*AUTHOR'S NOTE*- I'm really sorry guys that it's been so long. My email has been fillin' up with so many reviews and urges to write on, so here we go again! I'm gonna try to be more faithful with my writing, so please, enjoy this new chapter.

MARIO POV

My tower, the only place which I could escape to and no one could ever interrupt my despairs. I was ashamed of what I did, just storming out like that, without a word to anyone about it. Just when everyone finally was thinking I had actually matured a little, I go and end it like this.

I reached for the silver chain tuck down in my bodice and felt the cold locket against my chest as I pulled it out. I read the inscription again. "Mon amour à mes enfants, Brigitte" whoever this Brigitte was, she must have had a loved life. Sometimes I wish that I could become that girl. That is I stared into the engraved words I would magically be sucked into her past life.

I sighed and tucked the locket back safely down my corset and walked to the balcony. The double doors opened grandly as I walked to the edge of the railing. The night air was cool on my face, and the dark trees were gently swaying in the breeze.

As I looked off farther into the distance, a small pebble flew up from the ground and brushed my shoulder. I leaned on further unto the railing and saw a dark leather figure gazing anxiously up at me.

It was my Robin.

"Maria! Maria please answer me!" He called. I looked back up and sighed. Would I reject him, or accept his sympathy. No, he would feel the wrath of Maria Merryweather.

"Robin de Noir I have nothing to say to you!" I shouted back down. But that wouldn't stop him. "Fine then, if you won't answer me, I'll just come up to you!" I replied back, with a glimmer of hurt in his voice.

"No don't you dare! You'll kill yourself you bloody fool!" I squealed. But to late I spoke for he had already taken hold of the large juniper tree and was on his way.

I ran back inside and franticly searched for my robe. I had already stripped down to nothing but my slip, corset and pantalets and was in no state to be seen by anyone, much less a 19 year old boy, err, man.

But Loveday had already came and taken away the laundry and my robe was downstairs in a heap in the washing basket. I frantic mess, I ran behind my dressing divider and hid.

I heard a thud and knew that he had made it over the railing of the balcony and heard his gasps of air. "Princess?" he called, seeing nothing but an empty room.

"Look I know you're in here." I watched as he walked to the door, turned the key, and stuck it in his pocket. "There's no escaping you talking to me now Maria."

He paused for a moment, gaping around the room until his eyes locked on the divider. I progressed towards me slowly until I finally shrieked "Robin de Noir don't you dare take another step toward me!" He stopped a puzzled look on his face. "Princess I have to talk to you." He took another step forward.

I acted fast "No! I'm, I'm-" "Your what?" I sighed. "I'm not dressed, I didn't know anyone would be climbing up a tree and into my bedroom tonight."

I listened as he chuckled under his breath. "Ah, I see. And what do you suppose I do then my dear princess?" I peeked my head over the top with a sour expression. "Oh, just, just cover your eyes!" I griped frustrated.

ROBIN POV

I couldn't believe the position I was in right now. The girl of my dreams was just feet away from me, unclothed.

"Robin, I have an idea, just walk to my chest and pull out the velvet navy blue velvet gown on top and drape it over the divider" she called from behind her barrier. I paused for a moment, filling the air with an awkward silence.

"Please." She finally let out. I groaned and scanned the room for her carved wooden chest I made for her on her 16th birthday last year. I bent down on my knees and unlatched the lid containing dozens of Loveday's old moon princess gowns.

I reached for the blue one, right on top and latched the lid again. Maria was waiting patiently behind the divider as I draped her gown over the top "for you my princess." I mocked.

A few moments later she revealed herself in a long flowing dress that complimented her pale red locks magically. "What did you wish to speak to me about Master de Noir?" she spoke coldly.

MARIA POV

I folded my arms across my chest and waited for his reply. But instead of his lips moving, his eyes wandered down to my chest.

I looked down and saw the locket had slipped out and was glimmering by the light of the candles. "Where did you get that?" he asked, his voice sounding hollow. "I found it, out in the forest. What matter does it mean to you?"

He hastened over to my front and reached for the necklace. He cupped it in his hand and ran the other across the engraved words. "My love to my children, Brigitte." He whispered under his breath.

"Do you have any idea how long I've searched for this!" his voiced raised harshly. His face was filled with anger and pain. "Why does it concern you? I just stumbled upon it in the forest one day!"

He pulled hard on it and swiftly broke the clasp of the chain. He took a step back, his eyes never leaving the locket. His hand went down to his shirt and pulled out another long silver chain revealing not another locket, but a key at the end of it.

He slowly placed it in the tiny hole at the tip of the heart-shaped locket and turned the key. "Robin what-"he cut me off. "Hush!" he barked. Slowly, his fingers finished turning the fragile key and the clasp shot open.

A flowing harmony of music flew from the opened locket as he closed his eyes and hummed along. He looked like a child, merrily singing to a familiar tune.

"Robin I don't understand." He sighed and held the locket out to me. Inside, lay a picture of a beautiful woman with soft light brown locks and loving hazel eyes.

He then looked straight into my eyes and spoke "My mother."