Can the Damned be Loved?

Chapter 6: Dance the Flames of Revelation


All eyes were upon you as you entered the Phantomhive estate. Glittering champagne glasses, chandeliers, and gold filigree embellishing tables and walls paled in comparison to you. Jewels begged to adorn your body, and rustling silks and satins wished to feel your skin. Pink roses nestled neatly into your hair, their soft color contrasting your (h/c) locks beautifully. The full pale yellow and ivory skirts followed you seeming to glide behind you. Pale pink heels peered from under your dress, matching with the flowers in your hair. Many ladies of rank attended Ciel’s dance, but non could compare to you. Gentlemen stared at you when you walked by, captivated by your beauty. Among the ladies present was Lady Elizabeth, dressed in a cute red ensemble. Her blond hair done in their twin tails, a tiny red hat between them.
“My Lady, isn’t that the girl from the picnic you told me about?” Elizabeth’s maid asked.
The green eyed girl fixed onto you, and the 12 year old gaped in awe.
“She really is beautiful,” Elizabeth said breathlessly, then a defeated thought struck her, “Ciel will be pleased she came.”
Accustomed to people staring at you, you smiled and waved regally as you floated by. In the back of your mind, you spiraled as to why Ciel would agree to host a party for Alois Trancy. The blond count and Ciel had bad blood between them, so why this display of friendship?
“Amazing.”
The smile fell from your lips, you knew that voice.
“If it isn’t the esteemed daughter of the Earl of Sussex, (y/n) My you’ve become a fine woman milady.”
Tensing beneath yards of satin and silk, you held your reserve and tentatively turned to acknowledge the owner of the mocking voice.
“Alois Trancy, how do you do on such an auspicious night?” You curtsied low to the blond boy.
Alois was dressed in his usual outrageous outfits. He wore a red frock coat with a dark wine vest and white shirt. Your eyes skimmed down at his atrociously short shorts. High stockings wrapped around his pale thighs, trailing down into heeled boots. You felt his slimy cobalt gaze on your bodice, and instinctively reached up to finger the choker necklace, hiding your chest.
“Ahh~ I’m here because my dear friend Ciel Phantomhive threw this charade for me of course!” Alois spread open his arms wide.
“Oh? I could have sworn it was because you need to announce your fiancé or else forfeit your estate and title,” you quipped.
This brought a heated glare from Alois, you hit a nerve and a big one at that. He approached you in an almost predatorily manner, his pale eyes snakelike in their calculating leer.
“While it is true that I have to wed, I do it unwillingly. That petulant Queen threatens to take away my fortune unless I do otherwise,” the blond reached out a slender hand, “But the night is young and I would much rather dance than discuss my personal affairs.”
Glancing around for help, you focused on the waiting hand in front of you. Several guests watched you behind fans and champagne glasses. Would you accept or refuse? If you accepted Alois’s offer then you would be forced to dance the next Waltz with him…and if you refused, well no one refused Alois Trancy anything. Not in their right mind anyway. Holding your breath you curtsied and took his hand.
The two of you walked towards the dance floor, Alois looking smug and satisfied. You flitted this way and that, searching for Ciel. Soon Alois grabbed you roughly by the waist and spun you into his chest. You collided and exhaled your breath, his hand on the small of your back burned like a hot poker. Placing your left hand on his shoulder and holding his hand with your left, the two of you twirled across the granite floor in a rush of silk and flowers. Alois stepped elegantly albeit showing off to those watching, while you matched his eager feet with equal gusto. You did not speak nor look at one another, well Alois smirked at your bowed head. Your face flushed at the whispers and subtle points. Alois’s hand wandered your back, as if he owned it. Furthering your discomfort of being in the arms of a rumored psychopath, you prayed for an outing.
“Excuse me, but may I cut in?”
Eyes lighting up in hope you stopped dancing and saw the slate haired earl before you. Dressed in a dark blue frock coat with matching shorts, Ciel resembled a sapphire prince come to rescue you. Alois grew flustered that Ciel would interrupt but snorted and all but shoved you into the earl’s arms. The blond bowed curtly and faded amongst the crowd.
“Are you alright?” Ciel asked, rightening you.
“Yes. I’m fine,” you said.
The young earl felt countless eyes upon him, expecting him to act as the noble that he was. Gulping, Ciel bowed low once the violins started and held out his hand.
“Shall we dance my lady?”
Blinking rapidly, you coyly hid behind your lace fan, “ Why yes, I think we should.”
Placing your hand in his, the crowd of onlookers parted like the Red Sea. Once reaching the center of the polished granite floor, Ciel bowed again and expertly set his free hand on the small of your back. Blushing slightly, you rested your other arm on his small, yet broad shoulders. As the musicians raised their tempo, you glided effortlessly along with the earl. Twirling and pivoting gracefully, you resembled Apollo and Daphne, locked together in a divine dance. The light from the glittering chandelier dotted your face, accentuating your (e/c) eyes. Ciel only looked at you. His feet moving surly below, thanks to the quick dance lesson from Sebastian. Your full skirts skimmed the tops of his leather shoes, your fingers gripped his coat tightly. As the guests, including Elizabeth, watched in awe, Alois Trancy only glared with hatred.
“That impudent whelp! The audacity of him barging in on my dance!”
With the final chord sounded, its magical note ringing off the rafters, Ciel halted in the last twirl. The action resulted in you being pressed firmly to his chest.
“C…Ciel,” you panted, your corset choking off your precious air.
His deep cobalt eye stared into yours. The longing in his gaze held you fast and was leaving you powerless in his hold. The hand that cupped your back now rested on your hip. Around there was nothing but silence, it was as if blackness swallowed up everyone leaving only you and Ciel. The young earl lowered his eye, fixing on your rouged lips. Instinct informed you of what caught his attention, and you self consciously bit your bottom lip. To Ciel it was the most endearing gesture, and he allowed his heart to open for the first time in three years.
“(y/n) I would like to make two announcements if you permit me?” he tenderly brought your grasped hand up to his lips for the second time.
Nodding, you felt the familiar surge of electric waves, shutting your eyes to the onslaught of sensations. Smiling slightly, Ciel spoke up in a loud, penetrating voice.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my privilege and honor having you here tonight. I am grateful to you for being with me on this festive occasion, for it is this night that our esteemed guest Alois Trancy will announce his engagement to he woman of his choice,” The crowd gasped. Women fanned themselves, hiding their worried expressions behind lace and ribbons. Men shifted from foot to foot, swirling their glasses in troubled anticipation. The said blond count smiled charmingly and strutted to stand beside Ciel and you. His presence raised goose pimples on your flesh. Ciel sensed your discomfort and discreetly caressed your clenched hand.
“In addition, I also have a very important declaration I wish to reveal.”
This caught the attention of Alois but only for a moment. Sharply catching the subtle movement of the earl’s hand prior to his latest address, the adolescent count evilly smirked.
“Ah~ Yes, I am here to announce my engagement to the lucky woman I have decided upon tonight. She is a beauty amongst swine, a diamond in the rough of society. Roses wilt in her very presence, for they are ashamed to face her splendor. Many know her, few may attempt to court her. She is only suited for nobility and royalty, and so it is my revered privilege to introduce you all to the future Countess of the Trancy fortune and estate,” Alois paused for added effect, making a grand show of sweeping his arm out wide and to his left, “The daughter of the Earl of Sussex, Lady (y/n)”