~ * ~ A Couple Years Later ~ * ~

"Hello and welcome to what will be the best experience of your life!" The ringleader dressed in vibrant blue announced with a strong presence. The audience surrounding us boomed with enthusiastic cheers, very much ready for a wonderful performance by Noah's Ark Circus. "My, my, such a heartwarming welcome! I'm so very touched, so touched that I feel like I'm soaring~"

Gasps rounded about the appalled people, whispered chatter breaking out as the ringleader looked to be levitating off the ground. "Oh whoops, I guess I'm a little too excited for tonight's show, huh?" With a wave of his arms, fire and confetti burst out into the air, only causing the cheers to become louder. "My name is Astro and I humbly introduce you to my troupe!"

One by one the performers appeared, all doing a small portion of their talent for the audience to have a small taste of.

"First we have Trunks, our beefy stud of a gentleman who's the father of three magnificent elephants!" The man with a thick mustache came into the ring, riding one of his three elephants. He waved and nodded curtly to the cheering audience, as well as the elephants.

"Then comes in our gorgeous and very balance-wise duo, Tip and Top." Two young, female twins entered from opposite sides of the tent, both of which rode unicycles while spinning plates on sticks. They both bared identical dazzling smiles that shined brighter than any light.

"And then here's a man you should not reckon with! One who could juggle absolutely anything you throw at him, Jugger!" A lanky man then came into view, juggling knives without any effort. There was a split moment where the audience thought he would drop the sharp object and have it pierce his foot, but he had caught it just in time with a smug smirk to his lips.

"Here comes the magnificent, long haired beauty, Rapunzel! Her long slick hair is as strong as iron itself and the lady herself has just as much strength." A woman strutted out into the ring, her blonde hair not even all in the tent, some of which trailed all the way outside. She curtsied respectfully to the crowd and shot a wink, sending men to their grave.

"No worries, folks, we do have a couple others that you all know and love as well! We have the mysterious, scaly man who will entrance you with his reptilian friends, Snake!" The familiar white haired male appeared next, two of his precious snakes wrapped around him securely. Some people teetered about unsure how to take on this act but most were anticipating for something great.

"Last but not least, we have our beautiful, magnificent lady of the air, Doll. She'll leave you breathless with her beauty and her high risk tightrope walking!" Spotlight shined far above the audience at the lone person at the top of the tightrope. In all white, the girl nodded her head at the people below her.

Astro clapped once to bring the attention back onto him. "Shall we start the show, ladies and gents?" With one last screams of excitement from the awaiting people, the show had finally begun, and even then, I can admit that I was just as enthused. This was the new troupe, and they had proved themselves to be worthy to be first tier. I couldn't help but think of myself being a proud mother of her children. Doll and Snake really did teach them all well.

"So, this is your circus, the very one you want me to invest in?" The dashing man to my right whispered to me with an amused expression. I gave him a nod and a grin. "They look very promising, Miss Edlyn. I'm very pleased that you have showed them to me. I've always been so giddy over the circus acts." He placed a hand on mine, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I remember watching this very circus a few years ago when you were once part of the performance. You really have entranced me since then."

"I'm pleased to hear that my performance had such an effect on you, Sir Henry," I beamed appreciatively.

"I always thought you were the main star of the show, my dear." He kept his hand enclosed on mine. As much as I wanted to pull away from his grasp, I allowed it and watched the show flourish before me. With an awestruck smile pulling at my painted red lips, I witnessed the amazing progress the circus had done without me for the past few months.

It was such a bittersweet feeling that I could leave them behind and know they can do well, no magnificently, on their own.

With the performance coming to a close, the circus earned themselves a standing ovation. I joined right in, clapping as loudly as I could for the people I still considered family. Once the cheering had died down, the audience had filed out of the tent, finally leaving me and Sir Henry to greet the fresh faced First Tier group. Doll was quick to latch onto me into a crushing hug.

"I knew it was you, I would recognize you anywhere, Camellia!" The girl in white muffled into my shoulder. I caressed her cheeks affectionately, smile bright at the endearing welcome.

"Oh my, I see you've grown a couple inches since I've been gone," I chimed. She nodded delightedly, looking proud that she had grown in height. I moved on to the white haired male, who looked stoic but I knew had been waiting for my greeting. "Snake, I'm happy to see you after so long. You don't look as thin as you used to be. Now come give me a hug and let me feel how much you've gained."

I barely gave him a chance to react as I pulled him into my arms. I could feel his snakes nuzzling me too, their own way of saying they missed me as well. "It's been a while," Snake mumbled out in such a low tone to only I could hear.

The rest of the troupe greeted me with joyous cheer, also hugging and exchanging a few enthralled words with one another over the times we haven't seen each other. I told them about my short adventures, touring the country and somehow making a business along the way to benefit the circus. Then came the topic of the business man alongside me, and so it was time to introduce him. "I apologize for the late introduction but everyone, this is Sir Henry. He's the man I met while visiting Ireland. He was supposedly there for a business trip when we met."

"And I've become enamored ever since." He had taken my hand and placed it onto his arm, so I was linked to him. The troupe seemed bewildered by this small act but I remained collected. "And she told me all about Noah's Ark Circus and it made me realize this was the very circus I had seen a couple months ago. Would it be okay if I invested money in you?"

The troupe exchanged glances with one another and Doll and Snake had looked over at me, with worrisome expressions. I knew where this was going but I had prepared myself for the particular occasion for a while. I turned towards the fancily clad gentleman. "Sir Henry, you see, there is a man you need to meet. We'll need to talk about our business with him. After all, he's the original ringleader of this circus."

"Oh really?" Sir Henry mused. "Shall we go meet him right now?"

"I can go ahead and lead you to his tent," Doll offered with a slight nod. She turned towards the others and motioned for them to go ahead and get ready for dinner. Only Snake had refused and insisted he should tag along as well.

And so, the four of us were on our way to the man we needed to see. The night was clear today, the stars twinkling before us. Being back at the circus and gazing at such a beautiful sight had me remembering the wonderful times the two years I had been here. Two years would be considered long by many but in my lifetime, it was such a small sliver. The sweet memories I had shared here had been cut so terribly short.

"Miss Edlyn..." Before I knew it, Sir Henry had taken out his handkerchief from his coat pocket and began dabbing at my cheeks. I didn't even realize until now that I had been crying. "Are you okay? Should we meet with them another day?" He asked out of genuine concern. This caused Snake and Doll to stop in their tracks to glance back at me.

"No, no, it's okay," I chimed quickly. "We'll have to leave tomorrow for your associate's celebration, don't we?"

"That's correct, but are you sure?"

I nodded at him. "I'm very sure." The four of us finally reach the outside the familiar tent. A bright glow peeked through the cracks of the closed off entrance, which only meant he was inside this very moment. I looked over at the three, baring them a sheepish grin. "Would you all mind if I see him first on my own?"

Doll and Snake very much accepted the idea, while as Sir Henry was reluctant, he had agreed to it too. I gave them a nod as thanks and went on ahead towards the grand tent. Standing before it caused a wild flutter of butterflies in my stomach. How many months now has it been since I last since my red-haired ringleader? I still felt guilt and maybe it was too soon to return.

I reached out my hand to draw back the curtain but stopped myself. After all, I did leave mostly for the sole reason of him. I don't want my sudden return to bring him back into a spiral of depression, only to remind him of that dark day. The overwhelming stench of blood, the blistering heat from the raging flames, and the surge of power I felt in my siren form, all of which I haven't encountered since then, they were all still fresh in my mind. 

My hand clenched into a fist. I just couldn't bring myself to barge in just like I've been able to before. Gaze shifting onto the ground and lips pressed together in a thin line, I didn't have the heart to do it. I've mentally practiced for this reunion many times before but I'm a coward. 

"I know someone's outside, so just come in."

Joker.

I jolted back into reality over the voice. It sounded the same as it was before and that unexpectedly brought a pang to my heart. I clenched at my chest, even when I knew doing such a thing won't calm my poor heart. Then I heard the footsteps and before I knew it, he stood before me.

A look of shock flashed in his amethyst orbs. They don't shine as brightly as they used to but it held a glimmer that I haven't seen before. His outfits also looked more tame and his face was bare, also things I haven't seen in a while. Just how long had he wore a more casual attire? He had been doing better and maybe my disappearance had helped with it. 

I forced a smile to my lips as I gazed up at him. "Joker, long time, no see," I chimed, hopeful for a decent greeting, to not completely shut me out like he had done before. Please, I hope I'm more of a face of the past, Joker, please remember as someone you loved.

His eyes flickered to something behind me. I threw a glance over my shoulder and spotted Sir Henry casually chatting with Doll and Snake. "I guess your visit isn't just a normal visit, Miss Camellia?" My eyes averted back to the man before me, slightly appalled from his response. Joker then let out a cough and there I noticed the new prosthetic hands he sported. They looked like actual hands this time, but they shined, the light from the light posts giving off that glossy look. "My apologies, Miss Edlyn."

My smile was more genuine. "You can call me Camellia if that is what you're more comfortable with."

He nodded. "If you say so." He gestured to enter his tent. The two of us walked in and he let me sit onto the chair while he sat on the bed nearby. "It 'as been a while, Miss Camellia."

"It has."

"How was 'ee travels? 'Opefully they were nice."

"They were," I replied, my fingers twiddling with each other. "I noticed how amazing the circus turned out to be. You all really have been inactive for a while, but I'm delighted to see how successful everything turned out to be."

"Well, I've come to my senses and I knew I couldn't give up on everything." His gaze was on his feet, his expression suddenly solemn. "When you left, I realized that... I don't despise 'ee, Camellia. I never did." 

"But I remind you of that night, correct?" His subtle nod was enough to confirm what I always believed. "I knew that. I was stubborn when I had tried to stay and help with the circus. But after visiting their grave once you've been released and going over to that building and seeing that..." I stopped myself. I know I was just bringing back bad memories so I stopped. "And me being with you along the way, reminding you of them, I knew I had to leave. But it's nice to know that you never hated me. My heart feels more at ease."

His amethyst eyes shined in with the candlelight, the orange and violet mixing in a weird yet beautiful hue, and he caught my gaze. "Would you ever return 'ere for good? Everyone misses 'ee. I missed 'ee."

I reached out and gave his arm a comforting squeeze. "You may not hate me, but I still feel guilt over that night. I can never stay here permanently, probably by days or weeks at a time. If I don't hate myself too much, then maybe months, but I don't think I can ever stay here like I used to ever again. I have so much regrets. Beast and I never reconciled and we won't ever be able to. I visited their graves the other day and I cried for days." 

"Ah... I understand but I know Beast, and she never hated you."

"Hah, thanks for trying to make me feel better."

Joker and I talked for a couple more minutes, speaking of everything significant that had happened between us. It was then Joker mentioned to bring Sir Henry in, so they can discuss about the investment. "Before I could let him in, may I ask if you're using your charmspeak to sway him to do this," Joker questioned me.

I bared him an innocent smile. I guess Joker knows me a little too well. "What could you be talking about? I don't need such a power with my kind of beauty."

At least for now, I know that I'm in good terms with my ringleader again, and I can move on a little more in my life.

~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~

I was in a crimson gown again. I've grown to hate its color, the color that ricocheted me back once again to the night. Creepy smile, emotionless children, a lot of chains and grabbing, and darkness. That's all that comes to mind as I had stared at myself in the mirror in the fancy attire. But I can't deny the fact that it is the best color for myself, and Sir Henry agreed. 

We were at the ship for his associate's grand celebration for his 10th anniversary with his wife. I knew Sir Henry's intentions, he wanted the attention, and so he had glamoured me up as much as possible without overdoing it. I was just an accessory for him, I knew. But how could I turned down the man's invitation as his date when he helped my circus? 

Call me stubborn and selfish, I already know I am.

The night was chilly and Sir Henry provided a coat and a scarf for me to wear. Most of the party may have been inside, but the cool air still made its way into the veranda. I couldn't help but still feel a chill run down my spine, an odd feeling in my gut about tonight, but I paid no mind. 

I walked alongside Sir Henry, linked to his arm, as we greeted others with bright smiles. Many have spoke of how gorgeous I am, bringing up questions of how the two of us met. I let Sir Henry do most of the talking, as he was the more enthusiastic one. I continued to grin as warmly as I could, subtly knowing how much of an effect my presence was for the other men in the party. 

Could they help me? Provide for me? 

We'll see.

After all, I need to survive on my own in some way and this was the easiest for me.

Later into the night, the host announced for everyone to sit down in their assigned tables, as he and his wife were ready to speak about their lasting marriage and start on the grand dancing. The speech was lovely and I was genuinely moved by it. The two really did look to be in love and it did make my heart ache for something as sweet as that. But knowing myself, I knew I could never achieve that, not when I knew who had rudely captured my heart and never once returning it. 

Once the orchestra began playing music for people to dance to, Sir Henry insisted he grab some drinks for the two of us before we go off to dance ourselves. I gave him a curt nod, and sat there waiting for his return. 

"Oh my, what is a gorgeous woman doing all alone?" I froze instantly at the recognizable low voice. I craned my head upwards and was met by those mesmerizing crimson orbs that I will always admire. The man in black stood before me, his lips carved ever so slightly into a smile and his gloved hand out towards me. "I couldn't take my eyes off you the whole night and so I was wondering if you would like to dance with me?"

I could hear the flabbergasted chatter from the people on the same table, as well as the surrounding tables. I've already made myself known as someone special to Sir Henry, so if I were to take this man's hand, would that be something to be frowned upon? But I was far too entranced by the man I haven't seen for a couple years.

I realized now that this was the same amount of time I haven't seen him before, just as I was just an entertainer in the circus business. Will this man always waltz back into my life when I believe that I'm moving on? Is he appearing out of the blue on purpose just so I could suffer?

But my hand fits so perfectly into his. I strip off my coat and my scarf and let him lead me to the dance floor. Soon enough were were entangled within each other and we swayed along with the slow music. 

"My, my, I wish I didn't know you too well," I murmured out with a sigh. "But, I'm sure your attendance could only mean the Earl Phantomhive is here as well and no less with a mission to accomplish. Just how did I get myself mixed with you again?"

"Maybe our fates are too intertwined, milady," Sebastian replied as he had pulled myself even closer to his body. "So who are you now?"

"I've returned to Edlyn, but Camellia is still valid."

"Mmm, I see you're also living more lavishly."

"More or less." I turned my head to the side and noticed the young earl standing at the side with, to my surprise, Elizabeth at his arm. While the blonde lady bared a confused expression in my direction, Ciel nodded at me in greeting. "You even dragged Elizabeth into this?"

"Well, he did need a date."

"How come you're here dancing with me instead of tending to your master?"

"Because I couldn't miss the chance of dancing with such a beautiful lady before we commence our plan."

A sigh left my lips. "Please don't tell me Sir Henry is a part of your plan. He's investing money into the circus."

"Luckily enough, he's not. You didn't mix yourself with some criminal this time." His gaze narrowed into slits. "However, if he does anything suspicious or he remotely touches you the wrong way, I won't hesitate doing something about it."

"Oh my, that's quite the threat for someone who's supposed to be a stranger."

"Mmm, but you know that we're not. We have too much of an effect on each other."

"Very true. However, are you going to continue coming back into my life like this? This is the second time you've done so."

"If the lady permits it."

I guess, I'll have to carry on like this. Even as much as we should be pulled away, torn apart at far distances, there will always be that red string of fate that connects us together. As long as we follow our terms, there shouldn't be any more dilemmas. 

  I'll allow myself on this toxic relationship and survive one way or another.  

Besides, what a better match for a twisted half-human than a devilish man himself?