Simon didn't take Roman's words to heart, and he smiled, "I like playing with you two."

  Two hours passed post noon, where Simon spent his time playing with the Moltenore brothers. It seemed like Maximus was busy with his family, who held a lot of rules like his own family, but Simon had the habit of breaking them in ways so that his family didn't find out about it. But today seemed to be a different day. Mrs. Wallace and her daughter were returning from having lunch at one of the esteemed families in their carriage earlier than they were expected.

  Mrs. Wallace caught sight of her son playing right outside at one of the town's mansions. A deep frown appeared on Mrs. Wallace's forehead, and her lips set themselves in a thin line. And the carriage was pulled away from the road towards their home.

  One more hour passed, where the youngest son of the Wallace family had finished spending a good amount of time playing with the Moltenores before he got back to his house.

  Simon pushed the windows of his room, opening it before he climbed and jumped on the ground. He stared at his palms, and just when he looked up, he noticed his mother, who was sitting on the chair. The young boy's face turned pale, and he quickly stood up.

  "Good evening, mother," he offered his greetings with a small bow while his eyes tried to meet hers.

  "I didn't know that the front doors of our house isn't working anymore. Or is it that you prefer windows to go out and come in?" questioned his mother, who made her dress proper, which she hadn't changed since she had returned home.

  The young boy parted his lips, ready to speak, "It does……" he replied in uncertainty.

  "Maybe I should let others know that you prefer the windows, and not to let you through the doors. Considering how fond you are of these things," came the sharp and stern voice of his mother. Simon shook his head, and his mother stood up from the chair where she had been sitting and waiting for her youngest son. "It seems like you have trouble when it comes to understanding the rules of the house, Simon."

  "I am sorry, mother," Simon bowed his head deeper this time, apologizing and not wanting to see his mother upset.

  Wasn't she supposed to come back later?

  "Do you mean it? Your apologies are empty as they don't match your actions. You disappoint me," said his mother, and Simon felt the heaviness in his heart grow. "Change your clothes."

  Saying this, his mother left the room, and Simon stared at the open door. He hadn't expected his mother to return this early and had hoped to come back home before she or his father would notice.

  Once he finished his shower and changed himself into a fresh pair of clothes, he went to the dining room. His siblings were already seated, and he sat on the end with no one sitting in front of him at the table.

  "How was lunch with the Emerson's?" questioned his father, who sat at the head of the table. His father had black hair like his brothers, while his sister had inherited their mother's features. On the other hand, Simon had inherited red hair from his maternal grandfather.

  "It was wonderful. I took Emmie with me and they loved her. They asked about you," replied Mrs. Wallace, and Mr. Wallace gave a nod. "I told them how you wanted to attend but your work has been keeping you occupied."

  If there was one thing that young Simon did acquire from his parents, it was his mother's calm voice. An attribute where the voice was pleasing and charming to the ears, something the boy was yet to work on.

  "Work has indeed been busy. Soon Jamison will be joining me, and we will be expanding the family business," said Mr. Wallace with a proud tone. "Only that he has to stop his foolery and concentrate on what is important."

  Jamison bowed and replied, "I have reflected over my actions and will be mindful from now on."

  Mr. Wallace, who had taken a bite of food from his plate, looked at his eldest son and said, "I hope you have, else it would be a shame."

  When supper came to an end, Mr. Wallace asked, "Did Mrs. Krugg say about the time with our children? Everything is going well I hope?" His question was directed to his wife.

  "No complaints from him," replied Mrs. Wallace, "They have been doing their tasks and completing it on time."

  "That's good to hear. It is only a matter of time for our family to rise higher than the ones who are living in this town. Especially the disgraceful ones," the man's lips twisted in distaste. "What a shame, for the position of the Lord of this town. To be held by a man who didn't just act out of his marriage, but also brought his deed back to his home."

  Mrs. Wallace agreed as she nodded, "It must be really hard for Petronile to go through this. I mean I can barely imagine how she must be feeling. Some of the women have been trying to stay away from her, but some aren't able to."

  "Of course, they aren't able to. Malcolm Moltenore is the Lord and it is something hard to do," came the words of Mr. Wallace. "I am glad that I have a sensible wife, and I don't have to repeat things like these."

  His wife was pleased by his praise for her, and she then looked at their children, her eyes then came to settle on their youngest son. Mrs. Wallace spoke to her children, "Jamison, Scott and Emmie, if you are done with your food, you can go to your rooms. Your father and I would like to speak to your brother Simon."

  The siblings turned suddenly alert, as if their youngest brother had asked time with their parents so that he could complain about what they did to him this noon.

  Mr. Wallace raised his eyebrows, wondering what his wife wanted to talk about. The children slowly slid from their chairs, while Jamison glared at Simon in a threatening way to not open his mouth.

  While Simon felt the growing coldness in his palms and feet. After his siblings stepped out of the room, the butler closed the door behind him, leaving him with his parents.

  "Why did you have Simon stay back?" asked Mr. Wallace to his wife, who held a serious expression on her face. His eyes then shifted to look at his son, "What mischief have you caused, boy?"

  The young boy got up from his chair and came to stand near to his father but not in front of him. He looked at his mother, who continued to hold the disappointed look on her face. He wondered if she was gravely upset about his action of sneaking out of the house.

  Then his mother spoke to her husband, "Simon left the house today, and he got back inside through his room's window."

  "Did you?" his father questioned him.

  Mr. Wallace had always been strict with his children, and he never withheld himself in handing down the punishments to make sure his children followed and did what he wanted. The young boy took a deep breath, but not a word came out of his lips.

  "Have you no tongue to speak?" Mr. Wallace intimidated his son, and the boy finally spoke,

  "It was the closest to step out. I won't do that again, father."

  "What an unruly child," murmured Simon's father, looking down at his son.

  But then Simon's mother wasn't done speaking, and she said, "You should ask him with whom he was playing. The Moltenore's illegitimate son."

  This was enough for Mr. Wallace's eyes to narrow at his son.

  "Is what your mother saying to be true?" demanded Mr. Wallace, standing up from his seat. He came to stand in front of the young boy. "I thought I was quite clear when I told you with whom to speak and be with. The Moltenores aren't people we Wallaces would like to associate ourselves with! You will not be seen anywhere near him again."

  At his father's words, the boy responded, "Rome is my friend."

  Mr. Wallace glared at his son. He raised his hand and struck his hand right across the little boy's cheek. The impact was hard enough to push the boy towards the wall, while Mrs. Wallace did nothing to stop her husband. Instead, she watched her husband discipline their son.

  The boy didn't make a noise because it wasn't something new to get hit by his parents. But it took a while for him to look back at his father.

  "My word is final. You will not sully our family name by being around people who aren't worthy. I will tell Mrs. Kruggs to increase your study time so that you don't waste your time. If company is what you seek, you have your brothers and sister," reprimanded his father.

  Young Simon didn't get his father's reasoning, and more than his siblings, he preferred to be in the company of the Moltenore brothers, even though Roman showed disinterest in being friends with him. When Mr. Wallace started to head towards the closed doors of the dining room, the small voice of the boy came,

  "No."

  Mrs. Wallace's eyes widened at her son's rude behaviour while Mr…… Wallace stopped walking. He turned to look at his son and questioned, "What did you just say?"