Once we had gotten home, Claude went upstairs to put my new dress in my closet. Alois threw his hat on the ground and turned to me. He and I had held hands the whole carriage ride back, and I'm pretty sure my face had been red the entire time.

"Nichole," he said turning to me, "would you go water the garden outside please? My roses are wilting, and I hate seeing them looking sad."

I nodded. "Of course." Then I hurried out, a bit troubled.

Alois had said 'would you' and 'please' like he was giving me a choice in watering the flowers instead of being ordered to. It was unusual.

I got a watering can and filled it with water from the kitchen sink. I started heading out when I heard Alois screaming at the tops of his lungs at Hannah. I kept going after a while though. It was mostly curses and junk.

Well it was clear Alois liked me better than her. But if he knew she was a living incarnation of his brother, I bet he'd think of her way before the American girl he picked off the street.

I headed out and made my way to the garden. It was truly pretty. Roses, statues, and fountains were everywhere. Green vines made their way up the columns, giving the place an old rustic feel.

Making my way, I found the withered roses and began restoring life to them. I felt like some mage person as I did. I mean, I felt like Lady Cailstia healing the plants…I have no life…

Suddenly, gun shots rang out. I turned quickly, trying to find out where they were coming from. But before I could, I saw Alois running to me.

"Nichole!" His purple coat flew behind him like Superman. I heard worry in his voice too. "Nichole! They're here! We have to hide!"

"W-What?" I asked, as he finally got to me. "Who?!"

Alois was panting and he wiped some sweat off his forehead. "No time to tell. Just come with me!"

I did as he said, dropping the watering can and running behind him into the manor. We kept running until we went into the basement. I closed the door behind me and joined Alois at the bottom.

"Mind telling me what's going on?" I asked, panting from running.

Alois leaned against the gray wall, his one foot resting on the wall. "Bad guys." He replied, "They always come around here. They have grudges against nobles like me."

So Alois had Ciel's problem too. Weird. "Well what about everyone else? Hannah and Claude?"

Alois moved his hair out of his eyes and said, "They fight them off, of course."

I knew that. I just acted like I didn't. "Well what about me? Why can't I?"

At that, Alois laughed, "You? What are you gonna do? Dance them to death?" He looked away from me and smirked, "Unless you can hide guns between your breasts or have knifes up your sleeves, you wouldn't make it."

So I'd have to be some assassin or something. "Well, that counts me out….I wish I could fight though."

With the last part, Alois looked me over and finally said, "Well, I can handle a sword…and I'm pretty sure there are a few down here."

My eyes brightened at that. "R-really?! Thank you!"

Making a PPTTFF noise with his tongue, he ran off deeper into the basement to find some swords.

I stood there, looking after him. Alois wasn't perfect, but he doing his best with all his issues. I wonder what he'd be like if he hadn't grown up like he did…maybe he would be less sadistic and happier…

Alois soon came back, two swords in his hands. One was slightly smaller, but the other was rustier. "Here," He said as he handed me the smaller one.

It felt kinda awkward in my hands, but I guess I'd get used to it.

Alois took his purple jacket off and laid it on the floor next to him. "Alright, it's important for you to know that with a sword, you can never attack wildly. If you do, you'll die a painful bloody death."

Nice. "Okay…so what do I do?"

"Live." And with that, Alois ran at me, his sword pointing right at my heart.

Once my brain figured out what the heck was happening, I sidestepped and gave a little scream. He could've killed me!

"Fight back!" He yelled and swung at me again. "You'll never learn if you hold back!"

I didn't want to hurt him though! It was dangerous! I ducked at his next blow and did the only thing I could think of at the time. Kick him in the crotch.

"OOW!" Alois yelled, stumbling back, "N-nice tactic, but use your bloody sword!"

With that, he started back at me. I, panicking, raised my arm with my sword and blocked his sword slicing my head open.

"Good girl." He smirked, "Your instincts help…"

All at once, he pushed me over and the sword went flying from my hands. I quickly clambered up to get it, sweating. This was no longer training. This was war.

I finally reached my sword and turned to face him, screaming. At that exact moment, many things happened. The first is that both our mouths were open in screams. The second was that I tripped over my skirt hem, falling forward.

For a few seconds everything blurred. Then I felt Alois holding me, keeping me from falling forward. My sword was gone from my hands. Well, duh, of course it was. Except what…what were my lips touching…? And what was…HOLY-

Quickly I jumped back, holding my mouth. ALOIS AND I HAD (accidently) KISSED! I felt my entire face red, and my body shaking.

Alois's face was red too, but I couldn't tell if it was sweat or something else. His eyes were wide and staring at me. What was the punishment of kissing your master? Knowing Alois, I'd not get through the night without getting hurt.

Alois was about to say something when Claude walked in, holding bloodstained knives. "Your Highness, the threat is gone. They were a group of assassins hired by..." Claude gave Alois a look then stared right through me, with icy eyes.

I felt faint. First I have my first kiss with Alois Trancy, and then Claude comes in and is ready to murder me.

"Nichole," Alois said, still with a hint of doubt in his voice, "G-go back to your room for now…we're done with swords." Then he picked up his jacket from the ground and raced to Claude.

Giving a final stare at me, Claude led Alois away, leaving me alone.

W-hat had just happened?! Seriously. I felt VERY happy, but at the same time, scared out of my wits. I needed to breathe….no, I needed to think.

So I slowly stalked back upstairs to my room. At least now, maybe Alois had feelings for me too…no…..yeah, you're probably right, random reader. And I broke the fourth wall too….yeah, I need REALLY to clear my head...