I sat in the large carriage after being force to doll up and wear an over sized bonnet to protect me from the sun. Having to keep pushing it out of my face was extremely irritating and I was about to flip out and rip it off when my eyes landed on the old man sitting comfortably in front of me.

I quickly calmed myself down after getting the reminder that I wasn't the only one in here. Mother and Grandfather were with me as well. My mother wasn't wearing a bonnet because she brought a parasol, which was very unfair, but alas, she was the adult this time making the decisions. But if we took into account how many times I had reruns... my age over shot hers for miles. If I told her this, she would truly respond with,

“What nonsense are you babbling now?” and have a look that she found me to be a bit pitiful. Mother was a very kind and loving mom, but she has had to deal with countless times where my brothers and I were foolish and stupid. One time, before the whole “attacking grandfather thing” Mason and I went on an adventure in our own backyard because I told him about a cave I heard about. We got lost. We spent a night out in the woods until Master found us. Another time I convinced Liam to sneak out into town with me and we got... essentially kidnapped. Master once again had to step in. Also, Lucas and I went boating and nearly drowned because I begged him to go with me. I clearly remember Master carrying us out like potato sacks that were dripping all over.

And then with Julius, we built a giant paper air plane and tried riding it out the second story window because I told him that we both knew wind magic and it was for sure going to work Master had to catch us. Okay, I get that I'm mostly the integrator in these situations, but the point is... we all drove our mother and father crazy at times. I'm a hundred percent sticking with that. Anyway, back to the inside of the carriage. Grandfather was sitting across from Mother and I looking out the window. I followed his line of sight and spotted my dark hard knight who was riding a horse.

I frowned, why was Grandfather staring at Master? Is it because Master tried challenging him the other day? Suspicious. This old guy better leave Master alone. I caught my reflection in the window and realized I had a rather nasty glare and correct myself. Today was supposed to be a fun filled shopping escapade. So much fun should be had with Mother and my 15^th rerun murderer. The joys we were going to share, I'm sure.

“I'm thinking we should stop by 'Le Array Fantaisie.' and then proceed to get shoes and...” Mother couldn't take the silent ride anymore and started excitedly rambled to Grandfather about different places we were going to visit. Grandfather smiled kindly at her and nodded his head. I, for the umpteenth time, pushed the blastit bonnet out of my face and continued to look out the window. As I have mentioned before, I wasn't one for caring what I wore. Well... that is not all the way true. My wedding dress was deplorable and I made known that fact. Still was forced to wear it each time though. Tch. Anyway, shopping for clothing, shoes, hats, gloves, jewelry and so on wasn't something I would go out of my way to do. Mother had a great fashion sense (minus the wedding dress, but that was also part of my future in laws doing) and my families outfits were always gorgeous and stunning.

When we got a little further into town, we left the carriage behind to walk. We had a group of the Whelan knights (because the Captain and Vice-Captain of the knights were with Father for the day) and Master. We also had a few of Grandfather's knights, like Captain Rhodes. Captain Rhodes was big strong looking man with olive colored skin, light green hair, and chrome colored eyes. He would've fit in perfectly well with the Berengar Dukedom who were known for having strong looking features. But Captain Rhodes, albeit intimidating looking with such a build and his broad sword strapped to his back, was a very kind and friendly man. When he was angry or in defense mode, a totally different terrifying story though.

I waved at him with a smile on my face and he waved back as Mother grabbed my other hand and started making the way to the dress shop. Master stayed two steps behind us, along with the rest of our knightly escorts. As we got closer to the store I spotted a well-dressed madam in front of the shops door. Her guard was opening the door for her and the young girl who was holding her hand. The girl seemed to be my age, wearing a similar styled dress to mine. Hers was a soft pink, while mine was a soft yellow. I sympathized with her as I watched her pushed her bonnet out of view as well with a bit of a frustrated look.

“Why! Hello Marchioness Berkshire!” My Mother called, also having spotted them. “How are you?”

“My! Archduchess Whelan!” she politely extended her greetings while closing her fan. “I am well, thank you for asking! And you?” Mother responded in kind and then pushed me forward. I guess it was my turn.

“Hello Marchioness Berkshire, my name is Mallory Willow Whelan and it is a pleasure to meet you.” I gracefully introduced myself. I saw Master, who had moved towards the door, wink at me and I knew I had impressed the people around me. Years of practice... years. I lifted my head and smiled sweetly.

“And I am Rosemary Lovenly Berkshire.” The girl who had an interesting middle name mimicked my actions and performed perfectly. Her tangerine colored eyes that looked at mine showed a hint of a cunning challenge as she smiled just as sweetly at me. Interesting... I had heard of the Berkshires before, of course. They were popular and well known in every return, but I never bothered with them. I know, how rude of me. But, they never seemed important to my original goals. Now though, since I had completely disregarding all of those goals (take down the Brown's, do away with evil, help certain people, stops wars, blah, blah), and have come up with selfish ideals... it wouldn't hurt to at least say hello to them. Knowing them wouldn't ruin my plans... right?

Both mothers stood in front of the shop complimenting one another and their daughters. Mine and Rosemary's faces were starting to match as we listened to them. Blank looks and zoning out. We are going to be out here forever aren't we? Just as I had that though Grandfather intervened and ushered all of us into the store. Marchioness Berkshire flushed a light pink when she realized that she hadn't addressed my Grandfather, who happened to be a duke. She stumbled a little with her greeting and apologized for her rudeness. She had Rosemary do the same.

Grandfather laughed off the discourtesy and told her that it was okay. I glanced up at him, knowing full well that it was indeed not okay. He would remember this, the pretentious old food, and would somehow bring it up again sometime, somewhere for embarrassment sake. After entering the shop the noble ladies split apart and sat at different couches. My Mother and Grandfather were discussing the dress designs and the colors as I got measured. Thankfully I was granted permission to take off the horrible bonnet and felt free. After getting measured I was left alone. I twirled a bit, making my dress move in a circular motion in the opposite way and then it would fan out grandly. I could feel prickles on my skin, knowing that Rosemary was staring at me. I side-glanced her way and she wasn't even hiding her stares. I could see that her mother was talking to her about, I'm guessing, dresses, but Rosemary was clearly focused on me. She too was given permission to take off her bonnet and her crimson fluffy red hair was let down.

I decided it was best to keep ignoring her and posed in front of the mirror. I didn't want to know why she was looking at me. I hummed a little as I put a hand on my hip and looked at my reflection.

“Why don't you talk to her?” Master, who came up to me with a complimentary mint the store had, whispered. I plopped the mint into my mouth and shrugged. He sighed at my indifference. “You should ask her over for tea.” I looked up at him, slightly displeased. I knew this wasn't him telling me what to do, but it certainly wasn't a simple suggestion either. He gave me an overly friendly smile and a slight nudge. I knew better than to argue. His overly friendly smiles were scary. But I still let out a small huff of annoyance.

I flattened my dress out and made my over to Rosemary and her mother. The person who didn't even like tea now had to invite someone over for a tea time get together. Darn Master and his ways. I was perfectly fine with becoming a hermit, but he always wanted me to talk to people.

“Greetings Marchioness Berkshire,” I called. Master was trailing behind me as I stopped by their couch. Rosemary quickly looked at her mother and then back at me. “Rosemary Lovenly Berkshire, correct?”

“Y-yes.” Rosemary stood up, clasping her hands in front of her. Her cheeks had a faint pink on them, probably caught off guard by my sudden visit. I was clearly ignoring her this whole time after all.

“May I called you Rosemary?” I asked with a soft smile. She quickly nodded. “Then please call me Mallory.”

“Thank you Lady Mallory.” She said looking pleased.

“I do not mean to impose, but I was wondering if you like tea and snacks?” I watched her clever eyes scan over up at Master, to my Mother and Grandfather, then back to me. She was inspecting us, very interesting indeed.

“I do enjoy them!” Her eyes than showed excitement and her brought her hands up, touching fingers to fingers. Her excitement caught me slightly off guard, but I quickly recovered.

“I see! Would you like to come over sometime and have a little party with me?” As I offered the invention her smile got brighter and brighter. I had to resist squinting. She looked at her mother for approval. Her mother agreed fairly quickly and Rosemary turned to me nodding her head vigorously. It made her hair swish back and forth, creating an elegant motion sort of like dancing flames.

“How wonderful! I will ask my mother when a good time will be and let you know. Hopefully it'll work with you.” I turned to her mother to confirm. Marchioness Berkshire smiled warmly up at me and nodded. That was my cue to take me leave and I said my goodbyes. I went up to my mother and Grandfather, ignoring the light squeals coming from the two people I just left, and waited for a moment to interrupt. Grandfather was the first to notice me.

“Mallory, my beautiful granddaughter, what it is?” He asked, opening his arms. I was proud of myself as I walked into the hug he was offering without looking disgusted. After a few awkward moments he let me go and I asked about the tea party. Mother was thrilled with the idea. She informed me and Grandfather that she thought today was a wonderful day.

“Shopping with my Father and daughter and now a party! Goodness!” She got up and went straight towards Marchioness Berkshire to set a time and date. I knew why she was excited about the invitation I extended. I had no friends. Well, I had Master and Braxton, and I often visited Braxton per his invitation or he would invite himself over, but I was pretty much a stay at home by myself person. By the way, Braxton is my best friend. He was indeed the one who tried to rescue me from Grandfather that day. He's been my best friend in all of my reruns...minus one.

Anyway. Being friendless always made her uneasy and fearful for my future. I watched her giddily talk to Lady Berkshire. Grandfather brought my attention back to him as she showed me the designs, fabrics, and colors they chose. I thanked him for his thoughtfulness. I was going to end up wearing whatever anyway since I wasn't one to care, but the colors and fabrics were pretty. Mother came back and informed me when Rosemary was going to visit and then thanked Master. She knew very well that it was not I who instigated the situation, it was clearly Master.

Master smiled kindly and took two steps back to be with the other escorts as we left the shop. We shopped some more for shoes that matched the dressed and other little things like ribbons and jewelry. I was having a silent battle with the bonnet again as we finally walked to the market stales. Grandfather had informed me to pick anything I wanted as he was itching to buy me something. I had forgotten that this trip wasn't just for my mother, but for me as well. I nodded and looked at the different stales.

I was looking at a beautiful horse glass figurine, marveling at it's design. It was a black horse with little star patterns. It's mane and tale were a blue-ish color and were long enough to touched the bottom as it grazed. I was about to inform them that I wanted it when Captain Rhodes stood next to me, surprising me. I blinked up at him, curious as to what was going on. He wasn't even looking at me but at Master instead. I turned to Master and frowned. Master was glaring quite ferociously at someone. I leaned back a little to see if I could see who from behind Captain Rhodes. I only noticed a preteen that was there also looking at the figurines on the stale. He had smooth blonde hair and a nice face.

“Whoa!” I let out as Master swiftly picked me up, startling the kid. The preteen looked up at me with inquisitive green eyes and watched Master take me away. Master had secured me in his arms and rushed me the way to our carriage. “What did the kid do?” I asked, watching Captain Rhodes looking around.

“Not that child.” Master mumbled as he picked up his pace. There were children all around, but I still tried to find who Master was talking about. My eyes finally landed on him and I shrunk down in Master's arms. His brown hair was neatly comb and his handsome face looked bored as he stood next to his father and yawned. This was Daniel Brown, the Count Brown who I knew later down the road to be a tyrant and would lead to two of my deaths. His father, who he was next to, is the current Count Brown. He is a stocky man also with brown hair and eyes. His pudgy face had a grin on it as he talk to someone whose back was to us. This person had a top hat and waving his cane about. Count Damien Brown was a deviously cruel man. He was the type that would make you believe he was a kind soul that helped out the poor and orphans, but in reality would butcher, take advantage of, and/or sell them...