He knew his human form was appealing. People were so agreeable to the good-looking. His demon form would send them screaming, even though he thought it had it's own dark appeal. To those willing to not run screaming. We're in for one HELL of a surp...
Serena stared at Sebastian, not noticing the fight going on before in front of them anymore. The demon still didn't take his eyes from his master.
'Besides, demon's don't have children.'
That one sentence bounced around her head, replaying over and over. Questions were right on the tip of her tongue but none would come out. Sebastian suddenly pulled her to the side as Elizabeth was pushed back by Ciel. There was a noticeable breathing echoing around the room, heavy and out of time. Serena's concern shifted to the Earl and whatever questions she had would have to wait.
"He's breaking down," she said softly.
"Yes, Master lasted longer than I had anticipated." Sebastian brought a finger to his lips as he thought about what they had seen. "Still, Lady Elizabeth is strong to have held him off until this point."
They watched from the sidelines as the tide changed. Elizabeth realized it as well and began pushing back. The Earl was quickly put on the defensive, just trying to keep his footing. Serena took a step forward when she realized that Ciel was using all his energy just trying to stay on his feet. The demon held her back, shaking his head. His Master would not appreciate her interference. The weakened body swayed, limbs losing the intricate and powerful movements that had defined him throughout the match. One well timed thrust to the chest sent him down.
Ciel collapsed to the ballroom floor and ripped the mask from his head. Lizzy dropped the foil in her hand, the metallic ring echoing through the room was overpowered by the Earl's coughing and erratic breathing. He rolled over to hold himself up on his arms as his head hung down. His whole body heaved trying to get air into his weakened lungs. The blonde rushed to his side, but the butler still got there faster.
Ciel pushed them all away. "I...I...I'm...fine."
Another round of coughing pushed both girls forward. They were blocked again by Sebastian as the Earl struggled to his feet alone. He was still breathing heavy as he straightened, keeping his back to the others.
Serena remembered the Jack the Ripper arc, after Madame Red had been killed. 'I can stand on my own.'
"Ciel..." Lizzy started forward but the Earl held up a hand.
"You are...really good." He waited for another round of coughing to finish. "Aunt Francis must be proud."
She nodded as Ciel's breathing finally started to even out. He was still coughing a little as his lungs started to accept the air that they were pulling in.
"You should change, Master." Sebastian clipped his pocket watch shut. "I'm afraid that is all the time that we have allotted to practice today."
The Earl nodded and started slowly out of the room.
"Ciel!"
"I'm fine, Lizzy. You should get cleaned up as well. I still have some paperwork to go over. I'll see you for dinner." He didn't turn as he left the room, faithful butler right behind him.
The blonde threw down her mask as the door closed and turned on Serena.
"I thought you said that you would tell me when to tone it down!"
"There was no time for you to let up. I didn't realize that Ciel was that good at fencing and I apologize for that. It changed what I had planned but you handled it right."
"I knew that I shouldn't have listened to you." Elizabeth put her hands over her face as a sob escaped. "I knew that I shouldn't have accepted this. Aunt Ann was right."
"No, she wasn't. If you had gone easy on Ciel, he would have known and it would have pissed him off. You still don't understand that you saw your fiancé and the man that you've been in love with since you were a child when you stood in the middle of this room." Serena picked up the foil and mask before turning back to the younger girl. "Ciel saw only another opponent to defeat. He wouldn't have appreciated you taking it easy on him. Ciel would have seen it as you were pitying him. If he thought that you were giving him a handicap because he is weaker than you, the damage to your relationship would never be fixable.
"You did the right thing, Elizabeth. Even if you can't see it right this minute. You beat Ciel in a fair fight and he'll respect that. If you had lied to him about how strong you are, he'd never trust you again. In the end, he'd hate you for it."
The blonde fell to her knees, hugging herself as she cried. Serena pried the younger girl's hands away from her sides and put the sword and mask back into them.
"This is who you are. Your mother taught you what you needed to know to be the Countess of Phantomhive. After his parents' murders, Ciel knows what is needed as well. If you're not ashamed that you have that, than there is no reason for him to be ashamed of you." Green eyes looked up, still unsure as the older girl pulled her to her feet.
"Now, let's get you cleaned up. Strength is a good thing in a girl, but showing up in front of your man all sweaty and nasty is never a good idea."
Elizabeth laughed a little and let the red head lead her out of the ballroom. As they crossed the hall, both saw Ciel still on the stairs. Sebastian was behind the Earl as he took each stair slowly, gripping the railing hard. He had almost reached the top when his legs gave out. The butler caught him easily and swung his Master into his arms.
"Master, I believe that has been enough bravado for the day." His voice was soft, but the girls still heard him. Ciel was quiet for a moment before he nodded and laid his head against Sebastian's shoulder in exhaustion. They watched as the two disappeared into the wing housing the Earl's rooms.
"There is something between them too." Lizzy said distracted. "Ever since Ciel came back with Sebastian, I've always seen something between the two of them that leaves no room for anyone else. When I was younger, I thought that they were good friends, as well master and servant. I know now that is not what it is. There is some connection that chains them together and no one can sever it."
Serena looked over, feeling sorry for the other girl. If Ciel was able to find the people that murdered his parents and tried to destroy the Phantomhives, the life that the Elizabeth wanted really would be just a dream.
'Oh Lizzy, you don't want to know what their connection is.'
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