Kadence stood on the edge of a table inside of the Earl Trancy's ballroom. Everything was so elegantly decorated, no one would have thought there would be only two guests. She smoothed down the plum colored fabric of her dress, then lifted a hand to ensure each strand of hair was tucked neatly away and in place. 

"Kadence?" A soft, feminine voice called her name and she turned to look up at the light platinum lavender-colored haired maid. "Is everything alright?"

Hannah had been so kind to Kadence since she had arrived. The maid and triplets were all demons, which surprised her, but none of them were as rude to her as Claude was. "I'm fine, just nervous. New people always make me nervous."

Hannah bit down on her lavender lip but nodded in understanding. However, a sharp glare from the butler across the room made her turn and hurry away from the Borrower she'd grown to care about. Claude had been keeping them all away from Kadence, even attempting to separate her and Alois.

Alois skipped over, dressed in a fancier version of his usual purple coat and grinned happily down at her. "You look absolutely perfect! I'm sure our guests will love your new outfit just as much as I do!" One of his fingers extended to stroke her hair, which she had grown to enjoy and fund it made him happy when she leaned into the touch.

He was fully convinced she loved it here with him. He thought she'd forgotten about Sebastian and Ciel.

"Your highness," Claude spoke in his typical emotionless tone. "The guests have arrived."

Alois's grin only widened and he gazed down at Kadence. "Go fetch them," he spoke excitedly. She loved being here with him, it was proven. She wouldn't even care that Sebastian was here. She belonged to him now.

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Sebastian stood just behind Ciel, his hands folded neatly in front of him. His heightened hearing could pick up Claude's faint footsteps before the door was even pulled open. When the wooden barrier was moved, he was met with angry, golden eyes. "A pleasure to see you as well, Claude Faustus," Sebastian spoke with a deep, half-heartened chuckle. Even tormenting Claude didn't feel right anymore.

"Lord Phantomhive, my master has been expecting you. Please, come inside," Claude stepped off to the side to allow the boy and his crimson-eyed butler to enter.

Sebastian stepped in after Ciel, his eyes immediately searching for the red-headed Borrower he missed so terribly. He followed both his master and Claude to a grand ballroom, where Alois stood beside a table. And his eyes landed on the tiny figure standing just beside the blonde. His brows lifted, and he stopped in his tracks to stare. 

She looked positively radiant. Her hair pulled up so elegantly, the gown around her body form-fitting, the lavender flowers in her hair popping out against the red. She was wearing no shoes, but that was assumed to be because she was carried everywhere. Everything about her looked perfect. He took a step forward, then another, and extended a hand. "Kadence."

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When the pair entered the room, Kadence's heart skipped a beat. The familiar raven-haired male was dressed in a fancy, black suit. One side of his hair was pushed back behind his ear. 

She'd dreamed of this for the past few weeks. Seeing him standing in front of her, so close yet so far. She reached a black-gloved hand out, just as he extended one of his white ones. Those crimson eyes stared, meeting her emerald ones. She would have thought she was dreaming. But then he spoke her name, and she was unable to hold back any more emotions.

Kadence sobbed. She screamed. Every bit of joy, every bit of pain came spilling out all at once. "S-Sebastian!" She began to fall to her knees, but before she could even hit the table, his hands embraced her and she knew it. That touch she loved so dearly. This man. This demon.

Sebastian was hardly able to contain his own emotions as he scooped her from the table, holding her against his chest despite Alois's protests. He caressed her hair, her back, cradled her in his palms just to make sure he could touch her, know she was real and safe. "Kadence." So much was said in just that one word, his voice itself producing everything he couldn't say.

Alois's eyes were wide as he watched the two of them. She had been so happy with him...but...had it all been an act? She talked about wanting to make him happy. Was that why she stayed? Did she pity him? "B-But...I don't...understand." He whispered. "I thought you forgot about him."

Kadence hardly heard Alois over her own joyful cries. Lifting her head to look at the blonde, she wiped tears from her eyes and black mascara came off on her hand. "I-I could never. I-I love him too much, A-Alois. These past few weeks have been H-Hell without him. I-I can't even...begin..." She stuttered out, her arms wrapping tightly around one of the gloved fingers. "H-Have you ever loved someone before, A-Alois?"

The Earl Trancy was silent for a few moments, his gaze shifting to the side of the room as he pictured a young boy with brown hair and hazel eyes, a bright smile pointed his direction.

'Yes, your highness!'

"That...that fire...the village..." Alois lifted a hand to his head with a frown, tears already glistening in his eyes. "My...little brother. He was ripped from me. He was the only person I ever had...until Claude. Until you chose to stay with me."

Kadence offered the blonde a gentle smile and extended a black-gloved hand in his direction. "Alois, in the time I spent here I've learned a lot about you. And I want to thank you for your kindness towards me."

Alois lifted his pale blue eyes to stare at the Borrower, then her outstretched hand. He stepped forward, ignoring how Sebastian seemed to pull away and gently grasped the tiny hand between two fingers. "Th-Thank you."

What happened next, happened too fast. Alois screamed in pain as Claude seemed to appear behind him, a golden knife pushed right into his back. The golden-eyed demon lifted his angry eyes, only now they were glowing a vibrant, demonic fuchsia. 

"I'm tired of playing this game."