Elizabeth was the first to wake up. She turned to see that Ciel was still sound asleep next to her and she smiled. "You stayed." She whispered quietly, careful not to wake him. She moved carefully and finally, she was out of bed. She turned the knob on her door and stepped outside only to come face to face with Sebastian.
"Sebastian, what are you doing here?"
"I apologize for startling you, Miss Elizabeth, but I couldn't seem to find the young master in his bedroom. I assumed he fell asleep in your room then?" Sebastian inquired.
A slight blush spread across Elizabeth's cheeks as she realized what it would look like. "It's not what it looks like! I mean it's not what you think!" Elizabeth shut her mouth and shook her head, even more embarrassed.
Sebastian seeing the young girl so conflicted, smiled and bowed. "Lady Elizabeth, there is no need for you to explain yourself to the likes of me. You and my master are betrothed after all. What you two do with your spare time is up to you. We servants are here to protect and serve you. Now then, may I go wake up my master? I've already taken the liberty to help your chef make breakfast for the two of you." Elizabeth nodded and smiled at Sebastian.
Sebastian straightened and walked past Elizabeth and into the bedroom. From the scent in the air, Sebastian could tell nothing had happened. "Honestly young master, that was such a good opportunity that was wasted." He walked to the blinds and pushed them back allowing the morning sun to splash into the room.
"Young master, it is time to wake up." Sebastian said loud enough to awake the boy.
"Is it morning already?" Ciel seemed to grumble as he sat up, rubbing his eyes. He still wore yesterday's clothes and he hated the restriction he felt as he tried to stretch.
"Had an eventful night master?" Sebastian said, giving Ciel a teasing smile.
"Be quiet, Sebastian." Ciel scolded him, but only half heartedly. His mind was somewhere else, looking around him to find the object of his thoughts.
"If you are looking for Lady Elizabeth, she has already woken and is getting ready to have breakfast with you. I imagine she will have quite the eventful morning as the manor will be alive with gossip." Sebastian said as he picked up Ciel's coat and helped the young master into his shoes.
"Why do you say that?" Ciel asked, frowning.
"Quite simple. You left your mark on her. Others will see." Sebastian gave Ciel a devious smile, quite rejoicing in the unnerving glare Ciel gave him.
"I..." Ciel had nothing as a comeback. Sebastian was right. He had left his mark on her. The thought of last nights events, the love bite, the kiss, and finally the two falling asleep in each other's arms, it all seemed like a dream. He shook his head to find his butler still looking at him. "Come. I must get ready."
"Of course, master." Sebastian stifled a chuckle as his young master exited the bedroom and made his way towards the guest bedroom that was originally assigned to him. After he did his morning business and bathed, Sebastian helped him dress and finally, he was ready to join Elizabeth at the breakfast table.
"Good morning." He said to Elizabeth as he settled into his chair across from her.
"Good morning." Her voice was softer than usual, a shyness masking her usual perky self. Ciel's eye darted to hers and then to the mark on her neck. To his surprise, it was gone!
Ciel questioned her with his eye and she just nodded and smiled. He reasoned that she must have used something to cover it up. Clever girl, he thought.
Sebastian served them both and they chatted lightly over their food. It made Sebastian happy to see his young master actually sitting back and relaxing for once. Even with his recent time off, he had been busy with Funtom company work or other business having to do with the estate.
"Sebastian, what is our schedule today?" Ciel said as Sebastian poured him tea.
"Well young master, I did not have anything planned as you decided to spend the next few days with Lady Elizabeth. I was hoping Lady Elizabeth could recommend something?" Sebastian said as he walked over to his mistress, pouring her a cup of tea too.
"Me? Well... I don't know. What would you like to do, Ciel?" Her emerald eyes looked at him keenly, wondering what Ciel might have on his mind.
"Anything you like. How about horseback riding?" Elizabeth had a liking to horses and she loved the outdoors, it would be perfect!
"Oh what a lovely suggestion! And we can also have a picnic!" She clasped her hands together and Ciel was happy to see the shy shield she had been hiding behind give way to her energetic self. "But Ciel, if you wouldn't mind? Can we go to your manor then? I'm afraid our carer for the horses has become ill and is resting now, and unfortunately, he is the only one who can tame the new horses. Louie has been taking care of your horses and the new ones, but I'm afraid it is of no use."
"Of course it is alright. Pack your things then, we head out to Phantomhive Manor in an hour." Ciel said and then turned to his butler. "Sebastian, see to the preparations. I will assist Elizabeth should she need my help." Neither Sebastian nor Elizabeth could figure out what that was supposed to mean, but Elizabeth gladly accepted Ciel's help and together, they walked back to her room.
Even though Ciel had offered Elizabeth his help, he sat idly in her armchair as he watched her and a maid gather her things.
Finally, Sebastian came calling that they were ready and the trio set out.
"The young master is back!" Finny yelled happily as he saw the carriage trot closer to Phantomhive manor. Bard, Tanaka, and Mey-Rin gathered happily at the gate to greet their young master.
"Welcome home, master. I see you've brought Lady Elizabeth along! Welcome, Lady Elizabeth." Mey Rin smiled and bowed. Indeed she was delighted to see her employer and his beautiful fiance but she also smiled for the butler clad in black as he opened the carriage door and helped the other two out.
"Sebastian, Elizabeth and I will wait inside while you prepare the horses. Bard." Ciel turned his blue eye on the cook and he stood to attention as if he were still in the army.
"Yes, young master!"
"We shall be going out on a picnic. Ask Sebastian and make the necessary preparations." Ciel said as he passed the others and entered his home.
He and Elizabeth sat in silence in the parlor as Sebastian served them tea in beautifully crafted ceramic cups. "We should be heading out in a bit, master. I'd advise you and Lady Elizabeth to change into your riding clothes. Lady Elizabeth," Sebastian said standing straight and addressing the blonde, "if you require help, I'll let Mey Rin know to assist you."
"That would be perfect." Elizabeth was confident she could change by herself, but she wouldn't mind the company. She and Mey Rin had been getting along quite well, especially since Paula was away on vacation.
"Alright then, master, shall we?" Sebastian asked, waiting for his master's next command.
"Yes. Lizzie, I shall see you shortly." Elizabeth smiled and nodded as she watched the duo walk off towards Ciel's room. Moments later, Mey Rin appeared.
"Lady Elizabeth, I have already set up the guest bedroom to your liking and have your clothes laid out for you. Would you like my help in getting dressed?" Elizabeth looked at the red headed maid and smiled as she spoke while adjusting her big rimmed glasses.
"Yes, thankyou." She followed Mey Rin up the stairs and into her bedroom. Every time she was in the Phantomhive manor she couldn't help but imagine that one day, she would truly be the Lady of this house.
"Mey Rin, could I get a wet towel please?" Elizabeth asked. The ride in the carriage had been hot and embarrassing enough, she had sweated.
"Of course m'lady." Mey Rin walked into the adjoined bathroom and brought out a wet towel and handed it to Elizabeth as she helped her out of her dress. She was about to pull on her corset strings when Mey Rin's eyes fell on a spot on Elizabeth's neck that she had just wiped.
"What is it Mey Rin? Why have you stopped?" As if on cue, Elizabeth looked in the mirror and followed Mey Rin's gaze to the love bite that Ciel had given her last night. A deep blush spread across both girl's faces, the maid blushing because she had seen something she wasn't supposed to and the Lady blushing because of what a love bite implicated.
Mey Rin was the first to recover from her shock and gave the blushing girl a reassuring smile. A love bit only meant that the master and mistress were getting closer. If anything, it was about time.
"Mey Rin…" Elizabeth said as Mey Rin helped her pull on the undershirt first and then the blouse next. It had been the latest fashion in the U.S. for horse riding.
"Yes, m'lady?" Mey Rin said, adjusting the sleeves and buttoning the blouse.
"Have you…" Elizabeth didn't know exactly how to ask the question or even if she should.
"M'lady, you shouldn't be hesitating to say something to a servant like me. I am hear to listen to you." Mey Rin's kind smile gave Elizabeth the courage to speak up.
"Alright then, have you ever done it with anyone?" Mey Rin was completely caught off guard by the question. She had been prepared for anything but that.
"I…" Elizabeth saw the stunned look on Mey Rin's face and immediately regretted asking the question.
"I'm so sorry Mey Rin, that was very inappropriate of me." Elizabeth shied away from her and took the leather coat and boots and started to put them on herself over her trousers.
"Oh no...no need to apologize. I...well no… not yet." Mey Rin said, trying to smile.
"Oh...I see." Elizabeth wanted to speak about it more.
"There were many opportunities and many men from my previous profession...but none of them were the right one." Mey Rin said, more to herself than to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth stared at her, awed that Mey Rin would divulge like this.
"What makes a man the right man?" Elizabeth asked out of curiosity. For her, it had always been Ciel. There were no other suitors she liked and those that seemed interested in her, fled when she announced she was taken by the Queen's watchdog.
"Well… I suppose it would have to be the way he treats you. You know, always respecting you, taking care of you, making you happy." Elizabeth admired the smile on Mey Rin's face. "Always helping you, even though you're the biggest klutz in the world." Mey Rin said, sighing as she closed her eyes.
"You're talking about Sebastian, aren't you?" Elizabeth said. It was confirmed by the way Mey Rin's eyes opened widely and her face grew red at the mention of the butler's name.
"Oh my! Lady Elizabeth, how...why… I…" Mey Rin's voice trailed off, not knowing what to say.
"You've made a good choice indeed. Sebastian is an honorable man." Mey Rin calmed down a little as she got an approving smile from Elizabeth.
"Lady Elizabeth, may I say something?" Mey Rin asked as she pulled the girl's long blond hair into a side pony tail.
"Sure."
"Our young master is very lucky to have a beautiful and talented lady like you as his wife." Mey Rin gave Elizabeth a sincere smile as she used a band to tie the hair in place and used a fancy ribbon to decorate.
"I'm not quite there yet." Elizabeth said as she examined herself in the mirror.
"But there is no doubt that you and the young master will wed soon."
"I suppose so."
"And when you do, you will become Lady of this manor, and we will all be here to serve you and the young master." Mey Rin stepped back and bowed.
"Oh Mey Rin, I yearn for that day." Elizabeth held Mey Rin's hands in hers and gave a quick squeeze before walking over to her bag and pulling out a container of cream. She used her finger to dab a little bit of it onto the love bite, concealing it from the rest of the world.
Just then, there was a knock on the door and Sebastian's voice rang through asking if they were ready. Mey Rin and Elizabeth looked at each other and when Elizabeth nodded, Mey Rin opened the door to find the handsome butler staring into her eyes.
"We are ready here, Sebastian." Mey Rin said, cautious of the way she spoke. She had thought she was being cautious already but Elizabeth had seen through her facade somehow to the real feelings she harbored for the black butler.
"Good. The young master waits downstairs, if you will please follow me." Sebastian led the way as the other two ladies followed him quietly, only the sound of their boots echoing in the hallway. The corner of his lips were arched in a small smile as he replayed the conversation he had overheard between the two girls in his head. He had always suspected that Mey Rin had feelings for him, but he never paid attention to her desires or his own for that matter. But lately, things were changing. He noticed many other things. Mey Rin, although still a klutz, went out of her way to impress him with her work. She applied make up on her face and even wore her hair in nicer ways then the messy pigtails she usually adorned. It amused him and intrigued him at the same time. Humans really were strange creatures.