The Butler's Princess

Chapter 5: End or Endure

At the ball, everything went by very slowly as I sat alone. I watched each dance blankly and emotionlessly as the ball ensued. Every now and then, they would dance to a melody that I knew, so I would quietly hum it to myself. However despite my efforts to distract myself, nothing was working. My mother and father were speaking with grandmother and Ciel, Earl of Phantomive. I glanced back at the ballroom floor where everyone joyously paraded in sync around one another. In the crowd, I spotted (S/N), clearly overwhelmed with happiness and excitement. Next to her, danced (P/N). I could swear that I had physically heard a giant "crack" sound. I felt my heart drop straight through the floor like a cannon ball.

My head was reeling as it began to throb. Suddenly, I could hardly breathe. It was as if I had put on 5 corsets and all of them were laced way too tight. My palms were cold and clammy, as I squeezed them into slight fists. The very sight of him intoxicated me with a poisonous effect. Soon, the music started to go silent in my mind, which then evolved into a sharp ringing. My vision started going blurry. I felt cold.

     "Your highness, are you alright?" I heard. I snapped out of my pain for a short moment. It was Sebastian, the Phantomhive butler. I felt a blush creep into my cheeks again just like the first time I had seen him. He was just as I would've imagined my dream husband if I would marry. I nodded slowly as I stared at him contently and silently. His lips curved into a small, secretive smile.

   "It would appear that you have no dance partner. Why is that? You are the fairest lady in your family yet you're the only one without company." He said staring through my eyes, straight into my soul.

"Sir you are truly too kind. I'm not that beautiful.." I said. Suddenly I remembered I was wearing a dress that revealed my wrists. I gasped realizing that it showed my scars from what I had done a few months prior to this event. I carefully made sure they were out of sight by gently tugging at the ends of my sleeves on my dress.

    "Oh but you are my dear. And those scars definitely don't suit a lady of your beauty." He said smirking slyly. I gasped. 'How the hell did he see them?!' I thought.

    "It was the work of a stray cat sir." I lied. Sebastian chuckled at me a bit.

    "I do beg your pardon your majesty but I believe you and me both know that those scars were no accident."

I stared at him in complete terror. My family had no idea that I had cut myself. If they ever found out then I would've been sent to the asylum for good.

    "Please, don't tell anyone what you saw." I pleaded. He smirked once more.

   "Oh your highness, please call me Sebastian. And I shall not tell a single soul. That is, if you let me have this dance." He said. I took a deep breath. 'It's just one dance (Y/N). You'll be fine.' I thought.

   He extended a hand to me and I gracefully took it as I rose from my seat. He escorted me the dance floor and swiftly placed one hand on my waist and the other in my hand and held it up and outwards a bit. I then put one hand on his shoulder and let him hold the other where he had it.

     Without missing a beat, he led me gliding across the floor with utmost perfection. My heart pounded as we stared into each others eyes more and more intensely as the dance continued. My spirit that was once flightless, now soared like a sparrow with newly bound wings that Sebastian had somehow blessed me with. I felt warm, even welcomed like I finally belonged. He slightly lifted me up and spun me around as the dance called for without fail. Only now did I realize that everyone had stopped to stare, gawk and awe at the sight of me and Sebastian sharing this fated dance together.

    Out of the corner of my eye I saw (P/N) standing there with (S/N). My sister looked like she was almost proud of me, her eyes gleaming slightly with tears of joy. (P/N) was the exact opposite. He glared at the sight of us and sneered slightly, not taking his eyes off of me. Like a hawk stalking its prey. It sent chills down my spine but I smiled knowing I had practically just thrown in his face that I'm not broken that easily and that I'm no victim here. Sebastian twirled me on his finger and brought me into the starting position again as we waltzed for a few more steps and ended in a dip position. The minute the song ended and I was dipped, everyone began to applaud and cheer a bit.

     I stared at Sebastian again, smiling in slight victory and joy. I felt like I had won the battle. But I knew, the war had only just begun.