Amor Fati

When it rains, it pours

In the bright hallway leading to the dance room, drowned in the sound of music and chatters, Charles Grey stood alone staring absent-mindedly at the colorful painting in the golden frame breaking the monotony of the purple flowery wallpaper facing him, the Earl was fully aware that his fiancee will find him as soon as she turns around that corner.

That scene just now... Why did he have to witness it with his own eyes?

He always disliked her butler, now he hates him. He always had doubts he had feelings for her, now he is sure she isn't just a mistress to him. Normally, when someone tries to lay hands on one of his belongings Charles would act on impulse, meaning? slice him into small neat pieces. The Earl even had his hand on the hilt of his rapier but...he didn't, he just walked away and now he is here looking at this ugly painting with this horrible burning sensation ravaging his chest while waiting for her...

«Charles? »

«Hey love! I've been waiting for you! shall we go for the last waltz? » He extended a hand to her.

«Sure! » she took it.

...

"The ring in her hand, can't she see it?"

Charles took her hand in his, the cheerful fast tempo of the music mismatched his inner feelings the same way his sickening sweet grin contrasted with his glassy eyes.

"What is she thinking?" his eyes never left his fiancee's face. "I'm here, right in-front of her, why doesn't she look at me? "

«Who are you looking at? »

Elena whipped her head up her eyes finally meeting his. «huh? what did you say? »

«I said smile love! smile! the reporters are taking photos! »

She smiled.

Better... who wants a disturbing truth to make surface?! a deceitful smile is still a smile, isn't it? there's always time to settle scores later.

...

In the guest room, away from all the sparkling lights and dazzling music, Ciel was fighting to keep his eyelids open, the soft and comfy sofa not being of any help.

«I beg of you my lord to not fall asleep here and now, your body temperature will drop even further. » Sebastian looked at his tired master, a small frown of concern spoiling the perfection of his face.

«I'm not going to fall asleep, » Ciel replied a frown of annoyance on his own.

«Why don't we go back to the mansion? as it is now, there is nothing we can do. »

«Pipe down, would you? my head is hurting, » Ciel's retorted massaging his temples.

Sebastian sighed. «As you wish. »

Despite what he just told his butler, Ciel wasn't able to hold his head straight any more, many nights on missions for her Majesty, tons of paper work, it was all taking its toll on him now, just when he finally decided to give up, the unconscious maid moved her hand, rather, her fingers retracted a bit making all need for sleep jump out of the Earl.

«Did she just move?! » Ciel turned to look at his butler with wide eyes.

«Yes, most certainly she did, » Sebastian responded, his own eyebrows up.

Quickly, Ciel joined the maid's side watching her eyelashes twitch before her eyes opened ever so slightly.

«I think she is awake! »