Warning this chapter contains a song. Instead of paraphrasing the song i just put it in the story. Now it is time to answer the reviews
p3paula: Thanks for all the reviews. I'm glad you find the story interesting.
iHiatus and CriMsonxLadY: Yes, the story is depressing and its about to get even more so.
And don't worry! Her revenge will come soon, but you have to survive the next few chapters. Have Fun and on to the story
Mother and Lady Longwood hosted a third dinner party in honor of our engagement. This one was for all of London. Nearly every noble family was invited even the Queen, although that was more of a formality than anything else. It was held at the Longwood manor because the manor itself was bigger, whereas the Howsham manor had more extensive gardens. Mother took care of the guests, pairing the gentlemen with the ladies and their seating arrangements. Lady Longwood decorated the parlor and dining room with fall colors. Together they decided on a menu to suit the multitude of guests.
We gathered in the parlor and paired off with our dinner partners. We entered the dining room and were greeted with a rich setting of red and gold. Before dinner commenced, Alan and I were introduced as a newly engaged we were introduced, my father gave a toast saying how wonderful and beautiful his daughter was and how lucky Alan was to have found someone like me. He spewed complete bullshit and received applause for his fatherly blessings.
After the toast, the servants brought forth menus for the guests to choose their food from. The selection was even more extravagant than the food served to the families.
First Course
Vermicelli Soup**Duchess Soup
Second course
Trout**Lobster Rissoles**Broiled Salmon
Turbot in Lobster Sauce**Filet de Soles**Whitebait
Entrée
Roast Quarter of Lamb**Canards a la Rouennaise
Mutton Cutlets**Braised Beef
Third course
Green Peas**Compote of Cherries**Quails
Neapolitan Cakes**Gooseberry Fool
Once dinner finished the men and women separated, men to drink their beer and women to drink their tea. After a while the men came into the parlor and everyone separated into their little groups.
As a couple we traveled among the various groups of guests accepting good wishes and answering questions. The thing that seemed to worry people the most was the date of our union.
"But aren't you worried? Surely you've heard the rhyme, 'Marry in May and rue the day'?"
I replied to that question. "I don't believe in superstitions. I love the month of May."
"And what about Friday? 'Friday for losses' remember?"
"There is no reason to believe in the superstitions. And we are going to prove that by marrying on the thirteenth."
"Friday the Thirteenth? That is even more unlucky." I left Alan to deal with them, and wandered around listening to the other guests.
"Such a cute couple."
"How fortunate for you, your son finally found a bride."
"Now both Howsham daughters are adults. I remember when Anya was no taller than my knee."
"Did you see her ring?"
The inane conversations ranged all over. So many voices, so many questions, I couldn't take anymore. I fled from the room and wandered the halls of the otherwise silent manor.
-#$#-
As I wandered the halls, I looked into the various rooms to see what was in them. Some were locked and others were only sitting rooms. I finally came across a room that was empty save for an object covered by a sheet. The cloth was covered in layers of dust, as if it had been there for years. I slid the sheet off and revealed a glossy black grand piano.
I ran my hand down the side of such a pristine instrument. How could anyone hide this treasure away? Then I remembered what Alan had said. ~~My father would play the piano every night for Mother and me. When he died, she had the servants remove the piano from the den and place it somewhere where she couldn't see. ~~
I opened the piano up and examined the strings and the hammers. Everything seems to be in working condition. I played a few keys, the angelic resonance sounded as if it had been tuned yesterday. I sat down and began to play. Clearing my mind of all my emotions, they spilled out onto the black and white keys: pain, sadness, abandonment, fear, and loss. Words formed in my mind, and I whispered them, filling the music with an even deeper meaning.
You lie silent there before me
Your tears they mean nothing to me
The wind howling at the window
The Love you never gave
I give to you
Really don't deserve it
But now there's nothing you can do
So sleep in your only memory of me
My dearest mother
Here's a lullaby to close your eyes (goodbye)
It was always you that I despised
I don't feel enough for you to cry (oh well)
Here's a lullaby to close your eyes (goodbye)
Goodbye...
Goodbye...
So insignificant
Sleeping dormant deep inside of me
Are you hiding away lost
Under the sewers
Maybe flying high in the clouds
Perhaps you're happy without me
So many seeds have been sown in the field
And who could sprout up so blessedly
If I had died
I would have never felt sad at all
You will not hear me say I'm sorry
Where is the light
I wonder if it's weeping somewhere
Here's a lullaby to close your eyes (goodbye)
It was always you that I despised
I don't feel enough for you to cry (oh well)
Here's a lullaby to close your eyes (goodbye)
Goodbye...
Goodbye...
I didn't realize anyone was listening until a heard a light clapping coming from the parlor entrance. I turned and saw Ciel, Sebastian, and Thomas. "That was very beautiful, Lady Natasha. You certainly have a talent for the piano, not to mention singing."
"Thank you, my Lord. However I am not perfect."
"You speak English and Russian fluently; you dance as if you were grace itself; you can play chess, the piano, and sing. Are you sure you're not perfect?"
"I can't sew, speak French, or even arrange flowers. According to my family that makes me far from perfect." I turned to face Ciel, to stop myself from brooding again, "May I ask what you are doing here, instead of at the party?"
"I should probably as you the same thing. But to answer your question, I was about to leave to escort Lizzy home."
"Well, thank you for coming. I hope you'll be able to attend the wedding. It should prove to be a most interesting event."
"I look forward to it. Good evening." With that, Ciel left with Sebastian.
I looked over at my butler, "And what are you scribbling in that notebook?"
"I was writing down the music and the lyrics of the song you just played. With a few tweaks and a few extra instruments, it may prove to be a profitable song."
"You're dreaming."I played another chord and my mother found me.
"Natasha!" I hit a bad chord. "This is a dinner party for you and your fiancé. You should be in the other room greeting people and accepting their good wishes, not playing that god forsaken instrument."
"I was only practicing."
"Perhaps you should play for your fiancé and your guests instead of yourself." She gave me the look that meant no arguments.
"Yes, Mother." But, I'm not sure this will go over well with Lady Longwood.
She went back to the guests and announced that I would be playing a special piece on the piano for everyone. They came into the room and stood around the piano no doubt expecting a version of Mozart, Bach, or something of the like. Alan placed himself next to the piano, smiling encouragingly at me. He probably thinks I'm nervous about playing for others. He should have confidence in me.
Once everyone was settled, I started playing. I played a simple melody, chords and a small scale variation with despondent undertones, starting slow then gradually gaining momentum. Although there was no real preparation behind the song, it seemed to bring alive just how hopeless my future truly was…
When I finished, I turned and curtsied to the crowd. Everyone applauded, my mother and father nodded their heads, and Alan gave me another smile. Even Lady Longwood was smiling, but whether it was the piano being played once again or the fact her son was smiling I would never know. I scanned the faces of my audience. How many actually heard the message behind the music?
To hear the first song, go to this link. The song doesn't start right away; you have to wait about 50 seconds. www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=8xy1o69HeM8&feature=related
Here is the link for the song she plays for all of the guests. See if you can hear her message: www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=DfWA4A39vAc&p=0F663FA45A2DC0F2&index=6&feature=BF
Replace the (dot) with a . and you should be able to watch the videos.
Disclaimer: I do not own the concept of Kuroshitsuji, Ciel Phantomhive, Sebastian Michaelis, or Lady Elizabeth. They all belong to Toboso-san. The song "Room of Angel" belongs to Akira Yamaoka (1st song). The song "I saw Daddy today" belongs to Yann Tiersen (2nd song).
Claimer: I own Natasha, Thomas, and all of the other characters. The storyline is also mine.
