Hello everyone,

I am terribly sorry about the delay, but I had to deal with some serious matters in my life, hence the long brake.

Many, MANY thanks to BCRE8TVE for editing the chapter. Without his help some parts would totally make no sense. :P

I also give my thanks to all readers for the patience and support. Thank you!

Feel free to comment, suggest or criticize! ;)

Enjoy!

Chapter 12

"Hello, mother," Sir Nicholas sat down and put his paws together, his gaze locked on his fingers. "I am sorry to bother you so early in the morning, but I have some things on my mind and I always feel better after talking to you," the fox looked up with a half-hearted smirk. "Selfish, I know, but that is how I am."

He let out a sigh and continued.

"I had a rather heated conversation with father, all thanks to a certain bunny that had showed me what real courage is. I must admit that for the first time in years I feel truly free, the captain of my ship and master of my own fate," he nodded. "And I owe my gratitude to that doe for all those things."

Sir Nicholas smiled weakly.

"I have hurt her, mother. I have hurt her terribly and it pains me greatly. The number of sins I have committed has increased once again and I need to do something to atone for what I did," he muttered, his gaze fixed straight ahead. "I must repay the gift of freedom she has bestowed onto me." The fox shook his head. "It will not be easy, especially that she hates me." Sir Nicholas went silent for a long moment before speaking again."Though her nose twitches in a bewitchingly cute manner whenever she is agitated, something I would not have expected to attract my attention," the last remark left a trace of a smirk on the aristocrat's face. "Well, I digress and I have already taken enough of your time."

The fox stood up and bowed his head with respect like he has showed no one else. "I shall excuse myself."

.

.

"There you go," Judy finished dressing her siblings in a new set of clothes. She was humming a song while dressing them, something she did almost unconsciously when devoting her paws to a task that didn't need much attention of her mind. She'd learned to sing from her mother when she was a kid and kept practicing on her own, loving the sound of music following her wherever she went. Actually, the bunny was very happy to even hum a tune, given the recent circumstances. At one point she even feared the idea that she could've lost her heart for music, life's events beating her half to death. She held a belief that singing was reserved for the times of joy, therefore anger and bitterness had no place in music. She was glad that her heart had managed to find this little spark of happiness in helping Sheila and Tommy with their clothes.

One of the maids had arrived shortly earlier to deliver the garments, saying that they were ordered by 'Master Nicholas' and that she would also deliver her dress later, as it was still being cleaned. The garments were similar in fashion to the clothes she received from him earlier, before their trip to the auction house. Plain, simple, yet of noticeably good quality. The brown material wasn't fitting them as perfectly as her own dress, probably because Judy had her measurements done and her siblings had arrived without any notice. Judy was curious as to how the fox had gotten the size of clothing for the little bunnies right, more or less.

Still, the new garments were a welcome change in comparison to the tattered clothes they had worn since the whole auction house ordeal. Judy hadn't even asked the fox for them, the thoughts hadn't crossed her mind, but clearly the young lord was being very considerate.

There was a knock on the door. "Miss Judy? May I come in?" spoke a familiar voice.

Sheila and Tommy scrambled to their sister's side, hiding behind the adult bunny.

"It's the fox again!" Tommy hissed in panic.

"Can't you tell him to go away?" Sheila asked of her sister.

Judy let out a quiet sigh. Few days ago I would have, without hesitation, she thought, her eyes locked on the door. However, if he really could send us back home...

The doe placed her paws on the heads of her siblings and gave them an encouraging smile. "Don't worry, nothing's going to happen to you two."

"But-" the boy began before Judy put a finger on his mouth.

"It's okay, I'm here. I won't let you get hurt, foxes or not," she assured her younger brother and he relaxed a bit, tension disappearing from his expression. A faint trace of fear was still there, but far less visible than a moment ago.

Judy nodded and turned her head back to the door. "Come in!" She announced.

The door opened and Sir Nicholas walked in, dressed in a plain white shirt and dark pants, accompanied by his faithful steward. Only now she noticed the difference between this fox's choice of attire and the rest of aristocrats, including his father. Sir Nicholas was always donning a simple outfit with no additional decorations, golden trims or expensive looking pieces of clothing. If one would describe his attire in the shortest way possible, they would most likely use the word 'plain'.

However, what really caught her attention was a remarkably surprising sight of the fox carrying a tray with a teapot and two cups on it, next to some food on a plate. An aristocrat doing a servant's job! If not for his previous unusual actions, her jaw may have fallen down at this display of extremely unconventional behavior.

"Good morning, Miss Judy," he said with a wide smile, even with the patch on his cheek. "Can I take it that you and your siblings have slept well?" he glanced at the duo peeking from behind the doe's sides, the tiny noses twitching nervously in his presence.

Judy encircled her arms around them in a caring gesture, more to help them to feel at ease around the vulpine than to actually protect them from him. After their recent interactions, even with her doubts about the fox's intentions, she had a rather firm feeling that he wouldn't do any harm to Sheila and Tommy. Still, rabbits were very physical mammals and cuddling together was an instinct so deeply rooted in them that there was no point denying it.

"Yes, yes we did." She could feel the little ones relaxing slightly under her touch.

He smiled again. "Splendid!" The walked across the room to set the tray on the table by one of the windows. "My reason for being here is comprised of two things, Miss Judy. They would be breakfast and a conversation," he turned around to face the bunnies. "For breakfast for your siblings I suggest a trip to Amanda in the kitchen. I am certain that she will be happy to see you two there." He addressed the last sentence to the kids, who hid again behind Judy.

The grey doe eyed him with caution. "And why can't they eat here with me? Or all of us going to the kitchen?"

Sir Nicholas folded his paws behind his back. "Because I was hoping that we could talk. About matters that concern adults and would be a bore to the little ones."

Sheila and Tommy gripped her sister tight. "You just want to hurt Judy!" The little girl squealed.

"Yeah! You want us out and then you'll jump at her and… and…", the boy struggled to find proper words, "do something to her!" Judy felt a blush appearing on her cheeks, her ears growing hot and had to remind herself that the boy most likely had no idea what he just suggested. Sweet cheese and carrots! She could think only that as embarrassment filled her mind. The doe swallowed and dared to look at the aristocratic predator, fearing what she could see on his face. Well, definitely not what she actually saw.

The fox tried, the grey doe could see that, he really tried, but failed miserably. His smile trembled and eventually gave way when a fit of laughter overtook him, his chest rippling with the waves of short breaths that accompanied his joyful outburst. He put a paw on his stomach, trying to contain his mirth.

The three bunnies stared at him with dumbfounded expressions, the kids even more so than their sister. Judy at least had seen the normally stoic and controlled fox in a similarly misplaced outburst of hilarity, right after she had thrown a pistol at his father's head, and his behavior was slightly less unexpected for her. She was too agitated by the Duke of Vulpinea to care, but now she felt this laughter, the sound of it, stir something inside her, nudging her slightly to join in the loud expression of joy. Her lips formed a light smile.

"I- Ahahah! Why would I- Haha!", he wheezed for air to calm down, "I have no intention of...haha...throwing myself at your sister." Sir Nicholas stopped talking so that he could even out his breathing. "Alright," he said more to himself than to them and walked up to the bed's foot-board. Judy wasn't afraid herself of his approach but could feel Tommy and Sheila trembling slightly under her paws. Before she could assure them of their safety, Sir Nicholas dropped to one knee before the bunnies and showed a gentle smile to the kids.

"My dear little guests," he addressed them directly, "I really would like to talk with your sister, so could you give us some time alone?" He then placed his paw over his heart. "I swear that I will not even touch her without her permission and that she will be here when you return. Should she order me to leave then I shall obey," he glanced up at her for the briefest moment, sending her a discreet wink, " though it would sadden me a bit."

Judy was slightly taken aback by his words, surprised that the fox would talk to them directly and so formally at that. Also, that look he gave her at the end… Why is he doing this?! Once more she couldn't understand the fox's way of thinking. She was yet to decipher his change of attitude after their earlier conversation, even if she at least partially considered that what he had said was true. Despite her troubled thoughts she felt no ill will from him right now and was willing to put some small measure of trust in his words.

"Guys…" she addressed her siblings with a apologetic smile, "could you give us some time to talk?"

She received a double "But sis!" and put up a paw to stop their further comments.

"Yes, yes I know that you'd like to stay, but it's for the best. Go and eat, okay? You can also pass my greetings to Amanda." Though only having met the hippo once, Judy could tell that she was a gentle lady and would definitely take good care of feeding her brother and sister. That and how Sheila and Tommy were talking about her after their trip to the kitchen, marveling about the amount of food available there and how kind the hippo was to them.

"Kaay, sis." Both bunnies mumbled at her words and reluctantly slid off the bed, though they insisted for her to walk them to Benjamin who was waiting by the door.

"Hello Sheila, Tommy!" he greeted them with his usual cheerfulness and leaned down to scoop them into his arms. "Let us go and see what tasty treats we can get from Amanda!"

"Okay!" the little bunnies nodded while nestling on his arms.

Meanwhile Sir Nicholas got to his hindpaws and returned to the tray to pour some tea to the awaiting cup. Seeing the opportunity, the cheetah leaned slightly to Judy to whisper to her ear.

"You really are something to make master Nicholas act like this."

She looked over her shoulder at the fox busy with preparing the hot drinks. His posture was relaxed as well as his tail, which was slowly moving from side to side behind him. "You mean crazy?" She questioned not so jokingly.

Benjamin let out a quiet chuckle and shook his head. "You most likely don't know but…" he cast a quick glance towards his master to check if he wasn't listening and, just to be sure, lowered his voice even more. "The Wilde family is known for not having to bow or kneel before anyone except the king himself. There is only one other person I've seen Master Nicholas kneel before and I assure you that he holds her in the utmost regard." Benjamin's smile widened. "You have achieved something extraordinary, Miss Judy!"

With these words and a respectful nod of his head the cheetah walked out and closed the door behind him.

Judy was now left alone with a mammal that kept surprising her even more. Is this true? She turned to look at the aristocratic fox who was now fiddling with cutlery, still with his back to her. The doe remembered how all the aristocrats were wearing themselves and how much they despised anyone below them on the social ladder. Still, what the fox told her so far would fit into his continuously irrational behavior, at least for a noble of his position. Judy wasn't that well versed in the ranks of aristocratic society, but even she understood the weight of Benjamin's words.

The Wildes were just after the king when it came to lineage and importance in this kingdom.

Judy kept her eyes on the fox's back as she started slowly walking towards him. Why? It was the question that bugged her the most in the recent days regarding this vulpine. Why are you doing this? She would've asked him this question out loud if she had some guarantee that he would answer it. But judging from their earlier exchanges, chances were pretty big that he would just deflect the topic with a smile. Why are you acting like this? She stopped just few steps short from him, not saying a word.

Sir Nicholas turned around with a smile and a cup in his paw. "Some tea?"

Judy turned her gaze to the offered drink. While the tea itself wasn't a foreign term for her, Judy's family never bought it as it was still too expensive for them. It was rather common in towns and cities, but not among farmers and peasants.

She shrugged at his question. "Never tried any."

He simply moved the cup towards her. "Would you like to try then?"

The doe mulled over it for a moment before reaching for the tea. She noticed that the cup was smaller than the second one and was more fitting for paws her size. She would be able to use a fox sized one, though it would most likely be a little uncomfortable. Judy looked up at him. Did he think about that too?

"You are weird…" the words left her mouth before she could think about them.

Sir Nicholas reacted with a chuckle. "Why thank you, I try." He then nodded his head towards the cup, encouraging her to drink.

Judy looked down at the brown liquid and gave it a testing whiff. The smell reminded her a bit or bergamot and was also a bit earthy. Not being one to shy away from trying new things, something her mother always worried about, the doe took a careful sip. She tasted the liquid on her tongue and her face cringed slightly.

"No good?" The fox asked her after seeing her reaction.

"Bitter."

"I see, may I?" He held up his paw, asking for her cup. Judy passed it to him with a raised brow, intrigued what he had in mind now. Sir Nicholas turned to the tray for a moment, his back blocking the view, but she could hear a quiet clutter of porcelain and metal. He swiftly turned back to her and his tail swung with him, accidentally brushing her exposed hindpaws and ankles, causing a faint shiver under her skin. She was surprised, to say the least, by the feeling as she thought that the fur on a fox's tail would be rather coarse. The fluffy feeling she got from the fur contact proved her wrong. But the thing that surprised, if not shocked, her even more was the fact that this contact felt unexpectedly... pleasant.

Sir Nicholas held the cup in one paw and he used the other to stir her drink with a teaspoon. "It should be better now." He got no response from the bunny, so he raised his brows and leaned slightly down to the doe. "Miss Judy?"

This time she flinched, drawn back from analyzing the feeling of his fur in her mind. "What?" It was almost a gasp of surprise.

"Your tea," he offered the cup after taking out the spoon, politely not mentioning her phasing out. "It should taste better now."

Judy accepted the drink, mentally shaking off the lingering thoughts about vulpine fur. This… why did it feel similar to that moment in the carriage… She forced her mind to focus on the tea. The doe could smell a faint trace of something new, but couldn't tell what exactly it was. This caused her to look up at him with narrowed eyes.

Seeing the gaze she gave him, Sir Nicholas sighed with traces of a smile tugging at his lips. "No it is not poison. I simply added a bit of honey."

Judy raised a brow.

The fox spread his arms and shrugged. "I can taste it first if you are not inclined to believe me," this time a full smile appeared on his face. "Or," he reached to the tray behind him, "you can look at this jar." He presented a small glass container with a thick, golden substance. Again, Judy knew about honey and had a chance to taste it in the past when one of their wealthier neighbors, who were also beekeepers, once shared some of their produce. She remembered the sweetness of honey to this day and didn't think that she'd ever have a chance to taste it again. Taking the jar from the fox's paw she closed her eyes and inhaled the delicious smell, recognizing beyond any doubt the fragrance of honey.

Seeing the blissful expression on the bunny's face, Sir Nicholas withheld a chuckle and simply smiled. "Convinced?" When she opened her eyes he offered the cup once more.

This time Judy wasn't so hesitant and when she tasted the tea again it carried the familiar trace of sweetness. "It's good," the doe said, a small smile gracing her lips.

"I am glad to hear that." The fox watched as Judy drank the whole cup before turned back to pick up the tray. "Now, if would return to the bed I have breakfast ready for you, even if a modest one."

"Breakfast? For me?" Judy was slowly getting used to surprises from this fox, though still couldn't get comfortable around the fact that something yet new could appear out of nowhere.

"Indeed," he showed her the smirk that annoyed her so much before approaching the side of the bed with the tray in his paws. "Miss Judy? May I serve the food?"

Judy needed a second to process the scene before her. The heir to the most influential family in the kingdom right after the king, was offering to serve food to a farm girl, a rabbit slave he had purchased. When the shock subsided, Judy approached the bed from the other side while keeping her gaze on the fox. Once she crawled onto it, Sir Nicholas set the tray in front of her, revealing a plate with rolls, some butter and several jars with preserves.

As she was surveying the food, Sir Nicholas pointed at the jars. "Strawberry, cranberry, plum, though I would highly recommend the blueberry one. My personal favorite." He explained and graced her with another smile.

At this point she couldn't take it anymore. "Why are you like this?!" She almost yelled, clenching her yet to be fully healed fingers. "Why are you trying to be nice?!" Judy shot him an agitated look.

Sir Nicholas' eyes widened at her sudden outburst and his mouth was slightly agape, though his features softened rather quickly. "I am not 'trying' as you have phrased it. I merely feel indebted to you and wish to amend for all the misfortune I have caused you. I apologize if you feel offended by my attitude."

"I…" she bit her lower lip, not sure what words would form a fitting answer. Offended? More like confused. Judy managed to relax her grip. "I am not comfortable with these…" she pointed at him with a paw, "mood swings."

Sir Nicholas raised a brow and before he could answer there was a short knock on the door. "It's Benjamin. May I come in?"

"You may enter." The fox answered instantly and the cheetah walked in,wearing his ever present smile.

"Amanda has taken command of the breakfast," he addressed Judy, "and I am happy to inform you that your siblings have some serious appetite."

"Um, thank you…" The doe replied, uncertain if he meant this as a joke or a compliment.

Benjamin nodded and strolled over to his master's chair and stood by it, apparently awaiting further orders from the fox. Sir Nicholas watched him briefly before speaking to Judy once again.

"Miss Judy, please enjoy your meal. You need to eat to get better." He indicated the tray before heading to the chair next to his steward. "After you finish, there are some things we should discuss."

Benjamin poured another cup of tea and passed it to his master.

"Please don't mind me or Benjamin," he indicated the cheetah, "and enjoy the food. I apologize for the inconvenience but I am a bit short on time, so going in and out of the room would be troublesome."

Judy glared at him for several moments before grumbling a simple 'fine' and she obeyed the growing rumbling of her stomach that demanded to be fed. The trouble was, it was her first time seeing cutlery up close, not to mention trying to use it. Shooting a quick glance at the tea drinking fox Judy noticed that he at least had the decency of not staring at her, but instead busied himself with reading a book that Benjamin provided him moments earlier. Still, she did not want to be seen as a klutz with her, most likely, ridiculous attempts at using the cutlery. She decided to go with a different solution and simply tore the rolls into smaller pieces and dipped them into the different flavored preserves. As soon as she took the first bite, the doe had to admit that they tasted really good. They were sweet, but not overly so and she immediately had a craving for more.

Eating up the whole plate and most of the preserves took her very little time and was most likely one of the tastiest meals she ever had in her life. There was a small pang of guilt that, even being captives, she and her two siblings were treated to far better food than most of their family had a chance to experience. Judy rationalized that she had to eat and while she refused to eat at first, right after she was brought to this mansion, now she had a prospect of freedom. Therefore, food was essential and she would have to go with it for now.

"Did it suit your tastes?" The fox asked after she finished.

"It wasn't bad." She replied with a shrug of her shoulders, not keen on revealing how much she actually enjoyed it.

Her response was met with a smile from the vulpine. "I see. I suppose that it is better than nothing."

Their further conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door.

Judy expected it to be Mrs. Otterton or probably one of the guards, though part of her recalled that there was a mammal that she wouldn't like to see here again – the Duke of Vulpinea. Still, she couldn't know who it was until they came in. But, if it's that fox again… will I be safe? Judy stole a glance at Sir Nicholas from the corner of her eye and almost immediately started berating herself. Did I just look at him for protection?!

Logically thinking it wasn't that strange. If pressured to a corner, one would want to use everything at their disposal to improve the chances of survival. And in the rabbits' situation, the nearby aristocratic fox sipping tea without a care in the world could be considered a last line of defense if things were to get ugly. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, the doe was about to answer the invisible guest, but then she realized that the vulpine might disapprove of her throwing orders around his bedchamber. Still, he was just sitting there, drinking the honey sweetened tea. Casting an uncertain look at the fox, Judy got a wide smile in response.

"Go on," he encouraged her. "It is your room now."

The bunny snapped her head back towards the entrance, feeling as if she had been caught in the embarrassing act of barging through an open door. Ugh! He did this on purpose!

"Come in!" She announced in a strong voice, ready to see what fate had in store for her today.

A little vixen in a light, powder blue dress embroidered with patterns of white leaves and elbow long sleeves practically flew into the room. She wasn't exactly what Judy had expected, especially given the circumstances of their previous meeting. Judging by her sudden stop and wide-eyed stare, the vulpine girl shared the feeling.

"M-Miss Judy?!" The vixen stuttered, her gaze fixed on the equally surprised bunny. After a second or two she turned towards Sir Nicholas, her face now decorated with a frown and a pout. "Brother! Why didn't you tell me that you have married Miss Judy?!" She scolded the fox and stomped her hindpaw.

Her words caused an immediate and violent reaction in the room. Sir Nicholas nearly died, choking on his tea, spluttering and coughing intensely. Benjamin hurried over to help his master, strongly patting the fox's back to try and help him regain his breath.

On the other paw, Judy thought she would die of embarrassment. With ears plastered tight against the back of her head she covered her cheeks with both paws and turned away immediately. M-M-M-M-MARRIED?! Why would she suggest- The realization hit her like a speeding carriage. She was in a male's bed chamber and sitting on said male's bed, still dressed in, while rather plain and not really attractive, but still, a nightgown. What else would a normal mammal think after seeing such a scene?

"S-Sylvia," Sir Nicholas was finally able to regain the ability to speak, but still wheezed while addressing the girl. "As much as I love you," another wheeze, "I would like you to refrain from sending your brother to an early grave…"

The little vixen folded her arms with a huff. "Serves you right for not inviting me to the wedding!"

"There was no wedding!" the fox and the bunny said in unison. They looked at each other at that, both surprised by their matched timing. Judy turned her head away to avoid looking at Sir Nicholas' face, but also to hide her bewilderment in this embarrassing situation.

An awkward silence befell the gathered mammals.

At this point, Benjamin couldn't hold it in anymore and chuckled with a paw over his mouth. "They're telling the truth, Lady Sylvia. I know, as I certainly wouldn't miss the chance to eat some wedding cake after the ceremony!" His cheerful reaction seemed to break the tense atmosphere and everyone involved relaxed a bit.

"But…" Sylvia's gaze traveled back and forth between Judy and Sir Nicholas. "Then if it is not so… Why are you in my brother's bed chamber, Miss Judy?" she directed the question at the bunny.

The first thought that came to Judy's mind was obviously true, and just as obviously not the best explanation. 'I am your brother's slave'. Would that be a proper answer? Judy had her doubts due to the behavior the little vixen had shown during their brief meetings. If anything, the small vulpine radiated childlike innocence and her smile seemed yet to be tainted with the cruel realities of this world. In Judy's mind, it would fit her image of an aristocratic, sheltered upbringing that produced self-centered noblemammals that were the plague of this world. Still, looking at Lady Sylvia's face, the doe couldn't bring herself to darken this bright expression. The young fox would learn how the world worked in the future, whether she'd like it or not, so there was no point in creating a shadow on this joyful face at this point.

With her mind set, Judy opened her mouth to reply. "I'm-"

"She is my guest," Sir Nicholas swiftly cut in, approaching his sister. "And what else is a gentlemammal to do then to give her the best quarters our manor has to offer, would you not agree?" He placed a caring paw on her small head, and Judy turned an open-mouthed gaze at him, raising her brows in response to this interruption.

His words made Sylvia smile and she threw her arms around his waist in a hug. "Always sly with words, my brother," she chuckled into his shirt. However, right after that she spun around, still holding her brother, and pushed the surprised fox towards the door. "But it does not give you the right to be in the presence of a lady when she is not properly dressed!" she scolded the adult vulpine with her paws on her hips.

"I simply-"

His little sister raised a finger in a warning. "Oh no you don't! Now shoo!" she waved both paws in front of her, herding her brother outside, but paused to turn around and point a vengeful finger at the cheetah steward. "You too, Benjamin! Out, out, out!"

The feline rushed to the door, briefly stopping by the exit to give a small bow to the little vixen. He did so in a hurried manner, almost tripping afterwards and Sir Nicholas had to step back to not be crushed by the stumbling feline. In effect, both males exited the room in a rather unorganized and undignified manner, causing the guards outside to look at them with puzzlement.

The door slammed behind them.

The aristocratic fox straightened himself and rearranged the collar of his shirt a bit. Then his ears twitched, hearing another suppressed chuckle from his steward behind him. Without looking back, Sir Nicholas raised his arm and pointed a finger at the plump cheetah.

"Wipe that dumb smirk off your face, now," he ordered.

"Yes, sir," the feline replied in a strained voice, his face scrunched in effort to not let out an amused snort.

.

.

"Alright, the boys are out of the picture for now!" Sylvia declared with a smirk, which Judy clearly recognized as a miniature version of her brother's.

Judy, who stared at the scene of male expulsion with mouth slightly agape, was now looking at the girl with a mixture of amusement and recognition. It was entertaining to see the aristocratic fox's befuddled expression when he got practically thrown out of his own room.

Remembering their first meeting, the doe recalled that Sylvia – the title 'Lady' wouldn't come out of her mouth – was very friendly towards her and seemed like an open and cheerful mammal. Also, she seemed to have some level of respect for her brother and loved him dearly. Judy could tell, as rabbits developed extremely tight-knit family relationships. This was one of the foundations of their emotional nature. Being close to so many siblings since birth created special bonds that lasted for life. Family was a crucial thing for all rabbits and most of them wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice their own comfort, possessions or even life for the good of the family. And now Judy sensed a similar feeling, when witnessing the interaction between the fox and the little vixen.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a gasp from Sylvia and the girl rushed to the bed's side. She stared at Judy's cheek with wide eyes before turning her gaze to the doe's eyes. "Miss Judy! Whatever happened to you?!" she exclaimed while grabbing Judy's paw in both hers.

The bunny glanced briefly in the direction of her wound. "Oh, that… It's… Well, your brother-" Judy began her explanation, but got cut off short by the shocked girl.

"He did this to you?!" she practically yelled and squeezed Judy's paw. "Why that- I'll bite his tail off!" the girl spun around with a growl, apparently prepared to leave and execute her threat.

"Wait!" Judy's sudden cry surprised both females, as the bunny caught Sylvia's wrist to stop her from going. It was reaction she didn't control, her body simply acted on its own. "It's not his fault!" she added before even thinking.

These words caused the little vixen to relax a little and a confused expression appeared on her face.

W-Why did I say that? Judy asked herself. Maybe because it was the truth, she realized. His father gave the order to torture her, not Sir Nicholas. When she now thought about it, scraps of what happened in that cellar came back to her and pieced into a picture of a male fox standing by the table she was strapped to. A fox with a face filled with emotions of concern, fear... and guilt. But… if he hadn't had bought me I would have never encounter his father… This argument faltered right after she thought of it, since had she not been bought by the aristocratic fox, she would've ended in the paws of Lord Wolford.

"Miss Judy?" The girl's voice brought her back to reality.

"Hm? Oh, I'm sorry! I just… remembered something," she muttered and let out a sigh. "Your brother, he… He helped me. Don't blame him for this," Judy pointed at the scars, once again glad that her clothes hid the burn marks on her torso.

Sylvia turned back to the doe with her little paws on Judy's. "Then who did this?! You are scarred for life!"

The doe hesitated. She didn't want to simply state 'your father' and be a reason for a family fight. This girl was bright and straightforward, while her parent surely wasn't going to listen to the complains of a child. Plus, there was no telling how he would react if the young girl were to act in front of him like she did right now.

"It's…" she began, desperately thinking of a plausible lie, but then it occurred to her that she didn't have to lie at all. "It's not really something I'd like to discuss," the doe stated to the little vixen. "Your brother has arranged for a doctor for me and allowed me to stay here to recuperate," her words were all true and to her own surprise, she could say them without any distaste in her mouth. Just a few days ago she probably could only have voiced those words with a sneer. What is going on with me?

"Oh, yes," Lady Sylvia raised both paws to her mouth. "I am sorry for pressing you with such an unpleasant matter. We could proceed to a different topic if you would prefer that?"

Judy nodded with a shy smile, glad that they could brush this topic aside for now. "Yes, that would be good."

The girl's face brightened with a smile and she hopped on the bed next to Judy. "Despite your personal troubles, I am happy that we get to meet once again! I had no idea that you are acquainted with my brother!"

Judy rubbed the back of her neck nervously. "Um… that's… rather a recent thing…" the bunny mumbled, refusing to meet the girl's gaze. She had trouble dealing with such a forward and direct approach from an aristocrat, not to mention a fox.

The little vixen's eyes widened and she scooted closer. "Really? I say, you must have made quite an impression on my brother then. He is very careful in choosing his company. And for him to offer his own quarters to a female he met not long ago…" she shook her head with a smile. "You certainly are very special to him!"

Judy blushed and what was worse, she didn't know why. Their relations were… strained, to put it mildly and if she were to describe them in some way, she'd fail miserably, because Judy had no clue what words would fit here. I think 'complicated' would be the closest to the truth, Judy admitted to herself. She still didn't fully trust the fox, but was willing to see what he had in mind when it came to sending Sheila and Tommy back home.

"Miss Judy," the doe felt a small paw on her forearm. "Would you mind telling me how did you two meet for the first time?"

"We… we've met by accident," she offered a sheepish smile to the girl.

Sylvia's eyes shined at this revelation. "Oooh! A chance encounter! Surely, this must be fate!" she squealed happily, almost bouncing on the bed. This forced Judy to stop an impulse to raise an arm between them in a protective gesture. In a way, this girl's radiance was even more dangerous than her brother's slyness.

"F-fate?" the doe stuttered, feeling that she wouldn't like the answer to this question.

The little aristocrat nodded vigorously. "But of course! I am certain that there must be a connection between you two!" she gave the bunny a wink and slightly leaned forward, her voice dropping down in volume. "My guess would be that Nicholas secretly harbors romantic feelings towards you, Miss Judy."

Judy's face was completely calm at first, but gradually, as the meaning of Sylvia's words reached her mind, her ears began drooping and a flush of heat filled every cell of her body, especially from the neck up. It gave her an appearance of a beetroot with rabbit ears. W-W-W-WHAAAT?! For the second time this day her mind went off with a stuttering staccato. The word 'shock' couldn't even begin to describe her reaction to such a suggestion. How on Earth could she consider such a thing? Feelings between herself and her most hated nemesis?! Between a bunny and a fox?! Not even once have I looked at him with interest, at that face, at those emerald… mesmerizing… eyes… Her eyes shot wide open and she shook her head frantically. No, no, nonoNO! What are you thinking?! She chastised herself. You hate him, you hate him, you HATE him! Now she was certain that whatever madness corrupted Sir Nicholas' mind had to be contagious, as now she too was acting strangely. Or maybe that was his plan from the beginning? To confuse me so much? Ahhh, I don't know anymore!