Note: Well that was fast -_-" I wasn't planning on posting a chapter today, but I got so many alerts yesterday it was insane and I just wanted to say thanks, and since I already had this next chapter edited and ready to post I figured "Why not?" Still not many reviews, though... What do I have to do to get you guys to talk to me? Don't worry, I won't bite! Anyway, this is a longer chapter and a lot pf foreshadowing and setup happens so tell me what you think! Pretty please :3 Oh, and also I wanted to give a shoutout to promocat, who has been reviewing faithfully this whole time 3 I haven't been replying, but thanks for the comments, dear! It's greatly appreciated, and same to anyone else who has reviewed. I hope that number grows soon, though... Okay, I think I'm done.

Ciel woke to find Sebastian standing right where he was when he fell asleep, hands clasped behind his back and his eyes intense. When Sebastian noticed he was awake he smiled.

"Good morning, my lord. Happy birthday."

Ciel frowned. His birthday? He'd completely forgotten…

"I wish I could have offered you tea, but seeing as I was bound to this spot all night I was unable to provide any."

"It's fine," Ciel said. He stared at Sebastian for a moment, who remained unmoving. He sighed. "You don't have to stand there anymore," he said.

Sebastian smiled brightly, leaning down to kiss Ciel, though only very quickly. He seemed to have timed it perfectly, however, because the second his pulled away there was a knock on the door.

Ciel frowned, reflexively reaching for his eye patch that usually sat on his bedside table. He was only mildly surprised to find it wasn't there. He glanced at Sebastian, fingers brushing the bit of cloth over his eye. That demon never ceased to impress him. He looked back at the door. "Come in."

When Elizabeth entered Sebastian's whole presence seemed to darken considerably. She was already dressed, her hair in springy ringlets around her shoulders. "Oh, good, you're awake," she said. "Happy birthday, Ciel!" She pranced over and leaned down to kiss Ciel's forehead. When she pulled back Ciel glanced at Sebastian, and tried to hide his amusement at the butler's irritation.

"This means there's exactly one month until the wedding," she chimed. "I can't believe it! We'll be married soon… Isn't it amazing?"

Ciel tried to smile. "Of course," he said.

Lizzie smiled. "You should let me dress you today," she said. "I need the practice." She turned to Sebastian. "You can leave now, Sebastian. Thank you for taking care of Ciel."

"Lizzie, I don't think that's necessary…"

"Don't be silly, Ciel! It's no bother."

Sebastian, though obviously annoyed, bowed and excused himself.

Lizzie didn't rush. She sat next to Ciel on the bed, reaching into her pocket and offering up a small giftwrapped box. "Happy birthday," she said again.

Ciel took the box and examined it carefully. "Thank you, Elizabeth. I'll open it later." He set it on his bedside table. "You can head down to breakfast, now. I can dress myself."

Lizzie's smile faltered. "But-"

"Really, it's fine. I'll see you at breakfast."

She frowned, but didn't protest further. Once she was out the door Ciel tried to scrounge up something acceptable from his wardrobe, accepting the fact that he would surely be late to breakfast.

.

The day passed all too quickly, leaving Ciel little time to prepare for the party that was being held that night. He spent most of the day being toted around by Elizabeth, and then the hour just before the party approving the decorations and dressing. Since Sebastian was busy, however, the job was left to Mey Rin.

"You look stunning, milord!" she cooed. "Sebastian really does have an eye for color, doesn't he?"

Ciel nodded, standing. "I suppose I'd better head downstairs, then…"

Mey Rin started to agree, but trailed off. "Milord, what's this?" she asked, plucking Elizabeth's birthday present off the table. "A present? From Lady Elizabeth?"

Ciel had completely forgotten about it. He put out his hand. "Let me see it," he said.

Mey Rin handed it to him and he neatly unwrapped the paper, setting it aside. In it was a small box, which he opened to reveal a blood red rose, its petals the same exact shade as Sebastian's eyes.

"Oh, my, ain't that lovely! How sweet of the Lady!"

Ciel felt suddenly very guilty. He was always so awful to Lizzie, and all she ever did was care for him.

He took the rose from the box and tucked it into his lapel. It stuck out against the blue and black of the rest of his clothes, but it didn't matter. Mey Rin smiled. "Let's get you downstairs. You've got guests waiting!"

.

Sebastian was waiting for him just outside the ballroom. He himself looked a bit more polished than usual, his hair brushed back out of his face and he was wearing a new uniform, on which all of the blacks were black and the whites were white. His pocket watch was tucked into his coat as always, but the silver chain looked shinier.

Ciel could have just stood and admired him from the foot of the stairs forever, but Sebastian wouldn't allow it. He came over and took Ciel by the arm. "Come along. We don't want to keep everyone waiting."

When he pushed the ballroom doors open Ciel could only wonder how many of these people he actually knew. They were all looking at him expectantly, as if he might make a speech or something.

A speech wasn't necessary, but he did try to smile and greet them. "Good evening, everyone," he said. "Thank you for coming. I'm honored to see you all." He hesitated. Normally he was able to slip in without much notice, but tonight was different.

"Say 'I hope you all enjoy the party,'" Sebastian directed softly.

"I hope you all enjoy the party," Ciel recited.

"And 'I hope to speak to you all tonight.'"

"I hope to speak to you all tonight."

Sebastian didn't continue, and Ciel looked up at him. "That's all," he said. "The rest is just like any other ball." He paused. "We never did get a chance to brush up on your dance skills, did we?" He sighed. "Oh well."

Ciel was immediately bombarded; people he knew, as well as some he didn't, all came to greet him. Prince Soma and Agni had come from his townhouse in London to see him, and they weren't the only ones. Lizzie's brother, Edward, had come as well as Lau and even the Viscount Druitt.

Ciel spoke to everyone, shaking hands and accepting compliments and just trying to be social. He was grateful that Sebastian stayed next to him the whole time rather than going to monitor from the side like he usually did when parties were held at the manor.

"You're so tall now, Ciel." It was Edward, his top hat tipped forward and his green eyes dully scrutinizing as always, though his tone more relaxed. "It's been nearly a year, hasn't it?"

Ciel nodded. "You're a bit more pleasant than I remember," he said.

"Ah… I suppose seeing Lizzie just put me in a good mood. She's so happy – you'd better not do anything to upset her, Phantomhive."

Smirking, Ciel offered a hand, which Edward shook without hesitation.

"Happy birthday," he said before disappearing again.

And that seemed to be it for the moment. Ciel glanced back at Sebastian. "Where did I meet all of these people?" he asked.

Sebastian laughed. "Everywhere and anywhere. You have a lot of adoring fans, you know."

Ciel frowned, eyes sweeping across the room. "As do you… What is he doing here?"

Sebastian followed Ciel's gaze, his smile quickly fading.

"Oh my, it seems we have an unwanted guest…" Grell hadn't seemed to notice them yet, but he was clearly looking.

"Get him out."

"Yes, my lord."

And then he vanished. Ciel didn't try to find him in the crowds – besides, even if he tried it would have been nearly impossible. He stood and waited, sure that Sebastian would come back to him when the job was done.

Until then, it seemed someone else was looking to entertain him. "Earl Phantomhive, my dearest boy!" The Viscount's voice sent shivers down Ciel's spine every time he heard it. He could only remember that voice at a party years ago, when Ciel had to try to seduce him in search of information. However, the Viscount had no memory of this, since Ciel had been well disguised.

The Viscount's overly exaggerated movements were obnoxious, but Ciel contained his irritation.

"My, you're eighteen now, aren't you? You're getting so old so fast!" The Viscount draped an arm around Ciel's shoulder. "You haven't grown much though, have you? You still look like a young child, as innocent and fragile as a baby bird." The Viscount held his glass in the air. "To the Earl!" he called, as if trying to toast. No one seemed to notice, though.

Ciel rolled his eyes, trying to step away in as polite a manner as possible. "Thank you, Viscount," he said. "It's appreciated."

He smiled widely before disappearing into the crowd again, leaving Ciel to wait for Sebastian alone.

.

When Ciel next saw Sebastian it was later in the night, as if he had disappeared after removing Grell from the house. However, rather than returning to Ciel's side he appeared with a tray on his hand, an immense three-layer chocolate cake balanced precariously.

Ciel was surprised to say the least. He hadn't expected such a show.

Sebastian set the cake on a table off to the side and by then he had the attention of the whole room. The other servants were right behind him, Lizzie close by. Sebastian turned to Ciel and Ciel was worried he'd start singing. However it was Elizabeth who started.

Ciel stood there, unable to move his eyes from Sebastian, though he tried desperately. His face felt a bit hot as he waited for it to end.

When they finished Sebastian extended his hand, coaxing Ciel over. He barely hesitated before striding to meet him. Elizabeth was quick to catch him, though, pulling him into a tight hug.

"Happy birthday, Ciel!" she said gleefully.

There was a chorus of awing from the other attendees, and Ciel could hardly imagine a time he'd been more embarrassed. Nonetheless, the show was endearing.

"Thank you," he said, just loud enough for everyone to hear. Clearly everyone thought this was an applaud-worthy speech. Ciel sighed, though he was unable to hide his smile.

.

It must have been nearly midnight when Elizabeth came to talk to Ciel. They danced as she went on about how excited she was for the wedding and Ciel feigned interest.

"I hope that we can live long enough to see our grandchildren," she said, leaning her head on his shoulder. "Wouldn't that be amazing?"

Ciel felt nervous fluttering in his stomach. "Of course," he said, though his voice was strained.

"I think we should name our son after your father," she said. "I've always loved the name Vincent, you know. And if we have a girl, then maybe we should name her Rose." Her fingers brushed over the flower in Ciel's lapel. "It would be romantic that way."

Ciel tried to nod, but felt too stiff. He felt guilty acting as if they were actually had a future though he knew that he would surely be dead soon. He wound one of Elizabeth's curls around his finger. Maybe, like Sebastian had said the other day, he would try and leave an heir just to be sure Elizabeth wouldn't be alone. But at the thought of Sebastian he felt a whole new kind of guilt.

He closed his eyes. I'm sorry, Lizzie.

Note: I think after this the chapters start getting shorter, but more will be happening faster. But that's it for now... I'll talk to you all on Friday!