Chapter 3: Shoppin' & Challenges

M:

Only five more days until the wedding, not counting today.

Today Loveday took us shopping for the wedding. She made us leave early in the morning, Miss Heliotrope and I. Uncle would be joining us later on after lunch.

I could see no point in all the shopping. If we could use magic to remake our house, then why not use it for the wedding? I voiced my thoughts to Loveday in the carriage.

"People in the village also have magic and they use their magic to earn money. We already have tons of money because we are the two main clans in the whole of Moonacre. If we didn't spend money, then what would those people to for their livelihoods?"

There was Loveday, always being so thoughtful.

"Plus, it's rule."

"Who makes the rules Loveday? As far as I've seen, there is no real government in Moonacre."

"Long before the pearls were found, the de Noirs and the Merryweathers were the law. We kept the peace and protected the valley. We were the government. I have a feeling things will go back to this soon. So far there are only three rules that apply to everyone. Do not leave Moonacre, do not let anyone in, and lastly, the one that I just told you."

Always the curious one, I asked again. "How do you prevent people from leaving and coming? How did my papa leave and how did Miss Heliotrope come in? Was my mother also from here?"

"There is wall the encircles all the valley and the de Noirs and Merryweathers are in charge of it. During the rivalry, no one was manning the gate but everyone knew leaving was a terrible idea. Until your father. He left because he wanted to go and see the world. He left, met your mother, had you, and died."

"Why is leaving such a bad idea?"

Loveday ignored me and replied in false cheeriness, "Look we're here!"

The mood brightened after that. Miss Heliotrope, who has been silent the whole ride, which was unusual for her, was close to jumping up and down. It had been a long time since she had been shopping. Turns out there were only two shops for dresses and other clothes. We went to both and tried on so many dresses, it made my head spin. Reds, purples, pinks, and whites in so many shades. At last we settled on six dresses. One for the actual wedding and the other for the afterparty. Shoes, jewelry, and other accessories came next.

By the time we were done, it was way past lunch. Uncle had already found his suit and was waiting in the cake shop. Loveday shoved the dresses at me and Miss Heliotrope and told us to go back home. She said that she could see that we were both tired. More like she wanted alone time with Uncle. Miss Heliotrope could not see that and forced her share of dresses on me. She wanted to try the cakes out. I couldn't even see over the tops of the dresses!

I tried to walk back to the carriage but I couldn't even see where I was going. There was so much to carry, even Uncle has given me his suit to carry. I was just about to drop everything, no matter if they got dirty, when most of the load was lifted off me.

"Princess, I see you have need of a knight in shining armor." Robin spoke with a tone of haughtiness as he started walking, without a backwards glance. I stumbled to catch up with him.

"Why are you in town?" I asked in a grumpy manner.

"Why that tone? I'm helping you. Anyways, I was shopping for my costume to the wedding too. And also watching as everyone else prepared for the wedding too. You know the entire valley is coming to the wedding right?"

"Wait what!?" I stopped in my tracks. I couldn't believe it. The entire valley!

"That's tradition. Every event, everyone gathered in one place." Robin smirked at me, probably laughing at my deer caught in the headlights expression. "Don't worry princess, it's not like you're the Moon Princess and everyone wants to meet you." He laughed even more.

I glared at him and stomped until I reached the carriage where Digweed was taking me home. He would come back for everyone else later.

I climbed in and Robin followed suit. "Why are you following me." I tried not to shriek, with much success, much to my surprise.

"You'll need someone to help you carry these dresses into the house, won't you?"

Ugh, he was right. I crossed my arms and went deep into thought. Robin had helped me find the pearls and had even seemed distraught when I had jumped over the cliff. Yet, I couldn't control my mood around him. Whenever I was around him, the snobby side of me came out. Before, when I barely knew him - not that I know much of him now either - I had tried being pleasant with him. Now, we had settled into an unspoken agreement of general snappiness. Oh well. At least he kept me on my toes.

The ride back home was silent, not awkward, but as if we didn't have anything to say to one another. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Robin looking at me with a thoughtful expression.

"What?" Did I have something on my face?

He said nothing and turned away to stare out the window. I frowned.

R:

I liked Maria. She was different from every other girl I had met. She was fiery, but I had a feeling most of that fieriness was being locked up. But I wasn't enough for her. I would make myself content by resorting to the one mask I had perfected, the arrogant bastard. At least he could make her laugh.

We arrived at the manor and I helped Maria quietly, my thoughts straying to what I would find when I went back to the DeNoir base. Father had said earlier that he had a surprise for me.

M:

Robin was daydreaming. I watched him, observing those little features I hadn't noticed. A scar at the base of his throat, one that has faded with the course of the years. Those striking hazel eyes. My eyes wandered to the top of his head, his prized hat. I smiled inwardly, coming up with a plan.

Once the dresses were deposited inside the manor, I turned to face Robin with my hands on my hips. "Well, if you want, you can go now." That snapped Robin out of his daydream, as he smirked at me.

"What if I don't want to leave?"

"Then I'll steal that precious little hat of yours." It was a challenge, and he knew it too.

"Well then, I'd better leave."

I led him to the front door, and as he turned to say goodbye, I reached up, and picked up the hat before slamming the door in his face. I giggled. This would be fun.

I put the hat on top of my head and ran off, without bolting the door. After all, what fun would it be if he couldn't chase me?

R:

She stole my hat! I can't believe it! Nobody has had the courage to do that since forever. I stood in front of the closed door, uncertain. She was only a girl after all. I couldn't very well tackle her.

NO! THAT WAS MY HAT AND I WOULD GET IT BACK!

Thinking she had locked the door, I put my full weight against it, and promptly fell through. The girl had an evil side.

The game was on.