Ciel's POV

Our carriage pulls into the entrance gate of the Trancy Estate. It was a long trip, but we finally made it. The carriage is stopped in front of the large mahogany door and a man that looks remarkably like Sebastian approaches. He swings the door of the carriage open and I step out.

"Lord Phantomhive," the man muses, "It's an honor to meet you."

"To whom am I speaking?" I ask and the man bows slightly.

"Claude Faustus. Butler to the Trancy household."

"Very nice to meet you." As I finish speaking, Sebastian comes up behind me and catches my attention.

"My lord," he begins, "It appears that rain is headed our way. We should get the carriage unloaded before then."

"Of course, Sebastian," I respond.

"Say no more," Claude cuts in, "I'll have Hannah and the triplets see to it. Lord Phantomhive, if you may follow me Lord Trancy is waiting to greet you."

"Very well," I say, turning to face Sebastian, "You stay here and help the other servants unload the carriage."

"As you wish sir," Sebastian says. I follow Claude through the giant mahogany door and into the manor. He leads me up a flight of stairs and down a hallway. We stop at a door and Claude opens it.

"Your Highness," Claude says, "Lord Phantomhive is here."

Instead of a response, I see a blonde kid in a dark purple jacket and shorts push Claude out of the way and stand in front of me.

"So you're Ciel Phantomhive," he chimes in a sing-songy voice, "It's so nice to meet you, I've heard so much about you."

"Uh," I begin, unsure of how to respond to the blonde's forwardness, "The pleasure's all mine. It's good to meet you Lord Trancy."

"Please call me Alois," he says warmly, "Formalities always irritate me. You know, you're kinda cute."

"What?" I say, my face flushing red. No one's ever been that blunt with me before.

"Your Highness, it may do good to watch what you're saying," Claude puts in annoyedly, "It seems your comment has made Lord Phantomhive uncomfortable."

"Oh?" Alois responds covering his mouth with his hand, "Terribly sorry, Ciel. I tend to always speak without thinking."

I see Alois shoot a look at Claude, was that annoyance in his gaze?

"Its fine," I assure Alois, "I just wasn't expecting such a blunt remark."

"That's good then," Alois says, relieved he hasn't offended me. In all fairness Alois isn't bad looking himself. Alois turns to face Claude.

"Claude! Leave us!" he demands and Claude looks uncertain.

"Are you certain, Highness?" he asks Alois.

"Would I have said it if I wasn't?" he remarks. Damn, this kid has an attitude. Claude takes his leave, which means now I'm alone. With Alois Trancy. Maybe I should've had Sebastian come with me. This seems like it could end in disaster.

Alois' POV

God damn it, what is Claude's problem today?! I'm still a little weirded out by the fact he kissed me, but why is he getting so controlling? Is it because I'm so interested in learning more about Ciel? He seemed pretty annoyed that I told Ciel he was cute. No matter, I'll deal with Claude later. I turn to face Ciel.

"Pay no mind to Claude, he's a little, off," I tell Ciel.

"It's no problem," he assures me, "My butler Sebastian is a little eccentric as well."

"Oh? Is he here? I would very much like to meet him," I say playfully.

"He's helping your staff unload the carriage, you'll get to meet him soon enough," he tells me.

"How about we continue this conversation in the garden? I would love for you to see it before the rain comes."

"Very well, lead the way."

I lead Ciel through the house and to the back door that leads to the garden. My garden isn't that decorated, just a fountain a bench and dozens of rose bushes. How I love roses, they are so beautiful.

"You have a beautiful garden," Ciel tells me and I smile.

"Thank you," I respond, "That means a lot. I had this garden built in memory of my brother.

"Oh? What happened?" Ciel asks.

"There was a fire," I say, "I don't like to talk about it."

"I understand, I lost my parents in a fire."

That catches my attention, but I don't say anything. I don't talk about my past with anyone, it's too full of painful memories.

"What about your parents," Ciel asks me.

"I never knew them," I say, "The former Trancy head adopted me."

It wasn't entirely a lie, but I wasn't about to tell Ciel I was one of his many sex-slaves. Annoyed with Ciel, I change the subject.

"Anyone special in your life?" I ask him coyly. That oughta shut him up.

"Actually, my parents arranged me to marry Elizabeth Midford when we come of age," Ciel answers. But is that a hint of annoyance in his voice?

"How do you feel about an arranged marriage?" I ask, pressing for information.

"I'm unsure," he responds, "Elizabeth is nice enough, I just wish she didn't turn my manor pink whenever she came over. I wish I had been left to my own devices for finding a suitable bride. I'm not even sure I want a woman."

"You're gay?"

"I'm not sure, lately it's been bothering me."

I like where this is going. I move closer the Ciel and lean in close.

"I'm sure you'll figure things out," I say playfully.

"I just don't want to hurt Elizabeth, she's too sweet for anyone to hurt."

"Oh." I say in annoyance. This kid really is loved by everyone. His parents loved him to death, and after their deaths even had a fiance for him. And that woman he's engaged too seems to be completely enamoured by him. It's no wonder as to why, but rage still burns in me. I'm already aware of the success of Funtom Company, his business that makes many things but is most well known for toys. Everyone loves him, but what about that butler of his.

"Does Sebastian ever step out of line with you?" I ask, hoping that his butler's as creepy and insufferable as Claude.

"Never," Ciel says to my surprise, "He's questioned my motives before but he still followed the order. He's faithful through and through, even says he'd die in my place."

Even his butler loves him, this kid has everything! Money, friends, faithful servants, love. Love, that's the one that he has that hurts me the most. I have money, and my servants are faithful for the most part, but I think that's because they fear me. Loneliness cuts through me every day and night, while Ciel knows nothing of pain and loneliness. He needs to be taught a lesson.

"I challenge you to a duel!" I yell at Ciel and he looks at me in shock.

"What?"