"May! Don't do it! Don't do it May!"Renet pleads to you."You can't do this! It's not right! May! Don't!"
Though you heard her and the others pleading screams for you to reconsider, you ignored them all the same. It didn't matter, it didn't matter all. All you had to do was block them out. All that mattered was Miwa/ Karai's safety. You didn't care how disillusioned it was. You didn't care about the repercussions of it all. She was all that mattered. She needed a better life. She deserved a better one, than what life already had in-store. In your heart it was what you wanted. So desperately. To take her away from this horrible place. So she could live in peace and you would go with her. Just the two of you. It didn't matter where or when. Just away from here.
Where she could be free and happy.
Yes. Free and happy, you recall your heart's desire that day and for Harmony. That was all you wanted for her. Ignoring everything else, as long as she had a smile upon her face that was all that mattered. Yet, you often wondered in the back of your mind if, if the choice you made would catch up to you. Should it, you'd have to be ready. Nothing would take her away from you. Nothing in this world or time. That was promise. A sworn promise.
The smell of fresh cookies awoke Harmony from her slumber, peering with one open sees by her bed two cookies dipped in something white sprinkled with crumbs of something. Maybe cinnamon, because it sure smelled like it. Yawning and reaching for her delicious treat that welcomed her every morning since living with Ciel. Any child would love this kind of treatment. Having their favorite treat waiting for them once they woke.
"Ah! Good morning Lady Harmony."Agni opens up the curtains to her room. Greeting her with a bright smile. She seem a bit surprised to find him. Instead of the usual face that would greet her.
Rubbing her eyes, she looks around for Sebastian."W-Where is Mr. Sebastian?"Asking the man as she sat up, Wilde coils himself around her shoulders.
After tying up the blinds Agni address her question."Oh, he is tending to Lord Phantomhive. I hope you do not mind me greeting you this morning."
"That's fine."She said taking a bite of the cookie. Then giving some to Wilde who declined.
"Do you like the cookies?"Agni ask helping her out of bed. She nods her head while finishing up the one she had. Then presents him with the last one. To his surprise."How very kind of you. Are you sure?"She nods her head, pleading with her eyes to take it. Touched, he takes it."Thank you very much. Come now. Let me help you get ready. Breakfast is soon to start."Taking her by the hand and leads her to start the day.
Soma before the door, his face slightly buried in white lilies mixed with marigolds; nervous and tensed. His body was shaking, palms sweaty and himself perspiring like a leaky pipe. His teeth chattering, he had to hold his breath to keep them from making any noise. Leaving his knees the only thing to rattle. He was a prince. This shouldn't be so difficult. It should be easy, very easy. His breathing became rapid and swallow. Heaving heavily. Holding out a trembling hand, does he dare knock? Would it be rude? Would it be wrong? Where was Agni?
Wait, he was tending to Harmony. That's right he told him to. This would give them chance he needed. Gulping down hard, he knocks on the door. Soft at first, then mild, to heavy. There was no response. So he knocks again a few more times. With each knock and no response his nervous settled to be replaced with stall of confusion. He does a few more knocks. Still receiving no response. His face rises from behind the flowers.
"...May? May?"He calls for the young Baroness. Bold and nerves mixed in one."A-Are you up? I-I am sorry...If I am disturbing you. I-I just..."He shifts and twiddles with his thumbs."I-I brought you some...flowe-"
"What are you doing?"Ciel comes around the corner with Sebastian, glaring at the prince with a bit of annoyance."And why are you at my cousin's door? With flowers?"He notices them.
Quickly Soma hides them behind his back, trying to play it off."Umm...ah...no reason. I mean..I umm...I thought your cousin would like...like some flowers. Yes. Some flower! I had forgotten to put them in this exact room."
Ciel eye looks from the flowers to Soma and back. Clearly not buying any of it."Are you serious?"He groans. Pinching his temple.
"Prince Soma, the Baroness is not in her room." Sebastian informs the prince."She rose already and is waiting downstairs for breakfas-"
"Thank you!"Soma runs off before Sebastian could finish. They hear him calling for her through the halls.
Grumbling under his breath, Ciel scoffs."These might just be longest two days spent here ever."He complains. To which Sebastian lightly chuckles."What's so funny?"He demands.
"Oh. It's nothing my Lord. Nothing at all. We should hurry, your cousins are waiting."Escorting the young Earl to dinning room.
By the time he arrived, Harmony was seated on his right. With you to his left, though one chair over. Soma instead sat to his left, right next to you. You still kept your distance and to make it worse, had a book at the table. Which was unacceptable and rude. Your way of in a sense defining him. Since you could not do it back at the manor. You chose to do it here. You had also started to eat, well drink your tea without waiting for him. Ciel was about to say something when Harmony intercepts and greets him.
"Good morning."She chimes with a smile. Awaiting for him to greet her back.
He returns the greeting."Yes. Good morning, Harmony."He takes his seat at the head of the table.
"Did you sleep well?"She ask. He nods his head."That's good. I did too. Mr. Agni came to greet me and Wilde this morning."She tells him excited looking back at Agni, who returns her.
"May, it is breakfast now."He calmly tells you, shooting you a rather steely look and subtle warning."We have guest and it is rather impolite to be reading at the table."You catch it and close the book obediently. Though lag just a bit, reading two more pages. Just to undermine his subtle demand.
Which he didn't appreciate, but let's it go. For now. Setting the book down, adjust yourself accordingly. Sitting up straight and orderly, smoothing any ruffles in your light orange dress. Appearance was pretty much everything. And give a quick smile to him.
"I apologize. I was just so captivated by what I was reading."You tell him with a snide smile."I can sometimes get lost when I read."
Before Ciel could say anything, Harmony inquires on what you had been reading."What were you reading?"
You turn your smile to her. Breakfast began."I'm glad you asked. It's La Belle et la BĂȘte."Harmony tries to say it, though she struggles."It's Beauty and Beast. The same title as the performance we will see. Later this week."
Her eyes widen, squealing."It was a story?! I want to hear it! Can you read it to me!? Please!?"
"Of course. We can after breakfast."You agree."How about outside in the garden like we use too? Wouldn't that be fun?"
Her head nods enthusiastic and delighted."Yes. I love that. Can I make flower crowns? Again?"You nod yes, she could barely contain her overwhelming joy, nearly bouncing in her seat."Can we have treats too!"
"Yes, of course."
She squeals, almost fell out of her chair if not for Agni who set her straight."Please be careful."
But a child who's desires are involved could care less about safety."I know! Pirate!"She turns to Ciel, who cringes utterly from that name. He has been force to endure. Forces a some what smile on his face."Y-Yes."
"Why don't you join us? My sister always makes story time really fun! I'll make you a flower crown too!"She invites him."You too Soma! It'll be so much fun!"
Soma gives a boisterous laugh with a smile."Of course. I would be honored to join you and May." He calms down when he turns to look at you, quickly looking away when you turned to him. He stuffs a good amount of food in his mouth to conceal his heated face. Nearly choking.
"My prince!"Agni hurries to his aide.
Everyone looks on at the spectacle. Harmony assuming it was funny couldn't help but laugh. Ciel just ignored it calling Soma an idiot. While you offered something to drink to the prince who for some reason declined, only to further choke. Sebastian just stood back with a smile."Butter?"He asked holding up some.
Breakfast finished in a good time, Harmony washed up as she was told and excepting to having her reading time. Which would have to wait till after her lessons, everyone's lessons. Sebastian took over as tutor for each. He assigned her with reading and writing. She worked diligently as always. He praised her as he always did. Which worked as she lavished in it. Expressing to Ciel about it, earning his jealously in return and crude remarks. Which he was reprimanded by Sebastian, rather quickly and severely.
You where tasked with practicing dancing. Which Sebastian kept calling you out about your profuse lagging in footwork. Nipping at you meticulously to stop. After dancing, came reciting of speeches, poems and anything else a proper lady needed to learn. Followed by academic studies. Then practicing the proper etiquette, still. Yours' was still not up to par just yet. You felt he was just abusing his power for his own amusement. Because, Harmony was able to lounge about and play with her toys, as she completed everything.
Training with Master Splinter was much, much more simpler than this. Back poise and dancing again, your feet where starting to become rather tired from all of this. And to make it worse, your dancing partner.
Ciel.
He wasn't gracefully at all and not trying to be mean, but his height made it rather...difficult to dance. Holding him was a bit of a challenge and he was rather uncomfortable and tense. It was rather obvious seeing the way he held you. He'd rather not be this close to...you. Keeping his head and eyes adverted, that didn't hide the deep red blush flustered on his cheeks.
"Master, there is too much space between you and your cousin."Sebastian scolds him."You must be closer."Emphasizing it with his hands. Pressing them together."How are you do the dance properly if you will not abide by the customary of the dance?"
"This is as close I'm getting!"Ciel snaps back.
"I just want to get this over with."You mumble to yourself."You're too stiff too."And adjust him according, ignoring his resistance and stubborn struggle. It was a good thing he wasn't strong. You took control and forced him to close the rather large space between you both."There. Let's just hurry up and do this."
Taking the lead with dance, Ciel shutters, while keeping his eyes shut tight. Throwing a slight fit of the situation.
"Would you like some more tea?"Harmony asked Agni, who held out his tea cup and accepted."There you go."She pours some in his cup, then gives some to Soma. When they all hear screaming and yelling.
"Was that Ciel?"Soma pops his head out the room, looking down the hall. The horrific screams come again. Agni and Harmony come and look. Which she was able to verify those where indeed Ciel's.
"Yes. Those are Ciel's. Mr. Sebastian is making them dance together. He doesn't like it."She giggles, making fun of him."It's funny. He goes all red."
Beings to imitate the young Earl for her own pleasure. While she joked about it Soma became infuriated"What?! If Ciel does not wish to dance with May. Then I shall!"When he quickly remembered Sebastian was there."After their lessons of course."Cowering back.
Back with you and Ciel, after his bantering and yelling, the dance lesson was finally over. All lessons where. Freedom was yours for the rest of the day and Harmony knew it. She came bursting in, Agni and Soma behind her. She had the book, eager to do as you had promised.
You barely got a second to rest, when throws herself on you."You promised! Let's go! Let's go!"She starts to pull you up, struggling of course but she was a persistent one. To make it seem effort was working, rose from your seat and let her pull you."Wait!"Remembering something, she turns and begins to push Ciel from behind to follow.
"W-What are you doing?!"He demands.
"Grrr...come on. Come outside and listen to May read."She tells him."It'll be fun! C-Come on!"She struggles in pushing him. As he had planted himself from moving.
And flatly declines."No. I am not going."Walking away.
"What? Why?!"
"Because it's ridiculous and childish. I have no time for such. If I needed someone to read me a story, I would be your age."His words come out cold and stern.
Hurt, it didn't stop Harmony from trying to get him to change his mind. Chasing after him."I'll make you a really pretty flower crown."She tries to negotiate.
"No."
"I'll make you two."
"No."
She didn't stop and follows him out the room, tailing him."You can have the first treat."
"No."He dismisses."What-?!"He finds her before him, glaring hard. Spreads her arms to block him from walking away."Move."He demands. She shakes her head refusing.
"No."
He sighs."Move. Now."
"No."
"I do not have time for this. I said move!"He raises his voice, a wrong move on his part. By the time he realized this, it was too and big tears poured down her eyes and erupting scream. He was sure rattled the whole place. He had to cover his years from her screeching cries."What the devil!? Ah! My ears! S-stop it!"He commands, but she didn't and kept going.
Even falling to knees, squeezing out every single tear she could. Agonizing the young Earl. You and the others peer out through the slit in the door at what was happening.
"I would be easier if he just said yes."
"I've told Ciel to stop being so stubborn. Karma has come back to get him."
"It seems the young Lord has come across an obstacle he cannot overcome. My, how the mighty have fallen."
You couldn't help but relish in the sight before you. Covering your mouth to contain your own laughter and joyful payback upon Ciel. Harmony wouldn't stop unless, you say it to be or she gets her way. There was no way Ciel could withstand her any longer. The more he tried to fight, the worse it became. Though sweet and precious, she was quite a demanding one. And with this new life, Ciel, stupidly giving her free range and spoiling her has now backfired.
It could been seen he was ready to snap either at her or of from her constant welling. It does seem a bit wrong to take such a delight in this, but, you needed a good laugh. Moving away, turn your back and lightly laughing. If you could cry or produce tears, they would be coming now. Someone noticed your amused state.
Having a few more laughs, you believed Ciel had enough and Harmony has had enough of a fit. It was time for you put an end to it."Excuse me."You tell the gentlemen, open the door."Harmo-"
"Alright! I'll bloody do it! Just stop it!"Ciel yells, giving in. To everyone's surprise."Stop it!"
And stop she did. Harmony perks back to her cheerful self. Happy and delighted to hear he would be joining. A huge smile spreads on her face."Yeah! This is going to be so much fun."She said jumping up and down."Mr. Sebastian we're eating outside."
He nods his head, complying."Yes. Of course."
She turns to you, jumping up and down."To the garden. To garden we go! To the garden!"She begins to sing, hurrying outside, though not without Ciel. You start up laughing again.
Doing your best to conceal it, but this time they heard you. Holding your side and trying to cover your mouth. It was just too funny. Way too hilarious. Yet, sweet at the same time. Seeing that smile upon Harmony's face. Even if, if she rather selfish and unreasonable. It lighten your mood.
"May! Hurry up!"You hear her call for you down the hall.
Through your laughs you manage to respond."I-I'm coming!...Haha..."There was no point now in holding it in, even if you tired."Excuse me."You take your leave from them. Stopping and turn back to them."Prince Soma and Agni, aren't you coming? She did include you too."
Hearing you seek him, Soma's eyes light up and shines with illuminated joy. Appears right by you."Yes!"
You give him a smile."Alright then. Come on."Take him the arm and walk towards the garden. Still laughing. Soma turns around to Agni nervous but happy.
He watches the two walk down, Soma turning back around and join in laughing with you."...The prince is very happy."He speaks."It warms my heart."
"It is quite adorable."Sebastian adds, with a smile."Well, I should go and prepare lunch. Lady Harmony has requested it be outside in the garden. I have just the perfect lunch dish for such an occasion. Rosemary chicken sounds quite divine, with a hearty panzanella salad, fresh baked bread sticks. And knowing the Lady Harmony, she would enjoy something sweet. Like the master. Eclairs would be a fitting touch. Yes, a perfect lunch for garden reading."
"Would you like any help?"Agni asked overhearing him.
"Oh, no. That is quite alright."Sebastian polite declines."As I recall, Lady Harmony has asked for you to join. It would be wise not to show. We wouldn't want another one of her...paroxysm."
"Alright."
Agni takes his leave, hearing Harmony calling for him. Sebastian takes his leave and heads to the kitchen to prepare everything. On the way there, he couldn't help but softly chuckle about the event a few minutes ago. It was quite humorous indeed. If not entertaining. He could see why it was pleasing to you.
