A/N: Hello lovelies! This is a story that takes place after The Secret of Moonacre and is written by not only by me, but my best friend, Naruto's. Sexy .Jutsu (Marie). This is not my first fan fic but the first one I have published. I hope you guys enjoy it! I am willing to listen to any suggestions/ideas on what could happen next or in the future. Thank you!
And please remember to R&R! Your feedback always helps!
Chapter 1
Maria's POV
I felt fine right after I broke the curse. Perfectly happy and although, a little tired from the day's events, I couldn't be happier. The curse is supposedly gone, Loveday and Sir Benjamin are going to get married, and the feud between the Merryweathers and the De Noirs is at a cease. But then I notice a gold and silver streak, shaped almost like a comet, had circled the moon and I began to feel faint. I took a seat on the cold stone bleachers of the amphitheater.
"Maria, are you all right dear?" My uncle Benjamin asks me.
"Yes uncle, just a little tired, that's all." I respond. I can't tell him about the streak or me feeling faint. I have no idea what's going on but I feel something growing inside me. Not fear, or joy, or anger… Something… Magical. But not in a good way. I thought all my magic was supposed to be gone…
"Robin, take Maria back to the manor. Wrolf will show you to her room. All you must do is ask. You're the only one who will easily fit through the door while carrying her." I heard Loveday say calmly to a shaken, yet relieved, Robin De Noir.
"Of course, Loveday. Princess? Are you able to stand?" He asked me. My legs felt weak but I decided to act like everything was okay and tell him that I could.
"I... I think so." I responded. Robin extended a hand to me and I was hesitant to take it, not sure if I can completely trust this bird boy to take me home.
"It's okay. I'm not going to hurt you princess." He said softly. "Just take my hand, it'll be okay."
I took his hand and he lifted me up, his other hand hovering over my shoulder in case I needed help to steady myself. I stumbled, my legs losing their strength, and fell into him. His grip tightened around me. He pushed me away from him and looked me in the eyes.
"Princess, please, let me carry you." All I could manage was a nod. I was so exhausted and weak I didn't care.
Robin put his left arm around my shoulders and back, and his right under my knees. I draped my arms around his neck to hold on. The feathers attached to his scarf tickled my neck but only for a moment before I got used to them resting on my smooth skin. He adjusted his grip slightly and started to walk out of the amphitheater. I breathed in his sweet pinewood scent and eventually fell asleep to the sound of crunching leaves beneath us and the slight jingle of chains hanging from his leather pants.
Robin's POV
All I could think about was the sleeping princess in my arms. She saved us all. She saved me… From the first moment I saw her at her father's funeral, I knew she was something special. I didn't want to kill her but I knew I had to, to prove myself to my father that I am worthy of overtaking the De Noir clan as their king. I didn't expect her to be as feisty as she is, but I like it. I notice she smells faintly of rose and of the earth after it rains. Quite a mesmerizing scent.
Why did my father want to kill her? I thought to myself. She saved us all. Why wouldn't my father want that for his clan? For Moonacre Valley?
My thoughts were interrupted as I felt Maria wiggle a little in my arms.
"Princess?" I ask softly, slowing to a stop. She mumbles something and then goes back to sleep. Must be dreaming.
I continue my trek to the manor, making sure not to make any loud sounds so Maria can sleep in peace.
I arrive at the front of the manor and Wrolf, who has turned into a gorgeous black lion, nudges the door open.
"Wrolf, where is Maria's room? Can you take me there?" He whimpers and I follow him to the north wing, up to Maria's room. I open the small door, careful not to wake her, and stand in amazement. There are stars on the ceiling that twinkle, beautiful artistry painted on the walls, and a fireplace in the corner. The fire has withered down to just a few red coals but I'll fix that after Maria is settled. Her room is rather chilly.
I carefully lay down the slumbering princess on her plush bed. She looks so peaceful asleep. So…
"Beautiful" I whisper. I cover her with a quilt I found folded on the light green armchair, positioned so one can see out the large window. "Goodnight princess, sleep well." I kiss her forehead then attend to the coals in the fire. They are almost done burning so I add a few pieces of wood and poke around until a large enough flame appears… It's almost as red as her fiery auburn locks.
I take one last glance at Maria and then quietly leave her room, the only sound is the clicking of the door when it latches behind me.
(-)
As I enter the main hall, Loveday, Sir Benjamin, Miss Heliotrope, and Digweed are just arriving. I'm guessing they stayed to chat with my father before journeying home. Sir Benjamin invites me to stay in one of the spare rooms for the night, then go home in the morning. I accept and Digweed shows me to my room.
It's nothing grand. Just a simple bed covered with light green linens, an oak wood side table, a desk and chair, large window covered with ivory colored embroidered curtains, a fireplace, and a small bathroom with a tub and other necessities. I hang my leather jacket and bowler cap on the coat rack near the fireplace then take off my pants, shirt, and shoes then climb into bed.
My mind is awake all night, thinking of Maria. I hope she'll be okay. She seemed weak and exhausted after her sacrifice and her face was quite pale. I can't stop the thoughts of worry about her. But I don't know why…
I think of a song my mother used to sing to me and Loveday when we were little, before she died. Whenever we were stressed out or scared or worried, she would sing to us and her voice could calm anything. The song was simple but it calmed us down in any situation.
I eventually fall into a deep sleep, and before I know it, Loveday is shaking me awake. I'm a heavy sleeper so just a knock of the door won't do a thing. It's already nine in the morning. I head down to breakfast and am concerned that I don't see Maria at the table.
"Where's Maria, Loveday?" I ask.
"She hasn't woken up yet. But I'm sure she will soon."
"Okay. I was just concerned. She seemed incredibly weak by the time I got her home."
"I appreciate your concern. And I'm sure Benjamin does as well." She says.
Sir Benjamin, head of the Moonacre Manor, forces a smile. He's never really liked me and I can tell. Especially when I converse with Maria. But I don't let it bother me. Maria and I are just friends and it's going to stay that way. I have no interest in the princess.
"I'm going to go for a walk in the forest. Probably check some traps and do my rounds. Tell Maria I wish her well for me would ya?" I take a piece of toast from the table and walk out of the castle.
"Robin dear!" Loveday calls. But I'm already out the door but don't feel like turning around. She'll tell me at dinner tonight for sure, unless she decides to stay at the manor with her fiancé.
The trees sway in the light breeze and leaves crunch under my boots. Fresh air is nice to have. I think I'd go crazy if I didn't get any, or very little.
My walk is quiet, filled only with the sounds of chirping birds and squabbling chipmunks. I know this forest like the back of my hand. All the secret entrances to the hideouts, all the different paths to get to the manor and the De Noir castle, and I know exactly where the first Moon Princesses hideaway is. I make my way towards the hideout, to check on it. See how it looks. Last time I was there, I didn't really have time to inspect the place. Maria and I were too busy trying to run away from my father's men in order to save the entire valley.
(-)
I arrive at the Princesses hideout. There's a fireplace in the corner with a cabinet standing next to it. The bed was centered in the room against a wall with a tapestry hanging above it. A few star and moon decorations adorned the surrounding walls, and a large chest sitting at the foot of the bed. Roots hung from the ceiling and the whole room needed an extreme dusting.
I decide that I should clean up the den and make it suitable for a princess. For Maria. I run out of the dusty room and make my way to the De Noir castle. There, I can get supplies to fix the hideout for her.
Let's see… I'll need a broom and dust pan, maybe a duster as well for the shelves, and some snippers to take care of those annoying roots, some clean linens to change on the bed, a kettle for tea and a few jugs of fresh water to drink, oh speaking of which I'll need to bring some teas for her.
I start thinking of what I'll need to fix the den up for her.
I should also bring a first aid kit just in case she was to get hurt while journeying through the woods or she finds a wounded animal… I like that about her. How she cares for nature and all who inhabit it. She's so kind and selfless. But she's also feisty and will fight for what she wants… Something I adore in her.
I snap myself out of my thoughts about Maria. She's only 14. And you're 17. Sir Benjamin would never allow anything to happen! I mentally scold myself. But I can't keep her out of my mind. The way she laughs, the way her hair flows around her in the wind, those beautiful and wonder-filled brown eyes… She's beautiful, not to mention.
I wonder what she's doing right now. I wonder if she's awake.
I wonder if she's thinking about me.
