Chapter Two: The De Noir Ball

Loveday's P.O.V

Loveday and Mrs. Heliotrope had a blast getting Maria ready. Loveday already had an idea that her brother would ask Maria to the ball. She had a dress ordered for Maria weeks ago because of her suspicion. It was a beautiful shade of moonlit blue. It flattered her skin tone and her figure. It was not done in the style of her London dresses, but in a more form fitting way.

Oh, yes. I think my dear brother is going to be pleased when he sees her in this. They are going to turn every head tonight as the ball's most perfect couple. Robin is going lose his eyes when he sees her.

Loveday was smiling like an idiot when Benjamin came up to her.

"Up to your match making schemes, my dear?"

"Oh, Benjamin, they are going to look so wonderful walking in side by side at the ball. Oh how I wish they would gather their courage and tell each other what they really feel."

"My dear, they are still young. They have plenty of time."

"Benjamin, don't you remember your coming of age party?"

"Of course. It's a very important night in any young man's life. He is introduced as…an…eligible bachelor." he faltered, realizing what Loveday was talking about.

"You are right, my dear. I didn't realize. It's not only his birthday, but his coming into society party as well."

"Exactly. And Maria and Robin are perfect for each other. They bring out each others best qualities. They are in love but too blind to realize. Ben, I don't want them to suffer as we have. Our foolish pride caused us to miss thirteen years."

"I know, but Robin and Maria are smarter than we were. They did save the valley from the rest of our pride, didn't they?"

"Yes. They did."

"Then we have to trust them to make their own choices on this matter as well. Besides, when it is time for them to dance with the other eligible persons their age, we both know Robin is going to be jealous and Maria will be furious." He said with a little laugh.

Maria's P.O.V.

The last three years, he and I have been best friends. With everything that has happened, I still feel a knot in my stomach every time I see him. I'm very glad he liked my gift. I can't believe he asked me to escort him to the ball! I mean surely he had all the De Noir women after him. He is handsome. I know I'm not the only one to notice. I remember how they all stare at him and glare at me. I know that all of the De Noir women could best me in a fight. They are rather intimidating. Anyone of them would look wonderful by his side. I'm glad he chose me though. I just wish he would notice.

Maria had left her sun-fire hair down. She knew Robin liked it best when it was left down. She slipped into the dress Loveday had left for her. It was a full length, midnight blue dress. It brought out the moonlit glow to her skin. Her hair contrasted beautifully. The dress was a little lower cut than she was used to but it wasn't bad. It made her body look a little more…womanly. Loveday also left her a simple silver necklace. She slipped it on around her neck. Dangling between her breasts, a crescent moon. Mrs. Heliotrope came in then and gasped.

"Oh my! Maria! You look positively wonderful! Robin will be speechless."

Maria blushed and thanked her for the compliment but denied Robin as even semi capable of being speechless.

"Mrs. Heliotrope is right, Maria." said Loveday as she entered the room. "My brother is going to be speechless. You are absolutely stunning. Robin will have to fight to keep the other men away from you tonight."

Immediately Maria began to worry. It was Robin's night and she didn't want to take away from him.

"Maria you are being silly. If anything, you will add to my brother's honor tonight. He will be proud to have you walk in with him, introduced as his date for the night."

"If you say so."

"Come on Maria. We need to finish your make up and hair."

"Robin prefers it when I leave it down."

"Then down it will be. Just a little dust of eye shadow, throw in some rouge and a little lip paint."

"Wow, is that really me?"

"Of course my dear. Who else would it be?" replied her governess.

"Maria, I have one more thing for you tonight. And Mrs. Heliotrope does as well. Mrs. Heliotrope, if you please."

The oldest of the women stepped forward producing a beautiful pair of dancing shoes. Immediately they reminded Maria of Cinderella.

"They are beautiful!" She exclaimed.

She slipped the shoes on and did a small waltz around her room. They were a lot more comfortable than they first looked. She thanked her tutor again. Loveday turned to her now and said:

"I have only one thing that will complete your outfit."

She handed Maria her brother's hat. Maria laughed.

"I shall wear it with pride, Loveday."

"Be sure that you do."

At that moment, they heard Wrolf pawing at the door.

"I believe your date is here."

They two older women walked in front of her and made their way down the stairs. When they got to the bottom of the staircase they made their way into the music room. Loveday had Maria stop just outside the closed doors.

"A princess needs a proper introduction."

Loveday walked into the room and left Maria and Wrolf in the hall.

Robin's P.O.V.

I watch as my sister and Maria's governess walk into the room. I barely hear my sister speaking when moves to open the door. I am set on seeing Maria. I know she is going to get dressed up. She always looks beautiful but when she really decides to doll up, she is more breathtaking than anything. When the doors finally open, I can't even say a word. I can't think. I can't breathe. I feel my heart in my throat and my stomach fill with butterflies. She is…there is no word to describe how she looks right now. She is amazing. She is beautiful. She is…wearing my hat.

"Well, Robin, say something." Loveday scolded me.

"You look amazing, Princess. I like your tiara by the way. Mind if I try it on?"

She got that fiery spark back in her eye.

"What this old thing? I should think not. After all, it does complete the outfit. I would never go against Loveday's advice."

At this Robin couldn't help to grin. Loveday snorted in an unladylike fashion.

"On most things anyway." Maria finished, glaring at Loveday in a playful way.

"What do you not agree with on my sister's advice?"

"That, Sir De Noir, is for me to know. We should be leaving soon. We will be late."

With that she stepped to leave the room, Robin offering her his arm. The group loaded into the carriage and made their way towards De Noir Castle.

Wow. She is amazing. I can't believe she agreed to accompany me. I know for a fact I will be the envy of every male. The moment they see her come through that door, the entire room will fall silent in awe. They can't help but to do so.

"That'll be De Nor Castle, then." He heard Dogweed say, mispronouncing De Noir.

Now was the time. They watched as the other two couples were introduced by the herald.

"Now presenting Robin De Noir, Prince of the De Noir Clan, Savior to MoonAcre Valley and Protector of the Moon Princess. Accompanying him is Maria Merryweather, Moon Princess of Moon Acre Valley and Savior to its inhabitants."

He watched as Maria blushed. All he could do was smile even wider. Everyone in the room watched as the couple made their way into the Great Hall. When the had finished their descent down the staircase, the room erupted into applause. There were a few wolf whistles, more than Robin cared for. But that came with being the escort of the most beautiful woman in the room.

"Let the festivities, BEGIN." shouted his father. The room came alive again, this time with chatter and music. Couer De Noir approached Robin.

"My son, may I congratulate you on coming of age finally. Go and dance."

Robin nodded and turned Maria towards the dance floor.

"That was embarrassing." She said when they were dancing.

"Imagine having to come down by yourself. Now that would have been embarrassing."

"So you are saying that the long moment of silence wasn't the least bit unnerving to you?"

"Of course not, I had a feeling that they would be speechless."

"And you couldn't have warned me?" Maria asked in mock anger.

"My Princess, you are the reason they were silent."

Maria groaned.

"I knew I shouldn't have let Loveday talk me into wearing this."

"Maria, they were in awe. Of you, and your beauty. I promise you that tonight I am the man everyone wishes to be. I am the one dancing with the most beautiful woman in the room."

Maria blushed again and the song ended. Robin's father approached him again, this time asking for permission to dance with his date. Robin consented.

Robin watched as his father twirled Maria around the room. A few of his friends approached him.

"Way to go man. I knew there must have been some reason that you spend so much time with her."

"What are you implying, Daniel?"

"Nothing, just surely with her looking like that you've…." he broke off at the glare he received.

"Maria is a very respectable woman. She wouldn't do something that would tarnish her name."

"But you want huh?" His friend laughed. "She is very pretty. She is going to be approached a lot tonight. Out of respect for you, I won't. I can't guarantee that any of the others will though, besides, you aren't going to be able to stand guard around her all night. It is your coming of age party. You will be required to dance with the other available women."

Robin just sighed.

"I know. I don't want to though."

"Who could blame you? You showed up everyone tonight. You do look good together."

Meanwhile, with Maria.

"My dear girl, you do look wonderful tonight. Robin will be the envy of every young male tonight. Of that I am sure. My son is quite taken with you. No doubt he will be a very jealous boy tonight."

"How do you figure Lord De Noir?"

"At every coming of age party, the honored guest, in this case Robin, will be required to dance with all the eligible women. Meaning you will be free to dance with all the men. Robin will be most displeased."

"I suppose he shall just get over then."

The older man just laughed.

"You do have a sense of humor about you then."

"Lord De Noir, would you mind if I danced with the princess?"

"Of course not, boy. Just be sure to return her to her date."

"Yes sir. Princess, shall we?"

Maria let him droll on and on about himself. Smiling when appropriate and nodding and adding a 'do continue' when needed. Soon enough the song ended and Robin had her back in his arms.

"I missed you." he told her.

"I wasn't very far away." she replied.

"I know. It's just that you look so much better when your dancing with me."

She giggled.

"Jealous, Robin?"

He snorted.

"Of course not. I merely don't like Raphael. He doesn't deserve your attention."

"He barely he had it," she muttered, he laughed, "But do tell me, Robin, who in this room does deserve my attention?"

"Me."

"You?"

"Yes."

"Why do you need my attention when you have all the other women fawning on you?"

"Because you…

BANG