David: I had been hiding in the corner by the door like I always did when we were at balls. Dad made me go dance with Miss. Charlotte. We dance for a bit "Hey Charlotte you want to leave this crowd." She nodded and said "You can call me Charlie." I took her hand and lead her up to the attic. "David where are we?" "The attic I like to hide up here sometimes." "I see why it's nice and you can see outside. "Ya it can be really pretty. Just like you." She smiled "Thanks, I like your house, it's big and elegant." "You know what. When I'm old enough I get this house since Clara will probably go live at her husband's house." "So are you the youngest?" "No, I have two younger siblings under me. What about you?" "I'm the only child. I wish I had siblings." "Great you can take Jaron." "No I can't I don't think your parents would be happy with that." "I guess you're right but still you can take him." She laughed "you don't like him do you." "Well he's certainly not my favorite." We talked for awhile and then the door open and we both jumped. "David, Charlotte you in here?" "Yes Mom, it's us." "Charlotte you parents are leaving soon. How about you two come back downstairs." "ok…" I took her downstairs, and went to her parents. "There you are Charlie. You ready to go home?" I looked at her, and she smiled. "I guess so I'm tired anyway. Thanks David for playing with I hope we can talk again soon." Her parents took her hands and they left I went on the stairs and sat down "Yeah I hope to see you soon Charlie." I guess my parents picked right I really liked her.
Hazel: I spent the whole ball with Rowan. We danced and bit and talked with some other kids. Then we went outside and sat on the bench. "Hey Rowan?" "Hi Hazel." "I like being with you."
I like being with you too." "I sat closer to him, and laid my head on his shoulder. He reached up started playing with my hair. "Hazel if I asked you to, would you want to marry me?" "Yes." "Oh, Jack said we can't though. That it's not allowed." He scooted away from me. "But…. I'm sure Daddy would let me. Plus how would Jack know?" "He said that because I wasn't a noble I couldn't." "Why does he say that? How does he even know?" "I don't know." He scooted back to me and took my hand. "I want to show you something." "Ok what?" "I planted it because it reminds me of you." He took my hand and lead me to a small tree that only came up to my chin. It had purple flowers on it and the leaves were a pretty green. "Do you like it?" "Yes it's really pretty." "I'm glad. It can be our tree." "Ok we should go inside Mommy, and Daddy will be looking for me soon." "Okay Hazel." He offered me his arm. I took it and he escorted me inside. Once we got inside Jaron was heading towards the stairs "Hey Hazel say goodnight to your boyfriend it's time for bed." I sighed "Fine night Rowan." "Good night Hazel." he looked a little hurt by the way I had said it. Before I could say anything Jaron, grabbed my hand and dragged me upstairs, and I went to bed. A few minutes later someone came in my room. "Who is it?" "Sorry Hazel. Why did you say good night like that?" "Oh I was just a bit annoyed." "Oh…." "I'm sorry…" "It's okay Hazel. Sorry if I'm bothering you…." "it's fine…" "Okay, I never actually sleep. I had to distract myself and you were the first thing that came to mind." "Thanks….You should sleep though." "I try but I never can. Momma says I was that way even as a baby." "Oh was the one always asleep." "Oh, that's funny." "It kinda is." I yawned. "I'm sorry Hazel I'll let you sleep now." "Ok night Rowan…" Rowan left and I fell asleep.
Rowan: I left Hazel's room and headed into Jack's room. "Jack why can't I marry Hazel?" "Because you aren't nobility." "How do you know about it?" "Because I had a crush on Clara when I was younger." "Oh. Good night Jack." If Jack knew because of that then it must be true. Dejectedly I went back to my room. I ended up not falling asleep. Again. The next morning I got up and went outside to the only spot in the yard no one knew about. I sat down and started crying. Hazel found me. " Rowan what's wrong?" "Everything…." "You wanna tell me some of it?" "I can't marry you no matter how much I want to. Jack knows because he used to have a crush on Clara. I couldn't sleep last night at all. no matter how hard I tried. I'm sorry Hazel. You told me to sleep but I didn't. Also I've skipped breakfast this morning. I don't want to face Jack nor Jaron." "I'm sorry Rowan why don't we go talk to my Dad? See what he can do." I nodded. She put out her hand. I took and she lead me to her parent's room. "Daddy?" "What Hazel?" "Is there someway Rowan can marry me when we're older even though he's not a noble." "Who said he's not a noble?" "Jack, he knows since he had a crush on Clara one time." "Really, well he's wrong. Jack, Beth and Rowan are nobility. Sadie is a noble therefore they are too. There is no reason you two can not marry. Now both of you go play." "Ok Daddy." I smiled at Hazel. "Wait Mr. Ciel does that mean we're betrothed?" "Yes Rowan your parent's, Lizzie and I discussed it and it's final." "Thank you sir." He smiled at me then we left. "I'm still not going down to breakfast Hazel." "Oh come, you need to eat something." "But Jaron and...and Jack. They tease me…" "Rowan I live with Jaron's teasing I'm his twin sister." "I know but I'm not used to it." "Just come on." "But….okay Hazel." "Great." I followed her silently downstairs then into the dining room. "Hey look the lovebirds finally showed up." I ducked behind Hazel and stared at my feet. "What's wrong? Is the lovebird shy?" My eyes burned with tears. I pulled my hand from Hazel's then started to run. She grabbed my arm and pulled me back. "Rowan just ignore him." "But Hazel he….he's…." " Look the lovebirds running away." David walked up behind Jaron and smacked his head. "Leave Rowan alone Jaron." "You can't tell me what to do!" "Um yes I can last time I checked I was older by about three years." "David, let him Rowan needs to toughen up anyway. Don't you love bird?" "Jack I think he's been through enough this morning." "Fine." I turned to Hazel "I'm really not hungry Hazel. Please may we leave?" "Sure." "Thanks." I pulled her out of the room and back outside. "I'm staying out here today. I'm not going through that again." "I'm sorry about Jaron he's mean sometimes." "It..it's okay…" "David and Clara, are nice though." "Oh, Hazel do you want to go for a walk?" I took her hand and we walked out off of the property. We walked up the road a bit then back down to the house again. She dragged me inside then up to her room. I sat on the bed and she sat next to me. I laid my head on her shoulder and fell asleep.
Ciel: I told Hazel and Rowan that they could marry and were engaged to get them to go play. I hadn't lied I just told them early. They ran off to go play. Since I was already awake I got up, changed and went downstairs. I walked into the dining room to find three boys yelling at each other. I decided I wouldn't intervene and just see what it was about first. "David, Rowan need to toughen up. He's such a little baby sometimes. I see nothing wrong with what Jaron was doing." "He was being rude once again, and Rowan is only four, he's still allowed to act like a baby sometimes." "I know he's four, he's my brother, they're lovebirds we were only stating the truth." "Yeah but you're still picking on him." "He needs to get used to it." "You still can be nicer to him." "How do I be nicer when I'm only trying to help him?" "I don't know just stop picking on the poor kid." "Fine." "And you Jaron stop being mean or else I'll take George again." I thought here was a good place to stop it all. "Boys, no more." "Yes Dad….." "David what is going on?" "They were picking on Rowan this morning." "I picked up that much, but how?" "They were calling him names." "Ok, like what?" "Lovebird, and he really didn't like it." "Jaron is that true?" "No he's lying." "Jaron tell me the truth." "How do you know that's not the truth?" "Jaron, David has never lied to me before. Now tell me the truth." "I just said he was a lovebird that's all." "Why did you call Rowan a lovebird?" "Because he's one." "That doesn't mean you have to call him one." "Ok." "Where are they now?" "I don't know." "Okay, you guys just be nice to each other I'll go find them." I left them in the dining room and went upstairs. I knocked on Hazel's door. "Hazel are you guys in there?" "Ya." "May I come in?" "Sure." I opened the door and walked in. I saw Rowan asleep on her shoulder and a book in her hand. She was trying to make out the words but didn't know all of the sounds for them. "What are you guys doing?" "We went on a walk and come back on in, Rowan was tired,so he fell asleep." "Why was he tired?" "We went on walk outside."
"Was he tired before that?" "Um no he was just a little upset since Jaron and Jack were being mean to him." "I heard about that. Do you think he's okay now?" "Ya I think so." "Okay. Do you want me to leave him where he is or should we lay him down on the bed? Or take him to his bed?" "We can just leave him on my bed." "Okay." I moved him so he was laying downbi behind Hazel. "Do you want to come with me or stay with Rowan?" "I'll come with you." "Okay sweetie come on." She took my hand then we left the room. We walked down to the dining room. Jaron saw us first "Hey where's lovebird?" "Rowan is asleep upstairs. No more calling him that whether he is in the room or not." "Fine…" Jack got up. "Come with me Jaron." "Ok." The two of them left. I sat Hazel down at the table and got her some food. I left her and David in the dining room. I went upstairs again to see if Lizzie was awake yet. I walked in and found her sitting on the bed. "Lizzie I need to talk to you."
Lizzie: I was sitting in my bed when Ciel came saying he need to talk to me. "What do you need Ciel?" "I don't know what to do with Jaron." "What did he do now?" "He won't leave Rowan alone about liking Hazel. He keeps calling him a lovebird. Rowan, according to Hazel, got upset and is now asleep." I sighed "No one can figure him out better than you Ciel. He's just like you." "But Lizzie I've tried. He only talks back to me and ignores what I tell him." "See he's just like you. I always tried talking to you, and you would just ignore me." "But…." He sighed at sat down putting his head in his hands. "I know he's a hard kid, compared to Clara, David, and Hazel, but if anyone is going to get through to him it's you." "I don't know how to though." "I don't know either remember I tried for a year." "Yeah, okay I'll try harder I guess. He doesn't seem to like me though." "Trust me the only person he seems to like is Clara." "Oh." "Yeah, but I think has Clara has enough problems right now." "Yeah about that." "What did you do Ciel?" "I kind of got mad at Casella so he took Alessandro last night and left, but I told Clara that if she wants to she can still marry Alessandro. I don't trust any Casella but if it makes her happy I'll put aside my own feelings and help her." "That's good. By the way why do you not like Casella?" "Because he acts like he's nobility but he's the town drunkard. He doesn't focus on anything unless it involves women and alcohol." "Now I understand, hopefully his son doesn't turn out the same." "Yeah…..Lizzie I don't want her to marry into that family. Alessandro seemed nice enough but so did Casella the first time I met him." "I'm sure if things go wrong we can find her someone else. I had lots of people come up to me yesterday asking about Clara, and if she was betrothed already. Everyone seems to think she's really pretty." "Why don't we look into some other people just in case then. I have to go into town, I'll take Rowand and Hazel with me." "Ok, oh did you see Jaron talk with anyone yesterday, because we almost have all the kids done." "No." "Maybe I'll talk to him about it. I can't really imagine him liking anyone." "Yeah I agree. I'll be back soon. Love you.." He leaned over and kissed me then left. I got dressed and went downstairs. I found Clara playing with Jaron while David, was drawing. I sat down and smiled "Jaron can I ask you something?" "Sure I guess." "Please don't talk back to me or Dad." "Fine is that all you wanted?" "No, I wondering if you talked with any kids your age yesterday?" "A little, one girl was pretty, but she was loud and really hyper." I couldn't help but smile. It was ironic that since he was so much like Ciel that he would find someone like me when I was little. "Do you remember her name?" "Lucy Smith." I remembered the Smith's they had two girls one was Clara's age and the other Jaron's. Lucy being their youngest was a little bit more eccentric than her older sister. "Ok, you can go back and play." He went back and played and I thought about the kids and their betrothed. Clara, and Alessandro, was still a maybe. David and Charlotte was a for certain. Jaron, and Lucy I would have to talk to Ciel about it. Then Hazel, and Rowan was a positive. Everything seemed to be working. Now all that was left to do was figure out in the world Ciel was hiding from me I couldn't find it anywhere, and it was driving me insane.
Rowan: Mr. Ciel came and woke me up. He took Hazel and I into town. We were walking around when I saw a sweet shopee. " . may Hazel and I go in there?" "Sure Rowan just don't go anywhere else." "Okay we won't." I grabbed Hazel's arm and we went inside. "What do you want Hazel? You can get anything." "Um….. maybe the gumdrops." "Okay." I bought her some gumdrops. We went back outside and sat by the door. We were eating the gumdrops when the boy Clara had been talking to last night walked past. He looked like he was up to something. I got up to follow him. "Rowan wait! Dad said not to go anywhere else." "I know but he's up to something." "But… fine let's go Dad will find us." I took her hand and we ran after him. We saw him turn round a corner. Then we heard voices. "Alessandro did you make it." "Yes the Phantomhive girl has fallen in love with me. I will be able to pay you back once we marry." "You had better. I'm tired of waiting on you. You are nearly worthless to this group but you still have a slight use. So I'll keep you." "Thank you everything should work out perfectly unless my stupid father messes things up." "Hmm, we may have to have you do something about him. You're the only one who can get close enough to him." "Yes sir what would you like me too do." "We don't want him dead. Not yet. Take this drug and slip it in his ale. He'll pass out until you give him the antidote but you'll have to come get that from me once I have the money in my hands." "But wouldn't someone notice if he didn't come out for many years?" "True, marry her now then. That or do it once you can marry her." "I'll see how soon I can marry the girl, and get the money." "Good. Did you make sure no one followed you?" "Yes remember I was in Italy for a long time so no one know me here, and the Phantomhives are all at their house." "Okay. I hope you are right. Now go. I've gotten what I've need for right now." "Yes sir." Alessandro turned to leave. I grabbed Hazel's arm "We have to tell your dad. We can't let Clara marry him." "I agree….." We turned and ran back to the sweet shoppe. Mr. Ciel was standing there waiting. "Mr…..Ciel...we...need to...tell you...something…" I said completely out of breathe. "First where in the world have you kids been!" "We followed Alessandro and he went down this dark alley and there were these guys and they were demanding money so Alessandro told them that once he married Clara he would get them their money. He said that was if his father didn't get in the way. Then they gave him something to drug his dad if he did…." "What do you mean. Hazel what is this all about?" "It's the truth we swear we heard it all. Daddy you can't let Clara get married to him he doesn't even like her, he just wants money." "Okay lets go home. I don't know how we're going to tell Clara." "She's going to be heartbroken….. she really liked him." "Yeah she is." picked us up then ran home. He set us down and went to find Clara and Lizzie. Hazel and I ran upstairs to play.