Truth and Hope or Lies and Despair

Chapter Twenty Seven "Our Last Dance"

~* Venus's POV *~

Reaching for his hand, I nodded, unable to speak any words. He guided us to the center of the ballroom, people moving away from the Earl's presence. All eyes were on us yet, I felt as if the world had melted away. It was just Ciel and I, no one else.

He bowed as I curtsied, silently telling each other words that we wanted to speak aloud. Something flashed in his eye but was too quick to catch. His hand rested on my lower back, the other laced with my fingers. His hand fitted perfectly with mine, I smiled at the sight. We got into position, the sound of instrumental music surrounding us.

Thus, we began our dance. On our first one, the Earl's movements weren't as elegant as they should be, almost in a jerkful manor. But for some reason, he held such grace as he went, moving in sync with me. My eyes widened, realizing something. He was dancing in the manor I taught him, from when I had instructed him. He had remembered?

We gazed into each other's eyes, our face hidden behind a mask. I have a part of me, I don't want anyone to see. The weak me. The vulnerable me. The one that could get whisked away easily, like how the Earl how done to me. I wanted to forever keep this mask on, never letting anyone see the part of me I hated.

He twirled me gracefully, his hand on my waist as he did. I didn't want this moment to end. I wanted to be in his arms, always and forever. I love the way when I am around him, my world of black and white becomes colorful. I love the sparks that ignite in me just by his stare. I love how strong the Earl is, after all he's been through. I love the way he understands me, no one else being able to do so. I had always felt a void in my heart. Now, it's completely filled. He fills it. He makes me happy. I love him.

But what would he do, if he found out about the part of me I hated? He grew to like the strong, independant me. Not my weak side. What if, he saw it? Would he grow to hate me?

I never will take off this mask, hiding the vulnerable part of me.

His grip on me loosened causing me to fall. A small gasp left my lips. Would this happen? If I removed my mask? He would let me go?

An arm wrapped around my waist, catching me, holding me tightly. I gazed into the breathtaking blue orb that stared at me with love. He caught me..? Why?

Ciel leaned forward, dipping my head low. He pulled me back up, still holding me, as if he would never let me go.

His hand reached for my mask before taking it off. I promised myself, I would never remove the mask that hid the part of me that I hated. But this time, the Earl was the one to do it. He was the one to take off my mask. I didn't see any hatred in his eye. Only one emotion stood out. Love.

I hadn't notice the tear that fell from my eye. With a pained expression, his thumb wiped it away. A sad smile formed on his lips as he stared at me.

"I'm sorry for all the sorrow I have caused you," he apologized with such a heavy heart, "I am cursed, after all."

My eyes widened at his words. Cursed? Him? I am the one who is cursed. Every time I am happy, something terrible happens. This is my curse, for being the only one to survive the murder of my family. I am doomed for nothing but pain.

"This eye, etched with the curse I must stake, will bring you nothing but trouble. It's best to stay away from a tarnished soul like me," he lightly touched his eyepatch, his blue orb holding nothing but despair as he spoke.

"What?" I asked, dazed and confused.

He smiled sadly, tugging on his eyepatch lightly, just enough for me to catch a glimpse of the purple orb with the devils sign. "My place is in the shadows, yours is in the light. You should keep your distance from me, if you want to live."

Devil sign? Shadows? Curse? I get it now. He as well hides behind a mask, hiding the ugliness he sees in himself. At that moment, I knew what Ciel truly was. A demon. A creature of the night. A demon. Though I hated those creatures with a passion, I couldn't bring myself to hate him. Ciel Phantomhive is a demon. Yet, I still love him.

The Earl searched my face, trying to find any traces of fear or hatred. But he would only find one thing...

I wrapped my arms around him, embracing the person I held dearest in my heart as I whispered in his ear, "I would rather die than live in a place without you."

He froze in shock. His sad expression was lifted, replaced with a hopeful smile. He actually smiled, a genuine one. I smiled at him, reaching for his mask and taking it off. Everything hidden was now exposed, and I didn't care. He makes me happy. I just hope that I have the same effect on him as well.

It was then that I noticed how close we were. No hesitation was shown on the Earl's face as he leaned closer towards me. I too did the same, wanting nothing more than to feel his lips on mine.

My arm was suddenly grabbed and yanked away from Ciel. I was snapped back to reality, realizing that he and I weren't the only ones in the world anymore. The same expression was on his face. We both got lost in the moment.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Lizzie screeched, nothing but pure anger written on her face, her nails digging into my skin. I winced and just stared at her, bewildered. I had forgotten everything. Ciel has a fiance! How could I forget that?

"Ciel and I are engaged! How could you do this to me?" Hurt and betrayal shone in her glistening emerald eyes. For a second, I saw myself in her. All the pain I had felt, why did I make her feel that? She doesn't deserve this. I was being selfish to an innocent person. How could I say those words to Ciel? He isn't mine and he never was.

I sighed, knowing what I had to do, even if it hurt me. Bowing my head, I hid the tears the threatened to escape as I spoke,

"I am sorry. I wasn't thinking. You and Ciel will be married. I had no right to do that. I apologize for my indecent actions and ruining your evening. If you'll excuse me, I will take my leave now."

And with that, I turned around to leave.

"Wait, Venus!!" Ciel stopped me, his hand grasping my arm. My heart brightened, happy that he chased after me. 

I paused for a moment, glancing behind me. I saw the heartbroken look on Lizzie's face as she saw him stop me and without another thought, I roughly pulled away from his grip. I saw the hurt in the Earl's eye as I did. I wanted nothing more than to hug him and apologize but who am I to do so? I cannot just wedge my way into his life and push my feelings onto him, hurting people in the process. This was my fault. And no one else's.

Walking away, it felt as if my heart had shattered. This is my punishment for my selfish crimes. With the tears now falling from my eyes, I picked up my pace and ran off, not looking back. But no matter how much pain I felt, I knew I would never regret walking into that ballroom. This unforgettable memory will be etched in my mind forever.

That was, after all, our last dance. 

THE END

Ha, just kidding! Scared you there for a second, huh? Nope, I was just joking. That's not the end. There is still so much coming. Prepare yourself >:)

Eh, sorry for the depressing chapters but I just finished a depressing anime and I couldn't help it :(( 

I think I'm going to do the next chapter in Ciel's point of view. Yeah... that sounds cool. Oops, spoiler. Oh wellzz! Hope you enjoyed the chapter~

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