Hanabusa hummed to himself as he carried a tray of food to Rose's room. Sure they had gone off to the wrong start but yesterday she seemed so different. Maybe this could be torrable

When he reached the door he quietly knocked before realizing it was open. He saw her outline through the sheets and stepped closer to realize that there was not one, but two outlines. When Kaname's head peeked over the side to look at him, Hanabusa shrieked embarrassedly and dropped the contents on the floor. "Good morning Lady Adel-AHHHHHH I'M SO SORRY I DIDN'T MEAN TO INTRUDE."

Rose heard the clanging and grumbled to the visitor annoyingly. "Ugh Shut up. It's too loud." Then she to realized Kaname's warm body next to her as she yelled just as loud. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?! WHY DIDN'T YOU GO BACK?!"

Kaname just sighed and leaned forward towards her. "I'm sorry but I couldn't leave you alone in that state."

She completely understood what he was talking about but she was more frustrated about what could come of this. Hanabusa on the other hand was surprised at Rose's tone but quickly darted out of the room before muttering. "I'm sorry Lord Kaname, Lady Adelaide please forgive me!"

Rose tried to call after him to explain herself but he was gone before she could finish. She ran her fingers through her hair in nervousness and angry hissed. "See? Now look what you've done. He totally misunderstood."

Kaname looked at the door where he left from and shrugged "I don't understand the overall issue."

She threw her hands up in the air and shouted. "The overall issue is that people are going to infer other things when they hear about this. That-that-that we slept together."

He slowly grabbed her flapping arms and moved his hand over hers. "You know Rose, It is not uncommon for a man to sleep with his fiancee. It's not as dabo as you believe."

Rose blushed intensely and ripped her hands away from him. Of course it wasn't uncommon but they didn't have that kind of relationship and hearing the housemaids gossip about this would surely irritate her. Of course she didn't know how to tell him that so instead she stuttered. "No that's not what I-I mean of course it is but- I mean- AHHH NEVER MIND."

Then she angrily pointed to the door and muttered. "I have to change. Get out."

Kaname slowly stood but instead of leaving he wrapped his arms around her waist. "I have to go to a conference today but I'll be back tomorrow to talk about preparations.

Rose closed her eyes and looked away with an unreadable expression. Inside she knew that this was the start of him abandoning her again. "Okay good to know."

His hands fell and he slowly bend down and kissed her forehead. "Take good care of Yuki for me." before turning and leaving her alone.

When she met up with Hanabusa again she quickly averted her gaze before settling down for her evening tea. Putting on her cheery exterior she watched Yuki walk in and greet her. "Hello Rose!"

Rose smiled warmly and patted the seat next to her. "Good evening Lady Yuki, it's so wonderful to see you. How are you enjoying the estate?"

Yuki took her place next to the pureblood and went to pick up a tea cup. "It's really nice. Is this where you lived before Cross Academy Rose?"

Rose put down her cup and nodded her head. "Yes I am blessed enough to call this lovely estate home."

Yuki nodded her head in response as Rose noticed Matthew enter through the side door. She internally groaned but kept her role going. "Ah Matthew, what a lovely surprise. To what do we owe the pleasure?"

Matthew strolled up to the group and bowed slightly. "Good evening, it's so nice to meet you Lady Yuki, I've heard such wonderful things. My name is Matthew. I am the caretaker of the master to the household."

Yuki smiled politely and answered. "It's nice to meet you to."

He pushed his glasses further as he reached into his notebook and pulled out a couple papers before handing them to Rose. "This is the schedule for the preparations that must be completed in a timely manner please."

Yuki squinted her eyes and questioned "What kind of preparations?"

Matthew smiled and handed Yuki a list as well. "Why, for Lady Adelaide and Lord Kaname's engagement ball in a couple days. This also includes the debut of Lady Adelaide's first public appearance, and of course yours as well."

Yuki looked down at the list and a small pain appeared in her chest. Kaname's engagement ball? Did she really have to go to this? She didn't know if she could take looking the two of them being all romantic and in love. "Did you know about this Rose?"

Rose closed her eyes and glanced at Matthew who was also awaiting her response. "Yes of course. It has been in preparations for months now."

Yuki frowned and tightened her grip on the paper. It was obvious that Rose was looking forward to this ball, she should be happy for her. But why was it so hard?

After a moment of silence Matthew gestured to Rose and reached out his hand "Would you mind if I took Lady Adelaide for a moment Miss? We have much to discuss."

Rose didn't like the way this was going but glanced at the people watching her every move she she carefully took his hand and stood as Yuki answered. "Oh of course not! Take your time!"

Hanabusa followed the two to the end of the hallway when Matthew stopped. "It seems that my Lord has returned early. It also appears that he is eager to see you. He was going to find you with Lady Yuki but I told him I would bring you to him instead."

Rose froze and Hanabusa could see her cheery exterior drain from her face. He wondered what what could've meant. He watched her slowly nodded her head and follow him for awhile until they reached a new door.

Hanabusa watched her take a breath and gasped when she turned to look directly into his eyes. She was serious about something. "Listen Hanabusa, this is the most important thing you will ever hear. Do. Not. Interfere…..not matter what happens in here. If you wanna live you will obey."

He stood frozen as he slowly nodded his head. When Rose knew he was serious she closed her eyes once more before stepping into the room.

A man was seated at the center in a big leather chair with a cane by his side. Rose straightened her back and stopped halfway, before bowing to the man. "Good evening Uncle. I didn't expect you back so soon."

The man tapped his finger on his cane and smiled. "It's been awhile Rosabella. I've heard many rumors about your time away from here."

She eyed him carefully and replied. "Oh? Is that so? What rumors, if I may ask?"

He slowly stood and took a couple steps closer. "That you met up with that boy. What was his name again, Zero Kiryu?"

Reaching out his hand the man threw the reports that Matthew showed her on the desk and she visibly stiffened. "He was at the academy, yes. Lord Kaname asked me to enroll because he missed me. It was just a coincidence."

He narrowed his eyes and questioned. "Just a coincidence? You seemed rather chummy."

Rose gave him a blank look and tried to hide all of her emotions. "He was a means to pass time. Nothing serious. Zero Kiryu means nothing to me."

Watching for a few moments he bought her statement and smiled. "Good. I'm glad to hear that. You seemed to have matured in those years. Now, let's move on to other things…"

Just then the man moved other to Hanabusa who was standing in the corner and smiled. "My name is Carson Ackerman and I am Lady Rosabella Adelaide's guardian. I assume you are her new guard?"

Hanabusa gulped and nodded his head. There was something about him that really freaked him out. His stare was icy and cold. "Yes my Lord."

Carson leaned against his cane and replied. "Such a fine boy from the Adiou line. Your family must be proud. You will make a fine guard."

Hanabusa bowed slightly and answered back "Thank you my Lord."

Carson then turned back to Rose and questioned "I'm assure you were made aware about the ball being held in the next couple days? I would like you to show Lady Yuki how to behave probably."

Then he got really close and whispered. "Or I could teach her?"

Rose visibly stiffened and glared at her uncle. "That won't be necessary. I can handle it."

He nodded his head and stepped away. "Very well. That is all, you are dismissed."

Rose and Hanabusa looked to each other before each bowing and walking away from that room.

Walking down the hallway, back to Yuki Hanabusa tried to strike up a conversation with Rose. "You're Uncle seems very nice."

This caused Rose to stop in her tracks before bitterly laughing to herself and turning to face him. "Don't call him my uncle when we are alone."

Then he eyes cast to the ground and whispered something that caused a surprise to him. "Please."

When they had returned Yuki was waiting for them with a big smile. "Welcome back!"

Rose resumed her place on the sofa and turned to face her. "Yuki, I think it's important that I teach you some things about this ball."

She turned her head in confusion but leaned forward in interested. "Okay! I'm ready to learn anything!"

Rose grimaced and continued her lesson. "You see, this is going to be your first time meeting other vampires as a pureblood, and there are some things you need to know."

Yuki nodded her head in response "Other vampires either worship or despise creatures like us and all of them want our power. They wait for any sign of weakness so that they can control you. That's why we can't have any weaknesses. We have to be perfect."

Hanabusa listened from afar at Rose's explanation. "They will say the most vile and disrespectful things to shake you. You can't not let them see through you, no matter what."

Yuki squinted her eyes and still understand what Rose was saying. She must have been exaggerating. "What kind of things will they say? I mean, not everyone can be like that."

Rose just sadly nodded her head. "They are. And I'm going to show you what it will be like, okay?"

She replied yes as Rose took in a deep breath and smiled warmy, changing her character. "Hello Lady Yuki, it's so wonderful to meet another branch of the Kuran bloodline."

Yuki slightly bowed and smiled. "It's so nice to meet you also."

Rose moved in closer and lowered her voice. "Is it true that you love Lord Kaname?"

Yuki's eyes widened as she stuttered with her words. "What?"

Rose continued on in a cold tone. "If so I feel sorry for you. I mean, he already has a fiancee that is more powerful than himself ,why would he need you?

Hot anger started boiling up on her face as Rose gave no mercy. "You must have heard the rumors today. Unless you are ignoring them. That last night Lord Kaname slept with Lady Adelaide?"

Truthfully Yuki did hear the rumor circling around the estate but she choose to ignore it and told herself that it couldn't be true, but was this Rose's confession?

For the finally bow Rose leaned in even closer and put a hand to her chest before smirking "Well, I hate to tell you but I can confirm they are true."

All of Yuki's anger overflowed as she raised her hand and slapped Rose clear across the face. A few windows cracked from the anxiety as she breathed heavily.

After a few seconds Rose lifted her head to reveal a blank look and stated. "Two things. First off, it is not wise to slap a long standing member of a clan. And secondly, if you are going to do it, make sure you put some force behind it."

Then Rose rose out of her seat and headed towards the door. "That is enough for the day. Try and make yourself stronger, I could see right through you."