With nothing else to do, the young Earl trapped himself within the confines of his study, away from the new visitors, his servants, and especially his fiancée. The only one with him of course, was his butler dressed in black.
Ball. He simply dreaded that word. It was like the plague to his ears.
"I believe the wisest course of action is to go along with her plan" Sebastian pointed out, as he carefully poured the rich tea into the cup "I don't think she is going to listen to reason"
Ciel groaned "Can't you just give her some tea or something and get her out of here?
I don't have time for a stupid ball"
"My lord, Lady Elizabeth would like a dance, you cannot refuse her" The black dressed butler just happened to notice his master avoiding eye contact with him, causing him to become suspicious "Master?"
"What now?" The dark blue haired boy growled, his tea within his dainty fingers.
"I know I have never seen you dance, but I assume that you can?" Sebastian asked. As Ciel stuffed a few documents in his face however, it all became clear "Oh, I see...Well, that explains why you're always such a wallflower at social engagements"
"I have too much work to do. I don't have time to waste on dancing" Ciel replied bitterly. It was only seconds later the papers were quickly snatched from his hand, revealing his surprise expression. With a soft glare, Sebastian handed his master a slice of his well crafted dessert.
"With all due respect, dancing is a necessary skill for a person of your position to possess" He said with a steel edged tongue "In your line of work, master, social contracts are important to maintain. The world expects any noble gentlemen to possess at least rudimentary dance skills. If you turn down too many invitations simply because you cannot dance, your reputation in high society will suffer greatly"
"Fine, I'll do it! Now stop the lecture" Ciel gave a frustrated sigh "Call in a private tutor or something. Mrs. Bright or Mrs. Rodkin should work well enough..."
"We don't have sufficient time to call in a tutor for you, my lord" The butler briefly glance at his pocket watch "There's only one option: With your permission, I will be your dance instructor"
"Don't be ridiculous!" Ciel firmly slammed his hands onto his desk I'm not going to take dancing instruction from a man! Besides, do you even know how to dance?"
"The Viennese waltz is my specialty. I was a guest at Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna from time to time. However...if you require a woman..."
I am quite the dancer, you know
"I believe there is a quick solution"
It didn't take much in convincing Eve to help Ciel to dance. For one thing, it was a clear command from Dewey to help out the others within the estate if they called or it, and second, she was tired of trying to prevent Grell from murdering himself. She first took it as a joke from Finny, but realized after the 3rd suicide attempt, it was all too real. In more of an annoying way, however.
And she managed to undress herself from that ridiculous outfit Lizzie strapped her in.
Ciel's eyes drew from his paper as his clicked open. Instead of his familiar, pale face butler, he was met with the Irish haired butler. In absolute doubt of her skills, he sent a blank yet studying glare towards the woman. In a little shock however, she failed to react to the boys odd stares.
"Young master," Sebastian firmly shut the door "This here is Eveanna, rather Lady...Dewey's personal butler, the young mistress you met today. She will assist me in your lesson today"
"My lady also calls me Eve. That name is fine as well" Eve bowed
Ciel silently groaned. At the least, he expected one of his servants, even Elizabeth herself. Not this butler who he barely knew, let alone of she had skills. With only Sebastian as his other option however, he took and ran with it. She was only his assistant, after all.
"Eve then," the young Earl sighed, and lifted himself up from his luxurious seat "Let's make this as painless as we can"
"Of course" She nodded, with a familiar sharp smile. She carefully stuck out her gloved hand towards the unusually short boy "Now if you would do me the honor, sir. May I have this dance?"
Ciel hesitantly took her hand. In an instant, the black dressed butler pulled his hand violently, causing him to yelp in surprise, and be shoved against her curved body.
"Let's begin" Eve exclaimed loudly. She snatched to young arms hand, and firmly placed it onto the curved area of her back. A wave of goosebumps went through Ciel's small body, as though everything about the situation was simply not right to him "To lead, you start the first step on your heel. Be sure to keep your hand firmly upon the lady's back. When the music starts, lead with your left foot"
"Now, we'll try a natural turn. Slide your foot forward, like this" Eve commanded, as she stepped her black heel backwards. In moments, Ciel planted his chunky heel onto her boot, leaving a sizable heel mark. Instead of crying out in pain however, she simply kept that sharp smile on her face, and continued. Even if it was beginning to get a tad annoying.
Sebastian watched as his master was taken on a journey of absolute failure. Every time the ocean eyed lady turned for the dance, she was meet either with a stumble, or a fine kick to the shin. It was painfully obvious that Ciel squeezed Eve's hands to death, hanging on as though he was about to tumble and fall off a huge cliff.
Sebastian sighed "Your natural ability for dancing isn't so much lacking, as it is non-existent, my lord. You cannot simply cling for dear life onto your dance partner"
"She's too tall, it's not working!" Ciel growled, with a glare directed to his butler.
Eve chuckled "That should never be a problem when dancing. You should be able to dance with woman of all sizes. It sounds like a rather terrible excuse to the lady"
She earned a groan from Ciel in response, yet he ceased to stop dancing. Then of course, Sebastian just happened to notice the large frown etched his his young master's face.
"Most importantly, you need to wipe that gloomy look off of your face" The black haired butler said, with almost a hint of disgust in his sharp tone "The lady will take it as an insult"
He swiftly took his young master away from Eve, and began carefully pinch his face into a wide, yet awkward smile "Now, let's have a smile. Pretend it's fun"
"Let me go!"
In an instant, Ciel set a snarl in his small face, and violently slapped Sebastian's hand away. He stomped away from his butler, in a mixture of emotions. Eve couldn't quite place it. He seemed angry, yet he seemed defensive. Those emotions should have went hand in hand, but today, they simply didn't. It was all clear to Sebastian, however.
"Master..."
"I can't smile... I forgot how..." He remarks bitterly "I don't know how to pretend like I'm having fun... not anymore" His eyes drew to his connection to all of the lives of the past, the dark, brilliant gem ring.
Eve could only look back, as though she was only there to watch. Like any good butler, she know it wasn't her place to intervene in such affairs. The way Ciel said his words however, they seemed to be full of not only bitterness, but also hatred. It didn't seem like something a child of his age would even say, yet...something familiar to the Irish haired woman.
Why am I not dead?
A little too familiar.
"How... awful!" Grell cried out, as he hesitantly inspected himself in his new, colorful outfit, a dress fit for anyone but him. With lacy frills, puffy sleeves, and bows, it was almost like a death sentence to the developing butler.
"This is the most humiliating outfit ever!" He shouted in embarrassment.
Dewey reluctantly glanced at herself in the mirror herself. She was lucky enough to convince Lizzie that she could dress herself, as not to reveal her stained body to her. Humiliating was an understatement. With the same frills, bows, and sleeves as the butler next to her, it unfortunately suited such a petite face as hers. And she despised it.
"I'll say..." The white haired girl mumbled.
"I think you're going to have to make peace with it" Bard said, patting Grell's shoulder as though it would bring him peace.
"This dress... it's atrocious, so white and girly and frilly..." Everyone could easily hear the drama overflowing in his voice "If I have to dress up, why can't it be in a sexy shade of red with a waistline that would flatter my figure?"
"That's your problem with it?!" Bard exclaimed, his cigarette practically falling out of his mouth.
"I can't live with a shame as deep as this...No! I'd rather die!" In seconds Grell threw himself at the window,Meade to talk his life. Right as his hands touched the frame to the tall window however, he paused. Something was missing...
"Err..." He hesitantly turned around "y-you aren't going to try to stop me this time?"
He was met with blank, tired stares
In the other side of the room, Mey-Rin carefully adjusted Lizzie's ravishingly red dress. Dewey couldn't quite admit it, but she sort of envied that dress of hers.
"Blue is definitely Ciel's color! It will look so good on him!" Lizzie happily exclaimed.
"They did look quite pretty" Dewey complimented.
"I got them today in London, they're great! He'll look dashing!"
"I'm sure he will"
Lizzie suddenly snapped her head to the oblivious maid, "Now, time to get you dressed up. I'll make you look so adorable!" As she began to lift her owl rimmed glasses away from her face, Mey-Rin squealed and immediately shuffled to the other side of the room.
"I'm really farsighted, I can't see anything without my glasses, me lady!" Mey-Rin explained.
"You don't have to see the ball to have fun. Now hand those over, silly!" Lizzie tentacles swiftly latched back onto the red haired maids glass, creating a tug of war between cuteness and plain sight.
"No, no, no! Please!" She pleaded, violently tugging her glass back up her face.
"Just leave her alone"
All eyes fell to the grand staircase. Lizzie eyes lit up like a Christmas tree as she saw her elegantly dressed fiancé carefully making his way down the steps. The soft, yet solid blue seemed to actually make the young master more mature looking, in surprise to Sebastian and Eve. Even Dewey and the rest of the servants had to admit it suited him, oddly enough.
"You have quite an eye for color Lizzie" Dewey softly smiled.
"I know it would just look, perfect on him!" She exclaimed. Giggling, she rushed to Ciel and swung him around like a rag doll. Sebastian simply watched along with his classic, mocking grin.
"Ciel! You look adorable! That outfit is absolutely perfect!" Lizzie exclaimed. That kind, sweet smile fell in a snap however, once she noticed the final component to his outfit was missing.
"Ciel, why aren't you wearing the ring I brought you?" Lizzi asked forcefully, with a death like glare strong enough to cause the young Earl to sweat in nervousness "It matches your clothing perfectly, now where did it go?"
He scoffed "The ring I already have on will work"
"No! I went to so much trouble and that ring isn't cute at all!" She exclaimed, like she was throwing a tantrum "Oh, why wouldn't you wear the ring that I picked out specially for you?! You're so cruel! I just want everything to be perfect for our lovely-"
"That's not it. Lizzie, this ring is-" Before he could finish, Lizzie's hands snatched onto the ring. Ciel's dark blue eyes widened in shock as his fiancé took hold of the precious ring
"Ha! Fooled you!" Lizzie said proudly, waving the blue ring up into the air "It's mine now!"
"Lizzie!"
"This is far too big for you! The one I bought will fit perfectly. Just put it on, and..."
"Give it back!" Ciel yelled, with anger within his eyes "Give me that ring, now, Elizabeth"
That anger, that rage was unmistakable to Lizzie. It was as clear as day. And she didn't understand why
"Wh-Why are you so angry at me? I just... wanted..." Her voice began to tremble "What's wrong...? I just wanted to make everything look adorable, that's all...So why... why are you so angry?!"
"I hate this ring! Take it!"
It all happened so quickly. As tears began to fall from Lizzie's emerald eyes, she threw down the ring so violently, it looked as though she was punching her way out of a terrible situation. Ciel watched as his precious ring slammed against the floor. It shatter right on impact, the metal flew, and the brilliant blue gem cracked into tiny pieces. It looked like the sad night sky was dumped onto the floor.
Ciel's eyes went absolutely wild, nothing that Lizzie ever saw in her fiancée. Nothing that she never thought she would see. Dewey gasped as the young master sinisterly raised his palm. She knew what was coming next.
"Eve!" She shouted "Sto-"
Before she finished, the black haired butler delicately, yet forcefully latched onto Ciel's deadly hand. He could feel the glare of disappointment from Sebastian burning through his skull.
"Master..." He muttered in a sickly sweet tone. Instead of an open palm, Sebastian shoved a small, wooden cane into the young earl's hand "You forgot the walking stick we went to so much trouble to get"
As Ciel began to recollect himself, his butler bowed in apology "Forgive my master, Lady Elizabeth, but that ring was something very important to him. It's a precious heirloom passed down to the head of the Phantomhive family. He's grown quite attached to it; it's truly one-of-a-kind. Please try to understand why this upset him.
"I-It was that important... and I just destroyed it?" Lizzie mumbled in shock. Tara bean to fall from her normally happy, joyful eyes "Oh Ciel, please, I..."
She watched as the young Earl picked up the broken ring with hesitation. His eyes were absolutely blank to the blond girl, like he didn't have a thought in his head. In one swift movement, he carelessly tossed the ring out the window.
"Ciel, wait, what are you doing?!" She exclaimed in shock. She rushed over to the window, as though the ring would come flying back right at her.
"It doesn't matter. It was nothing but an old ring after all. Even without it..." Ciel set his eyes in determination, surprising even his well fit butler "I'm still the head of the Phantomhives, and that won't change!"
As Lizzie sped uncontrollably in the corner, Ciel sighed and picked out a pure white handkerchief from his breast pocket.
"How long are you going to cry?" The young master replied in what sounded like annoyance. It was enough to rattle Dewey's bones, however.
"I-I'm so sorry..." Lizzie panted in between her sobs.
"Your face is a mess, completely unsuitable for a lady" Ciel carefully wiped away her innocent tears, streaking them across with his now tarnished handkerchief. He wiped away her runny nose, her vivid tears, and her absolute sadness. He didn't care that much that he actually used to handkerchief on the crying girl. Material items weren't of much value to him. The girl was his fiancée, of course. "How could I possibly ask a lady with a runny nose and puffy eyes to dance?"
Lizzie snapped her head up in complete shock. Instead of his angry demeanor, she was met with a kind smile and an inviting hand "To dance?"
The sound of a sweet strumming violin pleasantly went through the air, encapsulating all ears in the room. It sounded light and dainty, like a song dedicated to angels. Dewey quickly glanced through the room, and found that the source of the song was not from an innocent one, but rather from the Phantomhive butler. Dewey thought the butler looked as though he was enjoying himself, but Eve knew better than that. It was simply his duty.
"Oh, A musician as well, I see?" Eve whispered in a sweet, buttery tone "You seem to have many skills for a butler"
Sebastian simply kept his sharp grin on his face "A Phantomhive butler who couldn't do this much is not worth his salt"
"The Phantomhive name holds a high standard then..." Eve said with a spark of interest in her voice.
"He's incredible!" Mey-Rin said in absolute amazement, captivated by Sebastian instrumental work.
"He plays the violin. Is there anything he can't do?" Finny replied.
"Ah, I'll join him!" Grell immediately rushing the butlers side in excitement. Closing his eyes, he let out a deep, throaty tune that seemed to fit perfectly with the violin work. It was almost as captivating as it was shocking
"What the hell?!" Bard shouted in utter surprise "He can actually sing?!"
"So then, we are agreed?" Ciel said with a soft tone "We'll forget our cares and dance the night away. It's decided"
Lizzie could hardly contain her excitement. Her brilliant green eyes lit up once again, setting her face a glow. Dewey had seen her happy, but not quite this happy. She was practically the sun.
"Yes!" The blond girl exclaimed, taking hold of the young Earl's hand.
They began to circle around each other under to glowing chandelier and under the sweet violin. It was like the two were entirely encapsulated by nothing more than the music and each other's movements. It was almost like innocence. Dewey brought a small, hidden smile to her face.
Even with all the joy and happiness around, it still felt forced to the young Viscountess. Like the young Earl's own weak smile.
"Don't worry. I'll make sure she gets home safely. You can count on me" Grell proudly said, as he stood next to the carriage. A heavy blanket of darkness resided over the large manor, with nothing more than a line of candles to softly glow and expose the path. Lizzie slept soundly inside, curled up with a smile plastered over her small face. She didn't remember a time when she had so much fun. It almost seemed like ages since she's had a real, treat of a time.
"Are you sure?" Sebastian asked in doubt, knowing the other butlers track record a little too well.
"We could escort her instead" Eve pointed out. She earned a simple shake of the head as a response.
"A lovely offer, but I must decline. I'm more deadly efficient than I appear~" Grell sang "Thank you so much, Sebastian. I'm in your debt, you've taught a lot about what it means to be a butler! They say that before a person dies, his life flashes before I know that when I see the light of death, this momentous evening is what will appear to me in my dying vision"
"Hmm, interesting that you would say that" the black haired butler replied, with hidden suspicious in his voice
"That's true" Mey-Rin chuckled "He hasn't been very good at dying so far, has he?"
"Hohohoho..." Tanaka obliviously agreed.
As the carriage disappeared into the distance, Eve rolled up soon after in her young masters own carriage. Ciel was a bit surprised he never even saw the hidden carriage, but Sebastian didn't seemed as fazed. In fact, it was like he expected it.
Dewey sent a blank stare towards Ciel, and sent him a slight nod "I am pleased to know that Lizzie had quite an enjoyable time with you"
"That is what this day was all about, I suppose" The young master responded, almost with what seemed to be at an attempt at a shrug.
She frowned "I've only known Lizzie for a little over a year, but I know she prides herself on making others happy"
"Even if her methods are completely unorthodox..."
"Indeed..." The blood eyed girl mumbled.
Right as Eve came to her side, Dewey was carefully lifted into the carriage, her dainty white parasol in hand. She simply set the parasol on the seat opposite of her, and rested onto the cushion.
Eve briefly sniffed the air, but froze. Something smelled...familiar. Like that disgusting stench. She quickly glanced around, but with her dulled sense from the perfume that seemed to fill the manor, she shrugged it off. It was probably just her.
"It was a pleasure meeting you Earl Phantomhive, even under the circumstances" Dewey put on a warm, yet stretched smile.
Ciel nodded, and put on a nice, yet incredibly forced smile of his own "Likewise. Perhaps we will see eachother again soon"
"Perhaps"
With a light tap of the wall of the carriage, the white haired girl firmly closed the door shut, causing the carriage to slowly roll away. She put on her own little show like she walks did when she visited an estate. She put on a joyous smile on her face and waved, until the Phantomhive faces disappeared into the darkness. Once the last pale face was engulfed in black, she wiped the smile from her face, placed her hand firmly down, and swiftly pulled the curtain closed.
With a sigh, she blankly stared at the seat in front of her. Her blood red eyes seemed to burn a hole right through the cushion, out of what looked like boredom. On the contrary, it was only out of wavering thought.
That Phantomhive Earl. He was certainly a curious one. It looked like he tried to act as mature as he could be, even for such a young boy. Considering she knew his parents were nowhere to be found, it seemed like a natural response. He just seemed to take it farther than others. She hasn't met many others who lost their family members before, but it looked as though Ciel was only attempting stretch that maturity as far as he could take it. Even if it meant slipping up, like he almost did today by raising his palm towards Lizzie.
Dewey lightly chuckled. She knew it was a bad habit to dwell on such vague things. It wasn't like they would really ever see eachother again. He was just a child, that's all. Just like herself.
As the carriage moved on deep into the forest, the door suddenly flew open. Like the wind, the ocean eyed woman gracefully slipped into the speeding carriage. She carefully adjusted her large, gleaming bun before she shut the door, causing a large wave of air to violently blow against the white haired viscountess.
"Just remember when we arrive in London," Dewey warned, as she carefully brushed her hair back into place "To at least look as though you're driving the carriage. I don't want to raise suspicion"
Eve replied with a small smile and tilted her head "I am not one to forget. I wouldn't want to start a rumor, now would I? Now, off to your appointment?"
Dewey responded with a yawn, but still nodded nonetheless "Of course"
The night seemed to pass in a breeze. Even as the two arrived in London, the streets were as empty as ever, with a few men with flasks that sat at street corners, and a couple of prostitutes eagerly searching out for their next paycheck. All their faces were drowned in the darkness, with not even a street lamp to shine onto them.
With a light click, Dewey snapped out of her dull tiredness and glanced outside. Her view was taken by a small brick building nestled in between two other dull tall ones. She sighed in relief.
Eve lifted her down from the carriage, and opened the squeaky door, in obvious need of repair. She quickly glanced around the entrance, but found the front to be unattended. Sighing, she walked up to the large desk, and pulled open the draw. Seconds later, she pulled out a small, unassuming key, marked with the number 9 at its handle.
With a flick of her head, Eve took the key from her hand. The two then began to walk down a large, wooden hall, with only a few candles set on tables to light it up. Dewey walked and walked, until she found her room.
9, The sign plastered on the door read. With the correct room, Eve carefully jammed the key inside, and clicked it open. Dropping the key into her pocket, she slowly opened the door for her young master.
Although Dewey entered with seemed calmness and confidence, she couldn't help but feel a tad anxious.
The white haired teen scanned the small, unassuming room, until her eyes set onto the small, yet elegant bed tucked into the corner of the room. Instead of a nicely, empty bed, a large figure laid on top, blissfully asleep.
"I should have known..." Dewey whispered with a small smile. Eve pulled her up a chair, and planned it next to the figure's bed.
The figure, with soft, pale features revealed nothing more than a resting woman. Her dark brown eyes were hidden by her eyelids, as well as her short, thin eyelashes. Her glistening white hair fell along her face, yet was parted in the middle as too keep it away from her face. This wasn't just any woman she chose to visit. She had to be worth her time.
"Mother..."
Dun, dun, duuuun! A little bit of of a twist there! I was really contemplating whether I should keep Dewey's parents alive or not, so I kinda met in the middle. I thought it would be something different and interesting to tie in.
And she meet Ciel! So that's nice too. It was interesting for me to write their reactions towards one another, but not as hard as Sebastian and Eve was. Anyways, thank you to all you followed and favorited. What do you think of Eve and Dewey so far? Do they fit in well? Are they Mary-sue in anyway? Constructive criticism is always welcome.
I hope you enjoyed!
- X-Xepher-X