The Dark Princess {OUAT AU}

Chapter 4

By the end of the night Valerie slips away once the men are all distracted after her father's toast and gets up to her room without anyone stopping her. She gets out of her gown and leaves it in a crumpled mess on the floor along with her heels. She pulls the pins out of her tight up-do and scratches her scalp happily before slipping on trousers, a blouse, and her favourite cape and slipping the rope out from under her bed. It takes her only a few minutes to slide down the tower, get on her horse, and ride out into the forest for another magic lesson, her blood singing with the thought.

~~~

A knock on the door turns Valerie away from the book she got from Rumplestiltskin the night before. It's a fascinating book of spells with bits and pieces of magic history tied in with the spells. She quickly hides it under her pillow and calls out for whoever it is to come in. Robin enters the room, dressed in a dress shirt and tie, slacks, and dress shoes. His whole outfit is grey with a blue tie and blue belt that accent his eyes.

Valerie is wearing another knee-length dress, this time amaranth coloured with a white belt around her waist that matches her heels.

"Good evening Princess Valerie. Are you ready to go?" He asks and she nods, standing up.

"Yes I am. Where are we going for our date?" She asks him and takes his elbow as they go down the stairs.

"I asked the servants to prepare us a private room and supper, menu made by myself."

"Really? That's a very interesting choice."

"Interesting? You don't like it do you?" Robin's face falls and and Valerie quickly backtracks.

"Oh no! Don't think that! It's a wonderful idea." She squeezes his elbow and gives him a smile.

"Oh good. I was slightly worried." He breathes a sigh of relief and continues to take her to their private room. He takes her to the north wing of the castle and inside one of their seldom used rooms. It's mostly plain, just having pictures on the wall and a rug on the floor. But now there is a small table decorated with candles and some flowers. There is a bottle sitting in an ice bucket and Robin leads her over to the table and pulls out her chair for her.

"You're such a gentleman." Valerie teases and Robin smiles.

"It is how I was raised. Once I stole from my father and gave to a poor family because all I wanted to do was help. I got in trouble but I know my mother was proud."

"Awe that is so cute." Valerie laughs and Robin blushes, rubbing his stubble. The candlelight glints in his eyes and Valerie realizes what he's doing. Romance is Robin's thing.

"Sneaky man." Valerie mumbles but Robin doesn't catch it. Servants come out with trays covered with silver domes that are placed on the table.

"For the appetizer I decided on breaded calamari." Robin tells her as the domes are lifted and taken away. One man stays to open the bottle in the ice and the cork comes out with a loud pop.

"Champagne?" Valerie asks and Robin smirks.

"Only the best, imported from my kingdom for a fabulous girl." He winks and Valerie bites her lip, trying to suppress her grin.

"Well then." Is all she says and takes a sip from her glass. The champagne is absolutely delightful, sparkly and delicious. "This is wonderful."

"Have you ever had champagne before?"

"No actually, just heard about it." Valerie says, putting down her glass.

"Have you ever had calamari?"