Last time:

"What of her maid. I think it quite odd, that there is no butler."I said musing to myself.
"There is no need."Sebastian said from the spot of which he stood. I looked at him, motioning for him to go on.
"You see, there is no need for one. There is even no need in the two others. You see her maid is no ordianary maid." Sebastian said.
"You mean.." I started.
"Yes. You see, she is simply one hell of a maid..." Sebastian said looking at me seriously.


"Ughh! You have got to be kidding me!" I said in frustation.

"Where the hell are all you demons coming from!" I said throwing my hands up. How could there be so many demons near by that we didn't even know about.

"Sebastian I want to know everything about Lillian. I also want information on Alina's family and how they tie into the Queen's work. I want it by the end of the week!" I demanded sitting back down on the bed.

"Yes, My lord." Sebastian said bowing. He quickly took the candle, and went out the door. I sighed and layed back down. It was hard enough trying to get Alina out of my head. I was trying to put all my focus on Elizabeth, and now I was in Alina's house.

I loved Elizabeth, I always did. Just not the way I should as a fiance and a future husband. She deserved to be with someone who could give her all their love and affection. How could someone like me, who is often cold and distant be with someone as light and caring as Elizabeth? How could Elizabeth deal with being the Queen's watchdog? She couldn't, this I know.

I barely even know Alina, all I know is her face and her name. I do know however, that this is going to be a long two weeks.


(Alina's POV)

I sat near my window, looking to the outside. It was a calm and peaceful night, the stars shining brightly. I was just staring contently when I heard a knocking.

"Come in." I said not paying much attention to who it was.

"I just came to get you into bed." Lillian said closing the door behind her. I got up and swiftly made it to my bed and sat down.

"Lillian. I don't know if I can hold on for two weeks wtih Trancy being here."I said huffing.

"I know dear. Atleast it's not just him. Haha, Lady Lizzie is here also!" Lillian said smiling at me. I rolled my eyes. I loved Elizabeth, much like a sister but sometimes she was too much to bear.

"Plus, the Earl..." Lillian said with a sugestive tone.

"I know you too well Lillian. You might as well make your point." I said "No point at all. I just happened to notice alot of glances made his way. That's all, really." Lillian said with a mischievous smile.

"I haven't the slightest idea of what your talking about, really." I said, turning my head so she could not see my blush. "Just as I am sure you don't know what I am talking about when I say I saw glances towards the Earl's butler." I said staring at her with a questioning look. Lillian kept looking at Sebastian then smiling to herself and blushing. It was obvious even to me.

"Your right, I don't know what your talking about." Lillian said with a laughing grin.

"This might seem crazy, but the Earl looks familiar. Not just from Viscount Druitt's ball either. When I first saw him, I felt as if I knew him from somewhere." I said looking up at the cieling.

"Well... didn't you say he was the one from your dream?" Lillian asked caustiously.

"Yes... but in the dream I never saw his face. Except the night after the ball. Then I would always see his face." I said recalling in my mind when I told Lillian about my dreams.

(Flashback)

"Lillian. I keep having a wierd dream. There is a boy around my age. I am running to him. I can't explain it, but I feel like something is drawing me to him." I said looking up at my maid.

"Why Alina. You sound scared. Not to mention you look terrified. Tell me whats bothering you." Lillian said sitting down next to me on my bed.

"I feel as if... I know him, but yet I don't think I do. Surely I would remember someone who made me feel that way." I said. I more-or-less muttered that last part to myself but I knew she heard. I felt as if I loved him. That was absurb though. How could I love someone so much, when I didn't even know him. I didn't even know if he excisted. How I loved him though. I felt through every party of me. I just wanted to be with him, to be able to hold on to him, run my hands through his sliky dark hair. I didn't even know what he looked like!

(Day after Druitt's ball)

"It changed." I said, looking out the window.

"Hmm? What changed? " I heard Lillian ask, from my bed.

"My dream. He turned around. It was just as I suspected from the ball. It was the boy I met at the ball. There was no way I am wrong about that. I fell so bad." I said looking outside at the birds flying.

"Why do you feel bad?" Lillian asked, coming to my side. "The boy. I feel as though I love him. I hate it. I have never felt so strongly before about anyone, about anything!" I shouted pushing Lillian's arms away from me. She knew I was upset, which is why she didn't let her self get hurt by my rude gesture. "I am afraid I don't undertsnad why you feel bad about that. Most people would welcome such feelings..." Lillian said watching me from the window. I stood there and leaned against one of my bed post for support. "He is Elizabeth's fiancee."

(End flashback)

"Why don't you sleep. You do have a long two weeks ahead of you. Please, rest! Lets see what you dream of tonight!" Lillian said in her motherly way. I let her tuck me in. "Goodnight, Lillian." I said closing my eyes. I faintly heard her say goodnight back, as she walked out the door to do whatever it was she did at night to prepare for the next day.

Tonight was one of the first nights I had slept without remebering my dream in the morning...


"Good morning my lady." I heard Lillian's voice say, after bright light crept in between my shut eyes. I groaned and turned over. I stretched a little before sitting up. "I daresay, you are getting a little lazy, aren't you? Your guest are also getting ready. I have prepared a fine feast for your guest this morning. I made enough for the servants also. I know you don't mind, but I told them to eat in a seperate room." Lillian said removing the sheet and pulling a dress for the day.

"Why? You know I don't mind if servants eat with me." I said stretching even more. I never rarely cared for social structure in my house. As it was Lillian and I didn't even use formailites except for when we were in public. I treated my servants with respect.

"I know Trancy would have an issue. I figured it I took care of the problem it was one less thing for you two to fight about," Lillian said walking over to my bed, "now, you need to get up."

Lillian dressed me and I slowly made my way to the door. I was wearing a deep blue dress with silver accents, made for leisure. I opened the door and peeked out. I could tell I was the last one up here. I sighed, "Fine. Lets start the day." I said. I waited a minute or so before slowly opening the door.

"Oh look who's finally up." Alois sneered. "Yes, I am sure it is such a relief to you, to be able to know see me. I know I kept you waiting all morning." I replied sarcastially while I rolled my eyes. I sat down at the head of the table with Elizabeth to my left, Ciel on her side, and Alois right across from Ciel.

"Oh, quite fine. I can go a whole day without seeing such an idiot as your self!" Alois said happily. I heard Elizabeth gasp. She wasn't used to our bantering. "Atleast I am not stuckup!" I said in a singsong voice.

"Arrogant." Alois quipped.

"Bit..." I started.

"ALINA! That is quite enough of that!" Lillian said covering my mouth with her hand. "Honestly I don't know where you get off act so unlady like, exspecially infront of guest. Who taught you such horrible manners!"

I shrugged my shoulders, smilling. "Anyway, good morning, the rest of you." I said merrily, looking at all the food that was to offer. I quickly loaded my plate up.

"I hope you had good rest?" I said. "Oh yes! The beds are really comfortable. Thank you so much Alina!" Elizabeth said, immediately. I nodded my head at her, sipping some of my morning tea. I took some pancakes with delicious berry syrup. Lillian made such great food. It was a gift she truly possessed.

"May I ask, if you don't mind, what we are going to do today?" Elizabeth asked smilling. I hadn't given any though to our schedule. I stopped mid-chew. I quickly chewed up my food and swallowed. I though long and hard, not knowing what to say. "Um... What would you like to do Elizabeth?" I asked placing my hand feebly on hers.

"Oh Alina! Call me Lizzie! Honestly how many times must I tell you and Ciel!" Elizabeth squealed turing around and placing her hand on Ciel's shoulder. I softly coughed and turned away. Never before have I felt like I wanted to slap Eli... Lizzie's hand away from something before.

"Hmm... Why don't we go into town! It will give us time to bond! and Ciel and Alois can get to know each other too!" Elizabeth said. I looked at Alosi and saw delight. I managed a quick peek at Ciel, who looked way less delighted. I was about to object when Sebastian spoke up.

"I think that is a wonderful idea! Lady Elizabeth is always thinking of others." Sebastian said smilling slyly at Ciel. More like Lizzie was ignorant of Ciel and Alois's reaction. Of course, I mst admit I didn't now know they even knew each other. Of course, I didn't even know of Ciel until the dance.

"Very well. Thank you Lizzie." I said smilling at her before getting back to my breakfast.


(In the village [Ciel's POV])

"Oh Ciel! Lets go look in their together! Dear Lizzie did say we should bond." Alois said grabbing my hand and pulling me into a store. I had to really mention to Elizabeth later how much of a bother Alois is. I had to spend the whole day with him. I really wish Alina hadn't asked Elizabeth what we should do. I couldn't be mad at either of them though. Elizabeth simply didn't know, and Alina. Well I couldn't bring my self to be mad at her for anything.

"Alois stay off of me! Sebastian, call our carriage. We are returning to the manor." I said pulling my self out of Alois's grip.

"Yes, mr lord."

"Wait Ciel! We are supposed to be having fun!" Alois cried.

I sighed. "I know. It is obvious I won't be having much 'fun' here with you. I am returing to Alina's manor. Maybe I will find a chess board or something." I muttered.

"Teach me!" Alois said steping right in my way. "Teach you what?" I questioned. Alois had a wide grin on his face. "How to play chess! I don't know how. It's a game I never really thought to learn. Teach me! Then we can play together and bond, as dear Lizzie said we should." Alois said slyly.

"Lady Elizabeth to you! No 'dear'. Fine though, if it gets you to shutup and leave me alone I will. Get Claude to call for your carriage." I said stepping to the side and walking past Alois. Today was going to be a long day.


(Alina's POV)

"Oh this would look so adorable on you! This too! Oh they are all so cute!" Elizabeth squealed, going through the racks of clothing. I sat down watching her. It's not that I didn't like shopping, I just did not enjoy it near as much as she did. "What do you want me to try on now?" I asked her lazily. "Umm... these two!" Elizabeth said holding up a bright cobalt blue, and a vibrant purple. I took them and made my way to the back of the shop, passing another rack when something caught me eye. A necklace.

"Woah." I breathed. It was beautiful. A blue diamond set in the shape of an oval. It was on a silver chain. "It matches his eyes... " I muttered to my self. "Who's eyes?" I heard. I jumped from where I was standing out of fright. "Lillian... um... no one, no one at all." I said quickly dropping the necklace back onto the jewlery slab. I walked fastly towards the back of the room, finally making it to the changing area. I got the worker to help me try the purple dress.

"Milady, excuse me, but this purple doesn't fit you at all. It's a lovey dress really, but I don't think it is the dress for you." The seamstress said. I quickly nodded and I got into the blue dress. I had always loved the color blue. Sadly this dress also resembed Ciel's eyes. "Oh, there that is a lovely fit. That color suits you well!" The seamstress said taking in my apperance. "Alina come out here so Lady Lizzie and myself can see. I looked myself in the mirror one last time before coming out from behind the screen.

"Oh that dress is simply lovely on you! Oh it's just so cute! You must get it! If you don't I will and give it to you!" Elizabeth said. "My, it seems only yesterday I was delivering you. You truly have grown into a fine young lady. So much like your mother..." Lillian mused. I went back and returned to my normal clothing. I bought the dress and Lizzie and I walked out of the store.

"I wonder where Ciel and Alois have gotten to? I am quite tired though." Elizabeth said through a yawn.

"Lillian, fetch the carriage. Lizzie and I shall return to the manor now." I said sending Lillian off to the office a short walk away.

"Lizzie, I know I don't say it enough, but thank you." I said drawing her into a hug.

"My, whatever for?" Lizzie asked returning my hug.

"For just always being there for me, and always being a great friend." I said smilling. Soon Lizzie, Lillian, and I were in a carriage, on our way home.