Intimate Interlude (Black Butler//SebaGrell)

Chapter Eleven

Song for this chapter is 'Disenchanted' by My Chemical Romance, provided on the side. Enjoy~

A silent sigh escaped from her lips as she applied another coat of red to them. Grell observed herself in the mirror, her eyes trained on her own reflection in the glass. The top half of her hair was pulled up and away, her bangs swept out of her face. She appeared paler than usual, due to the amount of makeup caked on her face. Black sleeves hung loosely from a red corset, tied tightly with black ribbon and constricting her chest. A black skirt with layers of transparent red ruffles fell over her legs, concealing her laced-up boots. She shook her head in disapproval as her mother entered the reflection behind her.

"Grell," she started with a gasp, her deep red lips parting as her eyes widened. She put her hands on Grell's shoulders, leaning into her. "You look beautiful,"

"No, I look like a porcelain doll," Grell corrected with a groan as she turned around to face her mother. She brushed past her, sitting down on the bed and resting her chin in her palms. "Don't take this the wrong way, but I don't particularly want to attend the party tonight."

"It's alright, I know what you mean," Madam Red said, sitting down next to Grell. "Let me guess, it's because the Spears's are going to be here, isn't it?"

"That, and I'm not extremely fond of being seen so dressed up like this." Grell mumbled bitterly, tugging at the end of her sleeve. "What are you going to do? You know, if Lord and Lady Spears were to bring up the... you know..." she dropped her voice down to a whisper. "The engagement."

Madam Red sighed, shaking her head. "I'm suspecting that's what they're going to do, they specifically told me the other day that they wanted an answer tonight." She paused, looking away from Grell.

"And?"

"I'm going to be honest with them, tell them the truth" Madam Red stated, looking back to her daughter, A newfound courage shone in her eyes, she had to be brave and daring for Grell's sake. "I'll tell them that you're engaged to a man that you're truly in love with."

Grell smiled, her face slowly fading into a shade of pink as her eyes darted down to her lap. "Thank you for that," she said, her cheeks growing redder, "I just don't know what I would do if I couldn't be with Sebastian."

"I understand," Madam Red chuckled, taking Grell's hand in hers, "Ah, the many wonders of love. Takes me back to when I was young and in love, just like you."

Luckily, and to Grell's avail, the door swung open before her mother could continue down her path on memory lane. Standing in the open doorway was Sebastian, his burgundy eyes shining down at them. "Madam Red, Lady Grell, are you two prepared to make your big appearance yet?" He asked, sauntering into the room as if it was his own. He stood to Grell's side, waiting for an answer from the two.

"Well, I, for one, am ready," Madam Red stated, stretching her arms out before her as she stood. She twisted her head and faced Grell, who still sat on the bed. "How about you, Grell?"

Grell sighed and gazed down at the floor, her eyes half closed. She twiddled her thumbs, trying to stall her answer. "William will be there," she muttered sourly.

Sebastian pursed his lips, upset to see Grell so spiteful. He bent down on his knees in front of her, sitting so that they were at eye level. "I'll be there as well, My Lady," he said, his statement bringing a shy smile to Grell's face. "I can't guarantee that I'll be able to spend any time with you, but I'll be there, to watch out for you and protect you, if at all necessary."

"You're such a gentleman, Sebastian," Grell giggled, forcing herself to look away from him to hide her blush. Sebastian took Grell by the hands and helped her stand from the bed, taking her arm in his to escort her. She looked up to him, a smile on her face when his eyes met hers. "I think I'm ready now."