Can the Damned be Loved?

Chapter 7: The Solace and Turmoil of the Ocean

Sand clung to your wet cheeks as another rush of wind passed by your grievous form. The air was particularly hard that day, perhaps it could feel your sadness. Since the humiliating night of Ciel’s dance party, you had been unable to hinder the endless rain of your tears. It was not so much the engagement itself, rather it was the look of sheer anguish that cloaked the young earl’s face. Deep in your heart, you knew he was going to declare some proclamation to you. However Alois Trancy one upped him by the skin of his teeth. Claiming you as his betrothed, in front of the whole of English aristocracy shredded your insides to pieces. Your skin went cold and your vision blurred. You watched helplessly as Ciel backpedaled out of his second announcement, quickly substituting with some trivial information regarding the next county. As he was left to squirm under the watchful eyes of his guests, Alois, your fiancé walked over to you and snaked an arm possessively about your waist.
“Looks like our Earl Phantomhive has had his pride shattered quite absolutely,” the blond whispered into your ear.
To others it seemed like two lovers sharing an intimate secret, but it only caused you pain. Fighting back the tears threatening to fall, you turned your head away then snapped it to face the blond count. Your eyes blazed with hatred and fire, you abhorred this young man. Alois saw the heat in your pools and chuckled to himself, tightening his grip on you.
“Come now, why so serious my dear? You had better resign yourself to being my betrothed, it will be much more trying if you resist,” Alois hissed in his deceitfully silky voice, “ you will still see your precious Ciel Pantomhive, but only until I destroy him.”

Sobs racked your shoulders. The blue waves of the English Channel roared and swelled violently. And you couldn’t help but think how so like Ciel’s eyes the water resembled. Behind you the grains of sand crunched under the unevenly displaced weight of heeled shoes. Figuring it to be a sightseer, you did not bother to turn. Your hands covered your face, hiding the swollen eyes.
“Mistress, my master has asked for you.”
Shuddering at the sultry voice, you replied, “Yes, Thank you Claude. Tell Alois that I am on my way.”

~ Trancy Estate~


The triplet demon butlers poured you a glass of fresh wine, set your plate down, and pushed in your chair as you sat. At the head of the large cherry table sat Alois, watching your every move like a cat watches a bird. With each dainty poke of your fork, Alois became more keen on observing you.
“You truly are lovely. How reserved you are in my house, it makes me feel like I am unwelcome,” the blond count rose and came to sit next to you, “I wonder if you are this poised in the bedroom?”
Your utensil clattered against the china plate, “Bite your tongue Alois Trancy! Such talk while in the company of your help is most uncouth and foul,” you scolded.
With almost inhuman speed, Alois clamped down on your wrist and wrenched you onto his lap. Squeaking in surprise and struggling away from him, the count held fast. Your own chair was kicked over in the process. Alois held your left arm away while gripping your chin. Blushing fiercely, you were now seated upon your fiancé’s lap, Claude, Hannah and the triplets silently ignoring their master’s usual tantrums.
Alois’s haunting icy blue eyes bore into you, distracting you from the wandering hand that released your chin, and was creeping up your shamelessly exposed legs. Your dress rode up your calves, revealing smooth stockings that traveled to your thighs. Alois grinned and kneaded the soft flesh of your upper legs.
“Uncouth and foul? Such harsh words coming from a lady. If I desired to make you my wife in ‘practice’ then I have every right to do so. Once we are wed you will keep nothing from me,” he leaned in dangerously close, “ do you understand?”
Terrified by the hedonistic gleam in those icy cold pools, you conformed to his domineering manner.
“If you say so.”
Smiling, Alois calmly placed a quick kiss on your cheek. The rest of the noon meal continued with you on his lap while he fed you tiny bits of food from his fork. Claude cleared and crumbed the table, preparing for the final course. Alois, still holding you moved so that you nestled between his legs. You felt his larger form against your back comparing him to the much more frail Ciel. Nevertheless Ciel treated you as the respectful lady you were, not some soon to be plaything. Dessert went smoothly and you asked to be excused from the table. The request was more so to get away from the count.
“Oh? Do you have some thing to tend to?” Alois quipped.
“Until we are wed, dear Alois, I will keep my secrets. Now may I?”
With a dismissive wave, you were free and no sooner did the dining room doors close behind you did you make haste down the mansion’s vast hallways. Hiking your skirts up, your feet carried you down the majestic stair case and out the front entrance. You could not throw away your life before you got a chance to see him again. Watching you from the second story window, Alois peered out at you like a starved hawk. He knew where you were headed and he enlisted Claude to follow you.