There was nothing Ciel enjoyed more than good dessert. He led Liliana to the dining room, where the table had already been set for dinner. He placed the basket down and pulled out the pie. The scent immediately gave it away. "Cherry?" he asked.

She nodded.

"I do like sweet things." He said.

"Oh good," she said smiling, "I'm glad."

He awkwardly reached for a knife, his fingers hesitantly hovering over the pie as he realized that he had never had to cut dessert before.

"Oh please," she rushed to him, "Let me do it. An earl shouldn't have to serve his own food."

He let her for the simple fact that he didn't want to look like a fool. Perhaps he should pay close attention as to how to properly cut a pie. He washed the thought away just as quickly, however, realizing he would never need to know.

She sliced it up into six pieces, and carefully scooped them onto two plates. She handed him a slice, being extra careful with such expensive dishes.

As he bit into the dessert, he was pleasantly surprised. It was warm, and the filling coated his tongue with sweetness. "You're a good chef." He said.

"I'm hardly all that." She blushed.

They ate mostly in silence, as Ciel didn't have much he could discuss with someone as common as her. She felt horribly out of place, but felt the need to speak up regardless.

"I've heard you're a kind man, Earl Phantomhive. But I can't understand why you chose to help me."

He looked at her, chewing.

"I'm grateful of course!" she stammered, "It's just…I'm like any other commoner, aren't I?"

He wiped his mouth with his napkin. "Shall I tell you a story?"

She blinked. "Yes, if you wish."

He motioned for him to follow her, and he led them to his study, where they sat on opposite chairs, facing each other. Liliana had never sat in something so comfortable.

"Whether you remember or not is irrelevant." He began, his face expressionless. She listened intently.

"Years ago, I was in the market. Stupid as I was, I took a peach off of your father's counter. He threatened me when he realized I could not pay. You rushed out, putting the blame on yourself despite the fact we had never met. I had never seen anyone hit a child before. I couldn't understand why you would subject yourself to that." He cleared his throat. "I still don't." He spoke matter-of-factly, as though he were reporting on the details of a given case.

Her eyes fell, covered in sadness, and with shaky legs she stood up, making her way to him. She hesitated briefly, but wrapped her arms around him anyway. The Earl stiffened, unsure of what to do. She smelled sweet, like fruit. Her hair tickled his nose. He realized he hadn't been hugged in a long time. Her cheek was pressed against his, and he could feel the moisture of her tears. He blinked, trying to figure out why she was crying.

"I'm so sorry you had to see that. Especially with you being so young."

She was apologizing? What for? She hadn't done anything wrong.

The doors burst open suddenly, Lizzie calling out happily. "Cieloo! I-"

She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw her fiancé being embraced by another girl.

"Ciel?" her voice cracked.

Liliana pulled away quickly and Ciel stood up. "Lizzie!"

She ran out of the room.

"Oh no," Liliana covered her mouth with her hands. "I'm so sorry-"

"Please excuse me," Ciel said, straightening his jacket.

Without thinking, Liliana ran out after Lizzie. Ciel groaned. Women were too complicated.

Elizabeth stormed angrily down the hall. Of all things, a woman. A common woman. Her mother had warned her of such things. That men sometimes took on a mistress or two. But she and Ciel weren't even married yet. Was he already being unfaithful? She had only just caught a glimpse of the girl, but there was no denying the fact that she was pretty, with her straight black hair and her pale blue eyes. The possibility of Ciel leaving her had never even crossed her mind. Was she not being cute enough? She had strived so hard to maintain her ladylike composure in front of him. Perhaps a bit too much. Could it have done more harm than good?

"Lady Elizabeth! Lady Elizabeth please wait!" Liliana grabbed Elizabeth by the arm, even though she knew better than to touch a noble.

This girl was rather bold. If that's what Ciel wanted, then she could be bold too.

Elizabeth pulled away much rougher than Liliana had been anticipating.

"How dare you touch a lady of the Midford family?"

"It's not what it looked like, I promise you."

"Oh? It looked like you're a wench-"

"Elizabeth." Ciel's voice cut through the hall. She snapped her mouth shut.

"Surely you don't think so low of me?" he said.

"No Ciel, never of you…" she bowed her head to the Earl.

"Then apologize."

Her expression grew hard. "I will not. She's not exempt from touching a noble."

"She's done nothing wrong-"

"I will not." She glared at Liliana. "I am Lady Elizabeth Midford, and lady or not I won't have anyone touching my husband-to-be."

Liliana bowed respectfully to Elizabeth. "I apologize most deeply, my Lady. I merely wanted to show my gratification to your fiancé. He saved my life today."

Lizzie's eyes softened. Saved her life? Perhaps she had jumped to conclusions too quickly. She should have known better. Ciel was a true gentleman, after all. And despite everything, she knew he cared about her. She didn't know the details of what it meant to be the Queen's Guard Dog, but she was not so naïve as to dismiss his role.

"Ciel, really?"

"I was paying an old debt." He said cooly.

The tight pain in her chest relaxed. This girl was just another job to him. And she looked decent enough. With her this close she could clearly see her eyes. Kind eyes. That was important.

"Why didn't you just say that!" she huffed at Ciel, and took Liliana's hands into her own. "You weren't hurt were you? Surely not if Sebastian was involved. He really is a fine butler." Elizabeth chirped happily. "I don't see any scars," she continued, "You must have gotten to her just in time." She smiled at Ciel.

"Indeed." he breathed.

"I baked a pie," Liliana said, "Would you like a piece, my lady?"

"Oh definitely! And please, call me Lizzie. Any friend of Ciel is a friend of mine." She smiled kindly, no longer threatened by the raven-haired girl.

Just then Sebastian appeared from the end of the hall.

"Forgive me for not being able to wait on you earlier, my lord."

"Tch."

Sebastian turned to Lizzie and bowed. "Lady Elizabeth."

"Hello Sebastian."

"Shall I escort the young Miss out?" he suggested, looking down at Liliana.

"It's fine Sebastian, I'll do it. Please escort Lizzie back to my study."

"Very good, my lord."

Ciel led Liliana through the maze of halls and down the grand staircase to the main door. She got the uncomfortable feeling that she had overstayed her welcome.

"Forgive me, if I caused any trouble." She said, bowing her head.

"Not at all." He said curtly.

"I really am grateful." She said, as he opened the door for her.

"Will you need a carriage into town?"

She shook her head. "I don't mind walking."

"I'll have a carriage drawn for you."

"No, no. Please. You've done enough." She smiled sweetly.

Ciel looked at her. The young girl he had seen so long ago, all grown up now. That same kind expression, those same innocent eyes that had probably seen just as much as he had.

"You will always be welcome here," he began, "However I think it best if you stay away. My business is a dangerous one."

She nodded, looking down. "I understand." She inhaled, "Earl Phantomhive, if I may be so bold?"

He eyes her curiously. "Yes?"

She stepped up to him and kissed his cheek. "Thank you, Ciel." She murmured in his ear.

She didn't give him a chance to react, and ran quickly away from the Manor. She was fast, in the way only a commoner could be.

For a split second he felt like calling her to him. But then he came back to his senses. He was Ciel Phantomhive. It wouldn't make sense.

He slammed the door shut, his cheeks burning. Women really did just complicate everything.

"Young Master-"

Ciel let out a surprised scream, jumping back a bit. "Sebastian! What are you doing here?"

Sebastian smiled slyly at him. "Don't worry, Bocchan. I won't tell Lady Elizabeth about your exchange."

"Tch. It's of little consequence. We won't be seeing her again."

"Oh?"

"I said it didn't I?" he spat out, "My debt is paid. In any case, what of your demonic siren?"

Sebastian's eyes flashed. "She has been taken care of, my lord."

Ciel scoffed. "For good I hope. There have been too many problems lately. I'll never understand women."

"Women make things interesting, sir."

Ciel ignored him, turning his back to him. "Send up some tea. The black one you served me yesterday. I'll be with Elizabeth." He waved him away and began to climb the stairs, but stopped mid-step. "Oh and Sebastian!"

Sebastian looked up at him questioningly.

"Bring up more pie."

"Very good my lord."

A/N: So basically I'm thinking of ending it here. My ultimate goal was to keep Ciel in character, and I just don't see him falling for Liliana. But if you guys want me to, I can keep going. Really its up to you guys at this point. Hope you enjoyed the chapter either way ^_^ Thanks for reading!