Chapter 3

Hello again lovely readers! I hope you're as excited by the release of a new chapter as I am! Also! It has come to my attention that I've yet to do a disclaimer! So...

Disclaimer: Black Butler/Kuroshitsuji doesn't belong to me. I'm definitely not that good at art.

Anyways, enjoy chapter 3(:

Chao,

Majix

"Elizabeth!" He groaned as she slammed into him at full speed, giving his thin body a bone crunching squeeze.

The boy winced slightly but wrapped his arms around her in welcome, "What are you doing here, Elizabeth?"

"Oh Ciel, haven't I told you before? Call me Lizzy!"

She gave him another squeeze before letting him go and clasping her hands together in front of herself, "I missed you dearly Ciel! So I snuck away!"

Elizabeth burst into high pitched giggles before focusing her attention on Sebastian, flashing him a truly radiant smile "Oh! Hello Sebastian!"

The butler bowed slightly to her and genuinely returned her smile, "Lady Elizabeth, it's lovely to see you. We haven't seen you at the Phantomhive manor for some time."

Sebastian was a solitary creature by nature. He preferred to be alone, or around others who understood and avidly practiced his love of comfortable and lasting silence, but even he could admit that Elizabeth had a beautiful happiness about her.

Her smile was infectious and though she was often too excited for her own good, she was still a dazzling soul. He would possibly even go as far as to call her incorruptible, but one could never tell.

"I brought something for you too, Sebastian!" she said excitedly as she stood on her tiptoes and placed a soft pink sun hat on his head, the brim decorated with daisies. "You're always wearing black, so I thought a little color would be nice."

Bard, Mey-Rin and Finny stood along the sidelines, all three sets of eyes as big as saucers as they watched Sebastian give her a sweet smile and clasp his left hand over his heart. "To regard what I wear with such concern. I am honored."

"Of course!"

She turned back to Ciel and pulled him into another tight hug, "Ciel! You are soooo cute. I'm so glad I came!"

The Earl cleared his throat and pried the bouncy blonde off of him, "Lizzy, what about Grandmother. Won't she be worried?" Elizabeth waved off his worries and linked her arm with his, holding him close as she continued to tell him how cute he was.

Bard stood quietly beside the elder in the pink hat, watching the crazy little girl hug and twirl their master like a toy, "Sebastian?"

The butler cast him a sideways glance, silently acknowledging that his name had been spoken.

The chef looked to the pair as Elizabeth dragged the young master around the room, showing him every single decoration, "Who is that girl?"

Sebastian glanced over at Bard, Finny and Mey-Rin as they all inched a little bit closer to hear what he had to say, "Lady Elizabeth is the young master's betrothed."

"His what?!"

Sebastian gazed at them blankly before he refocused his attention on the bluenette and Lady Elizabeth.

The servants looked questioningly to the elder in black, "Nobles marry other nobles. It has always been this way and the Earl of Phantomhive is no exception. Lady Elizabeth Middleford is the daughter of the Marquee. They've been destined to marry since birth."

Finny scratched his forehead with the big paw and looked towards the young couple curiously, "But what if Ciel doesn't love her?"

The question unexpectedly through the butler for a loop. If the young Master didn't love Lady Elizabeth? He glanced covertly over at the frustrated looking Earl and tried to imagine what would happen if he chose not to marry Elizabeth. It was an utterly ridiculous thought. Of course he would marry Elizabeth. Or, at least, he would plan to marry her and Elizabeth thought that's what would happen.

For the first time, the butler didn't feel as excited at the thought of eating the boys soul. Yes, it would be delicious, perhaps even the most incredible tasting soul he'd ever consume but it came with a loss. The world would lose one of the few remaining interesting humans, Elizabeth would lose her future husband, and London would lose its protector.

At the last thought, the demon shrugged off all regret.

London indeed.

"Sebastian?" The demon looked down at the curious blonde with the rabbit ears and realized that he had neglected the boy's question in favor of his own thoughts.

Sebastian cleared his throat, "You really shouldn't call the master by his first name. It's rude."

The gardener flushed with mild embarrassment at the minor slip up in his proper etiquette, yet he still managed to look defeated as his question was once again ignored by the elder.

Sebastian sighed, "He would either have to break off the engagement, or he would have to just deal with it and marry her as planned. If he were to break off their engagement, it would be an outrage, and an outright scandal."

As the boy started walking back over to the small group, the servants scattered with rushed apologies before disappearing, leaving Sebastian to face a seething Ciel.

"Sebastian, the Marquee must be very worried if Elizabeth came here without telling anybody. I would like you to contact grandmother." He cast a look around the manor and struggled to surpress a shutter, "And the moment Elizabeth has left I want you to fix this disaster. Immediately."

"Ciel! Come here!" Elizabeth materialized at his side and grabbed his arm, clinging to his side as she dragged him to the ballroom, only letting go of the boy to throw the doors open, "Look at the ballroom! I made it cute too, Ciel! Just for you!"

The ballroom mirrored the grand staircase as the normally sophisticated and elegant room was covered with flowers and ribbons. The chandelier was practically over run with pink ribbon, glittering silver garland and heart shaped balloons, the pale fabrics surrounding the lights and windows giving the room a faint pinkish tint.

"Ciel, I worked so hard to make the ballroom cute for you, let's have a dance party today, just for us! I even got you special clothes while I was shopping! They'll make you look even cuter, I promise!" The Earl instantly bristled at the idea of being forced to dance, even if it was only with Elizabeth.

He started to open his mouth to protest only to be enveloped in an overzealous hug. "Oh! A dance with Ciel while he's wearing the clothes I picked out for him! We will dance the night away, I just know it!" She pulled back from him and grabbed his hand, squeezing his fingers excitedly.

The young Phantomhive looked at her adoring face, taking in the hopeful curve in her smile and the way her eyes twinkled with daydreams and he let out a sigh of defeat. "I would love to dance with you, Lizzy."

She beamed at him and squealed as she crushed him with another hug, "I'll make everything perfect while you get ready! I promise, I'll look my best!"

Elizabeth let go of him and bolted out of the room, undoubtedly to go find the servants and torment them some more. The boy sighed and briskly walked up the steps, Sebastian matching his stride two steps behind him, "It's going to be a long day, Sebastian."

The ravenette missed a beat as he looked at the Earl in surprise. It wasn't like him to share his personal thoughts, especially if they made him sound as though he couldn't handle something.

"Indeed it is, my Lord."

The Earl of Phantomhive sat at his desk with his head on the surface. It'd taken Sebastian more time than usual to help him into the suffocating clothes that Elizabeth had chosen for him and it was painfully transparent that something was on the butler's mind.

Sebastian was always hard to read. He was definitely one hell of an actor. Even after spending every waking moment with him since his return, it was still hard for Ciel to tell whether he was serious or not sometimes.

However, it was easy to tell when something got under the demon's skin. It took more than a fair amount to frustrate the butler, and usually it couldn't be done on purpose. So when something finally managed to put a catch in the man's step, it was more than obvious. Especially to Ciel.

The bluenette supposed that the demon fancied himself able to hide his frustration, but such thoughts were far from accurate. However, his own thoughts about the upcoming evening had taken over and he would have to ponder over Sebastian when he wasn't so flustered. It felt as though a hot and heavy ball of lead had sunk to the pit of his stomach. He was going to look like a fool. He lifted his head slightly to look at Sebastian and groan. He knew he should say something about being unable to dance even the simplest Waltz but he couldn't.

"Why must I dance with her? I didn't invite her Sebastian."

The butler looked unsympathetic, "Even so my Lord, she is your finacée, and it would be incredibly rude to turn her away so coldly. The Marquee may become quite upset."

The boy sighed in frustration and dropped his head back into his folded arms, groaning in agitation, "I didn't ask for her to become my finacée, Sebastian."

The butler found himself once again missing a beat as the other male spoke his thoughts so freely. He was also brought back to thinking about Finny's earlier question. What if the Earl didn't love the Marquee's daughter? Not that it truly mattered. It was a moot point but the demon wondered: if it had been a possibility, would the Phantomhive have walked down the aisle of his own free will, or out of unwillingness to harm his family name; along with his pride.

"You still haven't finished your game, Master, and tomorrow has become quite busy with today's objectives being put on hold. I advise that you obey her and follow her wishes."

Ciel propped his head up on his palm, his features smooth and utterly bored looking, but beneath the surface, he was starting to itch. There was no getting out of it. He would have to dance with Elizabeth and he didn't have the faintest clue how.

"Forgive me, my Lord, but Elizabeth has requested a dance and I can't help but notice that at social gatherings you tend to stay close to the wall. Do you have dancing instruction, young Master?" Ciel flushed and quickly turned his chair the other way, glaring intently at the wall. "I'm busy. I don't have need for such silly activities."

The demon smirked at the back of the Master's chair. Ah, the truth finally comes out. An aristocrat that didn't know how to dance, especially one as powerful as the Earl of Phantomhive. Borderline scandalous. "I shall take your word for it,"

The butler leaned over the desk and spun the chair around, making Ciel face him. He smiled as the boys eyes immediately went to the miniature cake that he'd made. Hook, line, and sinker. The demon knew he had the Master's absolute attention.

"Dancing is a social necessity. If it were to become known that the Marquee's finacée refused his future wife a dance, among noble society, your family name would be greatly tarnished."

The Earl met his stare head on as his eyes became glassy with determination and intent focus. Ciel could see the obvious manipulation but he rose to the challenge regardless.

"Fine. Call for a tutor immediately."

The butler set the cake on the edge of the desk and looked down at his pocket watch, tsking thoughtfully, "No, I don't think so. It's absolutely too late to call in a home tutor, but not to worry, my Lord. Since only your demeanor and pose are necessary, I shall happily be able to instruct you in the art of dancing."

Sebastian offered him a warm smile that was meant to, not only, mildly annoy the Earl, but also to cover his curiosity. How would the boy respond? After the incident with the bathtub earlier this morning, the elder wasn't quite sure.

"You?! How do you propose I dance with you? You're much too tall! Do you even know how to dance?"

"Not to worry, my Lord, I shall teach you the Viennese Waltz." The butler dipped into a low bow before straightening and offering the boy his gloved palm, gazing at him with his intense crimson red eyes and his signature smile, "May I have this dance, my Lord?"

Something in Ciel's stomach knotted and he just stared at Sebastian's offered hand. He couldn't explain it, but suddenly the cravat necktie felt too tight, and the custom made tailcoat seemed a tad bit snug in some places. The hat had made him feel like a fool. His pride suddenly felt much lighter than his worry. Ciel Phantomhive was an Earl. The vicious dog in the Queen's yard. He represented his father in his absence and he would not let his upbringing be mocked.

Once again, his pride had overcome.

Ciel stood and took the butler's hand as he came to stand in front of the elder. Sebastian straightened his posture, "Now, as the leader, you always start on the heel."

The butler grabbed his wrist and laid the boy's palm against his back, just below his shoulder blade, "Be sure to firmly grasp the lady's back, just like this." Sebastian glanced down at his master, stealthily looking for any sign of panic or discomfort.

Finding none, he grasped the Phantomhive's other hand and held it out to the side along with his own, pulling him slightly close, "Now, as the song begins, you will be expected to make the first move. Naturally, because you're going to lead. The man always leads. You're going to start with the left foot, and you go forward. Don't worry about Elizabeth, if you start slow, she will step backwards and you will have no worry of stepping on her feet."

"Now, as for your steps, it's counted in two sets of three. Which ever set of steps you are doing, your partner will be doing the opposite." Sebastian looked again to the boy, only to find that his expression was one of loss and confusion.

"Watch, I shall lead the steps first and you will copy me. Just a tip, which ever way our hands are pointing," Sebastian squeezed the Earl's outstretched hand, "Directs the leader as to which direction to next step."

"The gentleman leads by stepping out with his left foot and rotating to his right. The lady follows on her right foot, stepping just in front of its previous position and also turning towards the right." Sebastian guided the Earl, giving him a gentle nudge backwards so that he wouldn't get his feet stepped on.

He moved slowly the first set and then a tad faster as he repeated it, "Now, you guide. Everything you just did, except now you will lead and I will follow."

Ciel struggled to remember where to place his feet and he winced as he stepped on Sebastian foot multiple times, no doubt scuffing his brightly polished black shoes.

"Now, now, Master. You're making this harder than it needs to be." Sebastian paused their steps and put on a soft music with slow beats before returning to the boy's side and grasping his hand, "Close your eyes, and let me lead you. Feel the steps."

Ciel looked doubtfully up at his butler but followed his instruction. As his eyes closed and he listened, it no longer seemed to be such a difficult task. As soon as Sebastian prodded him to let him know that they were beginning, he had no issue knowing just when to step and where to go.

As he followed Sebastian's lead, he felt a flutter of inner peace. He forgot what it felt like to let someone else lead every once and a while. While they continued to drift around the small enclosure, Ciel noticed something else as well. He'd never realized just how warm the demon's skin was. Even through the material of his uniform, the bluenette could feel waves of heat radiating off of him, and he briefly wondered what that warm flesh would feel like against his own.

Unconsciously he leaned closer to the heat source and let out an airy sigh before a wrong step ripped him from the embrace of his thoughts and exposed the raw emotion that he'd so carelessly let seep through his defenses. He tensed and forcibly removed himself from their dance position, ignoring the tight feeling around his stomach as well as his heart.

Everything felt hot, his necktie seemed to be smothering him and he couldn't get a breath of fresh air. The Earl swallowed heavily, "That will be all, Sebastian. I'm sure I can manage from here. I shall meet you downstairs when I greet Elizabeth."

The dismissal in his tone, as well as his statement, could not have been more clear. Sebastian bowed and started to leave before pausing and looking back. The boy was bent over his desk with both palms flat against the wood and his head slightly drooped, "Don't forget to smile, my Lord. A happy smile would surely satisfy the lady."

Ciel tensed dramatically before seeming to almost wilt with a sigh, "To smile happily... it seems I have.. forgotten."

The boy said nothing else and the butler took his silence as his queue to leave the bluenette to his own company. The ravenette closed the door gently and stood in the hall for a moment before making his way effortlessly to the kitchen.

True, there was nothing to bake, nothing that needed serving but he once again found himself pondering Ciel Phantomhive. He felt frustrated at his own inability to determine the Master's problem. As they'd been dancing, the boy was stiff and rigid. At first he had thought it was merely because they were dancing but now he wasn't so sure. For a brief and fleeting moment, he'd seen and felt the bluenette let go and completely relax. It was a rare sight indeed and Sebastian only saw it in the morning when the boy was still slumbering, but even then, there was still a faint tension in his features.

Sebastian had heard the content sigh and he'd felt the boy lean into his body as inner peace had ever so briefly made a home for itself within him. The Phantomhive had been so content, that his footing mistake had visibly startled him out of the trance. With his recognition, there had also been extreme panic and he'd immediately pushed him away.

The butler sighed in avid frustration as he replayed the moment over and over, desperately trying to figure out just how deep the thorn had imbedded itself within the king of the jungle.

As Sebastian was pacing anxiously in the kitchen, Ciel was still partially bent over his desk, breathing heavily. What in all hell was that? He gripped the edge of his desk in both hands as the itch just below his skin began to spread.

The unnamed annoyance had once again surfaced in his time of confusion. Something he couldn't place that seemed to taunt him, just behind the shroud of darkness. Emotions, thoughts and memories alike, all behind the veil.

For one moment, he'd felt peace. He wasn't thinking about revenge or the past, he was just.. existing. For a flicker in time, Ciel wasn't representing his father or the Queen. It was just himself and Sebastian. Not demon and master, not lord and servant, just Ciel and Sebastian.