The Flower Blooming Out Of Season

Episode 3

Ciel sighed and placed his hand on his head. The papers in front of him were stressful, speaking of demon sightings and the worries of British men.

His mind wasn't focused on his work, however. It was stuck on Lady Ozina.

He sighed again and placed his head on the desk. "Sebastian..." he murmured.

"Yes Master?" Sebastian inquired, glancing at Ciel with a knowing smile.

"How is she?" Ciel asked, closing his eyes.

"Lady Ozina is fine. She is out in the garden," Sebastian answered.

Ciel's eyes flashed open and he stood up abruptly. "She's alone in the garden?" he asked, turning and thrusting open his study window.

Down below in the garden, Lady Ozina stood in the snowy canvass cradling a handful of snow. As if she could sense him, Lady Ozina glanced up.

Ciel blushed and turned away, embarrassed at himself for spying on her.

"Sebastian, go make sure she's alright," Ciel ordered.

Sebastian bowed, "Of course," he said before departing.

Once Sebastian was gone, Ciel turned and observed Lady Ozina again. As he stared at her, his heart best rapidly and he placed his hand on his chest.

Ciel wasn't used to such feelings and he had no idea what they meant. Of course he was too proud to ask Sebastian of it, and he trusted no one else with knowing.

Deciding the paperwork could wait, Ciel went to grab his coat.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Oz sighed. The snow outside was still too deep to travel in. He was officially stuck at the Earl Phantomhive's manor.

Hearing the crunching of snow, Oz turned to greet the butler who bowed on sight.

"My master sent me to assure you were alright. Are you having any difficulty?"

"No, none at all," Oz responded.

The snow had melted through his gloves and Oz could feel his fingers going numb.

Glancing around the white canvass, he wondered what Gilbert would say if he saw him. His Valet was slightly overprotective so he probably wouldn't let him be out In such weather. And if he allowed it, Oz would no doubt be in so many layers of clothing he couldn't move.

The thought of this brought back pleasant memories of Oz's childhood, and a smile on his face.

"Sebastian, go bring us something warm to drink," The Earl ordered, catching Oz's attention.

The butler bowed and left, leaving Oz and the Earl alone.

"Until my butler returns I'll gladly show you to the Greenhouse where the second Phantomhive garden is located," The Earl said, holding out his hand.

Oz instinctively blushed and looked down. "Thank you Earl..."

"Call me Ciel," he said, reaching and taking hold of Oz's hand.

Ciel visibly frowned at the touch of Oz's wet gloves and let go of his hand.
He then removed his own gloves before holding them out.

"Your gloves are soaked. Put these on,"

Oz obeyed and allowed Ciel to take hold of his hand and lead him to the Phantomhive Greenhouse garden.

Once inside the Greenhouse, Oz gasped. The inside was filled with a variety of different flowers from all over the world.

Oz's eyes were pulled to a strange and foreign flower and he wandered over to it and smelled its sweet petals.

"Do you like that one?" Ciel questioned, smiling as he stood beside Oz. "Oh yes, very! What's it called?" Oz inquired, his eyes bright.

"They're called Jade Vine,"

"It's so pretty," Oz said, glancing back at the flower.

"Is that a middlemist red?" Oz questioned, catching sight of the beautiful flower.

"Yes it is," Ciel responded.

Oz had wandered over to the flower and smelled it As a blush appeared on his face.

"This is really rare! How did you obtain it?" Oz asked.

Ciel smiled, "It was a gift," he answered.

Oz asked no more questions and instead wandered around the Greenhouse gazing at the different flowers.

~~~~~~~~~~

For the first time in a while, Ciel smiled, watching as Lady Ozina traveled from flower to flower.

Nothing in the garden could come close to how pretty Lady Ozina was. Thinking such thoughts caused Ciel's cheeks to go scarlet and he hadn't noticed Sebastian appear until his butler whispered, "Distracted Young Master?"

"S-Sebastian!" Ciel Said, surprised and embarrassed.

Sebastian chuckled and held out the platter that held two cups of warm milk.

"Young master, could it be that you-"

"Shut up," Ciel interrupted. He knew what Sebastian was going to say and he didn't want to hear it.

"Lady Ozina, There's milk to warm you up," Ciel said.

Lady Ozina glanced back at Ciel from the other side of the Greenhouse and smiled.

When she approached and grabbed a cup of milk, She said, "You're flowers are very pretty. I imagine the outside garden is beautiful in the spring."

"It is," Ciel responded, "If you'd like, when spring comes you're welcome to  visit the Manor."

The smile that came to Lady Ozina's face sent a flutter of happiness to Ciel and he could feel his face turn scarlet. Clearing his throat he glanced over to Sebastian who wore a devious  smirk.

Sending him a glare, Ciel held out his hand for Lady Ozina to take.
"Lets return to the Manor. Lunch should be prepared soon."