Long May He Reign

The Welcome

Auburn colored hues gazed around the hallway, unaware of the footsteps that followed behind her and Catherine. Catherine's constant excuse to create small, petty talk was tuned out. The only thing that Danielle managed to notice and care about was the constant reminders of her presence years ago when she was only a child.

The gifts her mother and father gave France were adorned on mahogany tables and planted on the stone walls. Fabrics of Italy's finest were hung around the castle. Paintings were still bolted against the stone, with no dust in sight for anything. It struck her as odd.

"I see you still keep the gifts from my parents," Danielle finally spoke. A small smile graced her lips.

Catherine paused from her talking. Holding in the insult to hurl at her for interrupting her and obviously not listening. She smiled though. "Yes, I hold them very dear in my heart."

The latter nodded. "You didn't have to give me Mary's chambers."

Catherine blinked, feigning surprise before she shook her head in common courtesy. "My dear, if I must confide in you, Mary is not in the fondest of my hearts," she started, venom laced her words,"But this will be a conversation at a later time."

Danielle's eyes narrowed slightly. "Then I assume my presence at court was not of one for leisure."

"Unfortunately my dear, as fond as I am of you, nothing is ever for leisure once you are transgressed to a royal status... a powerful one at that."

They both stopped at the bedchambers. A queen and a princess facing each other with matching looks.

"I love you Catherine, you were always a godmother to me. But I refuse to be a pawn in your games to get rid of the poor girl-"

Catherine shook her head. "I don't wish to get rid of her. I'd just rather she marry someone else.."

Danielle tilted her chin upwards. "Someone who is not Francis.. why?"

As Catherine opened her mouth, she closed it just as quickly. "We will speak of this at another occasion. Please get dressed, I've arranged a little feast for your arrival." Catherine glanced around her before turning her heel to leave, she gave one last look to Danielle before she disappeared around the corner.

She was left standing at the front of the door and sighed before she entered her room, catching sight of her three ladies.

"Princess, this place is so boring. Must we stay?" A blonde haired girl drawled on, her sharp eyes toying with the drapes that outlined the window.

"Rebekah is right," the brunette spoke. She paced around the room, inspecting the fabrics that adorned the chambers that Mary once resided in.

Danielle sighed and sat on the newly made bed. "Nora, please stop inflating Rebekah's head up." She dejectedly joked and glanced at her last lady in waiting who seemed quiet. "Do you not have anything to say, Elena?"

Elena smiled warmly. "I actually like it much so, your grace." She sat beside Nora. "It's a new adventure for all of us, or a chance to find love, perhaps."

Nora groaned,"Why do we ever let the hopeless romantic speak?" She grinned, laying her head on Elena's shoulder.

Danielle laughed. "Queen Catherine is requesting our pretense at her get together, get dressed now or you girls will never get to it!" She smiled as they all just sighed and got up.

"What are you wearing?" Elena asked, her blue hues peered at the princess inquisitively.

"Danielle is going to wear red, because her childhood flame is here and she needs to win him back, right?" Nora asked, wiggling her brows.

Nora was always the more competitive, conniving lady. However, her looks always made up for it. The tan skin, brown hair, and hazel eyes made her stand out greatly. It's a wonder how she hasn't had a husband yet.

"Lord no. He's engaged and they seem happily engaged at that." Danielle countered with wide eyes as the girls giggled.

Rebekah's high pitched laugh was always easy to depict from the group. Her laugh was infectious and her smile was a disease. No one could ever stay mad at her, not even her princess. "Princess! Just mess around for the fun of it!"

"There's no shame in harmless flirting." Elena shrugged as the girls laughed more and all hugged each other

"Absolutely not!" Danielle laughed in the girls arms as they held each other. "My father will be livid! Now get dressed!"

After the laughter died down and few tears shed from Rebekah who seemed to be laughing too much. They were all dressed before the sun was completely gone.

"Let's break some necks girls," Nora smirked as they all followed behind Danielle to where the festivities took place.

The four entered the room whilst Mary and her ladies were dancing without shoes. Danielle couldn't lie, Mary was beautiful. Naive, maybe. But definitely beautiful and pure, something that she wasn't so while Catherine looked at Mary's group in discontent, Danielle smiled at the Scottish blood who smiled timidly back.

Nora had already disappeared, mingling with a French Noble near one of the tables.

Elena was escorted to a table by a fine gentleman from Turkey... or did he say Russia?

Rebekah stood by Danielle. Her white lace dress contrasted to Danielle's red and gold attire. Though it contrasted, it accentuated it more and wasn't that the point? Rebekah leaned forward, her blonde hair tickling Danielle's shoulder,"Mary's on the floor but Francis is looking at you instead," she whispered.

"Is that so?"

Rebekah chuckled. "Yes, your grace."

Danielle straightened her posture and turned her head so Francis' gaze was within her peripheral. "What do I do?" Nervousness. The only emotion the Dauphin could cause her to feel. Even after all these years.

"Smile and look pretty. I'll be out your way, he's coming." She hurriedly said, picking up the ends of her skirt to walk to where the other girls were.

"Catherine hasn't introduced me yet," Danielle spoke. Her hands were placed in front of her as she stood away from the crowd that Mary caused around her.

Francis smiled. "She's quite baffled by Mary's audacity to wear something so provocative and do something so..."

"Unfitting of a queen?" She finished.

"I suppose."

Danielle nodded, turning to face the group again. "But she catches your eye." As she looked around, she noticed everyone, entranced by her. "She catches everyone's eye."

Francis chuckled softly. "Do I hear a little bit of jealousy?"

Danielle noticed Elena making slight hand gestures towards her and nodded slightly. "Maybe, somehow, I was wishing that I was the one who'd be marrying you one day."

She cut right to the chase, watching Francis' shocked eyes and mouth open ajar. The slight blush that formed on his cheeks and the way his eyes glazed over, it was charming, truly.

"Danielle, I-"

"Welcome my beloved! I host this ceremony for my dear Danielle of Italy! The Holy Emperor's youngest child!" Catherine announced after shooing away Mary and her girls. Catherine made way to grab Danielle's hands and pull her to the center where everyone clapped and cheered.

"I'm glad to have such a warm welcome," Danielle replied with a genuine smile that Catherine returned as they both kissed each other' cheeks.

Danielle noticed a lot of things. She noticed how Mary's emotions faltered at the way Catherine treated the former. She noticed how King Henry and Kenna were cozying up. She noticed how Catherine's hold on her own hands were tight as if she didn't want to let go. She noticed Elena, Nora, and Rebekah raising chalices to her which created a domino effect of everyone else doing the same.

She didn't notice Francis' longing gaze and the way he inched away from Mary ever so lightly. Or how he stepped over to where Elena was and whispered something into her ear.