IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN YOU
A/N: thank you thetwistedpumpkin for proofreading this chapter as well as the last.
disclaimer: unfortunately still do not own the characters...
hope you enjoy this chapter... :)
CHAPTER II
Robin was awoken by the sun glinting through the glass window. She roused out of bed and stretched. She sat down her dresser to brush her hair when someone came knocking on her door.
"Come in." She said.
A slim girl who was around Robin's age entered the room. She had short orange hair with light brown eyes.
"Who are you?" Robin inquired.
"I am Nami my lady, your new hand maiden" the orange haired maiden answered.
"I didn't know I had a new hand maiden. Where's Mrs. Wilson?" Robin wondered. She usually greets her first early in the morning.
"She resigned yesterday saying that she was too old to be your lady's companion. She personally asked me to take over her job." She explained. "Should I bring you your breakfast my lady?" she asked.
"Yes." Robin replied.
After bathing, Robin went to the library to finish the book she was reading. She grabbed the book and sat down the chaise lounge sofa. She comfortably sat and rested her foot on the other end of the sofa. She was about to open her book when she notice Zoro was there standing guard.
"I'll be here all day. You can sit down if you want." She suggested.
Robin started reading her book while Zoro sat comfortably at a seat adjacent to her. He sat too comfortably that a few hours later he fell asleep. She didn't really mind him sleeping even though he snores too loud.
Fall was almost over and the weather was starting to get cold. Robin closed her book to get a jacket and a blanket for Zoro. She quietly placed the blanket on Zoro and sat down to continue reading.
A few moments later Zoro stopped snoring and slowly opened his eyes. He realized that he fell asleep during his duty. He quickly roused up and noticed the blanket on his chest. Nami entered the room to bring some snacks and coffee.
"Oh you're awake." Robin spoke
"My apologies my lady. I fell asleep." The swordsman expressed his regret for sleeping on duty.
"Here have some coffee with me." She smiled as she passed him a cup of coffee.
"Do you know how to read Mr. Swordsman?" she asked while sipping her coffee.
"Just a little bit my lady. I'm not really fond of reading." He admitted.
"Why is that? Reading books are exciting." She queried
"I'm more of an adventurer than a book reader." The swordsman responds.
"Can you tell me some of your adventures Mr. Swordsman?" robin asked.
"Hmmm. Where do I start…"
"And he was like: where are you going my house's just up ahead you shitty swordsman" Zoro smiled while telling her his experience.
"You really don't have a sense of direction." Robin giggled.
"Yeah, my friends keep reminding me that." He smirked.
Their conversation was interrupted by Nami who was knocking at the door.
"Lady Robin, your father summons you to his office." She announced
"I'll be right there." Robin answered.
"It's been nice talking to you Mr. Swordsman. I hope we can do this again sometime." She proposed.
"If it pleases you my lady." he agreed.
"Come, my father is waiting for me." Robin smiled.
Robin gracefully wiped her face with a tissue and stood up. She walked out the room to his father's office. Her father was sitting down his table writing some things in a piece of paper. He was rather busy.
"Did you summon me father?" She sternly said as she entered.
"Yes, I received an invitation from the duke; there would be a feast and tournament in honor of his youngest son's birthday." Her father informs her.
"We will be attending along with your hand maiden and body guard. Pack your things you will leave tomorrow morning. " He ordered.
Lord James and Zoro were riding their horses while Robin and Nami were seated comfortably in the carriage. It was Robin's first time watching a tournament. She read about tournaments in many books; Knights in their shining armor fighting for a lady's favor. Robin was dressed beautifully that day; she wore a violet gown with lace and embroidered edges beneath her traveling cloak.
"I wonder what a tournament looks like." Nami asked.
"I'm sure it will be exciting and wonderful." Robin smiled.
"I will be finally meeting Cavendish again." She thrillingly said.
"Who's Cavendish?" the orange haired maiden wondered.
"My friend; he's the Duke's son. I only have few friends when I was young and Cavendish was one of them." Robin explained.
"Oh, how do you know him?" she asked her mistress.
"His father and my father are really good friends." The raven haired lady replied.
The duke's chateau was not that far from Ohara. After an hour worth of riding, they finally arrived in to their destination. Waiting outside the chateau were the Duke and his son, Cavendish. The carriage came to a full stop and Robin stepped out before Nami.
"Is that Cavendish? He's gorgeous." Nami asked referring to the handsome, muscular young man with long, flowing blond hair that reaches just past his shoulders.
"Yes that's him." Robin replied.
Lord James dismounted his horse and walked towards the Duke. "My lords." he bowed.
"My Lords may I present my daughter, Robin." Lord James introduced her to the Duke. Robin walked towards the duke
"My lord." Robin bowed.
"Lady Robin. Welcome." The Duke greets her.
"I'm sure you know my eldest son, Cavendish." He gestured to the blond young man at his side.
"My lady." He bowed before kissing her hand.
"Cavendish will you please escort Lady Robin and her hand maiden to their rooms?"
"May I escort you to your room my lady." He offers his left arm to the lady. She grasped his upper arm and they walked in together.
"I believe you have grown more beautiful since the last time we met." Cavendish complimented.
"You're too kind my lord." She responded.
"I remembered I had long flowing hair when we were young and people always mistaken you for a girl." She recalled.
"But now it suits you." She smiled.
"Here is you room my lady." He opened the door to one of the rooms.
"Is there anything more I can help you with?" the gentleman inquired.
"No, thank you my lord." She expressed her gratitude.
"I'll take my leave then. See you tomorrow at the joust." He said before parting ways.
"Cavendish is a really handsome man. You really look good together." Nami babbled as she grabbed a comb.
"Do you think your father will arrange you with him?" she excitingly asked her mistress.
"Maybe. I hope he will." She smiled while Nami started to brush Robin's wavy long hair.