Past
"Oh Claudia she is absolutely gorgeous, an absolute gem!" cooed Rachel Phantomhive as she fawned over the golden-haired child. "Indeed she is as fair as a rose," agreed Vincent as he smiled down at the young child clinging to her smiling mother's dark green gown. "It would be lovely if my boy were to have the pleasure of being her betrothed when she is older." he continued now handing the little girl a small sweet. "Imagine the children they'd created my dear!" Racheal squealed as she turned to her husband with hopeful eyes and a beaming smile. "Our Octavia is indeed beautiful, it seems we were blessed with a fair child like you." said a smiling Nero Acisculus as he approached the four and picked up his daughter. Octavia squealed in delight before speaking "Father where have you been? You promised me a dance!", her voice soft and silvery. "Oh my beloved, father is sorry he was busy, but it seems like you have had the pleasure of the Phantomhive family's presence." Rachel and Vincent smiled kindly towards the older man. Nero turned towards the couple before shaking Vincent's hand in a friendly manner and kissing Rachels hand politely. "I do not see that dazzling child of yours, where ever could he be?" Nero asked glancing around the crowded lounge with Octavia still in his arms. "Oh he is here Nero, in fact here he comes now," said Vincent as he saw his dark-haired boy running towards him with open arms and a bright smile. "There the boy is!" cried Nero joyfully in his gruff voice. He leaned down inspecting the child's features before speaking "Hello young man; I'd like you to meet my little flower, Octavia.", The boy nodded in understanding with innocent eyes. Nero placed the small girl down on the dark carpeted floors, her long golden locks swinging slightly from the movement. Vincent prodded the boy forward gently and gave him a reassuring smile. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss. My name is Ciel Phantomhive." Said the little boy in a small voice as he took her small hand and pulled it towards his small pink lips kissing it softly. Octavia curtsied before speaking "An honour to meet you too, Sir. My name is Octavia Acisculus.", The two giggled after introducing themselves. The parents smiled amusedly at their children's attempts to replicate their professional actions.
The party was nearing its end when Vincent asked to speak to Nero privately. Nero agreed eager to hear what one of his closest friends and business partners had to say. After they had moved toward a less crowded corner of the room, Vincent spoke huskily "I do not see why you won't have the engagement of our children.", Nero sighed rubbing his forehead in fatigue. "My friend, I would love if our children could be together but..." he trailed off hesitantly looking away. "But what my friend? Is it that you do not like my boy Ciel?" Nero immediately replied "Of course not Vincent! I can already tell that Ciel will be a fantastic gentleman when he is older. He is exactly what I want Octavia to marry, but you do not understand. I cannot allow my flower to have her future foretold before it has happened. If she is to get married, it shall be someone she loves." he finished panting heavily from speaking so much. Vincent stared at the man with no emotion present on his face before nodding. He understood but at the same time did not agree with it. He would not force his friend to do something he did not believe in.
Present
Octavia walked silently through the woods surrounding her home. She often came here when she wanted time to think. Right now sweet memories of her now deceased parents' affection towards her ran through her mind. Many things had changed in the past few years, she no longer wore various specially made gowns designed by her mother herself but instead wore the same tattered blue dress every day. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a lone brown fox sitting by a flock of daisies. Quickly picking them and placing them in her basket, she patted the head of the fox gratefully. The animals in the woods seemed to be her only friends now since she no longer was able to contact her old friends. Like Ciel. She often wondered about Ciel, despite the terrible occurrence that had affected both him and her, she would've loved to see him once more. 'It is getting late now, I should return now.' she thought as she ran through the woods towards her house.
As she entered the large house through the back door, she turned to meet two scowling faces. "It seems you had a good time out there Octavia." sneered a girl with large red curls and bright green eyes. "I am telling father!" cried the other girl who had brown curls and the same green eyes that resembled the others. "What will you tell him?" asked Octavia as she gracefully walked around them and placed the freshly picked flowers in an empty vase. "We know what you were doing out there Octavia. You were sneaking out to see a boy!" accused the brunette pointing her finger at Octavia. "Goodness no, I went to pick more flowers for the kitchen. I do not know any boys in this area besides..." Octavia trailed off, "Besides who? Beside Earl Phantomhive? No one believes you, Octavia. Why would such a charming boy with such gorgeous ocean blue eyes ever know you?" The red-haired girl said dreamily. "Besides, even if you and the Earl did meet, once, I'm sure he would have forgotten you. You are as plain looking as toast without butter. Do you even not what he looks like?" the other girl asked arrogantly as she twirled her hair in between her fingers. "Well, I-" A loud call interrupted Octavia, "OCTAVIA COME HERE NOW!". "Better run and complete your chores like a good servant!" smirked one of the girls as they waved their hands dismissively. Octavia chose not to reply and ran to see what her step-father called her for.
Octavia entered the lounge that had once belonged to her father, before her stood a handsome man. His features sharp and almost perfect, however, she knew that his personality differed greatly from his looks. "Oh, my dear Octavia! I am terribly sorry to bother you, but I need to stay elsewhere tonight," he said in mock distress as he physically pretended to look upset. Octavia looked at the man in confusion before speaking "E-elsewhere? Where could I possibly go? And why?" she asked in her soft voice. The man's distressed act faltered slightly as he looked at the girl in irritation before continuing to act unhappy. "Unfortunately, darling, I am to have a very important guest over and I couldn't possibly have you here, well, um, looking like this." the man motioned to Octavia's unkempt appearance. "But Lan-I mean step-father, I have been cleaning all day. That is why I look like this; I could easily clean up if you allow me the time." Octavia protested, she had almost called him by his name instead of step-father. After how angry he became last time, she knew never to make that mistake again. The man thought for a second before sighing, he walked uncomfortably close towards the girl and towered over her before speaking "Tonight is important, I need you stay out of sight. Do not leave that attic, do not speak with your pretend animal friends and most of all, do not ruin this for me." his voice was low and threatening. Octavia found that she couldn't manage to look him in the eye, so she looked at the floor in slight fear. Taking a step back he beamed a bright smile and clapped his large hands together. "Now please finish the last of your chores, then I need you to help your sisters and after that can you fix that untidy appearance of yours for if this guest were to accidently see you, which he will not, I would not want him to feel disrespected by me for having such a filthy looking person in the same house that he is eating in." he said in a cheery voice despite the insulting language used. Octavia did not reply but instead curtsied and then left to do what he said. More like ordered.
After finishing her chores and helping her step-sisters dress, she returned to the attic and proceeded to take off her clothes and place them in a basket. The bathroom was inside, but she was kindly prohibited from using it, so she made her way outside covered by a thin shawl. The water outside was cold and made her shiver each time she poured it over her exposed body. She made her way back to the attic, still shivering and wet. There was dress laid out on her bed that she planned to wear despite her being ordered to stay inside her room. It was light blue and white with small frills near the chest area. The bottom of the skirt was lacy blue and fanned out gorgeously. It looked old-fashioned, but that was because it was her mother's dress. A matching bow was paired with the gown.
Sounds of greetings and girlish squeals travelled up from below and echoed through the attic. All the excitement was down below her while she sat quietly in her room unsure of whether to read or nap. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a bell ringing in her room. She stared at the source confused as it only rang when her step-father wanted her to come to him, usually to do some chores. However, she remembered she was specifically told to stay out of sight, 'What should I do?' She thought before the bell rang again but more urgently. Immediately standing up she quietly rushed down the stairs until she reached the closed door of the lounge. Octavia breathed in and out deeply before opening the doors and entering the room. All chatter had ceased, and the room became silent. Her step-father looked shocked momentarily before speaking "Oh, Octavia you have come to join us. Are you feeling well?" he asked kindly, she looked confused for a moment before answering "Yes father, I feel better." she played along before curtsying. For a moment, her step-father had looked shocked as if he was not expecting her entrance, she noticed. Then who had ringed the bell, it could have only been him, the cord was in his room, she thought once more before looking back up. She had not even acknowledged the guest so she turned to towards them and met a sharp staring blue eye.
Octavia immediately recognised the guest, it was him. It was Ciel Phantomhive.
Hello, author here! This is a new story I am starting. Please tell me what you think, I am always open to criticisms and ideas in the comment/review area.