Elizabeth x Ciel: Love story Chapt.1

26.6.1879

"Look, mother, so many pretty dresses!" I was peeking from between the rails of the stairway down to the hall, where our guests were gathering in attempt to go outside for tea. It was my fifth birthday, and my parents had arranged a party for me. It was the first party I was allowed to take part in and I was very excited.
"Elizabeth Ethel Cordelia Middleford, in your room, now!" my mother commanded me at least the third time.
"Paula, why the young lady isn't ready yet?" she then asked from my maid. Paula was older than me, she was fifteen.
"My lady, the young lady wanted to see the dresses..." she said with a little frightened look on her face. My mother glanced at her.
"The third time this day? Elizabeth dear", she turned to look at me again, "you can see the dresses better when we go downstairs, but we can't go until you're ready", she said and smiled to me.
"Now, be a good girl and go to your room."
"Yes, mother", I skittered to my room, Paula following me.
"Would you like to have this green or pink ribbon in your hair?" she asked me. I was wearing a white dress, there was a light green ribbon around the waist and tiny, pink rosettes on shoulders.
"I would like the pink one, please."
"Now, your hair is done, so you can go to Lady Frances's room", Paula ordered me.
"Thank you, Paula", I said and jumped off the chair I was sitting on. I ran to my mother's room.

"Elizabeth! How many times I have to say you aren't allowed to run in the corridors like that? A fine lady doesn't run, she walks elegantly", mother said.
"We can go now, your brother and father are waiting outside." She took my hand and we walked down the stairs, across the hallway and out of the door.
Our yard was huge, no, it was gigantic in the eyes of a five year old. Roses everywhere, red and those white ones, midsummer roses. A fountain designed by a french artist. Hedges defining the outlines of the yard and separating the parts of the garden. The first part was filled with white tables and our guests were walking between the tables and discussing with each other. The servants were standing next to a long table, where the tea and my birthday cake was set. A quartet of violinists was playing beautiful waltzes.

My father Alexis Leon Middleford was standing on the balcony with my nine-year-old brother Edward. Whe father noticed me and mother, he smiled and then asked the musicians to stop the playing. When everyone was quiet, he announced:
"Thank you all for coming to my daughter's five-year party!" he continued talking, but I wasn't listening, because I concentrated on lookin at the crowd. I saw red dresses, blue dresses, green dresses... And a woman was wearing a dress that was almost like mine! I felt so adult. The woman was tall and blond and she looked familiar. I just didn't remember who she was. Next to her was a tall, dark haired man and a boy with a grey-blueish hair. I wondered who they were.
I woke up from my thought when the people started to applaud. I assumed that father had ended his speech.

"Now, my dear daughter, there's someone I'd like you to met", he said. The couple and kid I had scanned was climbing the stairs to the balkony.
"Do you remember your uncle, Vincent Phantomhive?" father asked when the man greetet me and kissed my hand. I tried to hide behind my father's legs.
"You've grown up. You look like a lady", the man, Vincent Phantomhive said and smiled.
"This is my wife Rachel and here is our son Ciel. You were so little when you first met that I suspect that you don't remember him."
The boy walked to me. My father pushed me forward. Ciel kissed me on the hand.
"Hello, my name is Ciel. I'm four years old!" he announced.
"Elizabeth, Ciel here is your fiancé", my mother then said. I didn't actually know, what fiancé ment, but I knew the word had something to do with weddings.
"I'm older than you. And taller", I said seriously. Ciel looked me a surprised look on his face, but then he smiled very happily.
"It doesn't matter! I think you are very beautiful lady!"
I smiled.

"We were both young when I first saw you
I close my eyes
And the flashback starts
I'm standing there
On a balcony in summer air

See the lights,
See the party,
the ball gowns
I see you make your way through the crowd
And say hello
Little did I know..."