Ch.7

I woke up quite early as I was expecting Robin to call upon me as soon as the sun rose. A deep burgundy dress was laying on the chair across from my bed. This one was the same style as yesterdays including the embroidered M. It was just as beautiful. I threw on my undergarments and then my dress. I matched the dress with a pair of black heels. I made my way down to the breakfast room and ate a piece of toast and an egg quite quickly. I then made my way to the sitting room. I was a bit away from the door and heard the lovely piano playing. Hmmm, I'm surprised anyone else is up. I enter to find Robin sitting at the piano, playing some sort of waltz without a mistake. I snuck up behind him and sat down. Joining him playing, he looked over at me and smiled. We played for a few minutes and then stopped. It was quite a beautiful duet. I turned and looked at him.

"'I didn't know you played!"

"Loveday taught me."

"You are quite good, it would put a shame to some London ladies." He laughed at this.

"I think I would make a quite suitable young lady." He laughed trying to straighten his posture.

I laughed "A quite handsome lady. Robin what are we doing today?"

"There's not much but we could go wander the woods but it is quite cold today? Or stay inside and read?"

"Hmmm" I put my finger to my lip.

"She will be staying put." Came Loveday striding in. "We have a ball to prepare for."

"When is the ball?" I asked shocked we were hosting a ball.

"In exactly a week."

"So Christmas Eve?" Robin asked

"Exactly. Today we're heading to Silverydew for gowns."

"How fun!" I said actually glad to go shopping for once.

"I shall escort you. I'm sure Sir Benjamin is tremendously busy." Robin said.

Loveday pondered this "I suppose. We better get to it, it's going to be a long fun day!"

Digweed pulled a carriage around. Loveday entered, then me, and then Robin.

"Oh Robin you take up too much space, go sit next to Maria." She smiled, knowing exactly what game she was playing. Robin sat down next to me, and he was almost right on top of me due to the small carriage. My cheeks burned pink.

"Well I don't know about you two, but I'm shutting my eyes for a bit."

Within a few minutes, Loveday was sleeping.

"So, is your dance card full?" Robin asked grinning.

My cheeks still pink "No, but I'm sure Richard will be filling it."

"Hmm, well maybe leaving a few open so others might have a chance with you."

"I suppose I could. There are a few gentleman from London who I would hope to make the journey."

Robin scoffed.

"Oh, Maria." His leaned in to where his lips barely brushed my neck. Dropping his voice a few octaves and then preceded to whisper, "Those gentleman will never stand a chance against me."

My skin was covered in goose bumps and I had to clear my throat.

"Don't flatter yourself."

The carriage ride continued with our bantering all the way up until the modist. It's a cute building, very up to date. Shelves and shelves of all different sorts and colors of fabric. The modist took my measurements. I picked out a few fabrics to go along with the design I wanted. I could spend hours in here. Looking at all of the different colors. So beautiful. Robin went to the docks for a few conversations with his employees. Loveday was talking to the modist.

"Oh-I'm so sorry. I didn't see you there." I accidentally ran into an older women. Snowflake white hair, with almost ghost like skin. Eyes the deepest of onyx, with almost white snowflakes.

"The one who is promised, as the night turns into new and the time starts again when all are fraying feet."

"What?" I say so confused.

"The promised child.

Born, but woven whole.

A whispered name, a distant goal.

Not in this world, nor any seen,

Yet marked to wear an unseen queen.

Cradle rocked in silence deep,

A legacy forgotten, buried steep.

Crown was forged in unseen fire,

A throne bound not by birth, but by desire.

Where none could search, the path was laid,

Yet none would know the price paid.

Who is, whose heart was sworn,

To rule a court from which born?"

I blink, and there standing before me is just shelves of fabric. Like I imagined everything. I spin around looking for any signs of the old woman, but nothing.

"Maria, are you ok?" Loveday asks, brows raised as she scans my face.

"I-did you see an old woman?"

"No. It's been the three of us since we came in."

"Surely it wasn't"

"Yes it has just been the three of us." The modist said.

I shake my head "I need fresh air." I went straight into the cool air. Taking deep breaths trying to figure out what just happened.

"Promised child?" I whispered to myself. What does that even mean.