Disclaimer: I do not own Kuroshitsuji

Chapter three: dress accordingly

Ciel tried to take a deep breathe, but was literally being suffocated. How girls could put up with such a nuisance he didn't know. A hand softly squeezed his shoulder and Sebastian caught his gaze for the first time since he had dressed him.

"Are you uncomfortable, my lord?"
"Can't...breathe..."Ciel managed to say. His wig provided more face coverage, but his servant pulled the loose strands up and smiled.
"I know we made it tight, but try to put up with it a little longer." he leaned down to whisper in his ear,"If it makes you feel any better, you make a lovely girl."

The boy lightly slapped Sebastian's hand away, and turned towards the window as his hair returned to its introverted style. He couldn't let his guard down now that they had a mission to accomplish. If he paid too much attention to his compliments, who knows when he would recover? He sighed inwardly, knowing it would be difficult to have Sebastian around, but there wasn't anything that could be done. If he had brought it up or ordered the demon to stay, there would surely be questions that he wasn't ready to answer.

"Oh, look Ciella! We're here." Madam Red said.
"We're not in public yet, so please don't call me that."
"Oh, this wasn't just for the party, darling. I've always wanted a little girl." she said thoughtfully.
"What?!" Ciel demanded, clenching his fists in utter distaste. "I'm wearing these ridiculous things for nothing but your own enjoyment?"
"That dress is very fashionable. It's such a modern look, and I picked it out myself, so stop whining." she countered.
"I can't believe this!" Ciel was about to remove his wig when the carriage door opened and a man in uniform offered his hand.

"Welcome to Count Druid's humble abode. Please allow me to assist you." he said. Madam red encouraged (shoved) him forward, and upon falling, hung on to the man's arm like a lifeline as he escorted him inside the ballroom.

Sebastian seethed as he observed his master being flocked by ambitious suiters. It quickly turned to amusement when he saw his master's disgusted facial expressions when the men weren't looking. It was so easy for him to understand their fascination with the 'young lady'. The dress was only a fraction of his beauty, and after all, it was what was under the dress that everyone was after. He chuckled to himself. If only they knew that they were playing with fire when they chose to lay eyes on Ciel Phantomhive. He had a temper and clarity that never faltered; words that could slice through a man like steel.

"You too, huh?" a man asked, elbowing him in the side.
"I apologize for my rudeness, but I do not understand what you are referring to." Sebastian said, placing a few inches between him and the unkept man.
"Nah, I'm the one being rude. 'Haven't even introduced myself. I'm Claude, Claude Faustus." he offered his hand, which Sebastian ignored.
"As I was saying, what's a fine fellow like yourself doing over here when you should be out there getting yourself a pretty girl?"
"I am on duty at the moment. I haven't the time to participate in such shallow activities."
"Ouch, you sure seem like a serious fella. I saw you eye that one," he pointed to Ciel."I bet you could get her easy."
Claude whimpered in pain and fell to the ground, his pointer finger twisted in Sebastian's hand.
"It isn't polite to point, and it's disgraceful to stare at someone for so long; a beautiful young women at that."
"Yes, sir-" Claude said,"I won't do anything like that ever again."
The Phantomhive butler leaned in close and smirked evilly. "You know, I really hate liars."
The other widened his eyes, but before he could do anything else, a shrill voice echoed throughout the room, interrupting his plans.

"SO CUTE! OH MY GOD, YOU'RE DRESS IS SOOOOO CUTE!" A girl in blue broke through the crowd of men and clung onto the young earl. Everyone scattered, leaving him at her mercy.
"Elizabeth-"he said, but stopped himself and readjusted his voice,"Elizabeth, what are you doing here?"
"I'm enjoying the ball, silly. Isn't that what everyone is doing?"
"Oh, I suppose so."
"Well, I was with my aunt just now and she pointed you out. I couldn't help but notice how absolutely adorable you looked."
"Damn it." he mumbled, glaring in Madam Red's direction.
"Oh, what was that?"
"Just that I, um, really like your dress, too."
"You do? I got it because it reminded me of my fiancé. He looks so lovely in blue, especially this dark shade."
"That's nice."

The butler had dropped that insufferable man and was about to rush to his master's aid, but he was too interested in their conversation to take any immediate action. He stood stiffly in the shadows nearby, easily catching their exchanges.

"Yes, I think so. I think he's nice, too; that Ciel Phantomhive. You must have heard of him, haven't you? He was supposed to come tonight, but he's always too busy for me."
The young boy stared at her, taken aback. "I'm sure that's not true."
"It is, but I don't really care." she said confidently," Because no matter how busy he is, I get to have him for the rest of my life. He'll be mine."

Sebastian felt jealously come over him, and he decided to cut in. He walked up to the two briskly, providing a curt bow and forced smile.
"Good evening."
"Hello Sebastian! How wonderful it is to see you."
"Indeed." she clung on to him excitedly.
"Does this mean Ciel is here, too?"
"I'm afraid the young master has refused the invitation, a pity seeing how lovely this night has been, but you know how immature he can be sometimes Lady Elizabeth."
"Oh, right..." she answered apprehensively. It wasn't like Sebastian to talk of Ciel in such a way.
"Sebastian," the young boy said, obviously aggravated by his butler's explanation.
"Oh, I remember now." he said, flipping his bangs off his forehead and extending himself. "There was another reason for interrupting your conversation. If I may, miss, would you accompany me to the floor for song or two."
"You want me to dance with you?" Ciel asked, hesitantly taking his arm.
"Why of course. It is only proper when a man is captured by a young women's beauty that he should ask for a dance."
"Very well, then." he said and hoped his blush wasn't noticeable. They positioned themselves on the outskirts of the group of dancers and began as soon as the previous song ended.

In the background, the man Sebastian had abandoned snapped his finger back into the correct position and dusted himself off. He removed his filthy apparel to dispose of it and tidied his hair. It was unheard of to look unappealing when approaching one's master. He glanced at an empty platter and smirked. He looked to good to be human.
"So?" the blonde asked mischievously. "What did you hear?"
Claude approached his master obediently and kissed his right hand, over the ring that he wore daily.
"This will prove to be a challenge, I'm afraid."
"I expected no less from Ciel Phantomhive. Even without his loyal puppy, it would take some time to break that facade of his."
Claude glanced at him and craved the meal he would make of this soul. As unstable and sorrowful he may be, this was a moment when his determination overlapped his lacking properties.
"What are your orders, master?"
"Keep watching them. Closely. It's only a matter of time before he walks into my hands, and then he won't ever be able to escape."
The light emitted from the sign of the contract revealed itself as Alois Trancy grinned wildly.
"Yes, your majesty."

"What were you thinking?" Ciel demanded.
"I was only answering Lady Elizabeth's question, my lord. Have I upset you in some way?"
"You know damn well what upset me."
"Are you worried of her impression of you? I don't believe her opinion will waver, not of the love of her life; Ciel Phantomhive, whom she talks about like she owns."
"No one owns me."
They exchanged partners briefly and came together again, quickening their pace.
"'I get to have him for the rest of my life'" Sebastian quoted,"or how about, 'he'll be mine'? She makes it sound like you're a dear possession of hers."
"Shut up." Ciel said, and purposely stomped on his foot.
"Defensive, are we?" he asked, completely un-phased,"You apparently do not disagree with her. If you live long enough, you'll marry her, sleep in her bed, let her dress you, make your decisions, and speak for you like you haven't a mind of your own."

It didn't make sense to him. Why would it matter if Elizabeth treated him one way or another? Why did it matter if he would let her? After all, he owed it to her since he was going to die of unnatural causes before old age could ever effect him. Also, he didn't have to love a person to allow them to do these things to him. He didn't care about any of what Elizabeth wanted, because he wouldn't be able to do them with the only person he would ever care for; therefore it didn't mean anything important to him.

"Why are you getting so mad about this?"
"She shouldn't be saying such things when you're mine." he said testily. His grip on him tightened to where it made him grimace."Ciel Phantomhive, it doesn't matter if you're willing to be her doll, or if she's your betrothed. I own your very being."
Ciel shrunk back and released his hands. They stood in the middle of the floor and he refused to meet the demon's fiery gaze.
"No one owns me." he said through gritted teeth. "And no one will ever make my decisions for me, or speak for me. I am the head of the Phantomhive estate, owner of this family's company and your master, so learn your place. You can eat my soul and throw me away when you've drained my body of anything that interests you, but for now I am your master."
"My Lord, I-" he reached out for him, but Ciel stepped away coldly. He pointed at him angrily.
"I oder you to stay away from me! Do not touch me unless it is an emergency, and focus on the task at hand."
"Master, I-" he stopped himself, bowed and answered as if bored. "Yes, my lord."

He stopped a couple that was about to pass them. "I apologize for intruding, but I couldn't ignore the elegance you posses and your splendid form. Please grant me the honor of stealing you away for a while."
The woman blushed and looked to her partner for permission.
"I think that would be fine." she said.
"Wonderful. You will not be disappointed, I assure you." he took her by the waist and they moved back into the line of dancers.
Ciel felt himself regretting his words and began to return to the sidelines, but another hand grabbed his own.
"I'm sorry, little robin, but I have a favor to ask you."
The 'young lady' blinked back tears and stood a little straighter.
"What kind of favor?"
"I am Count Druid, my lady. It seems as though that man has taken my partner. I don't know what I would do if you were to refuse me."
"Oh, no. Of course not." he replied and reached for his hand. This was his chance. Count Druid was his for interregation.
"You are a very graceful dancer for someone so young."
"Thank you, sir."
"Don't mention it," he said with a charming smile, unaware that it had no effect on the Phantomhive.
"Count Druid..?" he asked innocently.
"What is it, my little robin?" he leaned down and bit the top of his ear hard enough to draw a little blood.
"I am getting tired of dancing. It bores me."
"Is that so?" he asked, and licked the blood off of his skin. Ciel shivered, but not from pleasure. It was similar to Sebastian's act of servitude, but there wasn't anything comforting about the man in front of him.
"Yes, so please show me something more interesting."
"Follow me, little robin, and I will give you what you want." he said, and led her away from the crowd.