About an half an hour had passed and all the guest had arrived. So the young master and his betrothed made their way down to the ballroom room. The young lady wore a long, puffy, navy blue and white ball dress with sparkles scattering it. She also wore white, silk gloves that touched just below her elbows and navy blues heels. Heels that were actually over an inch. She had earrings that had silver to hold three sapphire rocks in them and they dangled just above her shoulders. Unfortunately, the only thing that ruined her outfit was her usual hair style. But aside from that she actually looked like a woman! Her appearance shocked the young master and myself when we initially saw her.
The young man's outfit matched her's but instead of wearing white as a contrast color, he wore black. Mainly because he didn't want to wear white shoes which was the only color shoes she picked out for him to wear instead of black. He also wore black gloves, a navy blue tall hat with a black ribbon tied around it, black tie, and black dress shirt.
The young couple walked down the corridors and staircases of the mansion side by side and their arms were hooked together. As for me I walked a few paces in front of them to be able to hold the door for them when they make their grand entrance into the ballroom.
Lady Elizabeth blabbed on about how cute they looked and how excited she was for the ball. She was so engrossed with her own excitement that she was blinded by the cold stares she got from the young master. He was annoyed and utterly bored that his face was stuck in a deadpan expression. In hopes that his blatant dislike and disinterest for this whole event would shut her up but nothing worked. She just couldn't take a hint. She's a gullible, naive fool simple as that.
We made it to the ballroom and I turned around then nodded my head to signify that I was about to open the door. The young master looked away from me with a scowl on his face in all attempts to get out his frustrations before he had to fake a smile. I opened the double doors to reveal a room full of people who smiled in awe and swooned at the beautiful couple. I watched off to the side as they both smiled and waved at the guest. Lady Elizabeth turned around and hid her face behind the young master and whispered to me, "Sebastian…"
I looked down at her, "Yes my lady?"
"Where is all the decorations? The bumble bees, flowers, and the animals-." I cut her off as she began to fuss about the lack of 'cuteness' in the room.
It was a nice setup of things for such short notice. The white tulips Finny picked earlier were used as centerpiece on the round tables that were lined along the walls. A candle was placed in the middle of them. White table cloths and napkins folded into doves.
"Oh the decorations were quite wonderful but it would've clashed with the paint in the room. Then it wouldn't have been as beautiful as it was supposed to be." I smiled at her.
"Oh.. I guess that makes since." She faced forward again smiling and waving.
The young master cleared his throat to greet everyone and silence grew in the room as he started to speak, "Good evening everyone. I am Ciel Phantomhive, current Earl of the Phantomhive estate." He let go of Lady Elizabeth's arm and walked over to where I set up the drinks. The drinks that were not punch or ciders… He continued his greeting as he began pouring himself wine and everyone in the room looked at him in confusion and shock. Men's mouths hang open slightly and women covered their mouths, "On behalf of myself," He briefly gestured his hand towards his betrothed also looking at him in shock and confusion, "and my fiancé," He paused as he raised the glass of wine to his lips and gulped it down to the last drop. He breathe out and slammed the glass of the table and began pouring another glass then said, "we're so very glad you all came."
I pinched the bridge of my nose and sighed as I watched everyone look around at each other awkwardly and immediately start to whisper.
Not only did I notice this but Lady Elizabeth did as well. She laughed rather nervously and in that usual obnoxiously, squeaky voice announced gleefully, "Well let the ball begin!"
She joined her betrothed side once again and gave the young man a look of concern. He held up a finger for her to wait before they went around greeting people individually to refill his glass of wine then carried it with him. They roamed the room and greeted the other nobles and ladies, business owners, and a few of lady Elizabeth's friends. I walked over to the table where the young master poured his wine and opened champagne bottles then poured them in champagne glasses then sat them on a tray to be served. "Paula!" I caught her attention she was just on the other end of the table. She walked towards me and I handed her a tray with glasses of champagne. She then grabbed the tray and vanished into the crowd of people. I did the same after pouring more champagne glasses and stepping into the crowd as well.
I did what I always do, I served the drinks, greeted familiar faces, just the usual. The party was running smoothly. No accidents, no complaints, no confrontations, just peace.
As the young master and his betrothed greeted everyone I could tell that he was becoming very agitated with all of this. Talking to people he didn't care for much, smiling, laughing at humorless jokes, and Lady Elizabeth… I could understand why he's drinking so much. He's already had five drinks. Wait… Make that six now.
But could anyone really blame him? Elizabeth has been blabbering about 'cute' things even as other nobles tried to collaborate a business deal with the young master. Her speech contrasted horribly with his more mature talk, so childish and ignorant. Not to mention she's loud, nearly talking over the pianist playing his soft song and melodies. Everyone in the room was a bit agitated with her.
Most shrugged it off but others had bent lips and furrowed brows.
When everyone was talking to people individually and couples departed for the night to be with their friends and acquaintances I noticed Lady Elizabeth and a long-haired brunette talking. I stood to observe the conversation through a small bit of a group of people casually.
"Oh, your dress is absolutely gorgeous!" Elizabeth squealed.
"Aw thank you… You look… Cute." Her voice trailed.
"Thank you. Are you in enjoying the party?"
"Yes quite, it's wonderful…" I could tell that the woman was bored with the festivities.
The two women were in the middle of the floor and from where I stood I saw Paula appear on the other side of them and began listening to their conversation as well.
"We haven't seen each other in ages. Not since we were little girls." The slightly older female stated as flicked one of Lady Elizabeth's ponytails over her shoulder gently. Then clasped her hands in front of herself in a manner of which anyone witnessing this would presume that the words ready to come from her mouth are not kind. "You've grown so much… But you're still the same as I remember." She said with a pout that can be mistaken for sympathy or overwhelming pride in someone. But in this case it was pity. I watched Paula immediately to see her reaction. Her face dropped then twisted in anger. Elizabeth was too blind to catch on as always.
"Ages indeed, I remember clearly though. Jumping rope, tea parties, and sneaking sweets from the kitchen." Elizabeth sighed in content at the memory.
"Yeah time really flies." The brunette smiled.
"And things change then we grow…" Lady Elizabeth sighed.
"Well some of us change and grow and some stays the same… Like you." The was a quick change in the aura of this women. Lady Elizabeth caught it too and her happy facial expression dropped to a shocked one.
"It's sad and humorous all the same to see you at your age acting so childishly. You run around here like a kid all loud. Nearly like you have no home training what's so ever! You run up to everyone you see like some ninny."
Lady Elizabeth's eyes started to water and she whimpered softly as she tried to hold herself together. I liked up to see Paula with an expression of seething anger and hatred for the brunette. I could barely contain my laughter as I watched this whole scene unfold before my eyes.
"I wonder what you're fiancé thinks of you, probably embarrassed.-"
"I actually think she's quite lovely the way she is." Ciel came from behind the young lady and she winced as he gently placed his hand on her shoulder. She turned around and followed him as he walked beside his betrothed, Lady Elizabeth. He sighed as he pulled out his handkerchief and began wiping her face clean of the few tears that escaped her eyes. "Haven't I told you before that crying is unsuitable for a lady."
He looked up to the lady that caused all the trouble and frowned, "Why are you still here?"
"O-oh excuse me." She bowed with a curtsy.
"I mean leave the manor."
"Wha-." The lady gasped.
"Rude and mean-spirited people are not welcome in my house." He raised a threatening eyebrow.
With that the young lady staggered away from the ballroom and out the manor from with what I could sense.
The ball continued and the Earl and his fiancé went their separate ways again. To my surprise Lady Elizabeth pulled herself together rather quickly. But took nothing of what that childhood friend of hers had to say because she continued to do exactly what she was doing before.
I approached the young master as he was standing against the wall being his usual wallflower self. "Sebastian don't scold me for not being social enough, I've spoken to everyone here already." He raised his hand to stop and shoo me. Then eyed the tray of alcoholic beverages I was holding and grabbed one from it.
"I wasn't coming over here to scold you. On the contrary I was going to praise you for handling the situation with Lady Elizabeth so well…"
"I just didn't want Elizabeth to make a scene." Ciel's face deadpanned at the thought as he sipped on his champagne.
"Now… I would scold you for drinking so much." I raised my eyebrow in a testy manner.
"Who do you think you are? My father?" He snapped at me.
"No, I'm looking out for your wellbeing and your reputation since you're not."
"I haven't even drank that much." He hiccuped.
"Oh really… How many drinks have you had then?" I smirked as he started to ponder.
I waited for his response and this was what he came up with, "W-well I had two when the party first begun. Another w-while I was socializing, oh and another when…" He trailed off then said, "I don't have to answer to you." He scoffed and began to walk away from me. Stumbling a bit at first but shortly got his footing together.
"I'm cutting you off!" I yelled to him. He waved his hand and gave a weak 'yeah, yeah' as he went to walk into the crowd once again.
~Ciel's POV~
I walked away from Sebastian to find Paula to get another drink because I just finished the one I got from Sebastian. When I finally found her I saw Sebastian beside her talking to her. I quicken my pace as I saw her head nod when Sebastian walked off. I gave her a small smile as I went to grab a glass from her but she turned her body so I couldn't get one.
"What the hell?"
"Sebastian just gave me strict orders to not let you get another drink from me."
"This is my house, I do what I want!" I raised my voice.
She pointed her nose up at me and said, "That may be true but as your betrothed lady I should keep what's in your best interest in mind as well."
"Huh… Fine." I reconciled.
"Good, enjoy the rest of the night earl." She bowed.
I purposely walked pass Sebastian who was currently serving someone drinks and whisper-yelled, "Bastard." Sometimes I really hate when he gets like this.
I walked back to where I was standing at first where Sebastian found me. I leaned against it and crossed my arms in front of me. The feeling of exhaustion fell over me and I just felt drowsy. I closed my eyes and sighed tiredly.
I really could use a nice, long, slumber. I just want this ball to be over…
"Hello?" A lady's soft voice spoke. I opened my eyes to see a women in a emerald green gown. It was a halter top with white ruffles around it. She had curly blonde hair with a gold hair pin with an emerald gem in it to match the gown. Her eyes were big, sky blue orbs. She had on heels that were at least two and a half inches tall that were also emerald green. She was beautiful and already seemed pleasant.
"Are you alright?" She asked seemingly genuinely concerned.
"I'm fine…" I said sounding a bit confused.
"I brought you some water." She offered me a glass of water that I didn't even notice that she had.
I grabbed it and sniffed it and she giggled, "I'll accept this so you won't feel bad but, I won't drink it."
"Trust issues I see." She leaned against the wall next to me.
"Yes. Can't go along in this life trusting people. It's foolish."
"Indeed." She sighed.
For some reason her response caught me off guard. I was expecting her to defend herself and convince me that it wasn't poisoned or drugged. But the fact that she didn't defend herself makes her even more suspicious.
"Trust is for foolish and naive people. You either know not of the world or you know of the world and you're in denial of it. There's no in between." She frowned and hung her head a bit.
"I sense a tragic life story." I chortle.
"There is, but there's no need to speak of the past right? It can't be changed. To simply put it, what happens, happens." She shrugged.
"I know that too well…"
"'I sense a tragic life story,'" She mocked me as she poked me on my arm with a giggle.
"Tragic indeed." I looked down at the glass this girl dressed in green gave me and swirled the water around in it.
"How so? You live a pretty decent life the way I see it." She gestured her hands around the room.
"There's no need to talk about the past right?" I looked at her from the corner of my eye.
"Oh right."
"Besides, even if I didn't have such a dark past, being a nobleman isn't all it's cracked up to be. Noblemen… More vile and crueler than demons themselves. We're greedy and would step even the lower classes to maintain our own statutes." I continued to swish the water around in the glass. There was a pause before she said anything else.
"I know that too well…" She sighed. I turned my head towards her.
"How so?" I asked then said, "Or are you not going to answer?"
"No, I'll answer. Part or my past is in my present so I'll make an exception this time." She giggled as she moved closer to me. "My father is a nobleman. He wants me to sleep with you."
I wasn't shocked, "He wants you to be my mistress." I stated.
"Yes. For all the reasons we all know. Money, power, status…"
"So I reckon this 'water' is drugged." I held the glass up and looked at it.
"No, it's water, I was being genuine. I saw you drinking so much tonight I just wanted you to dilute it some." She smiled. Then her face dropped into a frown and then her lip quivered. "I-I don't want to be a mistress to anyone… I feel like the prostitute of the family. I love my father, mother, but this is the one thing I just can not do. We're experiencing money issues and my father feels that this the last resort." She hugged herself and sniffled.
I placed my hand on her shoulder. It caught her by surprise and she slowly looked at me.
"There's only two lives to live. The lives that are chosen for us and the ones we choose. In any case we have to accept and live with it, there is no in between… no escape. The life chosen for me was certain death. What I did next was chose life over death…" I saw this place ablaze as I remembered the events of that day. My parents...then… me being captured and tortured. I blinked the vision out and turned to her shocked face, "In your case, your life was chosen for you…"
"You can escape." She straightened her posture and dropped her arms to her side. "We can all just run.
"Running is for the weak. Running will only get you cased."
"Then you run without leaving a trace." She scooted closer to me.
"I can't run without a trace because I am the target. You may have a chance though, if you do it smart." I handed her the glass of water she offered me earlier.
"You may have a chance as well… Even if you don't just do it for the thrill." She turned facing me directly and I do the same also placing my forearm above her head.
I squinted my eyes in question and smirked, "Are you trying to seduce me?"
"No." Her face turned serious, "It's just nice to talk to someone that I can relate to or just vent about my problems."
"Someone who understands you." I sighed through my nose.
"Yeah… a genuine conversation." She offered a soft smile, "Maybe we should write letters to each other." This lady can say what she wants but I know that she wants to get me in bed with her. I won't pursue her but I will entertain her. If I may be honest this is a very stimulating conversation. I've never had a deep conversation with a lady ever.
"Maybe we should… so what is your-." I cut off by being swept away so quickly, I thought that it was Sebastian before I looked behind me to see Elizabeth dragging me towards the kitchen, "Lizzy, what is wrong with you!" I exclaimed as I struggled to get out of her grasp. There was no use we were in the kitchen now. I stood to my feet and glared at her, "What in the bloody hell is wrong with you?"
"What's wrong with me? What's wrong with you?" She hollered poking my chest.
"What do you mean? I was just having a conversation."
"Yeah, with a girl that obviously wants to sleep with you. But you may be too drunk to tell!" Lizzy placed her balled up fist on her hips.
"Maybe I am too drunk to tell but she didn't want me at all!" I shouted and she flinched.
"How do you know? She may have said it but, she was standing all close to you and everything!" She squealed.
"Stop Lizzy! Stop that damned whining this instant!" She was taken aback as I stepped closer to her. She was silent, "I'm am not going to stand here and plead my case to you. I was having a nice conversation with a women who didn't squeal about how everything is 'cute' and her shopping trips. That conversation was a relief!" There was a moment of silence once I noticed Elizabeth start to cry. I placed my hands on the old-wooden table and noticed a crate of wine glasses, next to that sat a wine bottle, and next to the wine bottle a corkscrew.
I reached out for a glass and lizzy smacked my hand, "Stop drinking!"
"Why not, it's the only thing getting me through this stupid ball!" I snapped.
"You don't like the ball…?" She sniffled.
"No I don't! I didn't want this shit!" I breathe out and groaned, "I had work to do. I had lessons. That all got cancelled because you decided to plan a ball without even asking me!"
"I-I just wanted it to be a surprise…"
"No, I don't want surprises. What the hell was the surprise for? It's not even my birthday!"
"I was trying to help you with your social standing…" she trailed off with a pout.
"I don't need help!" I hollered louder. I opened my mouth to continue on but I stopped myself, "Forget it." I walked out of the kitchen and left her there to sulk.
~Sebastian's POV~
"We need more champagne." Paula stated.
"I'll go grab more out of the kitchen." I walked towards the kitchen and the young master stormed past me.
"Young master-."
"Leave me alone." He snarled.
Damn… What happened?
As I approached the kitchen I could hear weeping. I sighed in irritation. I really don't want to deal with this right now. I walked in to see a crying Lady Elizabeth sitting in a stool at the table with her head laid in her folded arms.
"Lady…?" She popped up and turned around with her nose running with snot and her face wet of tears.
"Yes…" she whimpered.
"I have to get the wine glasses." I pointed at the crate of glasses sat in front of her.
"Oh… okay." She slowly got up from the stool and walked away a few steps from the table. I quickly gathered the glasses, champagne, and the corkscrew I left sitting there. I turned to walk out and was startled by the sobbing of Lady Elizabeth.
I turned around and sighed. I walked back over to the table and sat everything back down. I gathered my hands in front of me and asked, "What's the matter my lady?"
"It's Ciel, he was so mean to me!" She blubbered immediately.
"Oh, how so?" I asked out of concern more for the young master than her but she didn't need to know that.
"H-he was talking to this girl that was flirting with him and I confronted him about it. A-and he told me that it was better talking to her than me. Then he yelled at me for planning this ball for him." She rubbed her eyes hastily.
I raised an eyebrow at her, "Can you really blame him Lady Elizabeth…"
"What…"
"Let's go down the list shall we. You talk loudly around people at engagements like this. Your clothing is clothing that belongs on a child the age of five years or less. You talk politically incorrect. You're self-ish, inconsiderate, and childish. You always show up to the manor unannounced. Honestly, have you forgotten that he is the Queen's Guard Dog and the Owner of the Funtom Company. He's a busy man and you interrupt him with my remorse or consideration. You're complaining about how he supposedly was entertaining some young lady's flirtation but you have yet to realize that things like this would only get worse. He's young, rich, and handsome, and if you keep going about things the way you do you're going to find yourself husband-less or he's going to find a mistress. No nobleman wants a wife who does not know how to sit and stay, smile, and speak when spoken to." I reached for the crates of wine and wine glasses and said. "Now if you'll excuse me."
"How dare you speak to me like that!" She yelled.
"How dare you embarrass my young master the way you do?" I whipped around facing her once more, "Before you go being angry with me, you need to do a self-evaluation. I told you no more than what others has told you all night." I turned back and walked out the kitchen and back to the party. I did not care that I made you cry even more than before. I didn't even become disrespectful and spiteful how I could've. She'll sulk for now but thank not only me but the young master and the rude brunette later.
~Elizabeth's POV~
Why is everyone being so mean to me! What did I do? I just want to make Ciel happy but I've done the complete opposite. I made him angry...
I ran out the door in the kitchen to find it lead right outside. I plopped down on the concrete steps and put my face in my gloved hands. My heart feels like it's been shattered into pieces. I can't believe Ciel's behavior and where did all of this come from? I thought that he was happy with the ball but he lied to me. I just wanted to help and be the perfect wife for Ciel. I just want to make it better…
"Lady Elizabeth?" A voice from behind me spoke. I hastily turned around to see Finnian standing in the doorway with a face of concern. "Are you alright?"
"I-I'm… Fine-." I cried into my hands once again. I heard the door shut and heard him sit next to me. He patted my back.
"I-I just wanted to make Ciel happy… but everyone just yelled at me!" I sobbed.
'Who?"
"Ciel and Sebastian!" I looked up at him with tears running down my face.
"Oh…" He paused for a moment, "You must've really did something bad for Sebastian to yell at you." He retracted his hand from my back.
"I only meant well…" I whimpered softly.
"Well that may be true but the young master is a very strict person and Sebastian… whoa…" He paused for another moment like he was completely astonished. But it only made me feel worse, "I'm pretty sure they both only meant well. That's the only time either one of them ever get's upset and starts scolding everyone. The young master and Sebastian took us all in and gave us a home… They care about us even if it dosen't show sometimes. We're like one little family. So don't cry your eyes out because whether you realize it now or later, it was for your better."
"Oh…" I felt a great deal of relief wash over me and I smiled as he patted my head. "Thank you."
I'm so to find out that Ciel cares about me.
"You're welcome." He smiled back.
The door creaked open and we both looked back to see Bardroy standing in the doorway with a baffled look on his face. Finnian and I both ignored it, "Hi Bard!" We cheered.
He rubbed the back of his head before pulling out a box of cigarettes and a lighter.
"Finny, the guest are leaving so you know what that means. Let's go."
Finnian got up from the stairs and said, "Ok!" He held out his hand for me to take, "You should get back to your guest and say goodbye."
"Yeah." I ran past the two and to the ballroom.
I'm going to put on a brave face for Ciel and make him happy again!
~Sebastian's POV~
After the party and clean up I carried the young master up to his bed chambers. I left for a while to lend a hand to the other servants. They were still cleaning and putting away dishes from the ball.
"Huh… it's been such a tiresome day." Mey-Rin sighed as she dried and put away the dishes I handed to her.
"You're right about that." Bard chimed in.
"Yeah…" Finny yawned.
"Ho. Ho. Ho."
"Yes indeed, I can agree with you all on that. I think that this day is the most chaotic day we've experienced now." I stated.
"Yeah." They all said in unison.
"Ho…"
"I know we all have our days where we make a mess of things-." I cut Bard off.
"And I'm left to clean it up." I cut my eye at him.
"But today was something entirely different." Bard finished.
"Yes you all didn't break anything, detonate anything, or throw statues." I drawled out each specific word and turned to each culprit. "So today was entirely different from any other day I suppose."
They all chuckled and I couldn't help but grin at them.
"Hey, what was this ball for anyway? Charity?" Finny asked.
"No I presume it was just a social engagement." I pondered as I handed Mey-Rin the last dish That I was going to wash, "I'm going to give the young master some water and put him to bed for the night now. I trust that you all can handle the rest?" I rolled down my sleeves and grabbed my tailcoat from the hook next to the doorway.
"Yes sir!" They sounded off.
I rolled the trolley I had already set with water out the door and to his room with me. I knocked on the door and got no response. He most likely has already passed out. I opened the door to see him splayed across the bed and snoring loudly. I chuckle at the sight of him. People of status can look like such sloths. I walked up to him and began undressing him. I turned him over to unbutton the buttons on his shirt and pants.
His face was blushed pink, his hair was a mess, and drool was spilling out the corner of his lip. His face contorted and twisted a bit as I undressed him but he never woke up. Once I was done undressing him I went to his wardrobe to get out a night shirt for him. Once I was done I tucked him in and rolled the trolley next to his bed so he could access the water better for whenever he wakes.
I turned to leave his room but stopped when I heard a weakly groaned, "Sebastian…"
"Yes master?" I began approaching his bedside again. I walked on the side opposite of the trolley and he expected me to be there because he started reaching for me in that direction.
"Where are you?" He whinned playfully.
"Over here." he turned over and I saw that his eyes were closed still. He continued to wave his hand so I grabbed it, "I'm right here." with that he opened his eyes and smiled.
He's definitely drunk.
I chuckled at him and asked, "Do you want water?"
"No… I want you though." He grinned as he pulled me onto the bed.
"No you're drunk and you need to sleep."
"So what if I'm drunk? I can still fuck." He fussed.
I pouted mockingly, "But if you take me intoxicated you most likely won't remember in the morning."
"But when I'm with you I already feel intoxicated." I let go of his hand and rested my hands in my lap as he traced my jawline with his fingers.
"Sure. But that type of intoxication will still allow you to remember every single detail. Don't you want to remember every encounter between us."
He bit his lip hungrily and said, "I guess you're right… I want to remember your cries, expressions, the way you beg for more, your scent, the feeling of you…"
He grabbed my tied and pulled me down into a brief kiss, "Stay with me tonight."
"Until you fall asleep?"
"No, all night long." He let go of my tie then pulled the covers over his shoulders. His eyes fluttered a bit out of drowsiness but he intended to watch me strip myself of my clothes. I only took off my socks and shoes, pants, tailcoat, and tie. There was no reason to undress completely anyway since we weren't doing anything. I got under the covers and laid on my back and laced my fingers together on my torso.
"Silly…" Ciel sighed as he scooted towards me removing my hands from my torso and climbing on top of me. "You feel so good, like a life-sized pillow…" He cooed as he nuzzled his face into nape of my neck. I wrapped my arms around him and let one hand get tangled in his hair as he fell asleep rather quickly. I for one fell asleep as well, I can personally say that I deserve it.
Today was a long day…
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