I heard Haruhi's soft gasp beside me. Everyone seemed frozen in place. Tamaki's eyes were glued to the floor. Lady Éclair tugged on his arm and they turned to leave. The sound of the heavy doors closing behind them shook us from our stupor.

Hikaru finally broke the silence. "Can he do that?"

They all looked to me. "Technically, since we started the club together, it could continue without his sponsorship. However…" I didn't want to say what we were all thinking.

Honey finished for me. "It wouldn't be the same without Tama-chan."

Gloom settled over club. Through the grand windows the sky was growing dark. No one seemed inclined to resume entertaining.

"Well, let's close up for the evening. There is still one more day of the Fair. I'm certain he will come to his senses." At least, I hoped he would.

After a late night reviewing my portfolio and a very early morning on the phone with my banks and certain other key players, I had wheels in motion to protect my father's medical hardware business, which was clearly the next intended target of Grand Tonnerre. A full day of hosting sounded exhausting, and Tamaki's continued absence hung over the room like a dark cloud. Mercifully, we had only a few guests at a time—not the large crowds from the Opening Ceremony.

But we did have one notable visitor early on—Lady Éclair.

I saw her enter and take a seat at the prime table next to the fountain. Her pale complexion was perfect, her features long but delicate. From her brightly glossed lips to her long auburn hair to her clingy red dress, everything about her demanded attention. Though predisposed to dislike her for having steered Tamaki away from us, I tried to keep an open mind. Perhaps she was reasonable and would help him see the folly in making a decision to leave in such haste.

As I approached carrying a tray with her place setting and pot of tea, she scrutinized my appearance unashamedly. "Welcome," I greeted her cordially.

"You're one of the sons from the Ootori family, right?" she asked as I filled her teacup. Without waiting for a reply she continued. "But as the third son, you cannot hope to be your Father's successor."

Well, she's either very rude or very ignorant of social niceties. I chose to ignore her slight. "What would you like today?"

Her eyes turned calculating. "How much of Haruhi Fujioka's debt remains?" she asked. I barely concealed my surprise. Tamaki was never one to keep secrets but it was alarming that he had so quickly betrayed Haruhi's rather embarrassing situation.

"An unusual question," I observed with some reticence.

She continued to regard me frankly. "I would like to pay her remaining debt. Tamaki seems very concerned for her situation," her eyes narrowed slightly. "I believe it would be easier for him if this loose end was tied up."

My mind raced as I pulled my notebook from an inside jacket pocket. Was this woman trying to buy off Haruhi? Éclair must have sensed something in the way Tamaki spoke about her. I doubted the origin of her generosity was really concern for him… more likely an attempt to get rid of a perceived rival.

I took my time flipping pages to find the account, coming to a decision I should have made long ago. "Well, according to my records her quota actually was met just this morning." I snapped the book shut and gave her an obviously false smile. "What a happy coincidence," I remarked dryly.

Anger flared in her eyes, but her movements remained precise as she took a sip of her tea. "Since it appears she is still acting as a host, I would like to request a visit with Miss Fujioka." Her gaze was cold.

My stomach churned, but I held out hope that Haruhi might be able to get through to her. Haruhi's insight into the hearts of others was one of the things I loved about her. Perhaps she could convince Lady Éclair of how damaging this move would be for Tamaki.

I spied the object of my thoughts pushing a refreshment cart not far away. "Haruhi," I called across the aisle to her. "You've been requested."

I resisted the urge to loiter so I could eavesdrop on their conversation and moved instead toward where the other hosts stood in a group. Our guests were chatting happily on their own for the moment, so the boys were convening to take stock of the situation.

As I approached, I heard Hikaru saying, "I don't believe the declaration his Highness made yesterday." They all continued to stare at the table where Lady Éclair and Haruhi were having their tete a tete. Haruhi wore a blank expression –as she had often since Tamaki's announcement yesterday—but his fiancée leaned forward on her elbows, burning Haruhi with a spiteful glare as she spoke.

Wanting to get back to Haruhi quickly, I broke up the gloom and doom session. Clapping my hands lightly I said, "Come on, no more idle chatter. Our guests are waiting."

"How can you be so cold, Kyoya-sempai?" asked Kaoru.

If only he knew. My best friend was not only about to leave me, but also was going to make the biggest mistake of his life. My impression of Lady Éclair had not been favorable; it was obvious she would make Tamaki miserable. And if I did convince him to stay, I could look forward to watching his happy reunion and inevitable romance with Haruhi. Either choice would eat away at my supposedly cold heart.

I pushed my glasses up, taking a moment to hide my distress. I thought of Tamaki and his devotion to our guests, and I noticed the troubled glances cast our way by visitors throughout the room. "We must all do our best to entertain the guests who have come to the host club today. That is the most important thing right now."

Honey and Mori backed me up and dragged the twins off to greet a cluster of females just arriving. My gaze sought out Haruhi. Lady Éclair was just leaving the table. Haruhi remained seated, staring into her teacup.

Taking a deep breath, I walked toward her. I missed her gentle smile, the sparkle in her eyes. There was nothing of self-interest left in me; all I wanted was for her to be happy, no matter the cost to me.

It was time to offer her release, and—if she still wanted him—Tamaki.

I placed my hands on the back of the chair recently vacated by her nemesis. "Thank you for all the work you've done, Haruhi." She hadn't noticed my approach and jumped. Her worried gaze met mine. "With that request from Lady Éclair, your quota has been met. The debt for that Renaissance vase you broke is now cleared." I swallowed and spit out the hardest words I'd ever had to say. "You are free to quit being a host at any time now."

Her beautiful brown eyes grew wide, but she didn't smile or even look relieved. She just stared at me in confusion.

This time I had no idea what was going on in her clever mind. Was she realizing how deep her feelings were for Tamaki too late? Was she thinking how she could put this all behind her now and get back to studying? Perhaps, like me, she'd grown to enjoy the foolishness and wondered how she would ever replace the host club now that its end was near. Did she want something from me?

She exhaled and hung her head, still silent.

"Why don't you try calling Tamaki?" I suggested. It stung me to say it, but it was the logical course of action. "Maybe you can get him to listen to reason."

She looked up at me again, her gaze searching. "You don't want him to go either, do you?" she observed quietly.

"Of course not," I admitted, turning on my heel before she could see the emotion clouding my face.