"Lizzie! Lizzie! Look at me!" Harmony giggled. "How do I look?"
Lizzie squealed delighted. "Oh! You look so adorable!"
Harmony mirrored her, "I do! I look so adorable! Which hat looks most adorable!? Ciel's or Soma's!"
Lizzie watched starry eyed as Harmony switched between wearing Soma's Scarlet uniform hat to Ciel's scholar hat from his house. Both where oversized on her head, falling over her eye allowing the other to peak out. Never the less she enjoyed it. Alexis standing with his daughter fawned over the cuteness before him. He nearly broke in tears.
"I wish would have tried on mine," Edward sighed disappointed.
Harmony heard him. "It's because it's not cute at all!"
He slumped. Wounded. You pat him lightly on the shoulder with a consoling smile. It did little.
"Ah, Edward, mi amigo, you shouldn't have such dour and sour look upon your face in the presence of such abundance company." A hearty and vibrant with a bit of spice voice said, smacking a hand on the Milford's shoulder.
Startling him in a fright, Edward almost jumped out his skin. You calmly rest hands on his shoulders settling him down, turn to see who it was. Find a grand flashy smile of pearly whites, it was charming, and it belonged to-
"Harmony!" Miguel beamed, running over to her arms open wrap them around her instantly. Almost knocking her over, for a moment she was stunned before realizing who it was.
"Miguel!" she returned the greeting, hugging him back, red on dusted on her cheeks.
Lizzie and Alexis stood by both doing their best to hide their growing smile behind their hands. Ciel rolled his eye groaning. "You came!" Miguel squealed, letting Harmony go grabbing her hands squeezing them. She squeezed back. "I'm so glad! I though I saw you, I had to find you. OH! I like your hat!"
She smiled bashfully thankfully, glanced down for a moment, giggled. "T-Thank you. I-I like it too. D-Do you want to try it on?"
His eyes lite up like stars. "Yes! Please let me try it on! Oh can I? Can I?"
"Ah, young love," Alejandro expressed faintly a hand on his heart, slung his other arm around Edward's shoulder pulling him close. "look how innocent and pure it is? Would you not agree?"
Red rushed Edward's face, steam was coming out. "Edward are you alright?" you asked worried. Go to check his temperature.
"Yes!" he shouted a bit, startling you a bit. "I mean," he cleared his throat. "I'm well th-thank you. There is no need to worry."
You where relieved to hear that. "Thank goodness, good evening Lord Alejandro." you greet him pleasantly.
He bowed to you. "Yes, good evening Baroness Dallas. What a lovely sight to see you here, I'm glad, my brother was looking forward seeing your sister." He looked over at the children, you do the same. They where swapping hats and laughing.
"Yes, it seems so. I was rather surprised to receive his invite, Harmony was most overjoyed," you laugh a little. "she nearly turned red as a tomato." Alejandro joined you in laughing. Edward looked between you and him. Some not too far did the same. "So, you will be participating in the tournament as well?"
"Yes!" he squeezed Edward a bit. "My good amigo put in a good word for me, such a generous man. Wouldn't you say?"
You look at Edward, who had grown redder than before staring flustering at Alejandro. You couldn't help but giggle inside, that it came out. Earning Edward's attention on you, he stared never breaking. Seeing nothing else just you and it might be his mind playing tricks but he was sure he saw a soothing light illuminate behind you or something. It calmed him.
"Yes, I quite a agree," you let a few more giggles come and stop. "it might be rather hard to decide whom to cheer for during the tournament."
"My, such a predicament you're in," Alejandro smirked playfully. "it is good to see you so well." Your heart stopped for a moment. "Edward here told me you where a bit under the weather of sorts, he was deathly worried over you. Never had seen him look so pale before. Right?" He nudged the young man. Laughing heartily.
You look to Edward advert your eyes down for a moment, grip your dress for a moment. Collect yourself quickly, smoothing out the minor wrinkles. Plaster a soft smile on. "I had not realized, Edward, dear cousin I apologize for the stress in which caused. I hope you can forgive me."
Again, with those words, Edward cringed inside. Looking at your smile he saw was plastered by the way the corners of your mouth trembled to stay up. If this wasn't in the public he'd insist you drop the mask and just...just...his heart dropped a bit inside, while his soul flared glancing at Ciel. He knew, Edward knew his gut was right despite Ciel's words that what he believed to be you at the school was a mistake. The night of fire, all of sudden that maid was gone and he finds out you suddenly where sick while staying at the townhouse during Ciel's time at school. It all just...just pit together, and that lavender honey milk that was made was a dead give away. He wasn't sure at first the first few times he glanced at you as the maid, but there was no mistaken by a certain gleam your eyes held.
Just...thought why...he wondered looking at you. Why did you...why where you even...why didn't you tell him certain things? The questions squeezed his heart, he nearly allowed the pain to rise and show, if not for Alejandro whispering something quickly in his ear, that brought him back and stained his cheeks red, but secretly agreed with him inside.
"I best make my way around," Alejandro said releasing Edward, patting him on the shoulder, "it has been a pleasure, Baroness." He bowed to you.
You lightly courtesy back, correctly the fear of Sebastian ran down your spine, smiling daintily. "A pleasure as well, Lord Alejandro. Please give my best to your family. I would surely like to see them soon."
The corners of his lips twisted a little. "Only time will tell, but I shall inform them." He bowed again and left. Calling Miguel to follow, the boy frowned but quickly perked back up. Hugging Harmony quickly left with his brother, waving behind him.
She waved back, smiling from ear to ear. Lizzie behind gushing and swooning. The rest of the evening went well, you and Harmony stayed with the Milfords and Ciel mainly. Soma stuck around, Harmony was never out of his arms, he decided to go around and introduce to those of the Scarlet house and everyone really. Showing he off as if she was his own. The pride and adoration he had beamed in eyes and on his face. She opted to wearing his hat, she was a hit those in the Scarlet house. Edward introduced you to Herman Greenhill, you played it off as though you didn't know, his look was rather...intimidating really, but he was orderly and chivalrous. As well bold, like...an actual knight. That it was...a lot. You played it off with a uncomfortable smile that thankfully he didn't notice. While you and Harmony enjoyed the evening, Ciel kept glancing at the two of you rather...puzzled.
Why where you two here? From his recollection he didn't remember inviting either one of you, unless Sebastian did it? No, he wouldn't unless he gave the order. Recalling what Miguel said to Harmony on how happy he was to see her here, it made sense he'd invite her. But then again the way Harmony's face lite up when she saw him and jumped into his arms, Ciel knew that look well. It was the same she had when he came to pick her up a few times in the past, happy and surprised. Also, the way you looked, frozen for a moment but never the less pleased.
Just who...invited the two of you? Edward? He knew Soma did, but there was nothing exchange of thanks between the two of you that said otherwise. Nor had either you or Harmony asked to see the ones who extended the invite. Something didn't sit right, he felt it churring in his gut.
The look on the young Earl's face was priceless from across the way, he had no idea at all. Just as before, with the fire. He remained in limbo trying to understand it and piece it all together. The pieces where slowly coming together, little by little, looking to Harmony the girl enjoying a plate with Soma. So small, so precious. Looking away, to you standing next to Edward, chatting away as any young lovely lovers do. The light that shined in Edward's eyes and the one that rose in your eyes was sweet and innocent. Yet, behind that innocent you displayed was a corruption rooted that you kept hidden.
The color red suited you well.
"Well, what a wonderful evening," you give a slight yawn, the event was winding down and people where starting to go home. Also, Harmony had become infected with spell of sleep. She could barely keep her head up let alone her eyes.
That dropped slowly closed. It was time for bed.
"Yes, I agree," Alexis said, coming over picking up Harmony. Allowing her to rest, she instantly fell asleep the moment her head hit his shoulder.
Everyone smiled. Soma gently placed his hat on her, making her smile delighted. One that melted his heart.
"Tomorrow is the day, I know you will all do your best," you say to Ciel, Edward, and Soma respectfully. "you should get your rest as well."
They agreed. Pleased to hear, bid them each good night and leave with Lizzie and her family. Before you officially left, Ciel came after you, to your surprise. You stayed, allowing Alexis and the others to take Harmony to the carriage. Your heart swelled wondering what Ciel wanted, whatever it was...you'd..you'd do if he could just look at you the same again and...if could mend everything.
"Yes?"
His eye narrowed for a moment as if reconsidering what it was he wanted. It almost shrunk your heart, so you spoke before he changed his mind. "Ciel! I'll do it! Whatever it is you need from me! You do not even need to ask. I-I'll do it!"
He was stunned for a moment but hid it well, remained motionless in expression, turned around giving a nod and walked away. You wanted to reach out to him, stop him and...and...it hurt, it still hurt. It was going to hurt, you just weren't sure for how long and if you could continue taking it. Madam Red...she would solely disappointed in you on what's become, you could feel her frown upon her stony expression that held no love. Turning a cold shoulder to as Ciel did. You...you didn't mean it..none of this...your heart was bleeding in agony, screaming too. If you could change it...you would, you'd change it in a flash and...and do you'd just about anything if he would...look at you...like before.
The halls never felt so empty and cold, standing there alone. Collecting yourself, remembering Harmony, turn and walk to the others.
When you said you'd do anything, whatever Ciel needed you for the next day, the day of the tournament. You weren't expecting this...then again you should have. Cursing yourself mentally, bitterly screaming and scolding yourself mentally at the predicament you where now in...that you hoped and preyed wasn't for...too long. Sebastian told you from the call last night this would "help" Ciel and his team. It would "change" the outcome of the tournament.
You of course didn't understand, but when morning came and you left with Harmony, Mey-Rin, and the others to the tournament excused yourself when you saw Sebastian. He took you to where you needed to be and who you'd be with.
A person that who was beyond delighted to have their 'Lovely Flower' back, holding out what seem like a even shorter white with gold trimmings and design cheongsam, with a long haired white wig.
Lau.
