My little beforehand note: Thank you "That Kid"! I'm glad that you reviewed my story! As for the "Grand Duke of All Four Houses" thing, that will be explained in later chapters. :) I can't spoil anything right now, so...*zips mouth shut*. *muffled* Enjoy!

Diclaimer: I don't own Pandora Hearts.

"Therefore, you really must take a greater interest in your studies, Master Gillian." A short boy of no older than 15 finished his lecture with a flick of his bright copper hair. With that over, the boy did a 180, with his smiling face right in the direction of where his Master should be.

"Now, Master, are yo-"

Except said Master was nowhere to be seen.

"AAAAAAAHHHH!!!!! I'VE LOST MASTER GILLIAN!!!"

Really, it's common sense. Never, ever, turn your back on a carefree, rambunctious, rebellious, sneaky duke heir.

"Oh, for the love of- ugh!"

A giant hand had wrapped itself around the limbs and torso of a figure, trying to hold him back. The hand was scorching hot, and it's nails dug painfully into skin. Glancing upon a broken liquor bottle lying on the ground, the figure bent over to grab it, only to be forced down on the cold, damp dirt by the tentacles.

"Ah, little Gillian's so much fun to play with! Manus Diabolica, keep your hold for just a little while longer!"

Gillian grunted. Just his luck! He had gotten away from his personal servant, Theodore (which really wasn't that hard), and he had successfully been able to wander around town without being caught. At least, he had until these crazy kidnappers showed up.

Struggling, Gillian began trying to move his arm towards the bottle. He knew he couldn't fatally injure the Chain, but, perhaps, puncturing Manus Diabolica's skin with sharp edges could surprise it enough so that it lost it's hold! Alas, Manus Diabolica had too great of a hold on him. Gillian's arm had gone numb under the Chain's pressure. So, Gillian did the next best thing.

Crunch.

"Manus, sweetie, what's wrong?"

The hand recoiled in surprise, ant-size bite marks growing red on it's skin. Gillian took the opportunity to, frankly, run for his life. He had already been rather far from the most populated areas of town before, and Manus had just forced him farther towards the outskirts, farther away from light.

There was one place near him, though. Parents told children that it was haunted so they would take care to stay away. However, fake story or not, that place just wasn't a place you could just walk into and come out the same way you were before. Something would change you, something would mess with you. Nobody ever returns knows what that "something" is, exactly. At this point, though, Gillian didn't care about the warnings. He desperately needed somewhere to rest, and old wives' tales didn't freak him out.

He'd go to the old Vessalius Mansion.

Author's Note: I wrote this in about 30 minutes, so it's not exactly my best (not that I have any bragging rights at all, since I'm really not the greatest writer anyway). I will most likely re-do this. It'll get better, though, so I'd appreciate it if you could review this chapter and (even if you think I'm horrible) I would also really appreciate it if you could take a short amount of time to read and review upcoming/other chapters.