Credit for this oneshot idea goes to @Cherry379 per their request. I appreciate all the story requests via comments and my inbox. Much love and good vibes to all of you!
*also, I would like to point out that you'll notice most of my Kuroshitsuji stories are very loosely based on the manga/anime. Right around the end of the first season is where I like to cut it off at and get creative. There are large differences in the story line that I have changed for the sake of my fan fictions. Just wanted to point that out ^^- I won't tell you the differences because this is a spoiler free zone, go read the manga!*
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Ever since the death of the King and the, once very beautiful, Queen Phantomhive, the Prince has been kept under lock and key.
The public eye knows not of what exactly happened to their beloved King and Queen, only that their son was left orphaned to be taken care of by castle employees. The last anyone had ever actually seen him was at the tender age of ten, before his parent mysteriously perished.
On the prince's 18th birthday, some of his very good friends, whom were also trusted castle employees, decided that it would be a good idea to sneak him out into the public eye disguised as a commoner. It had been at least 8 years since the people had even laid eyes on him so it wasn't like anyone would notice him right away.
The royal cook and head maid, Bard and Mey-Rin, thought this would be an excellent experience for the young prince before he was crowned as the new King in just a few short weeks. They had somehow managed to sneak him by the royal butler, Sebastian, whom was busy ninety percent of the time anyway.
"Now remember, young master, keep your hood on as we must maintain a low profile." The young prince nodded as they rode down into the small town.
"We just want you to see what real life is like before you become king. Perhaps this will help you be better for the people." Mey-Rin clarified out of slight guilt for sneaking him out, knowing Sebastian was going to skin them alive once he found out. "I understand."
The town was bustling with busy fisherman preparing their stands and mother's trying to put a dent in their long list of things to do. Children were playing and running about, pretending to fly through the air, while older children were carrying buckets of water or newly purchased fruit from vending stands. The blue eyed prince took in the bustling streets and the warm-like atmosphere around him. These people, though probably not all related, seemed as close as family. He could feel and see the love between neighbors as they slowly rode down the main cobblestone street. He even managed to wave at a few people which greeted him as they passed by.
This was a new experience for him in more ways than one. He hadn't socialized with anyone other than the employees in his castle. These people seemed much nicer. "Here traveler, have an apple. It's from my last bushel of the year. It'll be a harsh winter so stock up on what you can and if you're staying nearby, come visit us more often." Ciel gently plucked a ripe red apple from the elderly woman's fingers. "Thank you...I will..try." He nodded awkwardly and continued down the streets.
Mey-Rin and Bard exchanged victorious grins as they followed behind him, deeper into the small town. This was going very well so far.
The trio approached a two story stone building with bright, sheer curtains around the window frames. It appeared to be some sort of entertainment building from the outside. "What's that?" The young prince mumbled to Mey-Rin. "Oh, that's where..er.. entertainment can be found for the young adults."
"Entertainment? Like exotic dancers? Street performers?"
"Not so much street performers, mostly exotic dancers. However, you mustn't get them mixed up with prostitutes. These are not harlots, these ladies actually have talents." Ciel nodded as he peered through to window. The place looked empty to him, so he shrugged his shoulders and pressed on. As they rounded the corner, something gold caught his eye.
It resembled satin or silk and he had thought he saw a roll of it passing by, but when he got a closer look he found that it wasn't that at all. It was a young woman with long golden locks for hair. In fact, it had to have been the most beautiful hair he had ever seen. "Who is.." He watched her walk by them and around the corner toward the two story building they were once observing to closely. "Is she a dancer?" He asked no one in particular as he stopped his horse.
"Who? That woman?"
"The one that just rounded the corner.." He rode around them and headed back around the corner. "Y-young lord..!" Bard and Mey-Rin tailed behind him closely.
He hopped off of his horse in front of the large stone building with bright curtains. There were no signs on the building but there were plenty of lights. Ciel could see her through the large window, talking to someone inside.
"Sir, are you lost?" The young prince came out of, what looked like, a trance and glanced to the small child at his hip. "Actually, a little. Umm, do you know who she is?" He motioned toward the blonde inside the building and the youngster smiled and nodded. "That's Miss Elizabeth, everyone knows her. She's the sweetest lady around. Why, mister?"
"I just thought I might speak to her.."
"Oh well, she's talks to everyone. You'll like her 'cause we all love her. She's performing tonight on the grand stage, you should come and watch. She's great!"
"Really? Well thank you.. What's your name?"
"I'm Jimerson." He grinned from ear to ear showing off a few missing baby teeth. Ciel couldn't help but smile, "My name is Ciel. Thank you for answering my questions, Jimerson."
"No problem, I'll see you around!" He watched as the boy ran off with his arms extended out, pretending he was some sort or superhero. "What the bloody hell are you doing?" Bard pulled Ciel back up on his horse, "We should just head on back. You can't ride off like that! We are responsible for you, you know??"
"Sorry.. We can go..but I want to come back tonight?"
"For what?"
"The show.." Bard bit his lip and sighed, "Oh I dunno about that.. I'm not sure we could sneak by Sebastian at night.."
"Then I'll do it myself."
"Wait a minute, yourself? None of that now, what's so important about it anyway?"
"I was invited so I'm going."
"Invited? By who? You don't even bloody know anyone..!" Bard and Mey-Rin rode behind him as they headed back to the castle.
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Elizabeth's POV
"You're late, we have so much to do before the show.."
"Yeah, sorry about that.." Elizabeth brushed back her silky blonde hair. "I was a little busy this morning, my performance garb took a nasty snag in our last show.."
"Did you get it fixed??"
"Yeah, no more problem." Elizabeth brushed some more of her long hair over her shoulder and glanced out of the large window in the front of the building. There was a man, whom she didn't recognize, talking to Jimerson. She started to step out and be nosy when her boss-lady ushered her to the back in order to prepare for the upcoming show.
Back to Ciel
That night, the young prince pretended to slip into his bed and fall asleep just long enough for his butler to head out and continue his chores around the castle. Once he was sure he had not suspected anything, he quietly slid from his bed and dawned some common garb, nothing too fancy as he wanted to blend in.
He slid out of his window and climbed down an iron ivy rack that had once been used for climbing roses. Once his feet were on the ground, he carefully avoided any windows as he crept over to the stable and chose, what he believed to be, the quietest of their horses.
The young prince had to take a more secluded route to town, just to avoid being caught by his, more than cunning, over protective butler. It took longer, but once he arrived he decided it was worth the lengthy transit.
The town was lit up with floating lanterns and street performers tossing flaming rods about. He was amazed at all of the undiscovered talent lingering on the plain cobblestone walk. Had he known that the town below was this..amazing and full of life he would've slipped out long ago.
He came upon the building in question, which was lit up as well and there was a line flooding outside the door. He tied his horse and slipped to the back of the line. Something like this had him excited, he couldn't wait to get inside.
The wait wasn't long and the door fee was small, so before he knew it he was seated in front of a slightly raised platform. The young prince was amazed, mesmerized, as the drums began to roll and women with oddly colored outfits pooled on the stage. All of which had different types of weapons in their hands.
What on earth was he about to watch?
Weapons were tossed around the room as the ladies performed many different acrobatics, and more than a few times Ciel was deeply concerned for their safety. He sat on the edge of his seat trying not to bite his nails, until their act was over and they took a very elegant bow. "Oh thank god.." He mumbled and relaxed a bit. Just as he did so, every source of light in the room was either dimmed or put out completely. The only light came from around the stage as coal embers glowed an autumn red.
He knew whom she was as soon as she stepped on the stage. Her long blonde hair had been tied up into a curly bun on top of her head, and her silk pale skin was being accentuated by both the embers and the red garb she was wearing. Her face was cover by a silk mask from the nose down and her eyes were the greenest he had ever seen.
Ciel slid back to the edge of his seat as she knelt down to pick something up off the stage. Her delicate hands grasped two finely shined up blades. He could tell by the very shine on the edges that they were by no means dull performance swords.
Her eyes fell on his and it looked as if she hesitated for just a moment. He could feel it as he couldn't keep his eyes off her, yet she hadn't even done anything. The drums started heavily, but he didn't hear them. The only thing he could really be bothered with was the way she maneuvered between her blades so seamlessly. Each sharp edge barely missing her skin as she danced beneath them.
The performance wasn't long enough, in his opinion, he could've watched her all night. When the music stopped and everyone took a long bow for the cheering crowd, he was left still staring at her. Ciel came back to reality when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He carelessly glanced back and was met with a familiar pair of red eyeballs. "O-oh, umm, Sebastian." His butler was wearing a smile but he could tell he was screaming on the inside.
"Enjoy yourself, master? Perhaps we should head back."
He didn't want to go back so soon, without talking to her, but he knew better than to argue with Sebastian. Ciel nodded and glanced back at the stage once more. She smiled and waved at him while mouthing the words 'Your Majesty'.
How did she know?? He had so many questions to ask but he could only manage to smile foolishly and wave back as Sebastian dragged him out to the horses. "Yes, I'm sure you'll see her again, young master."
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Thinking about doing a part two to this >.> I'm very unsure so we shall see. Thanks for all the support and requests. Love and hugs to all my followers :)