Maria walked back to the manor in a daze. Without her coat, the frigid December air stiffened her hair and chilled her skin, particularly piercing the spots that once marked Robin's kisses. Once inside, she closed the door and leaned against it.

"I'll be guessing your plans didn't develop as expected?" Marmaduke asked as he appeared out of thin air.

Maria shook her head and sighed.

Marmaduke sighed as well. He took her by the hand and led Maria to her room. There was a warm kettle of tea, a cup of hot chocolate, and a batch of freshly baked cookies on her nightstand. By the burning fireplace, there was a hot, steaming bath waiting for her. It smelled of rosemary and mint, herbs to fix her senses.

"Thank you." Her gloominess caused Marmaduke to frown.

"There's no need to thank me, it's the least I can do. You're always going out of your way to help us all," he said with a soft smile. "He will see that soon too. Just know princess, no matter what happened, or didn't, you did your best.
"I'll be in the kitchens if you need me." Marmaduke patted her hand and disappeared with another pop.

Left alone, Maria began to undress but she stopped short at her sight in the mirror. Her hair was a mess, loose curls fell randomly out of her up-do. Her bodice was skewed to the side and her lips were raw. Then she noticed her neck and gasped as realization struck her.

'No... That can't be...' Maria walked closer to her mirror and gulped. She had never seen them before, but she heard rumors. The girls at school spoke of such marks visible on.... fallen women.
A trail of faint red spots traced down from her neck to her collarbone. She thought of Robin's kisses and felt her stomach do a sickly somersault. Maria panicked and tried to wipe them away, but the more she rubbed, the redder they became.

'Oh no, no, no!' She shook off her clothes and tossed them to the floor. Then she jumped into her tub and hoped the hot water would soothe her. Maria rubbed her head wondering what to do. Despite the sweet-smelling water and crackling fireplace, she could not relax. In fact, she felt worst. Was this the start of her end?
'I kissed him. I kissed Robin De Noir.'

'Then he ran away.'

He refused to talk to her. Did he think low of her actions, is that why he left? Maria wanted to die from embarrassment. She hid her face in her hands. 'What will he think of me?'
Maria groaned. What if Robin were to tell of what she did? Her uncle would be furious. Mrs. Heliotrope would be disappointed. Her reputation, it would be ruined! She sunk lower into her tub and for a second, wondered if drowning would be a sweet release from her stupidity and impropriety.

Tears began to spill from her eyes into the water with a faint plop. As much as she tried, she couldn't stop crying. She felt so vulnerable and ashamed. She had kissed Robin De Noir, she had failed to break his curse, and now, he would probably think the worst of her.

Resting her head against the tub, she let out a groan. She was embarrassed at her state and felt a new appreciation for Marmaduke, to see her like this and not make a judgment. Maria closed her eyes and hoped that when she woke up, this would all be another bad dream she didn't remember.

...oOo...

Robin burst into his room. 'What the hell just happened?' One moment, he's chasing the girl. The next, they're kissing.

Now, he's seeing visions and his back is burning.

Robin took off his jacket and shirt, then went to the mirror. He inspected his back, his scar still looked the same, but it was throbbing and sending waves of heat through his spine.

He turned to face the mirror. His hair was a mess, and his lips were swollen. She had kissed him, but why? 'Bloody hell, she kissed me.'

'She.

Kissed.

Me.'

'And it was a damn good kiss.' Robin leaned against the wall and ran his hand down his face in disbelief.

Did she really have feelings for him? Or was it just an attempt to get his memories back? More importantly, did he once really have feelings for her? What was going on?

Robin paced around his bed. He did not know what to do. His heart was beating like he'd just sprinted a mile and his thoughts did not show any sign of slowing down. He was a mess, and it was all because of Maria Merryweather, the Moon Princess.

He spotted his stack of books. Grabbing Maria's Moonacre book, he tossed it to his bed and paced around it.

Robin readied himself. If the book was cursed... well he was already cursed...it couldn't get any worst, right?

He inched closer. Just as he opened the book, he jumped back, expecting some violent spell or gust of wind.

Nothing happened.

Robin released a sigh of relief and sat on his bed. He turned the book to the first page and began to read it.

...oOo...

Tap. Tap. Tap.

"Maria, are you in there?" Mrs. Heliotrope said from the other side of the door.

Maria shook herself awake. She was still in her tub. The water was now a lukewarm temperature and her fireplace had dimmed to a mere glow. She sighed, today was not a dream. This was her reality.
'At least Albert and my family are safe, things could be worst, right?' Maria tried to comfort herself.

"Yes, Ms. Heliotrope! I'm taking a bath."

"With this weather? Goodness, you're bound to catch a cold! Hurry on up dear and come join us for supper."

Maria dried herself off and looked in the mirror. 'Oh no, it's worst!' The feint red spots on her neck were now tinted red and blue. They were bruising! She tried covering them with her powder, but it didn't help. The powder was translucent and instead, seemed to bring out the bruises more. Maria wanted to cry. How could this have all gone so horribly wrong?
'Thank goodness it was just a kiss and not more,' a voice whispered in her head, causing her to turn bright red. Maria shoved the thoughts aside and worked to make herself presentable.

She quickly dressed in a pink gown. She opened her wardrobe and searched for her thickest scarf. It was a mustard yellow knitted scarf that clashed horribly with her pink dress, but at least it covered her neck.

Maria went downstairs and joined her family for dinner. Though Loveday and Mrs. Heliotrope eagerly told Maria about their trip, she hardly paid attention. She really tried not to think of it, but her thoughts kept bringing up the kiss. They wouldn't stop.

"Maria, are you alright, dear?" Loveday asked.

"Oh, goodness you must have a fever! You're red." Mrs. Heliotrope rushed to her and touched her forehead. "Child, you're burning up."

But it was not a fever. She couldn't look Mrs. Heliotrope in the eye. She was afraid her indiscretion would be visible for all to see.

That night, worried about her pupil's health, Mrs. Heliotrope sent Maria to her room with her food. There she changed into her night clothes and laid in bed. She stared at her ceiling, wondering what she had to do next. She had no clue. With every minute she hated herself more. She hated the spots on her neck. She hated how much she had enjoyed their kiss, how much she wanted to see him, she hated that a part of her wanted to find him and kiss him again, she hated that he left without a word. But most of all, she hated that the kiss didn't work. She turned and stared out her balcony windows, wondering what he was doing at the moment. Was he thinking of her too?

...oOo...

Robin awoke the next day in a daze. One would think he'd be used to the feeling by now but unfortunately for him, that wasn't the case.

He groggily rubbed his eyes and allowed his hand to fall down his face. He stopped when his fingers crossed his lips. As the events of yesterday crossed his mind, Robin groaned. He brought a pillow to his head. As though the pillow could protect him from thoughts of her.

Maria.

Maria Merryweather.

She had kissed him, all so that he could remember something. And well, he remembered something alright, but he was all the more confused.

He rolled onto his stomach, hoping that would ease the pain in his back. It didn't. Instead, a hard corner of a book pressed into his rib. He pulled it out from under him. The Moonacre book. Robin rolled his eyes and tossed it to the side.

He felt so childish, so-so weak. How did she get into his head? It was just a kiss. A bloody stupid kiss that meant nothing. He was a De Noir. She was nothing but a Merryweather, a-a witch! That's it, she must have cursed him again.

But... for some reason, those words just didn't feel right to him. It was as though some feint feeling within him told him how wrong he was, but he just couldn't admit it.

Unfortunately for Robin, he couldn't dwell on his thoughts much longer. The door creaked open and Richard peered in.
"Well I'll be a monkey's uncle, you're up! Seems like the first time I won't have to drag you out of bed."

Robin rolled his eyes and shoved his head further into his pillow.

"Where were you last night? You missed dinner." Richard continued, egged on by his silence.

"None of your bloody business. And what do you want? It's a Saturday," Robin complained.

"Well aren't you a bundle of joy this morning," Richard responded sarcastically. "Came to let you know we've offered our services to Sir Benjamin. He needs help clearing the manor of snow and boarding up the barn."

Robin lifted his head and eyed him warily. "What makes you think I'd want to go?"

Richard raised his hands in surrender under Robin's glare and said "Relax, we're not inviting or forcing you to go. I only wanted to let you know."

Pursing his lips, Robin thought of Maria. This would be a chance to study her. See for himself if she cursed him or was it simply a kiss.

With a determination that took Richard by surprise, Robin got out of bed and began to dress. "I've changed my mind, I'm going too."

...oOo...

Christmas was just around the corner and the manor was alive with excitement. Or so everyone else was excited, everyone except for Maria. She tried to join in the festivities. She really wanted to pretend everything was normal.
And yet a growing anxiety nagged from the back of her head.

Her thoughts were elsewhere. She was fidgety, as though her secret would burst out. When questioned if she was feeling well, she would only mumble an excuse and wrap her scarf tighter.

She felt pathetic. She knew she had nothing to fear. Her scarf kept her indiscretion hidden quite well...and there was no chance of running into him. She knew from Loveday the De Noir castle was just as busy fortifying against the winter; and besides, it's not like Robin would even consider visiting the manor, even with an invitation.

Yes, that's it, Maria took a deep breath forcing her nervous thoughts out of her mind. 'It's ok. It was just a stupid, meaningless kiss.'

"Dear, are you alright?"

Maria jumped at Loveday's voice. She was so preoccupied with her chore she failed to notice Loveday observing her by the door. She wore her cheeky smile. The one that sent her scurrying for an excuse, as though Loveday already knew her secret.

"Yes, yes of course! Just thinking."

"Hmm, well alright." Loveday clasped her hands and gave her a once over, her eyes momentarily pausing at her scarf. "I came to ask you to escort the boys to Sir Benjamin."

"They're here?" Maria asked, her heart speeding up.

Loveday smirked, "Yes, Benjamin needs their help, I doubt he'd want to be kept waiting."

Maria hurried out of the manor but stopped dead in her tracks at the door. The gang was there, including Robin. He was looking right at her with a hard, inscrutable, stare. Maria wanted to take a step back, her heart quickened with nervous tension, but her eyes would not leave him.

Robin's jaw tightened and he narrowed his eyes, as though challenging her. The tension growing between them broke when Henry coughed awkwardly, calling their attention.

"Erm-yes. Hello boys, I apologize, I'm just surprised to see Robin here." Maria tightened the scarf around her neck. "Thank you for coming to help. Let me take you to my uncle, I'm excited to hear about your recent adventures along the way."

Though his presence didn't help, Maria quickly regained her composure after dropping them off with her uncle and rushing back to help inside. She kept busy, working even harder to keep herself from thinking of him. She helped Marmaduke in the kitchen. She helped the ladies set the Christmas decorations. She decorated their Christmas tree with Albert. Eventually consoling him when he broke a couple of family heirloom ornaments. Albert tried to fix them but was left heartbroken when Loveday explained the ornaments could not be repaired. Throughout their work, Loveday and Mrs. Heliotrope tried many times to pry the scarf off her, insisting Maria wear her newer, more fashionable scarves-but that she would not do. As long as her bruises remained, fashion would have to wait. Once the inside was ready, she rushed outside to help Digweed decorate the gardens.

As she was hanging ornaments in the rose bush, she got the prickly sensation of being watched. Looking over her shoulder she soon found the culprit, Robin. He was watching her with a steely gaze. Not knowing what to do, Maria shuffled behind the rose bush to keep on with her work. From then on, she noticed just how much Robin studied her-and it wasn't a pleasant gaze, no; it was a terrible one that made her feel exposed. She fidgeted under his eyes, constantly seeking shelter behind some bush or object. The few times she unluckily made eye contact, she was the first to turn away.

Overwhelmed by Robin's persistent observation, Maria locked herself in her room with the excuse of needing to wrap her family's gifts. As she was rummaging through her desk for wrapping paper, she found an old and dusty package. It was the knife sheath she bought for Robin during her first year away at school. She held it in her hands as she sat down on her bed. She felt the familiar flutter in her stomach, her thoughts once more straying to their kiss.

'No Maria! You mustn't think such thoughts!' But she couldn't help it. She sighed and rested her arms and head on her desk. 'What's the point!' Maria had to admit it, she missed Robin, her Robin.
She raised her head and inspected her neck in the mirror. She felt the new knot of emotion settle in the pit of her stomach as she thought of how he had kissed her.

"Maria, are you in here?"

"Loveday?" Maria asked snapping out of her thoughts.

"Yes dear, the boys have left. I noticed you've been distracted. May I come in?"

"In a minute!" Maria rushed from her seat and hid all her gifts. Then she hastily wrapped her neck in the yellow scarf she was growing to hate.

Maria opened the door and Loveday came in. She shivered, the room was cold. Loveday added more wood to the fireplace, then she lit the lamp by Maria's bed and sat down next to her. She placed the back of her hand on her forehead, "Good, your fever's down."

"Yes, I seem to be feeling better."

"Perfect, I can't wait until you come back to live with us. We miss you. I miss you."

Maria smiled and leaned against Loveday

"Have you by any chance, made progress with my brother? I was surprised to see him here of his own free will and couldn't help but feel some hope..."

Maria looked down at her hands and vigorously shook her head.

"Oh well. Nothing to be done. I was hoping with the holidays you two would finally make progress. I miss him," Loveday sighed.

Maria was beginning to feel a tinge of guilt.

"I hope you know how much we admire you. You've been so brave and valiant. You have maintained your values and stuck with your instinct. Whatever happens, you will always have your family here to support you."

Maria nodded her head.

"Are you sure you alright? You've been awfully quiet. You can talk to me about anything, you know that, right?"

Maria's eyes began to water, but she continued nodding her head.

"Goodness Maria, what is wrong? Is it Robin? Did something happen while you were visiting Jane? Oh, I was worried something would happen!"

"Nothing happened in Bristol."

"Then why are you crying? Please talk to me. Did something happen here?"

Maria began to turn red.

"Oh dear, you're burning up! You must take off your scarf."

Yet despite the growing heat, she shook her head and covered herself up with her blankets. Loveday tried to pry the covers off her, but she held on tight.

"Maria, why won't you let go? What is going on?"

"I don't want to be a fallen woman!" She wailed.

Loveday looked taken aback. "Excuse me! What?"

Maria shamefully took off her scarf and revealed her fading bruises. Loveday started laughing. "Oh, dear. My goodness! Is that what you've been trying to hide?"

She nodded her head.

Loveday paused. Her hand rushed to her mouth as her eyes opened wide.
"Oh-oh my goodness! Oh my...did Robin do that?"

Maria timidly nodded yes. Her eyes still furiously looked at her hands.

"What happened?"

Maria fell back into her bed and recounted her encounter with Robin, all the while hiding her face underneath her pillow

Loveday gasped and laughed. She pulled Maria up, then hugged and shook her. "I knew you two still had feelings for one another! I knew Robin fancied you!" Then gently taking her face into her hands, Loveday inspected Maria's neck. "Goodness, there was quite a bit of passion in that kiss, wasn't there?"

Maria squeaked and hid her face with her hand.

"Maria, it's alright," Loveday said removing her hands. "They're not as bad as you think. Why are you so upset? Did he hurt you? Did he do something you weren't comfortable with? Tell me and I'll deal with him personally!"

"No, no, it's not that! It's just these marks... they're the marks of fallen women..." Maria finished in a whisper.

Loveday laughed, "Who told you that nonsense?"

"It's true! It's what the ladies at school say!"

Loveday sighed and shook her head. She inched closer and placed an arm around Maria as she brought her close. "Yes I'll admit those bruises, or love bites as some affectionally call them, are looked down upon... But there may be instances where that can't be helped."

"What do mean?"

Loveday scratched her head as her cheeks began to turn a light shade of pink, "You are a young lady. There will be certain... situations where some feelings will get the best of you, but that doesn't mean you've fallen! I myself know that too well... you see how your uncle and I fight, we can get very passionate about our disagreements. Well, that passion manifests itself in kisses too, in fact, before your uncle and I married there was this instance-"

"-Ew that's my uncle, I don't want to know!"

Loveday laughed and covered her face. "Maria, you know how much I despise London's fashion. Yet I too have had to resort to high-collared dresses when things have gotten out of hand."

Maria began to cry again. "What am I supposed to do then? I don't have such dresses, and I don't ever want to need such dresses! I just wanted to get his memories and now I can't get that stupid kiss out of my head."

"Must have been a mighty good kiss..."

"Loveday, I'm serious!"

"So am I! Sure, they're unsightly but when it happens between two people who love and respect one another, it does not