||MekakucitY∞TimE∞TravelS|| Part 2: The Haze

●Kuroshitsuji II● His Butler, Invited

July 31, 1901

somewhere in London, England

"Elizabeth! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!"

Ciel hurried down the staircase, his butler following closely behind. His lady-fiancee seemed to be growing indignant.

"Can't I even visit the man that I love?" She threw her arms around him and nearly choked him to death. "Ciel-sama! Remember that pink lace handkerchief you bought me last winter?" Tears started to form in her eyes. "It dropped out of the carriage on the way here, and now it's soiled! Paula!" 

"Ah, uh... yes ma'am!"  Her maid jumped forward and held it out. Ciel wished he could roll his eyes right there.

"Don't worry, Lizzie," he said, pushing a stray lock of blonde hair behind her ear. "I'll get you a new one."

She smiled and tilted her head, in the way that Ciel found somewhat cute. "Guess who I met on my way here!"

"Ciiieeellll!!!!" Madam Red appeared from behind Elizabeth's maid, looking as flustered as ever in her deep red overcoat. "I've got good news for you! The Viscount of Druitt is hosting another ball in his mansion next week! Isn't it exciiiting???"

Ciel felt his eyes grow large. Another ball, Viscount of Druitt?

Madam Red waved two envelopes and handed one of them to her nephew. It was purple and lavender-scented, and the intensity almost made him gag. He stared at the curly-spirally handwriting.

~+~

Earl of Phantomhive,
Lady Elizabeth Midford,
and company.

You are cordially invited to my private ball to be held in the Druitt Assembly Rooms, at eight o' clock sharp on the twelfth and fifteenth of August. Your prescence is highly appreciated.

Yours truly,
The Viscount

~+~

He tried to hide a sour face as he calculated on his schedule. Twelfth and fifteenth were in three weeks' time, and he usually planned his businesses until two weeks only. As much as he despised seeing that vileful man's face again, It would be improper etiquette if he refused.

"Well?" Elizabeth demanded. "Are you going?"

He gave a sigh as he folded back the invitation. "As much as I want to, I'm afraid my schedule wouldn't allow me," he said. "I have visitors to attend to at the moment. One of them is injured and I must see to her medication."

"HER?!" Madam Red cried angrily, facing her nephew. "And who is this 'her'?"

Ciel caught Sebastian's eye. The butler gave a small nod and left. 

"If my visitors permit, you will have to meet them upstairs. In the meantime, please rest yourselves at the parlour."

===================================

 "A BALL?!"

Kido felt her stomach flip at the Phantomhive's words. The idea of her in a dress toting heels, in full-blown makeup and accessories, ballroom dancing with an unnamed man made her want to puke.

The boy didn't seem uncomfortable. "I'm afraid you must go, Lady Kido and Lord Kano. It would be quite unbecoming of me to leave my guests unattended to while I am away."

"We don't mind--" Kido started, but the blonde placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Of course we'll go. It would be an honor."