Hey guys, so I am so sorry that it's taken me almost a year to update and I'm sure you are all furious with me but I have a good excuse. I lost my home and all my money to an abusive ex and then I joined the army so I've been in training for almost half a year and I just got back and borrowed my moms computer. Don't hate me. I still have four days till I have to go back to work due to this whole Covid-19 bs so I will type out another chapter or two for yall before i go back. I'd say I'm ready to wrap the story up soon. I want to give a shout out to one of my reader to. Marthmello thanks for reading my story and loving it enough to ask for more. Along with KaiMana, Ezza, Iua, Uki, Meepywriter, Lucky Lucy Heart (thanks for all the support on my stories), MaryandMerlin, and the 5 guests. Thanks again. Now enjoy.

By the time they had all finished dinner, Maria realized she needed to use the bathroom and quickly excused herself as everyone filed back to the main hall for the last round of dances. She easily found the bathroom and was finished in record time so that she could head back to Robin and the others. Only, Maria didn't make it that far. She'd barely stepped into the main hallway when she was confronted by Genevieve looking quite nettled. Her arms were crossed over her chest and she blocked Maria's path back to the party as she glared.

"What do you want," Maria asked calmly, though it was tough. She'd never wanted to slap another woman as much as she wanted to slap this De Voir.

"I want you to give me Robin," she said, a smirk making its way onto her lips.

Maria stared at her for a moment before laughing. "Yeah like I'd do that. Excuse me." Maria attempted to side step her but Genevieve spun around and grabbed her arm forcing her to face her way again.

"Don't joke with me," she snarled. "I've known Robin since we were in diapers. He was promised to me long before we were engaged and long before you were around. He is my prize to be won. Mine to own. I'm not about to hand him over to some tramp from the trash Merriweather family unworthy of the de Noir name. You lot are scum and don't deserve to be associated with anyone in our family. Even if you are the bloody Moon Princess."

Maria could only stare at her for several minutes before she snapped. A lady could only hold her anger in for so long after all, even if she was also the Moon Princess. Maria felt her face heat up and her fists clench. She yanked her arm free of the nasty woman's grasp and took a step back to put distance between them. She couldn't stand to be in the same space as her.

"You don't own Robin," Maria bit out, her anger seeping out despite her struggle to reel it in. "He is not a prize. He decides who he promises himself to. He is my best friend. He is not some possession and I refuse to stand here and listen to you describe him as such. Think what you want about me and my family, but whether you like it or not, my uncle and Robin's sister are getting married tomorrow and then our two families will be one. But that's something you won't be part of."

"Wha-"

"You're leaving," Maria growls. "And don't try and fight me on it. Robin, his father, and my family will all be on my side in this matter. You were told to back off. And I'm telling you to stay away from Robin. He is not yours. He is not a possession. But he is mine and I'll burn in hell before I hand him over to someone like you." Maria stepped around her and this time she didn't try and stop her only glaring at her in barely contained fury. "Don't come back to the party or I will kick you out in front of all of the guests and it'll be your embarrassment."

Maria made her way back to the party, a happy smile on her face. She'd waited outside the hall until she'd calmed down a bit. She didn't want anyone to be worried. She scanned the crowd until she spotted Robin and everyone over in their usual corner, making her way over. She wouldn't hide anything about what had just transpired between herself and the de Noirs' cousin. But it turned out she didn't have to say anything as they all already knew.

"Sorry Princess," Robin offered weakly. "I'd seen Genevieve follow you after dinner and I wanted to make sure she didn't try anything. I'd planned on interfering if it came to it but I wasn't needed." He chuckled and wrapped an arm loosely around Maria's shoulders. "Thank you for defending me like that by the way," he whispered to Maria so only she could hear. Maria peered up at him with a smile and leaned into his touch. Today had been emotionally taxing and Maria was looking forward to the time when the party wrapped up and she could retire. Until then though, she was more than content to spend her time in Robin's arms.

They danced some, but mostly they sat in their little corner and talked to Uncle Benjamin and Loveday along with Robin's father and whoever came over to greet them and wish Loveday and Uncle Benjamin a happy marriage tomorrow. Before they knew it, it was time for the party to end and for everyone to retire for the night. Despite how tired she was, Maria hung back with Robin as the guests left the hall, even staying past Robin's father and sister and Maria's uncle going to bed. They took their time as Robin escorted Maria to her room. They didn't talk, but Robin kept an arm wrapped around Maria's shoulders the entire walk and Maria couldn't help but lean into the warmth of his embrace and inhale the smell that was leather and forest and him. By the time they reached Maria's room she was having trouble keeping her eyes open.

"Well I shall leave you to sleep," Robin said, pulling away so that he was standing directly in front of her. "Get a good night's rest. We've got a big day tomorrow."

He turned like he would leave but then stopped, peering down at Maria for a second before pulling her into a light hug. "You really were quite beautiful tonight." He heaved a sigh. "But please take it easy on me tomorrow. I don't know if my heart can handle you being so beautiful two days in a row." He pulled back slightly only to dip his head and plant a gentle but electrifying kiss to the side of Maria's neck making her release a gasp. Then he pulled away, his signature smirk painted onto his face at the sight of Maria's bright red face.

"Goodnight Princess." He bowed slightly before turning and heading down the hall.

"Goodnight my Robin," Maria whispered after he'd turned the corner and disappeared. If only she knew how sound carried in those empty castle halls even if by just a whisper. If only she'd seen Robin freeze at her use of 'my' in her farewell. If only she'd seen the happy smile on his handsome face. If only she'd known this, maybe she never would have doubted for even a second that their feelings for each other weren't the same.

All she could do was turn and enter her room in the de Noir castle, clueless to everything else and with Robin's words on how her beauty affected him on her mind. Maria slept well that night.