Kadence stared silently at her figure in the mirror fit for her. The pale blue eyes were also reflected, holding an expectant and hopeful look. A beautiful gown draped her body, flattering her curves that she never noticed she even had. She didn't feel beautiful though. Inside, her heart was aching severely but she refused to let it show through.

"It suits you. Do you like it?" Alois asked, watching the Borrower that stood before him while he crouched on the floor behind her.

Turning to face the young Earl, Kadence managed a meek smile. "It's truly lovely, thank you."

"Great!" Alois sat up on his knees, his grin only widening before it began to fade, like when you leave something out in the sun for too long. "You don't look very happy."

"No, no, it's not that at all!" Kadence quickly exclaimed, raising her hands in defense. "I-I just have a question is all."

Alois said nothing in response but instead gazed down at her.

It took the redhead a minute to realize that he was simply waiting on her to ask, and mentally laughed at herself for being so nervous. But, she had every right to be, didn't she? She doesn't know these people. In her head, however, she felt like she knew enough.

"I just...how did you know about me? Did Claude spy or something along those lines?" She questioned, turning back around to face herself in the mirror.

"Oh! Some idiot came to us rambling about a tiny being no more than the size of a finger at the Phantohive mansion that they were protecting. Lord...I don't even remember his name now. Do you Claude? What was he talking about?" Alois turned around to face Claude now who was only standing in the room so silently you could forget he was there.

"Lord Barker. Noah Barker. He met with the Lord Phantomhive to discuss a business deal when he saw Kadence and was attacked by an inhuman butler," Claude spoke in such an emotionless, monotone voice.

Kadence listened interestedly, knowing exactly who that must have been. The man that had seen her in Ciel's study, the man trying to squeeze money out of him. "And where is...Lord Barker now?"

"Dead. He and all his men. They were the group that attacked the mansion. I simply had to wait until no one could return and lay blame and my master," Claude spoke slowly, closing his golden colored eyes while his chest rose and fell with a silent sigh.

Kadence stiffened as a finger started to stroke her hair and she glanced up at Alois. "Lord Trancy, I-"

"-Alois. Call me Alois, please," the blonde Earl spoke in a gentle voice, his hands lifting her from the floor now. He gazed at her, able to see the look of fear, hesitance, and sadness on her face. It hurt his chest badly. She had chosen to stay after all, why did he feel guilty all of a sudden?

"Alois then," Kadence whispered, averting her gaze as she wasn't used to the smaller hands that didn't handle her with as much care as the gloved ones she was so used to.

The hands shifted, bringing her close to the chest of the Earl as he continued to pet her hair the way you would an animal. "I promise, you'll be happy here," he murmured but found himself unsure if that was to reassure Kadence or possibly his own aching heart.

The Borrower looked up to gaze upon the conflicted face of the blonde, taking his words and running them through her mind. She knew that part of her would be happy if she didn't already miss Sebastian so much. Had she met Alois first, maybe she'd be more keen on staying.

Alois clicked his tongue softly, lowering Kadence down until she was resting on the doll-sized bed he'd had Claude take care of. "Claude, come with me. Now," he ordered, exiting the room rather swiftly. "And close the door behind you."

"Yes, your highness?" Claude questioned, walking behind Alois while adjusting his glasses.

"Set a ball for three weeks from now. Not a big one, just a small party. A gettogether if you want. Invite Ciel and Sebastian. Three weeks gives Kadence time to get situated and then the other demon won't be even on her mind anymore. Sebastian will suffer because she'll no longer want to be around him and will love staying with me."

Claude's brow twitched and he glared daggers at the back of Alois's head. His golden orbs glistened furiously. However, he spoke with the same calm tone as before. "Yes, your highness."

Alois then paused and turned around with a big grin. "Prepare her a dress too. She'll be joining our little party of course."

This time Claude rested a hand over his chest and gave a slight bow. "I'll have it done immediately."

Seeming fully confident in his plan, Alois skipped down the halls of his mansion all while grinning like a Cheshire cat. He didn't think there were any flaws whatsoever. Surely after three weeks, Kadence would only want to stay with him. He'll give her whatever she wants just to keep her here.