~Lucille's Point of View~

I woke, the morning of the ball to find my entire bed dusted in white flower petals and two beautiful winter blooms sitting atop my bedside table. Ash, the grey poof of a kitten, that Cyril agreed to let me keep was skittering across the foot of my bed sending petals everywhere. He had already put on a healthy amount of weight from Cook's spoiling. Apparently, when it came to cooking for animals, his cooking skills were fine, but when serving people, it was inedible and potentially toxic.

A strong warm familiar hand smoothed through my hair startling me. I jumped and turned to find Silas sitting in a chair at my bedside. His warm woodland eyes looked somewhat somber as he brushed my pale hair out of my face.

"It wasn't my intention to deceive you." He said softly as he lightly brushed my cheek with his thumb.

"Why didn't you talk to me first? If I'd known I'd never have sent you out on your own in London! I'd have seen Laurent and that wretch coming and could have done someth-."

Silas pressed a finger to my lips sending a shiver down my spine as he leaned in close to whisper in my ear, "You don't have to worry about them."

My heart fluttered in my chest, "What?"

"It's been taken care of. Give us a smile."

"Taken care of?" I sat up and swatted his hand away from me, "What do you mean Silas?"

Ash hopped onto my lap upon noticing I'd awaken and began headbutting me and purring loudly. I lightly scratched him atop his head and couldn't help but smile down at him.

"I think I may have underestimated the Phantomhive servants-."

"You're one of them now." I pointed coolly.

"Does that displease you?"

"No." I bit my lip, "I just wish you would have told me first."

He caught me by the chin and tilted my head upward dragging my gaze to his, "Rest assured, Mistress, your happiness and protection are all I care about. I will forever be by your side."

"Is Laurent dead?"

Silas shook his head, "Unfortunately not. He was instructed on how to properly behave before he may return to the manor. That little steward is quite terrifying." He chuckled.

"Edmund?"

"Dead."

I relaxed a little and settled back into the warm plush comfy bed as Ash curled into a ball atop my pillow next to my head with a few stray white petals clinging to his fur. Silas flopped onto the bed next to me dramatically causing all the remaining petals to fly up and rain down upon us. I couldn't help but laugh as silky white flower petals cascaded down around us.

Silas beamed as he tucked his arms behind his head, "Ah, music to my ears."

Ash was once again zooming across the bed trying to catch the petals as they fell. He skittered about clumsily and nearly toppled off the bed a few times. I laughed as I watched him play and Silas closed his eyes with a dreamy smile across his lips.

There was a soft knock at the door. Silas jumped off my bed as the door opened. Cyril stepped into the room with Rose at his heels. His dark azure eyes fell on the tiny grey kitten running across my bed scattering petals everywhere before flicking in Silas' direction and then finally falling on me. My heart stuttered in my chest, was he upset? He smiled a warm reassuring smile.

"I'm glad to see you're feeling better."

My face grew hot at this and I quickly averted my gaze. After what had happened in the woods, I'd childishly locked myself in my room away from everyone for nearly two days. Rose was worried when I skipped all my meals and refused to come out of my room. Being trained in the art of assassination I was used to blood and gore, but when it was a sweet defenseless animal, I couldn't bear it. It was a scene of pure nightmare when I discovered Ash. There were possibly five other kittens and at least one adult cat bodies that had been cut into pieces and scattered through a clearing. The little grey kitten was in a burlap sack stained with blood hanging from a tree. He'd been there for hours.

Ash leapt onto my stomach as if sensing where my thoughts were drifting and that I needed comfort. He purred softly and I slowly sat up hugging him close.

"Lucy-sama, you're so cute!" Rose squealed and bounded into the room pulling me against her in a tight hug. Ash scurried out of my arms and perched atop my head with a mew of protest. "You had us all worried, Lucy-sama." Her tone changed to a scolding one as she released me from her hold.

"Sorry." I responded meekly.

Rose smiled, "It's okay. I'll look after Ash while you go down for breakfast with Master Cyril." She plucked the kitten from atop my head.

"Huh?" I jumped as strong arms encircled me lifting me from the bed. My cheeks flushed with color as I looked up to find Cyril cradling me in his arms. "W-what are you doing?"

"We have a breakfast date." Cyril smiled suavely.

"B-but, I should change first." I squealed, my face burning as I was wearing a frilly white nightgown that only reached my knees.

Cyril chuckled and carried me from the room despite my protests. I could hear Silas cackling from my room at my predicament. We reached the dining room and I felt my heart skip a beat as I spotted a bouquet of beautiful winter blooms in a crystal vase atop the table. There were two place settings with an array of delicious breakfast food that I had a suspicion Cook didn't prepare.

"Did Cook do all this?" I asked in awe.

Cyril chuckled, "Fortunately, no. I did, though I had some help from Silas and Cas."

My heart fluttered unsteadily in my chest, "You did this?"

Cyril smiled.

"W-why?"

"Because I've caused you a great deal of trouble lately." His smile fell but his dark azure eyes never left me, watching me carefully as he continued, "The attack, the tea party and what happened with..." He trailed off not wanting to upset me again, "I'm beginning to worry that your marriage to me will be nothing more than condemning you to a life of misery."

Was he really worried about my feelings? Why? "You can't take credit for what happened, that was my brother's doing."

"Because I took Silas from your family's employ?"

I bit my lip. I still didn't fully understand. "That wasn't your intention."

Cyril frowned slightly and a worrisome thought crossed my mind as his azure eyes filled with guilt and regret. Perhaps he had taken Silas from my father's employ intentionally to make my family act, lash out or slip up. "It wasn't my intention to hurt you." He assured me after a moment. So, he had intended for my family to make some kind of move, but he vastly underestimated how terrible they were and how low they would stoop.

I nodded my understanding and changed the subject, "I met Judith at the tea party so maybe we can count that as a success, she was nice."

Cyril smiled as he took his seat. "Alright, so maybe just a life of mild discomfort instead of misery." He chuckled.

Either would be an improvement. The breakfast was delicious and we spent the morning discussing literature and music. After breakfast I was ushered to my room so Rose could get me ready for the ball while Casimir, Anders, Silas and Enzo got the manor ready. Rose played with my hair and her various cosmetic concoctions for hours. Once she was satisfied, I could hear music drifting up from downstairs and the voices of people chattering and laughing. One look out the window, and I could see fancy carriages spilling richly dressed people down below. My stomach churned. I couldn't do this!

"Lucy-sama?" Rose must have noticed the look of pure horror on my face.

"I'm nervous." I squeaked and scanned the room, Ash was sound asleep on my pillow, "Ash looks like he's not feeling well, I should probably stay here and doctor hi-."

Rose shook her head and fought off a knowing smile, "Lucy-sama, you have nothing to worry about, you're guaranteed to be the most beautiful girl at the ball, there's going to be so much tasty food, not prepared by cook, the music already sounds lovely, and the boys have slaved away all day decorating the entire manor with flowers and lights, it's like a winter wonderland." She squealed as she clasped my hands in hers.

"What if I say the wrong thing? What if I'm too French? What if they're mean to me?" I panicked my nerves were shot. I had many skills, most with blades, guns and strategy, when it came to social obligations I was a mess. While I was skilled in the arts of deception and could easily hide behind a mask, it was such a bore and was very draining. I'd never really attended balls back home, I didn't know how to interact with others without a sword in my hand.

Rose smiled, "You're perfect just the way you are."

But it was all an act, if she knew the real me, would she really believe that? "I'm not."

Rose pulled me into a bone crushing hug. "If anyone dares to be mean to you, they'll have to answer to the Master and all of us servants. You're our precious Lucy-sama, after all."

There was a soft rap at the door and despite my best efforts, I jumped at the sound. Rose looked worried, she'd never seen me like this before. During the attack I remained calm, my nerves were steel, but when faced with potentially snooty nobles and idle gossip, I was a wreck.

The door opened after a pause. A head of long silvery hair poked through and Silas peered in, his woodland eyes growing wide as he gazed upon me. For the briefest of moments, I thought I saw something strange in his gaze, something complex and deep revealed within his eyes, but it was gone after a moment and he threw me one of his wide grins.

"Excuse me, Miss Snow Fairy, have you seen my mistress?" Silas was grinning like a loon as he cracked the door open a little further, "She's about this big." He held his hand up to where my height would be against his chest, "she has the most beautiful laugh, and a very short temper."

I folded my arms across my chest and fixed him with a reprimanding glare, but it fell as soon as I noticed Cyril standing behind him shaking his head at Silas' behavior. It seemed like they were fast becoming friends. Cyril's dark eyes ensnared me and I felt my pulse begin to race and my cheeks redden as he offered me a suave smile.

"Shall we?" He extended his hand to me.

My heart was thundering in my chest, pounding so loudly I was sure the others could hear. Hesitantly I crossed the room wishing I had a slew of weapons stashed in the big beautiful white skirt of my gown. It did have a snow fairy-esque look to it, the gown was a pure pristine white, there were what looked like glittering snowflakes woven into the bodice and on a sheer overlay over the skirt. The sounds of laughter and music drifted up through the floors causing panic to bubble up within me.

The moment I placed my hand in his and his strong hand engulfed mine everything was calm and quiet. I could breathe easily. My body was starting to relax, my racing heart slowing to a normal pace. I chanced a glance upward meeting his breathtaking dark azure eyes and felt my face flush with color as he offered me a suave smile that threatened to reduce me to a puddle at his feet. He gently pulled me toward him his strong hand gripping mine lightly like a gentle caress. His free hand splayed across the small of my back making me weak at the knees as he promenaded me toward the stairs.

Enzo was at the top of the stairs waiting to announce us, he offered me a warm smile and a reassuring wink before clearing his throat gathering the attention of everyone in the ballroom. The music came to a stop and I could sense the shift in the room, the anticipation building. Everyone wanted a look at the French girl.

"Lord Cyril Phantomhive and his betrothed Lady Lucille Chevalier." Enzo's voice cut through the silence like a loud roaring clap of thunder.

My heart started to race once more as Cyril ushered me forward. For a moment, I was blinded by the beautiful twinkling white lights from thousands of perfectly placed candles and bright decorations adorning the ballroom. Once my eyes adjusted I chanced a glance downward to the English merchants and nobles in attendance. There were several circles of women all whispering furiously hiding behind fake smiles and fans. A few were laughing and not making much attempt to hide it. There was a hushed murmur from the menfolk and I felt my skin crawl as I noticed several leering gazes. Everything within me screamed urging me to find a weapon to protect myself.

Cyril's hand splayed across my back moved in a soothing circular motion sensing my growing distress. He was trying to calm me down. I chanced a glance in his direction and felt my heart stutter as he offered me a warm reassuring smile. "Don't worry, you'll beguile them in no time, as you did with me and my servants."

My face grew hot at this as we descended the stairs. There were so many people here. Most of them appeared to be nobility, their gowns and jewelry clearly cost more than most peasants spent in an entire year. It was sickening. Once we reached the bottom of the stairs, the music resumed and we were swarmed by some nobles who appeared to be close to Cyril's age. Perhaps they'd grown up together. Some of them made me uncomfortable, I really wished I had some kind of weapon, I didn't like being around this many untrustworthy people completely vulnerable. I felt naked.

Just as Cyril was about to be pulled away to talk business, strong soft hands gripped my shoulder from behind causing me to let out surprised yelp before I was spun around to face whoever had managed to sneak up on me. My heart leapt with joy as I spotted a familiar round face.

"Judith!" I flew into her arms before I could stop myself and felt my body relax as she hugged me against her plump form. In the very few times I'd allowed myself to imagine what it would be like to be held by a mother, this feeling is the feeling I imagined. Judith was warm and comforting, just like I always imagined a mother would be.

"Oh, pet, I didn't mean to frighten you." Judith cooed softly as she rubbed my back. She held me at an arm's length away before fixing a stray strand of my pale champagne blonde hair that had slipped from it's hold. "You're the loveliest thing I've ever seen."

Out of the corner of my eye I noticed a small smile on Cyril's lips. He politely bowed his head in greeting to Judith and her husband who I'd just noticed was a few paces behind her. Apparently, she had raced to get to me, leaving her poor crippled husband behind.

"I'm glad you could make it." Cyril offered them both a charming smile before turning to me, "I have some business to discuss, it shouldn't take too long." He looked remorseful at this as if it was the last thing he wanted to do, leave me alone in a room full of sharks with only poor Judith as a shield. "Save me a dance."

My cheeks flushed with color at this and I managed a nod, not trusting my voice. Seeming satisfied with my response he took his leave with a handful of men that didn't appear like they were of noble birth. A few of them looked intimidating, like they were more in the same line of work as my family.

Not too long after Cyril took his leave, I was approached by a group of noble women, one of whom I recognized as one of the women who had laughed outright when I'd made my appearance. She was a pretty girl who appeared to be four years my senior. She had straight white teeth, dark brown hair that glimmered in the light, probably anointed with way too much oil and smelled strongly of vanilla. Her eyes were a dark brown and her painted lips were pulled into a very obviously forced smile.

"Welcome to England, Lady Lucille." She drawled my name out in an almost threatening manner. Judith looked uncomfortable and unconsciously took a step toward me. "My name is Mary Finch, I've heard so much about you from my Aunt Liza."

Whoever this girl was, she'd clearly failed to pay attention in her courtier's lessons. She didn't know how to hide her ugly nature behind a perfect poised mask. Unfortunately for her, I was a master of deceit and though I found socializing to be tiring and drab, I could fake it like a pro. I offered her a perfectly poised smile and gracefully lowered into a polite curtsy suitable for those of low ranking.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mary. I'm so happy Lady Liza spoke of me." I straightened up with another perfect smile, "I do hope we'll be friends."

Her dark eyes widened at this and she scrambled to return the politeness I had shown, but her curtsy was sloppy and wasn't the right one as I was of higher ranking than her. A few onlookers witnessed her clumsiness and snickered causing her to shoot me a dark look. Apparently, she wasn't very well liked among the nobility, with all her gleaning looks and snide smiles I had a feeling she was even more of a gossip than her insufferable aunt.

"I'd like that." She tried to smile at me, but it looked forced and her eyes were glaring daggers at me, not fooling anyone. Her dark gaze fell on Judith at my side, "It'll be an upgrade from your current friend."

I kept my perfect poised mask in place, "Judith has a sense of poise and class that cannot be taught. Perhaps it would benefit you to befriend her as well." Mary's eyes narrowed, she'd caught the dig. I'd not let her get away with insulting my only friend at this stupid ball.

Judith looked like she didn't know whether to laugh at my beautifully disguised insult to the wretched girl or call for back up as Mary looked ready to attack. She cringed as a very obnoxious squeal sounded from behind her saving her from having to act. Viscountess Liza Finch scrambled to get to us making a spectacle of herself in the process.

"Oh, my dear! You are positively the loveliest creature I have ever seen!" Liza reached me in moments and pulled me to her bosom, "Oh and you've met my darling Mary. I hope you two will be the best of friends." She held me at arm's length away to admire me before looking to her niece. She bent forward to whisper not so quietly in my ear, "You know, Mary had her eyes on your charming Lord Phantomhive for the longest time. Poor thing worked so hard to try and catch his attention, but to no avail."

"Aunt Liza!" Mary hissed in rage not even bothering to try and mask her anger. So that's why she was so hostile toward me.

Judith managed to pull me away. I kept my courtiers mask in place as I went through the motions expected of me. Greeting everyone politely, making conversation, laughing at countless idiotic jokes and feigning modesty at too many inappropriate compliments from many of the guests. It was exhausting and I wanted nothing more than to find myself a weapon and show them all who I really was, what I was truly capable of. I was grateful Judith stayed by my side keeping me sane. We enjoyed lots of sweets after I'd made my rounds.

Once we were alone Judith looked as if she had something to say and after a moment of mental preparation her warm gaze fell on me and she offered me a small smile, "It's amazing to watch you, pet. I don't think you like it, but you know how to play their stupid games. It's remarkable. Had Mary learned your skill, I fear she'd be far worse." She frowned.

"What do you mean?" I asked her curiously.

"As I'm sure you've deduced, rather quickly as you're possibly the most intelligent child I've ever met, she's not a good person. What Lady Liza said was the truth. She had her sights set on your charming Lord Phantomhive, for quite some time and had been trying to sink her claws into him. Like most men in the circle, he already knew of her many indiscretions and never looked her way."

"Indiscretions?"

Judith made sure no one else was in earshot, "She's truly a monster. A few years back, she had a young handmaiden about her age. They'd grown up together and were the best of friends. The girls mother had been a cook in her family's house and the girls played together all the time. Apparently, the maid had fallen in love with a stable hand. Mary found out and was infuriated that the girl had found love before her. I don't know the details but somehow, she'd seduced the stable hand to get back at the girl. She caught them together in the barn, broke her poor heart and then Mary claimed the boy had accosted her and forced himself on her. Her father beat the boy to death."

That was just pure evil. "How could she do that to someone she once called friend?"

Judith shook her head, "I don't know. I just want you to be careful around her. She's awful and I don't want to see you get hurt."

I wanted to reassure her and let her know that if Mary was stupid enough to try anything against me, she'd be dead before she could draw a single breath. "Don't worry. As you said, I know how to play their stupid games and I've not been bested yet."

Judith smiled but she still looked worried, there was probably more to the story, more that made her fearful of Mary. If only she knew the truth about me, about what I was capable of. Mary was evil, for what she had done to her friend, but did she have blood on her hands? Was she capable of taking a life, with her bare hands? Had she ever cut out a man's still beating heart from his chest? I'd taken notice of her when she greeted me, the clumsiness of her movement, the frailty of her limbs, she was a court girl through and through, her strength was in her words and deceit. Physically she could do no harm.

My body tensed as I sensed movement behind me and noticed Judith look up. A bright smile lit up her face, whoever it was, they were welcome. I turned and smiled as I spotted Cyril walking with Judith's husband. His dark azure eyes swept over me as if he were trying to discern if I was alright. The pair reached us and I felt my heart stutter in my chest as he offered me his hand.

"May I have this dance, Lady Lucille?" His dark velvet voice stirred up a mess of emotions within me as he said my name.

A faint blush spread across my cheeks as I placed my hand in his. His fingers brushed the tender underside of my wrist igniting the skin beneath his gentle touch and nearly crippling me in the process. I sucked in a breath and attempted to steady my nerves, "You may." My voice miraculously remained steady and poised.

He led me to the ballroom as the orchestra began a new song, a French song. Had he specifically requested it? Many of the other dancers left the dancefloor as they didn't recognize the tune or know the steps. Cyril guided me onto the floor and I felt my heart begin to pound as I realized all eyes were on us. An even more terrifying thought crossed my mind, if I couldn't execute this dance flawlessly, Cyril would be more suspicious of me.

I got out of my head and listened to the familiar tune. I'd heard it dozens of times when we visited the city. Many nights I'd seen dancers in the plaza dancing the steps. Remembering that faraway place and time, I let the music flow through me and allowed Cyril to lead me. It was a complex dance, with lots of twists and turns and more contact than was typically allowed in English dances. Each time we touched I felt something ignite within me, felt my heart flutter unsteadily and a warmth spread through my core. He was a surprisingly graceful dancer, though I should have expected it. When Cyril sought to learn something new, he practiced until he mastered it.

When the music ended, I was breathless from our closeness and attempted to take a shaky step back, but his arm secured around me, held me in place. Everyone around us broke into applause. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mary glaring at me.

"You dance beautifully." Cyril remarked with a suave smile that threatened to turn me to mush.

"Y-you t-too." I managed between gasping breaths.

We were swarmed by nobles and he reluctantly released me from his hold. It was the first time I'd ever been grateful to be the center of attention. There were many men asking if I'd dance with them next and a horde of women asking me to teach them the steps. The night went by in a blur after that, I spent the rest of the night dancing and once Judith reluctantly joined me, I found myself having fun.

It was nearly sunrise before the last guest left. I was ready to collapse from sheer exhaustion. My cheeks hurt from smiling too much and my throat felt raw from all the forced pleasantries and fake laughter. Cyril was at the door bidding farewell to the last guests who'd overindulged in drink and had to have Enzo help them to their carriage. Sighing, I plopped onto the last step to wait for Cyril, to thank him for throwing the ball. Once off my feet, I felt overwhelmingly drowsy and leaned against the banister to keep myself upright as I struggled to keep my eyes open.

Cyril's warm laughter startled me from my sleepy stupor and I felt my heart skip a beat as I felt his strong arms encircle me, lifting me from my perch and cradling me gently against him. My body reflexively melted into him and I unconsciously snuggled into his arms. "Did you have fun?" He asked me softly sensing I was barely clinging to consciousness.

"Mhm." I smiled softly, "Thank you for the ball."

"It was good to see you smile." He remarked as he carried me upstairs. 

Video- "Love and War" By Fleurie