♟Pieces of Darkness♟

♟Trouble is a Masquerade♟

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 Invintations were sent out the very following evening, Sebastian and the servants somehow getting them out by dinnertime. Lizzie took me out dress shopping and we had one custom made for me by Ciel's tailor, Nini Hopkins. It was made out a sleek black silk, with green, turquoise, and gold sparkles along the skirt and sleeves.
Lizze was practically head over heels in love with it and couldn't stop talking about it until Ciel shot her a few questionable looks. I felt bad for Lizzie, she seemed so incredibly happy but one look from her betrothed caused her to excuse herself for the evening.

After dinner on Thursday night, I approached Ciel about this.
He was lounged in his study, overlooking some proposals from someone interested in a share of the Funtomhive company.
"Ciel, may I speak with you for a moment?" I asked. He sighed and set the papers down.
"What is it Millie?"
"Why have you been so cross lately? It can't all be because of the ball, now can it?" I inquired. He sighed and shook his head slowly.
"Investigations lately....technical..."
"Ciel, do not pull "technical, too much for a lady to grasp" bull." my cussing caused him to flinch but he nodded in understanding.
"Alright, Alright....we...Sebastian and I....have been investigating recent murders....the victims are mainly brunette women but that's all I can tell you." he said, "He murders them, using chloroform to put them to sleep before slitting their throats. Taking their bodies but leaving the heads." I grimaced and swallowed.
"And that we might....possibly....be using you as bait...." he added and cringed as I huffed in disaproval.
"And just when were you going to inform me that I am going to be a serial killer's bait?!" I came around the desk and shook his shoulders violently. "When Ciel?! I am not that horrible of a woman, now am I?!" my voice rising steadily into almost yelling. He shut his eye and breathed unevenly. The door opened and Sebastian stood there calmly.
"M'lady, please do let go of Master." he said gently. I slowly backed away from Ciel, my throat burning with the unspoken words and phrases my tongue would not form.
"I did not mean to cause you harm, cousin." said Ciel, visibly swallowing. I lunged at him, almost knocking the chair over.
"Harm? You didn't mean to cause me harm?! It's a serial killer Ciel...." I screamed. Sebastian quickly grabbed my arms but I elbowed him in the ribs. He didn't budge, merely scooped me up, dispite my maddening efforts to kick and scratch.
"I am sorry Millie, I will call off the ball if it pleases you?" he asked. I only scowled at him before Sebastian closed the study door behind us.

 Sebastian locked me in my bedroom all evening, I grumbled in irritation. How could he treat me like an animal....oh wait....I sort of did attack my own cousin....who is housing and caring for me....like an animal.
"Oh Mildred...how stupid can you be? How incredibly stupid." I muttered to myself.
The door handle rattled and slowly, Lizzie came into the room. I turned away from her and sighed.
"You must have heard?" I asked. She put her arms around me in a hug and laid her blonde head against my shoulder.
"Yes, Sebastian fetched me, and said that being with you would probably be your best priority at the moment, Millie." she replied.
"You must think I am a fool for reacting that way though right?"
"Reacting to what? Ciel wanting to cancel the ball? Nonscence....the ball was for you anyway." I tensed, realizing that she hadn't been told the whole truth.
"Oh. I see." I whispered, tears rolling down my cheeks. I wondered what father would say if he saw me now....the bait of a serial killer, the truth being cut off from Lizzie and Me as the Phantomhives continually investigate deadly crimes.
"Tomorrow, I will take you horseback riding....sound fun?" she asked. I nodded slowly and crawled into bed. She crawled in after me and we both fell asleep.