"Robin?!" Maria exclaimed. "What on earth are you doing here?"

Robin had frozen next to the wall, his eyes upon Maria and the dress she had pulled up around her knees so that it would not have been made muddy by the woodland paths, the braid which had been pulled loose by pointed twigs and bristled plants, and the deep brown eyes that were regarding him suspiciously.

"Maria," Robin managed to stumble out. "What are you doing out of lessons so early?"

"I was allowed out by Miss Heliotrope, and so thought to come down to the forest to meet you," Maria replied, dropping her skirt back to the floor and holding her elbows, suddenly feeling flustered under Robin's steady gaze.

"I was going to leave a message for you," Robin said, "saying that I would not be able to meet you today. It's just that I'm... I'm a little busy."

"Oh..." was all that Maria could say, cool disappointment settling upon her shoulders. She had been excitedly discussing her birthday with Robin for weeks, pondering what she should wear and teasing him on what he would get for her.

"I'm sorry, Princess..." Robin said, noticing her crestfallen expression and unconsciously reaching out to take her hand.

"It's fine, Robin," said Maria, suddenly springing to life and stepping lightly past Robin and through the doorway. "I steal you away for myself far too often anyway, of course you should have time for yourself."

Maria rushed down the corridor before he could say another word. She knew that one should not be selfish, and most certainly did not want Robin to think such things about her, but shook the thought from her mind as she entered Marmaduke's kitchen. The entire expanse looked as though a dessert-dressed bomb had dropped, with white icing coating the cupboards and cream cheese dripping from the counter tops.

"Miss Maria!" yelped Marmaduke, apparating mere inches from her face and blocking her view of the kitchen calamity.

"Oh my, Marmaduke! Whatever has happened? Can I help you clean up?" exclaimed Maria as she bent down to pick up a sugared violet.

Before her fingers could touch the confectionary, there was a pop and a whoosh. Marmaduke appeared upon the wooden table, clutching the violet and several others like it between his fingers. An overflowing mixing bowl balanced upon his head.

"No, no, Miss Maria! I couldn't ask such a thing of you! This is just... just... a simple practice for the finest cake you will ever be presented with upon your birthday brunch! Consider this a sneak peek into the celebration spectacular! The jovial jubilee!"

Before Maria could respond there was another pop, then a whistle, and suddenly Marmaduke was behind her, oven-mitted hands ushering her out of the door.

"I am sure Mistress Loveday has laid out some fine ribbons that she will want you to choose from inside your room, Miss Maria!" And in a whirlwind Maria found herself bustled from the kitchen, the small door snapping shut behind her. She sighed to herself and looked at her vacant surroundings. Did nobody wish to have her companionship today?

In no mood for picking out ribbons, Maria headed for the library. It is a universal truth that when one finds themselves all alone, books can be counted upon for the finest company.

She spent the rest of the afternoon within the comfort of bookshelves, before looking up to find the sun setting outside of the library's cloudy window panes. It was rare for the Merryweather family to eat so late and, upon inspection, there was nobody to be found within the dining room nor the glasshouse. Perhaps she had been forgotten after all.

Disheartened and lonesome, Maria made her way up the winding stone staircase to her room. Dismal shadows cast themselves through the portrait hole and candles flickered next to her open window. The breeze fluttered through the lace curtains and mussed her hair.

"You look stunning tonight, Princess."

Maria gasped and stumbled, simultaneously shocked and thrilled at the sound of the familiar husky voice. A chuckle reverberated about the room as large hands wrapped around her waist to stop her from falling to the floor. As shadows gathered intimately closer, Maria found herself held tightly against a wide and muscular torso.

"Robin," she breathed.