Sebastian x Claude

~Chapter 3~

I open the door to the only room I haven't checked, the basement. Everywhere else was empty of anything bad. The ball was to start very soon and much to my relief this was the last room in this giant mansion. It was quite tiring to check this whole place, if I may say so myself.
I haven't seen my master or Alois all day, and it makes me wonder where they've been.
I trail my finger on the edge of the shelves as I examine them, not sensing or seeing anything out of order.
I finish looking around the room and exit, before anyone enters. The minute I shut the door behind me, Claude exits another door nearby. "I haven't seen you all day, may I ask where you have been?" He asks, pushing up his glasses.
"Nowhere of your concern." I respond keeping eye contact. "The ball should start soon, I'm going to find my master."
And with that, I turn on my heel and walk away.
I find both Earls out in the garden. Ciel still looks bored and unimpressed, but they seem to be having a conversation about something.
They notice my presence after I take a few steps and walk towards me, probably already guessing what I came to tell them.
Instead of stopping to ask, they walk right past me and into the mansion. I ignore this and I follow them inside, waiting for the ball to begin.

~The Ball Begins~

All the guests are dancing around gracefully with their partners, or eating and conversing with their friends. Even my master is dancing with Elizabeth, who also got invited to the party. I, however, am standing in the corner of the room, watching from afar.
I don't see Claude anywhere, he must be busy occupying himself. I'm so busy thinking about where he could be, that I don't notice when Ciel walks up to me.
"Did you find anything?" He asks, unaware that my thoughts are elsewhere. I snap back into reality when I hear his voice. "No, my Lord." I respond with a bow. "I checked every room in the mansion, including the garden." He thinks to himself for a second.
"Alright then." He replies after awhile, and walks off towards Alois. Those two have been spending more time together than usual.
I smile to myself thinking about it.
That's when I notice Claude. He was in the corner furthest from me and he was looking everywhere but in my direction. I manage to catch his eye, and we politely nod to each other. I catch a glimpse of his face when he looked away and he was.. smiling.
My heart flutters and for the rest of the ball that's the only thing I think about.