Today was the day of the scheduled outing(a date?) with Charles. He did't tell me where we were going and said that it would be a surprise. His carriage arrived at the door of my manor at around midday.

The handsome earl stepped off the carriage, "Hello, Clare."

"Hello, Charles. So where are we going?" I asked as he helped me onto the carriage.

"A charity event for the less fortunate." He said as he got on the carriage after me. A footman closed the carriage door and it started moving.

"A charity event? What sort?" I asked.

"There will be a luncheon, then an afternoon of competitive polo."

"Are you playing in it?"

He nodded, "I would say I'm pretty good at it so..." He shrugged as if saying something.

I raised my eyebrows, "You're good at polo huh? I guess we'll see."

Not long after, we arrived at the sunny land of a private club at the countryside. Many carriages already parked outside, and nobles were stepping off them. Charles offered me his arm, and together we went to a spacious white open tent set up by the side of a field.

"Ah, welcome, Earl Grey!" A tall man, who I assumed was the organizer of this charity event, greeted us.

"Thank you, Viscount Lyndon. This is Baroness Clarette, my companion for the event."

"How do you do." He said to me.

"How do you do." I replied.

"This way," He gestured for us to follow him. We were seated down at one of the long, rectangular tables with some already sitting there.  To my, and I think Earl Grey's surprise, there was a certain earl there we both knew - Ciel Phantomhive, accompanied by the all too familiar butler from hell -Sebastian Michaelis.

"Ciel?" I said to get his attention.

"Baroness Clarette, and Earl Grey." He looked at us, "I was not aware that you are also attendees of this charity event."

"Neither was I," I said, "But what a pleasant surprise. It's been a while, Ciel."

"Yes, it has indeed." He nodded. I noticed that Charles has gone quiet. Was it because of Ciel?

After the lunch, the participants of the polo match went to change, while the spectators went to another open tent set for observing the match. Tea and biscuits were served for the spectators. I sat in a chair next to Ciel's, who was having his tea poured by Sebastian.

"Ciel, will you not be playing in the match?" I asked, taking a sip of my Earl Grey tea.

"No, I will observe for today. But I see that Earl Grey is participating?"

"Yes, he is. He told me that he is good at polo, but I guess we will see soon."

The commentator's voice boomed throughout the field, "Lords and Ladies, welcome to the charity polo match held by Viscount Lyndon! We have a very exciting match coming right up. First off, on your right side we have the white team. Player number one," He announced the team's number 1 and 2, "White team's number three, also the team captain, Earl Charles Grey!"

Charles, who has now changed into his polo attire, jogged his gleaming white horse forward and trotted a small circle around the middle of the field. The commentator announced each individual of the teams, and soon the first chukker(time period) started.

I knew a thing or two about polo from Miss Abney, but the was my first time properly seeing a game, so I was't able to follow the game as well as the others. The whole time I was rather worrying about how dangerous it was and that how easily someone could be seriously injured with all the wild mallets swinging around and how fast-paced it was.

"I heard that Earl Grey is courting you. Is this true?" Ciel suddenly asked.

One of my eyebrows raised, "Oh? Gossip does travel fast doesn't it? Yes, he has indeed been courting me since the Season. But this is not revealed to the public yet since it is only still recent."

He nodded, "I offer you my congratulation."

"Thank you, Ciel. What about you? I heard that the Fantom company is currently renovating the famously haunted Ludlow Castle, and that you personally had to go and sort out the haunting problem before the workers would resume the construction. Did you see any ghosts there?" I asked, knowing full well from watching the anime that he saw the ghosts of Edward V and the young Prince Richard there.

"No I didn't. The whole haunted tale was just caused by silly psychological effect." He said blandly.

I was surprised that he was lying to me, but I didn't want to show it, "Is that so." Why wouldn't he tell me the truth? I supposed it would probably be too much of a hassle to explain or something, but still. Did he... not trust me anymore? I have always trusted him though... Arg I'm overthinking this, he could have his reason. I mentally shook my head.

As the horn signaled the end of the third chukker, it was the halftime break. Workers started stomping divot all over the field, and the players took a break to change ponies once again. I went to where Charles was along with the rest of his team.

"I thought you were good at polo." I said jokingly as I approached.

"I am." He replied, unfazed.

"You didn't even score one goal during the whole of first half." I continued teasing.

"I'm not the main offense player. My job is to turn the ball upfield." He said as he took a sip of water.

"Yes I totally knew that! I was just teasing you."

"Sure." He chuckled.

"Hn." I pretended to be angry, and turned to walk back to the spectators' area where Ciel was still seated. He was hushedly talking about something with Sebastian. They stopped as I took my seat there.

After five minutes, the game resumed. I once again was slightly lost with where the ball was and everything even though the commentator was closely following the game. I suddenly remembered something that I wanted to ask Ciel.

I looked around, making sure no one was too close to hear, "Ciel, has anyone tried to assassinate you?"

He looked at me, "Huh? Yes, many times. Why?"

"It's just as assassin was sent to kill me two days ago, but I've captured him. And I have no idea how to deal with him since he won't talk."

"The assassins sent to kill me are always dead before they can even enter the manor." Ciel said, glancing at Sebastian slightly.

"Ah, of course. Too bad my butler is only human, and was sleeping when I was being chased." I said half-seriously, "Anyways, what do you propose I should do?" I asked.

He thought for a moment, "I can report it to Her Majesty, and request for it to be a case for the Aristocrats of Evil."

I shook my head, "No, I don't want to make too much of a fuss, since I'm sure many has tried to assassinate them too, but they dealt with it on their own."

Ciel nodded, "Just do what ever you want with the assassin then."

I nodded in return, understanding what he meant.

It's been three more chukkers and it seemed the game was heating up even more. The commentator said excitedly through the speaker, "Lord Grey has intercepted the ball. Oh!? He is not passing it this time; he is driving the ball himself! Lord Winston is now riding along side him, trying to defend. Lord Grey swings his mallet to hit th- Oh no!"

There were collective gasps from the audience. I stood up from my chair out of shock. Charles' horse was tripped over, bringing the rider down along with it. One moment he was on the proud horse, confidently maneuvered the ball closer towards the desired goal; the next moment, he was down on the muddy ground. Lord Winston, who collided into Charles as he tried to defend, also had a stumble but his horse was able to balance back, both ride and rider unharmed.

The game was paused and both teammate and opposition alike jogged their horses near Charles out of concern. The place where he fell was directly in front of me, but to the other side of the field. My breath became more rapid as the thought of him being seriously injured crossed my mind. He wasn't moving. What if he broke something? What if he hurt his head? W-What if...

My legs involuntarily started moving, stepping closer towards the site of accident in front of me. Before my legs could take me onto the field, an arm was held out in front of me which stopped my track. I followed the arm to realized that it was Sebastian.

I looked down and shook my head slightly, clearing it. No, I shouldn't run out I the field no matter how worry I was for Charles. I would just embarrass myself in front of all theses spectating nobles, and there was not much I could do anyway even if I had ran out there.

I smiled at the demon in front of me, "Thank you, Sebastian."

"It is not at all a problem, my lady." His signature charming smile hung on his devilishly handsome face. He then went back to stand by his master's side.

I had calmed myself enough down to not break into a sprint to Charles' side, but I was still extremely worried for him. He was now up and walking, which was a good sign, and being helped by Lord Winston. They walked to the player's area and sat Charles down on a wooden bench. I walked in a fast pace to where they now were.

"Charles? Are you alright!? Are you hurt anywhere!?" I hurried to him and kneeled down to his level.

He chuckled hearing the worry in my voice, "Don't worry, Clare. I'm not hurting anywhere. I'm fine."

Upon hearing that, I sighed in relieve, "Thank goodness."

He took the drink of water that one if his teammate handed him, and chucked it down.

Lord Winston started saying to Charles, "Lord Grey, I must say I am so very sorry. The intention of doing anything to hurt you and your horse did not even cross my mind-"

"Don't worry," Charles cut him off, a little impatiently, "I know it was an accident." Lord Winston nodded, seemingly in relieve of being forgiven.

Soon Charles was well enough to continue playing and the game resumed. It seemed the two team was neck to neck and by the end of the sixth chukker, the goals of the two teams were tied. The umpire signaled for sudden death, an extra period where whichever team scores first wins the whole game.

"This begins the start of sudden death," The commentator said, "Which will decide the fate of these teams; whether they would come out victorious or defeated. The ball has been thrown by the umpire! Both teams run towards it at once. Lord Grey manages to snatch the ball amidst the chaos. Once again, he is driving the ball himself! Lord Winston immediately runs along side him to defend. This...This is an exact replica of the last chukker! Lord Grey is approaching the goal unhesitatingly, at the same time Lord Winston is doing all he can to defend. It is getting closer to the goal the second I'm speaking. Lord Grey once again take a swing at the goal!" The whole audience held its breath. "It went in! We have the victorious team: the white team, led by Earl Charles Grey!"

His team jogged around on their horses together victoriously, bathing in the claps of the spectators. They slid off their horses as they arrived at the players area. Soon they changed back into normal clothes, shook hands and exchanged some words with Viscount Lyndon. The spectators were also gradually leaving.

"I will be taking my leave now." Ciel said.

"Oh, alright. Goodbye." I said.

He stood up and walked away, with Sebastian trailing behind him, who gave me a little bow and smile as he walked pass me.

After they've left, I looked back at the direction of the players' area and I saw Charles approaching me. He offered me an arm, "Let's leave."

I nodded and took his arm. We noticed that Lord Winston was approaching us with a lady in arm. When Charles saw this he tightened his grip on my arm and started walking away even faster, pretending to not have noticed Lord Winston. Eventually we made it to our carriage, and Lord Winston seemed to have given up trying to talk to us.

"What was that?" I asked as we both were on the carriage.

"I don't want to hear his damn voice." He said resting his head on his hand.

"So you are mad about him tripping you after all." I said.

"Hn, it was pretty obvious he did it on purpose."

"Really? It doesn't seem like that to me. Why would he do that?"

"The Grey and Winston families do not exactly get along."

I nodded. I remembered that I also wanted to ask him about that thing, "By the way, there is an assassin in my basement."

"What?" He asked with a surprised laugh.

"Yes, basically there was an attempted assassination on me the other day. But I trapped him in my basement."

He leaned from his seat with furrowed brows, "Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine, but I don't know what to do with the assassin."

"Have you found out who sent him?" He asked.

"No, the assassin just wouldn't talk."

A smirk came onto his face as an idea came into his mind, "Let me see him."

We soon arrived back at my manor. I led Charles down the the basement where the man was chained. He was asleep when we went in.

"Hey, wake up." Charles kicked him on the shin.

"Ah...Huh?" He groggily woke from his fitful sleep.

"Who sent you?" Charles went straight to the point.

"No one." He said.

"Don't give such an idiotic lie."

The assassin stayed silent.

In a flash, a cut appeared on the man's chin, causing him to cry out in pain.

"I said tell me who sent you." Charles restated with a bloody rapier in hand.

But again, the man refused to speak.

With another swing, a bigger cut was placed on his chest.

"Charles! No!" I exclaimed, worry that he'd kill him.

"Don't worry, I didn't hit a vital." He said.

With that m, it began a cutting spectacle for quite a while. Even I couldn't stand it and had to turn away.

"No... Ahh...please stop!" The man begged after however many cuts were cut into his flesh.

"Then tell me who sent you."

He weakly blurted out a name that belongs to the last person on earth who I think would have done this, "Ciel Phantomhive."

----------
Me: Wait what? Ciel?

My school actually offers polo as a games(sport) option. I might choose it next term. :D