𝐒𝐨 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝓛𝓸𝓿𝓮

Chapter 3

The book had a picture of all by the cliff. I think it was after she jumped, but how come it has that. Maybe it was a magic book. I wondered.

    Maria's POV: I saw the picture. It took me a second to realize that the next page wasn't blank. It had a picture of all of us by the cliff. I stood up fast, was about to show Robin, and almost backed up into him. He must have been right behind me the whole time. "Oh, I'm sorry I didn't realize you were behind me," I said, moving over.

    "It's okay. I should've been paying attention. How do you think it has that in it?" He said, picking up the book. He flipped it over, studying it. "Do you think it might be magic?"

    "Maybe. I'm not quite sure, though." I said while looking over his shoulder at the book. I heard some commotion. "I think it's time for breakfast. I'm going to get something to eat. Are you coming?"

    "Yeah, anyways, my father should be here any minute to discuss peace," Robin said while setting down the book. Everyone was already eating when we walked in. We sat across from each other, listening to Digweed and Miss Heliotrope's and Uncle Benjimen and Loveday's wedding plans. Digweed and Mrs. Heliotrope will get married in the manor's garden. They wanted a simple wedding while Loveday and Uncle Benjimen would get married in Loveday's Father's castle, and Loveday was saying how she wanted it to be filled with pink geraniums and wanted to invite anyone and everyone. There was a loud knock on the door, probably Mr. De Noir coming to discuss the terms of peace.

    "I'll get it," Digweed said, standing up from his chair and opening the door. "Hello, Mr. De Noir. Please come in."

    "Hello, Digweed." Digweed brought Mr. De Noir into the dining room, where Mr. De Noir greeted us and eagerly sat down. Mr. De Noir mentioned how most of their clan agreed to the peace, but a few still needed to be more easily convinced that peace was the best way to go from it. The same goes for the people of the village. Most were happy that the rivalry would end, but a few weren't sure. They aren't anything to worry about, though.

    He turned to me with a smile and said, "There are many people who are eager to meet the moon princess and were wondering when you could stop by so they could ask a few questions. Word spreads around fast in this small valley. But I doubt anyone expects you to go right now. You probably already have a lot on your mind." I smiled, and Mr. De Noir continued talking to Uncle Benjamen.

    I wasn't expecting the whole valley to know in one night. It was all too soon; Mr. De Noir was correct. I needed at least a few days to process everything that had happened the night before.

    I started getting really anxious about what did people expect from me. I am the moon princess now. Were there responsibilities that came with the title I would have to fulfill? Too many questions filled my head. I politely excused myself from the table and rushed outside. I grabbed Periwinkle and was about to take a ride through the forest.

    Robin's POV: My Father turned to me after Maria left the table. My Father spoke and said, "Robin, you know how I said that there were a few people who disagreed with the peace, but I said not to worry, well I only said not to worry too, Maria, because it was only last night since her fall, and she seems to have a lot on her mind. Where I'm getting to, anytime Maria goes to the village or to the forest, make sure she isn't alone, go with her some people might want to hurt her but don't let it happen, she is the moon princess, and we need you to keep her out of harm's way. Do you understand?"

    I eagerly got up, "Yes, I understand, Father." I didn't want her to go into the forest alone anyways since she doesn't know it like I do. She could easily get distracted and start wandering around, then get lost. I walked around the manor to the side and saw Maria preparing her horse.

    Maria's POV: I noticed Robin before stepping on my horse. His eyes looked a little worried, but he was smiling and asked, "Where are you going so soon?"

    "I'm going for a ride to try and clear my head. Would you like to come? I'm sure Uncle wouldn't mind if you were to borrow his horse, Atlas." I said.

    "I would be more than glad to come along, Princess." Robin gave a sly small.

    "Don't call me that," I said while I rolled my eyes, feeling my face reddened and the butterflies filling my stomach. I got Uncle's horse ready for Robin to ride.

    "Hey," He said while raising his hands in the air. "You technically are a princess. You should get used to people calling you it from now on."

    "Ugh, well, do we have to start now."

    "Yes, it's the only way you'll get used to it," Robin said with a smirk. I rolled my eyes. As Robin jumped upon Uncle's horse, he said, "I've only ridden a horse once or twice before when I was younger, but I'm sure that it's nothing that I can't handle."

    We headed to the forest. Robin is ahead of me. He looked tense, trying to make sure he won't fall off. Robin seemed to be taking in every little landmark he could find. I guess he was doing that so that if anything happened, he would know where we were last. I trust Periwinkle and believe she doesn't need me to ensure she is following behind Robin.

    I came out here to clear my head, but the picture of the first moon princess came into my mind, and I started to pay attention to the forest, and something felt off. Almost as if  I am being watched. I made Periwinkle go faster, so now I am beside Robin. I looked at him, and it seemed like he realized it too.

    "Robin, I think we should head back," I whispered. He nodded, and we turned around to see a group of people who didn't look nice. Robin hurried Uncle's horse in front of me.

    "Well, well, look who we have here, fellas. It's Robin and the moon princess. What a lovely sight to see. We were just talking about you, Moon Princess. I can't promise it was all kind things, though." He said with a laugh. I guess that he was their leader in a way.

    "Will, can you please move out of the way? We will be heading back." Robin said. I could tell that he was trying his best not to be rude.

    "Oh my, ya'll must have the wrong idea." Will said while laughing, "Ya'll aren't leaving just yet." Will made a hand signal to someone, and more people emerged from the forest's shadows surrounding us. Panic set in my head. It was only the two of us and a lot of them. We had no place to go! I couldn't see Robin's face. It would be a lot easier if he just turned his head with an unworried expression or a reassuring look, but he hasn't yet, and I'm really starting to worry.

    They all seemed to be waiting for something, maybe a signal from Will, as they surrounded our horses, keeping us from moving. Robin and Will were talking, but I couldn't hear them over my thoughts getting louder and louder.