Summary: It's Lizzie's fifteenth birthday and Ciel collaborates with the Middlefords to host it at the Phantomhive Manor. Catherine and Lizzie plan certain events to please Ciel and an odd topic comes up. Also, Ciel stresses over Lizzie's gift.

'Are you sure this is the best idea, love?' asked his wife. He had wanted to spoil his princess on her birthday once again but his plans were held up when a certain Phantomhive made a request. He had nothing against Ciel but he knew the boy was a bit… cold.

'That boy knows how to take care of our girl. We should let him.' Frances said firmly, without indecision. Catherine refrained from making Elizabeth a dress knowing Frances was harnessing her secret seamstress abilities to fashion a spectacular one for the party. She softened as she saw the loving look her husband gave her. 'Don't worry, dear.'

'Alright then.' He agreed easily. He truly trusted his wife completely and she loved him for that. Edward was sulking though.

PART TWO

'He's planning something for me!' Lizzie squealed in excitement. She would've been over the moon if Ciel had just attended her birthday but now he was actually hosting it.

'He is. It might disappoint though, even if it is unlikely. Don't forget to keep smiling, my lady.' Catherine reminded, sitting Elizabeth in front of the mirror after the young girl's bath.

Lizzie nodded, eyes gleaming. 'Of course. But anything I get from Ciel makes me happy. We need to think of a proper way for me to thank him for his thoughtfulness.'

Catherine smirked as she brushed out Lizzie's hair. They were working on a nice hairstyle for the party. 'Simple, my lady. A kiss perhaps. I think you'd be rather good at that, my lady.' She teased lightly.

Elizabeth blushed. That's right. They had kissed. 'Isn't there something else? I'm fine with… a kiss. But Mother will murder him.' Lizzie scowled, pulling a sour face. Catherine straightened the tense eyebrows with firm fingers, reminding her of her expression.

'You're turning fifteen, my lady. Your mother has arranged for a lower neckline. I do think we can plan something with that.' Catherine said, subtly suggestive as she parted her lady's hair. Lizzie stared at herself in the mirror with horror, her face reddening.

'I-I can't… do that… thing.' She stuttered, colouring rapidly. Catherine laughed lightly. How shy her lady was!

'I only meant you could tease him, a little. Nothing more than clever flirting, my lady.' The demon witch smiled at her apprentice. No doubt a little novice like Ciel will fall for the simple tricks head first. Lizzie was a fast learner.

Said girl blushed but did not protest so Catherine began to plan whilst styling her lady's hair. 'Perhaps we could mix in some magic. Ciel is… fascinated by it.' Lizzie sighed with a smile, her features entirely content. Catherine's eyes flashed red for a moment.

'That's because your magic is captivating. You learned extremely fast and took more initiative than I expected, my lady.' Catherine murmured calmly, praising the younger witch. 'Is it because you know I discard my low-potential apprentices?' She asked, her eyes red and demonic. Lizzie met her eyes unblinkingly.

'That is a small part of it, yes.' The young Middleford admitted. She needed Catherine to want her as an apprentice in order to gain the demon witch's help. 'But I made a contract with you. A deal is a deal and I don't go back on my word. I will fulfil my condition to the best of my capability and nothing less.' She spoke, green eyes hard.

Catherine's eyes flashed again and she grinned, revealing sharp canines. 'How honourable, my lady…' She praised. 'But there is another reason, isn't there?'

Lizzie returned the smile, surprising the demon witch for a moment. 'Yes. Since learning magic, I realized I don't just love it as a means to protect and please Ciel. I love the knowledge and the power flowing in my body. I love studying and practicing it. I love it so much… I'm glad I can feel my humanness leaving me. I truly do love witchcraft. I love being a witch.'

And Lizzie went back to looking content. Her eyes went wide in shock though when Catherine placed a swift kiss on her head, a happy expression hiding in her face. 'I can see that I've not made a mistake in my choice of apprentice.' Catherine said smoothly, continuing her work. But Elizabeth could hear the human in her voice, she was touched. Lizzie smiled and was glad, even when she became a full witch, she'd still have human emotions.

PART THREE

Ciel's fingers ached. Badly. He had worked hard on Lizzie's present, not even requesting Sebastian's help. Sebastian had gained respect for his sister's apprentice and he prepared the party especially beautiful. Agni had come to help, making use of the other servants who tried hard to do things right. They knew that this was important to their young master. Even Prince Soma was being less irritating, encouraging Ciel. The young Phantomhive was wearing gloves but only to hide the thin bandages around his fingers.

Nevertheless, even Frances Middleford in all her high expectations were pleased with the manor, now even more beautiful with the servant's hard work. The main doors had been opened wide for dancing in the foyer whilst the food was set on a long table outside. The gardens were in immaculate condition and the trees and hedges had decorative streamers and coloured paper lanterns. Half the party was outside but Catherine swore on her pride as a witch that it wouldn't rain.

The quests arrived before the Middlefords but when they arrived, Ciel's jaw dropped. Snake greeted the family politely and Prince Soma immediately hugged Lizzie and struck up conversation with the Marquis and Edward. They got along famously. Frances smiled smugly and led a blushing Lizzie to Ciel, Sebastian standing behind him. 'Take care of my girl.' She demanded before going off to socialize with other members of society.

Ciel was still gazing upon his fiancée. He was fourteen! And she… was grown up. The dress she wore had a low neckline that had lace playing at her ample bosom and the ribbon around her neck that covered her contract seal was white and bowed so that one end was longer. Ciel wanted to reach out and take it off. Catherine smirked secretly behind her lady. 'Y-you look beautiful, Lizzie.' Ciel cursed internally as he stuttered just slightly.

'Thank you, Ciel!' she said quiet but excited and he offered her his hand. She too it instantly and so the party began.

Lizzie had to mingle with other people of course and even Catherine had to. Dancing with Prince Soma, Edward, Snake and a few other men… Her brother caught her for a dance though so she knew he wanted to talk. 'What is it?'

'Can't I just dance with my sister?' He mocked, spinning her around and making her laugh softly. 'Lady Elizabeth seems… coy.'

'Master Ciel's having… speech issues?' Catherine grinned, she knew it would work.

'Speechless would be more accurate. The seductive looks and sweet whispers are a bit too much for my young master to handle. Is her fan enchanted?' He asked his cunning sister who laughed mischievously.

'No, she just knows how to use it properly.' Catherine laughed, allowing her eyes to flash demon red. 'Don't be fooled though, after her journal… you should know, there are poison blades hidden in it.' Sebastian merely smiled.

'I expect nothing less.'

PART FOUR

It was when Sebastian and Catherine were dancing that Ciel took Lizzie's hand, put a finger to his lips with a smile that the birthday girl though she might faint from the image of her fiancée reacting to her coyness. He pulled her out to the garden maze, turning corners as he ran, hand in hers. She felt entirely wicked, running from the party with her fiancée in the secretive gardens.

He finally pulled her to a stop in the very center of the maze where white roses were in full bloom and the pure white gazebo shined. Her heart fluttered. 'Beautiful!' she whispered breathlessly. 'Why are we here, Ciel?'

When she looked at him, he was closer than she thought, her back pressed to the rose hedge. 'I'm going to give you my present now.' He said quietly, mesmerizing her with a soft sweet kiss, pulling away but taking her hand and leading her to sit in the only chair in the gazebo.

She watched as he pulled off his gloves and picked up a violin. She gazed at his slender bandaged fingers as they positioned on the violin perfectly and a beautiful, enchanting melody she had never heard before resounded within the little gazebo. It was a complex song and she realized he must've worked his fingers hard, practicing it, hence the bandages.

The song was haunting yet in uplifting tones, something dangerous and yet comforting. It was a stunning piece. It resonated inside her, making her spine to shiver and her ribs to tremble. She couldn't even close her eyes to the music. Ciel was gorgeous as he played, eyes shut and moving slightly as his hurt fingers danced delicately with the intricate music. When the final note ended, he set down the violin quietly. She got up on unsure legs and stepped forward and he took her hands.

'It's called The Witch's Ballad. I wrote it for you.' He spoke softly. She wanted to tear up. It was the most meaningful present she'd ever gotten. Ciel had written a piece for her.

She lifted their hands and with slight hesitation, she kissed his fingers gently, making his eye go wide. Then she leaned forward and placed a firm, delicious kiss on his lips which he returned. When they pulled away, eyes half-lidded and breath shallow and slow, she whispered to him. 'I love it as much as I do you.'

The servants watched from various hiding places, silently whooping and exchanging high fives whilst Catherine and Sebastian congratulated themselves.