The Queen's New Pet (A Black Butler Fanfic)

Chapter Twenty Five

(unedited, as nearly all my chapters are)

A week passed as Maria practiced flying. She had always been a quick learner. The first few days left her wings sore, but the pain had alleviated the more she flew. Castizel had been commenting occasionally, complimenting mostly, and warning her too often about what was to come. Eventually she just stopped responding to him when he brought up the sensitive topic, and he quickly learned to not speak of it.

"Great job again today, Maria." Sebastian greeted her on the ground as she landed.

Maria nodded, accepting the sentiment. "How long was I up there?"

"About 15 minutes."

That was 3 minutes more than yesterday's flight trip. Good enough.

"Ciel asked me to inform you that we are going to a ball tonight. He feels as if we should get out more."

"Why couldn't he tell me himself?"

A smile played on the butler's lips. "He is at his dancing lesson."

A smile cracked itself on Maria's face as well as she chuckled at Ciel's horrible dancing skills. At least he tried.

"In order to go into public tonight, you should probably..." Sebastian said while nodding to her wings.

"Oh, yeah." She had totally forgotten to pull them in. She had been practising this as well, and soon her wings were gone with little effort spent. Sebastian nodded, satisfied, and together they headed back into the manor.

They watched Ciel finish his lesson, snickering often at the Earl's frustrated face.

Immediately after his lesson was over they went to their respective rooms to prepare for the ball. When Maria reached her room, she stopped in front of her closet with a dumb look on her face. She had no clue what she was doing. She could dress herself in simple, everyday dresses, but she had no clue how to put on one of these dresses.

Why the hell does this one have so many strings? She wondered at the closest dress to her. Oh, it's part corset. One did not simply tie a corset by themselves.

She would need Sebastian's help. The demon butler was helping Ciel first. For now she would just pick a dress and attempt to do her hair.
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When Sebastian entered the Fallen's room a little later, he had to try to hide his smile. Maria was standing before her mirror, cursing quietly as she twisted her hair again. It was obvious she had no clue what she was doing, but at least she was trying.

"Here. You're only tangling it even more." Sebastian spoke as he moved behind her and took her brush from her. Maria's shoulders dropped as she let out a frustrated sigh.

"I never knew it was so much work just to work with hair." She huffed before continuing in a quieter tone, "Sorry to make you have to do this. I know you're busy with Ciel."

Sebastian chuckled as he gently stroked through Maria's long hair with the brush. "I don't mind. A Phantomhive butler who can't handle long hair isn't worth his salt."

He and Maria remained quiet after that, just relaxing in each others peaceful company. He helped her pick out a dress and taught her how to put it on, and tied her corset.

"I hate these things." She compained as he tightened it again.

Sebastian smirked, "So does Ciel."

She didn't ask what he meant by that.

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Meanwhile, a particular Fallen king was preparing himself for a ball at the same time. He knew his future Queen would be there, and he couldn't wait to see her sweet face again. He straightened his clothes once more and glanced at himself in the mirror.

He thought of Maria getting ready for the ball. He knew that, as she had been a lady with a servant to dress her, she would now need help getting prepared.

Castizel also knew that the one to help her would be the demon. He thought of demon's hands touching what belonged to him, and growled angrily. He gripped the edge of the vanity in front of him until it cracked under the pressure and broke off in his hand. The fallen angel simply threw the broken piece onto the vanity and left the room in rage, his eyes blazing an ominous red.

OHMYGOD I AM SORRY.
It took me forever to update! AND I GAVE YOU ALL A SHORTER CHAPTER TOO! Pathetic. I am pathetic.

On another note, 17K READS?! ALMOST 1K VOTES?!

I love you all.

:)