~Chapter 24 - The Past and it's Stories~

'Tears solve nothing, young lady.' Was a phrase Maria had heard all too often from her dear governess. Therefore, she was not one to often cry, but perhaps the exhaustion had overwhelmed her this time. For whilst she sat in the carriage on the way back to the Manor, the Moon Princess could not help but let a few tears escape her brimming eyes. Miss Heliotrope did not scold her this time but placed a comforting hand on her knee, her silence telling Maria that she was proud of her for being so strong. Sir Benjamin, who was not used to the ways of women, handed her a pretty white flower he had picked on the way to the carriage.

The moment they arrived at the manor, Marmaduke vanished into the kitchens to prepare a hearty breakfast. Though the party had eaten lightly before leaving, it had been an exhausting few days and a hot meal cooked by the enchanting chef was definitely in unspoken demand. It was a relief to sit down at the dining table with Miss Heliotrope and Sir Benjamin, warm light streaming in through the tall windows. It reminded Maria that although her fight was not over, she had released some magic back to the valley.

Coeur De Noir had promised to send word as soon as Robin woke up, provided the surgery was a success. Maria preferred not to think about the gruelling operation he underwent to remove the bullet. It made her almost as sick to her stomach as when she thought of his blackened hand, however what she had not realised yet was that the idea of Robin being affected by such a thing was what made her sick – not the blackened hand. She had after all seen it first as a much naiver girl, confronting the Coeur.

Finishing the last of her fried egg, Maria quietly excused herself from the table and headed to her room, avoiding the sympathetic looks she received from her tutor and uncle. It seemed to take an age to walk the stairs to her tower; she was well and truly worn out. Having barely slept from the night she jumped into the sea to the morning she left the De Noir castle, all Maria wanted was to sleep. And for Robin to wake up. Unfortunately for the Moon Princess, her dreams would only be plagued with more stories of Moonacre Valley's past.

"Oh Elizabeth, I am terrified!" It was the same lady from Maria's last dream, Catherine. This time she was sat at the piano, her head in her hands. Beside her stood a nervous looking servant, her hands folded in front of her. Maria found herself watching from the French doors, just out of sight. "He knows no good will come of a confrontation."

Elizabeth nodded, seemingly unsure of how to comfort her Lady. "I beg your pardon Milady, but might this confrontation be about that butcher's boy?"

"Yes, it is. The De Noirs believed he was spying and stealing on behalf of our family. He was just an uneducated boy who thought he could help his father by taking from who he believed was a rich and cruel family. He must have found something of importance or they would not have immediately believed he was working for us." Catherine explained, standing up from the piano so she could pace back and forth. "It's been hours. Why is he not back yet?"

At this moment, a young boy of about seven skipped into the room, faltering slightly when he noticed the anxious movements of Catherine. "Mother, am I allowed to stay awake for longer since father is not home yet?" He asked hopefully, eyes wide.

Catherine flinched and stopped pacing to pinch the bridge of her nose. "No, Julian, Elizabeth is going to help you prepare for bed now. Your father will be home soon." She told him, and his shoulders slumped.

There was a sudden slamming of doors and the sound of uneven footsteps, and all jolted upright. "Harold?!" Catherine called out, alarmed.

The steps stopped and a loud crash sounded out. Catherine and Elizabeth ran through the ballroom doors, as Julian froze in fear.

Maria chased after them, her heart hammering.

There, in the entrance hall, lay the man with the walking stick. It was Harold, and he shifted his weight so he could look up at the three women who crowded around him. Blood poured from a wound in his thigh, and his face was as white as snow. "He's dead," He was rasping, over and over.

Catherine broke into sobs as she collapsed by her husband, gathering him into her arms. "Oh Harold, it's okay, we're going to get you some help," She was muttering, rocking back and forth. Elizabeth was stood stock still as she stared at Maria, who suddenly grasped that they could see her. Catherine however had not realised that she did not know the young girl who stood with them. "Get help! What are you doing! Go!" She screamed at the girls through her sobs, and Maria found she could not move.

Maria stirred, her dream interrupted by a cold nose nudging her cheek. Rolling over and blinking her eyes open, she found herself face to face with Wrolf, who was still in the form of a lion. He let out a short puff of air, telling her that he was impatient for her to get up. Maria yawned and stretched, noticing from the height of the sun that it was just after midday. She doubted she could get back to sleep after that dream. Though they were intruiging they were also exhausting, as if the valley's magic were transporting her back through time.

"Alright Wrolf, let's go on a walk." She suggested, assuming that the snort he gave was in agreement. She followed as he trotted to the door and waited for her to open it. "I'd like to go back to the first Moon Princess' home. Do you think it's safe?" Maria asked as they left her bedroom. As if Wrolf understood her, the lion bowed his head and continued walking slightly ahead of her, leading her out of the manor and into the quiet woods.