When a Young Heart Loves (The Secret of Moonacre Fanfiction)

An Antidote for Some Truths

"Morning," Robin and his friends mumbled as they entered the great hall.

"You're all up early," Mr. De Noir said. The sun had just started to rise. He looked up from his parchment and studied them. His hawk had informed him the boys had spent the night by the Merryweather Manor. He hoped he wouldn't hear any complaints from Sir Benjamin. Dulac and Charles were sitting next to Mr. De Noir. They nodded their heads in greeting.

The De Noir gang slumped down on the table. The faint outline of dark circles was beginning to form underneath their eyes. Robin's scarf was loosely wrapped around his neck, small leaves and twigs stuck out of it. Henry had a light scruff growing around his face, his eyes looked more sunken in than usual. Richard's hair was a mess, his usual charming smile was replaced by a glum frown. David had a drool stain in the corner of his mouth and held his shoulder. His cheek was bruised and covered in scrapes.
During their watch, David dozed off and fell out of his tree. As he fell through the air, he woke up screaming, hitting the ground with a loud thud. The fall hadn't been too bad, but it did give Cat quite the fright. Her night was restless. Every attempt to close her eyes only brought images of the monster and the dead. When she heard the scream, so close to the manor, she jumped out of bed and ran all the way to the library where Lizzy was busy studying. There she spent the night trying to sleep on the couch.
The boys did no more than laugh. Especially Richard, who had the pleasure of helping David up.

"If I didn't know better, I would say you lot look like you didn't sleep at all," Charles remarked. He was eating a biscuit and reading from his book.

Mr. De Noir shook his head.

Robin narrowed his eyes. He grabbed the jar of milk and poured himself a glass, glaring at Charles the entire time. Daring him to say anything more. Recently, Charles had been snarkier and full of retorts. He complained about all the things he had to do. Even going so far as to suggest one of Robin's friends do it. Robin was sure it was because he had resumed his friendship with Maria.

"Drop it the both of you," Coeur sighed. He was getting older. For the first time in his life, he just wanted some peace in this castle. He wondered how he was ever able to hold his grudge against the Merryweather's for so long.

...oOo...

"Maria! Maria wake up! I have something to show you," Lizzy said as she shook Maria awake. Besides her, Jane stirred in her sleep.
Jane was stable now and no longer burning with a fever. Though her wound was still red and swollen, it had stopped growing.

Maria mumbled some words. The bright sunlight from the window stung her eyes. She wasn't sure what time it was.

Lizzy stood in front of her, wearing a robe over her night dress. Cat sleepily swayed side-to-side behind Lizzy. Her robe hung off her shoulder. Her long and curly mop of hair fell over her face, masking her bandaged head and tired eyes. Lizzy pointed to a few old books on the nightstand. "I spent last night searching through the library. All I found were these few books. I'm actually surprised there's not a bigger collection. Especially one regarding medicine. Jane could really use that..."

"I doubt sensible society likes to fill their libraries with such books," Cat mumbled through her yawn. "You all do remember Ms. Watson's reaction to Maria simply having a fairytale." Cat moved to sit at the foot of Jane's bed and leaned against the bedpost.

Maria sighed. She wasn't surprised at all. She was sure her uncle got rid of most books regarding magic-but... Mr. De Noir did spend years hunting for the pearls and planning the Merryweather downfall. He might have what they need.

"I suppose I can't imagine Sir Benjamin spending a Sunday afternoon reading books on curses," Lizzy said with a small laugh. "But I found something interesting. In a small book about the legends of Moonacre, and Maria, there was a small section about a story, very similar to the one in your book. It described it as if it had been a very real thing."