Chapter 36

A/N:Sorry it took so long! College just started and everything is so hectic! But this Friday is a public holiday so i might upload it then! My free time is getting shorter and shorter . Arggh... I hope you enjoy this chapter!

-Hayleyneko-

Cecilia's POV

I stared at myself in the mirror to see whether my makeup was in place. Everything seemed in order , all that is left is to actually go outside and great the guest. I must have practiced greeting like a thousand times yesterday night. Now I have to just go and do it face to face with a stranger. Easy right? It's just greeting someone , it shouldn't be that hard , right?

"Lady Cecilia?" A voice called out to me behind the door.
"Yes? Come in,'' I said in the most graceful voice I could do.

The door creaked open, revealing Prince who was neatly dressed in his fork-tailed coat .

"Are you ready? The guests are about to arrive," Prince said sounding a little impatient.
"Just another minute,'' I said as I took a final look at the mirror.
"You know, if you stare at the mirror any longer, it will break,'' Prince said cheekily.
"Why you!" I said rather angrily and stared at him with a piercing glare.

"Anyway, hurry up. It will get messy if one of the host is late ,'' Prince said while exiting the door.

I threw a pillow at the door with all my might. "Argghhh! So annoying. Stupid butler" I said glaring at the door.

"You must remember to be on your best behavior today , flat chest!" Prince said behind the door that was followed by laughter. I guess being annoying is one of his best traits. However, I do not feel anxious or nervous anymore. I guess that it is a good thing that he came into my room.

"*knock knock* Cece?Are you ready?" A delicate voice like a fairy asked me.
"Yes. Just a second,'' I said as I ran towards the door .

"You look beautiful , graceful and very elegant. Very much like a first class lady,'' Scar said as she sat down on the side of the bed.

"Really?" I said feeling slightly better. I really wanted to believe her words but somehow I just couldn't . The more I look at the mirror, the more horrible I felt . The feeling of disgust and nervousness in the pit of my stomach just won't go away.

"I hate it,'' I whispered softly but I think Scar heard it . She looked at me with her usual warm smile and hugged me from behind, giving me a sense of security.

"Don't worry. You look exactly like her,'' she said and then she exited her room .

"I look like her?" I said to myself as I laughed at my own reflection. How exactly am I like her? She was the wife of the former watchdog of the Queen. She was a gentle and extremely beautiful woman but she never put on any airs . She was truly a remarkable person .

Soon, Prince came to get me and then slowly, we headed to the ballroom where the party was headed. We waited for Scar and Ciel to come as we were supposed to be introduced at the same time. We did not wait for long but to me those few minutes seemed like decades. My heart began racing faster and faster as if it was going to pop out of my chest anytime.

Scar and Ciel came today escorted by Sebastian. Anyone who saw them may feel inferior as they were beautiful and talented like some king and queen from a fairytale. But underneath the façade is another story. One is a demon , the second is a evil nobleman and the other a vampire . They are hauntingly alluring like a black rose with deadly thorns.
Scar squeezed my hand with little strength to give me courage. I nodded my head at her and gave a awkward smile. It was now or never. I am not sure why I was so nervous anyway. It should be nothing. Even if I am scared, I must put a brave front because I am Cecilia Elvina Christine Elise Phantomhive , second child of Rachael and Vincent Phantomhive and a Lady of the Phantomhive household. I should stand tall and hold my head high with dignity and pride. I am after all , a lady with a good lineage.

As we walk down the stairs everybody clapped at us.
"Welcome everyone to the Phantomhive Manor!" Ciel said in a loud and clear voice .
"I am sure that all of you are waiting for the unveiling of the new project that we have been working on for the past few weeks." Scarlett said and the crowd grew impatient, some nodding and some whispering to each other. I could see Elfrieda and her obnoxious friends amongst the crowd . They were draped in beautiful silk dresses and they wore golden jewelries every place possible.

"Unfortunately we are not going to reveal it now , so please enjoy the party . We have prepared the finest champagne and some scrumptious food . Please be patient," Ciel said with a fake warm smile.

The guest moaned with disappointment but they soon forgot about it as they enjoy the party, dancing , socializing and gossiping .

"May I have this dance?" a man with stunning golden hair said as he bowed down to me. I nodded nervously and then he lead me the dance floor.

"You have very beautiful eyes,'' the man said with a warm smile. I once again nodded nervously and managed to say 'thank you' in a small voice. He was tall and lean. His hair reached his shoulders and it looked soft and silky. It was the first time I was complimented by such a handsome guy . Dancing with him was like a fairytale. I wished that time would not stop .

I could hear murmurs from Elfrieda and her friends . They walked over towards us and disrupted our dance. Elfrieda pouted and crossed her arms and then glared at me.

"Ashton! Didn't you promise me a dance?" Elfrieda said , her gaze did not leave my eyes.
"Did I ?" the man whose name I now knew replied in confusion.
"Yes you did! How could you forget your promise to Lady Elfrieda?" Elfrieda's nosy friends said in a rather loud voice.

"I see. I am rather parched . I will dance with you later . I promise,'' Ashton said with a sweet smile.
"Why can't w-" Ashton grabbed my wrist and started speed walking away from them . "Where are you taking me? Hey!" I said . Although I sounded mad, I was happy that we got away from those group of people. We ran towards the garden area where the roses smelt very sweet and enchanting.

We sat down on a bench which was a distance from the place where the party was held. My heart was racing faster and faster. He was just inches away from me and I could her him breathing.

"Sorry,'' he said with a cute smile that left me blushing. I waved my hands signaling that it was okay.
"I just needed to get away from them. I am not fond of crowds . I rather be alone with you,'' he said as he caressed my hair. He gently grabbed a lock of my hair , brought it to his lips and kissed it tenderly.

"I have never met a maiden like you. Your eyes, hair and voice. I love everything about you,'' He said softly .

My face was flushed and I felt faint from his words. No guy had ever said anything like that to me . It was a rather shocking experience. It was a good kind of shocking experience.

His face crept closer and closer . He closed his eyes and I could feel his breath . I closed my eyes and then when I thought his lips were going to touch mine, I felt something flying across the tiny gap in between our faces. I opened my eyes to see Ashton standing up and laughing at Prince who beside me showing a very angry face.

"What are you doing here?" Prince said in a cold voice.
"Can't I be here?"Ashton said with a smirk .
"I don't like the fact that your kind has touched her. You will taint her,'' Prince said walking towards Ashton.

"His kind?" I asked confused.
"Go home elf ,'' Prince said with an angry voice.