Ever after

Breakfast

Danielle and her older sister Liliana each carried arm full of food to the dining hall "morning madam , Margurite, Jacqueline I trust y'all slept well"Danielle says to there step mother as she walks around as she and Liliana set plates of food on to the table.

"What kept you"rodmilla asked her youngest step daughter while Liliana refilled there drinks.

"I fell off the ladder in the orchard but I am better now"Danielle lies with a smile as she sets the salt by her stepmother.

Margurite studies her appearance "someone's been reading in the fireplace again look at you Ash and soot everywhere"she says.

"Some people read because they cannot think for themselves"the baroness says as she adds salt to her cooked egg.

"Why don't you sleep with the pigs cinder soot, if you insist on smelling like one"Margurite says as Liliana clutched her fist as Danielle gives her a look before she returns to the kitchen.

"Oh one day I'm gonna enjoy smacking some since into that blonde headed greedy for nothing daughter of hers"she says harshly with a whisper with fire in her eyes as she huffs before listening into to Danielle's and there step mother's talk as she leans against the kitchen wall.

"Ooh that was harsh Margurite. ... Danielle come here child"the baroness says stopping Danielle from walking away"your appearance does reflect a certain crudeness my dear what can I do to make you try"she says to her youngest step daughter.

Danielle thinks for a moment "I do try stepmother I do wish to please you. Sometimes I sit on my own and try to think of what else I could do how I should act--"she says as the baroness sits back in her chair"oh calm down child relax"she says fooling around with her necklace.

Danielle bites her lips thinking as she walks around the baronesss chair before facing her step mother again with a hopeful smile "perhaps if we brought back Maurice I would not defend you so"she says.

The baroness turns to her with a glare"it is your manner that offends Danielle throughout these hard times I have sheltered you and your older sister, clothed y'all and cared for y'all all that I ask in return is that you help me here without complaint like your older sister is that such an extraordinary request"she snaps .

"No my lady" Danielle says.

"Very well we shall have no more talk of servants coming back is that quiet understood"the baroness says firmly.

"Yes my lady" Danielle says before bowing her head leaving as the baroness huffs turning to her daughters"after all that I do, after all I have done it's never enough "she says.

Liliana shakes her head at her selfish stepmother before hearing Danielle walk closer"sister come her"she says softly as she walks over to her younger sister wiping away the tears"don't let those vile women get to you and I say wear on of mothers old dresses and go get out family member back and bring him home"she says with a soft smile as the two sisters hug in silence.

They were all in town while the baroness was with her daughters looking at broaches to wear for the prince manly Marguerite as Lillian and Danielle were with gustave in a room in one of the buildings in town as Gustavo leans against the window no longer a boy but a thin lad"have you both lost your marbles do you know what the punishment is for servants who dress above their station five days in the stocks"he asked the sisters as he wore ragged clothes with paint stains on them.

"Look Gustav if this is the only way to get someone back who is like family to is this so be it"Lillian says with a huff crossing her arms as they were in a room filled with paint he was an apprentice to a great painter.

Danielle was undoing her dress piece by piece "My sister is right and you would do the same for me. Admit it"she says to her best friend before walking away with a smile.

"Me pretend to be a courtier prancing around like some noble man why I've never never been to court and neither have you maybe your sister when y'all's mother was alive but definitely not you"he says in disbelief as Danielle walks over to were Liliana had set up an old dress of there mothers. It was a Long white dress with dark collared sleeves with three white puff outs on each arm with a beautiful design on the front as Danielle grabbed the dark collared heels that go with it.

Danielle walks beithe changing curtain as she sticks her head out "then I won't be recognized sister hand me that go please so I can be on my way"she says before disappearing as as Liliana hands her the dress as she changed.

"They'll never by it your to sweet"Gustave says as she tossed her green dress over as Liliana catches it"they'll never but a servant with 20 gold franks either I am Maurices only hope before it's to late and Liliana agrees"Danielle says as she changed as Liliana nods her head.

"And the baroness what did y'all tell her"Gustave asked.

"I'm picking wildflowers with the help of Liliana can y'all still see her"Danielle asked.

"They are buying another broach like the blonde twit needs another one"Liliana snarks crossing her arms.

Danielle scoffs from behind the curtain"unbelievable she ignores the manor, blames us for her debt,and still pretend to still have money to burn "she says with disbeliefment.

"And Gustav don't you dare laugh and if you do Liliana will hit you I'm coming out"Danielle says before walking out as Liliana tears up her baby sister looks so much like there mother"oh my gosh you look beautiful sister"she says wiping her eyes.

Danielle smiles at her older sister before frowning"the shoes are to big"she says.

"Don't worry nobody will be looking at your feet"Gustave says in awe at her appearance.

"Come here Danielle let me do your hair"Liliana says with a soft smile before Danielle walks over as she smiles while her sister does her hair in a pinned up elegant style with a head piece before Gustave gives her some jewelry to put on to finish the noblewomen look before sending Danielle on her way.