Two weeks had past since then and, as promised, Enobria had informed Ciel Phantomhive that Isabelle had accepted his invitation to dinner.
And the day had arrived for their formal meeting.
Isabelle, having finally gotten over her cold, readying herself in a corseted, floor-length, burgundy dress. She adjusted her white gloves and locket dangling over her neck carefully. She twirled a fine curl over her finger before releasing it, the ringlet bouncing back into place with the rest of the simply perfect curls.
"Alright," Isabelle called, moving away from the mirror before her, "I'm ready… I think."
Enobria nodded, dressed in her best black dress. She was more than prepared to represent her Lady's family name to the best of her ability.
Her maid bowed her head before opening her bedroom door, Isabelle stepping over in her black, high heeled boots. Isabelle nervously ran her gloved hand over her bangs, pinned back out of her face.
"Do I look like I am trying to hard?" Isabelle asked, glancing back at Enobria as they headed to the foyer to wait.
"You look fine, my Lady," Enobria said, smiling reassuringly, "you're stunning really."
Isabelle nodded slowly, setting a hand over her chest. She took a deep breathing and felt the racing of her heart. Why is my heart beating so fast?
She opened her eyes when a knock at the door emanated in the hall. She tensed and held her breath, glancing at Enobria who nodded knowingly. The maid casually went to the door, bowing as she opened it. And there he stood.
Ciel Phantomhive, dressed in a black, red, and burgundy suit.
Both froze.
They both matched. Almost like a couple.
Their jaws both dropped as they stuttered in confusion and then anger. But there was nothing they could do now.
Ciel was the first to contain himself, glancing Isabelle up and down as she stood at just about his height. A bright blush flushed his cheeks red as he averted his gaze politely, mumbling under his breath.
"Y-you… look… I mean it's… an improvement from how you looked two weeks ago." he muttered, adjusting his bowtie nervously.
Even though it wasn't nearly the best compliment she'd ever received, it still made her heart race. Her breathing hitched some as she nodded, staring back at him. They both stared at each other, dumbfounded like love struck children.
It was only until Sebastian cleared his throat did they both snap out of it. The butler bowed politely to the girls before gesturing to the door.
"Shall we be off, maladies?" he cooed, tilting his head as a few strands of his bangs fell over his eyes. The butler and his master alike were both stunning in every sense of the word. However, Enobria was the only one not falling for the seductive atmosphere as she simply nodded and exited to the carriage to prepare it for her mistress.
Sebastian followed the maid outside as Ciel cleared his throat. He offered his arm to Isabelle. She tensed some and blushed, hesitantly taking it as they both seemed to freeze. And time with them.
It was Enobria who broke the silence, snapping them back to reality as Ciel nodded to her call, leading Isabelle outside. She kept her hand over her chest worriedly.
It's beating. So very fast…
It was off to the city the minute both earl's were in the carriage. London was their destination, at at the heart of the shopping district downtown on a cold November dusk, The Edison was filling with customers of the dinner rush.
It was a striking building that stood out from the other's with a unique steampunk fashion to it, decorated with steel and iron details like balconies on the long windows and metallic accenting.
The Edison truly stood out among the other restaurants and cafes as if was also far more crowded with carriages parked all along the sidewalks with people of higher classes filtering in with wallets as big as their intentions.
And Isabelle and Ciel were among them.
Enobria and Sebastian both took turns helping their master's out of the carriage. Isabelle gazed in awe at the building as the butler and maid ushered them toward the door, a line pouring out the door.
Isabelle chewed her lip, "it looks awfully crowded…" she breathed, glancing at Ciel as she held his stifled a small chuckle at the remark and Isabelle glanced up at him, "now what's so funny?"
"We've got reservations here. Don't be daft- we won't be waiting in any line." he stated with a smirk. Isabelle blinked twice in surprise before breathing out a laugh with alright then sliding past her lips as he continued inside past the line of agitated noblemen and women alike.
The inside was far more grand that the outside. Circle tables with wine red, satin tablecloths were adorned with smokey steel candle stands and were accompanied by a single white rose in a corresponding vase of similar design to the stand. The gothic style carried out everywhere. It was simply exquisite.
Isabelle's internal awe was reflected through her face as it lit up. What a grand place! she thought, smiling brightly, almost like a child at play.
When Ciel took notice, he laughed and, in return, Isabelle gave his arm a playful smack. That's when they were seated at one of the tables, the butler acting at their server lighting the candle stand steadily. He then excused himself after presenting them both with water.
"This place is far too fancy to invite a mere acquaintance to." Isabelle breathed, looking around as she daintily sipped her water.
Ciel hummed, "I suppose. But I also wanted an excuse to check it out and didn't exactly what to invite my fiance either. So this worked out in my favor for the most part."
Isabelle nodded slowly as she fixed her skirt but suddenly choked up her water.
"F-Fiance?!" she shouted, several people turning to expect an engagement. But Ciel waved them off and nodded to Isabelle, adjusting his ring.
"Yes. I'm engaged- but this isn't anything serious. We're not even friends when you really consider everything. We've possibly known each other a whole month." he continued, running his gloved hand through his navy hair.
He is right but… Isabelle narrowed her eyes and finally brushed it off. Fiance…
Just as they each fell quiet, their server returned, notepad in hand as he bowed before taking their orders.
Roasted and smoked meats, the finest of desserts, freshest of ingredients, breads, cheeses, seafood, vegetables and fruits. Everything was available to them. As expected of the best restaurant in town.
It was a struggle for Isabelle to pick something quaint.
Ciel glanced her up and down as she stuttered about. Her etiquette was all off. Elbows on the table, legs crossed, slouching. He clicked his tongue in annoyance, straightening his own posture as he ordered, eloquent and well spoken.
Only when the server left did Ciel mention it.
"Did you ever take lessons in etiquette Lady Isabelle?" he asked bluntly, an eyebrow raised in question.
Isabelle choked on her water again before scowling, "e-excuse me?!"
He nodded, not acknowledging just how offended she was, "your posture is off and your manners are horrendous" he continued, waving a finger at her.
Isabelle's jaw dropped in surprise, "well what kind of gentlemen harrasses a woman in his company?" she hissed.
Ciel scoffed, "I-I'm not harassing you! I was simply... judging you."
Now it was on. Isabelle was ready to really let him have it, but the reappearance of the server stopped her. They both exhaled and straightened up. The tension was growing and the dinner was going to be ruined at this rate.
Isabelle sighed, urging herself to calm down and just enjoy the food as she lifted her fork daintily, now very subconscious of what she was doing and how she looked doing it.
Delicious she thought, blushing as she chewed her food absolutely delicious! The slow cooked meat of her choice melted on her tongue as she attempted to take small bites. Flavors of all kinds washed over her tongue in an array of perfection.
A stupid grin crossed her face and Ciel's expression softened at the sight. I should apologize later… he thought, enjoying his own meal. However, the atmosphere remained tense and silent.
But suddenly it hit her.
Isabelle's stomach dropped as she chewed the meat. Revolting she thought, gulping it's such a strange taste- a meat I've never tasted before. The meat was lean but fell apart when softened like turkey.
She stood. Revolting. She retched and gripped the tablecloth. It was a taste she recognized, nothing short of disgusting. And such a popular restaurant was serving it on a silver platter.
She gulped and shook and looked up to meet Ciel's worried gaze as he too stood from his seat. He immediately came to her side just as she puked up her dish. People gasped and watched in horror as she fell limp from the waist up, coughing and gasping as she voided more and more of her stomach.
Enobria was immediately behind her and clasped her hand over her mistress's mouth, sealing her mouth tight as she pulled Isabelle's head back to her height. Enobria cooed in her ear, "calm down," she said, "that's quite enough."
Sebastian had joined his worried master and several of the servers and even management rushed over to Isabelle's aid as she slowly calmed, her shoulders trembling under the sleeves of her winter dress.
Revolting. How can they…? she thought. But there was no point in revealing it just yet. No one would believe her.
People whispered and murmured her name as it was Ciel who helped her to the wash rooms. He slipped into the women's room and helped her clean herself before he finally sighed.
"That was quite a performance." he teased, wiping her mouth sweetly with his handkerchief, "and you looked so satisfied with the food too. Seems like a waste- what happened?"
"Th-the meat they gave us!" she shouted, making him pull away in surprise.
"What about it?" Ciel asked, eye narrowing as he waited. But instead she turned, putting her hand to her chin.
"This is just what I can do to redeem myself…" she muttered, rubbing her jaw.
"Redeem yourself? To whom- the Queen?" Ciel asked, but, yet again he didn't get an answer as Isabelle continued to think aloud to herself. Finally, he blurted out, "what the hell are you talking about?!"
"A new case." Isabelle finally responded, turning to face him, her glazed gaze serious and directed right into his eye.
"Case…?" he repeated, "what for? This restaurant?"
"Yes. I have to find a way to prove it though. Please… Earl Phantomhive… help me." she pleaded, taking his hands. He blushed in surprise and looked down at her. Without thinking, he nodded. Isabelle's gaze softened and she nodded as she released him.
Ciel then cleared his throat, "b-but what exactly is it that you want to prove about this place?" he asked somewhat curiously.
Isabelle narrowed her eyes, a serious tension building up before his question was finally answered.
"I want to prove that what I just ate was, indeed, not a cow nor pig. But a dog."
Eating cats and dogs? Not in Victorian England you don't! XD Well, their date didn't go quite as planned but who expected it to? Tensions are still tight. Wonder how that'll work out... Anyways I hope you all enjoyed this chapter!
Stay creative my friends~