Chapter 10:
Ciel's P.O.V.
One week after the engagement party, everything is still messy. But all I want now is Aria. My deepest desire is to have the girl I love and I am happy to hear from her that she loves me. Now I have more reasons to get her back though she's never mine.
"You are in good mood, young master?" Finny asked
"Am I? Well something great happened to me." I replied
"Since the day you have returned to the engagement party, you seemed well." Finny said
"I know." I replied
"Young master, sorry to disturb you but I have heard that Lord Arthur is going to Weston College." Sebastian said
"Weston College?" I asked
"Yes." Sebastian said
"What business he has there?" I asked
"As far as I know, he is visiting a cousin." Sebastian replied
"Cousin? Who?" I asked
"As far as I know, it was Keith Hofmann, heir to Hofmann family and Lady Aria's elder brother." Sebastian said
"Aria had a brother?" I asked
"Yes, I have heard it from her maid Mimi." Sebastian replied
"I don't care about in anyways." I said
"I see, so I think I shall not tell you about this." Sebastian replied with a smirk
"What is it?" I eyed him curiously
"I thought you don't care." Sebastian said
"Tell me now!" I said impatiently
"Well, Lady Aria might come here because her grandfather wants you to teach her about business." Sebastian said
"When is she arriving?" I asked
"This afternoon." Sebastian said
I went back to my study and prepare myself. This sounds fun. I have a little play time with Aria. As I start signing some papers, Soma comes inside with a beamy smile.
"I heard she's coming!" Soma said
"Yes so you must behave properly." I replied
Afternoon comes and I wait for her in the door. I was surprised to see Lau and Ran-mao coming out from Aria's carriage. What business does Lau have with me?
"Hi earl." Lau said
"What are you doing here?" I asked
"Just visiting." He replied
I turned my gaze to Aria and it is clearly seen that she dislikes being here. I come nearer to her and offered my hand and she takes it carefully.
"I am expecting for your arrival." I said
"It is only for business, Earl Phantomhive." Aria said
"I know. No more than that." I replied
"Good." Aria replied
"Please come in." I said as we walk inside
As we go to the study, Aria's eyes grew wider. I look at her and maybe she had seen the withered roses in my desk.
"Is that?" Aria looks at me
"Yes." I replied
"Why are you still keeping that?" she asked
"Because I want to be challenged. Those roses get tired in waiting for you but I will never be like them." I said
"Ciel… you still don't have the plan to give up?" she asked
"Never." I replied
"Well then, I think I shall play along with you." She said
"Do what you like." I replied
"Is that so?" she said
"Yes." I replied
"Well, I want to play chess with you." She said as she walks away from me
Honestly, I thought she's going to kiss me or what but she only wants to play chess. I look at her oddly and smirk.
"Are you not going to play?" she asked innocently
"Let us start this little game. So what's your bet?" I asked
"Bet? I thought chess is a game that doesn't need a bet." Aria said
"Well to make our game more interesting a bet is a good thing." I said
"Fine, let me first hear your bet." Aria replied
"To be straight, if I win you'll kiss me." I said
"Fine, but if I win, you'll be my servant." Aria said
"So where are we going to play this game?" I asked
"Somewhere with audience." Aria replied
Like what she had said, we are going to play chess in front of audience. Even though they are only audience they also place their bet on who will win.
"Ready to lose Aria?" I asked
"No, I will never ever grant you one." Aria said
"Let's see." I said
We start playing chess like we had done before. I know I can beat Aria because I beat her once. And it looks like luck is with me right now. I think a little teasing will do to make this more interesting.
"I think I am going to win." I said
"Never." Aria said as she eyed me
"Well, it is quite clear on the status of this game." I said
"Just shut up." Aria said
"Shutting up is not enough to win over me, girlie." I said giving emphasis to the word girlie
"Girlie!? Who says I'm girlie! I will prove you Phantomhive that I am not a girlie!" Aria said
And she's right. I now regret calling her girlie for she is now close to winning. She had turned this game according to her own pace. I look at her and I must make a move right now. But no matter what I do, she always had this 'plan'.
"Checkmate…" Aria said smiling sweetly to me
"Impossible! How can you do that!?" I asked
"You have insulted me." I replied
"Insulted you?" I asked
"You called me girlie and my winning is the payback." Aria said
"Fine!" I said
"If you want to win, never call me girlie." Aria said
"I will be your servant." I replied
"Well, as my manservant, I want you to make me a cup of tea without anyone's help. And also serve your servants and your visitors." Aria said
"But that's too much!" I said
"I win, remember? I am your master so follow my orders, for this next 24 hours." Aria said
"You will enjoy it aren't you?" I asked
"Of course, until to the last second." Aria said
It is not the way I want it to be like. I now learned a lesson that never plays dirty to Aria Hofmann if you don't like to suffer in a bittersweet way.
When I come back, I saw Aria watching Lau and the others playing poker. I glared at them. What are they doing in front of Aria? They are playing a dirty game.
"I'm sorry Earl." Lau said sheepishly
"Why are you saying sorry, Mr. Lau?" Aria asked
"Don't mind it little lady." Lau said
"Here's your tea." I said
"Is it Earl Grey?" Aria asked
"Yes." I replied
"You know Ciel; you will make a fine butler." Aria said
"Butler!? Take that back or else…" I said
"Or else?" Aria asked innocently
"Or else you will expect me inside your room tonight." I said
"That will be so great! Thank you for reminding Ciel, I want to change the withered flowers there." Aria said
Everyone laughs at Aria's statement. I don't know why but I think Aria is winning in our little game. Well, let's see. I might turn this on my advancement.
Evening comes early and Sebastian had prepared the dinner. Thanks God, Aria isn't asking me to do weird stuffs. Sebastian called Aria in her room and the rest is already here. When I saw Aria coming, she sits down on my left side and we started eating. This girl, I can now feel what Arthur is feeling, protecting the most valuable person in his life.
"Earl, are you thinking of something?" Aria asked out of the blue
"No, please continue eating and call me Ciel." I replied
"I see." Aria replied
Sometimes I don't get why there are times she is calling me Ciel and sometimes Earl. I think I must look at the brighter side.
"Lady Aria, may I ask what your relationship with the Earl is?" Lau asked
"Me? Well, we are friends." Aria replied simply
"Friends? Why does the Earl always get flustered when you're around?" Lau asked again
"I don't know. Maybe it's natural because I'm a girl and he's a boy, though we're friends we are opposite in gender." Aria replied
"I see. I was thinking that the Earl likes you." Lau said
"We actually like each other but as friends, right Ciel?" Aria replied and looks at me
"Yes. But, you know we are not that kind of friends you are thinking, we can be called more than friends." I replied
"Oh… that was quite interesting." Lau replied and we continue eating
After dinner, everything went well. Aria as usual goes to her room earlier than anyone else here. I go to my study and pull out a small velvet box. This box contains happiness to every girl and I want to give that happiness to Aria. I decided to go to her room so I can talk to her but talking is much boring so I might tease her a little.
I knock at the door and it reveals an Aria lying in the bed staring blankly at the ceiling. She is always weird.
"What are you doing here?" Aria asked
"It's obvious, I want something from you." I replied
"I don't have what you want." Aria said while blushing furiously
"Aria, don't try to hide it. It is with you." I said
I come closer to Aria and for heaven's sake; she's wearing her night gown. Aria move backwards as I crawl to her bed. Her eyes are wide and she's still blushing wildly. While our faces are inches apart, I suddenly feel pain in my face and I am now sitting on the ground rubbing my nose.
"Ciel, are you alright?" Aria asked
"Why did you do that?" I asked
"Then why did you that?" she replied
"I'm only teasing you." I replied
"Well, it goes wrong." Aria said
"Because you kick me square to the face." I replied
"It's your fault idiot." Aria said
"You're the idiot one." I replied
"Pervert!" Aria yelled
She's so tough! I stand up in front of her while she's sitting on the corner of the bed. She looks at me oddly while I kneel down. Her eyes widen at my sudden action. Her eyes grew wider than before when I kiss her pale bare foot.
"C-Ciel what are you…"
"My queen, let me, your faithful servant serves you with all my heart." I said
She suddenly stands up and goes farther away from me. It's my chance now. I walk nearer to her and held out the small box I am keeping. I open it and she was shocked on its content.
"Ciel… are you…" Aria said not sure what to say
"I am. This ring, will be yours when the time I get you." I said
"Are you crazy? Lizzy must have that not me." Aria said
"Lizzy? Are you trying to make me laugh?" I said
"I'm not making you laugh. I'm only telling the truth." Aria said
"Aria Hofmann, you are really such a weird girl." I said
Aria looks at me dumbly. I laugh at her expression while she stares at me dumbfounded. I can't imagine that this girl would have successfully made me laugh truly to my heart's content.
"Is there something funny?" Aria asked
"You…" I replied
She pouts and hits me with the pillow she's hugging. I laugh while she's hitting and her face is so adorable. She continues hitting me until she got tired. She walks to the bed and sit.
"You're done?" I said teasing her a little
"What do you mean?" she asked
"If you're done, then it's my turn." I replied
"Your turn?" Aria asked innocently
"You look so innocent, no matter why Arthur holds you dearly." I said
"Ciel…" she said and her gaze softens
"I know that you don't see how much effort I am doing to gain your attention and sometimes it always failed." I said
"Non- sense!" Aria said
"Aria…"
"Of course I know your efforts. You should not tell that. If you want me to love you wholeheartedly then learn to love yourself. And if you know how to do that, come back to me." Aria said as she pulled me in an embrace
This girl, she's warm. Her embrace, I feel like staying here. I look at her and her eyes are the prettiest thing I have ever seen. It feels like that I am in heaven when I'm with her.
"Promise me one thing." I said
"What is it? Just don't ask me to wait for you for too long." Aria said
"Promise me that you will remain by my side no matter what happens." I said
"Sure thing, Ciel." She replied sweetly
"This is a selfish wish but can you love me for once and let me love you forever." I said
"That one is a hard thing to do. If you are on my place, being stuck with two people whom I hold dearly choosing is hard. But I will try." Aria replied
"Aria, please. Love me for once and I will take care of the rest. I know I only want you by myself and it sounds so greedy. Please do love me before my love for you turns into my own madness." I said
I suddenly felt warm lips on mine. The kiss was short but it's full of emotions. Aria is looking dead serious. Her eyes are full of determination. Is this another side of her?
"You will not go mad Ciel! I will do anything to prevent that." Aria said
"But the only cure is you." I said
"I know. But you know there's nothing impossible as long as you believe. I believe that you will not go mad." Aria said
"You sure are full of hope Aria. Well let us see the results after this game ends." I said
I was about to leave her room when I feel Aria's arms around me. She buries her face in my back. I just realize that I was a head taller than her even though I have seen her bare footed.
"Ciel… please don't go into madness… please, do it for me…" Aria said between sobs
"I promise." I said as she releases me
When I face her, I saw her arms reaching for me; her feet tiptoed and kiss me. I pulled her closely to me. I just don't want to let go. This kiss is wilder than before. We are fighting for dominance and I am winning. I hope this will go far but I am wrong. She had pulled away.
"Good night." Aria said smiling and she closed the door
"Good night." I replied and then lean on the door
I hold my lips. Hers are pretty warm. I was just about to go back to my study when I saw Sebastian smirking at me.
"What do you want?" I asked
"I see that's a wild kiss." Sebastian said
"What are you talking about?" I asked
"Nothing, but I know that you know what I am talking about." Sebastian said
"Leave me alone."
I stomped my way to my study. I hate when Sebastian knows anything. He is really one hell of a butler or one hell of an eavesdropper.