Blaine Anderson was standing in his room, looking over the freshly prepared suit in the mirror. Despite being able to dress himself, it seemed apparent that Justin still insisted that it was his job to ensure the suit was perfect. He thought about the dance that he was going to. He thought of Tina, the girl he would one day wed. He didn't love her but marriage wasn't about love. His parents couldn't reach a dowry arrangement regarding Rachel Berry, so they simply picked another girl instead. Somehow, he felt like marriage should be more than a contract between two families. Honestly it should be about mutual love and respect. If you're going to spend your life with someone, shouldn't it be with someone you care about? Blaine pondered these questions daily.

"Sir," Justin said, snapping Blaine out of his thoughts. "Are you ready?" He nodded and let out a sigh as Justin moved around, clearing up the room.

"So, I heard David Karofsky is leaving today?" Blaine asked as he moved around to clear up the room, trying to lighten Justin's work load. Justin nodded but was wearing a conflicted expression. "Is there something wrong?"

"In honesty, I am not too sure," Justin admitted with an exasperated sigh. "Usually when Kurt comes back to the servants' quarters he seems more reserved – when he has had to face him. But last night he seemed… content."

Kurt entered the dry wooden door that led to the servants' quarters. Speaking with Karofsky and knowing that everything that had happened had been for that reason… True, it didn't mean that what happened was right. However, it did mean that Kurt didn't have to believe the things he'd been told. Blaine's continuous support, and Karofsky's sudden apology, had lightened his spirits a little.

"Kurt," Justin said as he rose to his feet in greeting. "You're back." Kurt smiled at him as he approached. "You seem different… I take it that foul man didn't cause you any harm?"

"He did not." Kurt said, seemingly just as surprised as him. "I believe there are more to some people than we assume." Justin just watched him for a while, until Kurt became slightly uncomfortable in the silence. "Where is everyone?"

"Oh," He glanced back to the bedrooms. "Everyone went to rest early."

"I had assumed we wouldn't have much time to sleep, considering everyone is out tomorrow. Do we not have a lot to prepare for?"

"It seems as though Mrs Amaro made most of the preparations yesterday. Where she found the time is indeed a mystery to me." Kurt nodded with a smile, happy to hear that they would be granted the gift of sleep before the next day of work.

"There is something I do admit to being concerned about." Blaine said eventually, a saddened expression melting onto his face. Justin glanced up. As servants that were constantly around they had to endure listening to mindless issues their masters spoke of. But when Blaine had a problem, it was not about the fabric of his clothes or the lack of pillows on his bed – it was about something that involved them, or their welfare. Blaine leaned back against one of the walls. "My father has forbidden me from communicating with Kurt. He has said that a friendship between servant and master is not appropriate to what society deems as proper." Justin didn't look as shocked or as horrified as Blaine thought that he would.

"I did expect this," Justin said after a while. "I mean, your father does speak the words of society. You're different, sir, you have the ability to question things. Many people will think the way you do, but it does not seem so because those people are either people like us or people that fear change." Blaine nodded.

"I know," He said. "I do know some noblemen and ladies who share my beliefs. The heart-breaking thing is that they do not speak up. Do not misunderstand," He said in response to Justin's expression. "They help in little ways, unseen by authority."

"I have no right to speak this, so please forgive me-" Justin began.

"Please, you are already forgiven." Blaine said, holding up a hand and smiling reassuringly.

"Changing society is a tall order. Little things and a different mind-set is a start. It takes true bravery to make those actions and thoughts known by openly questioning things." Blaine nodded and allowed Justin to leave the room.

000

The dance hall was beautifully detailed. The pure white walls were subtly overshadowed by the smooth gold that painted every edge and windowsill within the room. Blaine had been here many times, and as beautiful as he found it – he couldn't help but feel that the money wasted on the design could have been used to rebuild lives. The food was fresh and was delivered periodically throughout the evening. For a group of people that had three course meals throughout the day, they sure did need a large catering staff at the dance. He glanced at his parents. His mother was a basic wall flower. She didn't care for events such as this, so she simply grabbed a glass and sat at the side of the room. His father, however, seemed to raise his head in a pretentious manner.

"Blaine," A voice said. Turning he came face to face with a group of smiling young gentlemen. "Your head is still in the clouds, I see." Blaine joined in with the light laughter.

"It appears so, Wes." He said. The boys consisted of: Trent, Wes, Jeff, Nick, and David.

"You have missed a lot in the weeks we have not spoken, Blaine." Said David with a smile. "I am now a married man, as is Jeff." Blaine blinked and stared between them.

"Really? But I thought you were against marriage," He began. "I mean, you all thought it should be for love and not business." Jeff and David shared a look, having expected this reaction.

"We figured you'd take it this way," Said Jeff with a sigh. "We didn't have a choice, Blaine."

"Yeah," David continued. "We should actually be at home with our wives, but we decided to come down to see everyone."

"That and I really had to get out and away from my wife." Jeff groaned, earning sympathetic pats on the back from his friends. Blaine sighed and waved off someone who tried to offer him a drink.

"So, how are things at yours?" Trent asked, ever the positive person. "You mentioned in your letters about that servant – Kurt?" Blaine felt himself blushing a little, which was noticed by Nick.

"Oh, Blaine." He grinned, knowingly. It didn't take long for the others to catch on. "Golden boy has a crush." He teased.

"Be quiet!" He hissed quietly as the boys continued to laugh. "I know you guys know about me, but no-one else does – remember?"

"I think Kurt might know." Joked David quietly, causing Blaine to blush deeper.

"When are you going to tell your dad?" Asked Jeff. Blaine sighed and walked to the window, his friends following.

"It's not so simple, is it?" He said. "You know how my father is. He'd disown me, and then everyone will know." Everyone gave him sympathetic looks.

"So, what are you going to do?" Asked Trent softly. Blaine looked at him and shrugged.

"Well, you come to my house if something happens." Said Jeff.

"Or mine," Said David. "Since we're both married now- our homes, our rules." Blaine smiled softly. He really did have some great friends.

"Thanks, guys." Wes ruffled Blaine's gelled hair, causing him to have to duck under a swat from Blaine's arm. "I don't have any hair gel on me, Wes!" Wes just laughed and rolled his eyes.

"Too bad, because there's Miss Cohen-Chang." He said and pointed to Tina, who was stood a distance away with a glass in her hand. Blaine stood up, fixing his hair, and approached her with a smile.

"Hi, Tina." He greeted with a smile. She smiled back at him. Her dress was beautiful, but so incredibly unique. She wore a long length black dress with white diamonds glittering on the corset-shaped upper part. The dress hugged and accentuated her body nicely, the bottom part flowing out with a grey net that seemed to resemble cobwebs from a distance. It was unusual and stood apart from the other brightly coloured dresses warn by the other ladies. But it was still, in Blaine's opinion, the only dress in the room that actually had personality. "I am sorry, I didn't see you."

"It's fine," She said with her usual smile. "I saw you talking with your friends." Blaine looked surprised, and he did not bother to conceal it.

"Oh, you did?" He asked. "Why didn't you come and join us?" The smile he was receiving was weary now.

"It would not be proper, you know that." She said, sounding as if she were explaining a basic rule to a child. Blaine rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. He kept forgetting about society expectations, mainly because he didn't understand why certain expectations seemed necessary.

"I know, I'm sorry." He said sheepishly, to which she chuckled and put a hand on his arm. "Should we… get a bite to eat?" He asked, unsure. She nodded and they approached the table. Tina saw Mike, the caterer who had arrived to drop off the baked food. Their eyes connected and Blaine knew there was something there. "Tina, would you like to step outside with me?" He asked. When she looked at him, looking ready to protest, she saw a look in his eyes. He was wordlessly allowing her and Mike to leave the building so they could speak. He knew what love looked like. She nodded. Blaine gestured for Mike to follow. He remembered Mike, he was the one that had helped Kurt in town.

"Mike." Tina said lovingly as she wrapped her arms around him when the three of them were out of sight. He hugged her back, giving Blaine a grateful look before he closed his eyes. "I've missed you so much."

"I've missed you too." He said into her ear. "I brought the bread you like, baked to perfection – just for you." Blaine smiled softly when he heard Tina giggle into Mike's chest. The hug did not last long, but when it ended Mike kissed her passionately but quickly – for fear of being spotted. Tina blushed but kissed back. After a while they parted and Tina looked at Blaine, not knowing what to say.

"Blaine, I'm so sorry!" She said quickly. "I know we're supposed to be getting married, it's just-"

"Wait," Said Mike dejectedly, backing up a little. "You two are getting married?" Blaine quickly walked over.

"Our parents want that, but we don't share feelings," He said, looking to Tina for support. "And I will never come between the love you two have for each other." Mike looked a little nervous. His family didn't deal with the complicated life of aristocracy, so he was unsure of how to respond. "I also want to thank you again," Blaine said, attempting to change the mood. "For helping Kurt." Tina tilted her head.

"You mean your servant?" Mike asked. Blaine looked uncomfortable with the word.

"Uh, yeah…" He said slowly.

"What are we going to do?" Tina asked. Mike walked to her side and put his arm around her. "My parents will never let me be with Mike." Blaine knew all too well how she was feeling. He wanted nothing more than to be with Kurt and have it not be an issue. But he knew that it would not be smooth sailing. He had no idea what to do. His sheltered and pre-determined life was suddenly complicated.

"I don't know, things are so messed up." He said, frustrated.

"I can support us," Mike said, looking at Tina. "My family won't be a problem, but it's getting your family to agree. That and the fact that you're going to marry Blaine." Tina looked up at him, tears swimming in her eyes.

"We'll figure something out," Said Blaine. "We have to."

000

Kurt was helping Maria with the cleaning. Having the entire building to themselves was a blessing as it meant they could try and sneak some food for themselves. But it also meant that their masters expected the entire place to be spotless. It was dark, but not dark enough to warrant a candle – so Maria had decided. Kurt was dusting off the curtains while Maria was on her hands and knees, cleaning the floor.

"I like it when they leave." Maria mused, breaking the silence. "It's quiet. No more ringing bells, no annoying guests."

"Karofsky was not so bad." Kurt said absently as he worked. "I told you he apologised." He had made sure that she did not know about Karofsky's secret.

"Don't care if he did," She said, letting her frustration show in how hard she scrubbed the floor. "If we don't stick up for each other, no-one will." After a while she flinched and pulled back. "Ow!" Kurt looked over, abandoned his work, and dropped down beside her.

"Let me see," He said and gently took her hands in his. "You were scrubbing too hard, you got a splinter." They either used rags to clean the floor or a block of wood with a sponge attached, so they could put more force into the scrubbing to clean any arrogant stains. He helped her and then sighed. They both sat there, taking a break. "Besides, Blaine sticks up for us." She raised an eyebrow at him.

"Did you just call him by his first name?" She asked. Kurt gulped. "I knew you two were friends." She said with a smile, causing him to relax.

SMASH.

The pair bolted to their feet.

"What was that?" She asked. Kurt thought for a moment.

"It… sounded like a vase smashing." The pair slowly left the room together. They walked around for about five minutes before they found a smashed antique vase on the floor. Just as they reached it, Justin and Mrs Amaro ran to join them.

"What happened?" Asked Justin.

"Oh, another mess!" Mrs Amaro complained with an exasperated sigh.

"Wait… you didn't knock it over?" Maria asked slowly. When the four established that no-one had been nearby, an uncomfortable silence fell through the room. Moving as one, Kurt led the way back to where he and Maria had just been. He gulped when he saw that the bucket of water had been pushed over.

"Someone's here…" Kurt said slowly, looking back to the others. It was not unusual for people to break into the mansions in desperation, but it was the first time it had ever happened in a house Kurt worked in. Almost as if timed, the door to the room they were in slammed shut. Now Maria really did regret not bringing any candles.

AN: Thanks for the reviews, everyone! I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and are curious for the next one.