Wow. I'm updating on time now! Let's see how long I can keep this up!
"Pssst! Mister Sebastian!" Lydia called, as she caught Sebastian in the hall passing her bedroom.
"Yes, Miss Lydia?" he asked, coming closer.
"I…" The girl sighed. She had no idea how to say this. "Would you … mind coming into my room. I wish to speak with you privately," The blackette said, blushing. In any other context, this would be highly inappropriate, but she and Sebastian knew that her intentions were pure. "I have nothing to wear!" she cried, dropping to my knees in embarrassment after the butler had closed the door.
Sebastian chuckled. "That's not a problem, My Lady. I shall return with a dress for you momentarily."
Sebastian returned with a dress shortly after he'd served his young master his morning tea and saw to it that there was nothing else that the boy needed at that moment.
The top half of the dress was lavender. As the garment went on, the fabric was layered so that the colors got to a deep shade of violet. The dress was so long that one almost could not see the matching shoes that tied her attire together. The short sleeves, also made of lace, were a shade of purple as well. And she wore a necklace, tight around her neck, with a false, solid amethyst rose attached to it.
"I do apologize for the lady's lateness, My Lord. She wanted to look her best for her host," Sebastian said, leading Lydia to the table in the salon where Ciel was already seated.
"It's fine," Ciel said, sipping Earl Grey. "But I'll have you know that a proper lady is never late," he added, glancing at their guest.
Sitting beside Ciel Lydia asked, "Earl, are you implying that I am not a proper lady?"
He remained silent. Not confirming nor denying her accusation. She giggled. This should certainly be fun. She thought.
The two of them ate quickly and silently. Even though the food had been gone for quite some time now, Lydia and Ciel still sat together. In the silence. It wasn't a comfortable quietness either, where you're just enjoying the other's company. It was an awkward stillness, one where you want to leave the room but you're afraid to move because you might insult the other person.
Just as Ciel had decided to leave Lydia smiled, softly. And the whole of the room had changed. The cold spiteful silence had ceased. And the place felt warm. Feeling the mood in the room change, Ciel faced Lydia, who was still smiling.
"Pardon my rudeness, Miss Lydia. But what on Earth is there to smile about?" Ciel asked.
The girl smiled even more. You could almost see both rows of her teeth. "Oh… nothing I suppose. I'm just so grateful for your letting me stay here, Earl Phantomhive. I wish I could repay you in some way…"
"Please, that's nonsense. The Phantomhives were well known for their hospitality. Think of my housing you as a gift," Ciel smiled that happy, phony smile that he'd learned how to mimic all too well. "How exactly did you end up in that storm last night anyway?"
"I was on my way back from London. I hadn't heard of any news of a storm coming. And by the time my driver and I were on the road the winds picked up. The next thing I knew it was pitch black out and my coach was wrecked. I ran to the nearest house I could find, and it just so happened to be yours," Lydia smiled again, this time a light blush appearing on her cheeks.
Later that night Ciel was snug under his blankets. He'd just had his bath and a warm cup of milk to help him sleep. He was tired, but not yet tired enough to fall asleep.
"Lady Lydia requested that I give this to you, My Lord," Sebastian said, offering a thorn-less, lavender-colored rose on a silver platter.
"And what's the meaning of this?" Ciel asked, taking the rose and smelling it.
"This morning, I spoke to Lydia. She began to go on about the 'language of flowers'. Apparently if one is gifted a lavender-shaded rose, it symbolizes love at first sight."
Holding the rose almost at an arm's length, Ciel stared at it. Almost studying it.
This is either the start of something really good, or really bad. he thought.
I'm sorry this is such a lengthy chapter. But things will pick up soon! I promise! ^^ ~xoxo~