My feet seemed to be in control as I walked farther away from the main tent while I clutched on my stinging shoulder. Around me, a few worried second stringers asked if I had any problems. Not once did I answer any one of them as I was too annoyed to try to talk.

I make my way towards the familiar tent and enter without any hesitation. Kind eyes met my golden orbs upon my entrance. "Oh, Camellia, is something the matter?" the owner of the medical tent, Doc, questioned me, as he rolled his way over to me in his wheelchair.

With hesitation, I let go of my shoulder to show him the damage. Now that I have the chance to look, my bare shoulder was crimson. "I did something to my shoulder during my performance and it hurts," I deadpanned. He gestured for me to sit down on in the vacant seat nearby him. I obeyed his command and sat down. "Did I break anything?"

I felt his cold hands on both sides of my shoulder, feeling around for whatever damage caused. "No, all you did was dislocate it. I can place it back to normal..." I frowned at his words. "It'll hurt for a moment, so please bear with me." Before I could ask him what he meant by that, his hands pushed my shoulder forward with a sickening crack. I let out a shriek of agony at the sensation, but as fast as it was, my shoulder felt a hundred times better.

I watched Doc wheel away for a second and come back with a bag of ice. He gently placed it on my sore shoulder, which I let out a moan of pleasure from. I replaced his hands and held the ice bag in place. "Thank you, Doc," I murmured out with a strained smile.

"Well, that's what I'm here for. We wouldn't want anything to happen to one of our talented first-string artists," the bespectacled man told me. "Please go ahead and rest before you're ready to move."

"Doc!~" From the entrance of the tent, Dagger waltzed in. "I need you to check my leg-Oh! Camellia!" The blond approached me with worry stricken on his face. "Are you ok?"

"I'm ok now," I replied.

Dagger and I talked amongst ourselves as Doc went ahead to check the prosthetic leg. Our conversation was cut short when more familiar faces entered the medical tent. I felt my whole body stiffen when ruby orbs averted my direction. I whipped my head away, in hopes maybe he doesn't recognize me. It's been too long ago, surely he wouldn't remember someone like me, at least not in this get up!... But then again...

"It's you! You're the one who just got bitten by Betty!" Dagger proclaimed, hopping off the table he was sitting on to his feet.

"Betty?! That's terrible!" Doc gaped, gawking at the man in black. "We've got to get you to the infirmary!"

The men started to rush him into the separate room used for more serious injuries. Just as the man, Doc, and Dagger disappeared into the infirmary, Joker approached me. "Is my precious dove ok?" he questioned me while cupping my cheeks into his hands.

I smiled up at him and nodded my head. "Yeah, I'm alright. My shoulder was dislocated but Doc fixed it."

His skeletal hand pushed aside the ice bag and gingerly, he pressed his lips to my shoulder. I shivered under his gentle touch. "I'm 'appy you're ok now." With his hand stretched out towards me, I took it so he could tug me into my feet. "Mind joining me on checking on the gentleman?" I was hesitant to answer, seeing that all I wanted to do was avoid that butler at all costs. But looking into Joker's violet orbs, it's hard to decline him, so I ended up agreeing.

I followed after Joker into the infirmary right in the middle of the examination. "Did you really get bitten by a tiger? I don't see any wound..." Doc muttered out in confusion as he continued to check back of the man's head.

"Just an affectionate nip!" He piped up, delight evident in his voice. I narrowed my gaze at him. This is just like before. Something that could've badly injured a person doesn't seem to be as effective to him.

"Well, I'm glad you're alright," Doc commented with a wary smile.

"Too true! I was feared the troupe leader'd kill me for letting a customer get hurt," Joker input with a sigh of relief right after.

"You aren't the leader?" the gentleman asked the redhead.

"I'm more or less the hired replacement. The real one's scary!"

I pursed my lips at Joker's statement. I wouldn't know what this leader was like. Despite being in the circus for as long as I was, I never met the man. I just knew that the other first-stringers, excluding Snake, admired him like a father.

"Don't blame me if you get yelled at for saying that!" Dagger joked, a playful smile tugging at his lips. I rolled my eyes at my two fellow artists. They're so childish some times.

"Doc, would you take a look at my leg-" All our attention then shifted over to the entrance. I groaned under my breath once realizing who it was.

"Miss!" Dagger declared with obvious adoration. "I'm here for my leg, too! Yet more proof of the red thread of destiny between-"

To Dagger's misfortune, Beast didn't bear him a glance as she stormed forward past him. "You're that dapper freak! What are you doing here?!" The curly haired woman boomed to the man of the hour. "You wrecked my show-"

I was about to retort how she wrecked her show herself but Doc had beat me with his words. "Beast! You can't talk like that to a guest!" The older man bickered. "This isn't his fault; it's your for not being able to control Betty!"

My hand flew to my lips as I tried to suppress my laughter. It was wonderful to see Beast being put into her place for once. Furious eyes landed on me. "You have something to say, Camellia?" she spat out, her glare sure to kill if it were possible.

"Nothing at all, Beast. Doc had already said it for me," I answered with the same amount of venom dripping in my voice.

"Oh? At least I'm not the one injured for doing something so reckless! Is your poor shoulder ok?" she sarcastically returned.

"Oi! No fighting in my tent, ladies!" Doc interjected, pointing accusing fingers at both of us. "You're both professionals, aren't you?"

"Now, now, everyone. Please, let's not shout in front of our guest," Joker tried to reason. I let out a breath and calmed down, seeing it won't be best to get our ring leader mad.

"That's right, please just forget this and check Miss's leg!" Dagger suggested, hoping to ease the tension.

With a sigh, Doc scolded Beast, "You'll be retraining Betty after this, Beast. Is that clear?" As much as she was agitated at the moment, she agreed to it. Doc then turned towards me, "And, you, my dear. You need to make sure you perfect your moves for show time, alright? I don't want to see you here any time soon."

"Yes, sir," I mumbled out in response.

"Right, then. Show me your prosthesis." Beast walked over to the tables to sit on top of so Doc could have an easier time to check on her leg. He did the procedure exactly like what he did when he checked Dagger's leg.

The gentleman asked about the prosthesis, letting Joker and Doc discuss about the topic. Suddenly, he had gone up to Beast to observe her prosthesis leg for himself.

I felt my cheeks burn as he carried her leg higher by the back of her thigh. By the look on Beast, Joker, and Dagger's faces, I knew they thought the same thing as I was. What the man was doing was very inappropriate... Oh goodness, Dagger, your nose!... "What are you doing, you pervert?!" the victim shrieked as she brought her prosthesis leg down to smack him on the head.

But, he was unbelievably fast. The man dodged the attack effortlessly. "Oh, I beg your pardon. You didn't strike me as modest enough to be embarrassed by such trifles." Out of pure rage, Beast took out her whip and continued to attack him. I watched in bewilderment as the fancy clad man avoided every pursuit. Equipment surrounding them began to break and fall with a crash to the ground, making a mess in the tent.

I wonder if I could move as fast as him right now.

"Oi, Beast, stop that!" Doc burst out. He turned around to Dagger, Joker, and I; the expression on his face pleading for help. "You three, stop her-"

"HOW DARE YOU LAY A HAND ON MY LADY'S FAIR AND TENDER SKIN!" Dagger yelled with pure ferocity erupted from his core. His emerald eyes blazed with intense anger as he began throwing knives at our guest. If Beast doesn't know this dear boy's true feelings by now, she is absolutely blind! "I HAVEN'T EVEN TOUCHED HER YET!"

"O-Oi, that shouldn't be your reason to be mad, Dagger," I muttered with wide, golden eyes.

The man back flipped, missing every shot of the knives, and landed on the high railing with ease. "I actually didn't touch her skin, but I do seem to have touched a nerve." Is he trying to pick a fight right now?!

"Dagger, stop! You'll shred the tent!" Doc burst out.

"Miss Beast's honor is more important than this tent!" The blond shouted, fury still dancing on his features. He threw six more of his knives at him at an alarming speed.

All of us gasped. He had managed to catch every one of them into his gloved hands with a smirk tugging on his lips. "No way."

Simultaneously, Joker and I whistled, impressed at his talent and speed. "Don't get cocky!" Beast screamed while attempting to whip him again, but Joker was ready this time. With his cane, he stopped the attack with a jump to stop her from in front. For a fleeting moment, he gave her a cold stare, only to be followed by his cane opening up to a bouquet of flowers.

"Alright, that's enough!" he said. "Here, Beast, don't be so scratchy." His action greatly decreased the heavy tension that once hung in the air. I sweatdropped as I viewed the scene unfold before me. I shook my head at how quick everything lasted. Circus people...

My eyes averted over to the butler just as he leapt down from the railings. As he walked over to us, we had locked gazes. I trembled under his crimson stare, remembering too many memories from my past. "That was mighty athletic sir! I reckon I'd hire 'ee!" Joker quipped as Beast stormed past me.

The man was quick to zoom over to Joker. "Is that true? Truth be told, my current master is so spoiled, I'm quite disgusted by him." I furrowed my eyebrows out of curiosity. That cannot be true, could it? Unless something happened during the timespan between when I met them and now?

"Master? Be thee a servant, then?" Joker questioned him. "I took 'ee for gentry, dressed up so fine..."

"Me, gentry? Hardly. I am merely one hell of a butler," The raven haired man told him in a poised pose. "Now, was that true? If so, I'd very much like to join you." I paled at his words. There's nothing stopping him from joining! I can't even deal with being in the same area with the guy, but, I kept my mouth shut.

"Not having me on, are 'ee?"

"I never jest."

... Joker burst out into laughter. I rolled my eyes over the fact that the small pun got him to chuckle. "Lord, that's funny! Alright, me 'ansome. Sure, join us anytime!" My stomach churned at Joker's promise. I turned my heel to dash out of the tent to get some fresh air, luckily not catching anyone's attention as I did so.

"No, no, no. This can't be happening," I grumbled out to myself. Carefully taking off my wig and pins, my long, midnight locks cascaded down my back. I ran my fingers through my tresses, my scalp sore from the heaviness of the wig. "Please, tell me this is all a dream. Maybe, I'm hallucinating."

I closed my eyes as I let the memory of when I first met him flow back into me.

~Flashback~

"Good luck, Edlyn." My current owner, Stanley, towed onto my chains, handing it over to the greasy announcer, causing me to stumble onto the wooden stage. Despite the ragged clothes I had been given to wear, I was cleaned up and my hair fell along my shoulders in soft waves for this occasion. I stood tall, showing that I was one to impress people.

"And, how about this lovely lady? She's one of our best. None will be disappointed to bring this stunning beauty home. Just look at her!" I glared daggers at the announcer but he paid me no attention. "For a lass like her, we'll start high so... We'll start with eleven pounds." {A/n: Just so you know, I'm not entirely sure how this money thing works, so I am using a Victorian Money converter online to help me XD}

Left and right, random hands would raise their hands and called out a number higher than the last. From there, the biddings only rose higher and higher, making me the most expensive person to get at this place. I gazed at the crowd, my topaz eyes seemingly peering into every one of the gentlemen's soul. But, whatever I did, it didn't faze the bidders, as they tried their best to claim me with the highest bid.

I knew we were nearing the end for my bid as only two rich men were the only ones attempting. "One hundred forty pounds!" The man clad in a forest green get up proclaimed with a look of pride written on his face. From where I stood, I could basically see his thick mustache twitch with anticipation, waiting for his rival to even try to go as high as that.

The other gentleman looked stumped, his face contorted into an expression of shame. He didn't dare to try to beat the current range. "Well, well, well. Looks like we got our highest bidder!" The announcer next to me boasted, his arm extended towards the man in green. "To the gentleman over there, going once... going twice-"

"Two hundred ninety pounds!" A young voice called out near the back of the crowd. Chatter broke out amongst the crowd at this sudden bid. People parted to look back at whoever was the new highest bidder... My golden eyes widened in surprise. It was a young boy clad in an extensive wardrobe and an eye-patch over his left eye. He couldn't be older than twelve but he looked to be of noble standing. A tall man with raven hair and fierce, scarlet orbs, stood next to the boy. By the looks of it, he was only a servant to the boy.

All pairs of eyes then shift over to the previous highest bidder, who looked as flabbergasted as everyone else. His Adam's apple bobbed as he gulped, his head hanging low in absolute shame. "Wow! What a shocker!" I gawked at the odd pair. What could they possibly do to me? Maybe I'm going to become their slave? Although, that was not what I am usually used for... "Going once... going twice... sold! This gorgeous lass will now go to that young lad over there!"

A round of applause sounded around the area as the boy's servant walked over to the stage to retrieve me. My past owner gave me a look before getting the money from the handsome man. "Well, Edlyn. I wish you the best," Stanley whispered to only I could hear, running his calloused hands along my cheeks. "Surely... this might be easier." All I could was nod at the tan man before leaving with the servant.

"So, my dear, what might your name be?" The raven haired man asked me all of a sudden.

I was taken aback by the kindness in his voice, plus this was the first time anyone had the courtesy to ask for my name once getting me. "I-It's Edlyn, sir," I answered him.

"What an enticing name." Finally, we reached the young boy that have rightfully won me. "Master, this is Edlyn, the lass who have bid against."

"Can I ask who the two of you might be?" I questioned, my curiosity finally getting the best of me.

The two held charming smiles on their faces. "Hello, Edlyn. I'm Earl Ciel Phantomhive, the Queen's Watchdog and this is my butler, Sebastian Michaelis. Pleasure of meeting your acquaintance. Sebastian, please remove these chains and cuffs from her body."

"Yes master." With the key he had also gotten from Stanley, I was finally freed from the chains, bringing relief to my chuffed ankles and wrists.

So, this boy is of high importance. It's no wonder why he has so much money to him. "Now, Edlyn. You will be serving me as a maid at my manor. Is that understood?" Ciel informed me with this mature aura to him.

"... Yes, Master Ciel," I replied with a bow of my head.

"Wonderful. Let's go to the carriage then." The three of us then left the pavilion that held the slave trade.

Without warning, a strong hand held onto my waist, causing my heart to skip a beat. I glanced up at Sebastian to see him smiling down at me. "Please, excuse me, Edlyn. You looked to be in need of help seeing that those cuffs have badly injured you. We wouldn't want an enticing lady as yourself to collapse." Blood rushed to my cheeks as I heard his comment. I mentally cursed myself for being so mushy all of a sudden... This hasn't happened before. What makes this man any different? "I cannot wait to work alongside you."

"M-Me too..."

~End of Flashback~

"I wish my eyes had deceived me but alas..." I jolted with a start at the deep voice behind me. I turned my whole body around at the very man I wished to avoid. "Edlyn, you were mesmerizing in your performance tonight. I'm glad you have been doing well since we last met."

I grimaced, "That name is nothing to me, Sebastian. I would prefer for you to call me Camellia from now on. Also, what business do you have here? And what was that about joining the circus?"

"Oh? I can't join the circus?" he replied with a handsome smirk.

I stepped in toe to toe with him, jabbing a finger into his chest. "No! I know you. You're not joining the circus just for the pleasure of it, there's another reason."

A chuckle left his lips. "As cunning as ever, milady." He picked up my hand into his gloved hand and pressed his lips onto the back of it. If I wasn't so suspicious right now, I would've swooned at that very second. "Would you mind telling me what those tents over there are?" His crimson eyes flickered to our right, where the first stringers tents were set up.

"That area is off limits," I snarled out, taking my hand away from him. "I advise you to leave right now. You wouldn't want to keep your master waiting, now would you?"

Sebastian stared down at me for a couple seconds in silence before replying, "Very well." He stepped aside and began walking towards the exit to the circus. "I hope to see you tomorrow, Camellia." I cringed at his comment.

Once he disappeared from my sight, I turned to go to my tent.

Maybe a good night's rest will help me figure out what I should do when Sebastian Michaelis returns tomorrow.