Chapter Four
The carriage ride was long and uneventful, much to Lillian's liking. She wore a gentle pink dress, with a matching feathered hat, and of course, a similar pink eyepatch with golden roses sewn in it. Her parents on the other hand, wore very sophisticated clothing, her mother in a purple dress with pearls and gold accessories, and her father wore a suit and a beaver-skinned top hat. They felt classy, but Lillian just found them unoriginal and bland like so many others.
Lucius had left for the paints two days ago, convinced by not only his Young Master but Lillian's parents that they were needed for Lillian's birthday just a few weeks away. Ah, yes, Lillian had an alibi in her pawns, her parents.
The carriage rolled to a stop, the sound of music filled the air and the candles that light the manor swayed in beat with the couples dancing and the people conversing with wine in hand. It was an elaborate set up, one that made Lillian feel particularly special, for she knew it was all a plan for the Earl to get closer to her. Of course, no one else knew of this, and the Earl was sure to put on a good show for both parties attending.
"Ello Miss Lillian!" Finnian waved from the garden, a bird on his shoulder and a big smile on his face.
"Hello, Finnian." Lillian nodded her head, one of her best fake smiles on her face as she walked the pathway to the steps of the manor behind her parents. It was a warm evening, the smell of flowers tainting the air, and something unnerving as well.
Sebastian greeted the family at the doorway, acting as he did with the previous couples who had entered, but the air around him seemed heavy, even for that of a demon. "Hello, Miss Hill, I see your ankle as recovered."
"For the time being it has, thanks to your help," she smiled and walked in.
"The Earl Phantomhive would like to speak with you and your family in the study before the celebrations officially begin." Sebastian added.
"Me?" Lillian question, acting phonely surprised, "What for?"
"I believe he just wants to discuss working with your parents is all. He believes your injury so close to our manor is a sign he should further business with your family."
"Is that so? Well then, do point us in the direction of the study."
"Mey-rin will escort you." Sebastian offered.
Hesitantly, Lillian agreed, following her parents and Mey-rin up the lavish stairs of the Phantomhive Manor. The longer she walked, the more her ankle ached, but she held off the complaining for her parents sake.
"Right in here, he is," Mey-rin chimed, opening the door to the study. Behind the desk sat Ciel, a top hat tilted on his head in a dark blue outfit that made him look powerful and sophisticated, though Lillian knew he was just attempting to look taller, but she wouldn't mention it.
"Mr. and Mrs. Hill, welcome," he stood, talking in front of his desk, cane in hand, "And Lillian, I see your ankle has recovered."
"Yes, thanks to the help of your servants it healed quite well."
"It is the Phantomhive's aim to please." He smiled, then extended his hand and shook that of Lillian's parents. "We're you not accompanied on this long journey?"
"One of our maids is waiting in our carriage along side our driver." Mrs. Hill added, looking nervous in front of the merely thirteen year old business owner.
"No butler?" Ciel questioned, looking innocently between the parents, "Oh dear, I was hoping he could help Sebastian learn how to properly tie an eyepatch, like your butler must do for Lillian."
"I tie my own," Lillian added, a smug look on her face, "I'm also able to tie my own shoes."
Ciel shot her a look of annoyance, but quickly hid it with a smug look of his own, "Then were is said butler?"
"We're here to talk about business not the affairs of our family butler, Earl Phantomhive. Do proceed with your reason for calling us up here or allow us to enjoy the ball with the other guests."
"Lillian, that is no way to talk to an Earl," her father pressed, "Please excuse our daughters behaviour. I sent my butler off to get paints for Lillian's next birthday, he will return next week if he will be of any service to you then."
Lillian bit her cheek to hold back a snarled remark, and smiled big, "They're the best paints! The colours are so rich and they cover the canvas in the most delightful of ways. I've run out of them since like Christmas, so I needed more."
"You sound like my fiancee," Ciel sighed," Mey-rin please take Lillian down to enjoy the ball with the other's while I talk business with her parents."
"But father, I do wish to stay. I want to learn about the family business as well.'
"Next time," her father kissed her head and sent her off.
As Mey-rin escorted her down the stairs, she could feel the heaviness of the air lift, as if Sebastian had left the area. Perhaps he had gone to look at the Hill's home, just to make sure Lucius was not there. Even if he was, Lillian was certain Sebastian would have a difficult time fighting her own demon, as he wasn't just any demon at all.
"Finnian," Lillian smiled at the bottom step. The gardener was talking with Elizabeth Midford, whom Lillian recognized as Ciel's cousin and fiancee.
"Oh, Miss Lillian, this is Miss Elizabeth."
"It's a pleasure to meet you," the two girls smiled at one another.
"Finnian was telling me all about your sore ankle. Are you really fit to attend a ball?" Lizzy questioned.
"One does not simply decline an invitation to the Phantomhive manor," Lillian smiled, "But yes, I am quite fit. In fact, I was wondering if you'd dance with me, Finnian."
"W-well," Finnian grew hot, his cheeks turning the brightest of pinks, "I don't think my young master will approve."
"Oh, please Finnian! I do desire to dance with you." Lillian pressed, a sweet smile hiding a devilish smirk.
"Well, uh, I mean-"
"Dance wit the littl' lady," Bard pushed the small boy forward.
"A-a-alright," Finnian managed, a shy smile on his face as he lead Lillian in a waltz.
"Oh it is cute, isn't it?" Mey-rin spoke to no one in particular, yet Elizabeth answered.
"They are awfully cute, aren't they? I hope Ciel will dance with me tonight." She giggled excitedly.
Finnian was surprisingly well trained in dancing, never stepping on Lillian's feet as they made their way dancing through the crowd. At first he was shy, but as he began to relax the two moved like the waves of an ocean, like the beautiful music of a symphony.
"You're quite good for a gardener," Lillian smiled, not taking her eyes off of the boys face.
"Yeah, well, I was taught how to dance when I was trained to fight. It really helps you get into rhythm, you know?"
"Well, I'm not much of someone to fight, but I can see how the two ideas coincide."
As the continued talking and laughing, and dancing in the arms of one another, Lillian grew a confident smile, for she had just achieved a new pawn to place as she wished. One that lived and served in the Phantomhive manor.
Not long after, Ciel made his welcoming speech and joined Elizabeth for a dance. All eyes were on the destined to be married cousins, an idea that most had accepted but made Lillian ill to think about. As she continued to watch alongside the Phantomhive servants, the eerily feeling in the air returned, making her shiver and search the floor for a source. It continued to grow stronger, and though she didn't quite see him, she knew Sebastian was hovering right behind her.
She turned around and jumped in an attempt to act startled, "Oh my," she huffed, laughing softly, "Sebastian you frightened me."
"My apologize. I was wondering if you would join me in a dance." The butler bowed, one hand extended.
"You are much too old for me," Lillian hesitated, but set her hand in his, "But I don't think a single dance would hurt."
As others began to dance, so did the demon and Lillian. Sebastian's motives were much more unknown as he was much better at hiding what he was thinking than Ciel was. Neither were as they danced, much attention being shot their way from fellow guests. It was not an everyday occurrence that a butler would gather the nerve to dance with a guest, nor have his master step in to complain about his actions.
It only took a few minutes for Lillian to catch on. Sebastian was trying to make her use her ankle, so it was sore, for what reason it was unknown. That's why she had to climb the stairs without aid, then stand instead of sit in the study, and now she was dancing, all of these affecting the healing of her ankle.
After a few dances, she curtseyed, "Thank you for the dance, but my ankle seems to hurt," she lied, fake hobbling off to a separate room. There, she removed a bottle from her stocking, a mixture of herbs Lucius had provided to increase the healing rates, and smothered it along her ankle. The feeling was that of instant relief. She slid the bottle back into her stockings and return to the ballroom, Ciel walking over to her immediately.
"Sebastian said your ankle was sore, is there anything we can do to aid you?"
"Yes, tell my parents that I intend to go home immediately," she announced, then looked over at her parents who were some of the last people still inside, and both of which were fast asleep. Lillian hit herself in the forehead, "Why must they be such an embarrassment?" She questioned towards the heavens, "I don't suppose there is a possibility for us to stay the night, is there?"
"Mey-rin will prepare a room for you," Sebastian chimed in behind his master, "And Finnian will aid your parents to another."
"Thank you," Lillian spoke, a shiver running down her spine from the stares of both the Earl and the demon. Just one night, she managed to convince herself, Just one night and you will be home again.