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-Rin

Chapter 11

M

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Robin and I are engaged! This was like a fairytale come true! The prince (of sorts) had asked me to marry him and, of course, I said yes. But there was one small problem to this… we weren't even courting yet. So, I guess technically, we weren't engaged… but I preferred to think we were.

The walk to Robin's father's office was a long one, and I was quiet nervous. Robin, oh my strong Robin, was trembling. I saw the tight determination in his eyes and I felt the secure grip he had on my hand telling me this would be okay, but I also saw the paleness of his smooth face, and felt the shaking and slight sweating of his hand. He hadn't always been treated right by his father, and I had a feeling he was thinking the same thing.

"Robin, it'll be fine." I whispered, saying it more to reassure myself then anything. The castle was uncharacteristically quiet and that frightened me more that when it was filled with drunken, wild bandits.

My handsome bird looked down on me with his tawny eyes. "Yes, I know." he replied as he planted a kiss on my forehead.

"You seem… seem so tense." I stated, trying to describe the vibes coming off his shoulders without telling him he seemed scared. This was obviously not the time to.

"Mm I suppose I am… I mean there are reasons I should be."

I looked at him. "Like you could be beaten?" I asked as softly as a breath of wind. Robin's eyes widened and he froze, causing me to stop as well. He stood, staring at me, and a then he laughed a dry laugh. One that lacked humor.

"Oh, Maria… That's not the worst they could do and that's not what I was thinking of!" He took me into a hug and rested his chin on my head. "The thing I'm worried about- scared of, even- is that they'll prevent me from seeing you. They could lock me away, banish me from this area, anything. They sure tried with my sister." I felt him pause and take a deep breath.

"Princess, what I'm most afraid of in this world is losing you."

I couldn't move, the sweet words sinking into my every limb. I just stood there, faced pressed into Robin's chest, thinking how he had voiced my own worst fear as well.

"We had better hurry. It's almost time for lunch, and, thanks to a certain princess, we missed breakfast." Robin looked down at me, his courage and usual demeanor having returned. He took my hand and intertwined our fingers. He swung the pair backwards and forwards and we chatted idly about what we should do with the remainder of the day, after lunch that is.

Eventually, we came upon another set of heavy wooden doors and Robin paused, looking up at the code of arms with a great lion roaring, a crown encircling it mighty head. Robin heaved a breath and muttered, "Qui ne risque rien n'a rien." Nothing venture nothing gain.

Robin pushed the doors open with such ease, I wondered if it was hollow, but I heard the hinges groan as the weight of the solid door pulled on the steel. Standing in the doorway, Robin, turning to look at me, said, "Two options, Princess. You can either come with me while I discuss this with my father." He said "discuss" as though it was an understatement.

"Or, you can stand out here until I come out." If I come out. I thought, the words filled in the silence with the words I knew he wouldn't say.

"I'm coming with you." I said automatically, clinging to his arm. Robin smiled down at me, glad I decided to come with him.

"Alrighty then, Princess. Time to announce our courtship to the lord of the Forest." He held his arm out toward me, and I looped my own though. "Let's proceed then, to the main event." I replied, mock manners of rich English ladies coating my voice.

We walked through the door and down a tiny hallway. There, a curtain of velvet blocked the view into what I supposed was Monsieur De Noir's study.

"Father? I have something very important to discuss with you." Robin's voice dropped a few octaves as he spoke.

"Enter." A very sleepy and bored voice drawled. Robin swept the curtain out of the way and entered, me in tow.

Coeur De Noir sat behind a huge desk, of which the entire surface was covered with stacks of papers, old quills, pots of ink. There was literally no room for another piece of paper. He had bags under his eyes and looked thoroughly worn out. When he saw his son, he sat back and sighed, a smile spreading across his chubby face.

"Ah, Robin! What is it you wish to speak to me about?" he asked. I squeezed Robin's hand to give him support, and received a tight squeeze back.

"Father, I would like to request your permission to- to being courting Maria. Maria… Merryweather." He said the last word gingerly, as if it would set a bomb off. He stared at his father, watching his every move, ready to run or defend, whichever was necessary.

Coeur looked thoughtful for a long moment, his hands folded under his chin, elbows propped on the little space left on the desk. Finally, he spoke.

"Very well."

Robin, who clearly was not expecting this answer started rambling at his father, "There is nothing you can do to stop me! I love Maria and plan on marrying her and- wait, what?" He paused, looking wide eyed at his father.

Still calm and placid, Master De Noir replied, "Do what you wish. I approve of Mademoiselle Maria, and I see no reason to keep you from it." There was a moment of silence that followed, broken by Robin's, "Unbelievable." Then all Hell broke loose.

Robin whipped around and picked me up, spinning me in circles, his hat flying off his head, to be forgotten on the floor. "He said yes, Maria! Yes!" He repeated. Coeur chuckled and watched as his youngest was as a child in his glee. He had just been given the world it seemed.

He set me back on the ground, his arm still around my waist supporting me as I was a wee bit dizzy. He kissed me then and there, in front of his father, and, when he broke away, leaned his head against mine. "Phase one of this mission, complete." He said, his smile reaching his eyes.

I laughed and nodded. Master De Noir cleared his throat, and Robin stepped away, embarrassed from his sudden outburst and public display of affection.

"Robin, if I might say so, it seems you have found your l'amour vrai." Coeur said.

Robin glanced down at me and nodded. "Yeah, I believe I have, Father." Suddenly his stomach rumbled and the sweet moment was shattered. "Let's go get food." Robin said, taking up my hand as he turned toward the door. "Oh, and Father. Thanks." He smiled at his father and we walked out the office door and down the stairs to the dining hall.

"Sorry it's not your chefs cooking but it'll have to do." Robin told me as we sat to eat. There was a wide spread of meats, similar to what it had been when I had first ventured in here.

"It's fine, so long as there's food." I replied as I started to dig in. Robin smiled at me over his goblet, which I suspected was filled with wine, and he said, "Oh, yes. You'll make a fine De Noir, indeed."