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Dead Weight

A Kuroshitsuji Fanfiction

By Celestialfae

Stage 2: Low Self-Esteem (Part 1)

Also known as "Confrontation"

Ciel continued staring at his "repulsive" reflection in the mirror. It suddenly occurred to Ciel that he never thought about himself as far as outside appearances go. Sure he liked to look presentable when stepping out of his mansion. It was put into his mind that a child of the Phantomhive Family must be perfect in every way in the eyes of his peers and kinsmen. Knowing that his butler would become impatient with him he hurried to his own private bathroom and sprung some water into his face not bothering to dry off. Although he was rather hesitant due to the events that occurred the last two days, he certainly was in no rush.

Flashback

The day began like any other for Ciel as Sebastian helped him get ready for the day. As the dark butler was trying his clothes on he found that his shirt had tightened around Ciel's midsection. Sebastian eyebrows knitted together as if scrutinizing thought. "My my bocchan you appear to have gained some weight, must be all the sweets you're eating." Ciel popped his head up looking wide eyed at Sebastian. How dare he? Simply cuz he was a demon didn't give him right to insult him as he wished especially about his weight. "Perhaps its time I start serving you things that don't make you so fat" Sebastian replied with a teasing smile though to Ciel it looked antagonistic like. Not letting it affect him, Ciel simply "hmphed" and told Sebastian to continue what hes doing. Finally getting his clothes on, he then proceeded to the dining hall where he would be served breakfast. Sebastian then rolled in with a tray of his usual breakfast( AN: just go with me people, I do not know what rich people eat for breakfast). Some scones, pieces of small toast, and a serving of his favorite tea with a fist sized cake. As Ciel was about to dig in, his butler piped up again; "Ah bocchan I almost forgot I have formally received an invite to you. Ciel looked up and studied the small piece of intricately written parchment. It was an written invite from the famous opera singer, Lady Irene Diaz(1). He distinctly remembered her at a party the previous year. She had been generally a well rounded woman and quite pretty also. He had to reprimand her for acting so out of turn when she slapped a man for groping her even though that said man deserved it. She later apologized and thanked Sebastian for dealing with the "insolent jerk" as she had so dubbed him. Last he recalled she was in a steady relationship with a Grimsby Keane. "So young master since this is a formal occasion, you certainly must look sharp for the occasion and cannot stuff yourself with sweets in the meantime as you have gained quite a bit of weight. I am even quite considering ordering you a larger size. Well I will leave you to your breakfast and be off to attend to my errands, the butler stated with a condescending wave. Ciel watched his butler leave. It wasn't until he stared down at his breakfast that he noticed a tear fall from his face. Normally Ciel would have slapped Sebastian for insolence but hearing him go on about his weight gain, was a big blow to his fragile pride.

He then stared down at his stomach where he noticed a slight bulge. Then at the food prepared before him. "My, my bocchan you appear to have gained some weight…" the butlers voice reigned mockingly in his mind. Shaking his head he decided to leave out the cake and eat the rest of the stuff. If the sweets were what made him gain weight then he would have to cut back, even though he hated the thought of it(2). But if he wanted to look presentable he would have to sacrifice. (Later that night…)

It was time for the gala where Irene would be giving an announcement. Ciel was dressed in a stylish black petticoat with gold trimmings on the end and grey pants with stockings. He sat next to Sebastian in a horse-drawn carriage. Although he was a little angry at him for earlier comments, he remembered that he was also in a contract with him. Finally arriving, Sebastian helped the earl out of the carriage and into the mansion. The inside was filled to the brim with decorations, streamers and all the glitz and glamour (AN: use your imagination). Guest from all over filled the large room. The only things Ciel saw missing was the guest of honor. As he walked he heard the excited wail of his very own cousin, Elizabeth (3). "Ciel! Hey Ciel! Over here." He looked over to where Elizabeth was frantically waving with extra exuberance. Rolling his eyes he decided to except the inevitable and placate her. "Hello, Elizabeth how are you this fine evening?, he asked patronizingly. Oh, just wonderful, hey you got an invitation too right? I mean by Irene Diaz, the famous opera singer of all people" Elizabeth swooned at the last statement. "Elizabeth, don't pester Ciel so much you'll pester the guest and me" spat the older brother at the mention of Ciel's name. Edward Midford (4) always held Ciel in a sort of contempt as he blamed him for making his "precious sister" worry so much all the time. A year previous he had belittled Ciel saying he was not worthy of owning the Phantomhive name and that he was nothing more than a scared little boy hiding behind his butler. That had earned the arrogant blighter a slap on the face by his mother and had been scolded harshly by his father. Though Ciel was good at keeping stoic, those words really hit close to home but decided not to let that bully deride him in any way. "Hello, Edward I trust you are enjoying the party as I am" Ciel countered back with his one eye challenging him to make some snide comment as he always did when alone. "Well, little cousin, I trust that being the queens watchdog is exhausting work, by the way you look rather portly", he smugly replied. Before Ciel could say another thing, Francis Midford appeared beside Edward giving off a warning glance as if saying "I swear if you mess up this merger, I will disown you,". Edward gulped and quieted down but glared at Ciel and walked away. "Im sorry Ciel, Edward was way out of line but do not provoke him so, he is just a tad overprotective of me. Overprotective my ass, he is just pissed he is not the one engaged to you. "Bocchan, there you are," stated Sebastian appearing beside him. Hello Lady Elizabeth and Lady Francis how are you this fine evening?" said Sebastian as he bowed before the two. "Quite alright, though it is a constant job keeping my precocious son in line. Another is keeping my daughter from killing Ciel before the wedding day. "Ah yes, madame you know how children are. Though I am amazed Ciel was able to catch up with you seeing is how he has become sort of plump, he pointed out as he emphasized the word. Ciel paled slightly. "Plump you say" his aunt asked with a raised eyebrow. Ciel felt like a deer caught in the headlights. How could Sebastian humiliate him like this?

(Flashback ends)…

Ciel sat in his office with his head in his hands. It was one thing to critique him on his dress shirts being too tight, but it another to do that in front of his aunt and cousin of all things. That smug bastard of cousin didn't help things much. It was no secret he held albeit more than brotherly feelings for Elizabeth. He reminded Ciel of that every time he saw him. However, he could not help but feel betrayed by his own butler. The rest of the gala was an event he would never forget indeed.

Next Chapter: Part 2 of Ciels flashback will come to fruition. What is the announcement Irene as in store for us? Edward and Ciel face off in another epic family clash. Meanwhile Ciel faces scrutiny from his peers about his weight gain. Sebastian makes another heartless jab and Ciel gets angry. Please review and be nice. It's my first story.

Volume 9, Chapter 39 of the manga. Where it was implied she took a potion to keep her- self looking youthful. Lead to many speculating she was a vampire. More on her next chapter.

I can never imagine Ciel willingly giving up his sweets. They are his favorite thingTT.

Whether you hate or love her, she certainly knows how to go for what she wants. But she is still annoying in a sense.

For those of you who are curious, Edward is the older brother of Elizabeth. He is deathly jealous of Ciel to the point of snapping when Elizabeth focuses her attention on him. I just wanted to bring out his "bastardly" personality to light.

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