Baron grinned to himself as he shut the door to Haru's room. It closed with a soft click.

"How's Chicky doing?" Muta asked as he and Toto walked up to their friend.

"Chicky?" Toto said.

"I was talking about Haru" Muta muttered.

"She is doing just fine. I was about to go get her something to eat before she goes to bed" Baron said as he walked past his friends.

"She's staying the night?"

"Yes, Muta."

"Baron, I don't know if that's a good idea" Toto added. Baron turned around to glare at Toto.

"You're going to have to get use to the idea. I just invited her to live with us. She has already accepted my offer" Baron said through clenched teeth.

"What?!" Toto and Muta said in unison.

"But Baron, what if she finds out about 'you know what?' What are you going to do?" Toto whispered lowly as he followed Baron to the kitchen.

"If she finds out, she finds out. I fell in love with her, so if she finds out it might be a good thing. Maybe she can help. Besides, if she doesn't like what she finds, I won't stop her to leave. If you love something, let it go. Right?" Baron said simply. Toto shook his head.

"I still don't trust her. What if she blows our secret? Everybody working in this house that knows your secret has worked had to keep your secret a secret. We can't risk her ruining what we all worked so hard to hide" Toto fumed.

"Did you know Haru's mother died last week? Did you know she has been living on the streets with nowhere to go, nothing to eat all that time? Do you want me to just throw her out so she can die? Do you want me to give up on the idea that she might be the one to break the curse?" Baron said angrily. Toto's eyes widened.

"Just shout your secret to the world will you!" Toto screamed in frustration.

"Stop being so uptight, birdbrain!" Muta said. "Did you not just hear that Chicky has been going through a lot right now? Besides, you know that Baron won't throw her out. He wouldn't even take her to one of the Von Gikkingen Shelters to get help. He loves her. He is probably trembling with excitement from her just being here." Baron smirked to himself as he descended the stairs that led to the first floor. Toto sighed.

"No, I heard that part" he mumbled. "I guess she can stay, but I'm going to be keeping an eye on her."

"Do what you like" Baron said indifferently. He entered the kitchen. Baron grabbed a kettle and began to throw tea leaves inside. He filled it with water afterwards. While the tea heated up, Baron placed some leftover vegetables and a roll on a plate. A high pitched whistle filled the air. Baron removed the tea and poured it into a teapot. The plate of food, two teacups, the teapot, honey, and milk were placed on a tray.

"I'm going back up to Haru's room. Please don't bother us. If you need something to do, there is paperwork that needs filled out in my study. Most of it needs at least one of your signatures" Baron said as he walked out of the room with the tray in his hands.

Once Baron reached Haru's room and closed the door, he could tell something was wrong. "Haru, what's wrong? Are you still upset about your mother?" Baron asked gently as he set the tray down on the nightstand and placed a reassuring hand on Haru's shoulder. Haru looked up at Baron with a weak smile.

"Toto and Muta don't like me, do they?" Haru said meekly.

"Oh Haru, that isn't true. Muta thinks you're nice. He likes how you got me to do more activities for fun. He always thought I was too uptight. Ever since I was a little boy, I was always worried about work. I never gave myself a break. Muta's thankful you came into my life. He can see how happy you've made me" Baron said encouragingly. Haru looked down to her lap. Her fingers played with the end of her silk nightgown that reached mid-thigh.

"Toto hates me though" Haru said sadly. She looked back up at Baron. "I don't know why it bothers me so much. I'm use to people thinking of me badly. I guess I'm just upset because Toto is part of your family. I want your family to like me." Baron shook his head furiously.

"Toto doesn't know anything. I promise that once he gets to know you he'll love you as much as I do" Baron promised. He wrapped Haru in a hug. Haru returned the embrace. "In the meantime, I'm going to have to have a word with him for making you feel this way."

"You don't need to do that. It's only natural for Toto to feel edgy. I mean, I am sort of stealing you away from him. You spend all your time with me. You should spend some time with him instead of me every once and a while" Haru said in understanding.

"He's just acting childish. I'd rather spend time with you." Haru blushed. "Now eat something. You look famished." Baron set the plate of food in Haru's lap. I brought some freshly made tea too. "Do you want milk or honey this time?"

"Honey" Haru answered as she picked up a silver fork and stabbed the vegetables on the plate. Baron picked up a small spoon and dipped it into a small pot on the tray. When he pulled the spoon out, it was coated in a golden yellow syrup. Baron gently lifted the spoon and swirled it in a teacup. The honey came off the spoon immediately. Baron poured some milk for himself then handed Haru her cup.

"Thank you" Haru said as she sipped the tea cautiously so she wouldn't burn her tongue. After Haru finished eating, Baron and her talked for another hour before she fell asleep against his shoulder. Baron enjoyed the feeling of Haru leaning against him, and soon he drifted off to sleep too.

Three days later…

Haru was in her room scanning over the contents of her new wardrobe. Baron had been very insistent in saying that he wanted to buy her all the necessities she would need to live in his house. But in Haru's opinion, he just wanted to spoil her. Haru didn't mind though, she never needed much in life, and now that she had it, she didn't think it would change. It just didn't feel right to use or do as much stuff. She wasn't comfortable with the feeling.

Today, however, was sort of special in a way. It was the day that Haru was allowed out of her room after building up her lost strength. Not that she had much strength to build back up. It was also the day Haru decided to confront Toto and try to make friends with him. That was the only reason Haru was staring at her clothes. She wanted to be comfortable but also presentable enough to not look like she lived on the streets.

After ten more minutes of staring, Haru sighed and gave up. She didn't know what normal upper class women wore. She would wear what she usually wore. Haru pulled out her new tan pair of riding pants Baron got her along with her new navy blue coat. Haru liked her worn out old clothes, but since they had patches, Baron wanted her to start out fresh. Haru was touched by his thoughtfulness. Scanning her shirts, skipping over the dresses, she spotted a beautiful purple blouse. Baron told her, all her shirts were made by his staff since they knew she didn't prefer dresses. Haru took it off the hanger and got dressed. First she slipped out of her robe and then slipped into her undergarments. Her pants followed than her shirt. Her button up coat was put on afterwards. She walked over to the mirror in her room to put her gold hoop earrings in. She grabbed a brush and ran it through her hair. Haru stared at her reflection as she tended to her hair. She looked exactly like she did before but with a different shirt and there were no patches.

Haru finished getting ready only to frown at her sock clad feet. She wiggled her toes in thought as she stared at them. Did Baron get her new shoes too? She didn't think to look before. Haru's eyes scanned the room until they landed on a few boxes in the corner. Her curiosity got the better of her, and she went over to look inside the colorful containers. The first box contained nothing new. It was her silk nightgowns. They were her favorite. Although exposing, they were soft and cool. Underneath, in the second box, were some fancy heeled boots, regular heels, and slippers. Haru sighed. All of the footwear was obviously for fancy parties or outings. With little hope, Haru opened the last box. Inside was more accessories to go with her dresses and some make up. Haru wasn't upset, sure she had casual dresses and some of the stuff would match nicely with them, but what was she supposed to wear on her feet now?

Haru sighed and closed the box before going over to her bed and sitting on the edge. Haru looked around her room. She had a four post canopy bed, a wardrobe, a vanity with a mirror, a settee chair, a bedside table, and dresser. There were a few other things in her room too that Haru figured were normal to have, if one was upper class, but she had no idea what their purposes were for. Everything was amazing even though it was all almost white and/or pink. The bed was bigger than the bathroom at her old home, but it almost seemed like too much. The second day after staying, Baron asked if she wanted her whole room redone. He knew even without asking her that it was too gaudy for her taste, but she politely rejected his offer. If she was going to live in a nobleman's mansion, she would have to get used to it.

Suddenly, a knock out of the door brought Haru out of her train of thought. "Come in" Haru called out. The door opened to reveal Baron.

"How are you doing?" he asked as he shut the door behind him. He turned to look at her and stared with his mouth hanging open a little.

"Baron, are you okay?" Haru asked worriedly. She stood up from her spot on the bed. Baron snapped out of his trance to smile at Haru. He took long strides to reach her side. He abruptly grabbed her hand and brought her knuckles to his lips. He gently kissed her skin. Haru gasped, and her free hand flew up to clutch at her shirt, right about where her heart would have been if it wasn't inside her body. A pretty blush spread across her cheeks.

"You look exquisite. Purple is a wonderful color on you" Baron complimented. His eyes quickly scanned her up and down. Haru's hand was still near his lips. "I think yellow would look quite ravishing on you also."

"Th-Th-Thank you, Baron." Baron smiled and gently lowered her hand back to her side.

"Now, please, enlighten me as to why you looked so upset when I walked in?" Baron asked lightly. Haru got over her shock and sat back down on the bed. She self-consciously smoothed out the wrinkles on her pants. Her eyes drifted over to look at the boxes in the corner.

"I was just sort of hoping that you would have gotten me some more boots…regular boots" Haru said quietly. Baron stared at Haru's sad face. It broke his heart to see her like this. He dropped down onto one knee to grasp both of her hands in his.

"I'm sorry, Haru. It is all my fault. I went to every store around with Yuki. She picked out the more fancy stuff. I picked out the rest. I knew I was forgetting something. I totally forgot to stop and get you some. Don't be sad. I'll go get you some right away. In the meantime, I never got rid of your old clothes. I just had them washed. Your boots should be with your clothes. I'll get those for you to wear." Baron got up and left the room in a rush. He returned only minutes later with her old brown boots. They were cleaned and polished. Haru stared at them in wonder. They almost looked brand new.

"Baron, you are going to spoil me" Haru said breathlessly as she slipped the boots on. They went up to mid-shin like always.

"Spoil? You? It is just not possible. You are too good of a person. You would never fall to such low standards. But I would gladly present you with anything you ever wanted for the rest of my life" Baron said devotedly. Haru blushed and turned away in embarrassment.

"Why Baron, if I didn't know any better, it would almost sound like you're asking me to marry you" Haru teased. "But I know that isn't so. It is just your way with words." An obvious blush crossed Baron's cheeks. He could only nod at what Haru said. In his mind, he was slightly disappointed. He knew she only thought of him as a friend, but didn't she feel anything for him, even in the slightest? Or weren't his affections obvious? He tried to be obvious about them but also not too obvious. "Say Baron, do you know where Toto is at this moment?" Haru asked.

Baron shook his head. "I'm not quite sure. He might be in the kitchen picking a fight with Muta. Knowing Muta, he is probably eating breakfast. Speaking of which, you haven't had it yet. Would you care to join me in the dining hall for some?" Baron inquired. He reached a hand out to her. Haru giggled. She out her hand in Baron's gloved one.

"It would be an honor" Haru said. Baron placed Haru's hand through his arm and led her out of the room. They walked down to breakfast together.

A/N: Do you think Haru loves him or only thinks of Baron as a friend? Give me your best guess.