After Alois' little speech everyone went into the ballroom. Once there, we picked numbers from a hat. Hannah and my number was number six. Number six's setting was the garden green house. As we went to the green house we passed a beautiful blue rose.
"Excuse me, why was there a blue rose?" I asked. A blue rose is certainly something that one does not see normally.
"The young master wanted something that no one except him could have. Claude then planted an immortal blue rose," said Hannah as she opened the door to the green house. Then we sat down and began. Hannah played as the white pieces and I as the black pieces. As we started the game all that was heard was the clicking of pieces on the marble board.
"How may I ask, is your master planning on granting a person's wish?" I asked as I took Hannah's bishop with my pawn.
"My master has connections to those alive, those who are not, and those like ourselves who are neither," said Hannah as she took my pawn with her other bishop.
"Why would he want to hold a chess tournament?" I asked as I took Hannah's last bishop with another pawn.
"My master has his reasons for starting a tournament just as your master has reasons for entering into the tournament," said Hannah as she moved her king.
"Hmm, is that so? Hannah, I do believe that you are now in checkmate," I said as I took her last piece, the queen, with my pawn.
"Yes, I am. Please go to the ballroom and tell them of your win," said Hannah as she started to clean up the board.
"I will, but one final question. If you do not mind," I asked. There was still on thing that bothered me. "How was your master able to have such a close connection with the grim reapers?" I asked.
"I never once mentioned that my master had a close connection to the grim reapers," said Hannah as continued to clean.
I bowed and thanked her for the game. She did likewise and I left. As I made my way into the ballroom I could not but wonder who else Alois had connections with. As I told a Trancy servant of my win I looked to see who else had finished. Soon every partaker in this inane tournament came into the ballroom. Alois and Claude then walked onto the little stage that was made. Claude cleared his throat then began.
"The next game will be held at 9:00 in the morning. Please come to the ballroom to pick your number and to meet with your competitor. The Earl of Phantomhive will be against Undertaker and the winner of that match must then compete against myself. Sebastian Michaelis will be against Lord Randall and the winner of that match must then compete against the Earl of Trancy. Those who have lost may either stay and observe or leave the estate. Thank you for participating," said Claude as Alois and him walked off the stage. "I look forward to tonight," Claude whispered in my ear.