Chapter 2

                                        

                                              
The week following the dinner at Castle Black was very hectic. The wedding was planned for two weeks' time, so Loveday was rushing to finish everything she could. They had hired some townspeople to help scrub the floors of the manor, wash the curtains, and beat the rugs. Digweed was hard at work in the gardens, where the ceremony would take place. Marmaduke was baking cake after cake and dish after dish, having the entire household try each one and give their thoughts. He wanted everything to be the best anyone had ever tasted. 
Maria, meanwhile, had to cram all her weekly studies into the Saturday and Sunday preceding Loveday's visit. She wanted to be as helpful as possible. So after late nights burning the manor's oil supply, she made good on her promise. As soon as Loveday arrived, Maria was right beside Digweed, grabbing her two large bags and taking them to the room beside Benjamin's. She was out in the gardens the morning of her arrival, in an old pair of trousers belonging to her uncle, tearing weeds out by the root. Even Ms. Heliotrope had been busy, writing the calligraphy for the name cards that would sit on the dining tables for the reception. Because of her need for a silent and bright room to concentrate on the small delicate writings of the guest's names, she hadn't even noticed Maria marching past the parlor in brown trousers and a white tunic shirt.
Maria only stopped helping out in the garden when her uncle came by, and notified her that it was almost noon, so she should go and wash up to give Loveday a proper greeting. 
Once Maria has bathed and scrubbed her hands clean of the dirt and thorns from the weeds; she dressed the few cuts she obtained, dried herself off, braided her hair, and dressed herself in the same dress she had gotten from Loveday up in her bedroom. The velvet felt soft against her freshly cleaned skin. Then she applied one conservative squirt of a perfume Loveday had gifted her as a thank you for ending the curse. 
Maria rushed downstairs, hoping Loveday would be here soon. They had planned to do some work on her wedding dress, which had originally belonged to her mother. Maria was very excited to see it. 
Almost as soon as her foot hit the bottom step of the stairway leading into the foyer, there was a knock at the door. Maria broke into a sprint, but if Ms. Heliotrope were to ask, Maria would say it was but a "brisk walk" to the door, practically throwing it open to greet her future aunt. 
"Love-" Maria paused, her face immediately falling to a frown, "Robin? What are you doing here?" She crossed her arms with a pout and glared at the teen expectantly. 
"Oh I'm sorry Princess, am I not who you wanted to see? I guess I'll get going then, I wouldn't want to disappoint 'Her Highness.'" Robin greeted with a sarcastic bow, clutching his hat to his chest. His curls fell around his face, hiding his eyes as he glanced up at the girl in front of him. Their eyes met as he straightened back up. He fixed one of the several scarves around his neck, pruning the feathers with his gloved hands. 
Maria rolled her eyes, not having the energy for the boy's jokes today, and looked behind him, seeing Loveday approaching carrying several large bags. 
"Loveday!" Maria called out, pushing past Robin with little regard to his balance.
"Oh Maria!" Loveday called back, letting her bags fall to the ground and the teen leaped into her arms.
"Oh Loveday," Maria started with a squeeze to her waist, "I am so excited! You'll be in awe of all the work we've done since you've been gone! Almost everything is ready! Oh and please be sure to comment on how lovely Ms. Heliotrope's calligraphy is when you see the place cards, she's been fretting all weekend worrying about it; she's a perfectionist you know." 
Loveday held Maria's face in her hands, smiling down at her soon to be niece. "It's wonderful to see you so excited my dear. I'll make sure to encourage our dear Heliotrope, and I'm sure you've done some amazing work. Why don't we head in and you can show me around," Loveday kissed Maria's forehead, "Then we can get started on my dress."