Something wasn't right, Sebastian could tell with May. There seem something..amiss. This morning after she left like before was in an unnerving hurry. She seemed unwilling but pushed it down, she didn't speak of it despite the question lingering in his eyes and mannerism he displayed. She simplest either ignored it or didn't bother with it. She kept her eyes either adverted or to the side.
Not an eye roll or annoyed look passed her face. She just went on her way, at first he assumed it was to do with Ciel, it was rather obvious the rupture between them. His master made I known and Both were hurting from it. But it wasn't that, no, May would have had a different look in her eyes.
This was something else, looking out his window his red eyes watch the pink haired female leave the Blue House grounds hastily, she didn't even stop and look up and back to him. She just went. With her hands clenching her skirt so tight her knuckles turned white.
What was it? He wondered.
A question that would have to wait, it was time to wake the house.
Before going he stopped before area that housed his bed, sighed and shook his head. Something was bothering her, she left the bed messy.
Again.
Informing the young Master would be the right thing to do, so would figuring it out the matter. Either way Sebastian would get his answers.
"How troublesome," he sighed stepping away from the window, "must she make me work this hard?" Smirked to himself slipping on his scholar robe. " I suppose so."
And you where suppose to be at the headmaster's office rather soon. But you hadn't arrived, running a behind schedule. You over slept and over stayed. Why hadn't Sebastian woken you on time? It didn't matter, you just needed to hurry.
Arriving to the kitchen, quickly enter and head to your room. Greeting the others briskly, Miss Agnus peeped out the closet hearing you, glanced at the clock across the way and managed to make out the time. You where late, setting her items down walked out and went towards the kitchen to gather the required items.
While she busied herself, you burst into your room, quickly strip down and change. Not much to really change into, but you still had to look decent. Grabbing your hair style it back into your ponytail. Slipping on your shoes give yourself a double look spin around, everything was well.
Wonderful, now you needed to go. About to rush out when you nearly forgot the most important thing.
The tray!
Racing out the room towards the kitchen find set and ready with the wine, the glass and small plate of your biscuits . You smile faintly to yourself knowing who did it. Thank them mentally, grab the tray and head out.
Passing the closet where Miss Angus was the lady stopped and stepped out for moment watch you leave.
It was a good thing it was nearing breakfast and the young men where in their houses eating otherwise this hasty walk towards the Headmaster's office would be more of a challenge.
The students would nearly be everywhere and it would just be hard, meaning you'd have to use the back way to get there. Not that you wanted to go, because honestly you didn't.
You weren't sure why, but something about that place made your skin crawl. There was this families eeriness feeling that felt cold, like death. It had to be the room that was the only reason you could think of. It was rather chill.
"Perhaps, I will try to warm it up." You thought. " It is rather dreary. Now I'm just being kind."
Reaching the destination you climb the stairs and head inside. The walk was long in the hall. Empty too. You felt small. But kept your composure.
"Once I'm done here, I need to ask Soma about Harmony," you muse quietly. "I hadn't the time last time. I know she's alright but I just can't shake the feeling that something-"
You stop for a moment and reflect on hanging dream and haunting feeling you've been having.
Of Harmony walking off with Undertaker. You hopped it was a dream but it felt so real. Majority of them did. Even the horrid one from liner. You could still feel sharpened pain of the blade. That kept you up at night sometimes. But this one with Harmony controlled you, every time you thought about it your hands trembled.
She was always fond of the Undertaker so it made sense she'd simply go to him. She saw smiles, while you saw lies.
Always lies, from the very beginning.
"What was I thinking?" You sighed.
Unaware of someone else's presence. "Thinking of what?" Johann repeated.
Your eyes whip forward finding him standing there before the headmaster's office. Your mouth dried up.
"I...umm.." you swallow.
He paid it no mind and instead checked the time.
"Ten minutes late," he said "quite unlike you, is everything alright?"
You quickly nod and smile.
He stepped aside for you to come in. You do so carefully and cautiously. Make your way across from one side to the desk. It was just so eerily quiet besides the sound of the slow swinging pendulum. This place, this room made your skin prickle.
Reaching the large desk, set the tray down slowly, and begin to take the items off.
From below outside through the window a pair of eyes spotted you. It was a surprise, yet they wondered how and why. Questions popped in their mind, while watching you work. When you went out of view they lingered a bit more and continue on their way.
You where nearly about to do the same, finishing up a few things. From wiping the desk to sweeping around it, and double checking the items you brought where set neatly. All under Johann's eyes and it felt like or it could just be you someone else's eyes. But there wasn't another soul around just Johann's.
"There," you quietly said, looking everything over, turn to the man. Bow your head. "I have finished, sir."
He comes over to inspect, gives a nod of approval. "Thank you," he held out a hand towards the door and gave a slight bow of the head. "the headmaster is glad to have your presence."
You lift your head give a small quick smile, hurry and leave. Shutting the door behind you, breath heavily. Wiping your forehead fan yourself, grunt a moment and walk off.
"It is rather uncomfortable in there," you said yawning and stretching a bit reaching outside, the sun was brighter than normal. Casting a hand over your eyes to shield it look up at it for a moment.
The rays were so warm, almost like back in the town. Weather like this Madam Red would appear and spend some days with you and Harmony. Of course Grell was there, they'd stay and when sun was like this Harmony enjoyed fun moments of chase with Madam Red and Grell at times. Though most times Harmony would hop on his back and insist he was a horse. Something he did not enjoy but did so, of course his job would be rewarded by Harmony. She'd praise him with lovely words and present him with something red or break half of her cookie with him. It sort of did the trick, times like that you missed. During certain stays should Grell and Harmony be playing you and Madam Red would be watching, well you'd be attending to things she had tried a few times to help but it did not end well. So she would just stand with you and enjoy conversation.
Some silly. Some serious. Some cryptic. Some woeful. Some forthcoming, looking back at it now.
You wondered how she would view you right now considering all that has happened and been brought forward. Would she forgive you? After all the conversations that did involve Ciel, what she would tell you about him. How dear he was and so much more. As well her sister, if she knew...your heart began to sink and shrivel, would she love you and forgive you?
Even as you did all you could to ensure such a redemption. Would it be enough before it was too late?
The question burned deep, it felt like actual pain and with the churring of your stomach felt like your insides where quivering. With only an idea of what it connected too, the rest you were unsure.
Lowering your hand and gaze from the sun make your back to the kitchen, your legs guiding you while you mind remained on your saturated thoughts that became heavier with each passing second. You drifted through the others the students, carrying a light smile to pass through, but it slowly started to fall. So caught up in your own didn't notice someone before you until you bumped into them. Or they into you.
"O-Oh," a feeble and familiar voice said. "I'm sorry!"
There was no harm done, you didn't fall or get knocked to the ground. Though the other person, extending a hand you help them up and dust them off stating it was fine and it was your fault.
"There we go," you finish cleaning them, their cheeks brighten realizing who you were. "alright." You straighten out their clothes and collar, even with a gentle touch smooth their hair and tuck some of it behind their ear when you realized its color. Silver-blonde. There was no doubt, lifting your eyes find soft widen red eyes staring at you.
It was that young man or boy you bumped into on your first day here and seen around a few times. Around or a year older than Ciel, he looked a bit different. That reserved and fragileness didn't glow from him. Instead there was a glow of confidence and...a smile though it quivered a bit. You couldn't help but smile seeing it. Increasing the redness on his face.
"Well, look at you," you gleamed standing up. Finishing smoothing his hair in place as other pass by. Give him a small bow. "you look well. I apologize for bumping into you. Are you alright?"
He nodded slowly. "Wonderful." you chuckle softly. When you notice his fallen books on the ground and pick them up. With your skirt wipe them clean and hand them over. "Here you go, it's not good to let knowledge become dirty." He said nothing and just stared. With an increasing heart beat. "You know," you leaned a bit, "you seem different, which is good. Of course. It looks good on you this new confidence glow," you stand up fully smiling. "it presents you like a real gentleman."
His heart skipped.
You pinch his cheek a little. "A cute gentleman, oh," you take your hand back laughing a bit still. "sorry. I couldn't help myself." He didn't seem to mind. "Well, I should not hold up such a gentleman on his way to learning. My apologizes again, umm, I apologize I did not catch your name."
"Joanne! Joanne Harcourt!" he blurted. You were sure your hearing was lost for a moment.
"Yes, Harcourt. Well," you give one more bow and walk around him to continue. Give a wave. "learn a lot. Good day."
Joanne stood frozen for a few more seconds, lifted his hand and waved back with a small and red face.
Finally reaching the kitchen you go in and normal would head to your room instead sneak into the kitchen and manage to snatch some thing to eat. Then head to your room. Your bed looked so inviting, but you had to ignore it. The day was not done. You just came to do something really quick when a knock came to your door, you and open it.
It was one of the cooks. Quickly you hide the snack behind.
"Here." he handed you an elegant envelope. A red one.
You take it. "Thank you."
He left, you open it and read it. Right away your face fell and sighed. Could you not get just one minute. Looking further into the envelope you find a few rose petals when and it was quite clear who it was from. Sighing again, shove the snack in your mouth and walk out shoulders shagging and all.
Reaching the actual kitchen, make your way to a spot on the counter, take out bowls, some flour, sugar, honey and whatever else you needed for your requested bisects and treats. Pushing up your sleeves, get started. Your hands moved like lighting. Your legs too, going here and there. Taking out a few trays with a three level tier that you switched to four just to be safe. While keeping track of time.
I don't know how Sebastian does it, he needs to be more properly thanked. I suppose I wil-, you sigh, realizing what you just admitted and flush. Deep. Shaking the thought from your mind refusing to finish it. Continue.
It took quite some but you managed to finish with twenty minutes to spare. Take away another five or ten considering you had to get everything on the cart and roll it there. Huffing and puffing do so, about to leave when you realized how messy you had become. Covered in flour and other things, sigh and go to your room quickly. Switch out, so busy you didn't notice the dark rose resting on your pillow. With your outfit changed and attire much more presentable go back to the cart, get it and head out.
Doing double time, taking some hidden passageways that helped a bit come out and for a brief moment you were sure you saw Lord Constatine going through a hidden door. Blinking see no one. Odd.
Focusing back on the task at hand, hurry. It didn't matter because you were running late. Rushing faster reach the Swan Gazebo, well the other side you had to cross the bridge. The first to notice you out of everyone Edgar.
A smile lite his lips with a hand raised. "Ah! You made it and," he got up walking over just as you came with the cart looking at all the goodies. "you received my letter."
Violet who was drawing Herman in an unusual pose, stopped and lifted his attention to you. A small, small gasp slipped from him still closed lips. Though others couldn't see it because of his hood his eyes widen. He wasn't the only one who reacted Joanne who was there quivered and flushed red like a cherry. Cheslock sent you a snippy look, while Edward watched with study. Ciel who was also present kept himself calm and still.
Despite the urge to snap at Edger you pushed it down and nodded. "Yes, I did," your teeth clenched as you smiled. "it was quite a surprise. But, here you go. Where would you like me to set everything up?"
"Right there." He pointed turning to Joanne. "Would you mind helping her?"
The young man stiffen and nodded. He came over with shaky hands. You flash a actual smile, red nearly rushed to his ears. On the side Ciel groaned rolling his eye, with a small pout. That Edward noticed, he looked at him then back to you. Then once more to Ciel. It didn't take long for Ciel to notice and quickly as he could changed his expression. Violet shot his eyes back to Cheslock and gestured them towards you. Understanding, sighed he went to help you. Edger who left the gazebo for a moment came back carrying something floral noticed what Violet did and couldn't help himself.
"Since the Cricket Tournament allows visitors to come, ladies included," he walked over to you. Set his hands on your shoulder, surprising you, he pulled you up a bit and held you there. Your shoulders tensed. He stood behind you. Looking directly at Violet. "as I said before the amount of ladies one has shows their status or just good company. Since any," he emphasized. "ladies can come it probably is best to ask soon."
Violet dropped his eyes instantly back to his sketch. Edger chuckled quietly, Ciel reading between the lines his face tighten. A look again Edward noticed, his eyes left his cousin and locked upon you. You kept your eyes back at Edger, when you noticed Edward's stare on you.
Damnit!
Did he figure it out? You began to worry. Hold yourself together the best you could. Resisting the urge to look at him, something he was waiting for. Since he did not get that reaction his eyes dropped to what you made and slowly look it over. A certain smell, a familiar smell filled his nose. It was uncanny, his eyes shot at you once more. This time Edger was busying himself with you, decorating your ponytail with roses like some sort of doll. You wanted to cry and fan him away. But couldn't.
Edward kept his observant, Joanne and Cheslock finished. With Cheslock grumbling under his breath about you, went back to Violet.
"-And there we are." Edger finished, standing back admiring what he did. "Ah, yes, much better. Lady of the Roses." He declares. "Now, what have you brought?" He left your side and went to see. Hoovering over the goodies. You kept your eyes on him, as Edward's hadn't left you.
You wanted to move, or turn, but knew you couldn't it would raise suspensions and it was clear he had them already or they where rising. So you had to remain calm and unsuspecting.
So you initate talk with Edger. "I brought what I felt was most appropriate."
He looked back at your for a moment. "You don't say? Well, it looks delicious. I see you included those sweet biscuits. Ah and berry tarts, what? Are these roses?" He held one up.
You smile, closing your eyes nodding. Keeping it that way to avoid Edward. "I thought it was my way of thanking you."
"Now you're just spoiling me." He teased lightly. Combing through everything. He stopped on ceramic lavender pot, pointed to it. "What drink is this? Joanne." He called to boy to pour him some.
Your stomach dropped and blood ran cold, how could you forget? Why did you make that drink? You were thinking that's what it was, Joanne came over and poured Edger a cup. Your fingers started to twitched and eyes open now swelled in size. Watching the white aroma filled beverage being poured into the cup. You wanted to spring and snatch it back, but you couldn't. It would give yourself away. There had to be something you could do?
Joanne finished and handed it to Edger, then poured himself one with Edger's approval. They pick up the handle delicately to their lips and enjoy it. Satisfaction rose softly in pink on their cheeks. You screamed inside, grip your hands together.
"It's delicious." Joanne complimented. Taking another sip. "Like Spring dipped in honey and cream."
Edger nodded. "I couldn't have said it better myself and the smell reminds me of garden full of...now what was it?"
"Lavender?" Edward suggested. Eyes on you.
Edger takes another sip, before giving his response. A nod slightly. "Yes, how did you know?"
From his fixed pose Herman answered. "Edward has informed us his dear cousin," he looked to Ciel the best he could. "your eldest cousin the current Baroness Burnett-Dallas, correct?" Ciel nodded. Herman continued. "She was known for making something like such, right Edward?"
The young man nodded. "Yes, she is known. She made," his eyes on you. "during her and her younger sister's time with my family. She would make it for her sister when it was just the two of them."
Each he spoke inside you cowered and shrunk. But you kept yourself docile and firm outside. Refusing to meet his eyes. "Well, I wonder if she makes it this good?" Edger finished his setting the cup down. "Suppose I will have to ask, will you be inviting her to come? Or should you ask your dear cousin the Earl first?" He looked to Ciel.
Edward did too. Edger kept going. "After all she is under his care, right?"
"Yes," Ciel said. "she and her sister are. Being the daughters of my late aunt. She entrusted them to me, insuring they have a well and comfortable life."
Edger took his seat, still going with the conversation. "Their life is almost like a one of those stories."
"A fair tale?" Joanne inquired.
"Yes, I believe so. From a humble life to one of grand and lavishing. Your eldest cousin how old is she again? Around courting and marriage age right?"
"Yes." Ciel pushed out, keeping calm. "But, that isn't her main concern at the moment."
Edward added further. "Yes, she is more interested in carrying for her younger sister."
"She knows her priorities." Lawrence said. Approving. "Good for her, a very admirable quality."
You weren't sure how to really respond to what he just said, you just rolled your eyes while wishing to leave. Any more talk about you was just too much and you just didn't want to hear it. But, you did. Which lasted for a few more minutes, Ciel and Edward did their best to keep from being dug deeper. There was talk about you and Harmony moving into a place just for you and her. Ciel just said he was following what Madam Red said. When asked the type of person, Edward took over though what he said was pleasing it stung from the rotten feeling inside yourself. The relationship between you and Harmony was covered quickly as loving. But, when asked about courtship and marriage, Ciel instinctively said quicker than the last time, that you had no interest and none had been offered.
"Well," a smile curled lightly on Edger's lips looked to Edward. "I suppose you nothing to worry about. I'm sure your cousin would consider it." He looked to Ciel. "Right? A good family and rank, it's a perfect match. Wouldn't you agree?"
Ciel's eye meet with Edward and trembled just a bit, but it went unnoticed. The answer was waiting with eyes on him. He had to say something, fast. His mind thinking rapidly, caused his mouth to open and...
"Oh," Edger turned to you. "how rude of me having you stand there. You can go."
Relieved smile kindly and bow your head, leave. Taking the cart with you, Violet lifted his eyes watching you cross the bridge. You stop for a moment and turn back around for a moment meeting his give him a small wave. His eyes dropped down.
Not too far away, over back at the Phantomhive townhouse, Agni's eyes did the same along with Mey-Rin and the others at the letter in her hands. That trembled. She couldn't believe...actually all of them couldn't. Finny's eyes wet with tears in the corner. Shaking his head over and over again, Mey-Rin's heart...dropped a part of her wanted to rip this...this letter up and...and just...but she couldn't the closest she could do was shoot her eyes sharply at person delivering it.
Who smirked proudly, at door. Grey couldn't stop, he was enjoying his victory without getting it. The looks on all their faces, he only wished to have seen Ciel's and May's. That would be icing on the cake, he knew once Ciel looked at this there was no way he could go against it as the Queen approved and he was loyal servant after all.
Raising a finger Grey lightly tapped the folded letter. "Please make sure this gets to your master and," his smirk curled. "my darling. I look forward to hearing from them."
With a wave, turned around and left.
