After reading a majority of the SoM fics on this site, I finally decided to write my own! I've noticed that some stories describe Maria as being innocent or naive. In theory, I'd like to think that she isn't as naive and innocent as she looks (if that made sense?) or is portrayed. In this story, that theory is put into place. I am also changing Maria's past just a little bit. This is rated T, just to be on the safe side.

Please give honest feedback, I thrive on good reviews!

xxx

Disclaimer: Y'all already know that I don't own anything SoM. If I did, they wouldn't have been forced to flee Austria. I don't profit from writing my stories either. My goal is to make y'all entertained by my stories.

Since I have no beta reader, all mistakes and such are mine.

xxx

As soon as she and the children reached the bottom of the terrace steps, Maria felt her heart and stomach flutter. But then, she heard words that knocked the breath out of her- and not in a good way.

"Most importantly, father's to be married."

Maria's face fell and she could feel her eyes start to water. That changed quickly, when the Captain appeared. "Children, your dinner is ready to be served. Time for all of you to head inside."

Once the children were inside, the Captain looked at Maria. He thought that she would have looked happier, being back from the Abbey and surrounded by his kids. "You left Frauline. Without saying goodbye to the children..." to me, he thought to himself.

Maria sighed, "My apologies, it was wrong of me."

Georg noticed the tears welling in her eyes and he was concerned. Never, had he seen her so sad and looking so defeated.

He raised an eyebrow, "Why did you?"

"Please don't ask me Captain... There is nothing to say, because the reason no longer exists."

Before anything else could be said, Elsa's voice rang out, "Georg, darling? There you are, I was beginning to thi-"

As soon as Elsa took one look at Maria, she was annoyed. "You've returned Frauline Maria. I trust you are here to stay?"

Maria could practically hear the venom in Elsa's voice and she cringed. "Yes, Baroness Shraeder. I am here to stay, but only until another governess can be arranged."

Maria walked up the terrace steps and just before she rushed inside she whispered softly, "The children tell me you two are to be married. I wish you, good luck and much happiness."

With that, Georg and Elsa watched Maria slink into the house.

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Dinner was a rather quiet affair. The only sounds were the clinking of plates and silverware, and Elsa's voice droning on and on about some high society gossip. Georg pretended to listen, only chiming in with an occasional nod of his head or a mumbled response. The children ate silently, not sure what to do with the tension floating through the air and not wanting cross the Baroness. Maria on the other hand, wasn't hungry and kept pushing the food around her plate.

After dinner, everyone went their separate ways. Maria put the children to bed, while Georg, Elsa and Max went into Georg's study.

Max left the study shortly after finishing his night cap with Elsa and Georg. He knew that the couple needed to have a serious conversation regarding their relationship, so he left them to it.

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It was a silent walk from his study, to the balcony outside of his bedroom. Both Georg and Elsa knew that they needed to end things before anyone else was hurt worse than they already were.

"Elsa, I have done a great deal of thinking lately. You see..."

Elsa interrupted before he could finish speaking. She knew that he loved her, but he wasn't in love with her. Elsa also knew that there was no way a partnership would work between them and what relationship they did have, needed to end. "Georg?"

"Yes, Elsa?"

She took a deep breath before responding. "I, myself, have been doing a lot of thinking lately. You see, we've been unfair to ourselves. While we do love each other, we're not in love. As much as I value our friendship Georg, we are simply not compatible."

Georg had to admit that Elsa was right. There wasn't a way that they would be able to work as a couple. The only way they would be able to be in a relationship, is if they stayed friends and friends only. Georg knew what was coming next, and was sort of surprised by it. He didn't expect Elsa to initiate the end of the engagement, he had thought that he would be the one to do so.

"I agree with you, we are not a very suitable couple."

"Indeed. The engagement needs to be called off. What I am trying to say is that somewhere is a girl who is wandering around the grounds, a girl who will never be a Nun. Maria will never be a Nun because of you.

Georg stuttered, "Wa... Wait, what?"

Elsa rolled her eyes at him. "Maria loves you, you know. I can tell she loves you deeply. Her love is reciprocated by you. The ball is in your court, Georg. Go and find Maria, tell her that her love will be returned."

Elsa kissed him on the cheek, "I've enjoyed the time we've spent together. Now if you'll excuse me, I will go and pack my little bags, then I shall return to Vienna. Auf Wiedersehen, darling."

With that, Elsa walked back into the Villa in order to pack her bags and return home to where she belongs; back to Vienna.

xxx

So, I've done a lot of thinking over the past few weeks. I'm not liking the way 'My Maria' is turning out and decided to switch formats. Basically, it won't be as if it's Georg's PoV. It will be different. Not sure what perspective it is (I get confused with 1st/2nd/3rd person). Anyway, I will be keeping the original version up, until I finish rewriting it.

I hope you guys enjoyed this! xx