Sebastian silently ran a washcloth of a grease-covered plate, moving slower than he's ever moved before. He found himself constantly looking to the side, expecting to see that mop of red hair and the Borrower scrubbing diligently at a spoon, but then he would remember she was stolen from him, and she refused to return.

As he set the dish off to the side, he rested his hands on the counter, using it to support himself as he leaned forward. His raven hair hung in his face, blocking it from the view of anyone even if they stood a foot away from him. His chest ached fiercely, and he couldn't stop thinking about her. 

"Sebastian?" A soft voice called from the doorway, and he turned to see Finnian there, his gentle green-blue eyes gazing at the tall butler. They glistened, and he looked hesitant to step forward. 

Straightening up, Sebastian fixed his tie and smoothed his hair down. "Yes, Finnian? Is something wrong?"

"Someone should be asking you that same question," Finny took a step forward, lifting his head to meet the crimson pools with a frown. "You haven't been the same for over a week now. You try and mask it but...it's been obvious. None of us have been getting into trouble for messing up, you've even forgotten the sugar in the Master's tea multiple times."

Sebastian averted his gaze. He was so used to Kadence putting the sugar cubes in on her own, that he was ashamed to admit that he truly had forgotten on multiple occasions. What was wrong with him?

"It's because she's gone, ain't it?" Bard stepped in now, followed by Meyrin. Both servants gazed at him with the same worried gaze Finny was. "You an' her were pretty close, weren't ya? Practically partners when it came ta cleanin' up."

Sebastian sighed, lifting a hand and running down his face. He didn't speak but instead gave a silent nod. He couldn't deny it. It was all over his face. The strange and foreign emotions that swam through him since she had been gone.

Finny's lips began to quiver, and he began to wail, his hands rising to cover his face. "It's all my fault! I-I was too afraid to break her l-like I had broken so many other things! I-I should've gotten her as I was told!"

"Finny, no!" Meyrin frowned and grabbed hold of the younger boy's arm.

"Come on Finny, don't be thinkin' like that," Bard muttered, folding his arms over his chest. 

Sebastian gazed at the three, a deep frown on his lips. Sighing, he reached out and placed a gloved and on Finny's head and stroked the blonde locks like he had done with Kadence to calm her. "It is not your fault, Finnian. You didn't want to harm her yourself."

All three servants looked utterly shocked at his kind words and reassuring smile. But Finny stopped his wailing, which quieted to simple sniffles as he gazed at his superior. "B-But-"

"There are no buts about it," another voice joined in, and Ciel pushed through them, lifting a letter in his hand sealed with the Trancy symbol. "Sebastian. We have something to discuss."

Sebastian gazed at the letter in his hands, wearing a suit specifically tailored for tonight. He couldn't dare to think about what they had done to her in the past three weeks. Would she even remember him, or did they brainwash her?

Ciel sat across from him in the carriage, silently gazing at the demon that was no longer so composed. It was then he spoke up, asking the same exact question he had asked Kadence a few weeks ago, only about her. "What are your exact feelings for your Borrower?" 

The demon couldn't help but notice the way he had described her. As 'his' Borrower. The sound had a nice ring to it, but she truly belonged to no one. That was something she proved often. "My lord?" He muttered in a questioning voice.

"I mean, how do you feel about her? Do you love her?"

Sebastian gazed at Ciel with a soft frown, then turned his gaze toward the window with a soft sigh.

"A ball?" Kadence spoke softly, gazing at the dress laid in front of her. "How many people? Will I need to remain hidden?"

Alois clasped his hands together excitedly with a grin. "Nope! Only two people are going to show up tonight and it's a surprise! So go ahead and quickly get ready, little Kadence!"

Kadence had been right. The boy had meant her no harm and had done his best the past three weeks to make her comfortable. But without her work, she felt utterly useless. And she longed for the familiarity of crimson eyes watching over her with the fondness she loved. Her hands clasped in front of her tightly, and she looked up to the Earl Trancy with a polite smile. "Thank you."

Claude, however, was another story. Too often his golden eyes watched her with such malice and hatred. If looks could kill, she would have been gone on the first day.

Alois stood from where he sat to leave the room. He may have been controlling over her, but he was always polite enough to leave the room when she changed clothes.

Slipping into the gown, she listened as the sound of hooves approached. It was clear they were still a fair distance away, but her hearing was sensitive enough to pick up the sound. The image f the departing carriage flashed in her mind when she had watched Sebastian leave with Ciel that day. The same ache in her heart from then returned, and tears pricked her eyes.

She pretended to be happy with Alois, for the boy's sake. But oh, how she longed to be held in those gentle, gloved hands that would caress her hair the way they did. Since she didn't have her makeup on just yet, she allowed the tears to trail down her face, leaving tiny (invisible to the human eye) droplets of water on the wooden floor. The tiny beads instantly absorbed into the ground, disappearing and getting rid of any trace of her sadness beside the pain coursing through her chest.

She wanted to see him, and feel his touch, but believed she never would again.

He wanted to see her, hold her, and hear her voice once more.

And it was happening sooner than either of them planned.