Ciel's jaw dropped, he stuttered in surprise as Isabelle giggled, amused by his expression.
"w-what is all this...?" he asked, clearing his throat as he collected himself.
Isabelle smiled softly, "a birthday party..." she said, blushing subtly.
He looked at her in disbelief, "...f-for me?"
She nodded, leading him inside where everyone smiled and greeted him.
Music was playing and people were dancing. The party was buffet style, so everyone had served themselves shortly after Ciel and Isabelle's arrival. Isabelle guided him to one of the buffet tables, a bright smile on her face as he looked around in awe.
"Do you like it?" she asked, her voice curious.
He glanced around, "how did you…" his words trailed off, making her giggle.
"Well, Finny told me about your birthday and… I decided to throw something together to thank you… for everything you've done for me…" she said, glancing away with a blush while grabbing one cupcake from the large assortment set up by Sebastian.
Ciel nodded, chuckling to himself before taking some of the cupcake's frosting on his finger, then rubbed it off on the tip of Isabelle's nose.
She yelped adorably in surprise and swatted at him.
"H-hey!" she protested innocently, making him laugh as he licked the remaining frosting off his finger.
"...Thank you, Lady Isabelle…" he said with a soft smile. Her cheeks flushed crimson as he spoke. She clenched her jaw and glanced down.
My heart's going to beat out of my chest at this rate… she thought, furrowing her eyebrows.
Ciel hummed to himself before taking two glasses of a sparkling water, "well then, let us enjoy ourselves, it is a party that you must've worked hard to plan. Shall we Lady Isabelle?" he asked, offering her a glass.
She took it graciously, and they toasted, "I would be honored, Earl Phantomhive..."
They both smiled at each other and their gazes locked for a few agonizingly slow moments. It seemed as if everything had stopped.
That was before a familiar voice called Ciel's name.
The next thing they knew, Ciel was being tackled by a blonde girl. Isabelle jumped back in surprise and narrowed her eyes.
"His fiancée." she hissed, muttering incoherently under her breath as she swirled her drink.
Ciel groaned, "L-Lizzy?! What are you doing?" he asked in frustration, trying not to spill his drink over her.
Lizzy hugged him tightly, "oh Ciel, it's been so long since I've seen you! Oh, happy birthday darling!" she cheered with a childish giggle as she clapped.
Ciel sighed, "yes, it's good to see you as well, Elizabeth." he breathed, glancing at Isabelle, who was still standing there awkwardly. Isabelle gave him a quick glare before turning away.
Lizzy clapped her hands excitedly before he could question her, "oh! Come on Ciel, you HAVE to see what I got you for a birthday present!" she said, dragging him away excitedly.
"W-wait!" he protested, but to no avail.
He looked back at Isabelle with a subtle frown. She spared him a fleeting glance and smiled back at him reassuringly, mouthing "Go on".
Ciel nodded slowly, going with Lizzy reluctantly.
When Ciel looked away from Isabelle, she cringed with a scowl, swirling her drink as she stood alone at the buffet table. She looked around at the people awkwardly. Unlike all the guests attending, she was unfamiliar with them all.
A strange prince and his butler, a viscount, a Chinese man with a lewdly dressed women, even the Queen's butlers and the Phantomhive help. They all talked almost casually with each other.
Isabelle was the outsider.
Enobria suddenly approached her, "I see you are still quite a wallflower when it comes to social events…" she said with a smirk.
The two girls watched the dancers glide across the floor gracefully to the beat of the music, Isabelle occasionally humming along.
Enobria tilted her head, "where did the Young Master go off to?" she asked curiously.
Isabelle sighed, "with his fiancée." she said simply, sipping the last of her glass.
A smirk stretched across Enobria's face, "do I detect a hint of jealousy, Milady?" she asked teasingly.
Isabelle choked on her water slightly, her eyes wide in surprise as her cheeks flushed with a brilliant blush.
"O-of course not!" she scoffed. Enobria nodded teasingly, making Isabelle roll her eyes.
There's no way I'm interested in the lord. she thought.
Just as she turned her attention back to the dance floor, Isabelle's eyes widened.
Ciel and Lizzy were merrily dancing, both with smiles crossing their faces. A pang hit Isabelle's heart and she looked away.
There's no way I'm interested in the lord... she thought right?
Enobria narrowed her eyes, glancing at the couple then back at Isabelle, "Milady?" she called curiously.
Isabelle grabbed a second glass, sipping it while suppressing the urge to separate the two, "i-it's nothing…" she said. She distracted herself quietly and Enobria left her lady alone to think.
Isabelle sipped her drink alone as the song ended and then she turned around. Finny had stood beside her with a smile.
She blushed and smiled, "what a pleasant surprise…" she breathed, "good to see you Finnian."
He gave a light chuckle and nodded before leaning toward her, "I do hope you are also enjoying yourself Lady Isabelle. You've been alone over here for some time…"
"You.. noticed then?"
Finny's eyes widened as he became fluster, rubbing his head nervously, "I-I yes I suppose- not that I was watching you or anything!"
Suddenly Isabelle placed her hand over his mouth. His cheeks burned as his warm breath caressed her gloved hand and she lowered her voice.
"Do not worry Finny… I'm glad- truly I am… that you cared to check on me…" she whispered, "I'm grateful to you, Finny."
He nodded slowly as her hand moved away, a new song beginning as everyone merrily enjoyed the evening. The gardener clenched his fists and jaw before his blush brightened.
"L-Lady Isabelle would you like to da-?"
Isabelle froze as Ciel suddenly held his hand out to her.
"... would you honor me with a dance, Milady?" he cooed, having managed to get away from his fiance.
Isabelle's eyes widened in surprise, "I-I…" she stuttered, making Ciel laugh.
He took her hand gently, regardless of her lack of answer, and led her on the dance floor as the song began. He delicately placed one hand on her waist, clutching her hand in the other.
Finny narrowed his eyes some before frowning. He looked away from his Young Master and attempted to hold back tears. He couldn't bare watching.
Isabelle blushed rose red, earning a chuckle from her dance partner.
"I-I apologize, but I'm subpar when it comes to dancing…" she said bashfully, dropping her gaze to the floor.
Ciel gave her a soft smile, "you're not alone there-" he was cut off as she stepped on his foot.
Her eyes widened in surprise as she released him, "I-I'm so sorry!" she apologized frantically, looking down at the ground again in shame.
He snorted, lifting up her chin gently, "there's nothing to be sorry about, Lady Isabelle," he said sweetly, "Just follow my lead."
They glided across the dance floor gracefully because of Ciel's lead, Isabelle relying on him completely.
He smiled, "see? You're a natural…" he said teasingly. Isabelle couldn't help but smile at the comment.
After the song ended, Ciel excused himself to escort Lizzy to her bed for the night, returning to the party to spend the remainder of the night with Isabelle.
The two greeted the guests, ate and drank champagne together, having a wonderful time with each other's company until it was midnight, the peak of the party. Isabelle laughed along groggily with Ciel, the two bearing blushes induced by the alcohol.
"I-I believe you've had too much to drink Earl Phantomhive." she said, giggling as he chuckled.
"Come now, I've only had one drink… eight times." he said with an almost stupid smile. Isabelle laughed, swirling her seventh glass of champagne with a yawn.
He tilted his head innocently, "are you tired, Lady Isabelle?" he slurred.
She nodded, downing the last of her champagne with a tired sigh, "yes actually…" she muttered, lips pursed as she set her glass down on a random table.
He nodded, setting his empty glass down, "shall we be off to be then?" he asked, taking her hand. She blushed at the sudden boldness, but complied.
"Yes, I suppose so…" she breathed with another yawn, the alcohol causing her sway slightly.
Ciel nodded, clutching her hand tighter as if stop support her entire body, "I'll have Sebastian entertain the guests for the remainder of the night then…" he cooed with a hiccup, making Isabelle simply giggle in reply.
Ciel led her over to the staircase and upstairs, wishing everyone a goodnight on the way.
Isabelle tilted her head in confusion as the earl led her down the halls, "E-Earl Phantomhive?" she asked with an adorable hiccup.
He put a finger over her mouth gently and smirked, "shhh…"
She blushed as he led her into his room.
"Earl Phantomhive, I should be off to my roo-"
Ciel fell back onto his bed, taking Isabelle with him as she yelped innocently in surprise. Then he sat them both up, causing the duchess to straddle his lap.
Ciel ran his fingers through her hair, pulling her up closer before speaking, speech slightly washed, "do you remember when you asked me what I wanted for Christmas?" he asked playfully, tilting his head to the side while brushing her hair from her face.
She blushed bright red and nodded, "did you happen to think of something...?" she asked hesitantly.
He chuckled and nodded, pulling her closer before whispering in her ear.
"You."
OOOOH it just got sexy! Maybe? Wellll you'll have to see what happens in the next chapter! Will the ship sail? Or is it stuck at the docks for a little longer? Anyways I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter!
Stay creative my friends~