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The evening of the ball was upon us and I had been fitted into the dress, this time having requested Madame Red to help me into my corset, being unable to fathom the thought of being s vulnerable around Sebastian again. The dress was truly beautiful. It was lilac in color, fitting tightly around my midsection and billowing out at my waist. All modesty aside, I did look truly breathtaking in the dress. It fit me to a T, glittering and flowing around me with each step I took.
"Midori, you are sure to snag the attention of the Viscount in this dress," Madame Red crowed. We were in the carriage on our way there to the event, Sebastian briefly giving us all a rundown of what was to happen. Her interjection had slightly annoyed him; I could tell by the look on his face.
I forced a smile in acknowledgement of her comment, my hands folded neatly in my lap. Truthfully, I felt like running away. Even as pretty as I may have felt. This individual was a suspected murder, and had gotten away with so much crime in such a short span of time. Why did this butler and thirteen year old child feel as if they could protect me in the event things went awry?
The only thing I suppose was comforting was Ciel's appearance. He too had undergone measures for a disguise, going as far as cross-dressing.
The carriage came to a stop, and we were all filing out one after the other, Madame Red rehearsing our roles.
"Midori dear, you and Ciel are my nieces from the country," She spoke. "Sebastian, you are their tutor." At the sound of this I saw Ciel gnash his teeth. I hardly stifled a giggle.
"Well hopefully I will not have to make too much of an appearance," Ciel retorted, looking up at me sharply. "I trust that you know what you're doing?"
Hardly, I thought to myself. But I nodded instead, trying to shoot him a reassuring smile.
"Shall we then?" Sebastian spoke, offering his hand to me. I begrudgingly took it, letting him lead me into the party. I took this chance to inspect my surroundings. Noble women of all sorts of dress littered the dance floor, accompanied by their dates and friends I suppose.
I got so caught up in looking around at the women that it reminded me of my own strife. My Charles. Where could he be now?
"Mar-gar-et," Sebastian spoke, making sure to pronounce each syllable. He was snapping his fingers in front of him, trying to draw me out of the trance I had momentarily gone into. I looked up, focusing on him, but with a pout. It was quite rude to snap at someone wasn't it?
"We must find the Viscount, my Lady," he spoke, taking my hand in his. "Let us dance."
I looked up at him, brows furrowed in confusion.
"Dance? For what purpose?" I asked, slightly flustered. I met his eyes for the first time tonight, cringing inwardly at the idea of dancing with him.
"What better way to navigate the dance floor in search of him than dancing, my Lady?" He spoke. I hardly had time to protest before he was pulling me out onto the dance floor - wide eyed and flustered as I had been many times before around him. I made sure to steady my hand on his shoulder. Our fingers quickly interlocked.
"We shall move around the dance floor this way," He spoke, his eyes leaving mine. They were scanning around curiously, presumably in search of the Viscount. I privately hoped he would not find him immediately; I was not keen on meeting this murder. In fact, I would much rather have been the back up, but I suppose there was more value to the head of a family than there was too some widowed disgrace such as I.
The music began, and I stumbled as he took the first step forward, even audibly gasping.
"Oh, My Lady, you do know how to dance I hope?" He laughed. I couldn't help but blush, brow furrowing.
"O-Of course I do!" I retorted, my fingers locking tightly with Sebastian's. "I-I just wasn't prepared."
I was not as awkward as one might be believe me to be. Although I looked quite flustered looking between my feet and his face, I was a natural at ballroom dancing. I had only done it a few hundred times with Charles at parties such as these.
Quickly, I got into step with him. His syle of dance was somehow different from Charles. I almost felt as if I were nonchalantly floating along the dance floor with him.
"Ah. You move gracefully. As expected of you of course, Miss Haruka." He spoke. I was shocked to hear the compliment, finally meeting his eyes.
"Of course!" I sputtered, my lips twitching into a sheepish smile. "What fun would I be at parties if I didn't at least know how to dance?"
The butler chuckled at this.
"Not much at all I suppose, mistress."
The dance came to an end, as quickly as it had started it had ended. My eyes scanned around the dance floor as our movements slowed, searching for the Viscount again. Though, we both turned at the sound of a small applause. I turned to see a man in all white with striking jade eyes, dragging themselves slowly up my body. I stiffened at this gaze, flush rushing to my face. It was entirely obvious what he was interested in.
"You danced quite lovely, Miss." The blonde haired man drawled.
"I shall go fetch you something to drink," Sebastian said quickly, bowing at the waist. And at that, he was quickly walking off, giving us privacy. I secretly wished he had stayed by my side. That the dance had lasted longer and I had been able to stay close to him.
"Ah thank you for your generous compliment Viscount!" I chirped. ACK! What was I supposed to say? I hoped my panic was written on my face. He took a few steps forward, and it took everything that I had to keep my feet grounded into the floor.
"Are you having fun, little robin?" He spoke, gently grabbing my hand. He pressed his lips to my gloved knuckles, chuckling as he did. I could only watch him for a second before I had to think up some reply. I'm sure I looked quite flustered.
"Oh, o-of course!" I squeaked, hand rising to my cheek instinctively. "There's so many in attendance, and everyone is beautifully dressed. But no one could compare to you my Lord." Where were these words and boldness coming from? I was not usually so well spoken.
His brows raised, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Oh?"
"A-Ah, of course. I've been waiting for a chance to speak with you all night." I paused, blushing. What was I supposed to say? How could I discreetly ask about the "secret" parties?
"I wanted to know if there were more fun things to do..with you My Lord."
His smirk only grew wider at this. I could see the dishonesty in his eyes. It almost mirrored Sebastian's dishonest looks. I tried not to shudder at this similarity.
"You want something more amusing to do? My, what a pampered princess you are, Mistress." His hand had somehow snaked over and found itself on my waist, pulling me closer to his body. His lips were at my ear now, his gloved fingers ever so slowly traveling further down. Internally, I was pleading for help. Anything! This actually far worse than last night when Sebastian had taken my measurements.
"Do you know of something more interesting to do?" I asked, pulling away from him a bit. He only pulled me closer, cupping my face in his gloved hand.
"Of course, darling. I'm happy to show you."
"Show me what?" I asked in a small voice. I was genuinely curious; What did he intend to show me? Dear god, what if he really was some murderer? Had I just agreed to go into his murdering chambers?
He took my hand, slowly leading me away from the party. As he lead me up a flight of stairs, I couldn't help but panic. I looked around the ball, trying to find the party I had come with but in my frantic state I could hardly focus on a thing! Where was Ciel? Sebastian? Madame Red, Lau? Did they see where I was going? Where they going to help me, or were they content to dispose of me if he really was the murderer?
The door at the top of the stairs creaked open, and the Viscount led me into an incredibly dim lit room. Immediately I noticed there was a smell in the room and raised my hand to cover my nose. But it was already too late. My vision blurred. The last thing I saw was the Viscount smiling down perversely at me as I was reduced to my knees.
A little while later, I woke. Bound by ropes, and blindfolded by some silken fabric. My first instinct was to scream, but as my hearing came back to me, I heard a voice speaking rather close to me.
"She's a beautiful specimen," I heard. I recognized that voice..! "Rare steely gray eyes, and exotic blue hair. She is truly not of this country," It was the Viscount's voice. It only took a moment to figure out he was talking about me as if I were some item at market.
"You may enjoy her as decoration or a pet. Or,I'd imagine she'd make a wonderful toy."
There was laughter at this suggestion. I suddenly felt sick.
"I am also happy to sell individual parts of her."
This really was an auction. It all literally came into view as I felt the blindfold fall from eyes. A black market auction. And I was the sale item. I started to squirm where I sat, but the bindings kept me from moving around far too much. I looked at the crowd, feeling truly pathetic and small as they bidded and laughed amongst themselves
I wanted to call for help terribly bad, but who was there to call? Absolutely no one could save me from my predicament now. I was stuck in this bloody situation. I was going to be sold.
"Let's start the bidding at three hundred guinea!"
It was over. I was going to be sold off. This was worse than death. The thought of being a toy.
A play thing. I gave up my struggling. Shoulders slumping. Accepting defeat. But almost as soon as I did, I saw the room go dark.
Blood curdling screams filled the room. I could hear the Viscount shout something. I couldn't see a darned thing. Until, the candles magically relit themselves. I was in disbelief when I saw Sebastian standing amongst the collapsed bodies. He was straightening jacket nonchalantly as if the scuffle had been nothing.
"Always getting lost, aren't we? You really are like a little mouse." He chuckled breathlessly. The butler approached the stage, slowly. I watched him unsurely, truthfully fearful of this man now. What had he just done to all these people? Had he killed them? How did he know to find me here?
"What did you do..What did you do to these people?" I spoke.
"Oh," He said, "They're simply sleeping." He approached the cage I was retained in, kneeling down to inspect. Sleeping?!
"A key would be nice," He murmured to himself. I was still wide eyed, shifting uncomfortably around inside. The next thing he did I could hardly describe. The butler moved to wrap his hands around the bars of the cage, moving them effortlessly aside. I couldn't believe my eyes.
"Good work nevertheless, Miss Haruka." He cooed, helping me up to my feet.
I could hardly speak, awe-struck. So curious and terrified at the same time of this man.
"I hardly did anything but get captured," I murmured timidly. My eyes never left his. "But, he's auctioning women off here wholly and in parts..." I trailed off, still studying Sebastian curiously.
"Ah. Very good," He spoke, effortlessly freeing me of my bindings.
"Sebastian, are you from a Circus?" That was the only plausible explanation for his endless power. The butler stopped for the briefest of moments, eyes flickering over to me, before he just smiled. A smile that led to a light chuckle.
"No, I'm just simply one hell of a butler." He replied shortly. "We should depart soon. Scotland Yard will be here shortly."
I was dissatisfied with his short answer, but there was no time to protest. He scooped me up, holding my lithe body against his own in a bridal style.
"Shall we?" He drawled, meeting my wide eyes. I was flustered once again, being held so close to him. He, without any warning at all, practically glided out the nearest window, flying through the air until we landed onto a nearby rooftop.
"S-Sebastian!" I exclaimed, clutching his neck. I looked down unsurely at the height we were at, feeling even more sick.
"Do not worry," he spoke. "I won't let you fall." I knew he wouldn't, but I was still afraid of falling, no matter what reassurance Sebastian gave me. I found myself gripping him tighter, drawing even closer to him so that I felt some sort of safety.