"Last week of school before Christmas break!" Alois whooped as they walked down the hallway.

"But you know what that means. Semester reports" Ciel said.

"Oh yeah. I'm sure I'll get a C in World History" Alois said.

"A in AP Math and English" Ciel said.

"Yeah we know you're a genius" Alois said.

He stopped suddenly and Ciel glanced up at him.

"Why'd you stop?" She asked.

"Arran's still here. I thought he left" Alois said.

Ciel glanced ahead and then spotted Arran pulling out his books for class. Arran froze and then turned. He stared at Ciel and Alois for a couple of seconds before closing his locker door and walking away.

"He's avoiding us" Ciel said walking up to her locker and pulling it open.

"Who cares, he's a coward" Alois said leaning against the locker next to Ciel's.

After school, Ciel and Alois returned home only to find an invitation on the table. Alois grabbed it before Ciel could and began reading aloud.

"Her Royal Majesty, The Queen cordially invites Countess Ciel Phantomhive to the annual Christmas ball at her Sandringham home" Alois read and then frowned.

"She invited me?" Ciel snatched the invitation.

"Where's my invitation?" Alois asked.

"Right here" Claude said handing the invitation to Alois.

"We can each bring a guest" Ciel said.

"You can't take Sebastian. I'm pretty sure the press would love you dating your teacher and me dating a man" Alois said.

"So we won't take anyone. We'll go together" Ciel said.

"Then what about us?" Claude asked.

"You'll have to stay in, Claude. It's too risky" Alois replied.

"Sometimes I feel like I should quit the job at school and just work full-time here" Sebastian said.

"We need to go shopping and make travel arrangements" Ciel said.

The day of the ball arrived. Ciel dressed in a fitting satin cobalt blue ball gown. The material flowed around her like water. It was sleeveless and floor length. She had gotten her hair cut into a more sleek and chic short style, successfully hiding her eye patched eye. Hannah had styled her hair to look more feminine and then had given her a pearl choker with matching earrings as jewelry.

"No I'm not wearing this necklace. Hand me the one Sebastian gave me" Ciel said taking off the pearl choker.

Hannah handed it to her wordlessly and then watched Ciel wear the necklace.

"It makes your blue eyes stand out" Hannah commented and Ciel closed her eyes for Hannah to do her makeup.

After that, Hannah helped her wear a pair of silver sling back heels. Then Ciel walked out of her room and down the stairs where Alois was waiting. He had dressed in a black suit with a blue shirt that matched Ciel's dress color.

"You look amazing" Alois commented as Ciel walked down the stairs.

"Where's Sebastian?" Ciel asked.

"Outside with Claude. They're making sure the rental car is running well" Alois replied.

They walked out of the house they had rented while in Norfolk and the demons attention came onto them.

"I've never seen you look so beautiful" Sebastian took Ciel in his arms and kissed her.

"You looked rather handsome" Claude commented with an uncomfortable cough.

"Thanks" Alois could feel that he was blushing and then glanced over at Ciel who was trying to extricate herself from Sebastian's arms, lest they be late.

Claude drove them to Sandringham house and then reminded them to call if they wished to leave. Ciel and Alois walked up to the entrance and then handed their invitations to the foot soldier at the front door.

"Earl Alois Trancy and Countess Ciel Phantomhive"

Ciel's hand tightened on Alois's arm as they stepped down the stairs. She scanned the room and noted that the Queen had not yet made her appearance.

"Hey there's Prince William and his wife" Alois pointed out and Ciel looked around.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge looked like a picture perfect couple. Both of them were smiling brightly as they greeted their guests and exchanged news.

"Let's go meet them" Alois said.

"Maybe later. Let's go get a drink" Ciel said.

They both took a glass of wine and then wandered around greeting other people.

"Countess Phantomhive, we finally meet" Ciel turned and then smiled at the Duke of Cambridge.

"Pleasure to meet you, sir. Congratulations to the both of you" Ciel said and Alois nodded.

"Thank you. I must say, you have grown up into a beautiful young woman" The Duke of Cambridge said.

"I'm sorry but I don't really remember meeting you during my younger years" Ciel replied.

"My grandmother, the Queen, has been taking note of your achievements since your father passed away. When I heard you and Trancy had taken up your duties again, I was simply astonished. I knew how much your aunt refused the Queen's invitations" The Duke of Cambridge replied.

"I didn't realize how much the Queen worried about my family. I would have to thank for this when I meet her later this evening" Ciel said.

"My grandmother enjoys seeing women being empowered and forging ahead in the world. She simply adores you and you are already taking care of all the missions she is giving you. That's all she needs in thanks" He said.

"You must try this champagne. It's been imported from France" The Duchess said holding out a glass of wine.

"If you don't mind, my lady, would you like to dance with me?" Alois asked holding out his hand.

The Duchess looked up at her husband who nodded. Alois took her hand and they went to waltz on the dance floor.

"So Countess how goes your schooling? You go to St. Rudolph, am I right?" The Duke asked.

"I am a junior at St. Rudolph. I'm usually top in my year and I'm currently a delegate for the student council. I'm still considering whether I should run for vice president with one of the seniors" Ciel replied taking a small sip of wine.

"You should take the chance. Being vice president would look good for university. What course of study are you going for?"

"I was thinking of taking business in university but I was hoping to take something in music as well" Ciel replied.

"Would you sing for my grandmother tonight? She has been raving about your voice for a long time. It would delight her if you sing for her"

"Of course I will. I can sing before your speech of thanks" Ciel said.

"I'll just go notify the staff" The Duke melted into the crowd and the music ended.

Alois kissed the Duchess's hand and then returned to Ciel's side.

"Let's dance. I feel strange just standing around" Alois said.

Ciel sighed and let him lead her onto the dance floor. They danced a simple waltz for a while before the foot soldiers announced the Queen's entrance. The queen was dressed in a simple lilac gown and she had a weathered but kind smile. Ciel waited until the crowd around her dissipated before stepping forward and introducing herself with Alois.

"It is such a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty" Alois said with a bow.

Ciel smiled and greeted Prince Charles who just gave her a brusque nod and walked away with his wife. Ciel and Alois exchanged a glance but then brushed it off. Soon enough the night came to an end.

"Ladies and gentlemen, attention please"

Everyone turned to listen to the Duke of Cambridge.

"I'd like to thank everyone for being here tonight. This night has made my grandmother happy and I'm sure all of you have enjoyed yourselves. Unfortunately good things must come to an end and so has this night. But not before a song from one of our guests. Please welcome onstage, to conclude this night of joy, Countess Ciel Phantomhive"

There was applause as Ciel made her way onto the stage and then gave a song to the orchestra.

She smiled at the crowd and then began to sing.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,

Let your heart be light

From now on,

Our troubles will be out of sight

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,

Make the Yule-tide gay,

From now on,

Our troubles will be miles away.

Here we are as in olden days,

Happy golden days of yore.

Faithful friends who are dear to us

Gather near to us once more.

Through the years

We all will be together,

If the Fates allow

Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.

And have yourself A merry little Christmas now.

Applause rang around the room. Ciel glanced over at the Queen who was giving her a standing ovation. Behind her, Prince Charles had a frown on his face while his wife seemed to smile. Ciel curtsied politely and then got off the stage, back to Alois. The evening ended on a happy note.

Ciel sat in the car thinking. Why wasn't Prince Charles even noticing them? After all, they had done a lot for him and his family. A little acknowledgement would be more than enough.

"What's wrong?" Alois asked glancing over in concern.

"Nothing" Ciel replied.

"Doesn't look like nothing if you're frowning like that" Alois said.

"Prince Charles is such a douchebag" Ciel said.

"If a douchebag's a douchebag, you can't do anything about it" Alois pointed out.

"It feels like we were the dirt under his shoes" Ciel commented.

"At least the Queen gave us some love" Alois said.

Ciel smiled at the thought of the old woman with a soft smile. Her eyes soon fell shut and she was asleep even before she got home.