Danielle’s fingertips flickered across her abdomen nervously, following the ribs of the lace that tightened her corset. It was a habit grown from a child of boredom, stuck in educational classes that only extended so far before maiden tasks were begun. She was a habitual person that was uneasy with change, and the current situation certainly fell into that category. A change in power was unusual and revolutionary—both literally and metaphorically—and must be treated as such. With no previous experience dealing with invaders that now became captors, she was at a loss for etiquette. This was no dinner party. As the man a stride ahead spoke of the women behind her, the Mistress’ head snapped back to offer a curt and somewhat unsure nod of a hypocritical reassurance. It was believable, and so the women all stood up with their children by their sides. The older children had resorted to weeping into the aprons of their mothers, while some of the smaller children were asleep or fussing. Danielle had to trust that they would be taken to safety, and she knew better than anything that resisting was a one-way ticket to execution. It was yet unknown where the men hailed from, but asking was not a casualty that she would extend for the time being. This was their castle now, she would find out soon enough.<br/><br/>Once more, she reminded herself that she had never experienced such an overtaking. When the man, who was admittedly strikingly handsome, offered to take her into safety, she assumed that was precisely what she would be getting. She would be foolish to think totally of these men in the name of truth, and yet she had little choice. Mentally she wished she could say a word with her sharp tongue, but verbal abuse from a woman only irritated or amused men. It wasn’t as helpful to her cause as it would be to her pride.<br/><br/>“The rightful king, you say.” Danielle echoed, her voice bitter but somewhat curious. “What has become of my husband? Have you managed to behead him? Too eager to wait it out in public executions, as he barbarically did to the men before him? Believe me, he will not be missed. That doesn’t mean I take kindly to strangers with the blood of my family on their hands.” Whether or not it was true that this man had killed her husband mattered not. What mattered was getting it across that she was not a damsel in distress. However, her plan of keeping her mouth shut had quickly been lost. “No matter. Take me to my chambers then. “