Black Butler: The Stellar Dove

8.2

  I found myself face to face with the butler, wrapped in his arms as he sat me down gently. Blushing, I looked down and told him, "Thank you. I thought I was going to hit my head on the shelf for a moment there..."

"No, I apologize," he told me, frowning with a sorry look of guilt. "I should have put the book up myself. Are you hurt? You appeared to have bumped your chin when the leg snapped," he said as he softly placed a hand on the side of my face, making me look up.

"I'm fine, really," I told him, attempting to bring it down, my blush growing. There was still an arm around my waist, though. And I didn't care to pull away. "You shouldn't worry so much about me."

"Aw!" an excited, high pitched sigh broke through the room.

My head snapped over to the source to see Lady Elizabeth and Ciel standing at the library entrance. Ciel's eyes were wide, his mouth slightly agape. Elizabeth clasped her hands at chest level, a big smile on her face. "I see now! He's the reason you're here! You two are so adorable together!"

"Uh—we're—I—" I began to stutter. I quickly looked at Sebastian, who only smirked back. I understood that instant. This was his plan.

"Thank you, Lady Elizabeth," he smiled brightly, pulling me slightly closer to him. I forced myself to coy his expression.

"Why didn't you tell me you were together before?" she asked.

"Oh, well..." I tried to adlib. "It's more of a secret relationship, you know. A lady and a butler..."

"Well, your secret's safe with us. Isn't it, Ciel?" She looked to her fiancé, who smirked.

"Of course," Ciel answered. "I have no intention of exposing them, either." He obviously knew we were acting, and he seemed to be okay with it as long as it made her happy. If anything, he appeared to find amusement in Sebastian's little show.

I cringed inside. Oh dear. I was stuck playing the role of a partner to the butler for the night. But, for now... well, I guess it could get fun.

~~~~

The remainder of the time could be described, in a word: awkward.

Sebastian seemed to be handling it fine. I was, too, surprisingly. The only awkward part was wondering how far I was supposed to play this. Was I supposed to just keep smiling at him, say I loved him, kiss him!?

Sebastian had no apparent boundaries for the act. He would stand close to me and never miss a chance to compliment me in the way one would a romantic interest. I tried to do the same, but I suppose I ended up appearing to be shy.

Later that night, Elizabeth insisted on leading me into the ballroom—to talk to me alone, I suppose. How I was going to play off this act without Sebastian, I had no clue, but I was pretty confident I could handle it on my own.

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