𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕼𝖚𝖊𝖊𝖓'𝖘 𝕷𝖎𝖔𝖓: 𝕮𝖔𝖛𝖊𝖗𝖙

The Miracle of Sapphires

Y/N could feel herself caving in on her own body as she shrunk under the glare of the Marchioness. There were very few humans who managed to truly strike fear into Y/N's heart, but Lizzie's mother was certainly one of them. The heat of her glare and the way Y/N noticed her hands twitch made the Lady feel as if the Marchioness was going to choke the life out of her with her own bare hands right there in the middle of the grand dining hall. Y/N would've melted in seconds under the searing glare of the Marchioness had she been made of ice. Even the air surrounding them felt heavy and thick, like smoke was flooding Y/N's lungs and making it impossible for her to breathe. If the Marchioness said one more word, it was over. Everything they had achieved up until now would be turned into ash before their eyes.

"I can promise you, Marchioness," Y/N managed to choke out, nearly losing her voice and composure as Lizzie's mother continued to ruthlessly stare her down, "there is a legitimate reason behind my appearance."

"There had better be," was all the woman spat out in return. She reached forward and grabbed a fist-full of Y/N's hair/locks/braids/hijab, pulling Y/N closer for her to hiss directly onto her face. "Just look at you! What in all of Heaven and Hell could cause a La-" She cut herself off. Instantly the Marchioness let go of Y/N, looking between the disheveled, disguised Lady and Ciel. The two watched as the Marchioness began to piece even more together. Clearly she realized Y/N was not infiltrating Blue House just for fun.

"I could not let Ciel come here by himself. It would've been against Her wishes." Y/N's voice was so quiet it was nearly impossible to hear over the chatter of the surrounding groups of people, yet the Marchioness hung onto her every word. "I must follow every order to the letter, I'm afraid. Please allow me to apologize for my appearance. I'm sorry, there is nothing I am able to change now." Y/N bowed before the Marchioness, praying that her display was worth forgiveness from the harsh woman. "We're in too deep now, Marchioness Midford."

"What could possibly call for such unforgivable behavior on your part?" Y/N knew the Marchioness would've spat out her name as if it was the most foul curse in all the world, but she was smart enough to realize the gravity of Y/N's situation. Even if Marchioness Midford didn't like Y/N or what she was doing in the slightest, she could not argue with orders from the Queen.

"The safety of every student enrolled in this school," Y/N said, not even trying to cover the glance she sent over to Edward. The Marchioness's gaze followed Y/N's and the Lady watched as the Marchioness clenched and unclenched her jaw. Even if she was hard on her children, there was nothing else in the world she loved more than them. "And now, you're own safety and the safety of everyone in attendance to the Tournament."

"A pathetic excuse," the Marchioness muttered, though Y/N wasn't completely sure she actually meant it. Her eyes had not left her son.

To a certain degree, Y/N understood how she felt. Y/N was a disgrace in the Marchioness's eyes, and in the eyes of everyone who had the standards of the 1880's ingrained into their skulls. But she was also loving. Just as Edward and Lizzie were what the Marchioness loved most, Ciel and Soma were what Y/N held closest to her heart. "I understand why you do not agree with my mission, nor my methods. I know I am an offense to all in the highest caliber. But I am doing my job, Marchioness. Not just as the Lion, but as a friend to Edward and to Lizzie, and of course, to Ciel. They are all my family, or at least, they are the closest I shall ever have. So please, I humbly beg that you keep my identity a secret. If not to save my life, to save the lives of your daughter and son."

The Marchioness was silent. Her gaze did not lift, and it did not become any less hateful. But she did not utter a word. The Marchioness nodded her head curtly instead. She did not call out Y/N's true name. She did not rip Y/N's costume from her body. She just left Y/N be. "If you are here..."