The world of Black Butler / Kuroshitsuji

Midseason Ball

I ran a hand over the crimson royal seal as I opened the envelope. Inside, as hinted by the seal, was a Midseason Ball invitation from the prince.

Not only was I invited to this elite ball, but it was by the one and only Prince George. I laughed under my breath as I thought of how many giddy girls would go to far measures just for the card in my hand right now. Why did he invite me thought? I must have impressed him during the hunt or something.

I set out to write back, accepting the invitation. After all, I can't deny an invitation form a prince, can I?

-----

That evening, I was on my way to tell Irene about the news when I bumped into a certain earl.

"Charles? what are you doing in this wing?" I asked.

"Oh, Clare, I-I was just walking around." He smiled.

"Is that so? Well, have fun. I was just about to tell Irene about my invitation to the Midseason Ball."

His eyes widened slightly, "From who?"

"From Prince George."

"Oh." He looked away.

"Have you invited someone?"

"Um... Yes, of course!"

"That's great! I guess we will be seeing each other in the ball."

He nodded. I then continued to go to where I was going.

Unbeknownst to Clare, she left behind a very disappointed Charles.

-----

After weeks of socializing and mingling, it was finally the long-awaited Midseason Ball - the event considered by many the most important and most elite out of all.

The maids were still fussing on my red and white ballgown when a knock on the front door was heard.

The head maid Edna opened the door, revealing a footman of the palace. She said with furrowed eyebrows, "The Lady is still in the process of getting ready. Please may I ask what is so important that she has to be interrupted?"

He bowed slightly, then said monotonously, "His Royal Highness Prince George would like Lady Clarette to meet him at the garden at half past seven, for a pre-event drink."

"The message will be passed on to the lady, thank you." Edna nodded and closed the door. She then rephrased to me basically what the footman said.

"Will my gown be dampened by the grass?" I asked.

"No, my lady, the grass is dry at the moment." Edna said. I nodded, and the Edna instructed the maids to complete the process even faster.

At twenty-five past seven, the footman came back to fetch me. I followed him through the twists and turns of the Palace, and finally arriving at the door leading to the garden. He held it open for me and I stepped into the open air, carefully maneuvering my gown so that it would not be caught in anything.

I noticed that there was a white carpet with patterns sowed on right in front of the door, leading deeper into the garden. As my eyes follow it through, I saw that in the middle of the field, there stood the prince in a small pavilion.

He smiled and offered a hand as he saw me walking down the carpet towards him.

"You look lovely today." He complimented.

"Thank you, your highness," I said, taking his arm, "You too, in your princely attire."

"Please, just George would be fine in private."