"Marion, darling, did you get everything packed?" Robin asks, jumping in front of us and giving Mary a fright.
"Robin!" Mary yells holding one of her hands to her heart. He smiles sheepishly and kisses her quickly on the cheek.
"Please let the boys get everything. You two are probably already tired as it is." Robin says taking the trunk from both of us with no struggle.
My eyes go wide at how effortless he lifted the trunk from my own struggling hands.
"I'm not going to argue with that!" Mary laughed.
Robin and Mary walk away with the trunk heading towards the burnt out fire that I woke up too. I follow them to the fire wiping my hands on the pants that Ben gave to me, only to pull them up so they don't fall down to my knees. I reach the fire and I see men laughing and talking. But that all stops when I get closer.
"M'lady." A man nods respectfully to me. I smile softly before I drop my head and walk faster too where Mary and Robin seated themselves. They sat near Ben, Nicholas, Greg and John Jr. I sit down in between Robin and Ben. Ben smiles at me mischievously, like he knows something that I don't and I raise my eyebrows.
"ya know, my dads pretty notorious," Ben says smiling.
A smirk cracks upon my face when I reply, "Oh, really?"
"Yeah. Well I mean that's what he's made out to be. He's actually a nice guy when you get to know him." he says.
"I bet. He seems nice from what I can tell."
"He's also good with a bow and arrow, in case you didn't know! Warning you now, don't get him started on how to shoot. He'll never leave you alone." He laughs.
"Do you use a bow and arrow?" I ask curiously.
"No, I'm more of a sword person. But Nicholas, being the first born, learned all about the art of the bow and its arrows. He's about as good as father now." Ben rambles.
"You talking 'bout me boy?" Robin asks leaning over me, resulting in him falling off the log he and Mary sat upon.
"Robin!" Mary yells disapprovingly. Ben puts a hand over his mouth as he lets out a loud laugh at his father's clumsiness.
"What ever did I do, my love?" Robin asks, pulling himself up. Mary rolls her eyes as Robin pulls her towards him into a hug. But whatever he did was forgotten right away as she got lost in his embrace. I smile at how happy Mary was now that she was home. Home with her true love and her children.
"True love is sweet isn't it?" I jump, not used to the voice that just whispered in my ear. I turn too only to look into a pair of gray eyes that pierce through my own. Nick raises his eyebrows at me, "Jumpy much?" I let out an awkward giggle.
"Yeah, It is sweet." I say turning towards Mary and Robin again.
"Well, one day you'll find your own true love. And I bet the whole world it will be even sweeter." Ben says, overhearing me and Nick. Nick rolls his eyes at Ben.
"Lets hope." I say quietly.
I cant help but wonder if I'll ever get to have a true love. Heading home now, fills me with so much happiness and hope, but I cant help but remember the rules ingrained in my head while growing up.
To keep the bloodline noble, My mother and father had a suitor arranged for me since I was a little girl. I know it's my duty to the kingdom, but looking at Mary and Robin fills me with a desire I hadn't allowed myself to ever consider.
But after four years of pretending to be something I am not, it would be nice if I can stop that completely.
