A LITTLE TWIST OF FATE

Chapter 49

Danielle frowned and shrugged her shoulders, which made Henry smile even wider.

"Oh, yes," he told her, "Now I remember. It's just that you are beautiful, Princess, inside and out. Remember how I called you an angel when we were little. Well, I still think of you as one. The loveliest angel that I'll ever meet."

Danielle smiled back. "So that's why you've loved me because I'm so beautiful? Now listen, Henry Francis, I have lots of other qualities that."

But her sentence was cut short as Henry pulled her closer and bent to kiss her lips slightly. He pulled back and looked in her eyes.

"I thought I mentioned them already. If you want me to, I'll list them again. Let's see now, you are strong, passionate, intelligent, ."

Danielle smiled, shook her head and brought her finger to his lips to silence him.

"And in love," she whispered, "with the handsomest man in all the province. You see, I forgot to add a little something, too."

Henry narrowed his eyes, but the smile was still on his lips.

"Oh," he said, grabbing her finger. "Now it's the other way around, is it? Well, Princess, I'm not only beautiful, but I do have other qualities as well."

He smiled. "This little game can work both ways, don't you agree?"

Danielle stared into his eyes. "And which way is that?" she asked as she brought her face up close to his and kissed his lips this time.

"By the way," she whispered, pulling back, "there's another beautiful angel around here, but I cannot seem to find her anymore."

"The only angel I'm concerned with now is you, Princess. I love you very much."

This time they kissed without any interruption. Thérèse watched for a little while, and then nodded her approval. "Until next time, then," she said and vanished into thin air from her spot in the woods.

"Well," a voice called out. "Look what we have here."

Henry and Danielle parted. "I know that voice," Danielle said, turning in the direction from where it came.

"Alex?" Henry called, "what are you doing here?"

"I think," Alex said coming into the light, "that we are all here for the same purpose." He smiled as he held out his hand. It wasn't long before Camille came out of the wood to join him.

"And what purpose might that be?" Henry asked, looking at the two of them.

"You know very well for what purpose, cousin." Alex said looking at Danielle. "To offer each other congratulations."

He kissed her on the cheek. "I'm happy for you, Danielle," he whispered. "I'm am happy that things worked out the way they have."

They embraced each other. "I hope that you're as happy as I am, Alex." Danielle said, releasing him. She smiled as she looked into his eyes.

Alex met them. "I couldn't be happier, Your Highness," he laughed.

"Do you intend to return, cousin? You do know that the Royal Guards are searching for you two."

"Eventually, Henry," Alex said, looking at him. "Right now our intention is to make a home for ourselves far from where Mother is. I am not ready to deal with her wrath yet. "

He looked at the both of them. "It's only because of Camille that I say that. She loves her father very much. That is why we are giving you this." He held out a small piece of parchment. "This is where we will be if you need us for any reason. Please keep it and let the court physician know where we are. Just make it clear that we would like the location kept secret just now. "

Danielle took it and placed it into the bodice of her dress. "We will honor your wishes," Henry said. "Everyone knows what Vivienne is like."

"Thank you, cousin," Alex said, smiling, "I knew that you would understand." He looked at the two of them. "And now we must take our leave of you. Again, please accept our congratulations."

And the two of them disappeared into the woods leaving Henry and Danielle alone once again.

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