"Auntie Red! Hello."
Harmony burst out the front door of the cottage, across the yard and right into Madame Red's arms. Laughing and giggling with both happiness and delight. Her little hands gripping the woman's long red skirt. A huge smile upon her face and sweet blush across her cheeks.
Madame Red with a warm smile and loving embrace greets the young girl."Hello my dear, Harmony."Gently kissing the top of head so affectionately. With a pat."You're looking cuter and bright every time I come."
Harmony gushes and squeals."Did you bring something? Auntie Red? Huh? Did you?"She begs and pestures. Tugging on her skirt, pouting a bit.
Madame Red couldn't help but lightly chuckle at her."Oh, Harmony. Don't be so rude to Mrs. Dallas. And stop pulling on her skirt. You'r hands are still sticky."You rebuke her, stepping out. Covered in a bit of flour, your hair in a messy ponytail."Honestly, Harmony."Going over to the gate.
"Oh, come now let your sister be."Madame Red tells you. Giving Harmony a tight hug."She just misses her Auntie Red. That's all."Giving you a wink."And I did bring you some lovely gifts."
"You did!"Harmony jumps up and down. Eyes shinning big and round."Did you hear that, sister! Auntie Red brought us gifts!"
You sigh messaging your temples."Harmony, you are going to be four. Sometimes you're too much."
"Oh, don't have such a sour look."Madame Red tells you, with a hearty titter."It doesn't go well with your lovely face. Besides, it's only right that I do so."She snaps her fingers and the driver gets down and gathers the massive amounts of gifts. All colorfully wrapped. Harmony eyes glued upon them."You two are under my care. I have to spoil my two girls."She pinches your cheek lightly. Then directs the man where to put them."Inside."
You watch him carefully balance what he held walking to the cottage."I do appreciate it all. I really do, Mrs. Dallas."You tell her, but, express your disapproval."But, all of this, my sister and I are to live a humble and less conspicuous life. Actually, less extravagant life."
"I know dear. It's just a few gifts."She pretty much brushes off your concerns and disapproval."Mmmm...something smells really wonderful. Are you making those delicious tea biscuits again?"
"Yes. Since, your last letter informing me you would be coming to visit. I thought I'd make them. Though, Mrs. Dallas, please a little less gifts."Looking at them. Harmony eagerly and impatiently following the man."That lifestyle isn't for us."
This time she paid attention and saw how serious you where about this. There was something else in she saw and she felt responsible for."Alright. I will ease up on the gifts."You smile thankful she would comply."It would have been easier if you and your sister would just come live with me. But, I know you prefer it here."
"Thank you."
"Though May, do understand this."She looks you directly in the eyes."I vow to always make sure you and your sister will be taken care of."
A vow she made sure to keep, even six feet under. Though this wasn't what you had wanted. Why couldn't her nephew just let you and Harmony be? But he couldn't and now you and Harmony are stuck in a life, you wish not to be. In place you wouldn't think twice stepping into. There seem no way out of this endless nightmare and no source of protection and security. It was nothing but an open field. Free for all to roam and see. It left everything exposed. You felt naked. You felt Harmony's life in danger.
It could be at any moment. Any turn. Everywhere. You had to remain on your guard and toes completely, at all times. Afraid to let her out of your sight. But, it seem that she preferred it that way. Back, before all this, you could keep her close. Just the two of you. Together.
In quiet. In peace. In harmony.
Nothing to worry about. The world was small, so very small. That was how you wanted it to be. Now, it was big. Large. Never ending. Sure the company was pleasant and kind, it still did not ease your rattling and stress mind. That day, the day you took her. To escape all the horrors. To a new life. A new life, to start over. She would grow and have a life that would have been taken from her. As long as she remained close to you.
But, she wasn't. The lures of this new world have capture her like a fly to the flames. Ensured her child like wonder. That day at the dress boutique, seemingly sealed it. She tired on so many dresses for her size. Was fitted. Picked out her gloves. Ciel gave her free range to do as she liked. Freedom you never gave her. You wanted to stop her, but you didn't have the heart to do so. It held you back. To break such a happy smile, would shatter her. And you could not do that.
You would be dishonoring Ten Shen. A thought that you couldn't do. So you let her run through the open fields, but, would do your best to keep your eyes on her. So she would not stray away.
"Again."Sebastian demand breaks your thoughts. His voice commanding and strict. It was just insufferable. So you do it again."Again. Again. Again."
You weren't sure how many times you had to keep doing this ridiculous thing over and over again. Fighting the Foot Clan was way easier than this. You knew how to be delicate and gentle, considering your own strength. Easily, you could crush something, like a grape. If not for Master Splinter. But, this, this right here was something far more challenging. Than withholding back strength.
"Again! Again!"His voice cracks like a whip and stung just as much. The constant repeat of the word felt like lashes upon you. It was tortuous. His eyes watching so meticulously. You felt like sweating, if you could produce such a thing. Grumbling under your breath, which he heard."A proper lady does not grumble. Again!"
Harmony sat at her desk, Ciel had made. Going over her reading. What was more appropriate for someone her age. Mouthing and sounding out the words. While working on her writing. She had yet to get a tutor, that was still being looked over. Stuck, she comes to a word she struggled with and leans over to the person next to her.
"...I don't know...Ciel."She whispers. He didn't respond so she tries again."Pirate."
This time she got a response."What?"He hisses under his breath."What is it?"
Pointing to the word she shows him."I can't say this one. What is it?"Giving it a quick look he scoffs, rolling his eye.
"Le joue."He tells her, pointing to his cheek."It means cheek. In French."
Imitating him, she points to her own and repeats what he said."L-Le joue. Le joue. Le joue."And writes it down, he goes back to his own lesson when she ask for his help again."What about this?"
"Merci beaucoup. It means 'Thank you very much.' Alright. Now let me do my own."He hushes her.
"Quiet!"Sebastian smacks his birch rod down on Ciel's desk. Frighting the young boy."There should be no talking."Sebastian stares down sternly with absolute command. Warning the boy there would be consequences.
Shuttering out of fear and looking to Harmony, who had gone back to work. Ciel was shock he didn't catch her."B-But..."Quivering.
"No talking during class. You should be more like Lady Harmony."Sebastian tells him. Looking to the little girl."Look how diligently she works. So focus. So driven."
Ciel nearly choked from his words. Fury flared around him at the little girl, who happily worked on her lesson. Repeating and no longer having trouble with her lesson. Singing a small merry song. Stopping when she felt eyes on her and looks up at the two males. A bit confused.
"Ciel? If we don't do our work. We don't get cookies."She tells him in the sweetest voice. Smiling."Do you need help?"
"Are you serious!?"He yells losing his temper. Throwing a slight fit."You're the one distracting me!"
Earning a light wack on the head by Sebastian."Now. Now, it's rude to put the blame. And even more so to raise your voice at such a sweet girl. I will have none of that."Scolding him."Now then, Lady Harmony you are doing wonderful in your lessons. I shall reward you with such a wonderful treat."She lights up."Actually, why don't you stop and you can end the day. Tell the others I said you could have whatever treat you wish."
"Really?!"She asked thrilled. He simply nods his head. Wasting no time, she closes her books and puts them in order before getting out of her seat. About to run off, she stops and looks to Sebastian."Merci beaucoup. Mr. Sebastian."
"You are most welcome."He tells her, bowing respectfully to her. Once she leaves and the door closes. His smile drops and the room suddenly became dark."Now."He turns his attention back to you and Ciel."I expected more from the two of you. Young Master, you are much more further in your studies. You should be a prime example to the Lady Harmony. And you!"He turns to you."You are the eldest sister. You should be a flawless example of poise and grace for your sister. Yet you slouch like a sloth. Both of you, it is inexcusable. Baroness, how hard is it to hold a simple tea cup like a feather? You lift with a light and delicate pinch. You curtsy by tilting your head ever so slightly down. As if nodding and pausing. Hold your skirt, on the edges. Foot behind the other. Bend your knees and come up gracefully."He demonstrates."You are doing none of those. Your head is too stiff. You are gripping your skirt. Causing massive amounts of wrinkles. You would have to change. Your foot work is too wobbly, you'll topple over and completely embarrass yourself as well the Phantomhive reputation. If not ruin it. And I will have none of that. You come up too fast. Staggering."
"I've been doing it the same way as you."You retort."I'm doing everything. See?"You show him, counting the steps in your mind."See?"Frustrated.
He didn't approve."Not even close. And after doing this for two weeks, you still haven't. Again."Ciel couldn't help but smirk, which Sebastian caught."I glad you find that quite amusing Master. Then you can add four more pages of translating Latin for me."
"W...What?!"He shrieks."That's unfair."
"So is the way of life."He claps his hands."Now. Back to work."
Downstairs in the kitchen, Harmony sat before a wide range of desserts and sweets. All of them so delicious and scrumptious. Rich colors and cream as light as a cloud. All of this was her's. She wasn't sure which to eat first. The others sat around the table with her, with their forks and knifes ready to go. Just awaiting for the little girl to start.
Thrusting her fork up, they follow and all cheer."Let's eat!"
