Chapter 23

Elizabeth threw her arms around his neck. "Thank you, Ciel, for this ball!"

Ciel patted her on her back. "Alright. Just promise me that there will not be another ball during Christmas."

Elizabeth pulled away with a pout which fell away into a laughing smile when he raised an eyebrow at her. "Of course, like I promised!"

"Good," he nodded,"You better get going before your brother come after me. It's already very late," Ciel led her towards the opened door of her carriage home.

Elizabeth giggled. "Don't worry, I'll make sure Edward doesn't," she said with another laughing smile, "Good night, Ciel!" She pulled him into a hug before releasing him. "Let's go, Paula," she spun around to face the carriage behind her and climbed aboard.

Paula bowed to him."Good night, Earl."

"Ah," Ciel nodded.

A tiny smile at him, she entered the carriage and pulled its door towards her before she entirely disappeared out of sight behind it.

He watched the vehicle trudged off, and turned away with a sigh when it was finally out into the street and gone.

...

His entrance hall was almost emptied of his guests when he proceeded back in.

"It was a lovely party, Earl."

Ciel swivelled his head to the deep voice to see one of his guest and a woman who he noticed to be smiling at him, he didn't fail to catch the look of admiration on her face. However, it was something he didn't find new or pleasant. Instead, it gave him this twinge of annoyance. People like these were just putting up these fronts because of his reputable status and his wealth, and that was so apparent.

"Thank you." He nodded, with forcing a smile. "I'm glad you enjoyed it. It was my pleasure holding this ball."

"Will there be a ball this coming Christmas?"

Not a chance.

"Probably. You'll find out when I send out the invitations," Ciel said blandly.

"Gosh!" He snapped his head to the woman with a raised eyebrow as he watched her turn to the man. "He is one handsome young man, isn't he? So perfect for Anastasia!" she gushed.

The man nodded at her knowingly when she mouthed two words which Ciel recognized to look like 'ask him'. The man turned back to him, clearing his throat. "Anastasia is my daughter's name. I would like you to meet her one day. When are you free?"

He grew more annoyed. If it was not for his family name, he would have rolled his eyes at that question. "I already have a fiancé."

The couple exchanged looks before the man turned back to him with a sheepish look. He waved dismissively. "I...I didn't mean it that way, Earl..." A strained smile crept across his face. "I meant as...friends. You would probably take a liking in Anastasia; she's a nice girl-"

"I apologize, but my hands are full," Ciel interrupted,"Maybe when they're no longer," he shrugged offhandedly, "It's late now. Please take your leave, have a safe trip. Good night," he dismissed rudely.

"Dear," the man who was scowling upon hearing the blunt dismissal, turned to his wife," He must be tired from the party and the talking. I am too. Let's head home, shall we?" The woman nodded at Ciel who returned the gesture, feeling somewhat grateful toward her.

The scowl on the man's face fell into an understanding look. He looked apologetic when he turned back to Ciel." My apologises, Earl. It's time for all of us to hit the sack, eh? We shall leave now. Good night, Earl."

"Good night."

Ciel watched the couple walk off to the doors. He heaved a sigh, turning to see Sebastian escorting the last of his guests out of the manor. Who was left in the entrance hall were him, Sebastian, Finny, Meirin, Bard and...Wait, where was she?

He glanced around in search for the missing red-haired servant. He turned to Finny and Meirin with a frown. "Where's Blancbaston?"

Both shrugged with puzzled looks.

Bard who just came back from the refreshment table, caught his question and answered," I saw her went out into the balcony with that boyfriend of hers." The male narrowed his eyes at the direction of the balcony. "I wonder..." A sly smile crept across his face. Sebastian, who was approaching them, glanced over to where Bard was narrowing his eyes at. "...What are they doing out there?"

"He's not her boyfriend," Ciel without thought, bluntly said.

Noticing the raised eyebrow on Sebastian's face, it took him a while to realize how quick he was to correct his servant; even he was puzzled by his own action. However, it was clear that the title Bard gave the male was the one responsible for odd sensation in him. He just couldn't place a finger on it.

He softly cleared his throat, frowning. "Well...'a friend' was what she told me," he quickly added.

"There is no one in the balcony, Master!" Ciel glanced over to find Finny jogging over from the said place.

A scowl appeared and quickly faltered at the memory of witnessing the red-haired servant coming back in from the balcony earlier.

"Young Master," Sebastian called out, "I'll find her. While I'm at that, please turn in for the night. It's late-"

"Whoa. Where's everyone?" Sound of footsteps approached, echoing throughout the hall.

The voice made all heads turn to its direction.

Ciel's eye narrowed at the newcomer. "Christensen, why are you still here? The party's over," He said to Brandon who gave him back a questioning look. The male didn't fail to catch the subtle hostility in his voice, so did Sebastian who eyed his master curiously. The three servants were apparently oblivious to it as they were busy taking their leave, saying tired goodnights to each other after they got their permission to.

Brandon, however, was completely unfazed by that hostility. "Right. Sorry, I was at the washroom. I should take my leave now. Thanks for the invitation by the way, Phantomhive. "

Ciel heaved an annoyed sigh. "I would prefer that you add an 'Earl' to the front," he said icily.

"Oh," Brandon frowned. "But Estella told me that there's no need-"

"That was her, not me," he snapped, meeting his eyes with a glare.

"Okay..." Brandon eyed the glare with a scowl."Why so upset, Earl?"

As though he didn't ask that question, Ciel asked. "Speaking of which, where is that servant?"

"She went outside, I think..." The male shrugged and let out a yawn. "Need me to help you find her...?" He asked lazily, eyeing Ciel groggily.

"No need. Take your leave now, Christensen." Ciel said monotonously.

"Sure thing. Guess I'll go now..." Brandon shrugged, strolling past him.

Ciel watched his retreating back quietly, and couldn't help but notice that his walking pattern is similar to his butler.

"Dislike that boy, young master?" Sebastian mused.

"No." Ciel gave him a glare."Let's find that troublesome servant."

Sebastian watched his master wave dismissively at him.

Shuddering to the icy wind that greeted Ciel when he pulled open the door, a gesture at Sebastian made the butler strolling forward obligingly.

He watched his retreating back curiously.

Why so concerned, Ciel Phantomhive?

His eyes never left Ciel as they walked out.

...

His eyes swiveled over to the dark patch that lay on the snowy ground a few feet away from the unconscious servant. Sebastian eyed the lumps curiously before turning back to his master was knelled down beside the girl.

Ciel picked up the coat on her that was too big to be hers.

Brandon's.

He gave it a look before carelessly flinging it to one side. He then reached over and flipped the girl over so she could lie on her back. Relieved to see the gentle rise and fall of her chest, Ciel heaved a sigh, "Idiot," he muttered, shaking his head disapprovingly at her pale face. "Sebastian," Ciel glanced up at the towering butler. "Head in with her and tend to her. Leave me to investigate this. I'll prepare myself for bed tonight."

"Are you sure? It's not safe to stay out here alone," Sebastian frowned, "And it appears that you are very concern about Blancbaston," he stated matter-of-factly, eyeing him with a poker face.

"I'll be fine. And well, I am concern because it's my responsibility to take care of my servants as their master." Ciel glared, daring him continue.

An unreadable glint in Sebastian's eyes disappeared as quickly as they came; Sebastian bowed to him before bending down to pick up the servant. He straightened up with the girl now carried bridal style in his arms.

"I'm heading in now. I'll be out to get you if you don't come back in five minutes."

Ciel gave him a curt nod. "Go now," He waved dismissively at him.

Seeing that Sebastian has started walking away, he made his way over to the dark patch.

As he got closer, he realized that it was a lump of unrecognizable object, not a patch. In fact, there were two of them. Burning smell hit him like a slap the moment he stopped beside one.

Fire...

Ciel quickly took note that the lump was slightly powdery and grayish. He stepped closer to it when he noticed that there was something sticking out of it. Staring intently at it, he came to a gut-wrenching discovery.

A ha-hand? What the...

He paled. Gruesome thoughts made him turn away from.

His eyes narrowed as he strode toward his manor.

What happened, Blancbaston?

...

Surprisingly, thoughts of the burnt bodies did not last long. Instead now, recollection of the ball - the Christensen male and his servant filled his mind as he stripped off his top. Ciel toss his top aside before dipping a hand into the bathtub to check its temperature. Watching blankly as the tiny droplets of water slid down from his fingers, curiosity grew.

How was it that the Christensen male was able to make that loud and annoying servant go all shy and nervous? It was ridiculous. Throughout the whole ball, he was pondering over this and it looked like his brain was not planning to stop this unnecessary train of thoughts.

Ciel turned to the mirror behind and studied his half-naked self eyes roamed his face.

A smug smile appeared on it as he continued to study his face. Even with the Faustian contract mark on his right eye, he, Ciel Phantomhive, was no doubt handsome. And indeed, that was what many people told him. However, despite this, why was it that Blancbaston act like this around Christensen, but not him?

Ciel gave himself an overall glance. He locked eyes with his reflection for a brief second before his eyes drifted to the rest of his reflection.

Puberty has done him well. He was a lot taller now, about the same or maybe a few inches shorter than the male. Standing at this height, his once scrawny shoulders was broader and stronger-looking. His arms were no longer skinny. They were thicker now, with lean toned muscles, still managing to retain a sort of slimness.

However, those muscles in his arms was the only things he didn't obtain from puberty, but from his fiance's brother. Edward just had to stick that nose of his into his business, or in other words, made his life a living hell by insisting that Sebastian should have some physical training planned for Ciel so that he could be strong enough to protect Elizabeth.

So thanks or no thanks to Edward, he had developed a stronger body.

Ciel glanced up to once again lock eyes with his reflection again, staring intently at himself. There were many questions forming in his head, about his servant's behavior and mainly thinking about the Christensen boy's effect on his servant.

His reflection continued blinking back at him as he ran a hand through his hair, staring back blankly. He was starting to feel ridiculous having these useless thoughts. The rhythmic sound made from the dripping tap just seemed to mocking him was not making him feel any better.

Heaving a sigh, he shook his head at his reflection which mirrored the action before turning away. "This is stupid."

...

Full moon hung high up in the dark midnight sky. Under the mysterious glow of the celestial ball, silence hung heavily in the still air over the city of London. Lines of houses along its streets were all in quiet darkness as the whole city was in their slumber except for the apartment that laid somewhere in a dark far end of a certain street.

Its windows were shattered from the intense heat of the scarlet fire within the apartment. The red-tinged air hovering around it was filled with the smell of burning. Even if the sleeping neighbors did wake up to the incredibly bad burning smell from this apartment, it was already too late to save its occupants who now laid dead and charred on the badly burnt floor and furthermore, to even catch the culprit.

Somewhere at the top of the Big Ben, the lone person sat on its edge, high up away from the rest of the city. The icy wind was blowing, biting into her skin but she was completely not affected at all by it as she continued to swing her dangling legs playfully, not minding the height of the clock tower.

She licked onto her lower lips hungrily as she smirked crudely at the funnel of smoke from a few miles away. "Good meal, good meal~" she said in a sing-song voice, "Now, who do I feed on next?" She mused, twirling a strand of her red hair playfully. She glanced around the city below her, delightfully sniffing the winter air.

Few scans across the city, her eyes finally locked onto another apartment. They narrowed, glittering dangerously at it.

And so with a tiny flare of pinkish red from her eyes, she disappeared in a flash of red into the night.