[Three Days Later]
Ciel looked at the flowery note in annoyance. His fiancé wanted to have a winter ball.
He rang the bell he created ever since Yuki came and five minutes later, she curtly opened the door, answering with a monotone of, "You called, Master?"
"Yes, I did. I have a favor to ask you," Ciel motioned towards the chair. Yuki's eyes hardened, making Ciel feel even more guilty on the inside of calling the girl more of a pawn than everything. Yuki shrugged, tucked a navy blue hair back and shut the door politely before sitting on the leather chair across from Ciel's desk. She looked at him questioningly with a tint of annoyance.
"You know, you aren't supposed to look at me rudely," Ciel chided Yuki.
"I have all the right to when your cook is blowing up the kitchen at the moment," Yuki snapped back, and Ciel frowned.
"What did he use?"
"He tried to cook lunch today with the aid of a blowtorch, Master," Yuki answered in annoyance.
"I will have Sebastian clean it up," Ciel assured her, out of worry for her, a feeling he never had for Elizabeth.
Yuki nodded and he called Sebastian.
"Yes, my lord?" Sebastian bowed.
"Bard had blown up the kitchen again. Get to it," Ciel commanded.
"Yes, my lord," Sebastian nodded and bowed and reverently closed the door and walked off.
"Thank you," Yuki sighed.
"Anyways, I have a fiancé coming over. Her name is Elizabeth Midford. She is my cousin," Ciel cringed at the last part, "Although that is subject to change."
"You're engaged to your cousin?" Yuki raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. Do you have a problem with it?" Ciel stared at her, suddenly losing the power to glare at her, which irked him.
"No. Some of my own family members did the same thing. Although I didn't know it is that common," Yuki shrugged indifferently, "As you were saying, Master?"
"Yes, well, my fiancé wants to have a Winter Ball themed like an ice palace. I want you to do the decorations," Ciel told her simply.
Yuki narrowed her eyes, "You do realize it will be real ice, right? And because of the ice, it will feel cold?"
"Will it melt?"
"Until I get rid of it, it will stay perfectly the same, but it will feel cold if I make the room an ice palace. And does this require the floor?" Yuki asked.
"No."
"Good. Or else you would have to have ice skating experience, which your butler told me you don't have any physical education done," Yuki smirked slightly before settling back into her seat.
Ciel grumbled and knew he was right.
"So? Which room?" Yuki asked.
"The ballroom," Ciel stated simply, "And I assume you don't know where that is?"
"No, but I can ask Sebastian where it is," Yuki nodded.
The little green monster of jealousy sparked in Ciel's chest. His blood boiled at the thought of Yuki and his butler together doing and accomplishing tasks together. He doesn't want that to happen.
"No I will show you where it is," Ciel got up from his seat.
Yuki rose an eyebrow out of amusement and viewed his paper stack and asked, "What about this huge mountain of papers?"
"I finished them," Ciel simply said, and Yuki merely nodded.
Getting out of the seat she followed the earl until they stopped in front of two grand golden doors at the hallway to the right of the room of the main entrance and lobby.
Opening the door, the pair stepped inside. Ciel looked unfazed, but Yuki's eyes widened and she childishly squealed in excitement as she spun around, acting professionally as if she were dancing with someone, possibly with her 'prince charming', a thought that made Ciel wish as if he was that person in Yuki's mind.
"I see you know how to dance rather well," Ciel cleared his throat, making the blue haired girl stop in her mid-fantasies.
Yuki cleared her throat and mumbled, "Yes."
"So I can see it to that you will help me dance?" Ciel asked.
"Why, you going to put a few moves on your fiancé? How un-original," Yuki smirked, making Ciel want to hit the girl on the book lightly out of slight chiding.
"It is called formality, Yuki," Ciel snapped and blushed at the thought of them dancing together, him and Yuki.
"I know you have secondary reasons," Yuki smirked even wider and making Ciel blush even harder, "But since you are my master, I guess I have no choice to help you."
Ciel frowned.
Just your master?
He wanted it to be more than that, he wanted the two of them to be even closer, but he would mention that later. He has the right to marry anyone he wants, right?
"Right," Ciel felt colder on the inside, "Meet me at 6 o'clock this evening and we will have the dance lesson."
"But when is the winter ball?" Yuki asked, "So then I can plan accordingly, of course."
"Does it take that long to decorate?" Ciel raised an eyebrow.
"No, but I might never do it if you never tell me," Yuki crossed her arms and had a point.
Ciel sighed, "In exactly two weeks. On my birthday, actually."
"When is it?" Yuki smiled.
"December 14th. Don't get me wrong. The only reason I allowed my fiancé to have a Winter Ball is because she might cry and waste my time. The Winter Ball will celebrate my birthday and the upcoming of the season," Ciel frowned, "And Christmas."
"Oh, master, quit being a Scrooge," Yuki rolled her eyes and smiled at him, one that melted Ciel's heart.
"Scrooge? What do you mean by that?" Ciel, in a moment of insecurity, thought it meant being untidy in any manner and straightened his huge yellow bow on his suit for that day that was perfected by Sebastian himself.
"Your attire is fine," Yuki read Ciel's mind, "You never heard of the story, haven't you?"
"No," Ciel shook his head, "I never had time for reading miscellaneous things."
"Never?" Yuki asked in shock.
"Never. Who or what is this Scrooge?" Ciel asked.
"Scrooge was this old guy in A Christmas Carol who hated Christmas. He never liked it so he had to go on this long journey, to be short, to find out the real beauty of the holiday. In the end he loved it. But when people say someone is a Scrooge, they are referring to the man at the beginning: so uptight, or someone who tries to show disdain for Christmas," Yuki nodded her head.
Ciel then understood what she meant.
"I don't hate Christmas," Ciel shook his head, "It is just…Elizabeth makes these grand parties that my butler has to decorate and prepare the food and entertainment for, and so much mess in the end that me and Sebastian have to clean it up."
"Can't Meirin, Bard, or Finny help?" Yuki raised an eyebrow.
"Well, to tell you the truth, they are amazing company, very reliable friends, and protect the manor at all costs…" Ciel sighed.
Yuki nodded her head.
"But they make a huge mess when it comes to day-to-day chores. Baldroy blows up the kitchen in his attempts to speed up cooking, Finnian destroys the gardens by pesticides or cutting the hedges terribly, and Meirin destroys sometimes the most valuable dishware to the point that I have to keep ordering new ones over and over again," Ciel sighed.
Yuki got the point.
"Now imagine trusting them to clean up the mess after a ball," Ciel pointed out.
"Not the best idea. Well, since I am entrusted with decorating the ball room as an ice palace, do know it is easier to clean up the decorations. All I have to do is reverse the magic," Yuki shrugged her shoulders.
"True," Ciel nodded.
"I can help with cleaning up if you are tired of doing it all on your own with your butler," Yuki offered.
Ciel couldn't smile anymore.
"I would appreciate that."
oOo
"Damn it! The tea boiled over again! Sorry, Yuki!"
Yuki sighed. Bard did it again. She shook her head in a minute misery before saying meekly, "No worries. Let me go get dressed and then I will make the tea and snacks again."
"Why do you need to get dressed? Your uniform is fine. Unless you suddenly became feminine…" Bard started to smirk as he puffed some smoke out of his cigarette.
"Um, no. Not that," Yuki deadpanned.
"Shoot…" Bard muttered.
At that, Yuki threw him a glare.
"Master asked me to teach him to dance for the Winter Ball," Yuki sighed.
"Ah, the Young Master had taken a fancy towards you?" a smooth voice came from behind her.
Yuki spun around and glared at the smirking butler.
"I do not know what you are talking about. Now if you will excuse me, I have no time to waste," Yuki deadpanned, before walking quickly past Sebastian, and into her shared room with Meirin. She looked into her tiny wardrobe and sighed. She had no suitable dresses to wear, and she could absolutely not wear one her fancy ball gowns which she is supposed to wear at big parties, for dance practice.
A soft knock sounded at the door, and footsteps came in.
Yuki glared.
"Sebastian, what if at this moment I was changing. Have you no decency?" Yuki turned around to see the smirking butler.
"I know when you are changing and I know when you are not," Sebastian smirked.
"How?" Yuki glared.
"Young Master told me to send you this dress for dance practice tonight," Sebastian started, ignoring Yuki's question.
Yuki sighed and huffed. She snatched the dress and said, "You gonna go or are you gonna take in the pleasure of a women changing?"
Sebastian smirked. Yuki is an interesting girl. No matter Ciel had become slightly possessive of her.
When Sebastian finally left, the navy haired girl sighed deeply before changing into the blue dress and some black flats from her shoe selection. Sebastian could be a peeking tom for all she could know. This whole mansion couldn't be sound proof, much to her chagrin.
What a perverted butler Ciel has, Yuki grumbled as she loosened her normal bun she kept her hair tied into.
oOo
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Ciel nervously got up from his chair and said, "C-Come in."
Yuki sighed from behind the door and muttered, "Sorry for the intrusion."
She came in and closed the door. Her dress and how beautifully it fit her made Ciel blush furiously. Yuki looked at Ciel with a pair of confused eyes before reaching a gloved hand towards Ciel and murmured at him, saying, "Shall we start your dance practice now, Master?"
"Y-Yes," Ciel nodded before frowning.
"Do you hate my dress, Master?" Yuki frowned as well.
"Your gloves. Must you wear them now?" Ciel thought she was kidding when she said she had to wear it all the time.
"Yes, I must," Yuki nodded.
"Why is that?" Ciel asked.
"Because if I let you touch my bare hand I could accidentally freeze your arm," Yuki said.
"Is there any way to stop it?" Ciel quirked an eyebrow.
"Yes, there is. But I do not know what it is. I will know what it is, when I feel it," Yuki shrugged.
"All right," Ciel nodded and outstretched his arm to take Yuki's hand in his.
Putting her hand on Ciel's shoulder, Ciel put his hand on her waist. Ciel blushed and Yuki felt amused watching her master get embarrassed, but didn't show it to him. She would be dead meat if he saw her smirking at him while he got flustered right in front of her.
"Is there something the problem?" Yuki asked, trying not to laugh.
"I might…step on your foot…" Ciel sighed a sigh of relief as he narrowly avoided stepping on Yuki's left one.
"Don't worry," Yuki laughed, not able to contain herself anymore, "If you do step on my foot do know it is all part of learning. As long as your actions aren't intentional then you are fine."
Ciel smiled, something that was contagious from her laugh.
"Thank you," Ciel smiled, "Thank you."
Yuki didn't know why Ciel was thanking her but felt happy that he didn't appear arrogant. She smiled and merely nodded, letting the silence fill the air.
When they finally stopped, Yuki smiled and said, "I think if you can do this good in two weeks with your fiancé, then you should be spared of her hugs."
Ciel nodded and smiled.
Yuki then turned around and reached for the door to leave when Ciel called out, "Wait."
Yuki turned around with a confused look and asked, "What?"
"Could you have a seat?" Ciel gestured towards the leather seat.
"Sure," Yuki nodded and sat down. She looked at Ciel who was profusely sweating.
"Master?" she asked cocking her head to the side in confusion.
"I'm…sorry…" Ciel blushed furiously.
Yuki didn't know what he was talking about. What did Ciel do that he had to apologize so much for? Oh wait…that incident.
When realization dawned upon Yuki's facial features, Ciel nodded.
"I shouldn't have called you that. The truth is, you aren't one, and I just said that just to make sure I wouldn't be hurt anymore," Ciel said.
"What do you mean…by that…?" Yuki was at a loss of words.
"I mean, people think that I am either a spoiled brat, stuck up kid or Earl Phantomhive or Queen's Watchdog. To no one I am just Ciel," he sighed in disappointment.
"I'm sorry then," Yuki felt guilty.
"How?" Ciel now was curious.
"Then I must've treated you like the others when I didn't think of you that way. Somehow underneath this mask you put on, you just want to be accepted as a close or familiar person right? Is that what you mean you want to be recognized as Ciel, right Master?" Yuki cocked her head to the side.
Ciel closed his eyes. His name sounded so beautiful off of Yuki's tongue.
"Ciel."
"Pardon me, Master?"
"Call me Ciel."
"You are giving me such a privilege in just three days?"
"Yes. Do you object?" Ciel looked at Yuki in confusion.
"Should I address to you by your name in front of the nobles?" Yuki grew scared.
"Why not? You were one once."
"But I am not one right now."
"Doesn't matter. Because you are close to me now," Ciel gave her a small smile.
Yuki smiled and said, "As you wish, Ciel."
Ciel nodded and said, "Good. I think it is pretty late right now. Do you mind bringing me tea right now?"
"In this dress?" Yuki gave Ciel an incredulous look.
"Just this once because of dance practice. Let's have tea together, in fact," Ciel nodded.
Yuki looked dumbfounded but then nodded and said, "Tea coming right up, Ciel."
Ciel smiled as the girl barely contained her excitement as she closed the large door to his study and scampered off. Suddenly, it felt like a huge weight on his chest got lifted off.
"I am so glad I apologized," Ciel murmured.
oOo
Yuki barely got away from the excited servants when they heard her call the master by his first name.
They were mostly jealous she got the right and not them, but after explaining to Sebastian, he nodded his head and held the three at bay as Yuki padded up the stairs and went to Ciel's study. This time, the tray held two teacups and two evening snacks.
Yuki curtly nodded and smiled.
"Ciel? I got the tea?"
"You don't have knock," Ciel chuckled.
"Of course I do," Yuki rolled her eyes, "My mother and father taught me proper manners when I was young."
"My you are practically a lady," Ciel rolled his eyes.
"And you are almost a gentleman," Yuki smirked as Ciel froze. Humming she poured tea for Ciel first and then herself. Bringing her own teacup to her lips she daintily drank the Earl Grey Tea.
"Now have anything to say back to that?" Yuki smirked once more.
Ciel smiled. And teatime was spent not in silence that day, but in fistfuls of laughter.
oOo
Outside the door, Sebastian smiled.
His master rarely smiled. If only he could admit that he would rather marry Yuki than Elizabeth.
"Oh well," Sebastian shrugged as his eyes glowed pink for a fraction of a second, "It is only a matter of time."
He looked back at the laughter once more and then disappeared down the long corridor.
.
.
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TBC