The break with Ian went by in the blink of an eye but Scarlet did not mind since she was eager to introduce Ian to her relatives. While Scarlet enjoyed just being with Ian, she missed her parents and Alana.

"Not a word of the engagement even when they question you about when you plan to get married. You must remain strong and not fold right away. While they would like to know if you plan to marry me, they will judge you for being afraid of them," Scarlet informed Ian.

"What is the worst they will do to get answers out of me?" Ian asked, his fear started to show now that they were getting closer to Scarlet’s family home. It was easy to be confident when they were not yet around her family but now it was different.

"I do not know. I have never been around to witness what they do to get their answers. I always assumed that there are threats but it is only because they seek fun in seeing others uncomfortable. Keep in mind that they are only teasing you though some of their threats might be real," said Scarlet.

She continued, "It is up to you to know when they are being serious and joking. They will only be confusing at the start. I trust that they will not ruin the reunion by treating you as an outcast. You can have your fun by letting your mother give me a cold greeting."

"I don’t care about whether she likes you. You never need to sit with her and convince her to like you as my partner," said Ian.

Scarlet was confused as he told Ian that he didn’t need to worry about her family yet he was the one seriously preparing to win them over. "Then you shouldn’t concern yourself with getting my family to like you. We must be fair."

"The difference is that I believe your father would bury me at the back of your estate so I need to win him over. My mother doesn’t have a choice but to like you. She is the one who needs to win her way back into my life. Is that it?" Ian asked, looking out the window at an estate far larger than Scarlet’s. "Does your family know about being simple?"

Scarlet smiled as it was the reaction she always got from anyone seeing the family home for the first time. "It is to provide rooms for many of my relatives. How could it be small? There are also some family friends to arrive as the days go by."

"And what about our room? Will I be asked to sleep alone?" Ian asked.

"Of course you will be. We are not yet married and I would like for you to not mention that we slept in the same bed during our time together. I don’t need it mentioned to anyone that we were on a trip together. They tend to overreact and I am not in the mood to answer their questions," Scarlet said, enjoying the last moment of silence.

"By overreact you mean?" Ian questioned, wanting to know if it was exactly what he thought.

"They will not say it out loud but they would certainly hint to me being pregnant because we have shared the same bed. You will find that many of them are pretty blunt which I enjoy only when it is not me they are questioning. I can only bear with you speaking about children," Scarlet said, putting her finger on his lips before Ian spoke.

"That doesn’t mean I want to hear about it now. You do not sleep with someone and then the very next day expect to hear news of them being pregnant. Not a word of a child during the days we are here. I do not want to get anyone excited. And don’t drink whatever my grandmother offers you."

Ian moved Scarlet’s finger from his lips. "I was not going to speak about that. I wanted to let you know that there is a carriage behind us and it bears the same flag as a falcon.

"Oh," Scarlet responded, turning around to look back at what Ian saw. "It is hard to tell who it is but it is not my parents. It might be my great-aunt and her family. She’s travelled far to come here. It is a bit surprising to see her so soon."

Ian didn’t know who to think of since he wasn’t well-schooled on the Collins family tree. "Your great-aunt? I know that your grandfather has three siblings."

"Yes, but one has passed long ago. Penelope is one of the twins and the one who married Tyrion Castro. Had they stayed in the palace their grandson would be the king and we would not have to put up with Luke. I always wonder if they regret leaving us with Luke. She is nice," Scarlet assured Ian. "Only Rue is the energetic one. I don’t think my grandmother’s siblings will come this year."

Scarlet could not sit still as the carriage passed through the opened gates and went up to the front door where there was a small crowd.

"My parents and Alana are here. Come, let me introduce you to everyone who is here. They look like they are ready to go hunting. Are all of you trying to get a head start so I do not win this year?" Scarlet asked as she stepped out of the carriage.

"No, we were setting up for it but I must admit that I received a few pleas that we do not join the hunt this year. They wish for someone else to have a turn at winning," Leonard said, going to Scarlet to hug her. He nudged Ian from being so close to his daughter.

"Scarlet!" Rue called as she walked down the stairs. "You were taking ages to get here. Imagine my surprise when I was told you were out and about with Ian. What did he do to convince you to take a break?"

Ian leaned close to Scarlet to whisper, "I cannot be blamed as the one who shared we went on a trip. I think the princess is guilty which is why she does not look our way."

"You have not answered me but I have enough time to get my answers. Ian, your brother is somewhere around here with Ryan. You should let him know that you have arrived. He has been speaking nonstop about you. Elijah," Rue called for her husband.

"I am right here. Penelope," Elijah said, going to his sister as she got out of her carriage.

"Brother. My goodness you have gotten old," Penelope joked.

Elijah rolled his eyes. Many years later, his younger sisters still had it in them to ruin his day. "You are not young yourself, Penelope. I hope Lily does not show. I cannot take the two of you together."

"I’ve been apart from my twin for too long. You must enjoy us being together. Didn’t you promise your father that you would look after us?" Penelope asked, looking behind Elijah at Scarlet and the man Rue had been writing to her about. "A new one for us to interrogate."

Elijah looked at the bunch Penelope travelled with. "You have your grandchildren to bother. Do not get involved with mine."

"And when have I ever listened to you, brother? Get out of the way so I can speak to Scarlet and your wife. It is good to see you," Penelope said, patting Elijah’s face as she knew he would hate it.