They re-entered the party, ignoring the knowing looks from their family and friends as they walked arm and arm over to the table where Loveday and the others sat Loveday looked up a large smile on her face.

"Well that was fast," she chuckled. "Whatever was the matter my dear Robin?"

Robin shot a glare at his sister. "Very funny Loveday. You did that on purpose."

"Oh yes very much so. Why don't you take Maria for a dance? It is a party after all."

"Oh what a splendid idea," Sir De Noir said happily. Robin shot them a look but pulled a very red Maria away to dance. When they were gone the adults broke into a fit of laughter.

"My love you are quite devilish," Sir Benjamin said giving his fiance a kiss. "I don't think I've ever seen my niece so red."

"Well I had to do something to get Robin to act. It's been over a month and he's made no progress with Maria at all."

"Maybe tonight it will all work out," Coir De Noir said hopefully.

Back with Robin and Maria, they danced together in the middle of the room. Robin was quite content with Maria being in his arms. He was still trying to come to mind with how beautiful she was tonight. Maria did her best to avoid looking at him her face was almost as red as her hair at this point. Robin found it enchanting.

"So," Maria said to break the silence. "What happened to your hat?"

"Father told me I shouldn't wear it. Though I feel weird without it."

Maria glanced up at him nodding. "You don't look like Robin without it. Is there anyway you could sneak out and go get it?"

Robin smirked. "Do I look that bad without it Princess?"

"Of course not," Maria giggled "But you look more like yourself when you're wearing it."

"Admit it Princess, you just want me to wear it so you can steal it."

"I would never," Maria gasped dramaticly but couldn't hide the mischievous glint in her eye.

Robin let out a laugh. "I would go and get it but I'm a little worried about leaving you here alone."

"I'll just stay over by Uncle and Loveday till you get back," Maria said to reassure him. "I promise I won't go anywhere till you get back."

Robin looked slightly uneasy but he nodded. "Okay but if someone comes and asks for a dance you'll just have to turn them down. You're mine for tonight okay?"

The blush returned to Maria's cheeks as she nodded. Robin lead her over to the table where only Loveday sat at the moment. "I'll be right back okay Princess? Don't go anywhere."

Maria nodded expecting him to just go but was stunned when he reached for her hand. He held her eyes as he bent down and lifted her hand to his lips, placing a kiss on the back of her hand. Maria starred after him as he disappeared in the crowd. Only when Loveday let out a cheer did she come back to her senses. She flopped down into the chair beside Loveday in a very unladylike manner, in a total daze.

"Well it looks like that dress did the trick," Loveday said happily. "Where is he oing by the way?"

"I-I asked him to g-get his hat," Maria said. She wasn't completely sure what had just happened. She slowly turned to Loveday her face on fire. "Loveday… did you do something to Robin?"

Loveday gave her a gentle smile. "Not me my dear, you. Robin's finally realizing just what you are to him."

"What I am?"

Before Loveday could speak a figure appeared casting a shadow over the table. Maria watched Loveday's expression change into a cold stare. She looked up to see a man, maybe a few years older than her, dress in a white suit. He had blond hair and blue eyes and wore a smirk that reminded Maria of Robin. He bowed low.

"Lady Loveday how lovely to see you again. It's been years," the man said. The way he spoke was condisending and Maria knew immediately she didn't like him.

"What to you want Alister," Loveday snapped.

"Oh my how rude. If you must know I've come to ask this lovely young lady for a dance." The man, Alister, turned to Maria and offered his hand. Maria didn't move.

"Come now miss," he said in a sickenly kind voice. "I only want a dance. Denying me would be quite rude. It's not as if you are engaged or married right?"

"She's here with my brother if you must know," Loveday snapped getting to her feet. "And he will be right back."

"Robin? No way could that weasle ever wue this beauty. He's much to gritty."

Maria began to feel hot with rage. This man had the nerve to ask her for a dance then insult her best friend.

"Come now Miss Maria," Alister said though a bit more forcefully this time. "Let's not make a scene. What would that do for your familie's reputation?"

"Why you-" Loveday started but Maria shot out her hand to stop her. "It's fine Loveday. It's just one dance." Reluctantly she put her hand in Alisters.
"There we go," he said pulling her up and putting her hand on his elbow as he led her away. When they reached the dance floor, Maria reluctantly positioned herself to dance with him. As the music played she did her best to keep distance between them but found this difficult as Alister insisted on staying close.

"You do look quite lovely Miss Maria," Alister said after a moment. "It is quite a shame you are accompanied by the loly Robin. You should consider being my partner for the evening."

"Mr…"

"De Voir. second cousin to the De Noirs I'm afraid."

"Mr. De Voir, do not be mistaken," Maria said glaring up at him. "I did not except your dance because I wanted to. I did so as to not hurt my family or cause a scene. And you would do well to stop insulting Robin. He is my best friend and from what I can tell, a way better man than you."

"My Dear Maria, how could you possibly know that when you have only just met me?"

"It's not that hard to tell," Maria snapped. Alister De Voir smirked at her then spun her on the floor. As she turned, a black bowler hat caught her eye and she spotted Robin staring at them. She couldn't read his expression but she was pretty sure what was going on in his head.

"Excuse me but I have to cut this short," Maria said trying to pull away. She made it barely two steps before Alister grabbed her and yanked her back.

"My my, trying to skip out on a dance early. We can't have that. Maybe you should be punished."

"Let me go," Maria growled struggling in his grip. Alister looked up locking eyes with Robin then bent down and connected his lips to Maria's. What happened next shocked the whole ballroom.

As Robin rushed forward, Maria pushed herself away from Alister who wore a satisfied smirk. Before Robin could reached them Maria wheeled back her arm and slung it forward, her nails scraping across alister's face leaving 3 bloody claw marks on his cheek. He cried out in pain and stumpled back.

"You witch," he cried. "What the hell have you done?!"

"If you ever come near me again I will do far worse to you! I put up with you so you wouldn't cause a scene but I refuse to allow you to insult Robin or pull a stunt like that!"

Robin reached them and laid a hand on Maria's shoulder. He looked at Alister with pure hatred in his eyes.

"Don't you ever touch her again," he snarled.

"You can have that tramp. She's not good enough for-"

He was cut off by Robin's fist in his face. He fell to the ground and stared up at him in stunned silence.

"Get out."

Alister didn't argue he just scrambled to his feet and ran through the crowd. The hall was silent for a moment and the Coir De Noir cleared his throat.

"Alright I think this would be the best time to head into the dining hall for lunch. Let's go everyone."

The crowd shuffled out of the ballroom but when Robin started to follow, Maria stopped him. He turned to find her face etched with worry. She pulled at his hand and led him in the opposite direction back towards the library they had gone to before. Once alone Maria threw her arms around Robin.

"I'm sorry," she sobbed. "I'm so so sorry. I didn't mean for that to happen. I didn't want to dance with him. Please don't hate me."

Robin stared down at his Maria in shocked silence. He remembered how he had come back to the party to find Maria dancing with Alister. At first he had been hurt but when he had seen the look on Maria's face he knew she hadn't wanted to be there. And then Alister had kissed her and she'd exploded. If she hadn't lashed out at him Robin probably would have torn the bastard to shreds.

"Princess," Robin said softly, lifting her chin to meet her eyes. "There's no way I could hate you. Alister De Voir is one of the most unpleasant guys i have the misfortune of calling my cousin. I should have warned you that scum like him would be at the party. In fact I never should have left you alone. Just for this stupid hat."

Maria glanced up at the bowler hat sitting snug on his head. He still looked out of place with the suit but the hat made it better. She reached up and plucked the hat off his head backing away slightly and plopping the hat on her curly red hair. Robin smirked.

"Princess, don't be so playful, give me the hat back."

Maria shook her head and backed away again. Robin stepped forward and lunged for her but she dodged and hurried to the far side of the library which she soon realized was a mistake as she was now cornered. Robin made his way over, his smirk clear on his face. He reached out taking the hat back and then to Maria's surprise lunged at her, grabbing her around the waist and spinning her around. When he finally put her down both of them were blushing and smiling.

"Come on Princess we should go join the party. I'm starving."

"Sure thing bird boy," Maria giggled linking arms with him as they left the library.

So I know it's been like 8 months since I updated this last but I have been busy adulting. It's not easy plus i have been working 12 hours a day 5 days a week plus over time. I dont get much time off. I made this chapter extra long to make up for the wait. Sorry if the Alister thing seemed violent and rushed. Ill do better with the next chapter. Love you guys thanks for reading. Review please. MidnightFlame Out lol