You spent your next few days with Undertaker rather than investing your time into the lives of the earls. Undertaker's words persuaded you to stay, and you did. But that would soon end when the shop doors opened, and Claude stood in the doorway.

   " Well here is a development, isn't it deary? " Undertaker asked, looking at Claude.

Claude didn't step inside, instead stood in the doorway, looking only at you. 

   " My master requires your presence. "

    " Your master? " You asked.

   " Yes, Ciel Phantomhive. My master has wondered where you have disappeared for some time now. "

   " But Alois--"

   " Is dead, my master defeated him. "

You were thoroughly confused, but before you could decide or even walk toward the butler, hands were placed on your shoulders. Undertaker's nails rested against the fabric of your clothes, but his hands were firm.

   " Now, it seems the story is trying to pull you back in. What a fun proposition, full of confusion. "

Claude glanced at Undertaker's hands on your shoulders briefly before bringing out a gold butter knife from his coat pocket.

   " This is not a decision. I am merely, doing as my master has asked me to do. "

   " Oh, but that wouldn't be fun. " Undertaker said, squeezing your shoulders.

One of Undertaker's hands left your shoulders and reached to his side.

   " And we've not met officially before, therefore I will give you the benefit of the doubt about me. She will choose who she wishes. "

Everything remained silent in the room, and you thought carefully about your decision. Undertaker would let you walk away without a fight spurring between them, but if you stayed with Undertaker, the fight would break out and may never end. At Undertaker's side, he waited to use his death scythe, but he wouldn't get the chance to after you stepped forward toward Claude. Undertaker's smile faltered for a second before he returned his hands to his front, holding them together. 

   " If that is what you wish. "

With those words, Claude pulled you out of the store of caskets and into a carriage. He sat outside, guiding the horses, while you sat inside contemplating your choice.

   ' It's too late now. I need to help one of them. Undertaker briefly mentioned it to me. He said that Alois's soul had become a ring. And with Claude calling Ciel his young master, he's probably done something to Ciel to make him think differently. '

You watched the houses and trees go by as you left the city, but there was one question in your mind.

   ' Where is Sebastian? '

By the time you reached the mansion, the sun was below the horizon, and the moon was high in the sky. It was always a long trip to the Alois mansion. Upon reaching the manor, you stepped out of the carriage and went to the front doors without Claude's help. Opening the doors, you were greeted with silence. 

   " My master is in his bed chambers. Please, join him there. "

You didn't hesitate to move toward the stairs and climb them. The carpeted floor made no noise as you moved through the manor, but you were fast. Finally, you could spot the main bedroom door, and you raised your hand, knocking on the door.

   " Come in. "  A feminine voice called.

   ' That sounds like Hannah. '

You opened the door and stepped into the bedroom. Ciel was lying underneath the bedsheets, wearing a white and blue nightshirt, and his eyepatch was on the bedstand. Hannah stood next to Ciel's bed, with her hands folded in front of her, waiting for her moment. Blue and purple eyes looked up at you, but no smile appeared on Ciel's face. 

   " Welcome, Y/n. Sit. "

You didn't like the lazy tone in his voice, but you did as he demanded. You walked to the bed and sat on the edge of the sheets, turning your head toward him. His blue eye was dazzling and stared deep into your soul, but his other eye reminded you that he wouldn't be on this earth for long. 

   " Ciel, what's--"

    " Y/n, don't say anything. Please rest with me, like how we used to. "

His tone became softer and somber. Ciel pulled the sheets back and grabbed your hand, pulling you down on the bed. Following his request, you lay on the bed, facing toward him, and he held you close by hugging your form close. You were confused about what was happening and looked into Ciel's eyes.

   " Ciel, what's going on? Why are you here? "

Ciel remained silent, and he didn't answer any of your questions. The silence caused your head to turn upward, looking at Ciel's face. Finally, Ciel's dominant hand raised itself, and his hand was placed on your cheek. His fingers were soft, and they brushed the skin around your cheek, being gentle.

   " Ciel? "

Without words, Ciel slowly pulled you closer and hugged you, with your head resting on his shoulder and his arms around your shoulders. 

   " I wish things were like what they were before. I miss those days. "

His words touched your heart, and you returned the embrace. But, unfortunately, Undertaker was right; the story had gotten too complicated. Before Trancy appeared in your lives, the story was much simpler regarding adventure, fun, and leisure. But now, it had turned into something tiresome—two demons fighting over one soul while another was turned into a ring. 

   " I want the same thing, Ciel. "

You wished for those calm days at the Phantomhive Manor, where you would eat breakfast with Ciel, Sebastian, Mey-Rin, Bard, and Finny in the morning. You missed the days when you would go on an adventure with Ciel for the queen's sake and have funny stories about what happened in Undertaker's shop. The desire for your younger days finally caught up with you, and you understood Ciel completely. Madam Red, Lau, Prince Soma, and Agni, you missed and wanted back in your life as regularly as they were before.

   ' But that can't happen. '

You knew it couldn't happen again, no matter how much you wished for it. Ciel's words rang in your head from his curry adventure, and you couldn't forget them.

   " Once you lose something, you can never get it back. "

Ciel's grip tightened, and he nodded, understanding what you meant. That's how you stayed, hugging each other in comfort until Hannah made her move. While your back was facing her, Hannah tapped Ciel's arm, and he looked at her. The maid raised her finger to her mouth and pointed at her lips. Ciel watched as her mouth opened, and deep inside, there was an eyeball the color of ice blue. The scream that climbed out of Ciel's throat startled you, and you also turned to look at the eye. You didn't scream, but you were shocked about the eye in Hannah's throat, and you felt slightly revolted when the eye started to move around until its gaze; ended on Ciel. Soon, you passed out, with Ciel holding your limp form. He followed suit shortly after you and Hannah had set her final chess piece down on the board.

Though, your decision wouldn't be yours. In the end, whoever would get through the rose maze, and defeat the other demon, would win the soul of Ciel Phantomhive. However, you would be kept unconscious for the rest of the fight due to Alois Trancy demanding you sleep and that you be protected until the end of the battle, where the winner would be determined. Only then would Hannah let you wake up.