The first official public event following the engagement was a masquerade gala at Buckingham Palace.
Naturally, it started with a dead man.
Well, nearly dead.
...
Ciel had barely stepped into the ballroom, his mask barely fastened, when a footman whispered into his ear.
> “There’s been an incident in the east wing. One of the Queen’s advisors.”
...
Ciel's brow twitched. “How tragic. And predictable.”
Sebastian, draped in all-black with a silver cravat that practically purred danger, followed silently as Ciel peeled away from the waltzing crowd and into the shadowed hallways.
...
They found the man—Lord Huntington, a known supporter of the Phantomhives—collapsed in the corridor. Blood leaked from his nose. His eyes, though open, were glassy and burned.
Sebastian knelt. “He’s alive… barely. But something… unnatural touched him.”
“Like the cult?” Ciel murmured, voice cold.
Sebastian’s eyes narrowed. “Similar, but not quite. This magic stinks of royal blood and betrayal.”
"I'll return to the ball for appearances. Take the body proper care of the situation and do investigate the body thoroughly" He order before walking back to the Ball.
"Yes My Lord" Sebastian smiles and bows gracefully.
^^^~Meanwhile: The Ballroom~^^^
Eloise Windsor was holding court.
In a crimson gown dipped in gold and confidence, she glided through socialites and backstabbing aristocrats with the ease of a blade through silk. Every conversation was a performance. Every smile, a weapon.
She was used to masks. She wore hers best when they came made of diamonds.
When Elizabeth Midford approached with a deliberately sharp smile, Eloise welcomed her with a curtsey so theatrical it nearly ended the monarchy.
> “Lady Midford. You look... freshly unbothered.”
> Elizabeth smiles sweetly. “Princess Windsor. I thought I’d come see if the engagement ring is as fake as the affection.”
Eloise returned a dry soft giggle with a calm facade. Elizabeth chuckles softly glaring.
...
They sipped champagne like it was poison. It was not lost on either of them that Ciel hadn’t told either the whole truth.
^^^~One Hour Later – The Garden Balcony~^^^
Ciel found Eloise standing alone under a marble arch, her mask dangling in one hand, her eyes cast to the sky.
...
“Lord Huntington’s been cursed,” he said. “Eyes burned. No witnesses.”
She didn’t react.
After a pause: “There’s a reason my mother forced this engagement.”
Ciel stepped closer. “I’m listening.”
She turned to him, her face bare. “I’ve been dreaming of the murders. Your parents. The cult. Every death since. I see them before they happen.”
Ciel’s lips parted, a thousand questions swelling behind his ribs.
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
She smiled, bitter and beautiful. “Because you wouldn’t believe me.”
He didn’t reply. Not with words.
Instead, he slowly extended a hand. For a second, just a second, she almost reached for it.
..
Then footsteps echoed behind them.
Alois Trancy entered, clapping slowly. Dressed in silver and smugness.
“Adorable. The cold earl playing warm. Touching.”
Ciel turned. “Trancy.”
Alois twirled a mask on one finger. “I see the engagement’s still a circus. I brought popcorn. And poison.”
...
“Leave,” Ciel said quietly.
“I came to dance,” Alois replied. “With your fiancée.”
Eloise raised an eyebrow. “I bite.”
Alois grinned. “So do I.”
Alois held out a hand. "Your highness" Eloise looked down at him like a roach before flashing a killer smile and took his hand walked back in the ballroom with her.
...
Ciel glaring at His retreating figure, Alois tilted his head back flashing a smug grin and stuck out his tongue. Ciel clenched his jaw balling his fist not to punch him on the nose
...
^^^~Later That Night – Phantomhive Carriage~^^^
Eloise sat across from Ciel in silence as the carriage rocked through the fogged London streets.
...
“I meant what I said,” she murmured. “About the dreams.”
“I believe you,” Ciel said softly.
She blinked. “You do?”
He met her eyes. “I’ve danced with devils. I’d be a fool to doubt a princess who bleeds prophecy.”
She exhaled. “Then you should know—there’s worse coming.”
Ciel tilted his head.
“I saw your death, Ciel. And mine. Tied together.”
Outside, thunder cracked across the sky.
Inside, Sebastian merely smiled.
... To Be Continued... ...
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