It was amazing!
Everything was decorative and lovely. Light shined all around like a bright star. People dressed beautifully as they mingled with one another at the Dinner Party, in the 1st class passenger lounge. Food was presently placed in the center or catered around. Well the drinks where, something Harmony knew she couldn't touch. Despite some of it looking like cider.
It bubbled like it in her eyes.
But, sadly it wasn't. Oh well. At least there was a table with sweets she greatly wanted to get at. Picking up her rosy pink dress, takes Snake's hand and points.
He looks down to her.
"Come on let's get something to eat!"
She didn't let him respond, she lead the way herself. Pulling him across the floor to retrieve her treasure. Judging eyes watch the little girl and physical obscure man. Eyes that weighed down on Snake, but seem non-existence with Harmony. Her smile and words to him melted their stares away. Though came back once they reached the center.
Tugging on him, she asks for a plate. He grabs it and listens to her order.
With a finger she points and speaks on what she wanted. "Cake. Cookies! Oh! See if there are any brownies. Oh! And a tart! A strawberry one!"
Abiding he searches and fills her plate. With her request, her eye watch widen with joy over her treasure. It was hard not to lick her lips, her impatience began to thin and she wanted it now. Reaching for the plate, Snake stops and looks at her. Her behavior was not really something someone of her status should be doing. Jumping up and down waving her arms hungrily.
Eyes fell on them again, distastefully. He could hear their crude words and disapproval. Nearly swept under by them till Harmony grabbed upon his coat.
Did it again fade away. "Mr. Snake, are you done? Can I please have my food?" She whines with big eyes.
Nodding he sets the tongs he had down and hands her the plate. She snatches it right away, though he knew she wasn't being rude. It was very rare she was able to enjoy nothing but sweets without the presence of Sebastian, Ciel, or May. They'd take it away instantly and present her with actual food instead. A part of him knew he shouldn't do this, but the part didn't mind. It was only one night anyway, what harm could it really do?
Speaking the three he just thought of, he hadn't seen them yet. He and Harmony came first the Dinner Party after she was dressed by Sebastian first. In her rather frilly rosy dress, from head to toe. With a decorated rose headband. She looked like the actual flower, fresh from Spring. Sebastian passed her off and instructed Snake to take her straight to the lounge where they would meet up. So he did that, it just he expected them to be here already or at least within a few minutes.
Then again Ciel was escorting Lizzie here and May was being escorted by Edward. So, guess it made sense they where a bit behind. All the more reason Harmony was taking advantage of this. Watching her happily munch on a small bit of cake, she wasn't stuffing her face. But, she did have a few crumbs on it.
"Oh!" She stops and looks to him. "I forgot something. Mr. Snake, can we go back to my room really quick? Please?"
He wasn't sure why. Gives a nod. Glad to see she hands him the plate and takes his hand. The both leave the area just as a pair of familiar eyes notice her from across the room.
"Harmony?"
There, you were done. Applying your last period at the end of the last word of your letter. Sign it gracefully, each stroke of your name rose a sob in your throat and clutched your heart. But, you forced yourself to sign. Dip the tip of the quill in the ink, add something more. Ignore the screams in your heart and soul, that fought against your mind for control of your hand.
One to stop and the other to go.
Setting the quill down, draw a breath hold it for a few seconds and look up. Remind yourself this was right, this was right thing to do. You could feel it, the moment you stepped foot on this linear. You felt it, their touch. That caused your skin to prickle. How long has it been? Years no doubt, yes, years indeed. Since you and Harmony first arrived.
How cold it was that day. The fog so thick it could be cut. It was hollow and uncertain. Your body was tired and drained. Aching in pain you thought you'd die. But you took it all for the sake of Harmony. She came out with very minor injuries thank goodness. If you were to perish, you hoped someone would find her. Kind people and look after her. You gave her protection, transferred it to her. With the light kiss upon her little brow.
Again should you perish. To have fate, no, it wasn't fate. Not at all only death disguised in sheep clothing. Offering...an offer you shouldn't have taken. An offer that branded you, when you realized what it did. What it cost. Who it cost.
Was it just a cruel joke? That action led you here...since first meeting them. The moment they stood in your cottage, introduced themselves to you and welcomed you and Harmony into their lives. Their home, despite your protest and refusal. They did. You fought against them, because...it was so hard to live in a place that reminded you of what you did. Caused. But, slowly...very slowly you began to see something different. Took a different approach to find ways to...
Bring your gaze back down to the letter laying before you on your desk, read over it. Whisper the words so low not even a mouse could hear it. With each word that came out became caught in your throat. So much you had to stop yourself half way through, you couldn't read anymore without breaking down yourself. All you could do was quickly fold it and seal it in its envelope. Taking your quill again write the name of whom it was addressed to, not realizing the amount of thought you put into their name.
How would you give this to them? Slip to them? No, they might become suspicious, it was bad enough they where with the way your behavior has been lately. It was hard to hide it, even though you smiled still felt their hawk eyes watching you. So you tired harder. A poor mistake on your part. There where times you knew they wanted to ask, so you kept yourself at a distance. Strolling with Edward nearly all day and stuck to your room if you could.
And now, holding the letter...this. You stomach tighten, it too wasn't in agreement with your mind. With the choice you made, but, it was a choice that needed to be followed.
Logical was the right way.
Emotions weren't an option.
Even if you saw it every time you blinked. Fanning away the dry tears that came, just as someone knocked on your door. Hurry and fix yourself.
"Y-Yes?" you said Clearing your throat.
Hold their breath for a moment before addressing themselves. "May, it's Edward." He finally said. You could her the tiny bits of nervousness in his voice. He tried to swallow a couple times. "Are you ready?"
That's right, he was to escort you to the Dinner Party. You almost forgot. "Yes. I am." Stand, walk over. Stop for a moment. Edward...you cry.
Outside Edward waited as a gentleman should. Dressed as he should, fine rich suit. His coat primed and pressed. Buttoned. Not a single wrinkle in place, gloves fresh and new. Hair done, not a single strand out of place. Shoes shinned that he could his own reflection. His eye remained straight head at the closed door. He dare not enter, even if she allowed it. The thought...rose the color red to his cheeks. And indulged his mind in thoughts that where not chaste at all. Unspeakable if not unthinkable in the presence of a lady!
His mother would surely bring down her punishment should she find out what crossed his mind.
"Edward?"
The sound of your voice brought him back and your smile lite everything up. He thought for a moment the sun was before him meeting your eyes. That smiled too. "Are you alright?" the words came out like honey he nearly drowned. And what followed just took his breath away. "You look very handsome, Edward. Like a prince."
His heart fluttered wildly. Repeating the word you said to him: Prince. You called him a Prince. A Prince you dubbed him, then one he would be. Collecting himself steps back and bows cordially to you, taking hold of your hand gentle in his. You do the same and curtsy. Giggling inside, stop the moment both your eyes rise and meet. That caused a smile to be shared and heard only between you both. One that canceled out everything around. It was just the two of you. So much went filled Edward's eyes, strongly filled them. While yours he noticed...beamed.
Like a sun rising over a strong forest. Casting it with its warm glow, providing comfort and much more. The trees in response strengthen from the sun's rays. And warm touch. The more he kept his eyes with yours, the more he noticed the details of your face. The way your skin gave a healthy glow, the way some of your hair strands lightly caressed your face and bounced slightly when you smiled. The history in your eyes, he saw it. It was like he sharing it with you. He saw a life...a life with you.
That a something else...he couldn't put his finger on, but wanted to rid it from you. Turning holding your hands into interlocking fingers, squeezes it lightly and softly. Leans in, to stop abruptly. Smiles to himself blinks ending the enchanted hold, rises with you, tucks your hand under his arm. Pats it softly as well.
Whispers loud enough for you to hear and you only. "You look like a princess. A perfect princess."
"Thank you."
Tightening your grip a bit around his arm, walk down the hall towards the lounge. The moment you enter a few heads turn and eyes widen. No doubt from what you wore...the color you wore that has now become assimilated with you and your title. Both as Baroness and daughter.
Red.
It was your red gown their eyes looked at, more so than you. It was a little bit of both actually. The pressure of it not unbearable it was just...just...holding your head high, smile graciously at those looking on. Give a light nod, as instructed or better yet drilled into you. Edward did the same with swelling joy and pride, let the eyes look. Look at what he had with him, a true lady.
No.
A princess.
Yes. A princess. If some where envious then let them be, he didn't care. Nor did he notice sharp grey eyes cutting him from across the room. Following the young couple. Or did he notice a certain pair of haunting greenish-yellow eyes watching either. But you felt them, and cringe slightly. Only to instantly pop out of it at the sound of Ciel's voice.
"There you are May." he said coming over, Sebastian behind, a look in Ciel's eye that you read and understood. He holds out a hand to you. "I hate to interrupt, but, I need you to come with me."
Edward wasn't sure what was just exchanged or said in silence between you two. But, you release him and go with Ciel. Leaving Edward. He tries to call you back, tries to follow to be instantly blocked by Sebastian who stepped before him.
"Oh, forgive." He bows to the young man. "The Master and Baroness have something to attend to. She will return momentarily." Rises with a smile that made Edward take a few steps back. Turning around Sebastian follows.
