The other girl showed the mysterious butler her invitation and walked into the manor snobbishly, leaving you standing there looking wide-eyed at the crimson eyed man. You stuttered, "I-I.. I'm here to accompany her." Sebastian smiled, as he had already analyzed the situation. He replied "Very well. Have a splendid evening, my lady."
You walked into the manor, followed by Sebastian. He said that everyone had arrived and that the Earl would greet the guests shortly. You pranced around the ball room, looking at the beautiful embellished paintings and ceiling that was pressed with gold leaf. Every chair and surface was obnoxiously expensive so you tried not to touch anything. The other guests kept staring at you and rudely whispering just loud enough so that your ears would hear.
Who is that? What are they wearing? How hideous. They are only embarrassing themselves. Don't go near them, you'll catch something. That color is last year. Peasant. How did she even get here?
Tears swelled up in your eyes as you stood off in the corner. You looked eagerly toward the top of the staircase to see a very attractive boy wearing a intricate navy blue double breasted outfit fitted with a silk cream bow around his neck. The crowd quieted down just as he was about to make an announcement. Beginning eloquently, his thick British accent commanded the room, "Hello everyone. Thank you for attending my masquerade ball. I am Earl Ciel Phantomhive, the head of this estate. Please do enjoy yourselves." Everyone clapped lightly.
He stood at the top of the staircase, looking at all of the guests. You turned your back and held up your mask quickly so that he wouldn't notice you. The plastic gemstone on the mask had fallen off in your endeavor, hitting the marble floor with a quick ping.
"Sebastian, who is that? I do not recall inviting her to this party." Ciel stated firmly.
"Young Master, she is accompanying one of your other guests."
"Nonetheless, what is she wearing? A guest like that would tarnish the Phantomhive name and credibility. Sebastian, get her to change into one of our dresses somehow. That's an order."
"Yes, my lord."
You turned around to see the butler, Sebastian at your side carrying a tray of drinks. "Care for any refreshments, my lady?" You nodded, taking one of the drinks in the crystal glasses. Like a complete idiot, you managed to spill the cherry colored liquid onto yourself, making all the other guests laugh like crows. You frowned and thought to yourself, How could I have spilled my drink. My hands are usually so steady…
Sebastian stood by your side as Ciel watched from atop the staircase. "My deepest apologies. Please follow me." You followed the butler with tears swelling in your eyes. The two of you entered a beautiful lilac room with platinum embossed onto the wall panels. "Please do not cry, my lady. The Earl has many dresses. Allow me."
"I would normally call for the maid to help you change, but she is busy at the moment." You nodded, blinking the tears from your eyes. He removed the purple dress your mother made. You blushed as he touched you innocently and inadvertently. Sebastian noticed this and a devilish smirk swept across his features. He changed you into a midnight blue dress adorned with cream colored bows and crystals along the front. He set a sapphire and diamond mask on your delicate features before tying the back in a tight bow. Once he was finished he looked at you and nodded. "You look ravishing, my lady."
You felt like it, too. You caught a glance of yourself in the mirror before exiting the room and couldn't help but notice that your gown and mask matched the Earl's perfectly. Sebastian escorted you back into the ball room, where no one could keep their eyes off you. "Thank you, Sebastian." He only nodded before resuming his duties. You walked around once more, this time gingerly picking at the table of hors-d'oeuvres. The other guests comments changed drastically.
Who is that?
That dress is beautiful. I want it. Those clothes cost more than us. Is that Lady Elizabeth? Is she the hostess? She is obviously very wealthy.
Sebastian joined Ciel at the top of the staircase, standing over him like a shadow.
"Young Master, are you not going to dance?"
"It is my party, I will do as I please."
"As you wish, my young lord."
Ciel let out a sigh, and looked throughout the crowd. Fine, I'll dance.
He spotted you in the crowd and started down the staircase.
You smirked at their comments, realizing that you had stepped onto the ball room floor just as the first waltz began. You felt a light touch on your shoulder.
Turning around, Ciel Phantomhive himself stood before you. He was not wearing a mask, but one of his eyes was covered. He began, "Shall we dance, my lady?"
You thought to yourself, Might as well play the part too. "Of course, Lord Phantomhive." He let out a fake chuckle. "I'm not the best dancer, so, forgive me." You just smiled and looked away shyly. Both Ciel and yourself struggled through the dance but at it's completion you both ended up in the middle of the ball room, all eyes on your duo. He then swiftly escorted you out of the public's eye to a nearby balcony that shined under the illuminating moonlight.
"Please tell your name." Ciel uttered loudly and at your hesitation continued, "There is no need to be shy with me, after all, we did just share a dance."
You looked off into the distance, the starry night made the exterior walls of the estate shimmer in a dreamy way. "My name is (y/n), Lord Phantomhive." He only nodded, committing your name to memory.
"That's a very pretty name. In all honesty, I'm awfully bored with this party. Would you join me in my study for a brief chat?" You eyed him curiously as another fake smirk danced across his features.