Summary: Ciel and Elizabeth are invited as a pair to attend a masquerade ball held by Earl Alois Trancy. The ball even allows servants to participate, encouraging the two to bring their butler and maid respectively, causing suspicion amongst human and not. By the way, Hannah has both her eyes in this.

'You are cordially invited to attend a masquerade ball hosted by Earl Trancy at his Highness' manor with your fiancée, Lady Elizabeth Middleford. Do bring your butler as servants are allowed to participate.' Ciel ready through quickly, looking up at a blank faced Sebastian. 'I don't know an Earl Trancy.'

'He seems to know you, my Lord. And Lady Elizabeth as well.' Sebastian said with a smirk at his master's confusion.

'Ciel!' A familiar high pitch voice called, burst from the open window. The blonde blur wrapped her arms around Ciel suddenly, making him splutter.

'Lizzie! How… did you get in through the window?' He asked, looking past her at the window that happened to be two storeys off the ground. Catherine was standing on the edge and Sebastian moved forward, offering his hand. She took it readily and dropped down onto the ground.

'I know you just didn't want my shoes to ruin the window pane.' She muttered but it was missing her usual humour. Ciel didn't notice, he was staring at the invitation Lizzie had received. The same one she was flapping in his face, he caught his name and hers on the paper and started analysing.

'You have a habit of destroying things.' Sebastian retorted quietly. She held up her other hand in front of his face. His red eyes focused on the thin strings between her two fingers. 'What is that?'

'Look closely, brother. I found it on Lady Elizabeth's invitation.' Catherine explained, her eyes crimson sharp. She lifted her other hand and flicked at the spider web between her fingers. A small metallic sound rang out, heard only by the two siblings.

'Ah, a demon.' Sebastian said in understanding.

Catherine, tossed the web and sighed with annoyance. 'We're going, Sebastian.'

'That hasn't been decided.' Sebastian evaded.

'I heard he's around the same age as us too! We can have fun together! Will you go with me to the ball, Ciel?' Lizzie shot off quickly, beaming in all her excitement. Catherine had to resist sulking, she didn't particularly wanted to be subjected to her lady's… dress ups…

Ciel thought fast. Go with Lizzie and be forced to dance all night… not to mention immerse himself in social idiotic fools… or let her go on her own and get acquainted with Earl Trancy. 'I'd be glad to, Lizzie.' Ciel answered, resolve in his blue eye. Lizzie smiled brighter, clapping her hands.

'So what are you wearing to the ball?' Catherine asked dryly.

'Not worse than what you'll be wearing.' He shot back calmly but Catherine recognized an almost sour look in his eyes. She smiled but she didn't feel like it inside. A witch's premonition warned her that things would go badly. So she began to prepare for it… by hiding an ace up her sleeve…

PART TWO

Sebastian drove the carriage to the Middleford Manor at sunset, his master dressed and tucked away inside. Sebastian had created their outfits for tonight specially including the masks. He wore a plain black suit that was adorned with black feathers and silver pieces. For his master, he created a black and blue suit similar to the suits he usually wore but of course, he added some ribbons and black roses to the ensemble. They had come right on time to pick up Catherine and Elizabeth. Ciel exited the carriage and who should be the first to greet him than… his aunt Frances. She stood straight, looking down at his with scrutinizing eyes. Sebastian stood beside his master.

'Again with your indecent looks and improper hair!' She barked at both of them. Sebastian didn't particularly like getting shouted at, nor did he see what was so indecent about his looks but he had to admire this strong, fierce woman. She huffed suddenly and was calm again quickly, even giving them both a small smile. 'But I will allow it today as you are going to a ball.'

'Thank you, Aunt Frances.' Ciel said in relief that she had not grabbed his hair and forcefully pulled it into place. Sebastian bowed slightly and when he looked up again, he was slightly shocked.

'Ciel!' Elizabeth exclaimed in a happy yet held back tone. She knew to refrain when her strict mother was about. She was dressed in a glittering dress of forest green, topped over with black lace and silver jewellery. The green went nicely with her eyes and there was a black rose fixed in place of her headband. He noted the small Phantomhive crest she wore as a pendant. He had given her that necklace upon their engagement when he returned from that hellhole where he was branded.

It was highly surprising for the two members of the Phantomhive household that she was not in pink. Neither was Catherine for that matter. She was dressed rather scandalously in a red and black netting dress that only reached her knees, cut creatively with a black sash around the waist, a ribbon on the side and black rose ornaments on the front, twisting up to the sleeveless, strapless top. 'You look beautiful, Elizabeth.' Ciel spoke, taking the hand of his fiancée and kissing it.

Lizzie beamed. Sebastian kissed Catherine's hand formally as well. 'You're a lovely sight, sister.' Sebastian murmured, amused. This was how she dressed for a masquerade in Victorian time England, that rebellious little…

'You have Lady Middleford to thank for that, brother. She designed my dress for tonight and my lady's as well.' Catherine said, matching his look with her own. All eyes turned to the uptight Queen of the Middleford household. She didn't even flinch.

'Isn't her dress fantastic?' Lizzie gushed. Frances let out a small smile.

'In a few years, I'll have dresses like that made for you.' She promised. Ciel blinked. 'Now you must be off, it won't do to be late for a party. Ciel, take care of my daughter.' She ordered him and he didn't object.

'With my life, Aunt Frances.' He replied, helping Lizzie into the carriage and entering himself. Catherine shut the door behind them and hopped on the driver's seat beside her brother and without any warning, stole the reins from his hands, driving the carriage away expertly, ignoring the slight irritation on her brother's face.

'Honestly.' Frances muttered, turning away to re-enter the house. 'I've never seen a maid so efficient yet so wild.'

PART THREE

'Welcome, Earl Phantomhive.' The blonde boy purred in a ridiculously seductive manner. His purple mask, giving his smile a hint of mischief as he greeted Ciel who kept his face impassive even behind his black feathered midnight blue mask.

'Thank you, Earl Trancy.' He spoke stoically. Lizzie's sharp eyes darted to Ciel quickly, catching his dislike of the host. Lizzie's mask was by far the simplest. A dark green but its intricate pattern reaching up to cover her forehead, making the shape of a delicate crown.

'You must be Lady Elizabeth. Oh my, the prettiest girl to be seen in these halls and even with your mask on.' He teased her, seizing her hand and kissing it with playful lips and she thanked him civilly but did not offer him the use of her nickname. Ciel felt rather pleased at that.

'This is my butler, Sebastian Michaelis.' Ciel said proudly, gesturing to a dark-feather-masked Sebastian before gesturing to Catherine. 'And his sister, Elizabeth's maid, Catherine Michaelis.'

Sebastian and Catherine bowed and curtsied respectively but their eyes were on the dark figure behind the Earl. Alois grinned and introduced his own butler with pride. 'This is my own butler, Claude Fautus.'

'Sebastian Michaelis.' He greeted in a smooth voice and a deceptive smile. His black mask glittered with silver spider web designs. 'Your reputation precedes you.' He complimented before looking at Catherine and taking her hand, brushing his lips to her skin. 'As your beauty does you, Miss Michaelis.' Catherine smiled serenely through her alluring red and black feathered mask and discreetly sent a shock of magic into the hand of the demon.

Alois gained excitement upon hearing lively music start up and Elizabeth was pulled into the group dance against her will. Ciel's resolve showed itself and he joined the dance, looking for the opportunity to retrieve his fiancée. Sebastian and Catherine faced the Trancy butler. 'I assure you, I'm not just a pretty face.' Catherine growled through her smile.

'I look forward to having you entertain me then.' Claude murmured with a smirk.

'I look forward to having you in a coffin.' Sebastian defended her in a sinister voice. He really hated it when demons attempted to court his sister against her will. Actually he just hated it when anyone courted his sister.

'Don't worry, I'll keep you preoccupied so you won't have to turn to such boring activities. I can think of much better things to do… Sebastian.' A new feminine voice spoke. Catherine held in a groan as she felt the troublesome presence of another demon… along with her three subordinates. Obviously, she was attracted to Sebastian's larger than usual demonic essence. How irritating.

He raised his brow as he looked at the newcomer. A stunning chocolate-skinned woman with silver locks, dressed in a black dress that emphasized all her curves. Claude chuckled. 'This is the Trancy household's maid, Hannah Anafeloz. She's been dying to meet you.' He introduced, addressing Sebastian.

The Phantomhive butler was having a tough time holding on to his patience but Catherine had already lost it to annoyance. She grinned with a daring look in her red eyes. 'By the end of the night, she'll just be dying.' She murmured pleasantly.