After a while, we finally arrived at the castle. I watched Robin and Mr. De Noir get out of their carriage as we pulled to a slow stop. Mr. De Noir came towards our carriage, with Robin carefully following him. Digweed opened the door, and Mr. De Noir, smiling, which is one of the few times I have ever seen him smile, said, "Welcome to our home."
Uncle Benjamin stepped out of the carriage first, then Mr. De Noir patiently offered his hand to help me out. When I got out, I noticed some other guys who looked to be about Robin's age, a year older than me, talking to Robin. I recognized them. They helped Robin while he was trying to kidnap me.
"Ahem," Mr. De Noir cleared his voice as Digweed closed the carriage door. He turned to Robin and me. "Sir Benjamin and I have a few things to discuss. Then we will head to lunch. I'm sure, Robin, you will mind your manners and show Maria to the dining hall." Uncle Benjamin hasn't quite taken a liking to Robin yet. So when he heard this, he opened his mouth to say something but then figured it would be useless and closed it back again. Loveday has tried to convince him that Robin isn't bad, but when Uncle Benjamin decides something, it's almost impossible to change his mind.
"Yes, Father." Robin's friends struggled to contain their laughter because one had slipped, bringing the other two down.
Robin stepped away while his Father sternly told Robin's friends, "You three get up and stop acting so foolish." Robin hurried to help his friends up. Then Mr. De Noir continued, "Sir Benjamin, if will you follow me this way to my study." As he passed by Robin and his friends, he whispered to them loudly and said, "Behave." They nodded. As soon as Mr. De Noir and Uncle Benjamin left, they burst into laughter.
"Robin, did you see your Father's face? He looked furious." One of his friends said, still laughing. I just stood there watching, not sure what to do. I hoped we could go inside soon because I didn't like being so close to the forest because of how weird it felt.
One of his other friends looked at me, then at his friends, and said, "Hi, moon princess. Let me formally introduce myself. I'm Adam." He took a few steps away from Robin and his two other friends and shook my hand, then said, "Sorry about them."
"It's alright," I said with a laugh, then continued, "But please call me Maria."
"She needs to get used to being called that since everyone is going to start calling her that." As Robin said, his other two friends pushed him to the ground. He was still on the floor but quickly grabbed them and pulled them down with him.
"I guess it's my turn to help them up," Adam said. He pulled them up, and they all agreed that they would come to a stop for now.
"Sorry about that, princess. This is Henry," Robin pointed at the guy on his right, then he pointed at the other guy and said, "And this is John."
"Come on, y'all, we better head inside." Said Henry.
"Let's give the moon princess the grand tour, but this time we don't have to include the dungeons. They haven't changed much since last time." John chuckled. Robin elbowed him. "What? Did I say something wrong?" He said with a smirk.
"So this is the dining hall, but we'll return to this later," Adam said.
Robin let his friends take the lead, and he came to walk beside me. I was happy that he was acting like himself again. He said, "How are you enjoying the tour?"
"It's been fun. Hey, did James tell you why his parents wanted to talk to Uncle Benjamin and Mr. De Noir?" I asked.
"Yeah, he did. I doubt that it will happen anytime soon, though. Why?"
"I-"
"Wait, hold that thought for a second," Robin said with newfound excitement. He opened a door and said, "Wait here for a second." He stepped in. I heard something that sounded like barking. Then he slowly came out. "Guess who I found wandering the woods this morning."
"Wiggins, you naughty pup! How did you get out?" I exclaimed as Robin handed him over to me. "Is it okay if I leave him in there until lunch is over? I don't think Uncle Benjamin would be too pleased if he saw Wiggins here too. He hasn't taken much of a liking to Wiggins just yet."
"That's fine with me. I've started to take a newfound likeness to that little pup." Robin said. I gave Wiggins to Robin.
I opened the door for him. It was a small room. There was a window across from the entrance, and by it was a messy bed and a nightstand with a knife, a few books, and cups on top. There was a dresser across the bed with clothes falling out of it. In the corner, there was an empty cushioned chair. On the floor were a few blankets, a bowl of dog food, and one of water. There was a poster of Robin the Bird, and I realized it was his room. I looked at the poster a second longer and noticed that someone had drawn an 'x' on the poster. Who, why would anyone do that? I wondered.
Robin set Wiggins gently down on the blanket. He noticed that I was staring at the poster and then said, "Oh yeah, last night while I was sleeping, I had left the window cracked, and Will slipped through, trashed my room, and drew an 'x' on my poster as a way to threat me. I woke up late and had no time to clean my room. I had to hurry and tell Father, then go outside to the woods to do some chores. That's when I found Wiggins running away from a butterfly." Robin laughed.
"Why is he doing this?" I asked. If it's about me, he needs to leave my friends out of this. If this is about the new peace, he will just have to deal with it. There is nothing he can do to stop it. Uncle Benjamin and Mr. De Noir have already agreed to peace and any legal matter they have already dealt with.
"It's kind of a long story," Robin said, scratching his head.
I looked down the long hallway and said, "I think we have some time before your friends realize we're gone."
Robin's POV: "Umm, alright, sit down." I said, pointing to the chair on the corner. Maria sat down, picking up Wiggins and setting him down on her lap, giving him a belly rub. I sat down on the edge of my bed. "So a long time ago, before Will was born, well, when my Father and Mother and Will's Father and Mother were teenagers. Around our age. Will's Mother, Emma, and my Mother were best friends. My Father and Will's Father, Gabe, didn't always see eye to eye. One day Will's Mother and mine were in town shopping. They talked about how they hated not living in peace with the Merryweathers. My Mother was saying how she wished she could speak to my Father about it, but he was too prideful to ever listen to her about it. Will's Mother agreed, saying her parents would never listen to reasoning. But from what I've known of Gabe, that man never seemed to have an opinion of his own. Whatever Emma thought, he would think. Anyways, Emma and my Mother didn't know that Emma's parents and a few others were heading to the manor to start trouble with the Merryweathers. Since your Uncle and Father were only kids then, they planned to kidnap them two, then make your grandfather give up the moon pearls and leave Moonacre forever."
"That's such a horrible thing to do!" Maria exclaimed.
"I know. We tried to do a similar thing to you. I just never realized it." I said slowly. I was letting my shame sink in. I was so embarrassed by what I thought and how I acted in the past. I looked down at the floor because I couldn't look Maria in the eye. It was too painful to think about how easily she forgave me and even forgot for a moment, but I could never forget or forgive myself. I said quietly, "I don't know how you could forgive such a horrible person.
Maria stood up and set Wiggings. She walked over to me slowly. Maria sat down beside me. She lifted my face with her gentle hand, so I was looking at her. Then she said, "Robin, you are not a horrible person. You helped me when I needed it. You even stood against your own Father to help me! You brought me to Loveday when I had fainted. You've helped me with Wiggins. You probably helped save his life twice already! Not only all that, but you became my friend, and our friendship means the world to me! So no, you aren't a horrible person at all. You're amazing and kind and funny and caring and brave!" Maria had the sweetest smile on her face. She let go of my face and stood to sit back in the chair.
Without thinking, I grab her hand and say, "Thank you, princess. I know that I can count on you to lift my spirits. You can sit right here if you'd like." I said. She sat down.
I continued the story forgetting that I was still holding her hand, "But things didn't go as planned, and then one thing led to another. The next thing we knew, Emma's Mother and Father were stuck in a crossfire. Everyone thought your grandfather and grandmother killed them, but it could have been a De Noir for all we know. Gabe finally formed his first opinion and believed the Merryweathers were horrible people. Emma and my Mother still weren't quite sure what to think, so they gave the Merryweathers the benefit of the doubt. Emma died when Will was ten, I was only eight then, but I still remember her telling me this. She had hoped that we wouldn't be like the rest. But Gabe would fill Will's head with hatred. He would tell Will it was the Merryweather's doing if anything happened. If it were storming, it would be because of the Merryweathers. If Gabe were too busy at work to spend time with Will, Gabe would blame it on y'all. Then, when Gabe died from refusing to get medical help, William blamed it on the Merryweathers. He seemed to hate y'all more than my Father did."
"Well, that does explain a lot. He seems to have a lot of problems," Maria said, laughing, "But, how come so many people follow him? Isn't he only sixteen?"
"A lot of people feared and respected his Father, so when they heard that William is just like his Father, everyone who disagreed with the peace decided to follow him," I said. Wiggins jumped from the floor and crawled onto my lap.
"I think he's starting to like you," Maria said, laughing. Wiggins hopped from my lap to Maria's. "Oh, you silly little pup," Maria said as she petted his back. I watched Maria. She wasn't paying much attention, but her hand was still in mine. My heart started racing, and a part of me wanted to kiss her. She looked at me, and I looked back down at Wiggins rolling over in her lap, trying to get attention. I looked at Maria again, and she was looking at me. My heart started racing faster. Without thinking, I started leaning in.
Maria's POV: I realized Robin was staring at me, so I looked up at him, and he quickly looked down at Wiggins. Then after a few moments, he looks back at me again. Butterflies filled my stomach, and my heart started beating faster and faster by the second. I thought I heard a voice coming down the hall for a moment, but it didn't seem to matter that second. Robin leaned in. I closed my eyes. I could feel his warm breath on my skin.
"Oh yeah, they're in here, alright." Robin and I jumped up, and he quickly released my hand. It was John. I could feel my face turning blood-red. "Oh, was I interrupting something?" John asked, grinning.
"No, nothing," Robin said, with a particular disappointment.
"Sure didn't look like nothing," John said, looking at Robin and then me and then back again.
"I promise, it was nothing. Anyways what is it?" Robin asked.
"Sir Benjamin and Mr. De Noir are just about finishing up and will talk with you two. So you might want to hurry back to the dining hall. Everyone else is already there."
"Alright, let's go," Robin said. He was clearly very annoyed with John. Robin and John started walking out. I quickly petted Wiggins goodbye, closed the door, and slowly walked to the dining hall. When I walked in, I saw that Loveday had saved me a seat beside her.
The food was good, but I didn't eat much. I was deep in thought and didn't really talk. Robin was about to kiss me. I wanted him to kiss me. I really liked him, but I didn't want to ruin our friendship. Plus, what would Uncle say? What would Mrs. Heliotrope say? It's not like I would have to say anything right now. Oh, what am I thinking? I probably just imagined that. Like Robin said, it was nothing. I mean, there is no way, right? We are just great friends. Nothing more than that, though.
"Maria dear, are you alright?" Loveday asked. She looked concerned. Robin was also looking worried too.
"I'm okay, just thinking," I said, giving a weak smile. Loveday looked from me to Robin, then back at me. I think that she could sense the slight tension between us.
"You know you can tell me anything," Loveday said quietly so only I could hear.
"I know, Loveday, I know. I'm just not ready. Give me some time to see what the future has in store. But for now, I can promise you that I'm okay." I said quietly too. Loveday nodded and went back to make small conversation with the people near her. I could feel Robin's eyes carefully watching me, but I didn't look up at him. I couldn't. I still haven't made up my mind about what happened. Well, what almost happened?
After a few minutes, Uncle Benjamin and Mr. De Noir joined the rest of us. They didn't say much other than that they would need more than a few minutes to decide. They need to ensure that their decisions will be for the best.
Once everyone finished lunch, Uncle and Mr. De Noir asked to speak to Robin and me. Uncle told me he has to stay for a while, but I can go to the forest, the village, or the manor if I wanted to get out as long as I returned to the mansion before dark. Mr. De Noir told Robin to stay with me wherever I go, especially since what happened last night.
Once Uncle and Sir Benjamin left, Robin said, "So what do you want to do first, princess? Also, do you mind if Wiggins stays with me for a few days? I've grown quite fond of him."
"That's fine with me. Wiggins seems to like you too. I'm not sure. Where do you want to go?" I asked.
"I think I know the perfect place. Follow me." Robin said with a smile as he hurried out of the castle.
I hurried as fast as I could after him. Once outside the castle, I lost sight of where Robin was. Oh great, I thought. I started walking towards the forest, yelling out Robin's name. I heard a twig snap behind me. I turned my head, but no one was there. It was probably just a bunny, I told myself. I walked a few more steps forward when someone jumps out from behind a tree. I screamed, just to be met with Robin laughing his head off.
"What was that for bird brain!"
"Well, most for fun," Robin answered, still laughing.
I rolled my eyes and said, "It wasn't that fun."
"Well, how about I make it up to you," Robin said.
"And how are you going to do that?" I asked. Wondering what tricks this bird brain has up his sleeves.
"You'll see. Follow me," Robin said. He stretched out his hand, and we walked hand in hand. "Here we are," Robin said. It was a beautiful meadow with many flowers everywhere, a tree, and a small stream running through the middle of the field. "What do you think?"
"It's beautiful, Robin!" I said, taking in everything.
"It's a good place for when you need a quiet place to think," Robin said. I sat down by the little stream, watching the leaves fall and land in the water. Robin came and sat down beside me.
We stayed there for what felt like hours, talking, laughing, and splashing water on each other. After what felt like forever, we sat in silence, looking at the water. It wasn't an awkward silence, though. We were enjoying each other's company in the peace and quiet, hand in hand. I laid my head on his shoulder. I felt at ease. My thoughts were calm, not racing through my head all at once. I wished that this moment would never end.
Robin's POV: I looked at Maria on my shoulder, and she was fast asleep. She looked beautiful even when she was sleeping. I leaned back on the tree behind me and closed my eyes. Thoughts of Maria flooded my mind and dreams.
I looked around. I must have fallen asleep. I looked at Maria. Her head was still on my shoulder, and our fingers were still intertwined. I could stay like this forever. Just before I closed my eyes back again, I looked up at the sky.
Oh no, I thought. It's going to be dark soon. I need to get Maria back home. She looks so peaceful; I don't want to wake her. I tapped her shoulder and said gently, "Maria, come on. It's time to wake."
"What?" Maria asked, still half asleep.
I nudged her, hoping that would work, and said, "Come on, Maria. I got to get you back home. It's getting late." She hurried up, knowing how mad Sir Benjamin would get if she came home late and all the questions he would ask her.
I grabbed Maria's hand and helped guide her through the forest. I slowed down a bit when I realized we were nearing the manor. Maria was looking down, thinking. "I guess you had a nice nap," I said, laughing. "I thought for a second that I was going to have to carry you back to the manor."
Maria smiled and rolled her eyes, saying, "Oh, shut it, birdbrain."
"Hey, that's Mr. Bird Brain to you." This made us both burst into laughter. I felt so at peace with Maria. I hated it when we made it to the front door. I never wanted to leave her side. The door was locked, so she had to knock. I hoped that Digweed would be busy.
"Hello, Miss Maria and Mr. Robin," Digweed said as he opened the door.
"Digweed!" Sir Benjamin yelled.
"Coming, sir." Digweed nodded to us, then left.
I said goodnight and kissed Maria on the cheek, leaving her looking a little pink, tipping my hat, and heading back home.
Maria's POV: I closed the front door and walked upstairs to my room in a daze, thinking about today's events. I put on my nightgown and jumped into bed. I touched my cheek where Robin kissed me and couldn't believe it. I fell asleep dreaming of Robin, excited to see what tomorrow will bring.