Sophia steps out of the closet and runs directly into Claude and he smirks at her. If that's not enough bad news Mey-Rin is behind him. It's too late for her to warn Sebastian and he comes out right behind Sophia. Claude stares at Sebastian and Sebastian stares right back. They share a tense silence once again.
"If you don't mind me asking what were you doing in the closet with Miss Sophia?" asks Claude.
"Just a minor training exercise." Says Sebastian
"No wonder no one received their coats." Says Claude
"Sophia must first learn to hang a coat properly before fetching one. I was instructing her on the method."
Mey-Rin stays silent but looks from Sophia to Sebastian with her jaw practically on the floor. Now Sophia silently scolds herself for wrinkling Sebastian's jacket it was a dead giveaway. Claude looks Sebastian over from head to toe silently but noticeably.
"This won't do at all. I can't have the woman I attend to court alone with other men." Says Claude slowly.
Claude pulls Sophia against his body. Green with envy he straightens the front of her uniform for her.
"It's not very polite to step on anothers property and not ask permission." Says Sebastian
"Some are seers others are doers. When they desire something they acquire it." Says Claude
Sophia couldn't believe it. Were they fighting over her?
To Sophia's surprise Sebastian laughs at Claude.
"If you're up for the challenge." Says Sebastian.
"Indeed." Responds Claude.
Sophia isn't sure what this means but both head butlers disappear back into the dining room. She is left alone with Mey-Rin whom still has a crazy confused look on her face.
"How did I let you steal Sebastian from me?" she asks.
"You know what Mey-Rin I don't care what you think."
"You're such a liar." Says Mey-Rin
"Okay whatever."
Sophia goes to walk away but Mey-Rin grabs her by the shoulder and turns her back to face her.
"I would do anything to get Sebastian." Says Mey-Rin
"You've been here longer than me Mey-Rin if he wanted you then you would have him." Says Sophia.
She turns and leaves Mey-Rin standing in the hallway alone and angry. Mey-Rin takes off her glasses and mumbles to herself.
"I'll get you Sophia if its the last thing I do." says Mey-Rin.
Later after the guests have left Baldroy walks up to Sophia in the kitchen.
"Is it really true?"
"What?" asks Sophia taken by surprise.
Sophia doesn't really know what to say. Mey-Rin is nearby preparing to clean the silverware. She glares at Sophia waiting for her response as well.
"Why? What does it matter?" asks Sophia trying to shrug it off and figure out what he means at the same time.
"Nevermind." says Baldroy before storming off.
"What was that about?" asks Sophia aloud.
"He likes you dummy." says Mey-Rin
Sophia laughs nervously.
"Since when?"
"You were so busy trying to steal Sebastian from me I guess you didn't notice." says Mey-Rin.
"I have an idea. Why don't you join the rest of us in reality? Sebastian doesn't want you."
"Why because he wants you?"
Mey-Rin jumps in Sophia's face.
"I'm not going there with you Mey-Rin. I have chores to do." says Sophia.
"I don't get what he sees in you." says Mey-Rin
She narrows her eyes at Sophia again.
"You should see a doctor you are clearly mentally ill." says Sophia.
"I am going to get rid of you one way or another." whispers Mey-Rin
"I don't even understand your obsession. Why do you want him so badly?"
"Sebastian and I share something special. You wouldn't understand." says Mey-Rin
"Once again Mey-Rin does he know this?"
"He's about to find out very soon." she says
"Okay. I am through with this insanity."
Sophia shakes her head and goes back to her tasks.
"He's different you know. I feel stuff when I am near him." says Mey-Rin.
Sophia nods.
"Okay so Sebastian is different I'll give you that." says Sophia.
"I can feel his confidence no its different its like energy or something." says Mey-Rin
"So." says Sophia
"So I want to be closer I want to feel more. I just have to." says Mey-Rin
"No you don't." says Sophia before she can stop herself.
"Oh yes I do and I'm going to get him." says Mey-Rin
Sophia rolls her eyes and goes to leave the kitchen she gets halfway across the floor when Mey-Rin yells at her.
"Where do you think your going?" asks Mey-Rin
"Not to meet up with Sebastian so don't worry." says Sophia
Mey-Rin smacks her lips and Sophia leaves. She needed to speak to Baldroy in order to keep the peace. Plus he had been so nice to her when no one else was, Sophia felt guilt creeping up on her. It takes her a while to find Baldroy but he's in the study. The door is open slightly and Baldroy is sitting in a chair near the window. Sophia hesitates at first but decides to go inside. Her bottom jaw almost drops off because she now has a clear view of the whole room and Baldroy isn't alone.
"Claude. How did you get here?" asks Sophia
Claude pats Baldroy on the shoulder while glancing at Sophia.
"Master Phantomhive recently requested me for a stay."
"A stay? How long?" asks Sophia
Claude smiles politely.
"Since when is it proper etiquette for a maid to interrogate a head butler?" asks Claude
"It isn't but Sebastian is the head butler in this household." says Sophia
Claude has a twinkle in his eye as he looks at Sophia. The sudden silence bothers her.
"Is he being replaced or something?" asks Sophia
"Why on earth would Sebastian be replaced is his work ethic sloppy?" asks Claude
Baldroy looks at Sophia from his chair.
"Was Sebastian really in the closet with you?" asks Baldroy.
"Who told you that Mey-Rin?!" screams Sophia.
"Everyone was talking about it Sophia." says Baldroy
Sophia knows that this type of behavior was unacceptable especially since Sebastian and her weren't married. This could ruin whatever stitch of a reputation that she has left.
"I was informing Baldroy here that I was present and gave my permission for you and Sebastian to be alone. Also that nothing out of the ordinary occurred at the time. Am I not correct?" asks Claude
He waits for Sophia's response and she has no choice but to agree. Sophia nods slowly. Claude was perserving her reputation as a respectable young lady by saying this but what did he want in return?