Chapter 1

                                        

                                              
The days following Maria's sacrifice were strange for all in Moonacre. The once elusive and quiet Moonacre Manor was now bright and alive - people coming in and out, animals wandering amongst the gardens at night and the people of Silverydew would find any excuse they could to pass by it during their daily duties.
Breaking the curse not only revitalized the mythical creatures of the forest, but it also brought back the time when both the Moonacre Manor and Castle Black were at their finest. This revival of their respective homes had confused many - rumors had spread amongst the town of people. 
People watched as the valley was covered in a ripple of moonlight, engulfing the world around them like the sea engulfed by the shore; and as trees grew greener and flowers bloomed. The birds sang louder in the forest and those near the Manor and Castle Black watched as years of grime and decay vanished, and colors became vivid. They knew the curse was broken; the question was how?
Were the moon pearls found? Had there been a marriage? A death? Infinite theories and gossip rang throughout the valley. The heads of both families started to notice as more and more villagers seemed to flock around the grounds of both estates. 
Benjamin Merryweather was unused to all the people, all the attention. So he would stand in the windows and watch as horse after horse, person after person came eerily close. Not only did he look sharp in appearance with his coal black overcoat, sharp jawline and leather riding boots, he thought sharply as well. Storm grey eyes pierced through every guest. Waiting. Judging. 
***
One night, he was awoken by screams. 
Some of the village boys had been convinced a goddess resided among the manor and they broke in to prove it to themselves; frightening poor Ms. Heliotrope in the process, who had been wandering to the kitchen for a late-night snack. The poor boys were struck in the head and left for dead as the governess ran back into her quarters, terrified of the thought that these boys may be bandits. 
Sir Benjamin rushed down the stairs in nothing but pajamas and a sword he had stolen from a knight's statue. His sword hitched as it clanged through the stairs as he ran. Once he found the boys, and got Marmaduke to nurse their raging headaches, he sent them back home with Digweed leading them and tried to console a blubbering Heliotrope.
After that event, Sir Benjamin had decided to contact the De Noirs, asking them how they were fairing.
Coeur De Noir had responded later that evening, having sent his falcon to deliver his message. With his daughter, Loveday, back in the castle (she had decided it would be best to mend what broken relationships she had with her family before the wedding), the castle was livelier than ever. 
Most people were glad that this pathetic rivalry was over, whereas others had many words against the result. Many of De Noir's own men came stomping into his office to argue with him. "Now with the curse broken, it may be the last chance we get to overtake Moonacre Valley." While the Coeur had considered it, after finally seeing his daughter for the first time in years, with a smile larger than it's ever been, he realized it would be a mistake to go back to the way things were. No. Instead, he told everyone they'd have to deal with the change, and that the two families were going to work together to protect the new, flourishing magic in the valley. 
He was in no mood to ruin his daughter's happiness. Not after she had reunited with the love of her life. When his daughter came back to the castle the night of Maria's sacrifice, she had explained everything to him. How she'd run away originally to be with Sir Benjamin, her living in the forest after their fight. Everything. Despite their... love for one another, Coeur still found it hard to tolerate Benjamin Merryweather.