Sebastian and Aurelia returned to the table, where Ciel and his cousin, Lizzy, were waiting. Aurelia sat down in her chair with Sebastian's assistance, trying to appear indifferent and ignore what had happened earlier. In reality, though, her heart was racing, and her mind was full of questions and confusion. She felt strange, as if there was something she wasn't supposed to feel, and she couldn't shake it off.
Ciel, observing her expression, looked at her with interest as she tried to maintain her composure. Lizzy was gazing at them with childlike enthusiasm, her characteristic smile lighting up her face.
Ciel: "So, my dear, what did you think of my mansion?" he asked in a calm tone, but there was a slightly playful note in his voice, as if he were expecting an answer that would reveal her impressions.
Aurelia: "It was very beautiful and enormous! All the rooms were stunning, and the atmosphere... well, it was quite imposing," she said, trying to hide the emotion she was feeling. She wished she could have a house like theirs, a place filled with beauty and harmony, like Ciel's mansion.
Aurelia continued with a smile: "I wish I could have such a big house and a butler to serve me!"
Ciel smiled sardonically, but his gaze held a faint irony. He glanced at Sebastian, who was there to serve him, but said nothing. Sebastian was always there, silent, and though he never showed any signs of discomfort or frustration, Ciel knew very well how exhausting his role could become.
Ciel: "Believe me, it's just one big headache..." he said softly, with a light trace of irony in his voice, indicating Sebastian, who was now standing a little closer to them.
He said with a sarcastic tone, and Sebastian turned to look at him with a stern gaze. For a moment, the room seemed to freeze, as the tension between them was almost tangible. After a few seconds, Sebastian turned his gaze away and began clearing the table, filling the cups with tea, as if trying to dissipate the tension.
On the other hand, Aurelia placed one hand in front of her mouth and smiled sweetly, unable to hide her slight joy. It was the moment when she wondered if Ciel was watching her, and she truly felt a sense of peace and warmth from him.
Ciel, observing her, felt a strange attraction toward that girl. It wasn't just because she was beautiful – there was something more. Something in her behavior, in her innocence, reminded him of his mother. It was as if he were seeing an echo of the past, something that made him feel vulnerable and yet protective toward her.
For her, he was ready to do anything. He would protect her from anything bad, and if he had to offer help, he would give it without hesitation. But he also had the curiosity to learn more about her, to understand who she really was. It was something that drew him in immediately, and that sense of mystery around her made him want to know every little detail. He wanted to know her thoughts and desires, but he also knew he would have to open up and say a few things about himself.
He had no problem with that, because he felt so comfortable around her. Her aura was beautiful, so calm and soothing, like a gentle breeze on a warm day. He felt that with her, the whole world around him stopped, and he could enjoy the tranquility without any pressure.
For that reason, he patiently waited until his cousin, Lizzy, decided to leave, as he wanted to be alone with Aurelia. When, finally, the time reached 4 PM, and Lizzy declared that she wanted to leave to rest, Ciel took the opportunity he had been waiting for.
He invited her to go inside the manor, as the chill outside began to grow stronger. Aurelia agreed immediately, and with Sebastian's help, Ciel and Aurelia went inside. They both preferred to sit in the living room and continue their conversation there, drinking their tea and enjoying the warmth of the space.
Sebastian lit the fireplace and served the hot tea to his master and the beautiful lady, who sat across from his young master. Sebastian silently sat next to Ciel, watching their conversation with a calm and restrained expression. He was impressed by how open and friendly Ciel was with Aurelia. He had never seen his master so comfortable and open with a girl.
This made him wonder if Ciel had fallen in love with Aurelia. But why this girl? There were so many other women he had met in the past. Why her? And then, Sebastian realized something that left him speechless: had he become jealous? Was that what was making him feel this way? It was a thought that scared him, but he didn't want to analyze it further. He simply pushed the thought aside and focused again on the calm atmosphere around him.
Aurelia noticed Sebastian's gaze and was puzzled.
Aurelia: "Sebastian? Are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost..."
Ciel turned and looked at Sebastian with a serious expression. Sebastian, immediately regaining his usual composure, smiled with a fake, but polite, smile.
Sebastian: "Ha... I'm fine. I was just thinking about something and got absorbed. That's all."
Aurelia looked at him for a moment but didn't say anything further. Ciel, however, continued to watch her with interest, waiting to see where this conversation would lead. For him, everything had become more interesting with Aurelia's presence.
Ciel and Aurelia looked at each other for a moment, puzzled. However, the young master didn't pay much attention to the change in the atmosphere and tried to continue the conversation, which had been interrupted. As always, the conversation absorbed him so much that the passing of time seemed irrelevant to him.
Unfortunately, time passed quickly, and Aurelia hadn't noticed it. Suddenly, she looked at her watch and realized, shocked, that it was already 11 PM. It was the first time she had been so late returning home. Something in the atmosphere began to fill her with unease. William was surely waiting for her.
William was indeed very worried... where had she gone? Why isn't back yet? "She must be with some friend from the Shinigami world," he thought for a moment, but the unease wouldn't leave him. It was possible she was with some mortal... that she met? Why was she so late? Something told him it wasn't just about the time.