Lunch went well. Robin and Maria joined the party guests and their family at the banquet and joined in on the chatter.. Maria sat across from Robin between her uncle and Loveday with Coir and Miss Heliotrope who had been missing for most of the day sat on either side of Robin. Maria found herself taking sneak peeks at Robin throughout the meal and even caught him doing the same. Sir De Noir had made him take off his hat which now sat beside his plate. They had been question when they arrived to eat to see if they were alright especially Maria. Maria had assured them she was fine and that Robin had helped her stay strong in the ordeal. Before the meal was done Maria asked to be excused saying she was tired and would like to rest up a little before the final half of the evening.

Robin insisted on walking with her to her room but she persuaded him to only walk her as far as the stairs outside the dining hall.

"Are you sure I can't take you the rest of the way?"

"Thank you Robin but you should get back to the party. Have someone come get me when the banquet is done."

"I'll come," Robin said immediately making Maria giggle.

"Alright bird boy, you can come and get me. I'll see you later." With that, Maria turned and headed for her room. As soon as she was there she went for the wardrobe, pulling out the tapestry and laying it out on the bed. She unpinned the pearls and went to work. She finished in little over half an hour. Her fingers had started to cramp so she was glad she'd made it in time. Looking over the finished piece she smiled. It had been hard work but tomorrow she could give it to her uncle and Loveday. She folded it up and went over to the wardrobe again where she wrapped it in a bright red cloth and tied it with a bow. Once it was wrapped she sat it back down in the corner of the wardrobe. Right as she was closing the door she heard a knock. She made her way over to her door and pulled it open to reveal a smiling Robin.

"Hello Princess," he greeted with a small bow. Maria giggled. "Are you well rested?"

'No,' Maria thought to herself feeling more tired now than she did when she'd come up here. But she smiled and nodded.

"Let's go then. Everyone's already started dancing." Robin offered her his arm and after closing her door she took hold of it and followed him down stairs.

The party was in full swing with everyone dancing and laughing with full bellies. The music was fast paced and catchy. Maria pulled Robin onto the floor as soon as they entered the room and they danced for two songs before going to look for his father, Loveday, and Sir Benjamin.

"Maria, Robin. There you two are," Sir Benjamin announced when they finally found their table. Maria was still catching her breath so she only smiled in way of greeting.

"Sorry Sir Benjamin," Robin began. "Maria wanted to dance and I just couldn't say no."

"Did you get enough sleep dear," Loveday questioned.

Maria nodded. She glanced around at them frowning.

"Where's Miss Heliotrope?"

"She retired from the party after lunch," Benjamin said. "I believe she was going to spend time with Digweed."

This made Maria smile. Her teacher hadn't made much time for her fiance since the announcement of Loveday and Benjamin's wedding so she was glad they were together right now.

"That woman never relaxes," Coir De Noir stated. "Hope this Digweed fellow can get her to loosen up. Robin do you mind if I steal your lady for a dance?"

Robin seemed to hesitate but then he shook his head. "Not at all father."

Robin released me and I took Sir Coir's arm as he led me out to dance, glancing briefly back at Robin before disappearing in the crowd. Coir De Noir was a fairly good dancer and kept a good conversation going.

"Are you liking the party so far Miss Merryweather?"

"Oh yes very much so," Maria responded smiling. "The food was wonderful and I love to dance."

"I do apologize for the earlier incident with our cousin Mr. De Voir. Unfortunately it would have been rude to exclude just him from the invite so we were forced to allow him to come though we won't make that mistake again."

"It's fine. I was a little upset but I'm fine now."

"I believe my son may have been more upset about the matter actually," Coir said with a chuckle and a wink at Maria. "I've never seen him get so protective of anything, not even that precious hat of his. I swear, even after I tell him not to wear it he still finds a way."

"Actually I requested the hat," Maria admits. "It's actually the reason I ended up dancing with that guy because I convinced Robin to leave me with Loveday and go get it."

"So you're to blame," Coir said booming with laughter. "You're a smart girl. I'll beat my son to a pulp if he lets you get away. He better make you his before some other guy comes around and marries you."

"M-marries me?!" Maria's eyes widened and her face went red.

"Well of course. You're old enough and you're a wonderful girl. If Robin doesn't hurry up, some other gents going to come along and snatch you up."

"But I don't think Robin likes me that way Sir De Noir," Maria said quietly her face as red as her hair.

"Trust me dear Maria, my son likes you more than he cares to admit."

"I-" Before she could respond, the subject of their conversation materialized beside them. "Father may I cut in?"

"Can't even let someone else have her for a full dance," Coir De Noir laughed. "Here ya go boy." Coir handed Maria over then after a small bow walked away.

"Did he drive you nuts," Robin asked. His eyes bore into Maria's and the blush on her face reddened. She looked away quickly. "Princess?"

His father's words replayed in her mind and she became curious. Did he really see her like that? Was it actually possible he wanted her to be his? The last question though… did she want to his?

"You're always blushing," Robin said with a chuckle. He bent down as they danced until his breath fanned her ear. "It makes you look quit adorable Princess," he whispered. Maria gasped, pulling back slightly to look a him. His brown eyes locked on hers and everything around them seemed to dim away until all she saw was the face of her best friend. They stared at each other for what seemed like forever. Neither of them even seemed to notice they had stopped dancing almost as if they were under a spell. Maria felt the rim of his hat brush the top of her head as he leaned closer until their foreheads were touching.

"Princess," Robin spoke softly. "Maria."

"Robin?" Maria's heart was beating wildly in her chest.

Suddenly the spell was broken as Robin was pulled away. Confused, Maria refocused on the people around her. Robin stood a few feet away but he wasn't alone. A woman almost as tall as him was hugging his arm to her chest. She had long blond hair that reached just below her shoulders and wore a bright red, off the shoulder dress with a slit up the side to reveal her leg and the matching heels. Her face was caked in makeup including bright red lipstick and pink eye shadow. The sight of her made Maria's blood boil.

"Robbie I've missed you soooo much," the woman squealed in a high pitched voice.

"Genevieve get off me," Robin said trying to pull away from the woman but failing.

"Oh Robbie you can't get away! Dance with me!"

"No, I'm here with someone," Robin said rejecting her.

"Who could you possibly be with that's better than me," she snarled.

"Me! He's here with me." Maria marched forward glaring at the woman. "Let him go."

"Her," the woman, Genevieve asked looking at Robin. She looked back at me and laughed. "Yeah right. There's no way he'd be with such a borish child. Who are you?"

"Maria Merryweather, his best friend. Who are you," I snapped.

"Genevieve De Voir, his fiance."

So figured it needed a plot twist. She wont stay long though. hope you liked it RxR