Chapter 3 – The Ball

May-Rin came by later with fruit and muffins. When I asked her if she baked them she looked horrified.

"No, my lady! I couldn't bake in a million years! These were made by Sebastian on masters orders. Very nutritious apparantly."

"Oh, thank you."

So Ciel ordered it? Was I really that thin? I patted my tummy. I didn't think so...

Since I didn't have much else to do and was still recovering I eventually turned in for the night. The next morning I went to see Ciel in his study.

"May I come in?" I asked after knocking lightly.

"Yes, what is it?"

He had his usual scowl on his face as he was looking up from papers.

"I just wanted to find out if Sebastian managed to learn anything yet?"

"He has not returned yet."

"Oh."

I looked out the window. It was a rainy day.

I was about to say that that I would be taking my leave when Ciel suddenly got up.

"Do you play games?"

"Huh?" I asked in surprise and then realised I was being rude, "oh, sorry. I meant pardon?"

I noticed he signalled towards a chess bord, ignoring my slip-up.

"I actually...hate chess."

"Why, do you always lose?"

"No, that's not it. I hate how the pieces can't move the way I want them to and often other pieces are in the way. It is better to have one effective piece than many hinderances."

"So that's why you prefer working alone?"

I was surprised at his observation.

"Yes and no. I used to have a partner, but...that didn't work out well."

"Too different?"

"You mean did we fight like cat and dog?"

"Touche."

"Well, since you don't like chess, how about a card game then?" Ciel asked, changing the subject. If out of consideration, I couldn't tell. Most likely he just wasn't that interested in my previous partner anyways.

"That's fine, but I don't mean to interrupt your work."

"I was going to take a break now anyways."

Ciel got a deck of cards from a drawer and we settled into two chairs in the other corner of the room, facing a fireplace. It was lit and gave off a gentle warmth. The cards got dealth and we started playing in earnest. We must have played for quite a while and oddly we could not get a clear winner, every game ended in a draw to both our frustrations.

"Shall we try once more?" I asked, but then the door opened and Sebastian walked in.

"My lord?"

"Sebastian, you're back. Good. What have you learned?" Ciel said while getting up and looked a bit relieved. Was he worried about Sebastian?

"No new kidnappings or burgularies have occured yet which could mean the killer has gone into hiding currently, my lord. He or she is also doing a good job covering up tracks. But I found a pattern in the victims. They all belonged to a circle of nobles involved in a business venture ten years ago. For some unexplained reason only the daughters are being targeted. Currently only three are still alive of which one is lady Midford and another...is lady Cortez."

"Me?" I asked wide-eyed. Then it made sense, why the harlequin said he had been waiting for.

"Who is the third person? That will be the next target!" I exclaimed. Finally we had a thread!

"It is a certain lady Greystone."

"What?! You mean lord Greystone's daughter, Esmerelda?!"

"The same."

"Why couldn't it be someone else..." I grumbled.

"I take it your are fond of lady Greystone?" Ciel asked. I couldnt tell if he was being sarcastic or not.

"No, actually quite the opposite...but Sebastian, you spoke of a business venture?"

"Yes, it was a contract between these nobles to secure a rare spice from the West. It was almost as highly sought after as opium back them, so one can understand. Then there was discord between the group members and the venture fell apart. This might be a case of revenge."

"But...why kill girls because of quabbles over spices?"

"That we still need to find out, but now we know who the victims are. Three have already been killed and only three are left. I have arranged for security for lady Midford and lady Cortez is with us so all we need to do is wait for the killer to strike the easiest option, which is lady Greystone. And the perfect opportunity will be at the ball to be held tomorrow night. I have secured invitations for both my lord and lady Cortez and I shall accompany you."

"Wow, you really have it all mapped out," I couldn't help but say. Was this guy really just a butler?

"Well, Miss. I am just one hell of a butler."

That reminded me, his eyes glowing red before. There might be a hint of truth in his words. I didn't ask about it though. What did it matter if he was human or not? Or why he was always with Ciel?

"Angelique, you will stay here until then. It will be easier to keep an eye on you that way and since we both have to go we might as well go together," Ciel spoke up. I was surprised to hear him call me by my first name. And I wasn't prepared for a ball in the near future, I didn't even have a ball gown.

"I have taken the liberty of acquiring outfits for my lord and lady Cortez."

Was there anything this butler didn't think off?!

I was practically ordered to go back to my room until dinner time when we would formally dine in the dining room. I felt nervous and didn't undestand why. I found, not only a ball gown but also a dress suitable for dining with, courtesy of Sebastian. I felt a bit freaked out. Could he read minds or the future or something?

I had never been so uncomforatble eating dinner. Ciel and I were seated at the opposite ends of a very long table and was served by Sebastian and Mei-Rin. Since we were seated so far away from each other I just ate in silence. The cutlery and table decorations were of top quality and we got served butternut soup and then devilled mushrooms. I was already feeling quite full and then we were served a salad.

"How much more is there?" I whispered in horror to Mei-Rin.

"There is still the main course which consists of roast pork, served with mashed potatoes and sweetpotatoes and grilled vegetables with gravy. Thereafter you will be served dessert which is a choice between warm baked chocolate pudding served with custard or cheese cake served with cream."

"O...kay..."

Was I supposed to eat all that?! I wasn't feeling so great...

I suffered through the salad, but then when the main course was served I couldn't take it any more and quickly stood up. Everyone looked at me in surprise.

"Excuse me!" I said before rushing to the nearest restroom. Luckily I had noticed it on our way to the dining hall. I barely made it which was a relief, it would have been even more embarrasing if I had thrown up on the carpets...

I guess it was time I admitted that I wasn't used to eating proper meals... And what was I supposed to do now after spectacularly running out of the dining hall? I felt too embarrased to go back... I rinsed my mouth with some water.

"How long are you planning to puke your guts out?" Ciel suddenly asked outside the restroom. I was surprised that he'd come after me...

"You should just have said that you had enough you know, it is rude to waste food."

I had to bite my tongue to prevent myself from insulting the Earl Phantomhive. I didn't say anything so after a short silence Ciel knocked on the door.

"Hey, are you allright?"

Was he...actually worried about me?

"I'm fine now..." I said sinking down against a wall and burying my face behind my knees. I was too embarrased to even go out and face Ciel. Then he pushed the door open and came in.

"What are you doing? Go away!" I yelled without lifting up my head. I didn't want him to see me like this, all vulnerable and weak.

"You should just admit that you have an eating disorder and get over it already," he said unceremoniously. That rubbed me up the wrong way and I stood up.

"I don't have..." my words died as I looked at him. Who was I kidding?

"Fine, I can't eat a lot of food at once or I get sick. There, are you happy?"

"You realise it is because of your habit of not eating proper meals at regular times in the first place?"

"I don't have time for that! I eat when and where I can when it is necesarry."

"If you expect to be of service to me or her majesty you need to be in best possible health. I can't have you fainting somewhere on the job so from now on I will have regular meals served to you which I expect you to have. Sebastian, can you see to it?"

"Yes, my lord. I will prepare a schedule for Miss Cortez. The portion size will be adjusted as she makes progress towards mainting a normal eating plan."

I hadn't realised until now that Sebastian was also in the room. It was like he somehow just came out of the wall or something... creepy...

"Good. I need to speak with you privately in my study," he said to Sebastian and then they excused themselves. What was all that about? Why did he care that I had an eating disorder? It hadn't affected my missions until now. It is not just the food, but my sleeping pattern now changed since I came to London. I still tended to wake up at night and fall asleep during the day.

I sat up until late reading through a book on ball etiquette that I asked Mei-Rin to help me get from Ciel's library. I didn't want Ciel and Sebastian to fuss even more about me and to know that I was not sleeping. I had no idea there was so much to know. I had learnt basic manners for balls, but even something simple like a fan could be used in so many different ways and meant different things...gosh...eventually dawn was starting to break and I drifted off.

I woke from someone calling me.

"Miss Cortez?"

I became aware of that I was still sitting at the desk with the book on etiquette stuck to my face. My body was quite stiff and my shoulder sore. Sebastian did not look to happy.

"You should please refrain from taxing your already weak body above its limit. It seems like I will not only have to make sure that you eat properly, but also that you rest enough."

He put down a tray with tea and a plate containing scrambled egg served on toast. It wasn't much, so I managed to eat half of it. Since we would be attending the ball in the evening, I decided I would just rest today.

"Sebastian...why do you and Ci...I mean lord Phantomhive care about my health? As long as I do my job that should be fine, shouldn't it?"

"Perhaps so Miss Cortez, but it seems like my lord has taken an interest in you and by default it means I take an interest in you as well since his concerns are my concerns."

"Oh, is that so? Mph... well I suppose we need to work together to catch the killer so it is understandable that he'd be worried that I'd be able to pull my weight when it counts. Please assure lord Phantomhive that I am more than capable of performing any required duties to the crown and the case. He should rather focus his worries somewhere else, like on his fiance. The ordeal must have been severly traumatizing to her."

"Yes, my lady. Fortunately she had been unconscious most of the time and it does not seem that she saw much of the establishment."

"Oh, good."

My ball gown was a simple design, but very in vogue with the latest trends. It had layers coming out at the back. It had elbow-length flowing sleeves and the neckline plunged just enough so I wouldn't get locked up for indecent exposure. The part of it I hated the most was that I had to wear a corset. Mei-Rin had to come and help me pull in the thing. The end result was that I could almost not breathe and constantly felt a bit light-headed. I didn't understand the point of dresses designed to squeeze your stomach into your boobs. And where was I going to hide my weapons? I eventually managed to get a gun strapped to my thigh with lots of effort. It is near impossible to bend with the corset. Damned thing...

"Are you ready yet?" Ciel asked in an impatient tone as he came into the room. He still doesn't knock...

This resulted in him and I staring at each other in mutual shock. I still had my leg up on the bed and had just secured the gun in the strap on my thigh and still had my skirts bunched up. I could only imagine what it looked like...

Ciel's face turned red and he turned his back to me and I at the same time came up quickly and let the skirts down.

"I'm ready, let's go!" I said and walked passed him without looking at him. My face was no doubt just as red as his. I heard Sebastian cough and then both their footsteps following behind me.

As we travelled to the ball we ran over the plans for the night. I was to find and stay close to Miss Greystone. Sebastian and Ciel would keep an eye out for the killer.

"At least we only have two targets to worry about," I said as we got out of the carriage, but was greeted by a very excited voice as I stepped out.

"Ciel, my love!"

It was Elizabeth, dressed in a very splendid ball gown, practically hopping up and down like a bunny. She had not expected to see me clearly as she now had a disappointed and puzzled look on her face.

"It's just me, Elizabeth, but why are you here tonight?"

"I couldn't miss a ball, especially if my Ciel was going!"

I noticed the emphasis on 'my'. Was she jealous?

Ciel had also disembarked from the carriage and didn't look too pleased.

"Lizzy, I told you to stay put tonight because it is dangerous!"

"But, then why does Anne get to go?" she said with a pout.

"Anne?" Ciel asked looking puzzled.

"It is derived from her full name Angelique, my lord," Sebastian explained.

"Oh...she is here because...it is work related."

"My lord, may I suggest that we all proceed to the ball room. We are attracting attention out here," Sebastian cautioned. Ciel sighed and took Lizzy's arm. I started walking by myself, but was surprised to find Sebastian taking my arm in his.

"Shall we go, my lady?"

This was going to be a long night. All three targets under one roof... Lizzy was fluttering all over the place which had Ciel's underrods in a twist. It was amusing to see him so irritated. Luckily I only had Lady Greystone to look after and she was not the type who wanted to speak to every single person at the ball. I greeted her and exchanged some small talk and then proceeded in keeping myself occupied with my glass of wine in the near vacinity.

Eventually a young man came to ask me to dance. I would have flat-out refused, but I recalled what I had read about ballroom etiquette. When asked to dance one should accept since it is viewed as very rude to decline unless you had a valid reason. What reason could I give? That I'm watching Esmerelda?

I accepted and decided I would still keep an eye on Esmerelda from the dance floor. She hadn't moved from the same spot for the last hour and a half anyways. Luckily it was not a complicated dance, but one that required everyone in the group to switch partners after a while. I was not really concentrating on my dance partner, but managed somehow to dance without stepping on toes while keeping an eye on Miss Greystone.

I vaguely became aware that my dance partner had changed again, and then realised who it was.

"Ciel!"

He also had been distracted and seemed just as surprised. I also realised that I had just been very informal and called him by his name...

"Anne."

We continued dancing. He didn't seem to have noticed my slip of tongue.

"I see you also got dragged into dancing," I commented.

"Yes, unfortunately," Ciel said with his trademark scowl.

I felt very aware of his hand resting on the small of my back and the other holding my hand. I couldn't help but think of earlier tonight when he walked in on me while I was dressing. I wondered if he was thinking about the same thing? His face seemed a bit red. Or was it the wine talking?

Just then we had to change partners again. I felt almost disappointed to let him go. What was wrong with me? He could have been my little brother, for goodness sake!

Eventually the dance ended and the ochestra started playing a different song. I was about to escape off the dancefloor, but another gentleman blocked my way and asked me to dance.

"I am sorry, I am a bit tired from the last dance and in desperate need of a drink."

I fled the dancefloor and grabbed a glass of champaigne. My feet was starting to kill me and the lightheadedness was getting a bit worse. Luckily the dress' design was such that it covered my shoulder wound.

"Miss Cortez?" I heard a man softly say at my side. I looked up and saw a young man. Was he also going to ask me to dance? I was already mentally prepared to run away, but he quietly handed me something.

"This is a letter from her majesty. You must not share this information with anyone else."

With that he disappeared into the crowd.

I hid the letter in my sleeve and looked for Sebastian. Eventually I found him and asked him to keep an eye on Esmeralda while I went to the ladies.

The letter had the official wax seal stamp of the queen on it.

The letter had not been good news. The queen ordered that I be arrested and that I have been stripped of all my priveledges due to my involvement with the serial kidnapping and murders case. Had she somehow misunderstood the situation? I was supposed to be a victim, not an accomplice! I was also forbidden to talk to anyone else about this. I was to peacefully go with the palace guards who were waiting for me and not create a scene.