The Earl's Kitten

Chapter XII

July 1st 1887

I sank lower into the bath while I read the letter from Ciel that had arrived this morning. According to Loretta, Sebastian himself had delivered it. I had stared at the crest of Phantomhive for five minutes before bringing myself to open it.

Now I was reading it again.

'Lady Rose Sakura,

I have your first task for you. I've recently received news that one of my factories on the other side of London was sabotaged and a bomb planted. I wanted to interrogate the man who'd sabotaged my factory, but alas I am going with Sebastian as he deals with the bomb.

So I am sending you to the Stewart's charity Masquerade ball this evening. I know the attacker will be at the ball, but I'm unaware of who it is. Keep a sharp eye out and report your findings in a letter to me after you have finished. Sebastian will leave the letter on my desk.

Sincerely,

Earl Ciel Phantomhive'

 

I was well aware of what, when, and where the Stewart's charity Masquerade ball was. I had been invited as one of their daughter's was a childhood friend of mine. But with this being my first job, I was more nervous. There was going to be someone at the ball who had sabotaged one of Ciel's factories. I could converse with them and not know it.  With a sigh, I put the letter to the side and got out of the bathtub, wrapping a towel around my body. I drained the tub and dried myself off before calling out into the hallway.

"Isabelle, can I borrow you?"

Isabelle was cleaning my room, so she wasn't far away. She came walking down the hall, my dress in hand. I tilted my head, curious. Isabelle chuckled.

"You best get inside M'lady, before you get a cold." I sighed, stepping back into the bathroom. Isabelle stepped in and closed the door behind her. She set the dress on a nearby chair and showed me the corset I'd be wearing.

"Ohh, that's so pretty..." I murmured, stroking the corset. It was a simple red and black corset, with black trimmings and casings. I sighed, dropping my towel and allowing her to tie and tighten the corset onto my body. Isabelle then helped me into my dress. The top part of the dress was tightly fitted and was red with black patterns. The skirt was black and red tulle that fell gracefully to the floor. I sat on the chair, huffing as Isabelle put on my socks and boots for me. She then put my gloves on and hung my towel on the rack before leading me out of the room and to my own so she could do my hair and make-up.

"Isabelle, why are you doing this for me? I can do it myself..."

"Ah, but tonight's special M'lady. You are working for Ciel for the first time. I gotta look after you." I chuckled softly, allowing her to brush, tug and twist my hair as she pleased until she deemed it acceptable. She then moved onto my make-up, but only highlighted my features. A red mask was placed on my face and adjusted until Isabelle was happy, causing me to sigh.

A while later, I was leaving in the carriage – a dagger tucked down the front of my dress. Loretta insisted it was for safety.

July 1st 1887, 9 PM

 

I arrived while the ball was in full swing. At this precise moment in time, every guest would be here. With a sigh, I grabbed a flute of champagne off of a passing waiter's tray. He looked down at me and smiled charmingly. I smiled in return before walking along the wall, through the crowd and listening out.

"Excuse me, miss?" I turned, noticing a brunette haired man. He was dressed in a smart tuxedo and was wearing a dashing smile. I chuckled politely.