I had a little bit of a writer's block in this chapter. I didn't plan this one out so well. And I also mentioned earlier in the story that Elizabeth's eyes were blue. They're not. They're green. c: Forgive me for that error.

Chapter Five: Return

Alexis, Elizabeth's father, decided to finally confront his daughter on a touchy subject he was hoping to never approach, since he so dearly loved his little girl. He knew she wouldn't stay young forever, and it was finally time for her to grow up. Alexis knocked on her door and entered before she could allow him. He sat at the edge of her bed, and looked at his daughter who was engaged book. The man shifted and turned his eyes to stare at his polished shoes. He felt awfully uncomfortable, but he knew it was the right time.

"My dear Elizabeth, your mother and I have been talking lately," he started. "Your brother has approved of this as well. You and Lucifer have grown very close to each other over the past several years…" Hearing the heartwarming name, she now lifted her head to listen. "I think it's time that you leave the nest and marry him. We've already spoken, and he gladly accepted the idea." He now turned and looked at his little girl, whose face was a deep rosy color. "What are you? 24? I think you're beyond old enough for marriage by now. It will hurt to see you go, but it will be great to see you standing in your beautiful white dress…" He trailed off, imagining the moment.

Elizabeth scooted from her spot on her bed and threw her arms around his neck from behind him. "Oh thank you, father!" She giggled with utter joy.

He chuckled and hugged her arm with his hand. "He'll be here at one in the afternoon to propose. He told me not to spoil it, but … I couldn't help myself. Everyone already knows, and now so do you. Try to act surprised."

Elizabeth's eyes widened. She started to shove him off of the bed. He stood up and she pushed him in the direction of the exit. "I have to get ready! I'll talk to you soon!" She used all of her energy to force one last hard shove before finally pushing him out and slamming the door. "I love you! Thank you!" Elizabeth cheered. She immediately rushed to her vanity and started throwing her hands all over her makeup. She could have asked Paula to do it, but she was so excited that she decided to put it on herself. It would be hard to cover her blushing face, but she could manage. It was nearly ten in the morning, so she would have to rush to prepare herself. "Oh, Lucifer!" She repeated to herself over and over as she began to work on her hair.

It had been a decade since his departure, and he was finally returning to his beloved homeland. The difficult case was finally over with. Ciel Phantomhive was now a 23 year old man. His figure was that of an adult; masculine and defined. He was very similar in appearance compared to his deceased father and was as intelligent as the man too. He had grown entirely out of his childhood frilly clothes, and now wore suits like the average wealthy men around him, although he still never seemed to stray away from a blue wardrobe. He also portrayed mature and proper manners, as everyone had gained once they got older. He had become more skilled in things, and his agility and strength increased as well. His unfortunate asthma disappeared as the years went on, so he was now much healthier than he was before.

Ciel gripped onto the handrail of the ship he rode as it sailed into the English Channel. The calm breeze blew his coat behind his back and moved his bangs from his glistening red eye and eye patch. It struck nine in the morning by the time the boat came to a stop. Seagulls and pelicans called as they flew over the harbor while passengers fled onto the loading docks. Ciel forced his way through the crowd towards the busy city and began to wave his arm around once stepping onto the sidewalk. Automobiles passed through the streets, hardly any looking familiar at all to be a taxi. Several minutes crawled before one of the rides stopped for him. He opened the door and sat down in the leather seat without carrying any luggage. "The Middleford estate," Ciel commanded as he gave out the rest of the location's information.

A period of ten years had gone by since he had seen Elizabeth. He had never been so excited to see a familiar face before. While staying in America, he was constantly changing partners for safety reasons, and he almost never saw the same face more than three times. The only face that stuck to his mind was the serial killer, which didn't matter anymore. He had finally captured the monster only two weeks ago, so it was no use to remember the character's mask. Ciel craved to see all of his servants again, but mainly his fiancée, Elizabeth. That was the last face he saw before he left and desperately wanted to know the changes. As he began to age, he fell more and more into the state of love, as everyone did when they grew. He realized how truly in love he was with the woman. The young man lifted his hand to his chest and took hold of the pink kunzite necklace that his fiancée had given to him so many years ago. He smiled proudly at the fact that he managed not to lose it after such a long period of time. Elizabeth would be proud as well.

The vehicle arrived at 11 o'clock sharp. Ciel paid the driver and casually stepped out of the ride, now standing in front of the manor looking sharp and spiffy in his attire. He adjusted his coat and strode along the walk way until he reached the porch. The place hadn't changed much at all, unlike the rest of London. He took a deep breath. His black gloved hand lifted and knocked on the door three times. The sound it made seemed to echo deeper and deeper inside his head. He was about to see his fiancée again after an entire decade. He wondered if they'd be furious or astonished, since he hadn't written the Middlefords in about five years. He would explain everything once he would get alone with Elizabeth.

The door opened and from behind it peeked Paula, looking at him with that clueless expression she always held. Ciel shifted his feet and politely dipped his top hat with a warm smile. "I'm looking for Lizzie. Elizabeth Middlefor-"

The door slammed shut, taking him aback. He could hear some muffled sounds from behind the entrance. In another minute, the door opened again, and out came a semi-decent looking young lady. Half of her hair was curled and only the eyes of her makeup were completed. Only one earring was in and she had a messy gown thrown over her. Apparently she was getting ready to leave to some place, but Ciel couldn't fathom where. Despite all the little flaws she had, she was absolutely beautiful. Her eyes were the most beautiful emerald color he had ever viewed, and her golden hair glimmered so majestically in the sunlight. She looked vaguely familiar, and began to assume it was his fiancée. She had definitely matured over the years, for the better. Elizabeth portrayed every gorgeous ladylike aspect that Ciel had never expected out of her. He began to feel his heart race as he looked the lady up and down. "Elizabeth," he whispered, "You look stunning."

She suddenly giggled and blushed. Elizabeth also realized she knew this man, for he looked much like his father, and this character was marked with an eye patch that only one person she knew was ever seen wearing it in their life. However, this man was more built than the child she had spent her days with so many years ago, and he was much more attractive. She gazed into his crimson eye, which used to be such a beautiful blue "C-Ciel. I t-thought yo-" Her words cut off for she was beginning to choke up in her tears. All this time she thought he was dead, and there he stood well and alive in front of her. Her fury began to rise, wondering why he hadn't talked to her in so long. She found the strength to speak again due to her anger; "Why didn't you write? I waited and waited, Ciel Phantomhive!"

Ciel lifted his hands in protest. "I was so busy… And later they told me not to write anyone anymore for fear that the killer would find your address and kill you- what little family I had left! It was for safety precautions."

"Why didn't you tell me?" She argued, stomping her feet as if she was a child again. "You couldn't write one last letter explaining why? I thought … We thought you died." She was now looking down at the wooden platform which they stood on. She couldn't bear to look at him any longer, or else she would fall into tears. Ciel let a deep breath flow from his nose, and he came closer to embrace her but she only took a step back towards the inside of the mansion. "Let's talk indoors."

In a matter of minutes, the two were sitting in the lounge sipping tea that Paula provided for them. They were reminiscing in their childhood, and all that had happened while the other was absent from each other's life. They were both quiet for a moment, thinking of what else to say. "Tanaka passed away," Elizabeth informed so blatantly, not thinking of his feelings.

A look of pain hit Ciel's face. "Oh… That's unfortunate."

"But he had a beautiful and well respected funeral," she quickly stated in an attempt to lighten the mood after realizing that was not the best thing to say. He only nodded.

The two had grown silent again. Throughout their entire conversation, Elizabeth tried not to mention Lucifer for fear that Ciel would become entirely enraged; although the man would be coming to propose in front of her fiancée in the next hour and 30. A shivered sigh slipped from her lips, which Ciel took note of. He decided to speak again, thinking he was beginning to bore her. "I see you've been getting yourself dolled up to go somewhere," he pondered in wonder of where she would leave to.

"Well I was getting ready for a party," she began, knowing he had always detested balls and would leave. She was by no means wanting to hurt him, but she had no idea how else to get out of the situation. She only begged that Ciel would go home and not run into Lucifer any time soon. "We were going to throw it here."

Ciel rested his elbow on the arm of the chair and laid his cheek on his hand. "Isn't that so? I would love to be your date, then." He flirted, lightly throwing a smirk. Elizabeth began to blush a deep red and grinned.

Paula, who stood behind her, scowled deeply at the deceitful girl. She didn't understand who this man was, or why Elizabeth was lying to him. "What sheh didnet mention," Paula interrupted, "was thatta young man would be comen o'er ta propose ta her."

Elizabeth's heart sank.

Ciel suddenly chuckled. "Did someone not tell him we were engaged?" He asked, humorously baffled. Elizabeth turned her sorrowful gaze to the floor. There was an odd silence between the three of them. "Lizzie?" Ciel sat up in his seat and leaned forward. "Elizabeth, did you not tell him?"

"Like I said, we all thought you died," Elizabeth whispered. She looked up at her fiancée in shame. The man looked confused, which soon turned into a face of damage. The young lady felt it was necessary to explain herself. "We had met only a year after you left. And … and after assuming you passed away, I began to madly fall in love with him."

The bewildered fiancée clenched his fists. "So what's his name?" There was a moment between the two of them. Ciel began to get testy as he fiddled with his fingers. He couldn't control his anger and let out a roaring "well?!"

Elizabeth jumped. "His … his name is … Lucifer."

"Lucifer?!" Ciel bellowed a laugh in utter jealousy. He couldn't believe that this figure was actually real; that Elizabeth wasn't just playing games on him. His fingers began to tremble, yet all he could do was awkwardly smile in his confusion. "Why, Lucifer is the Devil's name!"

Elizabeth's eyebrows creased into frustration and she stood from her chair. "It's funny that someone like you should mention devils when you were the one who had associated with demons!" She argued, boiling with fury. She gritted her teeth and walked around the coffee table to stand over him. "I read your childhood journal! I read all about the demons and the angels and the death gods!" She grabbed at his tie and yanked it. She had never been so upfront with anyone; never been so courageous. But she had especially never been so rude and demanding with her fiancée. "I want you to tell me everything right now! Everything from the very beginning!"

Ciel was quiet for a moment. He had never meant for anyone to see those writings. That was to be his secret that would follow him to his grave, but the love of his life somehow found it all. Of course, he also felt that she had no right to know anything after all the pain she had just caused him to go through. However, he folded anyway. "Alright…"

She let go of his clothing and sat back down. The girl listened intently as he explained every small detail from the beginning of his journey down to the end of the road. Every horrific word struck them both in the heart. They didn't know how to handle each other at the moment. It was all new and strange for them. The story ended 10 minutes before Lucifer would arrive, and Elizabeth began to feel uneasy. She gripped at the arm of the chair and took a deep, quivering breath. "You have to leave, Ciel." She instructed, now fearful of the man once she had come to know that he was a demon himself.

The young man frowned and looked at her. "Why must I? We haven't seen each other in a decade and you expect me to leave?"

"You've changed…" Elizabeth stated with a frown. "Besides, I've fallen in love with someone else!" It was a lie, for she would never truly stop loving this demented Ciel, but her feelings were mutual for Lucifer. "Get that through your head! You have no life with me anymore! I've moved on after your ten year absence." Elizabeth was now sobbing, ruining her unfinished makeup. "You didn't even write!" Ciel felt uncomfortable and wished to hug her so she'd feel better, but he knew she didn't want to be anywhere near him. He longed to only touch her beautiful skin, but it was too late. He would leave the girl to her crying.

Ciel let out a deep breath. Paula shivered in fear as she watched the half-demon stand from his seat and make his exit. He suddenly stopped without looking back, hoping that there would be something to say to make things better; "If I could change everything in my past just to be with you, I would." Elizabeth didn't look up. Ciel walked on again and made his leave to the exiting door. Just as he stepped outside, a carriage began to pull up. He assumed it was Lucifer, and decided to stay for a second to see who would be taking care of Elizabeth from then on.

A tall leg stooped onto the dirt road, along with another leg and a full body. The character wore high heeled boots and lacey white clothes to match- a tuxedo. And his coal black hair was neatly tied back into a long ponytail with his bangs draping just above his eyes. Ciel squinted. Red eyes. Like a demon. The two began to march towards each other, walking as tall as they could in the height of their pride. They glared as they stepped by each other almost in slow motion, as if they knew exactly who the other was. "Lucifer…" Ciel silently barked as he stuck his hands in his coat pockets.

"Phantomhive…" Lucifer replied, sneering.

"I'll be returning," Ciel hissed.

Lucifer's snicker disappeared. "Don't count on it."

Normal time seemed to take its place again, and the two finally passed each other up. Ciel reached Lucifer's abandoned carriage and decided to take it to retreat back to his own home. The troubled noble sat in the carriage and pondered over this strange man. He narrowed his eyes and the horses began to take off. Lucifer was not a normal being and didn't seem like anyone he'd like to mess with. This figure was sinister, like his former butler, Sebastian. Ciel realized that Elizabeth was far too ignorant to see Lucifer's malicious ways. However, she chose this life with him, and the earl wouldn't interfere. It was his first day back and already so many things had gone wrong.