"We will be having a masquerade ball in one week's time, per Elizabeth's request," Ciel says. 

Elizabeth huffs in annoyance, "For the last time, I told you to call me Lizzie! It's much cuter."

I watch as my brother struggles to not let out an enormous sigh. Ever since her arrival two weeks ago, Elizabeth has tried her best to spend a much time with Ciel. It is quite humorous to watch, considering Ciel does like his solitude. Elizabeth, in all her pink glory, is the opposite of my reserved brother. 

I do my best to occupy much of Elizabeth's time in order to help my brother. I watch as her eyes gleam when she admires the vibrant flowers in the garden. Unfortunately, my peace is almost certainly interrupted every time by a certain crimson eyed butler. 

After the... incident, a fortnight ago, I have done my best to keep an eye on the mysterious butler. Something about him rings inhuman. 

Third POV

"Something about her rings inhuman, my lord," Sebastian expresses to his master. 

After last night's debacle, Sebastian is almost certain something darker lurks beneath Verena's exterior. She should not have been able to overpower him. 

Ciel sets his teacup down. "Nonsense. Verena is my sister. I would know if something 'inhuman' lived within her. She is of the same flesh and blood as I, of that I am certain." 

"Of course, my lord," Sebastian bows, "Allow me to express my sincerest apologies in case I have offended you. I shall no longer bring the topic of your sister up." 

"Very well. You are dismissed, Sebastian." 

Sebastian turns around and exits his lord's study. He did not expect the young master to agree with his findings. 

Though, his young master was partially correct in his statement of Verena not being inhuman. 

Something monstrous lurked beneath the surface.

|     |     |     |

Today begins fairly routine. Mey-Rin awakens me at dawn and assists me in getting dressed. I absentmindedly watch as she picks a ruby red pinafore dress from my armoire. I slip into the dress as Mey-Rin finishes tying my corset. Someone knocks on my door as I finish getting dressed. 

"Enter," I reply to the knock.

Sebastian enters my room and abruptly stops in his tracks. He stares at me in my dress. I suppress the heat rising to my face and maintain my composure. 

"Well, you may as well paint a picture if you wish to stare at me for as long as you have in this moment," I say with a smirk. 

Sebastian, noticeably shocked, bows his head down. "Forgive me, Lady Verena. My improper conduct is most unbecoming of me as a butler. The young master would like you and his fiancee to head into the city in order to pick out dresses for the ball. I shall now take my leave." 

Mey-Rin lets out a small giggle, "I have never seen Mr. Sebastian lose his composure. He always is rather emotionless, yes he is." 

Her words ring true. Up until the... incident, two weeks ago, I had never seen emotion on the butler's face. He always remains stoic, no matter the situation. I push the thoughts out of my head and grant Mey-Rin her leave. I tie my hair into a braid and pin it up in a simple bun. After finishing, I exit my room and head down the stairs. Sebastian is at the bottom of the stairs. 

"I find it quite curious how I elicit such peculiar behavior from you, Sebastian," I say as I walk down the stairs. 

"Unfortunately, I do not quite understand it myself. Your existence itself is most curious to me. I am afraid I find it difficult to maintain decorum whenever you come into view," Sebastian replies. 

As I make it to the final step, I grab Sebastian by his tie and bring him close to my face. "I wonder what else I can do to rile you up so. You fascinate me, butler. Though, many men find it difficult to maintain decorum around me. What makes you think you are so different?"

Sebastian chuckles darkly. "Are you sure you want to play such a dangerous game with me, Verena? There are consequences, you know."

I laugh at his threat. "Careful who you attempt to toy with, Sebastian. Many have found that I am quite the expert when it comes to these games. Take care to see you do not get burned by my flames, as many have before."

"Likewise." 

Just as our conversation ends, Elizabeth comes down the stairs. We walk to the dining hall together. I turn around and mischievously wink at the butler. Before I turn around, I see a bright fuchsia flicker in his eyes.

The mystery becomes more tangled and complex, it seems. 

Ciel soon joins us and sits at the head of the table. He attempts to eat in silence, but our dear cousin breaks the silence and has a conversation with him. After we have all finished our meals, Ciel stands up to take his leave but stops in his tracks.

"We will all be traveling into town this morning. Sebastian and I have some business matters with Scotland Yard. I would like you two to take this time to attain dresses in time for the ball in a week," Ciel explains. 

Elizabeth and I nod in understanding. Soon thereafter, we are all ushered into the carriage heading for town. I stare out the window the entire time, letting Elizabeth and Ciel's conversation drift in and out of my mind. My mind cannot help but travel to my interaction with Sebastian this morning. Just what am I getting myself into?

Less than one month reunited with my dear brother, and I have already entangled myself in the web Sebastian carefully crafts. With each mystery hiding beneath his crimson eyes, I find myself uncovering more enigmas that make up this carefully put together man. A dangerous game has found its way into my hands, yet I cannot help but roll the dice and continue on. It is evident that I will soon mind myself with no way out. 

"...Verena, are you listening? We have arrived in front of the shop." 

I break out of my stupor and look at my brother. "Apologies, dear brother. It seems I have been lost in thought." 

Following Elizabeth, I take Sebastian's hand and exit the carriage. Even through his alabaster colored gloves, I can still feel how cold his hands are. Elizabeth and I enter the small shop. I gaze at the various colorful dresses before me. 

A young woman emerges from the back of the shop. Her golden hair flows down past her shoulders. Kind, green eyes meet my gaze as she walks in my direction. 

"A pleasure to meet you, I am Adrianna Crevan. My mother owns the shop. What can I do for you?" She greets. 

I smile at her warmth. "A pleasure indeed. I am Lady Verena Phantomhive. My cousin, Lady Elizabeth Midford, and I are in search of dresses and masks for the upcoming ball at the Phantomhive Manor." 

"I see. Please, feel free to look at any of the dresses on display here. Once you have chosen your pick, we shall go to the back of the shop. I must take your measurements and tailor it to your frame," Adrianna explains.

Elizabeth immediately picks out a delicate pink dress and goes to the back for measurements. Meanwhile, I stay up front and look through the varieties. 

A certain green dress catches my eyes. The top consists of a soft, spring green color, with golden flower embroideries. The sleeves are off the shoulder and a deep emerald, much like the skirt of the dress. This is the dress.

I head towards the back to get my measurements done. Adrianna has just finished with Elizabeth. I hand Adrianna the dress. She guides atop a platform in order to take my measurements. 

As she finishes up, I suddenly remember it was a masquerade ball. "Ah, Adrianna, do you happen to have any masks to go along with the dress. A gold mask is preferable" 

She nods and brings out a golden mask to complement my dress. As I reach out to take it, she gently holds my left hand and brings it up to her eyes. 

"My apologies, but I find myself needing to ask. Is that a star shaped birthmark on your hand?" She asks. 

I smile at her. "No apologies needed. Yes, it is indeed a star shaped birthmark. Most peculiar, is it not? Both my mother and father always found it rather charming."

I look down at the birthmark on my hand. It rests near my knuckle of my index finger. A peculiar occurrence indeed.

***

The fact that I'm consistently updating and writing is kind of flabbergasting to me. Is this what it feels like to not have writer's block?

Anyways, it's fairly clear that Sebastian finds Verena suspicious of something. I wonder what it could be :o.

Stay healthy, loves. 

-krystallic.