The Troubles from Monsters and Men (The Secret of Moonacre Fanfiction)

A Promise Overdue

The peaceful comfort that surrounded Maria and Robin was shattered soon after by their families.

"Maria! Robin!" Loveday and Mr. DeNoir shouted as they burst through the courtyard doors. The rest soon followed. All were in a frenzy, worried that Maria had snuck off to the dungeons or that Robin had regressed and hurt her.

Their shock was palpable when they found the two instead, sitting amicably by the fire.

"Goodness Maria! You will catch another fever at this rate!" Mrs. Heliotrope scolded her.

Maria timidly stood up, "I'm sorry we just simply lost track of time."

"It was my fault," Robin said standing next to her. "I needed a quiet place to think and asked her to join me."

Sir Benjamin narrowed his eyes at Robin. He wasn't sure what transpired between the two but considering that only a week ago they refused to talk to one another, he was certain something did. Something, which he had a feeling, he would not approve of.

"Well no matter, it's late. We're heading home, come along," Loveday beckoned her.

Maria scurried over, sending Robin a smile and timid wave over her shoulder.

"Robin, may I have a word?" Sir Benjamin commanded rather gruffly. Robin nodded and let his father know he would be alright. Soon it was just the two of them. Without Maria next to him, he was starting to feel the icy cold.

Sir Benjamin asked in a rather serious tone, "Why the sudden change in heart? It was only a few weeks ago you couldn't even stand the sight of Maria. Yet now I find you two alone together. Before you go back inside, you will tell me, why the sudden friendliness? Did you get your memories back?"

Robin stammered, "N—no, not exactly...". He didn't know what to say.

"Then did your cousin set you up for this? What are your intentions?" His eyes bore into Robin, looking for—no expecting, him to lie.

Robin balked. "No! No one set me up for this! I mean her no harm!" Robin took a deep breath and continued, "I read her book, the moonacre one. Since then, I've started getting flashes, like memories almost, except I still don't recognize them. I wanted to talk to her, to understand what was real."

Sir Benjamin studied him. "Does she know Althea has escaped? Did she go down to the dungeons?"

"N-no. She doesn't know anything," this statement now weighed heavy in his heart.

"Don't you dare falter on me, boy!" Sir Benjamin felt his temper flaring. He took a step back, pinched the bridge of his nose, and took a couple of deep breaths before continuing. "I've already lost her father, who despite his stupidity and irresponsibility was still my brother. I simply want to be sure you will not harm her."

"I—I don't intend to hurt her."

"Then why the sudden change? Let me jog the little memories you have left and remind you that a few months ago you put a knife to her neck. For all I know, you could be under the beast's control! Without knowing you're free, how can I trust you to be in her company? No, I would have to be a bloody fool!"

Robin gritted his teeth. Her uncle was right. Too many times his family had put the Merryweathers at risk. There was no way he could prove himself loyal when he had to constantly check Maria's book just to know what happened between them.
'She's better off without me', that stupid thought forced itself into his head, but Robin tried his best to ignore it. He narrowed his eyes and took a deep breath. If there was one thing he knew, it was that fighting with Sir Benjamin would get them nowhere.