( chapter two ! )
"I don't believe this is a good idea, Elizabeth.."
Watching as her friend speeds around past her, Leah tries to coax the blonde out of decorating Ciel's manor. The pink and frilly decorations litter every corner her eyes can see, a stark contrast from the usual darker tones of the Phantomhive Manor.
This isn't what the Mason girl had thought her day would consist of when Elizabeth asked her to tag along to a 'party', so you can only imagine her horror when the carriage pulled up to her fiancés home. Then when she learned that Ciel himself wasn't even home, it only worsened the feeling of potentially upsetting the boy.
Since Leah and Elizabeth's arrival, the more rational of the two have spent their entire time trying to coax the hyper girl out of her shenanigans to no avail. In such a situation, there is little Leah can do to fix it. If she takes down the decorations, Elizabeth will cry, but if she lets it happen, Ciel is likely to be upset as well. No one wins in this scenario.
"Don't be silly, Leah! Surely Ciel will love this!" Elizabeth chimes, placing hats on the servant's heads.
"I must disagree!" Leah grabs ahold of Elizabeth's arm, a soft attempt to prevent the girl from continuing.
"I'm just making Ciel's manor even cuter!" With a happy squeal, Elizabeth removes herself from Leah's grip.
A defeated sigh leaves the Barrett girl, giving up and allowing Elizabeth to continue her reign of terror. Busy in her head, she barely notices the sounds of the servants 'welcoming' home Ciel to disaster.
"These ribbons are good, too." Elizabeth starts, "But these satin roses are the cutest!"
Pulled out of her thoughts, Leah turns her attention back to her friend, deadpanning when she notices Tanaka in a wig.
"I hesitated a little but like I thought, you wearing that is totally adorable!" The shrillness of Elizabeth's voice hits Leah like a bullet, all hope out the window, "You look like Antoinette!"
"Is that so?" Tanaka responds, giving one of his signature laughs.
Letting a giggle escape her at the sight of the older man in a wig and frilly clothes, Leah fails to recognize the sound of her fiancé making his presence known. Or Elizabeth making it known.
"Ciel! I wanted to see you!" Elizabeth rushes towards Ciel, enveloping him in a tight squeeze.
"E.. Elizabeth!" Ciel stammers in surprise.
In the back of the cousins, Leah stands with an uneasy smile on her face. For the past hour, she had been making failed attempts to make her friend stop her antics before Ciel returned home. Now it's a little late for that.
"I tried to stop her.." Leah shakes her head in dismay, trying to disassociate herself from Elizabeth's decisions.
"No, no, no! Call me Lizzie! Aren't I always saying that?!" Elizabeth continues to squeeze Ciel as hard as she can, "Just as I thought, no matter how many times I look at you, you're the cutest!"
Standing awkwardly to the side, Leah tries to give Ciel smiles of encouragement. She knows how hard Elizabeth can hug, it is just her manner of showing love. It can be hard to recognize that as your first thought when she is squeezing you to death and practically shaking you around.
"Ahem.. Miss Elizabeth.." Sebastian starts, losing Leah's attention.
Making her way to her fiancé, who is now on the floor, she leans down in an attempt to get a look at his face. Ciel is currently standing hunched over, and what looks to be faintly shaking which strikes a small worry in Leah.
"Are you alright?" Leah asks before her attention is swiftly pulled away to the servants holding back laughter.
Turning back in Sebastian's direction, Leah notices the ridiculous hat adorning his head. Just beside her, she can hear Ciel beginning to chuckle, sparking giggles on her own.
"Ahh! It's so cute!" Elizabeth squeals, hands clasped together, "You're always wearing black, so I thought those colors would be good!"
Biting down on her bottom lip, Leah covers her mouth with her right hand in a feeble attempt to hide her laughter. The look Sebastian sends the servants is certainly one that would scare her on an average day, but with the addition of his hat, she just can't take him seriously.
"Regard for the things I wear, that sort of regard for me.. it is a great honor." Sebastian places a hand on his chest, mustering up one of his best fake smiles.
"More importantly, Lizzie," Ciel starts with a clear of his throat, "Why are you here? What about Auntie?"
"I wanted to see you so I rushed out in secret and came here!" Elizabeth cheerfully says, bringing herself closer to Ciel, "I brought Leah along with me for more fun!"
An awkward wave leaves the Barrett girl, still not wanting any part in the blame for this.
"Only Thomas knows I left.. so don't mention this visit to my father! He'll be very displeased to know I'm missing my Latin lessons." Leah smiles with shame at her words, recalling her morning.
Flipping the pages of her book, Leah sat in the armchair, harboring a bored expression across her face. One of the last things she wanted to do was spend her morning reading 'How to be a Proper Lady', but that is what she had at arms reach.
The sound of the door opening had drawn her out of her thoughts, glancing up to be met with the sight of Thomas. Out of all the people she would have wanted to see, Thomas was not one of them.
"What do you want? Go away." Leah waved her hand in the direction of the door, trying to make the butler leave.
"Lady Elizabeth is at the door, she would like to speak with you," Thomas spoke with a monotonous tone, head lowered so some of his blonde hair covered his eyes.
Blinking in shock, Leah tilted her head at the announcement of her friend's arrival. What could Elizabeth possibly be doing here?
"Well then, take me to her," Leah demanded, hand on her hip.
Shutting the book and leaving it to lay alone on the seat, Leah followed after Thomas who stopped for only a few moments to allow her to catch up. Walking briskly, the teen barely acknowledges the butler walking alongside her in their silence through the halls.
Leading up to the front door, Leah noticed the cheerful blonde talking off the ear of one of her maids. Sighing in hidden irritation, mixed with some surprise, she stepped closer to her friend and prepared herself for interaction.
"Elizabeth? What are you doing here?" Leah asked, walking with a tilt of her head before stopping in front of her.
"I'm going to visit Ciel! I'd like for you to come with me." Elizabeth smiled joyfully, grabbing Leah's hands in her own.
A smile of pity worked its way onto Leah's face, paired with a slow shake of her head at her cheerful friend's words. If she was to leave now, she would upset her governess and get into trouble with her parents.
"Oh but Elizabeth, I'm expected to begin my Latin lessons within the hour.. then poetry, and in the evening I'll be practicing with my sword." Leah pouted and squeezed Elizabeth's hands with her own.
The blonde teen glowered at this information, holding Leah's hands tighter which pulled a strained gasp from her end. Forcing a cheery smile onto her face, it became a real one when Elizabeth started to shake her head with a voice of laughter.
"You're always telling me about how you can't stand poetry! There is no harm in just missing one lesson! I left in secret." Elizabeth sang, not hearing the reality of her words.
"You left in secret?! And you're dragging me into this?!" Leah gaped, not wanting anything to do with this situation. If Elizabeth's mother happened to come by looking for her, she didn't want to take the fall for having her friend in her home.
"No one has to know! Won't you come with me? Please?" Begs left the girl clad in pink, pressing her face close to the taller of the two.
Opening and closing her mouth in the manner of a fish, Leah did not know how to respond. If she says yes, she will face repercussions when she returns home. Yet if she tells Elizabeth no, she will whine and cry, likely to make Leah feel guilty about it. Turning around to face her silent butler, she squinted her eyes at him before she spoke.
"I'll be taking my leave, Thomas. Don't tell a soul about this." Leah used a hushed tone as if she believed someone was listening in on the conversation.
"My Lady, I must advise you that this is not your brightest idea. When Governess Catherine is to find you are missing for your lessons, she will certainly be upset and inform the Lord and Lady of the house." Thomas attempted to intervene, looking down at the two teenagers planning their escape.
With a scowl on her face, Leah rolled her eyes and turned her head away from the man. How dare he say such a thing to me. Pulling her hands from Elizabeth, she took slow steps in the direction of the door, not bothering to look over her shoulder.
"If anyone is to ask for me, tell them I am sick," Leah stated, gesturing for Elizabeth to follow her who was now squealing in happiness.
Watching from the open doorway, Thomas couldn't bring himself to react. It was not the first time Leah has done such a thing and it definitely won't be the last.
"That girl.. she just creates more work for me."
"In secret?" Ciel begins to sweat, "What were you thinking..?"
Leah forces a smile, ignoring how her friend is all over her fiancé. She cannot blame her though, he is still her cousin. Or perhaps it's the fact that Leah has never been one to consider the emotions of those she doesn't deem her 'favorites'. The girl also fails to notice the servants behind her in dismay at the news of Elizabeth being Ciel's previous fiancé.
"If you two left without saying anything, then your parents must be worried. Sebastian contact—" Ciel's sentence is cut short when he is grabbed by the back of his coat.
"Ciel! Come here!" Elizabeth forcibly drags her cousin into the ballroom, "Look, look! I made the ballroom cute too, didn't I!"
Both Leah and Ciel are looking around with perturbation, despite Leah having seen the decorations being set up herself. The once bland ballroom is now filled with large bows, silks, and toys. Just by first glance, you can tell who entered the room, almost as if Elizabeth has a special signature.
"How did you manage to get the stuffed animals all the way up on the chandelier?" Unable to take her eyes away from the piece on the ceiling, Leah truly wonders how Elizabeth is capable of such things.
"Hey Ciel, since it took a lot of work to make the ballroom like this," Elizabeth starts, hands clasped together with the brightest of smiles, "Let's have a dance party today!"
'I'll dance with my cousin as an escort!' Elizabeth squeals once more, much to Leah's dismay.
"Wha.." Ciel trails off with a twitch to his eye, a look of irritation clear as day.
"Wear the clothes I picked for you, Ciel! You too, Leah!" Elizabeth sings, "I think it'll definitely be cute!"
The pair beside Elizabeth try to sway her mind to no avail, it was almost as if talking to a wall.
"Hey, who said it was fine!"
"Elizabeth, I think you should listen to Ciel.."
Despite the efforts of the two, Elizabeth is quick to scurry off in her world of thoughts. The blonde runs off, leaving a trail of happy noises for those to follow. Honestly, who would?
"Listen to what.. Hey!" Ciel exclaims, "Listen to what people are saying!"
"I'm sorry, I didn't think it would go this way." Leah apologies, looking off to the side to avoid the slight shame of her involvement.
Shifting his gaze to the face of his fiancé, Ciel's expression almost softens before quickly returning to his hard exterior. This is behavior he expected from Elizabeth, but not Leah.
"Do you know what your father will do to me when he finds out you are here?!" Ciel speaks in an anxious tone, sweat falling from his forehead at the thought.
"That is exactly why we won't tell him! Sebastian will be contacting nobody." Leah nods to confirm her words, taking Ciel's left hand in her own.
The moment is short-lived when Ciel tries to counter her words, met with yet another girl scurrying out of sight. Left with Sebastian in the ballroom, Ciel huffs in irritation at what this night will bring.
The joyful voice of Elizabeth powers over all other sounds in the ballroom, still decorated to the blonde's liking. Leah stands not far from her friend, picking at the dress with her fingers to adjust it around her figure while Meyrin switches between helping both girls.
"I think blue will definitely suit Ciel. When I saw the clothes I bought for Ciel in London, I fell in love instantly!" Elizabeth smiles with her arms outstretched by her side, paying little mind to Meyrin who is kneeling behind her. "Your dress also looks amazing, Leah! I saw the fabric and immediately knew it was something you would adore!"
Leah flashes the Midford a smile, glancing down towards the dress encasing her body. It is that of an apricot orange, a color Leah believes to be most unflattering on her. The dress has a large skirt and simple chest piece, accompanied by a cropped top coat in a deeper shade of orange, similar to Elizabeth's outfit with a headband holding a flower adoring Leah's head.
"I believe the shoes you bought are a size too small.." Leah shifts in her spot, wincing at the squeeze but makes no further complaints.
"Oh is it?! I'm so sorry, I hadn't realized!" Shifting towards Leah, Elizabeth pouts when she apologizes for her mistake but her mood quickly shifts when she acknowledges Meyrin.
"Oh! That's right!" Elizabeth starts, "How about I invite you to the party too! I'll make you cute!"
Shaking in her spot, Meyrin's cheeks grow a flush across the apples, joining her hands together at the fingertips.
"But then.. I'm super far-sighted so if I don't have these I can't see anything!" Meyrin gasps and holds onto the sides of her glasses with her index fingers.
"It'll be fine if you see it from far away!" Elizabeth chimes, trying to coax the maid.
Amid the chatter of the ballroom, the mood is quick to shift when Ciel makes his presence known. The boy wears a tailcoat more stylish than that he is typically seen in but wears a similar shade of blue, a cravat with decorated ends covering most of his neck, and an evening hat with striped fabric sits atop his head. Leah flashes the Earl a smile but is not given one in return.
"Do it that way," Ciel states, hands behind his back with Sebastian standing not far behind him, holding his cane.
"Ciel!" Both Leah and Elizabeth announce in unison, though one takes their welcome to a much higher level.
"You're so cute! My eyes weren't wrong!" Elizabeth bounds towards Ciel, grabbing him by the hands and spinning him around.
Watching the scene, Leah and the servants watch in a mix of dismay and shock. How that girl has so much energy is beyond me.
"Elizabeth you shouldn't fling people around like that!" Leah tries to interject, though does not attempt to move any closer in the chance Ciel's body collides with hers.
The Barrett girl's words are met with little reaction, Elizabeth barely containing her excitement to show off her work. Stretching a gloved hand out in the direction of the servants, she revels in their costumes.
"Look, look! Everyone else is cute too, aren't they? I've let them come to the party too!"
Standing towards the wall, three of the servants are dressed up to match a nonexistent theme. Tanaka is covered in a traditional gown and black wig, holding a fan and a headpiece sitting center on his head. Finnian holds an embarrassed smile, dressed in a maid outfit with cat ears upon his head to match. To the very right, Bardoy wears a look of displease, a wig with bows covering his typical blonde hair, a middle school girl outfit that shows off a piece of his stomach and hairy legs.
"But Ciel is definitely the.." Elizabeth trails off, noticing the family ring that encases Ciel's left thumb.
"Ciel! Where's the ring I prepared for you?!" Getting close to his face, Elizabeth keeps a tight hold on her cousin's hand, "There was a ring that matched the Western-style clothing, wasn't there?"
"Ring?" Ciel tugs his hand away from Elizabeth's, "This ring is fine."
Ciel makes his way to stand closer to Leah, examining the dress that suits her body. Despite the girl's distaste for the color, her fiancé can't help but think it looks nice, though it is more of a color Elizabeth would wear.
Dark energy emits from the girl across the ballroom, lips pursed in anger. The emotion is out of character for Elizabeth's usual cheerful personality but does remind those of her mood which is quick to shift.
"No! I went to a lot of trouble to make everything adorable!" Elizabeth objects, holding out a gloved finger and pointing it toward Ciel, "Only the ring is totally not cute!"
The sound of sniffles begins to emerge from the blonde, but her hands cover any glimpse one could see of tears staining her eyes. If only tears were staining her eyes.
"Are you saying you don't want the things I brought back for you, Ciel?! You're terrible!" Elizabeth whines, rubbing her hands across her eyes.
"Surely a ring isn't worth this much of a fuss, Elizabeth? The color is similar enough to match Ciel's outfit, it isn't that serious.." Leah tries to console her friend, though with terrible attempts.
"That's not it.." Ciel sighs, closing his eyes over his cousin's behavior, "This ring is.."
Elizabeth pulls a fast move, diving in the direction of the betrothed teens. While Ciel's hand is flexed to show the ring, she easily manages to slip it off, maniacal giggles escaping the girl.
"..Mine now!" Elizabeth sings, ignoring the protest coming from Ciel's end while Leah watches in surprise.
"I took it! This ring is super old!" Elizabeth holds the ring up to her left eye, looking through the hole as a gleam of light shines on the band, "The size of the one I chose is better, too.."
"Give it back!" Ciel shouts.
There is an air of silent horror that surrounds everyone, the tone of Ciel's voice almost haunting. All the servants, save for Sebastian stare on with wide eyes. Leah does the same, taking cautious steps back from the situation while desperately eyeing Elizabeth in the hope she can read her face.
"Give that back, Elizabeth!" Ciel demands, left hand outstretched towards the girl.
"Wh.. Why are you mad like that?" Real tears sting Elizabeth's eyes this time around, "I worked.. so hard."
Ciel's stern gaze doesn't falter at his cousin's words, staring on with those dull eyes of his.
"Why is he mad? Elizabeth.. are you ridiculous? Anyone would be mad if you snatch an item off of their hand!" Leah's nose scrunches at the Midford girl's behavior, not understanding her logic.
"I just made you cute!" Elizabeth clenches her hand, yelling back in retaliation with red cheeks, "So why are you mad like that?! You're terrible"
My god, this girl will drive me insane..
"This ring, I.." Raising her hand above her head, Elizabeth slams it down with force before she shouts, "Hate it!"
Everything in Leah's vision seems to slow, a look of terror written across her face. The ring hits the ground, shattering the gem and disconnecting the band. Amid the chaos and her brain running two hundred miles an hour, she barely has time to register a reaction to Ciel raising his hand, bringing it down to slap Elizabeth.
As quickly as her surroundings slowed around her, Leah regained her composer and stepped forward to grab ahold of Elizabeth. Before her attempt could work, however, Ciel's hand is stopped by the infamous butler clad in black standing behind him.
"Young master." All of the nobles stare with wide eyes, Ciel the first to break it when he turns his head to view Sebastian.
Swear pours down the face of the Phantomhive, holding eye contact with the demon. Breathing in exasperation, Ciel barely notices Sebastian repeating himself and Leah taking the chance to move Elizabeth further away.
"You've forgotten your long-awaited new cane." Sebastian wraps his arm around his master from the back, shoving the piece into his hand.
Ciel looks down at the now shattered family heirloom solemnly, watching Leah carefully approach him. The two don't pay attention to Sebastian explaining the significance of the ring to Elizabeth or the girl's loud tears, instead focusing on each other while Ciel calms himself.
"Just breathe, Ciel.. I'm sure there is some way to fix it.." Leah makes yet another bad attempt at comforting, though trying her best to make her fiancé feel even the slightest bit better about the situation.
"That sort of.. Important ring.." Elizabeth struggles to find words for the item she's now destroyed.
Letting the sweat dry upon his face, Ciel keeps his attention on the ring while his breathing steadies. Softened eyes meet Leah's own, the dull blue she's grown to appreciate, but her growing smile dissipates when Ciel shakes his head. Kneeling on the floor, everyone watches as he picks up the remnants of the ring.
An outstretched hand fails to reach Ciel when he approaches the open window in the ballroom, throwing the pieces out. Shock is an understatement for the reactions of those around him.
"Ciel?! What are you doing?" Elizabeth asks anxiously, running towards the window to look out as if she'll see anything.
"I don't care about that thing.." Ciel closes his eyes, lowering his head towards the floor, "It's just an old ring."
A faint 'Ciel..' escapes Leah's mouth, watching the display before her. After so many years spent with her betrothed, trying to learn more about him, she knows that statement is far from true.
"This ring is proof that," Ciel's grip around his cane tightens, "the head of the Phantomhive house is 'Ciel Phantomhive'."
The servants, unmoving from their spots, stare in surprise at their master's words—such a serious display of emotion, matching nothing of the outfits they currently wear.
"What's with that face?"
"B.. but..."
Reaching up to grab his hat, Ciel pulls it from his head and lowers it towards his chest. Pulling a handkerchief from its hidden confines, he passes it to his cousin.
"It's a terrible face. And you call yourself a lady." Ciel taunts, his face previously full of emotion now looking void, "I wouldn't want to invite a lady with a face like that to a dance, would I?"
Leah watches this all unfold from the sidelines, gloved hands fidgeting at the turn of events. She knows this entire idea was Elizabeth's, and she's currently the upset one, but Leah can't help the faint feeling of jealousy that gnaws at her heart.
"Let's forget those bad things and dance until dawn with evening party etiquette, shall we?" Outstretching his hand towards the blonde, Ciel smirks, "M'Lady?"
"..Yes." Elizabeth places her gloved hand in Ciel's a smile blooming.
The five servants observe the cousins with happy smiles, enjoying the now lightened mood.
"It really is like a dream!" Elizabeth sings, dancing around the ballroom with Ciel.
Alone in the corner, Leah watches with a neutral expression, matching empty eyes. For a ball, three people are not ideal. Three people if you only count the nobles.
"May I have this dance, My Lady?" Turning her head at the voice pulling her from her thoughts, Leah looks up to see a smiling Finnian with an outstretched hand.
A smile slowly grows on Leah's face before she places her hand in the gardener's, "You may."
Following the cheerful blonde closer to the center of the ballroom floor, Leah's eyes meet Finnian's own, sending him a cute smile. Teaching the gardener how to do the waltz, the pair giggle across the dance floor when Finnian adds his playful touch.
"You're an amazing dancer, My Lady!" Finnian admires, a closed-eyed smile sitting atop his face.
"I've learned from the best, of course. And now you are learning from the second best!" Leah laughs when Finnian spins her, her dress skirts flowing with her movements.
As the cousins twirl not far from the playful pair, Elizabeth admires Leah and Finnian with her spinning vision.
"Oh, Ciel! Look at them, aren't they so cute?" Elizabeth smiles with shining eyes.
"Hmm?" Peering over his shoulder, Ciel gets a glimpse of his fiancé happily dancing with the gardener, "Yes, they are a lively pair I suppose."
Ciel and Elizabeth's dance eventually come to a stop, separating from each other after the physical activity. The Phantomhive is left feeling indifferent, a stark contrast to the girl who swoons beside him when recollecting her thoughts on the dance.
Though the cousins have halted, Leah and Finnian continue to dance in mutual excitement. After many failed attempts, the gardener has finally grasped ahold of how to do the waltz.
"You're getting it, Finny!"
"I am!"
Spinning the younger girl in his arms, Finnian laughs cheerfully now that he is no longer nearly causing the both of them to topple over. The happy moment is short-lived however, the two are caught when the sound of a throat clearing is heard from their side.
Ciel stands beside the pair with his eyes upon Leah, "May I steal my fiancé?"
"O, Of course, Master!" Finnian flushes, letting go of Leah who smiles in return.
Replacing the gardener in his spot, Ciel grabs ahold of Leah's hand with a dull look. His hand makes its way onto her back, slowly pulling the two of them into a calming dance, a much different energy to the cheers Leah and Finnian were just sharing.
"You interrupted just as Finny was getting ahold of it.." Leah teases, feigning a pout.
"Oh? Would you rather dance with my gardener than your fiancé?" Cocking a brow, Ciel smirks in response before twirling Leah in his arms.
"What if I would? Finnian is a nice boy." Leah giggles, hardly taking herself seriously while she enjoys her time with her betrothed.
Shaking his head with a smirk, Ciel continues to waltz with Leah as they make a playful conversation. Behind the pair, Elizabeth happily dances with Tanaka and Finnian trying to coax Bardroy to dance with him. Keeping her joy internal, Leah admires how Ciel is seemingly much better at dancing than last time, tightening her grip around his hand.
"You've gotten better?" Leah asks, her blue eyes meeting his own.
"I have. Are you content with me no longer stepping on your toes?" Ciel jokes, smiling down at the brunette.
"I am.."
As the night bleeds on, the festivities must come to a close. The three nobles now gather closer, no longer dancing but ready to retire to bed.
"I suppose it is time for me to return home now.." Leah trails off, upset that her night is coming to an end.
"Must you go? Why can't you stay the night and leave in the morning with me?" Elizabeth begs, resting her hands on her friend's right shoulder.
"My father will kill Ciel and me! I'll never hear the end of this from my mother."
"Doesn't your father like me?"
"Yes but leaving the house without permission.. sneaking off to my fiancé's house without a chaperone? Staying until the moon is up? He can excuse dinner, not this!"
Whines come from Elizabeth but no further protest, hugging her friend goodbye while Tanaka pulls up the carriage.
"You're acting as if we'll never see each other again, Elizabeth.. There is always next time!" Leah tries to cheer the girl up, successful before Sebastian drags her off to one of the guest rooms.
"Well.. goodnight then. Do make it home safely." Stepping closer, Ciel looks down at Leah, a hint of a smile on his face.
"I'll have a maid call your telephone.." Leah giggles.
Wrapping her arms around the boy, Leah envelopes Ciel in a hasty hug. Her arms are warm around the boy, feeling his own but not relishing in the moment. Pulling back, Leah makes her way towards the front door, waving with a somber smile.
"Goodbye!"
In the moving carriage, Leah sits sprawled across the seat. An unladylike way to be seated but the teen has little care, hidden from any prying eyes due to the late hour. Her shoes are laid across the bottom of the carriage, the too-tight accessories long forgotten.
When the Barrett girl finally arrives home, she can only pray no one has noticed her arrival. Diving down to grab the shoes, Leah opens the carriage door only to be met with the face of Thomas.
"Welcome home, My Lady." Thomas extends his hand out for her, eyes not meeting her own.
"Thomas." Leah replies, "Carry me."
With widened eyes, Thomas doesn't hesitate to take the noble in his arms. Adjusting his hands around her, he carries Leah bridal style before sending the carriage off, observing the teen below him.
"Has anyone noticed my absence?" Leah asks, ready to yell at the man depending on his answer.
"No, My Lady. I worked diligently to make sure no one stepped foot in your room. I told them that you didn't wish to see anyone." Nodding to his words, Leah mumbles a quiet 'Good' under her breath.
Sneaking around the back of the manor, Thomas has no problem carrying the weight of Leah, still moving fluidly. Hair moving in the wind, Leah keeps a tight grip on the shoes in her hand, refusing to look at the butler holding her.
"Is it alright if I ask why you are in different clothes than when you left? Or perhaps why you are not wearing shoes?" Thomas inquires, digging his deep blue eyes into Leah's dull ones.
"Don't question me, Thomas."