Luggage placed in ever room, gifts place under the tree properly. Guest arrived and settled in well, all at the prompt time for lunch. Lizzie and Harmony at the hip with Paula following. Snake and Finnian too. Their laughter and giggles flooded every corner and crack in the manor, not even shadows could hide. The sound of their merry laughter put a smile to your lips.

"It seems Lizzie and Harmony are cherishing their time."

A small laughter slipped from your lips, casting your eyes from your reflection. Mey-Rin was finishing up with helping you dress. Which you still felt was never necessary. But, it was part of the role...inherited role and title. If you could choose, you'd prefer to just have tea the two of you really. Having her around was always nice. Feeling her finishing up the last of your outfit.

"There." She said rather proud, yet you could still hear her nerves.

Turning back to your reflection, look yourself over making sure nothing was out of place. Otherwise face Aunt Francis, the thought sent shivers through your spine. That and the thought of having to go and live with her...again. You didn't want that. Using the mirror catch a quick glance at Mey-Rin. At everything around you. No. You couldn't leave this. Resting a hand over your heart, close your eyes.

Mey-Rin wasn't sure why the Baroness closed her eyes, but, she seem at peace and...from the light smile brushing on her lips..happy. Made Mey-Rin smile. Feeling it turn around opening your eyes to her. They lock with her, for that moment there was something...something unspoken but formed between you two. Behind those glasses you could see her eyes lite up just as her cheeks did. How long had it been? Making a connection like this with someone? When was the last time...you felt this sort of familial bond?

Taking her hands in yours, squeeze them. "Thank you, Mey-Rin."

Her eyes swell, she was rather emotional. The tears just poured, even when she tired to wipe them away. Only made her look...a bit messy. You dare not use the word ugly on her. It would be cruel.

Through her tears and running nose, she managed a few words. "T-Thank you..." She just bawls. It almost drowned out Lizzie and Harmony's laughter and the knock on the door.

Knock on the door? Your eyes move passed her to the door. Another knock came. With a voice. "Baroness? Are you ready?" Sebastian asked. Knocking lightly. "I've come to get you, the master was rather worried you have not joined everyone for lunch. It's," You hear his pocket watch, he was checking the time. No need, you saw it on the clock in your room.

Goodness, it was that time?

Doing your best to silence your giggle, while Mey-Rin panics rose. Patting her on the shoulder, gesturing her to calm and quiet. Straighten yourself, give a quick glance at the your reflection. Everything was in order, hair and all. You decided with a half up and half down. Using a silver brooch to keep the up-part, up. The sapphire gems that decorated it, matched well with your satin sapphire skirt. You felt was the right choice to wear, a soft cotton blouse, and black satin mid-waist corset. It wasn't tight on you, thank goodness. Remembering what you read about them in school, you always found rather odd. Seriously, the things in this time era was beyond...interesting.

The last part was your black chocker with the small sapphire gem in the center. Ciel surely spared no expense. Which crossed your mind, blocking out Mey-Rin going to the door and what Sebastian was telling you about extra guest. Expenses, since Madam Red...correction mother. Was a Baroness, did she not have money of her own? And if you are the one who inherited her title and pretty much everything, didn't that mean you also inherited her fortune? You never really brought it up Ciel, nor had he brought it up to you. It nipped at the back of your mind, which you managed to keep at bay. Now, it seem to be biting instead. All this...everything here...was..came from...touching your chocker clench your hand.

Ciel, you thought.

A sharp snap broke your thoughts. Startling you and bringing you back. Blinking a few times finding Sebastian's gloved hand before you at eye level. Following it, up his arm all the way to his face which five inches at least close to you. His brow arched.

"Baroness, are you alright?" He asked a bit confused.

Alright? Repeat to yourself, what was he talking? Thinking quickly gasp...lunch! It was nearing, picking up your skirt rush out making a right instead of a left. Sebastian and Mey-Rin stand, he counts down to one and you run back the right way. He sighs shaking his head. Pinching his brow. Tucks his pocket watch away.

"Honestly," he mumbles. Mey-Rin please join the master and the others. I will tend to the Baroness."

Nodding she picks up her skirt and hurries off, he waits a few a seconds after she leaves and runs after you. Before you could even make it halfway down the hall, hit something solid. It almost sent you falling back, if a hand hadn't shot out grabbing your wrist. Pulls you up, setting you right.

Rubbing your nose grumble a bit. "My nose. Honestly, Sebastian did you have to become a wall?" You said rather muffled. Still rubbing your nose. Trying to get the soreness out.

He rolls is eyes. "Come now, Baroness that did little damage." He brushes your words off, swatting your hands lightly, grabs you by the cheek firmly. Though not too firm, enough that he could keep you from moving. His eyes narrowed searching for any harm done on you. There was no bruising.

That was good. Lightly tilting your head ever so, checks left then right. To make sure, pulls your face closer leaving barely any space. You could feel his calm breathing upon your skin. It tingled. Oddly. Doing your best to suppress any shutter your body want to give. Think of something else quickly. Stop feeling something softly lightly touch your nose. A few times, it was like a light tap.

Looking finding it Sebastian's doing. He kept bobbing your nose, a few times. It was hard not to growl or snap. Keeping calm why everything else screamed and a part of you...laughed. The way he looked, was just...funny. The intent and focused look he gave forced that small gleam of...was it concern? It had to be, knowing what might happen if you did show up with a bruise on the nose. What Aunt Francis would do, the fear rose in his eyes. He tired to keep down. After a few more seconds he lets you go.

Sighing in relief with a whisper of words. "Now, then," he clear his throat, quickly fixes you up. His hands like lighting, anything out of place was now in place. His eyes give one more look, with an approved nod. Stands on your side holding out his hand. "Come, Baroness."

Though preferring to keep your hand to yourself, when he grunts lowly reminding you. Nodding, place your hand on his, and allow him to lead you to the others. "Is Ciel upset?"

"Well, that will just have to wait, to be seen. Though with the extra guest that have arrived, I highly doubt much."

"Extra guest? What extra guest?"

His lips lock together, refusing to answer. Fighting back and further about it wouldn't do much. So, you'd have to find out yourself. No wonder you held your breath.

"May! Look!" Harmony nearly screams, jumping with joy. Like a spring, the biggest smile on her face. Her free arm waving like a flapping wing. The other arm occupied, hooked onto...

Ran-Mao.

Who copied the same gesture as Harmony. Waving her free arm the same. And with Ran-Mao came...Lau. Your eyes automatically scowled at him. And he greeted you like an old friend completely ignoring your annoyed look.

"Ah, Baroness, it is truly a pleasure to see you again." He greets you walking over with a light bow. That damn smile on his face. That you wanted to strike off his face. "Why, Baroness? Whatever such a grinch look? It is the holidays."

Quick as his words came, your face untighten and you put on a welcoming on. Speaking between teeth, a struggle to say the right words. "Why, Mr. Lau...whatever..are you doing here?"

Your eyes shot to Ciel, who ignored them. Keeping his talk with Aunt Francis and Uncle Alexis. You knew he felt your eyes, but choose to ignore to punish you for being late.

"Why, I thought I would join you and the lovely Lady Harmony on such a wonderful holiday." He said. Walking over, you step back slightly, with a forced pleasant smile. You had to keep it up, otherwise Aunt Francis.

Choking on your words inside, try hard not to strangle yourself as you spoke. "Well, however kind of you. This is truly a surprise." Your unannounced arrivals always are.

"Yes, well, tis the season." He lightly jokes.

Edward sitting at the table next to his father. Lizzie across from him on Ciel's other side, an empty seat next to her for Harmony. As he had one himself for you, should you come once done talking to Lau. The second you entered and were announced his heart leapt higher than a frog. He nearly sprung out of his chair over to you, if Lau hadn't beaten him first.

That man was clearly making you irrigated, fumed by this clenched his fist ready to take action. The way you scooted back and the small quiver in the corner of your lips. To keep up your smile.

It was just torture for you, he could not tolerate. It was job to assist any woman, it was code as a knight...it was.."My Lord?" Sebastian appears with an open tray of food for him.

Startling the young man. "S-Sebastian!" his cheeks flare.

Sebastian couldn't help but smile, for his own enjoyment. "My, Lord Edward, is the manor a little too warm for you?"

His question made Edward's cheeks redden more. Steam was surely to come out his ears. His hands shot up waving them franticly in front. Shaking his head the same. "N-No!" Turns around to hide his new color. Swallowing hard. That he needed a drink.

Lizzie eating notices her brother's odd behavior looks at him questionably. With a giggle understanding why.