7-1-23
My story takes place right after the ending of the movie. I've written about this movie so much and had so many ideas but this is my first time typing one out. I absolutely loved this movie and I've read about almost every fanfiction out there. My favorite by far was by Immergladsss…go check it out!
Chapter 1
It's been a few days since the curse has been broken. Loveday and Benjamin were re-betrothed and their wedding was to be at the end of the summer. Maria spent the last few days held up in her tower, sleeping the days away. Robin on the other hand was pacing back and forth in his room wondering if Maria was fairing alright after her plunge into the gigantic waves.
Robin's POV
"Sir, your father insists you see him in his study." Daniel, my father's manservant, said bowing to me.
"And what does he want?" I said.
"I'm not sure, though it sounded urgent." Daniel said, taking his leave. I made my way from my room to my fathers study. I pushed the larged oak doors open which revealed my father sitting behind his large oak desk and behind it was a large glass paned window showing the valley below. He was busy scribbling away on some papers.
"You asked for me?" I said, trying not to provoke him. His temper was something not to mess with.
"Yes, I believe we're invited to the Merryweather Manor tonight for dinner. Dress to impress son as we are to not look like slobs to them." My father said without looking up from his stack of papers. "I was also thinking that perhaps it's time for you to further your studies on succeeding my title. You start at the end of the summer." He waved his hand for me to be dismissed, without giving me anytime to question him. I started walking back to my room but I deeply wanted to be away from this castle…the forest… I said to myself.
Maria's POV
"Uncle, may I take a stroll through the countryside? I will of course take Wrolf with me." I said to my uncle. I desperately needed to get some fresh air, and perhaps maybe I would run into a certain birdboy.
"I suppose but be back well before dinner." Uncle Benjamin said sternly.
"Of course Uncle, thank you." I walked outside and started my promenade towards the forest. I was wearing one of Lovedays old dresses, the skirt wasn't as long as the others but it was a quite beautiful dress. It was a deep emerald green adorned with black lace. It was quite different from my London dresses as it was an empire waist and more of a velvet material then silk. I was pondering so much that I failed to realize how far I walked in the forest already. I wasn't sure where I was and couldn't see the valley. Oh no. I whispered to myself. Snap. I whipped around and came face to face with a boy who had to have been much older than me. My eyes widened and then narrowed.
"Look what we found, boys." The boy said to the emerging figures. They were all dressed in leathers but had a more rugged look around them compared to Robin's gang. I didn't recognize any of them. The boy talking had jet black hair with piercing green eyes. He was tall and well built just like the rest of the gang of boys. "A rare moon princess." The boy said and sneered.
"Oiy, I wonder what Robin would think if you claimed her?" One of them said.
"I would love to see the look of my dear cousin to find out that I took what was his." The boy said, obviously the leader of the gang.
"If you don't I will!" Another boy said.
"Shut it – I will be the one." The boy said. He bowed mockingly and said "My name is Michael" He said giving me a sly grin.
"Such a pleasure." I said giving a slight nod before saying "Forgive me as I will be late for dinner." I turned to leave and I felt a hand on my arm.
"I'm sure your dinner can wait." Michael said as he spun me around to face him.
"Get your hands off me this instant." I tried raising my hand to swat him of but he grabbed both of them and spun me so my back faced him. He pushed me up against a tree and whispered on my neck
"I want to sample what my dear cousin wants so badly." The hairs on my neck stuck straight up. He used one hand to pin me against the tree and the other started making its way up towards my bosom. "There's a rule if a woman is claimed that everyone else backs off…" He trailed off as he started to feel my body.
"I will not be claimed by no one, especially by the likes of some second class inherent." I huffed. He spun me around so I was facing him. He unsheathed the knife at his belt and held it up to my cheek.
"No man likes a scarred woman especially if the scar is on her face."
"He lightly dragged the knife down and cut part of my dress by my shoulder so the sleeve hung loose.
"Get your hands off of her." I looked past Michael and saw a furious Robin who had his gang of friends with him.
"Cousin, nice of you to join us. I was just telling this Princess that I've claimed her." he sneered, still holding his grip on me.
"I'm not something to be claimed." I stomped my heel straight on his toes. He shrieked and loosened his grip on me, just enough to slip out from his grip.
"Come back here you little witch" Micahel started to reach for me but Robin stood between us.
"The Princess is not to be claimed, and if you ever touch another one of her hairs, you will deal with me." Robin said glaring.
"She's fair game cousin." Michael said he and his gang retreated deeper into the forests but not before saying "He can't protect you forever Princess."
Robin turned towards me, "Are you ok?" hIs eyes wandered to my sleeve where it was torn, and then to my wrists where Michael had me pinned by, small bruises were forming. I nodded my head.
"Thankyou" I squeaked out. "He's your cousin?"
"Eh-yes. My fathers brother and his family still reside at the castle." His eyes, they were a beautiful deep brown with flecks of gold almost. He had charcoal smeared below them. Oh, he was something. Oh stop. What am I thinking? "He is just a jealous prat, always wanting what he can't have."
"I see." I said.
Changing the subject Robin said "Well–you haven't met the gang yet" He motioned towards the 3 other boys. "This is Henry de Brosses."
"It's a pleasure." A blonde hair blue eyed boy said. He was the tallest of them all and had a medium built. He also had charcoal smeared under his eyes and wore leathers. He bowed slightly.
"And James–" He was cut off as the boy with striking green eyes and brown hair approached me. He was tall but not the tallest, and he was built just as much as the rest of them. He took my hand and laid a kiss on it.
"James de Guise. It's a pleasure Maria Merryweather." He lingered a little longer with my hand. Robin coughed and shot James a glare, in which James smirked.
"And Philip de Luxembourg" the last boy bowed, he seemed to be the youngest and had sandy brown hair with gray eyes. He was the shortest but still tall. He had a medium built just like the rest of them.
"Nice to meet you." he said with a nod.
"It's nice to meet you all" I said, giving a small courtesy. "Pardon me but I must be getting back–" I started to turn and walk.
"The manor isn't that way" Robin said letting out a laugh.
"I'm quite capable of finding my way back." I huffed.
"Not in that direction. We shall escort you back."
"Oh, I–"
"My sister would never forgive me if I let her future-niece get lost in the woods"
"I suppose-"
"Perfect, it's settled." He offered me his arm. I timidly took it. We all chatted back and forth until we arrived back at the manor.
"Thankyou" I said to them all.
"See you later." Robin winked and joined his friends walking back into the forest, the darkness swallowing them whole. What did he mean by see you later? Oh that oaf. I made my way back into the manor.
"Maria, we will be having company tonight so please dress etiquette." Miss Heliotrope said as soon as I entered the sitting room.
"Who is invited?" I asked inquisitively, sitting down and picking up a cup of tea.
"The de Noir family." She said blankly.
I choked on my tea "What?"
"Yes, Loveday thought it would be best to have dinner for the two rivaling families. Remember Maria, propriety and etiquette." She scolded.
Robin POV
"These clothes make me look like a dolt!"
"Stop complaining dear brother, you look like a sophisticated young gentleman." Loveday said helping him with his cravate. "Perfect, now all the ladies will not be able to keep their hands off of you!"
"What ladies, isn't it only going to be Maria?"
"Why yes dear brother." She said leaving with a grin.
"Loveday!" I made my way out to the carriage. If I even wanted to impress Maria it wouldn't be with this foolish attire. Wait a second…impress Maria. Oh no.. no not that bloody princess. I can't…well actually..no. I shook the thought out of my head.
"Couer de Noir, his son and heir Robin de Noir, and his daughter Loveday de Noir." Digweed announced. We entered a large dining room decorated in the finest silks and flowers. Maria and her family were already seated. Sir Benjamin sat at the head of the table. I was seated in between my father and Maria. My father sat to Sir Benjamins left and Loveday to his right, followed by Ms. Heliotrope.
"So Princess, did you miss me." I said quietly to Maria trying to start conversation.
She blushed instantly "Never. I wouldn't ever miss such a birdbrain of an oaf." She giggled and rolled her eyes.
"How you have wounded me" as I faked held my heart.
"I'm sure your ego can handle it." She said and added in "I presumed you liked my company so much today that you decided you haven't had enough and needed to see me."
At this I choked on my drink which caused some stares towards are way "My apologies" I nodded to the table. Maria was holding back a laugh.
"Tongue tied Robin?" She teased.
"No, never." I said with a large grin on my face. We ate dinner and talked almost the entire night. She was beautiful. She had a dark blue evening gown on adorned with silver lace, her neckline was the lowest it could be for London fashion while keeping modesty. Her hair was in it's normal ringlets and cascade down her back.
"Robin?" I snapped out of my daze as my sister said my name.
"Ah-yes dear sister?"
"I was just saying how unsafe it is for Maria to be wondering the forest alone. Perhaps maybe you could show her her way around?" Maria blushed at the thought of being alone with Robin.
"I suppose I could."
"But–" Sir Benjamin started
"No one know the forest better than my son" Couer bellowed with cheerfulness.
"Perfect, Robin you are to show her around right away." Loveday said. Sir Benjamin shut his mouth not wanting to argue with his betrothed and his future father in-law. The finished dinner and made there way into the sitting room. Music played and Loveday and Sir Benjamin started to dance. Followed my and Digweed. I looked towards Maria who tapped her foot to the rhythm, seeming like she too wanted to dance. I stood from my chair and made my way to her.
"Princess, may I have this dance?" I said bowing waiting for her to take my arm. She bit her lip and nodded.
"You may."
The next song started to play and it was a waltz. I placed my hand on her back and interlaced my hand with hers. Her other hand placed on my shoulders. I pulled her in a little close wanting to smell her rosy scent even more. And her touch… that was on a whole other level.
"Robin, since when do you know how to dance?"
"Loveday taught me when I was younger and just recently started taking lessons."
"What for, I doubt there are many balls in the forest?" She smiled
"You are right about that however they come in handy when a certain Princess wants to dance…don't you agree?" As I spun her. Her face turned bright red.
We didn't realize the music has stopped until we heard a annoyed Sir Benjamin say very loudly "That was a wonderful waltz was it not Robin?" I broke my hold from Maria. And cleared my voice.
"It was such a lovely waltz, especially since I had a beautiful partner to dance with." With that he sent everyone in the room either blushing, smiling, or scowling at him. The night ended about an hour after that and everyone said their goodbyes.
"And when should I expect this tour of the forest?" Maria asked me
"Perhaps tomorrow." I grinned. I took her hand and kissed it "Goodnight fair Moon Princess" I said and made my way to the carriage.
"What are you on about?" My father asked as soon as we were off.
"Whatever do you mean?"
"That Merryweather girl." He said.
"Nothing" holding my hands up.
"It didn't look like nothing, it looked like you both fancied each other."
"And if I did?"
"Absolutely not. I will not have another one of my children marrying a Merryweather, curse or no curse." I pondered this, did I really fancy her? She was quite beautiful, but so were others… but no other woman was like her.