Hey everyone! This is why I haven't updated "Awakening" yet! I'm writing another story! I hope you lie it!

Chapter 1

-Admit It-

Maria's POV

Its been exactly one week since I saved Moonacre Valley...one dreadful week! I swear, if Miss Heliotrope wasn't insanely protective before, she is now! Uncle has had me under constant watch because apparently I possess some kind of powers that I am not even aware of yet, but Loveday explained to me that they will activate when they are needed so whatever. I've actually spent most of the week with Loveday...and Miss Heliotrope of course.

I am helping Loveday plan her and uncle's wedding that is coming up in two weeks. They wanted to get married as soon as possible so three weeks was the time limit. Marmaduke has become obsessed with cooking and when I say obsessed I mean OBSESSED! Non stop food rolls out of that kitchen! Its such a mess in there that its hard to even find Marmaduke...especially when he's covered in flour, then at that point he is practically invisible.

Digweed is not so bad...except for the constant talk of all the things that need to be fixed in the manor, the grounds, the forest, the village, the entire valley, the world! Actually, scratch that, he's absolutely infuriating! Okay, okay, okay, I know it sounds like I am hating life, but I'm really not! At least there's on thing that keeps me from exploding around here...Robin De Noir! It took a bit of persuasion, but I convinced uncle to allow Robin to take me out of the manor to actually breathe some fresh air. So today he is showing me more of the forest and I am to meet him there around noon. Its going to be the first time I've actually talked with him since we found the pearls and saved the valley.

I mean, Digweed has visited the De Noir castle a few times and he has told me that Robin said hello or asked how I was, but not until today has he asked to see me. Uncle thinks that Robin is coming to get me, but I am actually riding Periwinkle out into the forest alone...just so I can get a moments peace! Anyway I must get ready, I picked out a dress just for the occasion...not that it is an occasion! Ugh never mind...the dress is actually black with red accents which just happen to be Robins favorite colors. I decided that I was going to wear my hair down and free of accessories! I am really excited to see Robin, but I'm not really sure why. I couldn't have feelings for him could I? No. That's completely impossible! Is it?

End of POV

After Maria was ready she snuck away and went out into the stables to get Periwinkle...

"Hi girl, you want to go on a little trip? We are going to see Robin today. I know, I know...Wasn't he just trying to kill you a few days ago? Yes, yes he was, but now he isn't! " Maria rambled before she saddled Periwinkle and rode off into the forest. After a few minutes, Maria had reached the small clearing that Robin wanted to meet her in, but he wasn't there yet so she got off her horse and sat down below a tree to wait. Suddenly she heard something and she quickly jumped up and looked around. "Robin? Robin is that you?" Maria whispered before feeling to large and muscular arms wrap around her waist. Maria spun around to fight whoever this was, but it was non other than Robin De Noir before her.

"Oh-oh that was really fun!" Robin laughed and Maria hit him in the arm.

"Robin! That wasn't funny," Maria replied.

"Come on, that was funny! Admit it!" Robin teased.

"I swear if you do anything like that again I will kill you," Maria said as she sat back down under the tree as Robin still stood.

"Did I scare you?" Robin asked as he tried to hold back laughter.

"You didn't scare me...the situation did," Maria replied.

"Are you saying I'm not scary?" Robin asked.

"Robin dear, sorry to deflate your head, but you've never scared me," Maria said.

"Oh really?" Robin replied as he pulled his dagger from his belt. "Does this scare you?" he asked as he waved the dagger around.

"No, not really," Maria replied. Robin smiled and walked a bit closer until he was hovering over Maria.

"Now?" Robin questioned.

"Not particularly," Maria said as she realized she was becoming a bit nervous, but it wasn't the dagger...it was Robin in general. Robin crouched down in front of Maria and placed the dagger to Maria's throat.

"How about now?" Robin smirked. By now, Robin was within a few inches from Maria's face and she could feel his breath on her lips and she was sure that he could feel hers also, but she still stood her ground.

"No, I'm not scared, but I am a bit nervous at this point," Maria admitted.

"Really, why?" Robin pushed.

"Well its definitely not the dagger," Maria stated as she confidently pushed the sharp object away from her, but Robin still remained.

"Better?" Robin asked.

"No...like I said, it isn't the dagger," Maria said.

"The what makes you nervous princess?" Robin questioned.

"You being so close," Maria confessed as she gently pushed Robin away and he rolled over to sit beside her.

"So I make you nervous?" Robin teased.

"If I said yes would you stop asking questions?" Maria asked.

"Probably not, but I'd still like an answer," Robin replied.

"Well of course you would," Maria said sarcastically.

"Ah...so are you calling me nosey?" Robin asked.

"I never said any such thing...just like I never said you made me nervous, I said that you being so close made me nervous," Maria defended herself.

"You are very funny sometimes," Robin smiled as he looked up into the sky.

"Hmm, well you are funny looking," Maria joked.

"Sure I am...you like me and you know it!" Robin teased.

"Keep dreaming," Maria said before there was complete silence. After a few moments of continued quietness Robin spoke.

"Maria, can I ask you something?"

There it is! The first chapter of "Deciding Fate"! I'm so excited! Ae you? What did you think?