Unexpected Guests? REWRITE

I'd Kick Her Ass

Alois and Elizabeth talked with each other like they had been friends for years, and I couldn't tell who it annoyed most; Ciel or Edward. They both sat in silence, but the tension rose higher every moment Elizabeth giggled at one of Alois' jokes. When he initially approached the table, Alois complimented me with high regard.  Apparently, I was now the successful, intelligent young lady he had met a few years ago at a ball. Alois said he never kissed and told when Edward asked how that happened. Ciel first found the whole thing amusing before he moved in on Elizabeth, who had graciously invited him to dine with us. Now, Alois sat on one side of me and Ciel on the other.

Claude, who seemed stoic as usual, ran our meals out at competitive speed with Sebastian. Sebastian, who unfortunately was not as stoic, could not hide his contempt for the Trancy butler by the sly, hidden remarks. No one noticed but me. That was because I had checked out of the conversation by then to watch as they went to and from.

Ciel noticed too, and leaned into my ear to whisper, "Who do you think snaps first?"

I didn't respond, a bit bitter from earlier, and continued to remain quiet. Ciel clicked his tongue when I didn't reciprocate, and for the remainder of the lunch, he sat bitter next to me.

"Alois," I said sweetly, and lightly touched his forearm. "Are you coming to the ball Ciel is throwing?"

Alois lifted his eyes from me to the Earl on my other side, then back down to me. For some reason, his stare sent butterflies swirling in my stomach and I had to hold back an endearing sigh. He grabbed my hand and leaned in a bit so we were only inches away from one another. Across the table, Edward mumbled something under his breath about decency. "Will you be there?"

Elizabeth piped up on my behalf. "Of course, we just got our dresses sized for it."

"Perfect, then, if his Lordship will invite me, I would be more than happy to attend."

Ciel narrowed his eyes at Alois, but, nonetheless, mumbled some type of half-assed invitation. Overjoyed, Alois wrapped an arm around me and pulled me back against him. "I am so excited! I have to go get fitted for a new suit. What colors will you be wearing, YN? I want to match!"

"I don't really know, but I think Ms. Nina said something about red."

"A scandalous color! I like it."

Edward scoffed again before calling for a waiter. "We're leaving Elizabeth. This public display of obscenities is atrocious."

Elizabeth protested, but Edward was already rising from his seat with his sister's arm in hand. Ciel said something to Elizabeth, then the two were gone. I felt terrible causing such turmoil, but before I could say anything about it Ciel addressed me first.

"I know you're going to worry about what Edward said, but, do not worry, he's always like that."

Alois leaned forward on the table, chin in the palm of his hand, looking bored as ever now. "I heard he was like that, but I didn't know he would actually make a fool of himself. I don't envy you, Phantomhive."

Ciel lifted the cup to his lips, mumbling, "Few do."

I wanted to apologize, still, but knew it would be futile. Alois grumbled that he was tired and suddenly sprung up from his seat. He grabbed my forearm and started to lift me from where I sat. "YN, let me show you my favorite store around here."

I glanced around to see people looking at us, and heat filled my cheeks. So many people were watching us, and it now felt like the room was closing in on itself. Oh God, I thought, this plan would never work out because all these people hate me and then hate Ciel. I'll never find Samson or Arthur. Alois leaned in close and mumbled, "What makes you look at them with such a sorrowful face? You're a lady now, YN. A beautiful one, too. You needn't worry about them."