The servants and masters all turned toward the owner of the voice as they hurried down the stairs, promptly tackling Ciel in a tight hug. Ciel held his hands away from the petite back as his stomach dropped, meeting the waiting green gaze below.
"E-Elizabeth?!" Ciel shouted in surprise as she hopped down, releasing him. She gave him a giggle and a grin before spinning in a baby pink, winter dress with matching heels.
"I came to see you darling! I had a day to myself and I decided to come see you!" she cheered, eyes sparkling as she faced him again.
"Yo snuck away again then I see…" Ciel muttered, straightening himself up. But, before Elizabeth could answer his question, she pointed at Isabelle with her brow furrowed in confusion.
"Who is this women Ciel?"
Both earls tensed before exchanging several nervous glances. They were both speechless. There was no way to answer Elizabeth truthfully without causing drama.
"My Lady Isabelle's carriage was destroyed by the servants of this household. In exchange, we are awaiting for a replacement to reach her and take us home." Enobria declared without hesitation, giving the servants, Finnian, Mey Rin, and Bardroy, a quick yet cold glare.
The help immediately went on with the charade which was somewhat more convincing because of Enobria's venomous tone.
And Elizabeth bought it.
"Ahhh I see! Shame on you lot for inconveniencing a lady!" she scolded playfully before hugging Ciel, earning a hurk from him, "I do hope we can still spend the afternoon together regardless- right Ciel?!" she asked with a smile.
Isabelle narrowed her eyes at the sight and immediately knew he wouldn't be able to say no to her.
"Go on Earl Phantomhive." she hissed, walking off.
Ciel and his servants alike all tensed in surprise. Ciel reached out and called for Isabelle to wait but instead she ignored him, glancing to Sebastian.
"I shall be awaiting for my carriage to arrive shortly. Please make sure the arrangements run smoothly."
Before the butler could answer, she strutted off. Ciel clenched his jaw before releasing a defeated sigh to which Lizzy had noticed.
"Is something wrong Ciel…?" she asked hesitantly.
"...Yes… Everything is just fine." Ciel breathed, eyes narrowed as Isabelle disappeared down the halls of his manor to only god knows where. He had no choice but to entertain Elizabeth for the afternoon until she too would have to leave.
Elizabeth urged Ciel to do anything with her and he decided to entertain her in the parlor with chess though it was far from her forte, resulting in a rather boring series of games.
Ciel found himself gazing absentmindedly at Elizabeth every so often.
We really have not a thing in common he pondered, narrowing his eyes before Elizabeth's high pitched voice brought him back to the parlor.
Sebastian, on occasion, had broughten them tea and scones to nibble on as the pleased, but the sort of "date" seemed so awkward. So forced in a sense. All Ciel could concentrate on was how he was supposed to spend the evening with Isabelle rather than Elizabeth.
He pondered how he would have enjoyed the company of another woman rather than his own fiancee.
And Elizabeth eventually caught on.
"Do you have something on your mind darling?" she asked curiously, voice somewhat apprehensive as she studied him sitting before her.
He gave a quick stutter before shrugging off the question with a nod, only adding to Elizabeth's pending worry. She could tell something was wrong but she wasn't exactly sure what.
All she could do was play along as he did. But, she remained curious of the strange girl she only knew as "Lady Isabelle."
It was Sebastian that eventually broke the tense atmosphere.
"Young Master." he called as he knocked.
Ciel called him in and the butler approached his side, hand over his heart per usual, "I've come to tell you that Finnian has gone to escort Isabelle home."
Ciel tensed, swallowing his tea slowly s he glared at Sebastian. Finnian? he thought, what could HE possibly want with Lady Isabelle… what is it exactly that they are doing?
All Ciel could do was allow his imagination to un rampant. What could his gardener possibly want with his new partner?
… … … … … … … … … … … …. … … … … … … … … … … … …. … … … … …
The afternoon seemed to drag on as the English countryside was submerged in a cold fog. Snow was surely on it's way by the looks of the grey skies above.
Isabelle swung her leg, sitting comfortably on a tree, a book in her hands to belonged to Ciel's library.
She read it, completely oblivious of everything around her. She was trying desperately to forget about Lady Elizabeth. She was fully aware she had no right to be jealous of them for, after all, she had just met the Earl.
However, he seemed to be the only thing that occupied her mind at present.
She clenched the book tighter and sighed in frustration, concentrating on her book when someone called up to her.
"Lady Isabelle?" Finny called, causing her nearly fall out of surprise. Finny's eyes widened as Isabelle fell from her perch and into his arms, barely managing to keep her dress from flying up.
"... R-Reading…" she said, clutching her book to her chest in embarrassment as he held her princess style before setting her down all flustered, rubbing his head sheepishly.
Finny smiled softly, blushing innocently as Isabelle dusted herself off, "What are you reading, if I'm not being so bold to ask of course..."
Isabelle blushed, "a-a romance novel…" Finny laughed.
"F-Forgive me for laughing, but I never thought you would like romance novels, Lady Isabelle." he cheered with a smile, which only made Isabelle blush brighter and smile back, clutching her book as Finny scraped some bits of bark from her dress.
"So what did you need me for?" she asked.
Finny nodded, "oh yes, lunch will be ready soon and the Young Master told me to come find you." he said with a smile, "b-but may I… you're wearing no shoes so I…"
Isabelle nodded with a soft smile, wrapping her arms around Finny's neck, allowing him to scoop her up, bringing her to the set Isabelle with a small smile as she blushed.
A cold breeze rustled the remaining leaves in the tree, making Isabelle shiver slightly.
Finny titled his head to the side as he gazed up at the grey sky, "maybe you should head inside Lady Isabelle. It wouldn't be preferable to have you become ill." he said, a hint of concern in his voice.
Isabelle glanced up at the darkening sky and nodded. Her toes scrunching up in the cold, dying stone and Finny laughed. "why are you out here in bare feet?" he smiled softly, his question making Isabelle giggle and shrug.
They both laughed and then were suddenly cut off.
A snowflake gently fell upon Isabelle's nose, melting on contact with her skin. She made a confused squeak and wrinkled her nose cutely, making Finny laugh. They both looked up, seeing other snowflakes follow.
Isabelle smiled softly, blinking her big blue eyes at the sky, "It's snowing…"
Finny nodded, both of their eyes sparkling in excitement as they admired the glistening snow fall.
"It's the first snow of winter," Finny said, catching a snowflake in his palm, "which means Christmas will be coming soon!" he chimed with an excited laugh, making Isabelle giggle and nod as snowflakes decorated her hair.
Finny's eyes suddenly widened, "Lady Isabelle! You're not in proper attire to be outside in the snow!" he shouted in concern, looking at Isabelle's bare feet. Isabelle looked down at her feet and looked back up biting her lip.
"Y-yes, quite right…" she said sheepishly.
Finny took her hand, leading her inside. They both watched the falling snow from the window in wonder.
"It's so pretty…" Isabelle said, watching the snowflakes like an excited child. Finny nodded in agreement. The two sat together, watching the snowfall in silence for a while before Enobria appeared, offering them blankets and warm milk.
Finny took the milk graciously, "y-you didn't have to Miss Enobria…" he said, looking at the cup in surprise.
Isabelle smiled, "it's quite alright Finny. Besides, you're a friend." she said, sipping the warm milk daintily.
Finny smiled innocently with a light blush, sipping it again, "friend huh… I like being your friend, Lady Isabelle." he said with a content sigh. The two chatted casually for a while, drinking their cups empty as a blanket of winter's first snow covered the grounds. Finny then excused himself.
"Do you have to do chores?" Isabelle asked curiously.
Finny smiled at Isabelle, "yes, we also have some important planning to do for the Young Master!" he said excitedly, gathering the new dishes.
Isabelle tilted her head, "planning? For what?" she asked curiously.
The gardener smiled, "we're planning for the Young Master's 14th birthday."
DID I DETECT A HINT OF JEALOUSY?! Well yeah hence the title~ Both are a bit jealous of the other but now the question is what does Finny want with Isabelle? Ciel is definitely thinking the worse- BUT his birthday is coming~ What will come of that? Anyways I hope y'all enjoyed this chapter!
Stay creative my friends~