"I'm telling you, Mei-Rin, Sebastian probably has forgotten about Ciel already!" Finny whispered, hugging his legs, sincerely looking into Mei-Rin's eyes being overshadowed by her bangs, hoping he can convince her.

"That's not what is at stake here!" Mei-Rin whispered back, almost shouting. "Sebastian was giving into guilty pleasure!"

Finny's mouth opened in surprise and disbelief. "No," his gaze fell upon the floor, "that cannot be!" He closed his eyes. "There must be some logical explanation behind it!"

"Behind what, Finnian?"

Mei-Rin and Finny shrieked as their hair bristled. They turned around and saw Sebastian lowering his body to see them, giving them a warm smile that they assumed to be fake. Apparently, Baldroy and Sebastian entered the kitchen only to find Mei-Rin and Finny whispering to each under the wooden table.

"N-n-n-nothing, Sebastian!" Finny said.

Sebastian frowned slightly. "It doesn't look like it's just nothing."

"We… we were just talking about something confidential!" Mei-Rin defended.

Finny nodded quick. "Yeah! Too confidential for you to know!"

Baldroy scratched his head. "What on earth-?"

Sebastian sighed. "Very well then. I wouldn't furthur question it. Besides…" He smiled then stood up. "I know about it already."

"Huh?" Mei-Rin and Finny said in unison.

"Just so you know, what I did last night was a compliance to our young master's order," Sebastian started to explain. "He may have not have said it specifically, but I could tell the desire of his heart."

"Desire of his heart?" Baldroy said, folding his arms over his chest and looking at Sebastian quizzically.

"Our master wanted to forget a memory… a memory that always haunted him at night. What we did last night was something for him to remember instead of that horrible memory he always had."

Finny and Mei-Rin finally came out of the table.

"But how can you be so sure that he have really forgotten about that memory already?" asked Mei-Rin.

"I get it now," said Baldroy. "Mei-Rin's right. Our young master was abused more than one night, Sebastian. He couldn't just easily forget about what happened to him."

"To tell you the truth, I am uncertain about it as well," Sebastian said, his smile fading as he gently closed his eyes. "But I guess we'll keep repeating what we've done until he forgets about it."

Finny and Mei-Rin froze.

"Just kidding." He smiled at them.

The three sighed in relief.

"Anyway, our cute little master wants pancakes for breakfast. Do prepare it for him." He spun around. "I'm going to see what he's doing in the garden."

"Okay!" Finny and Mei-Rin said enthusiastically as they threw one of their hands in the air.

Baldroy still looked serious. He averted his eyes away from the two and looked at Sebastian. "There's always a bit of truth behind every joke, Sebastian."

Sebastian halted.

"Will you still do it if the master asks for it?"

Sebastian was quiet for a few seconds. "I would do anything he asks." He turned his head a bit and smiled at Baldroy. "After all, he is my master. But I doubt he'll ever want it again."

"Why is that?"

"He seems to have left over feelings for his former butler."

"And does that bother to you?"

Sebastian closed his eyes. "Of course it does, Baldroy. But I am in no proper position to complain about it. I, too, still have feelings for my former master but as cliché it may sound, past is past. Alois is now who I am obligated to serve with full loyalty."

Baldroy smiled. "I always admired your fidelity, Sebastian."

Sebastian proceeded to walk out of the room.

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Elizabeth looked up from the dining table upon hearing the telephone ring in the living room.

"I'll get it, my lady," said Claude. He picked up the phone and said, "Hello."

"G-good morning, Mr. Faustus, this is Mei-Rin," the red-haired maid said on the end of the line, sounding a bit uneasy. Alois flinched on his chair as he overheard the mention of Claude's last name. He have dropped his small knife on the table. Sebastian immediately came to his side. "My master have agreed to seeing you and Elizabeth," Mei-Rin continued. "Three o'clock this afternoon, if you are available."

"Elizabeth-sama will be pleased to know. We'll be there at your given time." A small eccentric smile formed on his face.

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.

Alois and Sebastian went out of the manor to greet Elizabeth and Claude. Claude stood infront of the carriage's door and raised his hand to the side. Elizabeth held his hand and stepped out.

"It's been a long time, Lizzy," said Alois, his face full of excitement. He and Claude completely ignored each other. He treated him like he wasn't even there. "Welcome to our manor."

Elizabeth smiled slightly, still having a hidden grudge on Alois. The teens started walking beside each other towards the mansion.

"How would you like to join me with a cup of jasmine tea?"

"That would be nice," said Elizabeth.

The two butlers were left at the front yard.

"I suppose you're both here to avenge my former master," Sebastian said as he watched Alois and Elizabeth walk away.

"We're only here to pay Alois a visit," Claude replied calmly. "Nothing more, nothing less."

"But you seem to be ignoring each other."

"I wouldn't be surprised if he's avoiding me." Claude started

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.

"How have you been doing, Alois?" asked Lizzy. They were already drinking at the patio.

"I've been doing great," Alois replied and took a sip from his cup. He put his hands together and smiled at Lizzy.

"That's good to know. I've been willing to ask something." She looked at her cup for a while, hoping she'll be able to ask her question without sounding rude.

"What is it?"

"Why did you… come back to life?"

Alois' smile faded as he gazed at Lizzy in surprise and then he looked away. "I came back for you."

Lizzy covered her mouth with her fist and giggled. "Was that supposed to be sweet?"

Alois closed his eyes and chuckled. "I guess you can say that." He stood up. "Come with me. I'll show you something."

The blondes walked through the garden of bluebells until they reached a small pond with a wooden bridge over it.

Lizzy stood in amaze at the bridge. "I haven't seen this before," she said.

"That's why I wanted to show it." Alois grinned. "I told Sebastian to get someone build it this morning."

"Is it okay to stand on it already?"

"Of course. Come, let's try it."

They both ran toward the bridge and stepped on it. Lizzy grasped the handrail of the bridge. She and Alois stood at the middle of the bridge and watched the sunset from afar.

"Waahhh! Amazing!" Lizzy said, resting her lower arms on the handrail and her eyes sparkling.

Alois smiled, not looking at Lizzy. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"

"Yes!"

"And it would be even more beautiful to watch this with you near an ocean," he said as he faced her.

Lizzy turned to him with a quizzical look. "With… me?" she said in a little voice.

Alois nodded then abruptly held Lizzy's shoulders which made her flinch. "Lizzy… Ever since I met you, I was stunned by your shimmering emerald eyes, your beautiful soft hair and adorable heart-warming voice accompanied by your sweet smile that can lighten up even the saddest person in the world. You can say it was love at first sight, but Lizzy, it was more than that. I suddenly felt like the search is over because you were there standing right before me already. I hesitated to ask you for a dance. But as soon as I was dancing with you, I felt like I was the happiest boyin the world. Those few minutes were probably the best few minutes of my life." He faced down, covered one of his eyes with his hand, and gritted his teeth and thought, "Ugh. I can't believe I'm saying this crap."

Overwhelmed by what Alois said, Lizzy just stood there like a statue, her hands were resting on her chest, and her eyes getting blurry with tears already.

Lizzy's smile faded as she put a hand on Alois' shoulder, her face written with worry. "Are you okay?"

Alois closed his eyes and smiled. "Yes, I'm alright, I just remembered something." He looked away. "How lucky he was to be cherished by you."

"He? You mean… Ciel? But he's gone now… And-and I still can't believe he turned into a demon."

"I know how painful it is, Lizzy." He walked closer to her, held her back and pulled her close." Lizzy began to sob. "But don't worry," Alois whispered softly. "I'm here for you now." Lizzy felt her body warm up with Alois' comforting voice and words. "Still... He wouldn't have been turned into a demon... If it wasn't for me." He started snickering.

Lizzy gasped as she pushed Alois' chest "You monster! So it really was you! How dare you do that to my fiancé!" She struggled to escape from his tight grasp. "You'll never get away with it! Let me go! Claude!"

"I'm here, my lady," Claude said nonchalantly.

Alois' laughter faded as he looked behind Lizzy and saw the butler. "Claude..." He said in a weak voice. Lizzy glanced up at him with a questioning look.

"Let go of her, Alois, or I'll have to do it myself," Claude commanded.

Alois took out a small knife from his pocket. "You'll have to do it yourself, Claude." He smirked. "But the closer you come, the deeper I'll cut her neck."

Lizzy could feel the blade on her neck already. She suddenly stopped from crying as her body was trembling in fear already.

"Alois... Stop this already please," Claude pleaded, but his voice didn't match his words. He seemed to be stoic as usual.

"Are you really going to kill me like how you killed Ciel?" Lizzy asked, her voice trembling.

"Shut up, you leech!" Alois shouted at her face. "You you shouldn't be upset over the death of that goddamn Ciel of yours! He never really loved you as much as you loved him! In fact, everyone is just like a chess piece to him! He only existed for revenge after his parents died! You were nothing more than just a hindrance to his plans! He just used you so that he would have a better image to the populace! He was a selfish brat, you got that? And even though I possessed him, he still wouldn't let me use his body! I only wanted to ask Claude something and I couldn't have done that without a body! Moreover, he killed me first! I wouldn't have died if he didn't leave me with a deep wound! Aren't these enough reasons that he's better off dead now? That he's better off as a demon already? He had everything he wanted... He already had his revenge." He closed his eyes, trying to squeeze out the tears from his eyes. "So why... Why do you still want him back? Is it because you want him to marry you? That's just pathetic. That's why I hate women. Some of you are so desperate to get married to someone someday because you honestly can't make it on your own already!"

"That's not true," Elizabeth mewled.
"That's enough, Alois," said Claude.

"And you..." Alois shot an angry glance at Claude. "I can't believe you betrayed me, Claude. All the things you said... All those promises you made… Like you would never leave my side... Were they just some fucking sugar-coated lies? !"

Alois' tears gently streamed down on Lizzy's face. Somehow Lizzy felt sad for Alois. She slowly held Alois' back and pulled him to her. She smiled and said, "Love is like a rose. Despite its alluring beauty, it can hurt you. You haven't given up on him, haven't you, Alois? That's alright. Pain is never a good reason to let go of someone you love, because love without pain is definitely just a game. You have an amazing passion, Alois."

Alois and Claude were silenced, a warm summer afternoon wind passed by them.

"You're the last person I want to hear that from." Alois said as he pushed away Lizzy. The blonde fell to the wooden floor of the bridge.

Claude helped his master stand up. "Was that all you wanted to say?" He said.

Alois' head dipped as the knife fell from his hand. "Atleast say something, Claude."

"Thank you for inviting us here. We have to go now." He and Elizabeth started walking away but Elizabeth looked back and saw Alois fall to his knees and covered his eyes with his hands.

.

.

.

"Your highness..." Sebastian said softly, standing a meter away behind him.

"He didn't say anything, Sebastian. I... Wanted him to tell me something... Even just one sentence."

"Maybe he was too guilty to speak."

"He should have said something. I could have decided to kill him or not. But I'm afraid he didn't say anything... Because he doesn't care anymore, Sebastian."

"Maybe it's time to move on already, your highness."

Lizzy's words echoed in Alois' head. "Pain is never a good reason to let go of someone you love," he said to Sebastian. "That's what Lizzy told me."

"He always leaves me at the middle of giving up or holding on. It's so frustrating already… so frustrating that all I can do is just cry."

"She's both right and wrong, your highness. It's true that if you truly love someone, you're willing to stick with him through thick and thin but, when it's only you who's fighting for your relationship... Then it's worthless already. There should be teamwork between you and him. A relationship is usually a matter of give and take. You can't hold onto someone who doesn't have any interest in coming back to you anymore."

"I guess you're right, Sebastian." He slowly stood up and still didn't face Sebastian. "Can you do me favor?"

Sebastian placed his hand over his chest. "Anything for you."

"Kill Claude Faustus for me within this day."

Sebastian was silent for a few seconds. "Yes, your highness," he finally said. "I still have a few hours. I'll be leaving now."

Alois looked back. "Don't come home until you make him suffer."

"As you wish," Sebastian said and smiled as he wiped Alois' tears. Alois closed his eyes and when he opened them, Sebastian disappeared already. He picked up the knife and went back to the manor. He ate dinner in the large dining room with the three servants at his side.

"His eyes look swollen," said Finny. "Do you think he's been crying?"

Alois glared. He stood up and said in a cold voice, "I'm done. Prepare a bath for me." He turned around and walked out of the room.

"Elizabeth probably turned him down," Mei-Rin said, sounding worried.

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Alois stormed into the game room and flipped off the chess board. He rested his back on the wall and gazed up at the chandelier above. "Claude… you fool…" he said under his sporadic heavy breathing. "But I am much more foolish… for always giving another chance." His memories of the past with Claude suddenly started replaying in his mind as he closed his eyes… both the good and bad. "You… you were always there even though I was rude to you… but you could have atleast shown me a bit of your affection if you truly cared for me… you were the only one I had and you betrayed me…" His back slid on the wall and he sat on the floor. "But I guess I deserved it."

Mei-Rin knocked on the door. "Young master, your bath is ready."

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.

.

Mei-Rin helped Alois get undressed in the bath room.

"Leave me alone for a while, Mei-Rin," Alois said as soon as he was bold already, looking at the steaming water in the tub.

"But young master—" Mei-Rin started.

"Leave!"

Mei-Rin scurried out of the room and closed the door behind her. Alois held the edge of the tub and looked at his reflection for a while. Later he glanced at his black short on the floor and took out something.

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Meanwhile in Middleford's manor, Claude and Sebastian were clashing in battle. Elizabeth stayed at the side of the room, screaming at them, telling them to stop fighting. In the end, Claude was pinned down to the ground. He was bloody all over already while Sebastian only had a few scratches. The triplets were also knocked out.

"This is for the pain that you gave to my master," Sebastian said with a smile, looking down at Claude's bloody face. "Any last words again?" He pushed down the blade of a small sword on Claude's neck.

"Tell... Alois that I-"

Riiiiiiiiiing… Riiiiiiiiiing… Riiiiiiiiiing…

The sound ruined the moment. It was as if everything paused.

Lizzy slowly stood up and picked up the phone, still shaking from the battle she witnessed in their mansion. Mei-Rin screamed on the phone. She dropped the phone and was left speechless for a moment.

"Lady Elizabeth, who was that?" Asked Sebby.

"M-Mei-Rin... Alois… he's… he's dying!"

Sebby and Claude looked at each other. "We'll continue this next time," Sebby said. He stood up and dashed off out of the house.

Claude was left on the floor.

"Claude... You might not be able to see Alois again..." Said Lizzy, starting to cry.

Claude's eye slightly widened.

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.

Sebastian glanced to the side and saw Claude was catching up with him.

"I thought you didn't care about him already," Sebby said, mockingly.

"I wouldn't want to miss his second beautiful death," Claude retorted.
"Tch," Sebastian uttered and focused on running back to the Phantomhive's manor.

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Back in the Phantomhives's home, Mei-Rin was so relieved to see Sebastian come back but she was still panicking. "Sebastian… Alois…!"

"I know," was all Sebastian could say as he and Claude ran to the bathroom upstairs. Water was coming of the locked bathroom. Claude and Sebby slammed open the door. Their eyes widened. "Oh, God, no…" Sebastian whispered. They saw the knife on the floor. Blood was mixing with the water. Half of Alois' face was under the water already, his bloody right arm carelessly hanging at the side of the tub.

"Young master!" The three servants shouted, standing behind the two butlers.
"Alois!" The butlers screamed as they both raced towards him. Sebastian scooped him up and pulled him out of the tub. Claude closed the faucet.

"Mei-Rin, call some doctors!"
"Already did but there's a storm outside! It'll take long for them to arrive here!"
Sebastian greeted his teeth.

"Put him down and give him a CPR," ordered Claude. "I'll treat his wound." Sebastian stared at him then finally followed him. He placed Alois' naked body on the tiled floor and started to perform CPR on him.

Deep inside, Claude was jealous to see Sebastian put his lips on his former master. He averted his eyes away from them. "He's running out of too much blood already," he thought. "Mei-Rin, get a mop," he ordered. "Finny and Baldroy, get the first aid kit."

Even though they hated Claude, the three servants followed him. Later, Alois started choking out water. He opened his eyes and vaguely saw the butlers' face, their head blocking the light on the ceiling.

"Sebastian… Claude…" Alois said weakly then he fell unconscious again.

A/N: Happy new year!