"Now the real evening begins", Coeur De Noir bellowed. The door was shut tightly with a loud bang and Coeur De Noir led Rose over to the table, "we mustn't sit before the princess, ladies and gentlemen, this is the forest princess we're in the presence of, where are you manners", Coeur De Noir mocked as Robin pulled out a chair for Rose. The tension in the room felt like it could overflow at any moment, Rose's heart kept pounding as she took notice of the smirks and whispers throughout the room. The Coeur was at the head of the table with Rose to his his right and Robin to his left. Luke was next to Robin, whilst one of the other goons with long, chestnut hair was to the right of Rose, giving her a sly grin.
"You must tell me Princess, how have things been at Moonacre, is the place still as disaster of a building?" Coeur De Noir smirked, whilst Rose clenched her teeth. "Actually, Moonacre is flourishing thank you very much, it's better then ever", Rose remarked as a plate of beef and vegetables was served to her.
"I see, I see, and how is your uncle? Still playing hide and seek with my daughter", with that a few sniggers were heard around the hall. "Well if you'd actually spoken to your daughter recently you would know", Rose snapped her gaze continually locked onto her empty fork. She didn't feel like eating, nothing seemed appealing with this atmosphere.
Robin gave her a sympathetic look across the table, but Coeur De Noir took notice of it. "Ah, what's this? Has my son fallen for the Merryweather Princess?" Coeur De Noir laughed as the hall erupted with whistling and cat calling. "Father please", Robin began, "it's not like that", Rose added, "we're just",
"Friends", they both said in unison. "Hmm", Coeur De Noir muttered between a mouthful of food. Luke playfully nudged Robin, which he quickly shook off.
"Speaking of friends, I believe you met one of our maids earlier today", Coeur De Noir smiled, as Rose's face fell. "In fact, why don't you say hello to her now?" He laughed as the grand, oak door burst open with two guards dragging Prim by her wrists, her feet trailing on the floor.
"Prim", Rose whispered under her breath, in shock of Prim's state. Her skin was covered in dirt and blood and had tears streaming down her face. "Let her go!" Rose demanded as the guards stopped before the table. Rose ran round to hold Prim, but Luke grabbed her wrist and pulled her back. "As you wish", Coeur De Noir laughed as the guards threw Prim to the floor, her muffled cried deafened by the laughter.
"Ladies and gentlemen shall we give our guest a proper De Noir greeting? You'll know all about this", Coeur De Noir grinned malevolently, directly saying the last part to Rose. Horror struck her face as she remembered last summer's events. "Stop! Stop this!" Rose cried as Luke and another of the gang members, who she believed to be called Damion, held her tightly back.
The crowd began to circle round poor Prim as food and drink from the table was thrown at her fragile body, her tears lost in their taunts. "Robin!" Rose shouted, as she looked to him for help, but he merely stood there, his eyes cold and lifeless and he stared at the floor. "Robin!" She called again, but he continued to ignore her. Rose struggled against the boys grip , as she continued to try and stop the crowds. Coeur De Noir made his way through the havoc towards Rose and stood maliciously in front of her, "you see Rose, you see this boy, see how he ignores your cries for help!" Coeur De Noir bellowed, whilst raising a finger to Robin, the colour drained from his face, "he is a weapon, he is a killer, do not forget it. You can use a spear as a walking stick, but that will not change its nature. It'll do you good to remember that!" He spat, before turning away, and returning to his meal.
Rose stared daggers at him, before making eye contact with Robin, giving him a swift glare, a mix of anger and pain, before running off to her room, tears flowing down her face. She wanted to help Prim, but there was nothing she could do. Why did Robin ignore her? Why did he just let it happen?!
When she reached her little sanctuary, she slammed the door shut. She didn't care for manors or propriety, no one was here anyway. She threw herself on her bed, and cried away her sorrows. She felt so helpless! She let the De Noirs treat her like she was nothing, then allowed the same thing to happen to Prim, and on top of that, the one person she thought she could trust just stood there and let it happen!
She was tired of doing nothing, now more than ever she wanted to complete her quest, with or without Robin.

YOU ARE READING
The Other Curse ~ Robin De Noir [2]
FanfictionBOOK 2 (The other Merryweather is Book 1) After Rose and her younger sister Maria broke the curse, they've been enjoying their life here at Moonacre. However, to break them from their perfect paradise, Rose's recent headaches have been getting worse...