Stubbornness

4

"I look fantastic." You say, watching yourself twirl in the white framed mirror.

I should go soon, the ball is beginning so I shan't be late.

You tell yourself, grabbing the raven blue mask from the dresser sitting just beneath the mirror. Your hair, pulled back into a braided bun. You told Mey-Rin you preferred to leave your hair without accessories for this night due to you wearing a mask. So, she left your hair plain, you appreciated her cooperation, no back talk saying "how pretty it will be".

Following through with your plan, you step into the hallway the combined your's and Ciel's rooms', and just as you exit your room you look up at the perfect moment, meeting Ciel's eyes. He has just left his room, same as you, making it a bit awkward. His eyes leave yours as son as he notices the mask in your hand.

"What are you suppose to be?" You ask the boy, amusement laced in your tone. "A pirate?"

"What do you mean? It's not a costume ball." He scoffs.

You roll your eyes, "oh really? Maybe you should stay home then, because your mask is already attached."

"What are you on about?" He narrows his eyes.

You point to you left eye, "your eye patch, my lord."

"What of it?"

"Funny, you I remember you saying those exact words a few days before." You look to the ceiling while expressing your thoughts.

"You have quite the memory then, because I do not remember that that all."

You inhale a mass of air and sigh it out, "You know that is not what I meant, I was lying about the eye patch."

"Yes, I could figure out that much for myself. So what are you really speaking of?"

"Your smile." You point to you lips.

Ciel does not react immediately, instead he looks down slowly and states softly, "It protects me." He eyes the floor and as if he realizing what the meaning behind his words are, he looks up and adds, "of course I was joking, deciding to play your dumb game for once;" sticking up his noise.

"Well," you walk up to him, lifting you hand while looking directly into his eyes even though he refuses to meet you gaze, "you play it well." Then you walk away.

Ciel is left standing in the hallway, his stunned face does not compare to the thought ringing in his head, what gave me away?

You lower yourself into the carriage with the help of Sebastian. Something makes you wary of his warning, with that the memory comes back, "stop looking." We're the words he spoke so effortlessly.

Does he care so much for the Earl, that he will go to great lengths to protect the very secret that is keeping you on your toes, that is keeping everyone of the lords and ladies that live on his land, the press, on their toes?

Maybe I should just let it go. What do I have to gain from finding out this secret? We will still wed, still have children, still bring our families together. There is no point in beating myself up about this.