguerite?" Henry asked, drying her eyes. "Whatever could you have said?"

"They have a meeting with the Queen tomorrow, the two of them," Danielle answered.

"Yes," Henry said, looking away from her staring at the door. "I’d almost forgotten about that. She wants to meet all of those eligible young woman invited to that infernal ball. She’s very picky about that sort of thing, she…." He stopped. Danielle was looking at him, puzzled.

"How do you know all that?" Danielle whispered.

"Know all what?"

She looked at him, frowning. The tears disappeared. "All that information, what you just told me."

Henry shook his head. "I heard it at the marketplace today, Danielle. That’s all."

She suddenly smiled. "Were you spying again?" She laughed. "I guess there are several advantages to looking like the Prince after all."

Henry smiled back. "Yes," he answered, "I guess I was." He took her hands in his. "If there is anything I can do for you, Danielle, do not hesitate, please."

Danielle looked up at him. "Thank you, Francois, you’ve always been there when I needed you."

He smiled. "I’m glad," he said. "Now, let’s have that talk, shall we?"

Chapter 8

Francois lay in Henry’s room in his bed. He was starting to feel a little funny. A little homesick as well. He didn’t know why. All he slept on was a small makeshift bed in the hayloft and here he was, sleeping on a real bed in a cozy room. He was still homesick.

Damn, he thought, suddenly sitting up in the bed, I won’t be there for Danielle, she comes in every night to talk. She’s funny and charming and all the men love her, including her late father. That’s what Rodmilla hated the most. Now it was the Prince. Especially the Prince, he thought, smiling. Wait until Rodmilla finds that out.

Rodmilla, Francois thought, how the hell had Danielle put up with her all those years. Lashing her to the bone almost every night. He did not understand how or why she put up with it.

The manor belonged to Danielle, no question about it. Francois had found the papers by accident and the three of them sat at the library table reading them. That’s when Marguerite had walked in on them.

Ahh, Marguerite, he thought smiling. She was the oldest and closest to his age, which was twenty-one. He had a crush on her ever since he could remember. She had the most beautiful face he had ever seen. He liked it when she came in and rubbed against him. It was only kissing so far, but he had dreams. He wanted to marry her, but he couldn’t, she was too far above his station. Danielle always warned him about her; he just never listened.

Jacqueline was next, the younger sister. She was engaged to marry Laurent, if he remembered right. Rodmilla had always encouraged her to eat and eat she did. She was always friendly, so kind and sweet. She was a little shy, which was the one think he didn’t like about her.

Now he couldn’t sleep.

He got up and walked toward the window to look out.

He tried to focus his thoughts on what happened earlier that evening. After Laurent stopped laughing, they both went to see the King.

"You scared your mother half to death. Do you realize that?"

He had apologized and promised to attend meals more often. Then he looked at Laurent and asked him to wait outside.

"You have got to show a little more responsibility, Henry. The future of France rests on your shoulders. I will not live forever, you know. You have got to take control of your life. Good Lord, you are of one and twenty years of age. When will you grow up?"

That was how he left it with him. The King turned and walked out of the room, not even giving Francois the time to answer.

Not that he could’ve given him an answer, anyway.

Francois sighed. So this is how it was with Henry and his father. Well, starting tomorrow he was going to fix all of that. He was going to get them to change their minds about him. He was going to have to prove he could handle that responsibility and that he had grown up at last.

Henry would be proud of him.

Chapter 9

Danielle woke up. She sat up and looked around. She had fallen asleep in the hayloft next to Henry. He had been lying on his left side, she on her right. Oh, she was going to get into trouble over this, although, this was not the first time. She had always managed to sneak off with Francois still asleep.

This time, though, it felt different somehow, that this wasn’t Francois at all. She had felt funny, lying there next to him. She looked at his face. It looked like Francois, yet, there was something different about it. The lines on his face, maybe? She wasn’t sure, but she knew something was different.

Francois did look like the Prince; the three of them always joked about it.

Danielle kept looking at his face, trying to notice something different, but she couldn’t find a thing. She reached out to touch him, but his sudden movement startled her and she pulled away. No, she thought, this wasn’t Francois at all.

But if this wasn’t Francois, who was it? Certainly it wasn’t Prince Henry.

He stirred again, this time he turned, face up. The hair on either side of his face fell back, exposing his eyebrows and forehead. That’s when she noticed it. She began to smile as she touched the spot that was different.

Francois had a scar just above and through his left eyebrow. This person, whoever he was, had none. She was surprised she hadn’t noticed it earlier. I guess I wasn’t looking at his forehead, she thought. That’s why Francois always wore his hair the way he did, parted on both sides of his face, so he could cover the scar. She laughed, remembering how it happened.

It had been the year her father died, in fact, if she remembered right, it had been two weeks before. As usual, it had been just the three of them, she, Francois and Gustave. They were throwing mud at each other and having a grand time. She had thrown some first at Gustave, then at Francois. Unfortunately, she had picked up so much of it that she didn’t see the rock until it hit him right in the middle of his eyebrow. She had thrown it so hard that it had knocked him out. Two weeks later, the cut had healed, leaving a good size and noticeable scar. It had also split the left eyebrow ever so slightly, just enough to spot if you didn’t cover it up.

Danielle never forgave herself for that. She would always remember it as long as she lived.

She heard the chapel bells ring out eight chimes and knew it was much too late. She should have been serving Rodmilla and her stepsisters. She kissed Henry on his left eyebrow, climbed down the ladder and started to run. All she needed now was to be late.

Chapter 10

"Danielle."

Danielle turned at the sound of Rodmilla’s voice. She turned to Paulette, who was kneading the dough.

"I hate the way she calls my name," Danielle whispered. "She sings it out like a bird’s song every morning. ‘Daaan-Yelll!’"

Paulette rolled her eyes. "That voice cuts through me like a knife. Oooo," she said, shivering.

She’s in a bad mood, Danielle," Paulette said. She formed it and put it on the peel to bake. Danielle walked over.

"When is she in a good mood?" She opened up the oven door.

Louise walked back down the kitchen steps. She saw Danielle at the bottom. "Watch what you say, child, especially in front of the likes of her."

"Pay her no heed, madam," Henry said, talking to Paulette. He was walking through the door. "I understand that I am needed I at the manor."

Paulette and Danielle turned. There stood Henry, smiling at Paulette, then at Danielle.

"Right on time," Danielle said, looking at him. She smiled as she put the serving tray in his outstretched hands.

Henry looked up at her, waiting for instructions.

"Go on, take this," she said, "do as you always do."

Danielle smiled. The only work Francois ever did inside the manor were minor repairs and some additional things that Rodmilla didn’t want to do herself, such as the laundry. Mostly, Francois lived and worked in the stable everyday and the barn tending to the horses and whatever remained of the farm.

Henry stared at her, a funny smile playing on his lips.

I think she knows who I am, he thought. Either that or she’s not sure.

She knows damn well that I am not Francois.

This time he smiled and bowed.

"As you wish, my Princess," he said and he looked up. She was smiling back at him.

He took the tray and walked upstairs to face Rodmilla and her two daughters.

Chapter 11

He woke up with a backache. Good God, he thought, how can he sleep on this? I’d rather much rather sleep in the hayloft than on this bed.

"Henry, we are ready."

"I will be down in a little while, Mother. I have some things I want to take care of first."

"Please, Henry, don’t be late."

"I promise, Mother," Francois said.

He waited until she walked away, then turned to Laurent.

"All right, explain this ball thing to me again while I dress," he asked Laurent.

"It was a last minute decision on your mother’s part. Last week, she talked your father into doing a masque for every available woman in the province."

"But why?" Francois asked.

"Well," Laurent answered, still wondering how to put this to Francois, "your mother is against the arranged marriage to the Princess of Spain. She wants the King to throw this party so you will be able to choose the bride that you want."

"Or one she agrees on, I suppose," Francois said. "Laurent, why didn’t you tell me all this before I switched places with Henry, especially the arranged marriage part."

"This wasn’t my idea, Francois, this was all Henry’s idea. I tried to stop him, but he didn’t want to hear me. Just because you look alike doesn’t mean you will act alike. In fact, I think King Francis notices just a little bit that you are not his son."

"What do you think he will do when he finally realizes it?"

Laurent shook his head. "Your guess is as good as mine, Francois. Let’s just hope he doesn’t." He heard the chapel bells ring out. "Come, the chimes ring ten. We are already late, we should joint them."

He isn’t going to take the news too well, Francois, Laurent thought. Even if he notices he won’t say anything. Someone’s going to have to break it to him, and it won’t be me.

He watched Francois as he finished dressing and shook his head. This is all wrong, he thought. Henry is such a troublemaker. I should never have agreed to this deception. I can’t help but wonder what will happen next? He thought about Henry and smiled. Wonder what he’s up to now?

Chapter 12

Danielle watched as Henry left the kitchen and started up the stairs. She turned away thinking that everything was all right.

But it wasn’t. Henry got halfway up the stairs before all the noises began. First he dropped the some of the silverware. Next to go was a bowl with Rodmilla’s blueberries and cream. The next thing to go was the glassware.

That crash attracted everyone’s attention, including Rodmilla’s.

"Oh, no." Danielle said. She headed for the stairs.

"What is wrong with Francois lately, Danielle. He never drops anything when he washes those dishes and puts them back." Paulette looked concerned.

Danielle stopped and turned to Paulette.

"You are right, Paulette. Francois is not this clumsy."

Paulette frowned. "Then what is it?"

Danielle shook her head. "This isn’t Francois," she said, turning around again. She grabbed some glasses and fled up the stairs.

Paulette watched Danielle leave the kitchen with a puzzled look on her face. Then she turned to Louise.

"Now what could she have meant by that?"

Henry was down on his knees when she reached him. He was picking up the broken glass.

Danielle got down to help him.

"I’m going to get it for this, you know," she looked up at him.

"I am sorry, Danielle. I never meant to get you in trouble."

Danielle looked up at him and smiled. She kissed his forehead, then stood up.

"You just serve what you have there, Henry," she whispered, "I’ll take care of the rest."

She smiled at him and turned back toward the kitchen.

Henry stood up and watched as she walked back into the kitchen. He smiled. She knew who I was all along, didn’t she? We’re just going to have to have a little talk about that.

"Danielle, what is taking so long?"

Rodmilla, Henry thought, climbing the remaining stairs. She won’t get into trouble, not while I’m here.

Chapter 13

Suprisingly, it wasn’t Danielle who got into trouble with Rodmilla, Henry did. But Rodmilla was in a good mood. She was going to see the Queen today and she was to bring her two daughters with her.

Henry couldn’t wait until they all left. Now the two of them would be by themselves and he could have that little talk with them.

"Francois," Rodmilla called. "Please, I need a favor."

Henry looked up. He was removing the dishes from the table. He didn’t want Danielle to get the blame for everything.

"Francois."

Henry put the plates back down on the table. He ran into her room. There she was, sitting at her vanity, brushing her hair. "Sorry, Baroness," he stared, looking at her.

For the first time, he thought she looked pretty. Maybe it was the gown, maybe her hair, but he couldn’t place it.

"You called me?"

She turned and stood up. She smiled at him. "This is the first time I remember that you dropped a dish, not that you have ever served me anything. Why Danielle let you do it, I’ll never know." She looked at him, puzzled. "You seem different somehow, Francois. Are you well?"

Henry smiled. "Never better, Baroness," he answered. "Now what is it you wanted to see me about."

Rodmilla smiled sweetly at him.

"That was it, Francois, just wanted to let you know that."

She walked over to him and put his arms around him.

Oh, no, Henry thought, he’s with her, too? What is going on here?

"Baroness, please. Don’t you think that you should be getting ready?"

He removed her arms from around his neck or tried to, anyway.

"Mother," Marguerite’s voice called from the hallway. "We should go."

Rodmilla smiled. "Until later, Francois," she smiled, "I am going to meet the royal family, including the Prince. I am confident that he will pick Marguerite. She is perfect for him. She turned to around to leave, but something made her turn back. "Oh, and that latch on my door is broken. Would you be so kind as to fix it again for me? You did so well the last time."

"Of course, Baroness. It will be my pleasure."

She turned and left, watching Henry’s face

When she walked out the bedroom door, he smiled.

Good luck, Rodmilla, he thought, but you won’t be meeting the Prince. You’ve already met him. He’s here and I don’t know when or if he will go back.

The only thing he knew right now was that Danielle was going with him, wherever he ended up.

He stopped smiling and walked over to the door. He stared at the latch.

I should get Danielle, he thought. I have no idea how to fix this.

Chapter 14

"Good Lord," Francis swore at the door to his sleeping quarters. "Damn thing keeps breaking." He picked his head up and noticed Francois and Laurent coming down the hallway.

"Henry," he called, "Is it possible to get a servant up here as soon as possible? I need a message delivered. Seems the latch on my door is broken again.

Francois stopped. He didn’t even look at Laurent.

"Let’s have a look," Francois said, getting down on his knees.

He looked the latch over. He nodded his head and stood up.

"I will need a hammer and some nails. I am going to have to pry that latch off the door and hammer it out a little to make it fit. If all goes well, you shall have it be tonight." Francois smiled. "It’s a quick and simple job, Your Majesty."

Laurent frowned and shook his head.

The King’s mouth dropped open.

"Where on earth did you learn all that, Henry, and so fast? " He looked at him curiously. "And what did you just call me?"

Francois stopped smiling and looked up at Laurent, who was still shaking his head.

"Sorry, Father," he said, still looking at Laurent, "it was only a…"

"A small mistake, sire," Laurent said, looking back at Francois. "He was only testing you to see if you were paying attention."

Oh, boy, he thought, am I in trouble.

"No, no, Henry wouldn’t do that, Laurent." He looked at Francois. "I do not believe that this is my son at all." Francis stared at him. "But if it isn’t my son, then who could he be?"

"No, Laurent," Francois said, "we should not have kept this from you, Father. I have just been practicing for when I become King. Wanted to see how it would sound. As for the door latch, well, I have been watching some of the blacksmiths recently. Just learning some of their craft, if you will." He looked at Laurent. "All it was is a guess, Father, I know nothing about latches, how would I?"

Laurent looked at Francois, then at the King. He was still looking very confused.

"Come, Henry, the hour is late. We must go. Your mother is waiting."

Laurent bowed. "Your Majesty," he said, pulling Francois over.

This is becoming a problem, he said. I’ll have to find Henry and quickly.

Chapter 15

"We will not tell your mother about this, Henry. " the King said. "We will keep this to ourselves. Besides," he said, looking at him, "I am proud of you. At least you are growing up, taking the initiative. You are at least talking to some of our working staff." He smiled and clapped him on the back. "Yes, Henry, this is a good thing. I should have done this when I was your age." He beamed at Francois, "I think I’ve changed my mind. I might tell your mother after all." He reached out and took him in his arms, then released him.

"I am proud of you, very proud of you," Francis smiled, putting his arm around his shoulders. "Come, we are later than ever."

Francois smiled, then looked at Laurent who was looking back at him.

Laurent smiled and shook his head. This boy is good, he said, he could talk his way in and out of anything.

He still had to find Henry, the sooner the better.

The Queen had appointments all day. She was meeting with half the women today, and half tomorrow. Right now, it was Rodmilla and Marguerite’s turn.

"Come ladies, sit down and make yourselves at home." She gestured to the three other chairs that surrounded the table. She was sitting in the fourth chair. "Just tell me a little bit about yourselves."

The Baroness smiled. "Of course, you know my background, Majesty. I am from a small province, not too far from here. I am of noble birth and my marriage to the Baron was an arrangement. As you know, he was beheaded for treason. I do believe, though, that he was framed. "

"So I have heard, Baroness," Marie said, looking at her, "you could have been beheaded as well."

Rodmilla smiled. "That’s not really true, Your Majesty, you see…."

She stopped in mid-sentence. The King and the Prince were standing before them.

"Ah, there you are, Henry. Sit, sit down."

Francois sat on the chair opposite. He couldn’t keep his eyes off Marguerite.

And Marguerite wasn’t the only one who noticed.

"I seem to think we have a match," Rodmilla said, looking at the Queen.

"Yes, I do believe you are right, Baroness, " Marie said, sounding surprised. She was looking at Francois, then at Marguerite.

She turned to Rodmilla, then stood up. This signaled the end of the interview.

Rodmilla stood, pinching Marguerite to stand up as well.

"I have more women to see, Baroness," the Queen said, "but I believe that your daughter and my son are meant for one another."

Francois stood up and took his eyes away from Marguerite long enough so that he could look at the King. Francis was talking to Laurent. He was suddenly frightened, wondering what Laurent and the King had to talk about. But it wasn’t for long. He watched as Laurent jumped on his horse and headed off in the direction of the manor.

"Henry, Henry? Are you all right?"

Francois turned to look at the Queen. "Of course, Mother," he smiled.

"And is she the one you want to marry?"

Francois smiled and nodded. "All my life," he answered.

Marie smiled and touched his cheek. "Than Marguerite is the one," she said, shaking her head. "Funny, I always thought it was someone else."

Chapter 16

Danielle returned to the kitchen with some of the dirty dishes. She was waiting for Henry to come down with the rest.

"What was all that about?" Paulette asked as she scraped what food remained off the dishes. The table scraps went into a bowl and was deposited outside for the animals to eat.

"What was what all about?" Danielle asked. She piled up the dishes and placed them in a small cupboard

Paulette looked at Danielle; she wasn’t used to her being so evasive.

"What you said before. About Francois not being Francois?"

Danielle looked up at her, then stood up. "What did I say?"

Paulette looked at her, then shook her head. "I suppose you don’t remember."

The chapel bells chimed out ten, just as the royal coach pulled up. They watched as Rodmilla, Marguerite and Jacqueline came out of the house and stepped into the coach.

"Oh, I almost forgot," Danielle said, "I’m supposed to meet Francois a little past the hour. I lost track."

"Francois," Paulette said, as she watched Danielle run from the room. "Since when are you keeping so much company with him?"

Henry was still fooling with the latch when he heard the bells. He smiled at the thought of being alone with Danielle. Besides, he had to find out how to fix that latch. He was hoping that Francois had explained the fine art of molding and twisting metal to her. He thought about it, then shook his head. Why would he ever do that?

He smiled thinking about it. He probably wouldn’t have to teach her a thing, she would probably already know. That’s what he loved about her the most, she wasn’t anything like the rest of them. And if he didn’t leave soon, he would miss her entirely.

Chapter 17

"Danielle," Henry called, walking toward the apple orchard. With Rodmilla gone it was easier. She had promised to meet him at the stable, right outside the orchard.

He called her name again, then looked around. She was nowhere to be found.

"Danielle," he called again.

He felt something whiz by his head, then another. He looked down, whatever it was by his feet. He bent to pick it up and turned it over in his hand.

It was an apple. No, it was two.

Another one came whizzing by, this time it hit him on the ankle.

"Alright," Henry laughed, looking around for her. "Maybe I should have told you. Maybe I was wrong. I just wanted to be free for a while, that’s all. Maybe one or two days just to find you. I love you, you know."

Another apple whizzed by, this time hitting him between the eyes. It knocked him to the ground.

"Danielle, please, I’m sorry. I should have been honest with you. Did you hear what I said? I said…"

"I love you too, Henry," she answered, coming out from behind the large apple tree, "I’ve known since I first saw you in the courtyard. But I tried to talk myself out of it. I never thought that I could even dare to…"

Her sentence was cut off by Henry’s kiss. He had walked over to where she was and had taken her in his arms. She hadn’t even noticed until it happened.

She pulled away at first, then let herself go with it.

Then she pulled back again.

"You are engaged," she said, "you and the Spanish princess. I overheard my stepmother and Marguerite talking."

Henry laughed and shook his head.

"No, Danielle, my mother’s been against this whole arranged marriage thing. She talked my father into throwing a ball, so that I would have my pick of all the woman in the province." He shook his head. "I knew already who I wanted and I thought if I found you, my father would change his mind and let me marry for love."

"But you know nothing about me," Danielle said, shaking her head.

"On the contrary, mademoiselle," he said, "Francois was able to tell me quite a lot before we switched places. You see, he…"

"Switched places?" Danielle’s eyes opened wide. "So that’s where he is." She shook her head. "It won’t work."

"Nonsense, he looks like my twin brother." He looked at her a little puzzled. "How did you know it was me?" He just remembered about the latch on Rodmilla’s door. "Maybe he knows certain things that I don’t, but other than that…"

"There is a difference, Henry," Danielle smiled, "it’s a small difference and you wouldn’t know it unless you knew about it, but…"

She stopped; realizing what fate was about to befall Francois.

"Francois is going to marry the Princess?"

Henry smiled. "No one is going to marry the Princess, not if I can help it." He moved closer to Danielle and put his arms around her. "Would it make you feel better if we switched back?"

Danielle looked at him. "Wouldn’t that be a little hard for you? Just like that?"

Henry smiled and kissed her. Then he pulled away. "Don’t worry," he said, "it’s all under control."

They kissed again, neither one of them saw the coach pull up to the manor.

Chapter 18

Rodmilla and Marguerite stepped out of the coach when it finally stopped.

"I can’t believe it, Mother," she said, practically dancing on air. "He picked me out of everyone. The Prince picked me over…."

She stopped in mid-sentence. She had seen Danielle and someone kissing. She wasn’t quite sure until they stopped and he backed away. She felt a pang of jealousy as she saw Francois pull away from Danielle.

"I thought he loved me," she said, thinking out loud. "I always thought he wanted me."

Rodmilla stepped out of the coach. Unlike Marguerite, she had waited for the driver to come down from atop the coach to help her out. She took hold of his hand and gracefully descended the steps.

She wondered why Marguerite had stopped so abruptly. She turned and followed her gaze to where her daughter was looking.

"You are jealous over the two of them?" Rodmilla asked.

Marguerite nodded.

"Well, there is nothing to be jealous over. He is the stable boy and you will be a princess. You are going to marry the Crown Prince of France, Marguerite, just remember that."

"Whatever you say, Mother," Marguerite said, still watching the two of them.

There was something funny, something not right. She narrowed her eyes.

Rodmilla had to pull her daughter away again. "Come along, child, let them be."

"We have our own arrangement to talk about. It’s not everyday one gets to marry a Prince."

She’s right, Marguerite thought, taking her eyes off them. She will be Princess and Danielle will be Queen of Ashes and Hay. She laughed, just thinking about it. She smiled, then turned and walked inside the manor.

They hadn’t seen Laurent rein in. They were snug and safe inside when he dismounted and walked over to Henry.

"Laurent, what brings you here? How goes it with you and Francois?"

Laurent shook his head. He gestured toward Danielle. "Does she know? Did you tell her?"

Henry smiled. "I didn’t have to tell her anything, Laurent. She guessed it last night." He turned to her and touched her face and her hair. "Turns out, we don’t really look alike after all."

"Oh?" Laurent said, smiling, watching the two of them. He hasn’t taken his eyes off her, he thought. "How so?"

Chapter 19

Henry smiled at her and touched her face. "You never did tell me."

Danielle looked back at him "Eyebrows, Henry. He has a scar on his forehead and through his left eyebrow."

Henry looked at her. He wasn’t smiling anymore. "I didn’t see a thing."

"Nor did I," Laurent said.

Danielle turned to Laurent. "He wears his hair parted in the middle to cover it, Captain, just like the Prince."

Henry smiled at Laurent, "She hasn’t been this formal yet."

"And she doesn’t have to be," Laurent said. "Are you planning to do what you said you wanted to do."

Henry laughed and looked back to Danielle.

"I love her," he practically whispered it, "and I am taking her back with me to the castle, Laurent, as my wife."

Danielle stared at him. "As your wife? Henry, please, I am but a servant."

"You are anything but a servant, Danielle. Francois told me an awful lot about you."

"He’s not the only one," Laurent said, "Jacqueline has told me almost the same thing."

Danielle looked from Henry to Laurent, from Laurent back to Henry.

"He told you about the papers," Danielle said, "both of you? And Jacqueline as well. It was supposed to be kept a secret."

"It is all out in the open now, Danielle,"

"So it seems." Danielle answered.

Henry turned to Danielle. He got down on one knee.

"Danielle de Barbarac," he said. "Please do me the honor of becoming my wife."

Chapter 20

Marguerite watched as Henry got down on his knee. Since when was she anything more than friends with Francois, she thought.

Danielle knew something that she didn’t, Marguerite decided. Something is not right, not at all.

She backed away from the window and turned. She didn’t see Jacqueline standing behind her.

"Marguerite," Jacqueline said. "Whatever are you doing in my room?"

"I was just leaving," Marguerite said, pointing her nose up in the air as she left the room.

With that, Marguerite very gracefully descended the stairs.

Or so she thought.

As she reached the last few stairs, she lost her footing and fell, landing right on her behind.

Jacqueline and Rodmilla both came out to see what all the noise was about.

Rodmilla screamed.

Jacqueline watched as she flew down the steps to meet her.

"Child, are you all right?" she asked, watching Marguerite as she tried to get up.

"I am fine, Mother," Marguerite said, getting up, "just leave me alone."

She turned away from her and walked out the door.

"What was that all about?" Rodmilla asked, turning to Jacqueline, who had walked down the stairs to stand by her side.

"What was what all about, Mother?" Jacqueline asked.

"I don’t know, Jacqueline," Rodmilla said, looking out the window to see where Marguerite had gone, "and, what’s more, I really shouldn’t care and neither should you."

She looked at Jacqueline as she walked away from the window. "Why don’t you find something to eat? It will calm you down."

Jacqueline watched her mother walk out of the room. She didn’t follow her; in fact, she headed for the front door. She had to stop Marguerite before she got closer to Henry and Laurent.

Chapter 21

Danielle was about to answer when she caught Marguerite and Jacqueline talking from the side of her eye.

"Do not turn around, but we are being watched," Danielle said, "at least by two people."

"You two want to get married, don’t you?" Laurent asked.

Henry looked at her.

"You haven’t answered me, Princess," he said, repeating the name he called her earlier.

"Of course I want to, milord."

Henry smiled, then turned to Laurent. "You heard her." It was then he noticed Marguerite and Jacqueline. They were starting to walk over in their direction. Jacqueline was still talking to her.

"Take my horse, quick, " Laurent said.

"What about you?" Danielle asked.

"Don’t worry about me," Laurent said. "I’ll take care of myself. Jacqueline and I will meet you at the monastery as soon as I can borrow a horse. Quick, now."

Henry helped Danielle mount the horse, then mounted as well.

"Laurent.."

"Get going, man."

The two of them galloped off.

Marguerite and Jacqueline watched as Henry and Danielle rode off.

Marguerite was in absolute shock, for about a minute. She quickly recovered.

"Do you think they saw us?" Marguerite asked.

Of course they saw us, you ninny, Jacqueline thought.

"Where do you suppose the two of them are going?" Jacqueline asked, more to herself than to Marguerite. She ignored Marguerite’s question completely.

"Hello ladies," Laurent said, meeting them halfway, "lovely afternoon."

Marguerite looked Laurent, then at Jacqueline. "I suppose the two of you want to be alone?" she asked.

"Of course not, milady," Laurent said bowing to her. "Why don’t we take a stroll on this beautiful summer’s day?"

Jacqueline beamed. "Why not, indeed," she answered, turning to Marguerite.

Marguerite shook her head. Her reason for being out here just vanished on Laurent’s horse. "You two go, I will return to the house and join Mother."

She smiled. "Nice seeing you again, Laurent." She turned and walked back to the manor leaving Jacqueline and Laurent to look at each other.

Chapter 22

The King, Queen, and Francois were eating a light supper in the large dining room. Everyone was happy, especially Francis, who couldn’t stop talking about how much Henry had changed.

"It’s all to the better, Henry," the King said, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. He turned to one of the servants.

"The chicken is excellent tonight, Babette," he said. "Give my compliments to Francois."

Francois looked up at hearing his name, but quickly realized that Francis was talking about the chef.

"It will be my pleasure, Your Majesty," Babette said, giving a little curtsey, then she hurried away.

"Ah," Francis said, turning back to the table. "Just like old times. You and your mother opposite each other and me at the head of the table. This is wonderful." He looked at Francois, then at Marie.

"Would you not agree, my love?"

The Queen almost spit out all her food, but she took control of the situation. My love? She tried to remember if he ever called her that before.

"Why, of course, Francis. " She beamed across the table at Francois. "I don’t know quite how you did it, but you managed to get the whole family together in two days."

Francois looked at the both of them. That can’t be right, he though. I mean, how long has it been that way? I mean, how long has Henry…

His thoughts stopped right then and there. He was beginning to feel a little queasy.

He felt as though he would vomit any second. He stood up, looking for an exit.

"Henry?" his father asked, "is something wrong?"

Francois looked up. All he could do was nod his head, then he ran from the room.

Marie and Francis stood up from the table. "What was that all about, I wonder?" the King said, "I should go after him."

"No, Francis," Marie said, "I’ll go."

Chapter 23

Father Thomas married Henry and Danielle at the monastery when the chapel bells chimed five. Laurent and Jacqueline were witnesses.

"That was quick," Laurent said, as he and Jacqueline followed the happy couple out of the monastery. "At least you could have waited and got your parent’s permission."

Henry hardly heard anything he said. The only person he had on his mind right now was Danielle.

Suddenly, he turned and looked at the two of them.

"Why not marry also, Laurent. You love Jacqueline." He turned to Jacqueline. You already have your permission. Why wait, it’s only in a weeks’ time, anyway."

Laurent and Jacqueline looked at each other and smiled. Everyone returned to the small monastery chapel.

Marguerite and Rodmilla had been following Jacqueline and Laurent. They were walking, not riding, only because Rodmilla refused to mount a horse.

"This is crazy, Mother. Why won’t you ride?"

"Noble women do not get on horses, Marguerite, they ride in coaches."

Marguerite turned to look at her mother, "You know that isn’t true, Mother. I hear the Queen goes for her daily ride each afternoon. That is only an excuse."

"Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t," Rodmilla smiled. "I have never been on a horse in my life and I do not intend to at this late stage."

"Suit yourself," Marguerite answered, still walking. "We might get there sometime before tomorrow."

She heard a noise just then, as if it were galloping horses. They both looked up, just as Laurent and Jacqueline thundered by followed closely by Henry and Danielle.

They turned to watch them disappear into the sunset.

"What in the world is going on?" Marguerite declared, still watching the horses grow smaller and smaller on the horizon.

"I suppose we have to walk back now," Rodmilla said, looking at Marguerite.

"What do you think, Mother."

Her eyes widened as she heard the chapel bells ring out half past six.

Chapter 24

"Henry," Marie called, walking out onto Henry’s favorite turret, "there you are, as usual."

As usual, Francois thought. It’s funny how I keep picking the same spots as Henry all the time.

"Something wrong, Mother?"

The Queen smiled. "Funny, I was going to ask the same of you." The smile became a concerned look. "What is wrong, my son?" She looked at him.

"I just haven’t been feeling well, Mother. I just thought I’d get some air."

She nodded her head. "I should have realized. You have been doing this ever since you were a boy. Do you remember?"

Francois rolled his eyes toward the sky. This is crazy, he thought, how do I know all the things that Henry does?

He turned to face her. "Of course I do, Mother," he answered, smiling at her.

She brought her hand up to caress his cheek.

"I have something of importance to speak to you about." She brought her hand down to her side.

Francois stared at the Queen. Everyone knows, he thought, don’t they?

It wasn’t right to keep them in the dark any longer.

"And I as well," he answered.

"This is not right, Henry," she said, looking at him, as if he had never said a word. "You cannot keep up this hoax any longer. I know everything, so you cannot fool me at all." Her eyes were glaring at him.

"And I agree," he said, "but how did you know? Who told you?"

Marie stared at him. "Who told me what? I know that you are in love with the Lady Danielle de Barbarac, you told me so yourself. Why have you chosen Marguerite?"

Francois was confused now. He stared at the Queen as if she were speaking a foreign language. His eyes narrowed.

"What are you talking about?"

Marie was about to speak when one of the servants interuppted. "Your Majesty and Your Highness, you are requested to join the King in his chambers, immediately."

Marie looked at Francois, then back to the servant. "Has the King been waiting long?"

The servant nodded.

"No, Majesty, he has just arrived."

She turned to Francois. "Come along, Henry. This is an interesting turn of events."

I wonder what he wants, Francois thought, as he followed the Queen and the servant down the stairs.

Chapter 25

"We did it," Henry whispered into Danielle’s ear, "You can stay here tonight and we can…"

They had returned to the stable. Laurent and Jacqueline had stopped at the manor to tell Rodmilla the change in Jacqueline’s marital status. They were in there now, waiting for Rodmilla to return. They were still walking back from the monastery.

Danielle shook her head. "No, Henry, this is still supposed to be a secret. I cannot stay here all night, especially with Marguerite and Rodmilla snooping in every nook and cranny."

Henry nodded. "I understand, but you can stay with me for a while. I’ll explain in the morning."

Danielle shook her head again. "We can’t do that, Henry, not yet. Then Marguerite will know the truth. She smiled. "I would really love to see her face when she discovers that she will marry the stable boy instead of the Prince."

Henry smiled. "Or already married to the stable boy." They both laughed.

Henry became serious much too quickly. He placed his arms around her. "When do you want me to tell them?"

"I think tomorrow morning, Henry, before the ball."

He started to smile. "You really think this is a good idea? I could stay here forever with you. Francois is getting along so well with them that I think…"

Danielle shook her head. "Henry," she said, half jokingly.

Henry smiled. "It might work at that. Laurent did say that Father changed the date. I think he wants Francois to get married and quickly. No more waiting." He looked at Danielle. "You don’t want Francois marrying Marguerite, do you?"

Danielle stood up. "He has wanted to marry her as long as I can remember. This would give him a chance to do just that. It would teach him a good lesson."

"This was my idea, Princess," he said, "not his." He stood up and looked at her. "Marguerite, hmmm," he said, put his hand up to his chin. "He loves her, does he?"

"Always did," she answered, "and always against my advice to stay away from her."

"Danielle, do you think that Francois would want to switch back? He seems to be very happy at the castle." And my parents are much too accepting of him."

"Francois has that way about him. He has a certain charm, we could never figure out what it was." She smiled. "He did reconcile your whole family and in just two day’s time."

Henry looked at her. The smile faded. "I don’t know, Danielle. I have pulled some wild things when I was younger. I think this might have gotten a little out of hand."

"We will have to see, Your Highness," she said. She looked around. "It is really a strange sight to see, the Crown Prince of France cleaning the stables."

"Nothing new to me. I did it when I was thirteen years old. It was a threat, but my father told me later that it was supposed to teach me responsibility. That was the way he punished me. It didn’t bother me at all, so he stopped. In fact, I rather enjoyed it."

Henry looked away and began pacing the floor, then stopped. He looked at Danielle. "It doesn’t take too long for this place to get filthy again, does it? Looks like more work tomorrow."

They laughed as he took her in his arms.

"I love you, Princess," he whispered and he kissed her.

Chapter 26

Francois was pacing back and forth in Henry’s room. How could they? Move the ball up like that? Now it was to be tomorrow night with the wedding to follow the next morning. It turned out the Spanish princess wasn’t coming after all. Something about running away with some duke, who knew? He wasn’t paying any attention. Oh, sure, he wanted to marry Marguerite, but not like this, not on false pretenses.

Why did he agree to all this in the first place?

If only he could escape, crawl out the window and run back to the manor and switch places

Of course, he thought, that’s it. I have to switch places now and quickly.

He walked over to the window to check how far it was to the bottom. He ran to the bed and gathered all the sheets together. He tied them, one by one, in separate knots until they formed a long rope. He picked up one end and threw it out the turret window.

No, he thought, it wasn’t right, running away like that. He had to face this, but how?

He shook his head. Right or not, I am going to tell Henry and Danielle. They should be in the stable now. Danielle usually came by right after supper.

He pulled himself up and grabbed the sheets, moving backward out the window.

At the other end of the castle, King and Queen were arguing about the wedding and the sudden change in Henry.

"There is something strange about him, Francis."

"What do you mean," the King answered. "Why, Marie, you said so yourself. He does everything that Henry does. What is so different?"

"Well, I did notice a little something when I touched his left cheek," she said.

Francis looked at her, smiling. "And pray tell, what was that?"

Marie smiled back. "He has a scar, Francis," she said, "on his forehead and through his left eyebrow. When I touched his cheek, I moved the hair out his eyes as I usually do. I do not remember Henry having anything like that."

Francis stared at his wife. "You know, I never noticed before. "

"I think you would have noticed this. After all, he is your son."

Francis was growing angrier by the minute.

"Come, Marie, I must speak with this imposter."

Chapter 27

Francois climbed down until he reached the last sheet, then he jumped to the ground. He grabbed one of the Guard’s horses, jumped on and made for the manor.

The chapel bells had just chimed ten.

It didn’t take him long to reach the manor. He jumped off the horse and headed for stable when he heard voices. Francois hid on the side of the manor and tried to hide the horse as well, but it was too late. He hoped whoever it was wouldn’t see him.

The voices were getting louder now, as the two people were getting closer. My Lord, he thought, could it be?

Sure enough, it was Marguerite and Rodmilla. Francois couldn’t believe they were just coming back from wherever they went. Not only that but they were arguing with each other.

"I hope that you are satisfied, Marguerite, dear, sending me on this wild goose chase."

"I cannot stand all this walking, Mother," Marguerite yelled. "You were the one who didn’t want to ride. I cannot walk this far and you know it. My side is killing me. And I am tired of living in this tiny excuse of a manor."

"Shut up, Marguerite. I am tired of listening to your complaints. I am all sweaty and tired."

"That’s not my fault, Mother. I told you to find a horse. I just should have gone after Francois myself."

"Francois? Are you still thinking about that lowly stable boy? He will never amount to anything. How many times have I told you about this? And this is your fault," Rodmilla said. "If you hadn’t chased him down to see where the two of them rode off to?"

"If you had gotten on a horse, things might have been different."

Their voices were moving away from him. Francois looked over to see what he could see. Sure enough, they were moving inside the castle.

So, Francois thought, she really did care after all. All she cared to find out about was the woman who he was with and that just happened to be Danielle. Francois shook his head. He was starting to believe that Danielle had been right about Marguerite all along. He smiled. She still thinks "the Prince" is going to marry her. Well, she was in for a big surprise.

But first things first. He had to find Henry and Danielle and tell them about the ball, the wedding and about switching back.

If Laurent hadn’t told them already.

Chapter 28

"Francis, stop," Marie told him for the fifteenth time today. "Do you really want to prove the court physician right? You will have a stroke and a big one. Leave the boy alone. He’s not even your son."

Francis stopped and turned to stare at her. "All the more reason that we should get to the bottom of this deception." He kept staring at her, waiting for an answer. When he didn’t get one, he turned away and started walking. "I wonder whose idea it was?"

"Idea, what idea?" Marie asked.

Francis stopped again. "What do you mean, what idea? Who, I would like to know, thought up the idea to switch places and why?" He started walking again.

"I’m sure it was Henry’s, milord," the Queen answered.

They had arrived at Henry’s room.

"Now why would he want to do that?"

Marie just shrugged as they opened the door to Henry’s sleeping chamber.

"Henry, or whoever you are, I would like a word…."

He stopped and stared at the bed. Same sheets as last night, only this time they were tied in knots.

"Oh no," the King said, "not again."

"I told you that they were too much alike," Marie said, looking at the bed. She turned her gaze to Francis. "What do you want to do now? Call the Royal Guard?"

The King sat on the bed. "This is so unbelievable," he answered, shaking his head.

He sat there, without a word. When he did speak again, all he said was

"I will wait until he comes to me this time, Marie."

Chapter 29

"Henry, Danielle."
They were sleeping in his palette in the loft, their arms wrapped around each other.

Laurent and Jacqueline, tired of waiting at the manor for Rodmilla and Marguerite to return, were sleeping in the hay next to them.

Francois climbed up the ladder that led to the loft and gave Henry a tiny shake. Henry moved first, he rolled over on his back, away from Danielle. Danielle rolled over in the same direction.

"Who is there? What do you want?"

Francois turned to find Laurent sitting up in the hay with his sword at the ready until he realized who he was staring at.

"Francois," he asked, "what are you doing here?" He returned the sword to his scabbard.

Both Henry and Danielle woke with a start.

Henry looked at Francois; he was still half asleep.

He touched his forehead and the scar that ran through his left eyebrow.

"When did I get this?" he asked.

"You don’t have the scar, I do."

Henry dropped the hand from his face and stared at him. He was still half asleep.

"Francois?" he asked, "What are you doing here?" He looked around the stable.

"Where am I?" he asked, smiling at Danielle.

"You know all too well where you are, Henry," Francois said, frowning. "I came to switch places, but you seem to be having a wonderful time in my hayloft in my palette, with my best friend."

Henry smiled and pulled Danielle closer. "And my wife."

Francois looked at Henry, then at Danielle who was nodding her head.

"You mean, you two were…" he was almost speechless. "Where, when, how?" he smiled.

"This afternoon," Henry answered, "sometime before five or right around there. It was very small, Francois. Jacqueline and Laurent were witnesses. Father Thomas married us, then he married our witnesses."

Francois smiled, looking over at Laurent and Jacqueline. "Congratulations to the two of you," he said hugging them.

He turned back to Henry. "And when were you planning to let your parents know? When did you plan on switching back or did that thought ever cross your mind?"

Chapter 30

Henry smiled. "I was actually going to tell them at the castle tomorrow morning, Francois. As for switching back, you know, I was considering leaving you at the castle. "Well, you did bring my parents together. I am kind of getting used to being a stable boy.

Francois shook his head. "You never get used to it Henry, especially with Marguerite and Rodmilla around. Oh, and speaking of Marguerite, you were right Danielle, she’s is not what I expected at all."

Danielle smiled. "I do not want to be an "I told you so," she said, smiling.

"Listen," Laurent said, "I think Francois is right, Henry. It’s only a matter of time before your parents find out that it is not their son."

Francois turned to Laurent. "I think they know that already, Laurent."

Henry stared at the both of them.

"How can you be so sure?" he asked, then he smiled and shook his head.

"THE SCAR," all four of them said, in unison. Jacqueline had no idea what they were talking about.

"What scar?" she asked.

Francois pulled his hair back from his face. There was the indentation on the forehead and the split down the middle of the eyebrow.

Jacqueline reached out to touch it. So did Henry.

"How?" Henry asked.

"We were having a mud fight," Jacqueline said, "and Danielle picked up a good sized mud ball. She didn’t check for rocks or pebbles as she usually did, so when she threw it, the rock hit me right where the scar is. "

"I knocked him out," Danielle said, looking at Henry. "Took two weeks to heal. I still haven’t forgiven myself for it."

"Don’t worry, Danielle, " Francois said. "I forgave you a long time ago."

He turned to Henry.

"Now about that switching business…."

Chapter 31

Marguerite and Rodmilla were exhausted. Rodmilla was so exhausted that she fell on the bed and went right to sleep, although it didn’t last too long.

"MOTHER," Marguerite screamed, "look at the bottom of my feet."

Rodmilla sat up with a start. "What is it now, child?" she asked.

"Look at these little red welts on my feet. They burn and itch, Mother."

Rodmilla looked a little closer.

"Those are blisters, Marguerite, I have them, also. I should make a poultice, but it is so late and I am so tired."

"And whose fault is that?" Marguerite asked loudly. "You will not ride and then you complain that you are tired. Where is that poultice?"

Rodmilla looked at her daughter. The spoiled brat, she thought.

"Why don’t you go down and make it?" she asked.

Marguerite looked up and threw her hands up in the air.

"Alright, but show me how."

Rodmilla was furious. "Come then, Marguerite." She started to stomp off toward the kitchen.

It took Rodmilla a good half-hour to find all the ingredients to make the ointment. She had given up on Marguerite learning anything hours ago.

It was now almost daylight. They were headed off to bed when Marguerite passed Jacqueline’s room and called for Rodmilla to wait.

"Mother, where is Jacqueline? She seems to be missing."

Chapter 32

It was early the next morning that Henry, Laurent, Francois, Danielle and Jacqueline were getting ready to travel back to the castle. After a well- rested sleep, they quietly left the stable with their horses. As they led them outside, they all caught sight of four Guardsmen leading the royal coach toward the main house.

"Wonder what that’s all about?" Henry said, watching the coach as it headed in their direction.

"It’s for Marguerite and Rodmilla," Francois said, jumping on his horse. "They are to have a meeting with Queen this morning, to rehearse for the wedding and to be educated in protocol."

Henry shook his head. He helped Danielle up; then jumped on himself.

"It won’t help, Francois, nothing will. The two of them cannot speak without screaming at one another or at anyone else for that matter."

"Or complaining," Jacqueline added, as Laurent helped her up. "Wait until she finds out about all of this."

"I don’t know if I want to find out," Laurent said, getting on his horse. "Come on, everyone, let’s get going."

"Laurent, listen," Henry said, "I am sure nothing will happen when we get there and if it does, I will be there for you, I promise." He turned to Francois. "Same with you, my friend. I will straighten this all out, believe me."

"You’d better be right, Henry," Laurent said. He was the first one to get the horses going. Next were Henry’s and Danielle’s horse, then Francois. How were they going to make it there before the arrival of Marguerite and Rodmilla?

Rodmilla could not find Jacqueline anywhere. "That girl is going to get it when she walks through that door," she told Paulette and Louise, who were keeping their mouths shut. It was under orders from Jacqueline. She wanted to be the first to tell them.

"Yes, milady," they both said in unison. Paulette was about to open her mouth, but Louise stopped her.

Rodmilla watched the two of them. "You two are hiding something from me, I know it. You must tell me what it is."

"There is nothing to tell, milady," Louise said, walking over to Rodmilla and taking her shoulders. She was leading her over to her bed. "You and Marguerite have been up all night. I think you should get some rest. It will do you a world of good."

Rodmilla looked at Louise. She would never let Louise grab her shoulders that way, but this time she did nothing. Perhaps she was tired.

She let Louise guide her to the bed and let her go.

"There now," Louise said, backing away, "take it easy, get some rest. We will wake you up when Jacqueline gets here."

Rodmilla nodded. She lay down on the bed. Louise motioned for Paulette to leave the room. They backed up until they hit the door, opened it, and were about to leave when they heard the front door bell.

"I don’t believe this!" Rodmilla said, sitting up. "Who could that be at this time of the morning?"

Chapter 33

"Well, here we are," Laurent said, looking up at the castle. They had dismounted and the five of them were standing in front of the entrance, looking at the door. No one moved.

Or answered.

"All right," Laurent said, "since no wants to be the first."

"Excuse me, Captain, but your presence is required in the King’s study." He looked at Francois and Henry. "Same goes for the two of you as well as the lovely ladies,"

He bowed down to them.

Henry suddenly found his voice. "Thank you, Antoine," he said bowing to him. "I am well prepared. Come, everyone, follow me."

Paulette answered the door. One of the Royal Guardsmen, Emil du Lac, was standing there.

"Yes?"

Emil smiled. "Good morning, milady," he said, bowing. "Her Royal Majesty, Queen Marie, requests the presence of the Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent and her daughter, Marguerite immediately."

"But, monsieur," Paulette said, "I fear that they are…."

"Right here," Rodmilla said. Her hair was poking out at all different angles on her head and she was half-asleep.

"Give me a chance to freshen up and I will be right with you. Come, Paulette, let us not keep the Guardsman waiting."

Henry knocked on the door of his father’s study until he heard the familiar "Come, it is open."

One by one, they all entered the room. No one made a sound.

The King watched and waited until they were all inside before standing up. Laurent was the last one and closed the door behind him.

"Well, well," he said, walking over to them. He looked at Francois first, then Henry, unsure of who was who. He picked his fingers up to Francois face and brushed the left side of his hair away from his eyebrow.

"So, you are the imposter."

"Leave him alone, Father, it was my idea, not his. He wanted to see what it was like to live in the castle and I wanted to find my true love, that is all. Francois and Laurent made it all possible. I am very grateful to them both for doing precisely as I asked. "

"Francois, is it?" the King said, looking at him.

"That is my name, Your Majesty," he said, giving a deep bow. "I am very sorry for this deception. I never meant for it to happen this way and I apologize."

Chapter 34

"No need, my son. I admit I was very shocked to learn that you were not my son, but you have done some remarkable things while you were here. " He smiled.

"Tell me, Francois, I do not mean to pry, but do you have any recollection of your parents?"

Francois stared at him and shook his head. "They died when I was a baby. I was raised with Danielle by her father." He looked at the King. "How did you know that they were dead?"

"Your father was the Queen’s younger brother, Phillippe," he said. "Your parents died when a coach was ambushed on its return to Hautefort from Paris. They had left you with Auguste and you simply stayed on, that’s all."

Francois frowned. "If that is so, then why didn’t you do something. You could have arrested the Baroness and taken back the manor and saved us. Why did you not…."

The King shook his head. "It is true, a King can do whatever he wishes, but I am not of that nature. I needed to make sure that this was the right thing, Francois. Besides, I had no idea that any of those rumors were true. Everytime we tried to visit, Rodmilla turned us away. Once Auguste was dead, it seems she did not want to have anything at all to do with his relatives or his friends. So she made you a stable boy and Danielle a maid. We were able to take care of your cousin, Gustave. We apprenticed him to a fine art master, one with a studio. Gustave’s work is marvelous, Francois. I recommend that you the two of you get reacquainted with one another."

He turned to Henry, "And this lovely lady must be…"

"The Lady Danielle de Barbarac, your best friend’s daughter."

"And my goddaughter. Child, it is lovely to see you again. We have heard such terrible things, but we hadn’t any proof of them, not until this instant."

He looked at Henry. "We have dispatched a coach to retrieve the de Ghents for a wedding rehearsal, Henry. Your friend, here, picked Marguerite as a bride. What say you?"

"I cannot marry again, Father, for Danielle is my wife. We were married last night at the monastery."

"And I have had second thoughts on this matter, Your Majesty," Francois said, but the King had not heard.

"Then your mother was right, Henry. You are in love with her."

"Always have been, Father." He frowned. "I had no idea that Francois was my cousin. You’ve kept that from me."

"And me as well," Laurent piped up from the back of the room where he had been standing with Jacqueline.

"I am sorry, Captain," a new voice called, "it will not happen again."

Queen Marie stepped out of the shadows.

"I wish to congratulate you on your wedding as well. And this lovely lady must be Jacqueline de Ghent."

"Your Majesty," Jacqueline said, giving a little curtsey. She embraced the both of them, then turned her attention to Henry.

"Your father saw no need to tell anyone, Henry, not until we were sure." She smiled at him. "It is good to see you again, my son." She embraced Henry, then Francois and then Danielle.

She turned to the King. "They are here, Francis, downstairs, ready to be brought into the Audience Chamber."

The King broke out in a wide smile. "Come, this should be quite interesting."

Chapter 35

Rodmilla was asleep. Strange, Marguerite thought, you think she would stay up for this. You’d think that she would be so excited to be here for a wedding rehearsal to a prince, an actual prince. You would think that she would be happy she was moving out of that tiny excuse of a manor into the castle. She looked around the at the elegant appointments, the beautiful tapestries, the secret passageways, and a wonderful healthy and gorgeous prince who she will soon be married to, forever and ever until death…

"Ah, Marguerite, it is good to see you again."

And the mother-in-law, Marguerite thought, smiling, even though she didn’t feel happy at all. She gave a little curtsey. "Your Majesty," she said to the Queen.

Marie gestured toward the sleeping Rodmilla. "And the Baroness?"

"She is very tired, Majesty. Unfortunately, we really did not sleep last night."

"Really?" another voice called from outside. "Up all night, what were you doing?"

Jacqueline walked out, followed by Laurent and Danielle. Henry and Francois entered together and the last to walk out was the King.

Marguerite was starting to panic. "MOTHER," she cried, loudly. "MOTHER!"

Rodmilla woke with a start. She looked up and realized that she was at the castle.

"Your Majesty," she said, fully awake. She stood up. "I must apologize for my behavior. You see…" she stopped and looked around her. Everyone was standing there, staring at her.

"May I inquire…" Rodmilla began, but the Queen shook her head.

"Sit down, Baroness," Marie answered. "We have a lot to discuss."

Chapter 36

"Tell me, Baroness," the Queen continued. "Do any of these people look familiar to you?"

Rodmilla looked around. She looked at Henry first.

"He is my stable boy, Majesty," Rodmilla said.

Henry tried not to smile.

"You are sure about this?" Marie asked, "are you absolutely positive?"

Marguerite was growing impatient. She stood up.

"Is this some kind of game, Your Majesty? I thought we came here to.."

"Silence!" the King spoke up, looking sternly at Marguerite. He turned back to Rodmilla.

"The Queen asked you a question, Baroness. I would like to hear your answer."

Henry was starting to giggle. Francois stuck an elbow in his ribs, which did not help the situation.

"Yes, of course I am," Rodmilla said, still looking at Henry. She frowned. "I know my own stable boy when I see him."

"What has this to do with anything? What is he doing here, anyway? And for that matter what are Danielle and Jacqueline doing here as well?"

"We will ask the questions," Francis said, "not you."

He looked over at Henry. Once you saw them face to face, it was easier to tell the two of them apart. He had no idea why Rodmilla hadn’t seen the difference.

"Tell them, son," he said, smiling now.

Henry stepped forward.

"Well, Baroness, you guessed right. In a way, I have been your stable boy for about two days now. This boy that you see to my left is your real stable boy, my newly discovered cousin, Francois."

Marguerite stood up "WHAT?" She turned to look at Rodmilla. "MOTHER, what is he saying?"

"That is preposterous," Rodmilla said, standing up. "Why, he has been working as a stable boy in my home since he was a boy. Next thing you are going to tell me is that Danielle and the Prince are married."

"Since my best friend, Auguste died." Francis said, walking toward her. "Since the day you took the manor away from him and my goddaughter, Danielle, and claimed it for you own."

The King smiled. "And yes, Baroness, the next thing I will tell you is that my son and your stepdaughter are indeed married."

Marguerite stood there, perplexed. "Mother, what is going on?"

Chapter 37

Rodmilla stood there staring at the King and Queen. She was absolutely speechless.

"But I thought we were here so that.."

"Those plans have been turned around, now, Baroness," the Queen said, smiling. "We have already discussed this situation and my son is already very happily married, as you can see for yourself."

She gestured toward Henry and Danielle who were now kissing on the dais.

This was way too much for Rodmilla. She was tired and hungry to begin with. This was the last thing she expected to hear.

"And Jacqueline?" she asked, timidly, expecting the worse.

"Married as well," Laurent piped up. "We waited for you last night, Baroness, but we had no idea where you had gotten off to."

"Where I had gotten off to?" Rodmilla was furious.

Marguerite, however, was smiling. She turned to Francois.

"You don’t have any surprises for me, do you, Francois? We still love each other, don’t we? You know how I feel about you."

Francois smiled. "Of course I know how you feel about me, Marguerite. I overheard you talking last night. Lowly stable boy, never amount to anything."

Marguerite stopped smiling. "I never said that. That was all Mother’s doing. All I care about is…"

"The fact that I looked like the Prince, that’s all. I was an easy target and an eager pupil. You only care for yourself, Marguerite, how much you could get out of people. You are a selfish spoiled brat, that is all." He shook his head. "Danielle was right about you all along. I could never see it until last night." He smiled and shook his head. "And to think that I wanted to marry you my whole life. I never thought I could. Well, now I know better, Marguerite. You are above me no longer."

Marguerite turned to look at Rodmilla. "MOTHER," she screamed, Moth…" her voice trailed off.

Rodmilla had fainted. She was fallen to the chamber floor and had begun to snore.

"Wake her up," the King demanded of anyone, "NOW!"

Henry and Francois both walked off the dais smiling at each other and picked Rodmilla up off the floor. Marie handed Danielle some smelling salts she always carried with her and put it under Rodmilla nose.

Rodmilla came to. Henry and Francois were still holding on to her.

Chapter 38

"Baroness, you must explain how you treated my nephew and my goddaughter all this time," King Francis said. "We have heard wild rumors and had not the chance to substantiate any of them. Please tell me if any of the stories we have heard were true."

Marguerite looked at Rodmilla nervously, but Rodmilla was smiling, taking it all in.

"And what rumors are those, Your Majesty. Anything those two might have told you," she gestured toward Danielle and Francois, "would be false. I have done nothing to be ashamed of. I have raised two brats that were left to me by a former husband. Of course, I raised them in my own way, using my own sort of discipline…"

Marie smiled. "A few lashings, perhaps. Sleeping on a palette in a hayloft of a stable? That sort of discipline?"

Rodmilla was angry. She let go of Henry and Francois. "How dare you accuse me of lashing anyone. And I would never allow anyone to sleep in a stable?"

"Really, Baroness?" Henry asked. "I believe that’s where you told me to sleep after I cleared the table, before you invited me into your room?"

Rodmilla looked at him. "Francois, I am sorry, I never knew.."

A hand grabbed her shoulder and spun her around. "Baroness, that is Prince Henry. I," he said pushing his hair back from his left eyebrow, "am Francois."

Rodmilla looked at him, then at Henry. "You don’t mean that…I mean.."

She frowned, watching the two of them. It suddenly dawned on her.

"The two of you, did you switch places, purposely, just to.."

"No, Baroness," Henry said, "it had nothing to do with you, originally. I went on an adventure for two days and Francois wanted to see what living in the castle was like. We discovered a lot more about ourselves than we ever wanted to and our differing lifestyles."

Marguerite looked up at Rodmilla, but it was the Baroness who spoke.

"Your Majesty, I…"

Chapter 39

"No, Baroness," the Queen said, "but there is no excuse for any of your actions toward my family."

"Since you have never fully recognized the titles of my nephew and goddaughter," Marie said, "from this day forward, you will no longer be called ‘Baroness.’ That title has been taken from you as you have taken their birthright and their property from them. From now on you will live as a servant as you have made them live."

She turned to Marguerite. "You, my child, are not responsible for your mother’s behavior, but you have been a party to her actions. Therefore, you will join her in servitude until we find something more suitable, if we ever do."

Rodmilla looked at Marie. "And when does this begin, Majesty?"

Marie smiled. "Immediately, of course." She gestured to Laurent. "I would hate to do this on your honeymoon, Captain, but they will need an escort. You must get them there in one piece. I do not trust them."

"Of course, Your Majesty."

Laurent and Emil escorted a squirming Rodmilla and a screaming Marguerite away toward the servant’s quarters.

That night, a ball was held in the newlywed’s honor, not only Henry and Danielle’s, but also Laurent and Jacqueline’s. The next morning a double wedding was held in the castle chapel before family and friends.

Chapter 40

"Mother, what is going on? Where are they taking us? Why can’t we stay for the ball?" Marguerite asked as they were being loaded into one of the royal carriages."

Rodmilla glared at her daughter. "Shut up, child. I know as much as you. I have no answer right now. Leave me alone."

She turned to Emil and smiled, sweet as sugar, exactly the opposite of how she had acted towards her own daughter only seconds ago.

"Where are we being taken, monsieur?" she asked, sweetly.

Emil smiled back. "There was no room at the castle servant’s quarters, madam," he answered, "beside, there was not a single position available, but we have found exactly the right place for the two of you. Somewhere that you will be appreciated. Lovely place, you’ll feel right at home there." He bowed. "Now if you ladies will excuse me, I have business to attend to."

Marguerite turned to her mother, her face full of excitement. "Where do you suppose…" Her voice trailed off as she watched her mother squirming.

"Mother," she said, "we are chained to the coach windows."

"Very true, milady," a voice agreed. The coach door opened and in stepped Laurent.

"I have been assigned to escort the two of you to your new home." He turned to Rodmilla. "You will love it, madam, it suits you very well, I must say."

He just looked at Marguerite and laughed, then shook his head. "I am afraid though, my dear Marguerite, that there are no single men where we are going. However, the cook did obtain a new kitchen boy from the castle, just this very day." He smiled at them, then stuck his head out of window.

"Are we ready, driver?"

"As I’ll ever be," Francois’ voice called out from the top. He turned to driver. "Let’s get started."

He was glad that Laurent talked him into switching places with Emil. He smiled, wickedly. He couldn’t wait to see their faces when they arrived.

 The coach began to move now, slowly at first, then picking up speed.

Rodmilla stopped squirming. She had to, she had absolutely no choice with Laurent watching her like this.

She sat back and smiled at Laurent, who was watching her intently.

Where in the world do you suppose we are off to now?

Chapter 41

Laurent smiled at the two of them. He hadn’t felt like it though. He missed Jacqueline already. He was too much in love with her. He wanted to go back, let someone else do this, but he already promised the Queen. Besides, they were holding the ball up for him. He didn’t for one minute take his eyes off the two of them.

Rodmilla turned from the window and looked around. She found Laurent’s eyes on her and his face upturned in that goofy smile of his. Pudgy little man, Rodmilla thought as she smiled at him. The two of them could eat their way to happiness. She turned toward the window again.

How dare they chain her up? She was a noblewoman. And how dare they take her from the castle? How could they even consider moving the two of them? By rights they should be at that castle right now?

Wait, she thought suddenly. She wasn’t living there, they were only living in the servant's quarters , that ‘s all. She looked over at Marguerite.

Marguerite turned to look at her mother, then at Laurent, then she turned to her window.

How could they do this to her? Well, she was going to be in nicer surroundings very soon . She smiled just thinking about it. Anything was better than that old shack that Auguste had called a manor.

Maybe the man who owned the chateau had lost a wife, maybe he had a son? Maybe he wanted a companion, maybe a daughter to marry the son?

Or maybe he just wanted two servants to work there.

She sat back in the coach, smiled at the infinite possibilities and closed her eyes.

Rodmilla, sitting across from Laurent, was beginning to recognize the surrounding countryside. All of this had a very familiar ring to it. Why, it almost looked as if they were most assuredly headed for the manor. Well, she couldn’t think about that now. It was probably her imagination. She was tired and her mind was playing tricks on her. She lay back and closed her eyes.

She had almost fallen asleep when the coach came to an abrupt halt.

Rodmilla bolted upright. No, she thought, it couldn’t be. It wasn’t the manor, was it?

The coach door swung open and Laurent extended his hand. As she stepped out, Rodmilla gasped at the sight that lay before her eyes.

She had been right all along. There, in front of her, was the same manor she had left that morning.

Only this time she returned as a servant.

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