The younger Brown, whose face did not match his fathers, honey colored eyes locked onto mine and I quickly looked down. Darn it! He saw me! How could I be so careless? He was someone we needed to avoid. Master hearing my cry started to run and we safely made it to the carriage and out of sight. He put me gently in it and sat down next to me.

“What do we do?” I muttered, disheartened by the development. Master patted my head, comforting me. I looked up at his sympathetic eyes and he smiled kindly at me.

“I have an idea.” He told me and then quickly got out of the carriage. Clearly baffled by him, I spotted Mother, Grandfather, and the others making their way to us. Master turned to me with such a cunning and some what evil smile that it actually made me slink back a little.

“What happened?” Mother asked a little out of breathe. “Captain Rhodes informed us that you gave the signal of protection.” She got into the carriage and wrapped her arms around me, looking me over. Seeing that I was okay she looked back at Master.

“My apologies.” He started earnestly and sincerely. I was not the only one taken aback, but unlike the rest, I had to play it off like I wasn't. Master's acting skills were coming forth and I needed to match. Instead I made myself look pitiful. I didn't know what he was planning, but I had to play my part. “I did not want to put Lady Mallory in a state of distress.” He than looked at me sadly.

“She still saw them though and is frightened.” I was impressed by how distraught he looked. I wanted to applaud.

“Saw who?” Grandfather asked gruffly, puffing up his chest a little. “Who dares to frighten my granddaughter!?”

“I must inform you that it is the Browns.” Master put his hand over his heart and bowed his head a little. All eyes were on me now and I did my best to look scared and sad. I clutched my dress skirt and nodded my head, showing acknowledgment of my fear of the Browns.

“What did the Brown family do to you?” Mother's kind and quiet voiced asked me. Technically they hadn't done anything to me yet. Anything I say they did now would be a lie I would be caught in. I shook my head.

“They're just really scary...” I whispered. This would start to put suspicion on them. My family and knights knew me to be the type to not care or be afraid of others. For me and Master to act like this was a shocking. It was going to be hard to make them look further into the Brown family, but this was at least a start and I was proud of Master's actions.

“What did they do to scare you?” Grandfather asked, flabbergasted. He knew them to be warm and giving. I resisted the urge to glare up at him for not letting it go. Instead I clutched tighter onto Mother and buried my face into her chest. “Mallory, dear, what...”

“Enough Father.” Mother very curtly cut in. “We shall head home now.” Grandfather, slightly grumbling got into the carriage and we headed home in silence. She allowed me to stay in her embrace and brushed her hand on my hair. I hid my smile, happy to know that she, being the mother bear she was, wouldn't even allow her own Father to bother me. If only she, along with the rest of the family, would try to inquire as to why I 'attacked' grandfather that day. Sure, right now, he is the perfect person, but have some suspicion that down the road he might not be. I know this was asking for the impossible because they really don't need to think like that. But.. but darn it! Grudges were monsters.

We made it home in time for a snack with the family. Mother, Grandfather and I hadn't eaten because of what happened, so I was hungry. I couldn't be caught engulfing my food, so I nibbled on the cucumber sandwich squares. Father and my brothers met up with us soon after. Father bent down and kissed mother on the cheek and asked why we were back so early. Mother sat him down next to her and started to whisper. I could see Fathers face scrunch up in confusion and whispered back to Mother. Liam sat down next to me and also started eating the sandwiches. Mason sat on the other side of me, surprising me a little. Julius and Lucas sat across from us and were watching Mother and Father.

Your Father is saying that he is slightly starting to believe the Brown's might be the reason for you odd behavior for the last two years. Master informed me, amused. That whatever they did to frighten you so caused you to lash out. For them, my secluding myself from the family, attaching Grandfather, and lack of interest was a whirl wind of unknown attitude. It's not like I wanted to back away from them, but I was naturally angry about how they handled the situation. I knew from their perspective I was crazy, but it still bothered me greatly.

When did we see the Browns last? I couldn't remember.

I believe it was around the Empires 150^th anniversary ball.

Hooh, good connection father! That ball was the 3^rd day after Liams and I's sixth birthday. I had shortly after that went after Grandfather. My father was already connecting the imaginary dots of my supposed fear. I was proud of this man. I didn't think this would really amount to anything, they would probably figure I'd grow out of it, but at least it was a start.

This... this isn't a direct interference is it? I stopped smiling to myself when that clicked in my brain. I hoped it wasn't. I was trying to stay out of all the situations after all. I mean, yes it was good that people watched them, but I didn't want them... the Browns... to watch me. Oh dear... My family was going to tattle on me. They would directly go to the Browns to see why I feared them.

Red flags Master...! I cried, explaining how this was quite tremendously going to backfire on us. All I got was a smirk from him.

Son of a...!