Iғ ɪᴛ ᴄᴀɴ ʙᴇ ᴄᴀʟʟᴇᴅ ᴀ ᴘᴀʀᴛʏ
Everything about Ciel’s movements screamed ‘reluctance’. The few emotions that crossed his face, the slow pace of his steps down into the foyer where his fiancee was waiting for him. If it’d been up to him, he wouldn’t be attending this party at all, but Elizabeth had been insistent that he join her. Attempts had been made to excuse himself from having to go, but none had been accepted, and then having his aunts try to coax him into going with them. Eventually the child bowed to the peer pressure and gave them his word that he would go.
It’d been five months since Ciel had returned to the Phantomhive manor and assumed the position as Earl and head of the household. It was also now the start of the social season, which contributed to the ladies in the family pushing him to attend social events now. With his new title of Earl, new social obligations were on him that he had to fulfill, but much to Ciel’s dismay the desire to make an appearance was non-existent, he still had to do them.
In any case, a heavy sigh escaped Ciel’s lips as the end of the stairs was reached and he made his way over to where Elizabeth was waiting expectantly for him.
I apologize for the delay Elizabeth, you’re ready to be on our way then?
{ ♥ } — Elizabeth straightened her lilac ribbons atop her fair coils as Ciel descended down the paved steps. Lifting up her petite gloved hands, she found them quavering slightly. Of course, this was going to be a very nerve-racking night, but she’d only have to hope for the best. She tried to manage a smile but to no avail; it rapidly faded away. Holding back the tears, she crossed her hands in front of her dress.
Ever since you had come home with that black-clad butler, you haven’t been the same. You haven’t been yourself. Do I—Do I even know you anymore? Ciel, what… happened over those few months while you were… gone? What happened?
A single tear raced down her rosy cheek. Wiping it away quickly, she straightened herself up and regained proper composer. As she saw her beloved lord step down to the pavement, a smile arose.
“—Ciel~! Oh, no need to apologize. Anyway, yes, let’s get going! I can’t wait!”
Be happy, Lizzie… for his sake.
Ciel had been too far away to see any wavering emotions crossing her face, let alone the fact that a single tear had been shed at the mere sight of him coming down. Why exactly though was yet to be seen by Ciel, he hadn’t made too many attempts to open up to people since his return, Lizzie unfortunately being one of them. He knew she was upset by that fact, but he couldn’t tell her why he was, he couldn’t tell her anything, so he had to stand beside her in cold and seemingly uncaring silence.
As soon as he was stopped in front of the blonde, a customary elbow was extended for her to take hold of. Though he was still only ten years of age, etiquette lessons had been among the things Rachel and Vincent had had Ciel begin to study not long before their untimely deaths, so Ciel had retained the basics, and would need to resume with the more finite lessons in the very near future. But for now, his first public social event since the manor fire.
And who’s party are we attending tonight? I don’t recall Aunt Frances mentioning who the host of this party was. It’s not the Viscount Druitt is it?