"Oh, Ciel, isn't the ball just WONDERFUL?~" cried out a small girl of golden locks and emerald eyes, throwing her hands in the air to take in the music, the dancing, and espically, the fashion sense. The floor almost sparkled as it reflected off the chandlers from above, sending the whole manor to glint a pure aura of light. A boy of navy strands and one blue eye grumbled angrily to himself behind her. He didn't care much for parties. Or people in general. At least, until his Majesty ordered so in their safety. He sighed.

"Yes, Elizabeth. I am so amazed about how wonderful this ball is." hissed the young man through his teeth. "Please do act, at the very least, like you are enjoying yourself, young master." whispered a tall, yet handsome side-man, into the young Earl's ear. Ciel growled. "If I enjoy anymore of this, I might just have to hit some thing... out of pure enjoyment. I apologize if I disappoint you, Sebastian." mocked the young master. His butler regained his stature, and even though turned away from him, Ciel could see the shady man sigh quietly to himself.

Ciel Phantomhive had been invited to attend Lady Elizabeth Midford's family party. And being the young girl's fiance, he had no choice but to attend her 'pointless' gatherings, no matter how much he refused. She was sweet..in a way..but could often be a ninny, as in always very dramatic with the smallest things.

After more time of being dragged around by Lizzy to make pointless small talk and compliment on how cute everything looks, Ciel finally took the opportunity to sneak away while he could while she spoke to a crowd he believed he had no wish to speak with. A bunch of stuck up, rich people is what he considered them to be. Sigh. If there were only at least some decent people who just minded their own business. But in this world, that was as if asking for pigs to grow wings and fly.

He found peace on a small balchony, seeing Sebastian hidden amongst the curtains as he guarded the young Earl from dawdilers, directing them polietly to other quiet settings. Ciel sniffed and turned back to the horizon. To be honest, at least to himself, Ciel wished to be elsewhere. A nice, quiet, peaceful setting where all he could worry about was not to waste his tea or read a good novel that he could barry himself intp. As in, the middle of No-Where. If such a place existed. At least, for now, it was quiet enough for him to collect his thoughts. And then, he smiled. Until-

"CIEL~!"

Oh god, just TAKE ME NOW, SEBASTIAN!

Lizzy busted past his side-man, wrapping her arms around him. "Lizzy, please, GET YOUR HANDS-" he was interupted as she squeezed him tighter. "Ciel, you won't believe this! I just made a new friend!" she squeeled in delight, sending Ciel's brain to go fuzzy. Ciel then shot Sebastian a secret glare that read 'You just HAD to let her past, didn't you?'. Sebastian just smiled cheerfully at both of them.

"You make a new friend everyday, Elizabeth." he sneered.

She wasn't shaken by it. "She says she wishes to meet you! Come on!"

"NO, I DON'T WISH TO-"

It was too late. She already had him by the collar of his coat. As his heels scraped the tile flooring, people stared as Earl Phantomhive was being dragged by a girl who couldn't even fix a cup of tea. Even with help. How humiliating. Suddenly, she stopped and propped Ciel back on his feet. "Was that REALLY NECCISSARY?" he snarled, dusting himself off. Lizzy ignored him, as she then poked the back of a stranger. A young woman, to be more specific.

She had long light blonde hair that curled elegantly to caress her face, holding lavender eyes and soft smile. She wore few jewels, only having an elegant diamond necklace and a single amethyst ring on her right hand. Humble yet stunning. This made Ciel raise a brow curiously. Elizabeth smiled brightly, wrapping her arms around the young woman's arm. This made Ciel almost facepalm. Could she BE anymore obnoxious?

"Ciel, this is-"

"Lady Airiana Fortuna. Newly appointed head of the Fortuna household." Sebastian introduced, overtowering all three, as he placed himself behind the Earl.

The girl smiled, her eyes sparkling in the light of the chandliers. "I see introductions are now in order." She said gently, clearly not bothered by Elizabeth's childish actions. The young girl-Airiana-would look down at Lizzy, smiling brightly as she would pat her arm before removing it.

Odd.

Lizzy looked up at her, her eyes as bright as a lit flame. Wow. Ciel nodded his head in exchange.

"Indeed they are, Lady Fortuna. I am Ciel, Earl of Phantomhive. And this is Sebastian Michaelis, my side-man and current butler." the boy introduced humbly, pointing to Sebastian.

"A pleasure." The bulter placed his hand over his chest and bowed.

"The pleasure's all mine." Her smile was pure and genuine. A rare case in a crowd such as this.

"Airiana." a stern voice said behind the group. All four heads turned to see an elderly woman step into the spotlight of their attention. Though, she didn't even LOOK old. Her hair was put into a tight bun that laced together perfectly with blue lilies. Her dress was long and a beautiful azure shade, though not as lovely as Lady Fortuna's. Airiana turned her head back to all of them. "Let me introduce my grandmother, Marquise Cassandra Fortuna, former head of the Fortuna house." she waved her hand to her relative, her movement graceful.

The woman bowed her head. "I see you have met my granddaughter." the woman assumed. She never smiled nor blinked for a second, making Ciel's brow raised even higher. "You must be Earl Phantomhive, the Queen's watchdog, I presume." she huffs gently, looking down.

Ciel nodded. "Yes, madam."

Cassandra turned her head slightly. "And Lady Midford, the Watchdog's fiancee."

Elizabeth bowed, but didn't let go of Head Fortuna's limb.

The woman's cold ice-blue eyes seemed to pierce Ciel like a steeled dagger. The Earl shifted uncomfortably but wouldn't dare let it show on his face. The ting! ting! ting! of a glass rang through the air, making everyone stop at their conversations immediatly as they turned towards the sound. Marquis Alexis Midford, Elizabeth's father, stood boldly uptop a small balcony, with his wife, Frances, at his side. Both wore very regal material; Frances having dressed in a dark red dress that dragged carelessly behind her and Alexis in a black and white suit that seemed to fit him well.

As far as Ciel was concerned, Alexis didn't have much of a taste in fashion.

Ciel then stiffened as he caught sight of Edward Midford, Elizabeth's possessive, stuck up, and overbearing older brother, as Ciel might've added. Luckily, his sights were not on his little sister or Ciel for that matter, as his full attention was on his father as the Marquis spoke in a rythmatic, strong tone to the guests, even to Ciel (if he were listening). The young Earl then caught sight of a group of wealthy girls giggle to each other and point at Edward from across the way. This made Ciel almost gag at the sudden thought.

Tonight is supposed to be the announcement of Edward Midford's hand-in-wait. No wonder so many girls have gathered in the Midford manor.

Ciel then chuckled on the inside. Edward was not betrothed as Ciel was when he was first born. At this thought, Ciel then loathed Lizzy's brother with a passion. At least he free for many years, unlike the young Phantomhive who was stuck with a girl that made him dress in ridiculous outfits that made his hips the size of a buffalo's rear end. And not in a good way.

It was only a second that Ciel realized that he had already missed half of his father-in-law's speech to the crowd.

"-proud that my son, Edward Midford, has finally chosen to let each and every one of the young ladies that gathered here tonight have an audience with him."

Girls all around Ciel squeeled quietly to each other or to themselves. Ugh, Ciel groaned theatrically. Get over yourself, ladies. There is an even less chance that any of you will be chosen as a probable fiancee to Edward. The man-that is 'young man' has already set his standards for what he wants, the luck ba-

A sharp nudge came from the side. The green eyes of Lizzy stared at him anxiously. "Ouch!" Ciel murmered under his breath, loud enough for Lady Midford to only hear. She shook her head. "I should have known this party was a facade!" she said quietly, though seeming to talk half to herself. "Father has been planning for months for this banquet, also to have Brother's approval!" she hissed angrily. Ciel then realized she hadn't let go of Lady Fortuna's limb.

"Then what's the problem," Ciel snapped, though put his tone to a hush. "if you knew this was to happen?"

"I didn't think it would happen already! Plus, all the invitations Father sent were to a bunch of stuck-up, fancy, ninny, rich girls who do nothing but gossip all day!" the blonde squeaked silently.

And we all wonder how she knew that. Ciel told himself sarcastically.

"Why should you care? It's not a surprise Edward hasn't yet accepted me into your house as your fiance!"

"Yeah, but this is different! The only girl I would accept into my house is Airiana!"

"YOU'VE ONLY KNOWN FOR AN HOUR."

"In an hour, I'm just as good as a mind-reader to strangers!" Lizzy huffed, ending their feud.

Ciel sighed. In an hour, one aquaintance can become Lizzy's most trusted best friend. Yes, what an amazing mind-reader she is.

Ciel's thoughts broke off at the sound of a blood-curtling scream coming from the back, as well as the peace. People looked at one another, a sudden fear swelling quickly in the depths of their eyes. Ciel, with Sebastian at his heels, pushed through the crowds of people as they came closer to the scene. A young girl of thirteen stood in horror, dark stains plastered in her dress that also spread across her face. Her bright eyes were hollowed with terror and disgust.

"I told her not to! I swear, I told her not to do it!" she cried, eyeing her hands in disbelief as they shook violently. A shadowed figure was placed in the darkness.

The outline of a young girl's corpse.