Ciel lazily opened his eyes, still heavy with sleep. There was a loud knock at the door. Sebastian, who was sitting on the chair in the corner of the room, promptly answered, so the noise would not further disturb his master's sleep. Upon opening the door, Claude stood there holding a candle. The two exchanged words and Sebastian closed the door. He could feel Ciel staring at him, so he turned toward his young master.

"Ah, you're awake."

"What did he want?," Ciel asked sleepily, rubbing his eyes.

"Earl Trancy wishes to have tea now."

"Very well." Ciel yawned and hopped out of bed. He glanced at the window. The moon was so bright, it illuminated the entire room. He quickly tidied up and made his way towards the door. Claude was standing there waiting to lead them to where they would be having tea. When they arrived, Alois sat there in an elegant chair with his legs crossed, smiling at Ciel.

"Sleep well? I would take it that you did, judging by the drool on the side of your mouth."

Ciel's face grew red with embarrassment as he glanced at Sebastian as if wanting to confirm whether this were true or not. Sebastian smiled and shook his head.

Alois laughed. "Take a seat, my dear Ciel and let us have some tea."

"Enough of this foolishness, Alois. Why did you invite me here?"

"I just wanted to spend some time with you Earl Phantomhive. Now please take a seat."

Ciel did as he was told, reluctantly. Sebastian took his place behind his master's chair.

"Claude, serve our guest his tea." Claude promptly obeyed his master, pouring him a cup of tea on the table in front of Ciel. Afterwards, he poured one for Alois as well. When he was done he too took his place behind his master.

The aroma was familiar to Ciel. It was Earl Grey tea, Ciel's favorite.

Alois took his cup from the table and held it under his nose. "Earl Grey. Your favorite kind of tea, right Ciel?"

Ciel frowned. "Yes, it is." He took the cup and held it to his mouth. He looked at the cup of tea and then at Alois. What if Alois had poisoned his tea?

Alois grinned at Ciel. "Something wrong?" he asked innocently. "I know what you are thinking, but I would never do such a thing my dear Ciel." He took a loud slurp from his tea.

Ciel continued to stare at Alois as he lifted the cup of tea and drank. A wave of relief swept over him. He hadn't collapsed on to the floor and died.

Alois quickly gulped down the rest of the tea and stuck his tongue out at Ciel revealing the symbol of his contract with Claude.

Ciel wasn't amused by his antics.

He smirked at Ciel in a childish manner. "You see, the reason I have called you here Ciel is I wish to make amends."

Ciel eyes widened in surprise. Surely, he was kidding.

"What? You don't believe me, do you?" asked Alois. Alois got up from his chair and walked towards Ciel. Sebastian stared at him like a cat would his prey. Alois knelt before Ciel, taking his hand with the Phantomhive ring on it, and kissed it.

Ciel quickly removed his hand. "What are you doing!"

"I'm only showing you that I truly meant what I said."

He turned and walked back towards his seat.

"How about a game Ciel?"

Ciel was intrigued. He loved to play games.

"What kind of game?," he asked, not wanting to sound too eager.

"A game of Kings and Queens," replied Alois. "Chess."

Ciel's eyes shined. Chess was one of Ciel's favorite games to play. Sebastian and him played it all the time. He loved the thought of beating Alois at a game of chess. Perhaps, Alois would even give him a bit of a challenge.

"Very well then, let us play," replied Ciel.

"Claude, fetch me my chess set."

Claude bowed and replied with his usual response. He wasted no time getting the what his master had asked him for. The chess set he returned with was elegantly crafted. The board was made of silver. The pieces were made of sapphire and blue topaz stone. The chess set was placed in between them with the sapphire pieces on Ciel's side and blue topaz pieces on Alois's side respectively. Claude then lifted the chair with Alois in it and placed it close to the table. Sebastian did the same for Ciel.

Alois leaned forward, a big grin on his face. "How about we up the stakes? The loser of the match has to do whatever the winner tells him to?"

Ciel agreed without hesitating. Alois's wager meant nothing to him. He felt very confident that he wouldn't be the loser of this match.

Alois couldn't help but be pleased by Ciel's response. Like a fly trapped in a spider's web, Ciel had fallen into his little scheme and he couldn't be happier.