Chapter Twenty Five ~ Birthday Celebrations

Marmaduke was the first to give me a birthday presents.

In the early hours of the morning I felt someone shaking me lightly. At first I didn't respond as I guessed I was probably just dreaming but as it continued I realised it wasn't. Half awake, half asleep, I opened my eyes and set them on the smiling chef. He was stood by my bed with a box in his hands.

"Happy Birthday, Miss Maria." He beamed. I yawned and sat up. As I did this, he placed the box on my lap. The box was a bright pink colour with a dark ribbon keeping it closed.

"Marmaduke, you didn't have to get me anything." I said, looking up from the box and at the chef. He shrugged.

"It's nothing special." He promised. "I didn't know what to get you so I did what I do best." I pulled lightly at the ribbon and undid the tiny knot. After I had taken the ribbon off, I put it aside and took off the lid of the box. "Chocolates for the princess. I made them yesterday. Not usually m usual recipe, I must say, but I think they turned out alright." I stared down at the tiny chocolates, each of them a different shape. One was a rabbit, another a tiny bird, a unicorn, all different shapes and sizes. "Come along then, Miss Maria. Try one." Marmaduke urged. I did as he asked and picked up the tiny heart and ate it.

The taste was indescribable.

"Marmaduke, you've succeeded again." I sighed. Marmaduke beamed with satisfaction and I reached up and kissed him on the cheek. "What time is it?" I asked.

"I do not know exactly, but I would guess around seven o'clock." He replied. "That is when I would usually lay out biscuits and milk for you." I took in this knowledge and smiled at him. "I must leave you now. I have an exquisite feast to prepare for you." I groaned as I remembered what was in store for me.

"I think I may just remain in bed all day." I sighed. Marmaduke chuckled and headed back to the kitchens. He left through the secret passage way that Loveday had used all that time back when I first arrived here. I frowned in thought. I had never asked where it led to. After today, I would ask Loveday to show me down it.

I ate another of Marmaduke's chocolates and then set the box on my dressing table. I was up now so I decided to get myself ready for the day ahead of me.

Whilst I was brushing my hair, there was a knock at my bedroom door. Before I could answer it Georgina and Claire let themselves in, both holding boxes under their arms and already dressed for the day before us.

"Dear me, Maria," Claire groaned. "You couldn't have chosen a smaller door!" I laughed and the two sat themselves down on my bed.

"Happy Birthday!" They chorused. I rolled my eyes as they held out their presents towards me and argued about who's present was to be opened first.

In the end I chose to open Claire's first, save myself more argument. Hers was a large box and I could tell by the box itself that the whatever was inside was expensive. I was correct. Upon opening the lid of the box, I set eyes on a pair of glistening silver shoes. I had to agree, they were beautiful. They were a simple silver colour, that practically glowed in the light, and had a small flowered strap across the top of the shoe. The heels on them were diabolical and I pictured myself falling over in them a lot. I thanked Claire for them and told her that they were beautiful. She squealed with delight.

Georgina's was a smaller box, tiny compared to the previous presents I had received. I opened it carefully, scared to break it and saw, inside, was a bracelet. I lifted it out, just as carefully I had done with the lid, and examined it. It was quite detailed and complicated, I must admit, with various charms and crystals hanging off it. The bracelet itself seemed too out of place in the room I was in, too majestic for a simple girl like me. I thanked Georgina, as I had done with Claire, and she gave me her friendly, familiar smile.

Both presents had left me speechless. I could tell they must have cost a lot of money, though both my friends didn't seem to care. I hadn't seen either of them in a year and yet they still bought me such amazing gifts. Though I did remember how incredibly rich both their families were, buying the gifts probably wasn't a bother to them.

I left Georgina's and Claire's presents in my room, promising them that I would wear them at the party in the evening, and we left to go downstairs for breakfast. What surprised me more was seeing everyone else up and sat around the dinning table already. Upon entrance, everyone bided me 'Happy Birthday' and I was handed presents across the table.

Mrs Heliotrope gave me books, knowing that I loved to read, which she promised I would enjoy. She also promised me that they would have none of the Love at first sight 'nonsense' and I was grateful for them. On the label it read 'From Mrs Heliotrope and Digweed', so when my tutor's husband entered the room I stood up and gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek to say my thanks to him. He was left wordless and slightly awestruck when he exited the room.

From my Aunt and Cousin, I was given a collection of gifts which Aunt Sylvia told me she had picked up on their travels for me. In the selection were tiny shrunken heads, voodoo dolls and even some small figurines that Cousin Barney told me were supposed to bring me luck. I was completely baffled by the gifts I had received from them and gave them a breathless thank you.

After breakfast, Loveday told me to come with her to get my present from her and Uncle. We headed up the manor and came to the bedroom Loveday and Uncle shared. I had rarely been inside their room, the only times I had been inside was for both Loveday's and Mrs Heliotrope's wedding days when I was to help get them both ready.

Loveday hurried over to a cupboard on the far side of the room and pulled out a large box, which she then placed on the large four-post bed. I stared, wide-eyed, at it.

"What on earth did you get me?" I cried. "A lion?" She laughed. I walked over and stood by the edge of the bed.

"Open it and you will find out." She said. Warily, I did as she said. When I did manage to open the box, I was slightly confused by what it was but then Loveday reached inside and pulled out the contents and I then realised it to be a dress.

The dress was long and flowing and feathered out at the skirt. It was a simple white or cream colour and had tiny blue flowers scattered around variously. Around the waist was a blue ribbon, much like the ones I possessed, and I could see it was satin.

Loveday took my hand and pulled me over to the mirror in the corner. She stood me in front of it then held the dress in front of me. I gazed into the mirror at the dress and tried to imagine myself in it. But I couldn't. It seemed too extravagant for me to picture myself wearing.

"You can wear it tonight, if you like." Loveday said, breaking my wonder. She placed the dress carefully on the bed and I hugged her, thanking her for it. "You must remember to thank your Uncle also. Though he doesn't actually know what he's got you, so remember to mention it when you do." I laughed.

After we had gone back downstairs and I had thanked a completely confounded Uncle, Loveday went back into panic mode again and rushed about the manor, making sure preparations for tonight were perfect.

I spent most the day, trying to stay out of her way and attempting to read a book Mrs Heliotrope had got me and examining the various presents I had received from Aunt Sylvia and Cousin Barney. Georgina kept me company as Claire was too busy fraternising with my cousin. It was then I decided I would ask Georgina for the well needed advice. Though I had originally decided to ask her after she had met Robin, I thought against it as this may be one of the rare moments I would spend alone with her today.

"Georgina." I said, putting down my book. She looked up from the voodoo doll she was examining and smiled. "Can I ask you something?"

"Ask away." She put down the doll and sat, ready to listen. I wasn't quite sure where I should to start.

"I kind of need your advice on something. I didn't want to ask you before because Claire was around and you know what she's like."

"Understandable." Georgina agreed, grinning. "What do you want to ask me? Is there something wrong?"

"It's nothing bad!" I said quickly. "It's just," I paused for a few moments. "Recently, I've been having these strange feelings," I began, trying to work out how to arrange the words I was going to say. "Whenever I'm around Robin." Her smile grew slightly.

"As in, Robin your De Noir friend?" She asked. I nodded. "What kind if feelings?"

"I don't know, that's what I'm confused about." I sighed. "I just have a weird feeling in my stomach whenever he's around and I just don't know what it is."

"You mean, like having butterflies in your stomach?" Georgina asked, her smile turning into a knowing, excited one. The phrase she said was one I had used to describe the feelings I was having for quite some time now. It was good to know I was not the only one.

"Yes." I nodded slowly.

"You do know what that implies, don't you?" She asked, grinning now. I nodded again. "It just means you like him." She said it like it was nothing. But to me it wasn't. Robin was my best friend. I had always knew I felt something other than just friendship for him, but I just thought it was a usual feeling when it came to having best friends from the opposite gender.

"I suppose that would explain a lot." I said, finally.

"It's nothing to ashamed of." Georgina said, taking my silence the wrong way.

"I'm not ashamed. It's just," I sighed. "He's my best friend." Another pause. "Other than you and Claire of course." I added quickly. It made Georgina smile. "I didn't ever think that I could like him other than that. I mean, he's an arrogant fool!" Georgina laughed.

"I can't wait to meet him." She said. Georgina paused. "You should tell him."

"Why on earth would I do that?" I asked. She sounded much like Loveday. Loveday. She was right all along. I did feel something for her brother. She isn't going to let me live it down once I tell her.

"Incase he feels the same." She was practically Loveday's twin. Very persistence and full of outrageous and stupid ideas.

"And if he doesn't and I've just made the biggest fool out of myself?" I challenged, raising an eyebrow at my friend. She shrugged.

"Give me one reason why he wouldn't like you?" I opened my mouth to give her a full list when Loveday burst into the room.

"Maria, we must get you ready." She said, panting like she had been running. "Come on, guests will be arriving very soon." I sighed and followed her up to hers and Uncle's bedroom.

Georgina helped Loveday with getting me into the dress then headed off to get herself ready and to find Claire. After I had been put into the dress, Loveday sat me down by her dressing table and began to do my hair. She took it out the plait I had put it in this morning and let it fall around my shoulders. She then began to arrange tiny flowers in it, that matched the dress perfectly. A thin silver headband was placed in my hair and Loveday stepped back to examine her work.

"You look stunning." She declared after some time. Claire's and Georgina's present were brought from my room and Loveday told me that they would go wonderfully with my dress. I put the bracelet on without any unease and they turned to the shoes.

"I can see myself falling over a lot tonight." I muttered, slipping on shoe on.

"If you do not wear them, then Claire will be very hurt." Loveday reminded me. She was just about finished getting herself ready and brushing her hair as I struggled into the shoes. Finally I put them both on and braved myself to stand up. They took some getting used to, but they seemed to grow on me. They also weren't a big as I thought they were. My dress hid them from view and I was still a considerable amount shorter than Loveday.

"Am I done?" I asked. Loveday smiled and nodded.

"By the way, I forgot to mention." She began. "A lot of your Uncle's 'friends' will be coming tonight. It seems Benjamin had a mix up with the invites and told them to come today instead of when he had originally planned. I hope that's not a bother?"

"It's fine." I reassured her. The more the merrier.

And the more to see me fall on my face.

Things seemed to happen quickly once we left the security of Loveday's bedroom. Guests began to arrive and I was busy greeting and thanking people, too busy to even remember their names. The main hall was full with happy people. Marmaduke had set out his grand feast, which satisfied everyone's appetites. A few women from the village had expressed an interest in the piano, that Loveday had had moved from my study room into the grand hall, and had began playing and singing loudly, providing entertainment for everyone.

People were dancing and eating and seemed to be having a good time. I saw Claire firmly attached to Cousin Barney and I quickly showed her that I was wearing the shoes she had given me. She seemed very happy and gave me a big hug to thank me.

Georgina remained close to me and would constantly be asking which one of the guests were Robin. The De Noir party had not arrived yet and I could see Loveday getting anxious.

"They're probably on their way now." I said to Loveday. "It's a long trek from De Noir castle to here." I reminded her.

"Yes, through the forest." Loveday sighed. I didn't say anything. She was thinking the worse as I had been trying not to. All the other guests had arrived through the forest safely, though the De Noir's had an infinitely longer journey to make. They were the only guests that hadn't arrived yet.

I was about to say something else when I felt someone grab my arm and I turned to see Claire, without Cousin Barney, pulling me towards the dance floor. I could see her other hand was pulling Georgina towards it aswell.

"Dance with me!" She cried. It was a difficult task, trying to dance all together, we ending up doing variously odd dance moves, which I'm sure confused everyone around us.

I was having fun, though. Besides my complaints and dread for this evening, I was having fun. It was unexpected, I had to admit.

When I had pulled myself away from Georgina and Claire I headed towards where the food was situated. I hadn't had a drink all evening, so as the oddly tasting drink, which I guessed to be punch, touched my lips it felt so good. I ended up finished the cup in one and quickly got myself another one. I turned back to the dance floor just as a slower song came on. I watched as couples took the floor and slow danced together. The couple that stood out most to me was Mrs Heliotrope and Digweed. They moved somewhat awkwardly at first but soon got into it and danced gracefully.

I watched Mrs Heliotrope's face and how happy it was. I realised then that she had defiantly made the right choice in marrying Digweed, as they looked so much in love as the danced and swayed slowly together. Just watching them made me smile.

Loveday caught my eye as I saw her exit the room quickly. I thought about following her but some children from the village came up to me to wish me 'Happy Birthday'.

"So where's this friend of yours, Maria?" Claire asked. Her and Georgina had joined me once the children skipped away onto the dance floor. Georgina caught my eye and grinned at me. Thankfully Claire missed it. I was about to tell her that the De Noir's had not arrived yet when something behind them made me stop and look.

Coeur De Noir entered the room, in his usual black robes. It seemed like ages since I had seen him. He looked much the same, though on his face was a large grin as he gazed around the crowded room. Mr Gomez stood by him, equally as perplexed by everything. When gazing around, Mr De Noir found me and I saw him and Mr Gomez make their way towards me.

"Maria, my dear!" Mr De Noir beamed, his arms open for a hug. I gave him one immediately. "Happy Birthday and I must apologise for out lateness."

"It's quite alright, Mr De Noir." I reassured him. Mr Gomez stepped forward and took my hand to kiss it.

"You don't know how grateful I am to see you again, Miss Maria." He began. "Robin has been utter torture with your absence. Constant moaning and whining, it's been unbelievable!" I grinned. I saw Georgina and Claire share a look, all thoughts of me lying to them, clearly out the window now. What stood before them was clear evidence that the De Noir's existed.

"And here is your present, Maria." Mr De Noir handed me a box, which I did not know he was holding. "It's nothing too fancy, I'm sorry. Though my son didn't think it was wise to tell me what you could possibly want, so I had to work it out by myself." A cough was heard from Mr Gomez. "Alright, we had to work it out by ourselves."

I opened the box and stared inside. Situated inside was something I recognised immediately. The pearl box in which the Moon pearls were placed in by the original Moon Princess. I took it out and opened it. Inside sat the key. I looked up at the De Noir men.

"We have no use for it." Mr De Noir shrugged. "Though that may seem like we are dumping it on you, we're not. You are the rightful owner of them, after all." He smiled at me.

"And if you do not like it, blame Robin." Mr Gomez added making me laugh. I thanked them both.

"I must apologise to you again, Maria." Mr De Noir began, sighing. "We seemed to have picked up an unwanted annoyance. I tried to get rid of them, but it seemed that my brother-in-law and his slimy toad can't take 'no' for an answer." This information downed my mood slightly. I had hoped that the Cunningham's weren't going to come, but it seemed that I would have to face them. Claire coughed quietly, suddenly.

"Mr De Noir, Mr Gomez, these are my friends from London, Georgina and Claire." I introduced, nodding to my friends in turn. Both men turned and greeted them.

"A pleasure to meet you, my dears." Mr De Noir said pleasantly. He turned back to me, but something behind me caught his eye. I guessed it was the feast. "It's a good job we have not had dinner." He grinned. "If you excuse me, ladies." He walked past me and headed for the table of food. Mr Gomez rolled his eyes.

"I simply cannot take him anywhere." He sighed, before tipping his head at the three of us and following Mr De Noir. I turned to my two friends.

"So they're the infamous De Noirs." Claire said, eyes on the present I had just received.

"They are Robin's father and tutor." I corrected her.

"But no sign of the boy himself, so to speak." Claire said, a smile playing on her perfect lips. I frowned at her. I opened my mouth to say something when a cheerful Loveday appeared.

"What did my father get you then?" She asked. I lifted up the box in my hands. Her eyes widened. "Well that is something." She smiled. Before I could say anything, she took the box from me.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"I'll take this up to your room to put with the rest of your presents." She explained. She then paused for a few moments. "There's also some that you need to open." I stared at her.

"What?"

"You can do it later." She reassured me. "Now you have better things to do." A small smile fell onto her lips. I knew it all too well. A knowing, mischievous smile. "There's someone here who I think you'd like to see."

"Who?" She didn't say anything, she just turned and left. I was about to call after her when I saw who she meant. Walking towards me, a large grin on his face and his bowler hat back in it's rightful place, was Robin De Noir. He stopped in front of me.

"Happy Birthday, princess."

(A/N) Wow that took me long to write!

This is my last chapter to now for a while. I will be extremely busy over Christmas and I will not be able to write anymore. So this chapter will have to do for now. This is my Christmas present to you all! :)

Please tell me what you think, your reviews are loved very much!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

-jemlou-