Tiny changes have been made throughout both books. I've dated certain chapters with the year and month so no one is confused. And for people who prefer to read on Ao3, I'll be posting these books there soon.

Thank you and enjoy.

~March 1890~

Ordinary, not often a word used to describe your time spent in that manor. It was always crawling with lies and deceit, much like England itself, much like the world actually. But lately, that describes your life at the Phantomhive manor, it's been almost three years since you started working there. Corbin finally one year old, was babbling and running like a chicken without a head.

Today was also ordinary. You were cleaning, the trio was scheming, Snake minded his business so he wouldn't be blamed for anything they did. Tanaka indulged in his tea and Sebastian was with the young lord. Corbin stayed by your side as always, watching you work with his big glassy crimson eyes. It always startled you looking at his eyes, just like Sebastian's yet so different. They say that eyes are the window to the soul, it was clear Sebastian had none, yet Corbin had all.

Something caught your eye, through the leafy vine overgrowth you saw someone. Knowing there were no guests visiting today you reached for your gun. Shooing Corbin away with your hand he waddled behind a mantle, peeking to see what was going on. Standing by the window you braced yourself to the wall trying to see who it was.

Suddenly the knocker was being banged against the door. No Sebastian appeared to come open the door. It banged again, much quicker and louder.

"Oi, you want your mail or not?!"

You sighed... the paperboy. Why was he using the front entrance? It's late for mail anyway. Tucking your gun away you relaxed your shoulders and opened the door ready to chew him out.

"Your mail," he said shoving it at you. It was someone new delivering the mail.

"We have a doorbell installed, there's no need to use the knocker. And kindly use the back entrance to deliver mail next time," you stated curtly before snatching the letter from him.

"Aren't you...?"

"Aren't I what?" You looked at him raising an eyebrow looking him up and down.

"It's nothing," he shoved his hand in his pocket and walked off, not a bicycle in sight. How he got from London to here without transportation was a mystery to you, but you shrugged it off and went deliver the letter.

Knock-knock

"Come in," the young lord's voice rang out.

"Ah, Y/n?" He looked up from his papers as Sebastian was fixing his tea.

"You have a letter," you said handing it to him. Corbin ran to the other side of the desk to play with the hem of the young lord's jacket. After slitting the letter open he let his hand fall next to Corbin on instinct. He would never admit it, but he liked having him around.

"Sebastian, the overgrowth is blocking the windows again," you said to him.

"Tell Finny to trim it straight away, it looks like it will rain soon. I don't want him getting wet," he poured the tea into the porcelain cup.

Turning to leave the young lord muttered something from the letter but you paid no mind, there were footsteps rapidly approaching that you were concerned about. You didn't recognize them and before you could do anything the door burst open.

"Ciel!!"

"Edward?" He shot up. "What has you so agitated? You've never shown up unannounced."

He fell to his knees panting trying desperately to talk. "It's," cough cough, "it's Lizzy. She's run away!"

"What?" You exclaimed.

"What do you mean run away?! From home?!"

He was stuttering over his words, something about if only he didn't take her there.

"Lord Edward, please calm down," Sebastian said. "What exactly happened?"

"We should move to the drawing-room so he could sit," you offered.

"Yes we should," the young lord agreed, "Sebastian?"

He led the way helping Lord Edward up and escorted him to the drawing-room. Corbin ran alongside you all and you pushed the cart so they could have a cup of tea to calm them down.

~

"It was about one month ago. Herman Greenhill, the former prefect of my house, surely you remember? He paid a call at my house and invited me to a gathering. So the following week I took Lizzy because she was insistent upon going. And in there was a fortune teller, his readings were famed for being accurate so she ran off to get her fortune told. He made her prick her finger and had her put a drop of blood into the cup he had. The water changed colour, and so he said some things about her being protected by a rare star," he stopped for a second, his eyes suddenly growing dark. "Then he went into specifics, he mentioned you."

"Mentioned me?" The young lord shifted in his seat, leaning forward to listen intently.

"Yes, though not by name. But he told her that she was worried about her fiancé, then I got a little carried away... But that same night, she didn't show up for dinner. Mother said she was with Paula at a friend's house. And week after week, she never came back. I only recently found out she was attending the gathering every week."

The young lord crossed his arms, "That gathering took place at-"

"Sphere Music Hall," they said in unison. Lord Edward looked shocked.

The young lord sighed, "To think her suspicions were right again..."

"It's almost frightening," Sebastian said.

He explained to Lord Edward that he just received a letter to investigate the music hall, but first they should prioritize finding the Lady Elizabeth.

"I doubt that the Lady Elizabeth would run away for a simple fortune. Something forced her. What else did the fortune teller say?" you asked Lord Edward.

"That's just the thing. When I visited her at the music hall, she was willing to be there. She told me that she doesn't hate home and that her "shining thing" is there. I went to see her many times but I couldn't convince her so I came here," he sighed.

"Shining thing...?" The young lord muttered. "Anyway, we should head there straight away. Sebastian, prepare a carriage. Y/n, leave Corbin with Tanaka and change into a dress. And Edward, wait outside for me."

~

You found a plain (favourite colour) dress, threw on a black shawl, and let your hair down. When you arrived in London the sun had set. You were let off one street away and walked the rest of the way. The music hall wasn't hard to spot. In the middle of the drab buildings was one grand establishment filled with bright light, music, and chatter. The carriages were lined up with people arriving but no one leaving. All people of different classes were mingling, not a sour expression in sight. Not even a look of distaste from the nobility there.

Entering the hall you looked around, you saw no one you knew. It was dazzling and full of people. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, tables with food laid out in a buffet style. A golden light was cast everywhere, not a dark or secluded area to be found, even the shadows seemed to melt away.

"My superiors aren't here... neither is Lizzy," Lord Edward said scanning the area.

Two women, a noble and a lower class approached Sebastian. They waved happily to him, "Hello! I've never seen you here before."

"Ah, yes. I've heard that this is a very joyful place. Why do people gather around here so much?" He smiled back.

"Mm, it's hard to explain. Everyone here talks joyfully with each other and we can discuss our worries with each other," the lower class woman said.

The other agreed happily, nodding, "We want to live positively, so we come here to heal continuously. And we're able to spend our shining moments with everyone here, regardless of class! It's truly a fun place!" They hugged each other.

"That's very nice," he said to them closed eye smiling, not giving away his true feelings that were almost always reflected in his eyes. They agreed, still smiling.

Waving to him again, you noticed his eyes flash. They weren't noticeable in such a bright space but you saw the slight change and narrowed your eyes at the women walking away.

"Well that was disgusting," the young lord walked up behind him.

"Indeed..." he muttered.

"What did you see?" You asked him.

"Hate... Jealousy... These are desires that many humans have. The people here look like they don't have any of that. Even though desire is the charm of humans... this looks troubling."

"Has humanity truly sunk this low that peace looks troubling?" you asked. "Or is it because your kind thrives off calamity that you find it troubling?"

He gave you a look that said, 'Are we doing this here?'

Breaking down his aesthetics was one of your favourite pastimes. Unfortunately not one of his, but you had to have at least some way of poking fun at him.

"Psst, Ciel. That's Bravat, the fortune teller," Lord Edward pointed toward a man with light purple hair and blue robes littered with stars and glitter. It gave the impression he was covered in starlight. As if the sky was a painting and someone tore a piece of the canvas and sewed it to fit him.

"Y/n, you go first. He seems to be popular with ladies." You grew internally excited, this was your first case since having Corbin. Containing your happiness, you approached the man who was with a woman currently. Everyone around her was laughing as she blushed furiously. He handed her a napkin to clean her finger with.

"May I go next?" You asked him, smiling softly. His facial expression grew a bit grim as if he was expecting you to call him out as a fraud.

"Sure, have a seat," he put his smile back on so no one would notice his sudden change in attitude. You sat in the chair, interested in what he had to say.

"Prick your finger with this and then put a drop of blood in the water," he handed you the pointy needle. You stabbed your finger gently without hurting yourself, doing as he instructed. As soon as it dropped the water turned a bright white, and slowly turned to a vibrant blue before the water turned translucent and dark.

"I've never seen that one before, what star is that?" A young woman said, her eyes glittering.

"Oh~ you're a special one I see. The star that protects you is Vega, however, its protection is dying out unfortunately... would you like to know the cause?"

The crowd gasped and started muttering.

"Oh? Then pray tell," you said sweetly, wondering what mess he could possibly conjure up.

"You're trying to forget everything aren't you?"

"Wha-"

"You've grown accustomed to your old life. It's like you're uncomfortable in your own skin," he continued, eyeing your frigid figure. Observing your obvious reactions to what he said, he continued again, "Change isn't meant for you. Someone who's used to being so alone, you find it hard amongst people who don't ignore you. You find it hard being bound to someone."

'No, I'm fine. I got over that,' you denied in your head.

"Your star can't protect you if you're not yourself." Leaning in, he stopped, warm breath tickling the shell of your ear, "Haven't you noticed you've changed?"

'Stop'

"Don't you want to go back for a moment? Back to before he changed you?" his voice dropped, and he whispered, "Demon?"

"Enough!" You stood up, eyes unintentionally blazing brightly. You immediately shut them praying no one saw. Opening them slowly, your normal e/c shining with tears. His own eyes widened, and you seized everyone's shocked state at your outburst as an opportunity to leave.

Going back into London's night air to catch your breath, you stopped at the side of the building. You only just noticed the tears streaming down your face, the tear tracks extra cold.

"Here my dear," someone said offering you their handkerchief. You pushed yourself off the wall and looked at the gentleman who was smiling gently at you. A closed eye smile, and blonde hair. His presence felt oddly comforting. You looked down accepting the handkerchief, dabbing lightly at the corners of your eyes. You didn't want to ruin it with your tears, but you didn't want to be rude.

"Thank you- uh-"

The man was gone, disappeared into the crowd still trying to get into the Hall.

"C.P" read back to you in fancy golden threaded letters when you looked at the handkerchief for the initials, and you noticed your finger healed already. Trudging back into the music hall, Sebastian passed you on the way, being dragged out by two men. You made eye contact and went to assist but he shook his head. You were to leave him. Fine with you honestly, you knew he would ask what that was about if he didn't already know.

Back into the Hall, the lights were dimmed and everyone was cheering and swooning over four men performing. Performing what, you couldn't say. It was a mixture of singing and... dancing? It drew you in and you understood the crowd's reactions. You looked onward to the one who drew your eye the most only to recognize him as Redmond, one of the prefects from the school the young lord attended last year. Looking closely at the others you realized all of them were the former prefects. Redmond, Bluewer, Greenhill, and Violet.

"So tell me your troubles,

I'll be there on the double,

You did your best! So here's a gift! Just for you,

A treasure that shines true!"

"Bang~" Redmond pointed his finger like a gun and pretended to shoot a gaggle of women who screamed out his name.

"We are Shinista,

Bound to the constellations,

We are Shinista,

One with the night sky!

With you!

With me!

With the sky!

With the stars!

Let's become one with the sphere!"

The crowd cheered and jumped even louder than before. Through them you saw two immobilized figures, you tried to get through the crowd towards them.

"HEY! YOU!"

You turned around quickly nearly giving yourself whiplash when someone grabbed your shoulder.

"I forgot to give you this," Bravat said slipping a cold item in your hand. "And I'm sorry if I read too deep earlier, I tend to do that."

"It's not a problem," you said. People need to prove themselves and that was his way of telling you he wasn't a fraud.

"I'm glad, I hope to see you again next week," he smiled before leaving you standing there. You opened your hand to see a trinket of some sort. It was a bracelet made of pure silver, the zodiac engraved on it. They were divided into four sections, and a dial set in the section with three stars at the rim. Slipping it into your pocket, the young lord approached you before you could get to him.

"What was all that about?"

"We're as in the dark about this as you," the young lord said, clinging to you so he wouldn't get lost in the sea of humans. His own silver bracelet dangling from his wrist.

~

All of you came out to go home only to find Sebastian with two women on either of his arms.

"Sebastian..." you gritted your teeth, eyes staring daggers at him. Ignoring the prostitutes on his arm who were talking to either the young lord or Lord Edward. You tapped your foot waiting for them to leave, never moving your eyes off of him. After they were shooed away, you waited for him to approach you, balling your fists, anger coursing through you.

"I swear- " he laughed to himself at your agitated state, grabbing your shoulders to prevent you from doing something. "I swear, nothing happened kitten. I promised you, I would always find a different way. Your memory is receding," he flashed his charming closed eye smile at you and you rolled your eyes.

"I do not lie," he pecked your cheek reassuring you, helping you into the carriage so you could cool down.