After that I finished getting ready alone, pinning my soft platinum locks into sweeping waves that were held up with a couple of black roses that framed around my face. 

Then I slid on some long black gloves, slipped into my black heels, and tied the black feather, and diamond adorned Columbia styled Masquerade mask on in place before I stared into the vanity mirror for one last look. 

I admired the dark slim gown that was bejeweled at the edges of the plunging bodice, the raven hued skirt fanning out into a narrow A-line shape, weaving around my curves nicely, accentuating each dip, and showing off my feminine frame. 

Fixing the off the shoulder satin sleeves I adjusted the ruched fabric, the long raven feathers stitched along the hem traveling to my elbows. 

Peering down at the lavish ruby necklace the rested on the surface of the vanity table I gently picked it up, and hooked it around my neck. The heavy piece of jewelry glistening an illusive red, reminding me of Sebastian's eye color. 

Finally I was done, and it was now time to leave, otherwise Ciel really would have a fit. 

Stepping out of the powder room I saw Sebastian patiently waiting, his butler attire gone, and now he wore a black suit, a plain black feather rimmed mask framed around his scarlet hues. A noticeable smirk was donning his lips as he gazed over at me. Allowing me to settle into a more playful look, in need of something to get rid of that rather awkward corset moment which still loomed in my mind. 

"I assume you were the one who picked out my costume." 

Sebastian's sly, devilish look reflected in my sky iris's as he opened up the door for me. 

"Well, I always did enjoy seeing you in black." He cooed just before we went into Ciel's hotel suite where he was dramatically pacing around, acting as though he'd die if he were to be a few minutes late. 

"There you are!" The annoyed Earl beckoned just as his eye scanned over me, a dusty pink blush now staining his cheeks, the rosy hue creeping up into the parts of his face that were hidden behind his mask. 

"Good, are you ready, Ciel? We best not be tardy for her Majesty." I jested, poking his tainted cheek before taking the lead. 

We left in a carriage, and made it in time to bask in the opulence of tonight's ball. 

The ballroom scintillated in golds, and silvers. The large Medieval columns going all the way up to the stained glass high-rise ceiling. 

The floor was comprised of spotless marble stone, and the crown molding framed walls were brimming with dazzling portraits, and ancient murals. 

Architecturally each tiny detail was immaculate, and antique, gleaming with status, and refinement. From the flying buttresses to the lancet arch's, to the tracery, and byzantine vaulting's.

Crystal chandelier's hung from high up, sparkling down onto the dance floor. Iridescent flashes of rainbow glints scattering across the room, shining brilliantly onto the bubbling effervescence infused champagne that was passed around abundantly by the servants who were hired to cater tonight, the alcoholic fizzing beverage glistering a subtle bisque hue from within the transparent wine flutes. 

Swarms of party guests danced, chatted, and drank, kicking all of their cares away for the night. Their vivid, elegant costumes twinkling in the light of the ballroom, the diverse vibrant attires made everyone look so lively, and jester-like. 

Ciel handed his invitation to the valet, who took the letter with a dubious glower before seeing who her Majesty's note was addressed to. 

With a nod he led us deeper into the hall, the boisterous noise simmering down just enough to hear us, the new guests at the grand soiree, be introduced. 

"May I present, the Earl Phantomhive accompanied by Lady Elsbeth Knight, and his butler." The gillie proclaimed before walking away. 

I had a faint recollection of attending formal functions like these from back in the day when I was still a human, but a lot had changed since then. 

Straight away, Ciel led me over to the Queen, who sat on a gilded ornate throne, away from the bustle of the main gala. 

She sat all high, and mighty on a marble platform which was raised with four personal guards at her side. 

She merely observed her chosen select group of guests as they enjoyed themselves, a gentle sweet look drawn across her wrinkled face. 

A pair of golden opera glasses were in her shaky elderly grip, and unlike everyone else she didn't wear a Masquerade getup at all. 

Sebastian stood away from the main platform, playing his butler act well since butlers, or any lowly servant for that matter, shouldn't get as close to the Queen as their masters do. 

Ciel tugged on my arm so that I'd follow him. 

He was the first one to bow to the Queen, and I followed suit, curtsying perfectly. 

"Your Majesty, I am honored that you invited me to your ball. I brought Elsbeth with me as you requested." Ciel attested, laminating his loyal dog tone, and attitude well without a single snag. 

"Its a pleasure to grace your presence. Thank you for letting me be a guest tonight." I gingerly coaxed, not at all caring about Victoria in truth, but just like Ciel I had to bluff, and play along. 

"You're quite welcome, my dear." The Queen recited, a partly broken smile adorning her wrinkled mouth.

"You seem to be rather beautiful, well bred, and intelligent for every person here seems to be taken with you. Though I wonder, where did you come from? Its almost as though you fell from the sky." Her Majesty catechized, her words smeared with sugary tones, yet I could tell that she was suspicious of me as well, meaning that I had to put up a convincing facade. 

"Well, my family was killed long ago, so I am now in charge of the business on my own." 

"Oh, how dreadful. You seem to have an awful lot in common with my Guard Dog here," The Queen incurred, her white silk gloved hands placed in the center of her lap. "What business do you do?" 

"My family has always dealt in weaponry," I answered, this time not lying, and instead using my previous life as a good backstory. "We provide weapons, sell them, distribute them, and transport them as well to many places of the world."

With a nod of approval from her Majesty see seemed to buy my little tale. 

"Well, I do hope that you are able to continue helping Ciel with his missions. I've been told that you are rather keen, and perceptive with getting to the bottom of matters. You also are very brave, and don't shy away from dangerous situations which I admire. So, I am grateful towards you." 

"Thank you, your Majesty." I placated, tilting my chin downward in her direction again, giving her another small bow in respect. 

After we had bid the Queen a farewell we strode towards the outskirts of the ballroom, near the food covered tables which border-lined on being gluttonous, and voracious in abundance. 

"Good lies." Ciel exalted, his back leaning against the stone column. 

"It wasn't entirely a lie," I brought up. "That really was what my parents once did, and that was our good standing family business. Though my only real lie was seeming like I actually enjoyed frittering away my time talking to her. That Queen seems rather nosy." 

"Yes, its a trait that she's acquainted herself with," Ciel added. "She especially seems to dole out that certain inquisitive stance around me, and naturally, anyone affiliated with me." 

I chuckled a little just as a blinding flash of pink swept our way, caging Ciel into a tight embrace. 

"Ciel! You look absolutely adorable! And, Elsbeth, you look breathtaking!" Lizzy chirped, obviously having the time of her life admiring all of the various incredible, and colorful garbs that were around her. This sort of social situation being just her thing. 

"Come on, Ciel! Lets dance!" The pink dressed girl declared, tugging on her irritated fiance's arm, trying desperately to drag him out onto the dance floor much to his aversion. 

"I don't want to bloody dance!" Ciel quarreled, but his unconvincing words weren't enough to stop Lizzy in her outward display to get him to do what she wanted. 

"Lets go, Ciel! You can't disappoint your wife to be! Besides, this is a really pretty song!" 

The orchestra which hung hidden in the background played their instruments, their honeyed with rosin bows skipping along the stings as their crippled thin fingers conducted the required notes to play the melody that flooded throughout the ball. 

I decided to intervene, the playful tug-of-war in front of me now getting old, so I bent down to Ciel's level near his ear. 

"Don't be embarrassed about your rather lax dancing skills. Lizzy just wants to have fun with you, so you should enjoy yourself." I whispered, and with that Ciel let Lizzy yank him onto the marble floor, joining the other couples who twirled about. 

Sebastian came back with a cup of tea for Ciel, and scanned around, noticing that his precious master was no longer beside me. 

"He's dancing with Lizzy." I said, and with that the butler placed the warm refreshment down onto the white table cloth beside him. 

"A rather intriguing song, wouldn't you say?" 

I merely nodded, the lovely notes being played blending into a delightful symphony to the ears. 

"Bach's, Adagio, I believe." I stated just as Sebastian bowed before me, extending his gloved hand out.  

"May I have this dance?" 

Hesitantly, I gave in, letting my hand slip into his grasp, and I allowed him to guide me out onto the dance floor. 

The latent orchestral composition entangled around us as Sebastian took the lead, snaking his arm around my waist as our steps moved in-sync, not an off motion to be seen. 

We swayed, and twirled at the same time, so fluidly, and balanced that we had begun to steal the show with our alluring waltz. 

Firmly, I held onto the top of his shoulder, and the glimmering crystal chandeliers above us shined in his crimson pools, his gaze not breaking from mine. 

He spun me around effortlessly like I a feather, forcing my body to be pushed more, and more against his until we were almost connected. 

Everyone turned silent, a hush rolling over the hall, and the audience remained at a standstill in awe of our dance that had seemed to cast a spell, captivating all spectators. 

"Oh, my. That pair looks absolutely stunning together!" One commented. 

"They're positively remarkable!" Another preened. 

"They look like two black swans!" The attendees all concurred, starstruck by our mesmerizing dance. 

The crowds continued to gossip in reverent tones, but Sebastian, and I could hear every single word anyway. 

"Two black swans, hmm?" Sebastian mused with a chuckle. "Should I inform them that they're merely gazing upon one hell of a Demon, and Vampire?" 

I couldn't help but laugh just as the lovely symphony of notes had come to an end. 

We received an ample amount of exorbitant cheers, and claps from the hoards that we had caught the attention of. 

I let go of Sebastian's hand first, the applause still ringing in my ears, and afterwards I withdrew to the terrace past the glass French doors for a little alone time. 

An amber hued harvest moon hung low in the crisp navy air, surrounded by a canopy of navy clouds. A chilled night breeze dusted across the courtyard in front of me, and I leaned my elbows against the dew covered stone railing. 

The barren rows of trees rustled with each heavy gust that trickled in, and with a lament exhale, I stared out at the opaque darkness that was laid out before me. 

My eyes flickered red momentarily, the full moons power flooding into my veins just as I heard footsteps emerge from behind me, straining me away from my Vampire urges. 

Relaxing a little I recognized the dainty prance instantly, knowing that it was Lizzy. 

"Why are you out here in the cold, Elsbeth? You should be enjoying the party!" Lizzy spoke with an ecstatic little giggle, making my eyes cast over with a somber haze. 

"Lizzy, how can you continue to be so happy when you know that nothing can ever be the same again? Rachel, and Vincent Phantomhive are gone, and because of that Ciel won't ever be the smiling little boy that you remember ever again. How can you act as though the horrible past isn't there?" I suddenly asked, causing Lizzy's large green pools to widen, and for the first time since I met her she was no longer smiling. 

She wore a sullen look now, and without that big grin of hers I finally noticed just how pained, and scarred of a girl she was. 

"I'm not happy, Elsbeth, least not all of the time," The noble girl divulged. "I pretend like the past doesn't exist so that Ciel can know that at least I haven't changed. I'll always be the smiling, cheerful Elizabeth to him, so he can always count on that. I just want Ciel to be happy, so I want to let go of the past, and move forward with him." 

In that moment during her speech I realized just how loyal she was to Ciel, and how much she truly loved him. That she'd go as far as to constantly put up a facade for him, burying her own feelings of sorrow just so she could always be there for him. 

"Though why'd you ask that so suddenly?" Lizzy inquired, a smaller, yet seemingly happy smile curving back onto her rosy face again as if she had trained herself to smile so much that one just always seems to bounce back onto her lips. 

"No reason," I lied, turning away from her, and going back to staring up at the luminescent golden moon. "You just go back to having fun, okay? You shouldn't be out in the cold." 

With my convincing words leading her along Lizzy reluctantly left, going back into the light of the ballroom while I still stood within the darkness of the night. 

"Let go of the past, huh?" I thought to myself. 

That would be nice actually if only I could know for sure how Sebastian felt about me. I can guess, speculate, assume, and assess the general facts, but without him telling me himself that he really loves me, I can't move on. 

I'm stuck, a motionless piece on a game board, not quite in the past, yet also very far from the future. 

I'm frozen in the same place, have been for years. 

"Is this the revenge you wanted, Sebastian?" I questioned in my head. "To keep me like this, unable to die simply because I gave you human emotions?"