A/N Eh heh...well, hello there...how've you all been?

I am SO SO SO SO SOOOOO SORRY for the major space in updating time. It'll never get this bad again, I promise. But I really had to buckle down with schoolwork, and I only had time to work on one of my stories. I hope you all understand!

But, you'll be happy to know, I passed math. With, like, 50% exact *shot*

And the days of no updates are over, do you hear! OVER! I'm back in the game, baby!

Disclaimer: Oh, wait, lemme check-nope, still don't own it.

Chapter Six – Do You Find Me Common Now?

Alois was more annoyed than he'd ever been in his life. "I'm more annoyed than I've ever been in my life!" he shouted, banging his fist against his desk. "Why are none of the boys in this kingdom beautiful enough for me?"

He had been through a whole slew of boys – princes, dukes, counts, even low-lying lords of small pieces of land. Hell, he'd even met with the prince of Guilder – the country that was the sworn enemy of their own! (Things had actually gone rather well – until a gust of wind blew in and stole his hat, and Alois learned the Prince was bald. Sorry, Ikkaku, Alois wasn't marrying no Mr Clean lookalike.)

So Alois was frustrated in every sense of the word. It had already been seven months, and he was still not engaged. He was running out of places to look.

"Claude," he said, "I'm down on my knees here. I need to find a husband, and SOON!"

Count Claude stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Hmmm... I hadn't wanted to come to this... but under these circumstances..."

Alois' head shot up. "Who is he?" he demanded.

"He is an earl," said Claude.

"Just like my father..." mused Alois.

"Yes. But his family is not rich, and he lives like a commoner-"

"Is he beautiful?"

"The most."

"Take me to him."

xXx

Ciel was taking his bucket to the well, to fill it with water. People were staring at him, they always did, but how could they not? He was beautiful!

He had just lowered the bucket when a shadowed figure appeared on the other side.

"My Lord," said the blond boy, sweeping down in a bow. "Prince Alois, at your service."

Ciel watched in silent amusement, deadpan.

Alois hurried to fill the silence. "And I was wondering if you would do me the honour of becoming my husband." He gave a grand flourish and bowed again.

"No." Ciel turned on his heel and left.

Alois flushed in anger. That little tramp! Who did he think he is? Dismissed. Rejected. Publicly Humiliated! Why, it was more than he could bear! No one says no to Gaston!

...I mean, Alois.

He stomped after him. "That was not a request!"

"It certainly sounded like it was."

"I could have your head for that."

"Fine, then! Kill me!" Ciel turned back, eyes flashing. "I care not."

Alois' mind was working furiously. He'd already decided, he was going to marry this hot-tempered, ever-scowling boy. He jumped into his path.

"What can I offer you? Money? Jewels? Status? Anything you wish, I swear it will be yours!"

Ciel turned to him slowly. "Anything?"

"Yes!" Alois spread his hands out. "Anything you ask for!"

His blue eye narrowed. "The one thing I ask for is the one thing you cannot give me!" And he was on his way again.

Something clicked in Alois' head. "I'm not asking you to love me," he called out after him.

Ciel stopped, and turned to face him.

"All I want is for you to wed me. I will not ask anything more of you."

Ciel walked up to him slowly. "If I agree to this, then you must know that I will never, ever love you."

Alois bowed. "Understood." A smile curled on his lips. "So? We have a deal?" He held out his hand.

"Deal." His eyes narrowed further. "But I am not shaking your hand."

xXx

A large group of people had gathered in the square. They stared up at the stone balcony that held the aging king and his young son, smiling benignly down at their subjects. Trumpets kept blaring out this really annoying song.

Alois stepped forward and held out hid hand for silence. "My people!" he called out, exuding asshole with every gesture of his hand. "A month from now, our country will celebrate its five hundredth anniversary! On that sundown, I will marry a lord who once lived like a commoner, as yourselves! But perhaps, you will not find him common now. Would you like to meet him?"

The crowd roared its approval.

"My people! I give you... the Princess Ciel!"

The trumpets blared, and a bright light flared behind one of the many corridors. Surrounded by a halo of glowing white, Ciel strode out into the crowd, watching them all with detached indifference. His head was held high, complete with a bejewelled crown on his head.

The entire crowd was speechless, bowing down, looks of awe on their faces. Never before had they seen such a lovely creature.

They watched him. A hundred people watched him. A hundred people including a shadow, a man in black, hiding behind a corner with a murderous gleam in his eyes.

Yes, a hundred people were watching Ciel that day. But only three were planning to kill him.

A/N Ah, a shorter chapter than I had planned. But I had to stop it there! Otherwise next chapter would be all over the place!

Stay tuned next time to meet the three kidnappers! And remember, reviews are the All For One to my One For All~!