The Other Curse ~ Robin De Noir [2]

Chapter Nineteen

The valley of Moonacre had been put to sleep under a blanket of white. The boughs glistened with frost; the air hung silent and cold. Winter had come. The evening's events left everyone exhausted and emotionally drained and to clear her head, Rose took a stroll under the winter wonderland's moon.

There was something magical about Moonacre, between the pure white and heart-warming browns. There is a glory in the silence, in the reverent awe of nature, in the stoicism of root and branch. With every breath, life seemed to bloom from the forest, even under the fallen crystals.

Even as the winter moon readies for her time over the frozen land, the autumn bequeathes a garland of confetti, a gift of seasons past and a promise of seasons to come.

If only people could see the true beauty of the earth. If only they could put aside their anger, greed and hate, then the world would look as equally beautiful as Moonacre did in those present moments. Behind every hardened soul, lies a glint of understanding and longingness for revival.

Rose knew this now. More than ever. When people accept where the power lies, you see the world in an entirely different spectrum. So when Rose reunited with her family earlier that day, she understood every emotion and feeling, from Miss Heliotrope's glistening eyes; to Loveday's over whelming hug.

There would never be enough words, not even from the pages of Rose's story books to explain how much love she felt for her family in that moment. So instead she brought down upon them a basketful of kisses and embraces. Robin, however, was quiet. He despised his father for so long, and Rose knew that he wanted to hate him, but he was still his father, and the loss of him brought upon a silence, like a thief in the night.

Rose found Robin sitting in a tree, studying the constellations, muttering under his breath. She hoisted up her skirt, and climbed the twisted branches to join him. The snow, burning her fingers.

"You know I always wondered what it would be like to live here?" He whispered as they acknowledged Moonacre standing grandly beyond the trees. "When my father sent me to spy on you, I'd sometimes find you outside playing with Maria or talking with Miss Heliotrope or going riding with your uncle. I just would wonder what it would be like to live with a family that actually loves you...and now my father has...arghh" Robin moaned, "it's okay, it's okay", Rose soothes as Robin ruffled his hair. "I'm sorry, I hate him for what he has done to you and what he had done to me, and I hate him even more for saying all that soppy stuff to twist my feelings before he..." Robin huffed and looked down, "it's okay to grieve him", Rose smiled and Robin looked up, "but..." he went to continue.

"I know he was an awful man and did terrible things, and you have every right to be angry. But he was your father, even if he wasn't a very good one, he will always be a part of you", she explained.

Robin sighed and looked at her with a raised eyebrow, "since when did you become so wise princess?" He teased, back to his usual self.

Rose rolled her eyes and smiled, and the two of them relaxed against the branches in a peaceful silence. "Why do you think the kiss worked?" Rose asked, finally bringing up the dreaded question. Robin looked to the sky, "I was wondering that myself, but I think it was because of the tale".

Rose looked at him blankly, "and..." she continued. Robin shifted his weight on his branch and looked deeply into her eyes. "Well, in your book it says that the forest Princess, a Merryweather, and Thron De Noir were in love. However, when Thorn De Noir betrayed the Princess, that's when she began to fade. I believe that the cure to that curse was no potion, it was the reunion of the forest princess and her true love, a De Noir...a cure to a broken heart", Robin whispered, still staring intensely into Rose's eyes.

Rose could hardly breathe, butterflies fluttered around in her stomach, "I'm your true love?" She gasped, "I knew you loved me, but I didn't know you looovvved me", she fussed, and Robin laughed, holding her hands as she began to fiddle with her hair. "Of course I looovvvee you", he laughed and mimicked her before gently brushing away a golden strand, creeping out from behind her ear. They were only inches apart. "Rose. I have loved you ever since you ran your needle through my palm", he teased and Rose looked down sheepishly. "I knew, that whichever girl I wanted to be with wouldn't just be some damsel in distress, she would have spirit and courage and know her own mind. I just didn't realise she was you".

"You saw the good in me when no one else did. You loved me even after what I did to you. Whenever, I'm around you, I feel weak in the knees. I have almost lost you twice, and both times it felt like my world was ending. I never want to lose you again, I'm so blissfully happy whenever you're around, you make me good; you make me strong; you make me happy. My heart beats only for you...always for you", he blushed, their lips only centimetres apart.

He paused as he saw her smile, as bright and as big as the moon. She was giggling almost uncontrollably. His long speech was so unexpected, but was so utterly true to Robin.

"Princess?", he breathed as he leaned closer.

"I love you Robin De Noir, forever and for always", she laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck. Now it was Robin's turn to smile as bright as the moon.

Time seemed to stand still.

They looked into each other's eyes, just each other, no one else. The snow falling around them in the midnight glow.

The world seemed to stop at the touch of their lips and moved in harmony with the beautiful scene.

The sun asleep. The moon shinning bright, and the forest at peace.