Author's Note: A dress similar to the one she wore is on the side.
Enjoy!😝
~Ashlee💕
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"Ebony?"
My eyes slowly open, beholding the tall butler standing over me. His face is creased with worry lines and a frown presses upon his handsome face. What happened? The last of my memory was seeing this very butler run at inhuman speeds and then I came to the garden to think. Now suddenly I'm here on the grass of the garden as if I decided to take a nap.
...But truth be told there are a couple things that hit my memory, the most prominent is a voice. A sickly sweet voice singing me to sleep. And a word to describe what Sebastian is. Demon. I shiver with hatred at the word. That part of my memory is hazy and most likely a dream.
"Ebony?" Sebastian repeats.
A deep concern is rooted in his eyes as he speaks. Why is he worried? I am obviously fine.
"Yes, I'm fine," I answer, sitting up.
Relief is clear on his face, "Why are you sleeping in the garden?"
"I don't remember..." I trail off.
"Did I overwork you so much that you passed out?" Sebastian inquires.
I scowl up at him expecting his face to be mocking but instead all I find is that same concern. My face immediately softens as I stare up at him. I am surprised to have someone worry so much over me. But yet it is comforting too. I haven't had anyone this concerned over me since my parents died.
Sebastian notices me staring at him and his eyes flicker magenta like that of a fire. This time I don't look away. I hold his gaze for about a minute until I look down at my grass stained dress.
"Let me help you up," Sebastian says, offering me a gloved hand.
With one pull I'm standing. Sebastian is stronger than he looks.
"How long was I gone?" I ask, worried that I had missed the ball.
"Only about a half hour. The servants are currently getting ready for the ball. It starts in an hour," Sebastian says.
"Then I should be getting ready," I sigh, running a hand through my knotty hair.
Sebastian nods then says, "If you aren't well you can stay in."
"No, no, that's fine. I'll be alright," I smile.
"Good," Sebastian says as we walk to the servant's quarters.
A question pops in my head, "What made Ciel consent to the ball anyways? It doesn't sound like him."
At this Sebastian grins, "Some of the people we invite may know more of Siren and Gerlicht's death so the young master decided a ball would be a good disguise of his interrogation of all the guests."
"That's genius. The master is quite clever," I state.
"Yes," Sebastian agrees, "he is."
At that we reach our rooms and part to get ready for the ball.
As soon as I get inside I bathe, letting the warm water soothe my stress and empty my mind. The aromas scent my skin and wash me of all the dirt of my daily work. Once done I rinse and then dry off.
I quickly raid my closet for a suitable dress, hoping that Lizzy had forgotten about dressing Sebastian and I in those frilly clothes.
Finding the perfect dress I hastily pull it on and then braid the two front sides of my hair and pin them in the back of my head. Slipping on some dark blue flats I look into the mirror. I am wearing a sleeveless shining dark blue gown with a black sash around the waist that at the back erupts into a bow that trails down the dress. It will be perfect for the ball.
I don some simple silver jewelry before leaving my room and going downstairs.
"Ebony you look lovely," Finny compliments, blushing when I reach the ballroom.
"Simply marvelous you are!"
"Very pretty."
"Ho ho ho."
All the servants are gathered admiring our handiwork. I have to admit, we did a marvelous job. Soft twinkling lights hang from the ceiling and walls, illuminating the room. The floor shines brightly, winking from all the lights. It looks beautiful.
"Thank you, Finny. You look handsome too. You all look fantastic," I state with a smile.
And it is true. Finny, Bard, and Tanaka look sophisticated in black suites with a red spider lilly tucked in their jacket pockets.
Meyrin wears a lacy maroon dress that brings out the color in her hair and light skin.
"Not bad," a voice booms, disrupting our admiration of each other's outfits and good looks.
We all turn to see Ciel inspecting the ballroom with Sebastian standing tall at his side.
"And you did this without Sebastian's help?" Ciel asks.
"Yes," I answer.
"Oh, don't be so modest! We coulda never done it without Miss Ebony!" Meyrin gushes.
"Impressive," Ciel admits, looking at me curiously, "I'm quite surprised. I expected failure. Job well done Ebony. I'll have to keep your capability in mind."
I dip my head respectively, feeling a sense of contentment wash over me.
"Ooooo, the lights are so pretty!" Lizzy squeals, dancing into the room and twirling happily, "This ball is going to be perfect! Oh Ciel who do you have to play music?"
Ciel looks to Sebastian, eyebrows raised in question.
"Coming to entertain us is the famous Jaquan Delero. His music so beautiful touches the heart of all who listen," Sebastian explains grandly.
Lizzy claps giddily, "I can't wait! When will the guests be arriving?"
"In only minutes," I answer.
As if on cue a knock sounds throughout the manor.
"I'll get it master," Sebastian and I say in unison.
Ciel looks between us, an amused look lighting up his china doll face. "How about you both get it."
We nod, obeying Ciel's orders.
Sebastian swings open the door, revealing a group of diverse people.
"Come in! And gather in the ballroom. Earl Phantomhive awaits your arrival," I say.
"Sebastian, my friend," an Indian man says, grasping Sebastian's forearm in greeting before walking inside.
"Prince Sohma, Agni. Good to see you," Sebastian says to the two men as they walk past.
The Indian man dressed in rich clothes next to him seemed excited like any moment he will start bouncing around excitedly. Next to him is a smiling Asian man with a pretty stoic looking Asian women at his arm.
Next to them is a handsome looking man I recognize as the by count Druid. Beside him is a stoic looking man, a young blond haired man, Grell and the Undertaker? How odd I never expected them to be here.
"Ebony! Bassie"! Grell squeals, attempting to plant a kiss on my lips.
I simply duck which makes him trip, flying over my head where Sebastian stops him before he hits face first into the ground.
"Oh, you do care!" Grell beams.
Sebastian sighs, looking irritated. "I simply don't want you breaking anything."
The stoic man steps forward muttering, "I can't believe I'm here at the home of the master of a demon."
"Hello to you too Will," Sebastian greets the man.
Will simply rolls his eyes, pulling the blond haired man he called Knox along with him. Grell hesitantly trails after him.
"Tehe, nice to see you dear," The undertaker grins as he walks past me.
I can't help but smile at him. He is strange, but who isn't?
"Sebastian, it's good to see you. Isn't that right Ran Mao?" The Asian man greets Sebastian and then talks to the women next to him.
"Yes Lau," she answers the Asian man curtly.
"Ohh, so perfect! The manor is decorated with just the right amount of romantic lighting! The garden shines with color! Oh the decor! Its beauty shakes me to the core! Like a simple look from a beautiful dark haired maid!" The by count exclaims, sending a wink to me as he passes.
I roll my eyes as he walks by. If Ciel hadn't of hired me here I would of applied for the job opening at the by count's manor. I am happy I was hired here instead.
The guests all go to the ballroom, however Sebastian and I remain at the door waiting for any other guests.
Sebastian suddenly pulls open the door to reveal a tall elegant butler with glasses and a blond haired boy that looks a little older than Ciel. My eyes widen as I make a connection of how similar this pair looked to Ciel and Sebastian.
Behind the duo is three purple haired men that look to be triplets and a pretty woman with dark skin, purple/blue eyes, and long purple/grey hair. All of these people are well dressed for the ball.
Sebastian pulls on a fake air of kindness and speaks, "Ah good to see you Claude, Earl Alois Trancy, Thomas and company, and Hannah."
I smile at them, keeping my eyes from narrowing as I assess them. The boy Alois has a sinister smile plastered on to his face. I don't like the way he is looking at me. Claud keeps his face calm but beneath his golden eyes there is something dark and wanting. It makes my skin crawl.
Thomas and company are quiet. Hannah stands looking sad and beautiful all at once. She keeps looking at Alois like she cares for him deeply which is strange. She nods at me as she passes. We have an understanding with us both being maids and all.
Behind that group is Paula, who I recognize to be Lizzy's maid and behind her is a whole bunch of people I've never seen before. After everyone goes to the ballroom Sebastian and I wait a while longer for anymore guests before going to the ballroom ourselves.
Once we arrive Ciel immediately calls over to me from the side of the room where he leans against a wall watching the festivities.
"Ebony?" Ciel asks as I reach him.
"Yes young master?" I ask.
"Dance with all that ask you. And while you dance with them I want you to subtly question them on their knowledge of Gerlicht's death and Siren. And Sebastian I'd like you to ask eligible ladies as well. Do anything you can to get this case closed. I want it over with already. That's an order."