Chapter 8

Robin and Cinderella watched as Maid Marian and Prince Charming continued to dance with one another. But while they did this the vulpine let out, "I can't believe Marian received an invitation to the ball as well."

Cinderella also became a bit suspicious as she replied, "Yes, that is a bit strange...but perhaps she was close to the town when the messenger passed by. And maybe he happened to have an extra invitation and decided to just give to her."

"Maybe..." Robin Hood quietly replied back, as he started to wonder about that possibility.

When he noticed that the two had left the ball room Robin Hood's left ear twitched when he noticed that the band was continuing to play. He then took a few steps away from Cinderella before he removed his cap and bowed to her and asked, "Cinderella, would you care to dance?"

The blonde haired woman just curtsied as she replied, "I would love to good sir."

He then stood back and took her right hand as he led her to the middle of the ballroom floor. And once they were there he held onto her right hand as he put his left hand on her waist while she held onto the left side of her dress. All eyes where on them as they began to turn in the center of the crowd that surrounded them.

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Lady Tremaine along with her two daughters watched Cinderella and Robin Hood as they turned passed them and continued to dance looking at one another as if they were lost in each other's eyes. This action sicken the older woman greatly. How could not one, but two of her plans fail when it came to ruining Cinderella's life. Now yes she somehow knew that hiring two thugs to try and kill the young woman was going a bit too far. But if it had gotten rid of her then why not do it. She then sharply turned around and said, "Drizella, Anastasia, we're leaving."

The two looked at each other for a moment surprised by this statement from their mother. Yes, the prince was occupied by Maid Marian, but certainly they could still maybe have a good time. Drizella though did not hesitate to follow her mother's orders. But when she saw that her sister was yet again not following right behind them she coldly asked, "Come on stupid, what are you looking at?"

The red haired sister said nothing at first as she looked over at her stepsister and the former outlaw as they continued to dance. She then let out a sigh as she answered, "Coming..." She then for the second time that night followed slowly behind her sister and mother.

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Once the band had ended that sung and began to play another Robin Hood and Cinderella took this opportunity to walk outside of the ballroom and sit on a bench that was there. After they did this though the orange and white furred vulpine let out a heavy sigh as Cinderella turned a little so that she was facing him as she asked with concern, "Robin, is something wrong?"

She then noticed that his ears were folded back on top of his head and that his tail was slowly swaying from left to right while he answered, "Well, I just realized that I always knew that Maid Marian deserved someone better then me." He then gave her a smile as he added, "So I'm hoping that she will be happy with the Prince...if they decide to start a relationship that is."

The blue eyed woman was not completely sure where the vulpine was going with this as she asked, "Robin, are you trying to tell me something?"

She then was taken aback when he placed her right hand into his left hand and then covered it with his right before he replied, "Yes Cinderella, there is something that I'm trying to tell you." He then stared into her eyes again and as he face got closer to hers he went on with, "You see Cinderella, I..."

"Yes?" Cinderella asked, while she closed her eyes and moved her face upwards.

The former outlaw was going to try and say what he wanted to tell her. But before he could their lips met in a soft and tender kiss. To Robin Hood's surprise both of his ears and tail went upwards after just a few seconds of the kiss as he put his arms around her waist and pulled her a bit closer. Sadly that was as far as the vulpine could get because once the clock stroked at midnight Cinderella quickly broke the kiss and said with shock, "Oh, my it's already midnight."

Robin Hood just stood up onto his feet and helped her onto hers as he reassured her with, "Don't worry Cinderella, I'll be sure to get you home before there are any problems with you stepmother."

Cinderella smiled up at him in graduate and as the two made their way back inside the castle and then towards the main entrance he then opened the door for her just like what he had done earlier that night. Once the carriage had pulled up to the estate both Cinderella and Robin Hood got out of it while it then made it's way back to the castle. When the blonde haired woman noticed this she asked, "Robin, why didn't you stay in the carriage? I'm certain that if you had asked the driver would have taken you back to the inn that you are staying at."

"Yes, but it is improper for a gentleman to not escort the lady that he has spent the evening with to the front door." Robin Hood replied, as he took her hand and walked towards the main doors.

And after he had opened the door for her Cinderella stepped inside the estate. She then turned around and whispered, "Thank you for taking me to the ball Robin, I had a wonderful time."

"I'm glad to hear you say that Cinderella, I too also had a pleasant time." Robin Hood replied, as he looked into her eyes one more time.

He then was taken aback when she took a few steps forward and pressed her lips against his cheek. And after a few seconds had passed she removed her lips from his face and backed away from him as she said, "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Cinderella." Robin Hood replied, while she then slowly shut the door and made her way upstairs to her room. But while the vulpine made his walk back towards town he could not help but smile as he then placed his right hand over his cheek.