I was clutching my dress skirt, hand shaking. It was hard not to react to this man, but I couldn't cause a problem here. Even though that was one of my most painful deaths...I needed to calm down. In this time line, he hadn't killed me, but how could I not react to him and not hold a grudge? I took a silent calming breath, unclutching my hand and stood up straight with a smile on my face.

“Come, come!” Gather around, my grandchildren!” Grandfather was ushering us to the many boxes being brought in. He sorted through the pile, bringing out four nicely wrapped different sized boxes.

“Mason!” He handed Mason, the eldest of us all, a small box. Mason happily accept it. “Go on!”Grandfather urged him.

“Oh, wow...!” He gasped at the fancy pen. It was a sleek and smooth purple marbled color with the initials of M.W. beautifully engraved on it. He was so pleased with it, he even showed me. I smiled at him, faking my surprise. Same as always... I thought as he ran to show it to our parents. The next gift was to Julius who opened a box to find a ruby colored iron dagger. Lucas got a fancy gold swirls vest with shiny clasps. Liam got a book. It had a brown border and a gold colored number 3 on the side, but he hid it from view.

“As for you, Mallory,” Grandfather handed me the long and wide box. He had explained each gift, as to why he got them for us. “I was informed that you are getting very good with this type of thing. Plus! This one will grow with you.” I almost didn't want to open it. Why kind of doll did he get me? I thought, apprehensive. He always got me a doll with white hair, lavender eyes, in a red dress, white stockings and black shoes. Basically it was me in doll form. I didn't understand by what he meant and was sort of scared thinking how the doll would grow and I grew.

“Whoa...” I couldn't hide my surprise as I opened the box. It was a extremely wonderfully crafted bow with a rearing horse carved in it. The box also had a shiny black satchel that had a silver band with a wolf between a shield and the moon. This was the Whelan's family crest. The arrows had striking blue feathers that glittered, except one that was the color of silver. “Th-thank you Grandfather.” I was actually genuinely thanking the man who made me go literally insane from immense pain. This was odd though. All the other gifts were the exact same, why was mine the only different one? He laughed loudly, happy by my shock and patted me on the head again. I almost batted his hand away. I would've if it wasn't for Master spreading his calming aura to me. Just because he got me this, didn't change anything.

“I can't wait to see you use it! All of you!” He puffed up his wide chest proudly looking at us all. After my parents received their gifts we went to the lounge for tea and snacks. I had asked my old maid, Lydia to put it by the back door to the training grounds. I wanted to try using it today if I could. I picked up a cookie as I sat in between my parents. Well, forced to sit there. They were acting as guards just in case I tried to do something to Grandfather. That was my assumption anyhow. They talked to Grandfather about his trip to here while I talked to Master.

Are you just as surprised by the bow? I telepathically asked him.

No. His reply was short. I titled my head in puzzlement, braiding his pony hair.

Why not? It was always, always been a doll.

Sometimes factors can change things.

What factors!? What changed!? His simple responses were not making sense to me. I tried remember what I did on my last two reruns. One of them, I came back at the age of sixteen and the other was the age of twenty. They shouldn't have had any affect... right? I picked up my fourth cookie, pondering this to myself.

“Mallory, no more. It'll spoil your lunch.” Mother chided, giving me a side glance with her bright lavender eyes, as she sipped her tea. I begrudgingly put the cookie back. Lydia, having taken my mothers hint took the plate of cookies away. I was sad to see them go, but Lydia came back with a cup of cold water for me. It was known in this household that I didn't like tea. Try as I might, the taste never suited me. I smiled up a Lydia, who in smiled back with gentle shining green eyes and returned to where she was standing before, her light brown hair, styled in a short bob, bouncing slightly as she walked. I peeked over at both my parents. This was interesting... they had let someone help me. As I mentioned before, I used to have Lydia as my maid, but when I attacked mister lovable over there, my punishment was not only to have an incredible lecture, it was also to have no help. Because, if I was old enough and bold enough to do something like that, I was old enough and bold enough not to require help. I was sent to the room at the back of the estate that was rarely used without a maid or butler. This was until I had reformed my ways and saw the light, so to speak.

Apparently for the last, almost two years, I had not done so. But, truth be told... it wasn't much of a punishment for me. After growing up many times, I knew how to take care of myself. Plus! I had Master and he helped me out a great deal when I am brought back to much younger ages.

This was not something I let them onto though. Thus the reason I had matches in my dress pocket and a candle stick at the top of the stairs. If they had figured it out, then I would be moved again. I liked this room. It was isolated and I could perfect my skills with little to no interruptions.

When tea time finished, the triplets secured Grandfather wanting to show him something, so Liam and I were left alone. I looked at the old clock, it was going to be lunch time in about an hour, so I might as well make use of the peacefulness.

“Where are you going?” Liam asked as I opened the door to leave. I jumped, ever so slightly, when I realized he was right behind me. My heart may have stopped for a millisecond there. He had a broody look on his face as he held tightly onto his book, trying to hide it from view. To this very day, I have never understood why he wanted to hide this book from us. We never made fun of him about it.

“To the library, I guess.” I shrugged my shoulders. He frowned and bit the bottom of his lip, his breathtaking blush lavender eyes looking down. He stole many a heart in the future with those eyes and face. My dear, dear brother was just to cute. Okay, yes, we're the same age.... physically at least. “Would you like to go with me Liam?” I had to resist sighing dramatically. Having dealt with this before, I knew it could hurt his feelings and I knew he was trying to figure out how to hang out with this little twin. He looked up at me quickly, a crooked smile now forming. He nodded his head, his wintry hair vigorously moving to and fro.

I held out my hand for him. He grabbed onto it and we made our way to the library together. I grinned at Master.

I guess Liam has forgiven me.

It would seem so, My Lady. Master quietly responded to me. I hugged him closer, trying not to grin wider. This was the start. Julius was the second one to forgive me, then followed Mason and Lucas. This didn't always happen. Sometimes none of them forgave me as there was times I didn't show kindness to Grandfather and I ended up having a horrible relationship with them. Favoritism, really! Anyway, I digress. When I finally started to realize this and change things, the pattern was always Liam, Julius, Mason, and Lucas.

Liam and I sat at the same table I was using early, still having all my books and notes on it. Liam gave me a skeptical eye as he looked at my choice of reading material, but didn't say anything as he sat opposite of me. He put his book down quickly and started reading it. I plopped Master down as I went through my notes, trying to remember where I left off. After about twenty minutes, Liam leaned back in his chair, bringing the book up. Finally, I could read the title.

“The Adventures of Dr. Leaf, volume 3.” Same as always as well. Dr. Leaf was a fictional character from the Kingdom of Flowers and was a traveling specialist in death and plants. Although fictional he was, he was Liam's hero. I use to worry as to why he read these books, being the young lad he is, but these stories proved to be pivotal motivation in his older years. See, my lovely twin here became a renowned paleontologist in all kingdoms. This only changed in one rerun and I will never allow that to happen again.

That time was a truly devastating rerun. I can still feel the lingering anguish from it. I pushed that from my mind as I continued to think about my family. Mason was the one to inherited the title of Whelan's archduke, Julius inherited the title of Aderlyn's duke and Lucas worked his way to the top to become the Prime Minister of the Emperor of that time.

Mason and Julius had to work to get those titles though. They had to prove themselves in character, intelligence, judgment, and abilities. If they couldn't do this, no positions were given. But they got them every... single... time.. Meaning, Mason and Julius were just as smart and great as my other two brothers. My cousins were the same, Amelia became a famous artist and Emily became a fashion designer. As for me... well, I want to say I'm intelligent, but I have died 42 times and can't seem to figure out why I keep returning, so theres that. Also, I never wanted a position of power or popularity. Most of my reruns I kept getting unwanted attention from certain people, one being Count Brown.

You're frowning, My Lady. Master informed me. I straightened out my face with a light slap to my cheeks with both my hands. Thankfully it wasn't loud enough to disturb Liam who was too engrossed in his books adventure.

We need to get into business affairs quickly... I told Master as I started jotting done more notes. I had figured out the basics already, but I hadn't figured out on how to start without people knowing it was me. That was the issue. I couldn't let me know that I had a business and was making money to run away with.

I didn't realize I was staring off in Liam's direction with the pen in my mouth until my eyes focused onto his waving hand. I blinked a couple of times, my brain slowly catching up.

“Oh!” I started, “Yes Liam?”

“It's time for lunch.” He hopped down from his chair, leaving his precious treasure behind and held out his hand for me. I guess he was coming back with me after lunch. I snagged my still Master and held Liam's hand as we made our way to go have lunch with everyone. Lunch was loud with Grandfather telling one of his stories. I played along and laughed at the parts where everyone else laughed at. Thankfully lunch ended quickly, but instead going to the library, Liam asked of I wanted to play ball with him outside. I agreed and went to get my coat, gloves, and knitted scarf. It was early spring so it was still cold outside.

He and I ran around, kicking the ball back and forth, enjoying our time with one another. I had just kicked the ball to him, when he picked it up and suggested that we head in.

“How about we try out my new bow and arrows?” I counter offered, not forgetting about them. He shook his head saying that I should wait for Grandfather.

“He said he wanted to see you try it out.”

“And he said he wanted to see you read your book.” Take that brother. He knitted his eyes brows, thinking it over.

“Well.... alright.” I hugged him gleefully and then dashed to go get them, my dress and coat fluttering about. As I was coming back, I saw Liam kick the white ball to, what he thought, was just a normal stuffed horse plushie sitting on the stone ground. I had to resist the urge to giggle at his adorableness. I was also tempted to ask Master to push the ball back to surprise Liam, but thought against. Master in that form was a secret and needed to be kept that way.

I pulled out the string and bow, and tied them. I looked over the arrows and decided to choose the silver feathered one. Upon further inspection of it, I discovered that it had a sleek black base with a silvery vine design on it. It was very pretty and I was greatly impresses with the workman ship.

“Look Liam!” I said, giddily, shoving the arrow towards him. Unlike him, who tried hiding his prizes, I let him hold mine and ogle it.

“It's very pretty, Lory.” He was rolling it over in his hands, taking in each detail. I blinked at him. This was a surprise. I hadn't heard my nickname in a while. He looked up at me, a goofy grin on his face. That grin disappeared and was replaced by a startled look with worried eyes.

“What's wrong? Why are you crying?” He asked, bringing me into an awkward hug, putting the arrow down.

“My nickname...” I sniffled, wiping away tears. “I haven't heard it in such a long, long time.” The thing about a nickname is, only those close to you can call you by it. My family may have forgiven me on past reruns, but they hardly ever called me by my nickname anymore after that indecent. I was a bit of a taken aback to hear it again...