Janus — The Heirs, He Who Wishes To Wear the Crown, Endure Its Weight

-Ship Voyage arc-

Chapter XLVIII:

Debut

Title: Janus (Sequel to 'A Kiss To My Prince and The King 2 Hearts)

Summary: Yuri's character is like a thorn bird, strong and courageous who continues to embrace people around her but she can only brings out her best at the cost of great pain. A thorn bird is a mythical bird who searches for a thorn tree from the day it is born. When it finds it, the bird impales itself upon the sharpest thorn, and rises above the agony to sing the most beautiful song ever heard.

Pairing: Sebastian x OC x Ciel with Claude x OC x Alois

"My name is Yuri Park. There was an incident and I woke up in 1887. Am I mad, in a coma, or back in time? Whatever's happened, it's like I've landed on a different planet. I decided to stay in this world...and this is my story."

A/N: Holy guacamole it's been a long time to see you here in this story! So most of you are probably aware that this is probably the last chapter for Janus for 'A Kiss To My Prince' (AKTMP) instalment. To those who don't know why this is the last chapter, I have copied and pasted the the Q&A below from 'The Liars and The Soothsayer':

What will happen to Kings 2 Hearts and Janus?

Kings 2 Hearts and Janus will be rewritten. However since I'm starting the series anew, there will be a new sequel to "The Liars and Soothsayer". I'll leave the Kings 2 Hearts and Janus up for those who likes the original versions. Therefore, unfortunately for Janus (original), it means it will remain unfinished. However, since I have the next chapter for Janus partially written, I'll finish writing them and upload them as a "final" chapter for Janus (Original). The first half and the end half will probably be very different, writing style wise.

So that's what happened. I know there will be few tears and 'nooooo!', that's what I did when I realise I'm gonna have to continue this installment in 'The Liars and The Soothsayer', however, when one door closes another opens.

Guys, it's been five years since I've first published AKTMP and I've met the most wonderful people I never thought I'd meet here. You all have supported me and helped me throughout the ups and downs of real life. Whenever I felt upset or I wanted to put everything down, I'd always come back and read your review. Life's has been difficult, as it is for everyone else, but so rarely do you find the support you need. Writing for me is an escape when reality gets too hard and it gives me tremendous happiness when there are people that appreciate my stories. You guys give me strength and I do my best to give back what I received from you through my stories. No amount of vocabularies in the dictionary can describe the gratuity I feel for my readers.

The new re written version will follow the same outline I have planned for AKTMP so really the only difference would be the character/romance development which will not progress as fast as AKTMP did.

If there's any question, please do not hesitate to contact me via Tumblr: sunset-wishes-upon-hill (if you want immediate answers/response) or please ask via The Liars and The Soothsayer reviews.

Also this chapter was partially written on 2013-14 so it was 95% finished so the writing styles/character is probably is just as you probably remembered.

Please enjoy. I hope to see you guys in The Liars and The Soothsayer.

The first class suite was in the Art Nouveau style, and comprises two bedrooms, a bath, wardrobe room, and a large sitting room. In addition there was a private 50 foot promenade deck outside. The room was beautiful in a way only the most fortunate and privileged could afford but it was overly exaggerated; waste of ship space actually.

"He likes you." I turned to face Alois in question with a raised brow, "Who?"

Alois lounged on the King sized bed like a lazy cat, "Edward Midford."

"I know." I said, "I'm the only girl he probably be acquainted with him. He's inexperienced..like a child."

I walked toward him, sitting on the corner of the bed with my head hovering over him as his hands came to tangle with my untamed long locks.

"It's hard not to. You are a woman of fascination; you draw people in."

"I mean I come from different world; of course, it would attract an attention." I frowned.

"No." He rejected, "It's you. Not where you come from."

I couldn't help but let out a shy laughter.

Alois smiled as I continued to dismiss the notion, feeling the catharsis in this close proximity.

It was a miracle how much she cared for him, who is worthless, He thought. Even if she did not say it, he already knew by looking at her face, even if she does not give a long speech; her eyes that look at him are telling him. How much she cared for him. He was simply thankful for just the fact that she came into his life, often wondering if it was right for him to receive this undeserved love.

When he had been injured, the first thing he could think of was he hadn't done anything for her but why was she more worried about him? This made him irritated. Why is she doing this, irritating him? Who does she think she is to worry about him? He wanted to shout he would do fine without her and mind her own business.

He didn't know but back then, happiness was non-existent that only avoided him like plague and used to endure that punishment with whatever pride he could scavenged. The one who genuinely listened to him, one who made him, who gave him courage, telling him that he could do it; that the world is still warm, who vanished the hatred that followed him and even embraced his faults and considered his worthless worries first and stayed with him even when it hurt...was this very woman in front of him.

That's why he can breathe and live and everything is so precious to him. There would not be anything in this world which could compensate this debt for gifting him with a life like this. For allowing him to be loved. For staying by his side. That was when he realises, 'Ah..this is such an amazing feeling. So this is what it means to live.' but he could not help but feel sorry for being lacking for her.

Days were black even when he opened his eyes. Time stopped even though he lived. These cowardly steps that he took with a fearful heart, ended. The he who could stick a dagger in people's chests and remain unmoved, he cannot forgive.

"When will you marry me?" Alois couldn't help but ask, "It's..because of you that this wish.. is inside of me."

"I'm only seventeen." I said, "You're only fifteen." It wasn't as if my life was some 16-episode of drama where a girl get tangled up with one or two men and end up choosing who weighed heavier in her heart. What was complicated was that I came to like them all too equally (although I'm not sure about the two particular demons, sometimes I couldn't see through them at all). But the difference was, in the drama she would come to choose. My choice seemed to be clouded by thick blanket with no end that I felt like some...player..toying with four men all at once.

And more importantly...if I were to get married, I want to have my mum there to see the happiest day of my life. The day when her little girl finally becomes a woman and having a family she can call her own.

"I'm still a man, you know." I yelped in surprise when he ripped me out of my thought by suddenly tackling me to the bed, his arms caging my head on either side as his face loomed dangerously close, "Wanting to hold, touch and have the woman he loves is the natural instinct of man."

I grabbed onto the nearby pillow before attempting to push him off. I could feel the blush creeping up as his fingers came to curl around my wrist before revealing his red eyes and set of fangs in the act of asserting his domination.

Alois huskily whispered, "You'll have to endure this..because from now on we'll be together. This thing, I'll be doing it constantly."

I couldn't help but sighs in exasperation. His voice becomes teasing as he asks, "Could it be that you want something more intense? Or, do you love being attacked with words?"

I gasps in shock, but Alois just whispers lowly, "That's fine. Whichever one you like I'll do it to you." Alois smirked before lowering his head and my claws ready to rip his silky hair out of its scalp—

"Oi.." A voice growled.

I turned with a small gasp, having caught off guard at the sight of irritated looking Ciel leaning against the door and immediately pushed Alois off but it was more of an embarrassment at having been caught in compromising position.

"You shouldn't interrupt upon people, Ciel." Alois chided in mixture of irritation and teasing.

"You shouldn't touch a woman of mine." He retorted, revealing his demonic features in challenge.

"Can't you guys get along already?" I asked before my voice became quieter as blush rushed to my cheeks, "I like both of you equally.." I turned to stare at them both, noticing a certain look in Ciel's eyes, "Are you hungry?"

"I am." Ciel said, "Do you mind?"

"No." I shook my head, pulling my sleeve to reveal my arm.

"I want to drink it from your neck." I was taken aback by this but said nothing further. If there was one thing Ciel and Alois were alike was their blunt I-want-what-I-want attitude.

Alois nodded understandingly, realising Hannah probably had explained the rituals, knowing the intimacy of blood sharing that will soon occur and he, as a demon, was obligated to give them the privacy they wanted.

Ciel slowly unbutton my turtle neck dress, pushing the material far enough to reveal the place he intended to drink from as my heart throbbed painfully against my ribs and I could feel my face becoming hotter! I was sure my whole face was as red as a tomato..

Before I came here, I wasn't like this. I changed the way I talk, I started to act cute, do my hair and think about what I'm gonna wear. I am becoming strange that my head automatically wondered, 'What kind of illness do I have?'

The bed slightly hunched as two bodies lowered themselves into its cushy, duck feather duvets and a sharp but dull pain buzzed through my neck, instinctively grasping around Ciel's sleeve firmly. I always didn't know whether to be sick or something else at the sound of my blood being slurped out of me.

"Drink." Ciel ordered, using his sharp nail to make a small incision on his neck, cupping the back of my neck to bring my lip up where I had easy access to the dark red liquid slowly bubbling out of the skin. It was something he never done before and I realised Hannah maybe had explained the intimate ritual behind it.

His finger trailed down to my waist as usual but for some reason my hand quickly grabbed his and stopped it in its track, the tense was unmistakably carnal and palpable — something I've felt since few days ago..

Ciel looked at me in question as if to say 'why so hesitant?'.

I shook my head, "..I'm..not ready?" It came out more of an unsure question as if even I didn't know what I was saying.

"We are going to get married," He said in his usual cold ways, "But don't make me wait too long."

I wondered if he referred to regarding how I was refusing to marry until I was at least 18 or something else...

"..Shit."

-2nd Day, April 18th-

The day started out with early breakfast at 8AM with the Midford family. The breakfast was peaceful but overflowed with light-hearted subjects.

Breakfast:

Baked Apples
Fresh Fruit
Stewed Prunes
Quaker Oats
Boiled Hominy
Puffed Rice
Fresh Herings
Eindon Haddock
Smoked Salmon
Grilled Mutton Kidneys & Bacon
Grilled Ham
Grilled Sausage
Lamb Collops
Vegetable Stew
Fried, Shirred, Poached & Boiled Eggs
Plain & Tomato Omelettes to Order
Sirlon Steak & Mutton Chops to Order
Mashed, Saute & Jacket Potatoes
Cold Meat
Vienna & Graham Rolls
Soda & Sultana Scones
Corn Bread
Buckwheat Cakes
Black Currant Conserve
Narbonne Honey
Oxford Marmelade
Watercress

"Join me for a brandy, gentlemen?" The Marquis stood up after the end of dinning, heading to the smoking room with the reluctant Earls', Edward and the demon butlers.

Lizzy, with low hushed whisper said, "Now they retreat into a cloud of smoke and congratulate each other on being masters of the universe." I giggled.

On our way to the most elegant lounge on the ship, done in Louis Quinze Versaille style, we encountered Molly Brown, looking good in a beaded dress, in her own busty broad-shouldered way. I knew the history would call her unsinkable Molly.

Molly grinned in greetings as we entered the swirling throng; Lizzy leaned close to me, pointing out several notables.

"There's the Countess Rothes. And that's John Jacob Astor... his little wifey there, Madeleine, is your age and in a delicate condition." The said woman's arm protectively came to wrap them around her abdomen, "See how she's trying to hide it. Quite the scandal." Lizzy informed, nodding toward a couple, "And that's Benjamin Guggenheim and his mistress, Madame Aubert. Mrs. Guggenheim is at home with the children, of course. Over there, that's Sir Cosmo and Lucile, Lady Duff-Gordon. She designs naughty lingerie, among her many talents. Very popular with the Royals. I heard she wishes you to wear one of her latest designs. You should try it; I'm sure Ciel will like it."

I blushed, "Lizzy!"

"Why so coy?" She replied, "From what I have seen, you two have already consummated your relationship."

"No we didn't." I dead-panned, "He's only fifteen. I'm seventeen. Too young."

"In the eye of the church, a woman needs to be only twelve and a man fourteen to consent to their holy nuptial. You must know those are not the issues that burden the any respectable gentlemen. It is their duty to produce an heir. On the other hand, their daughter may expect a handsome reward when that occurs as you can see with Madeleine who is your age and already in delicate condition." Lizzy informed, "Sooner or later, you will have to provide an heir to the Phantomhive's name. Or Trancy. Or perhaps both."

"Firstly, where I come from, to get married I need my parent's permission. And second of all, what?! Both?! That's..w-how is that even...?" I replied, "And finally, do you know how painful childbirth is?!"

"You know it?" Lizzy frowned with a gasp.

"No, I've witness it..." I said fearfully, "It was the most scariest and horrible thing I ever seen. The husband ended up with a bald patch and the wife even kicked him during the deliver, knocked him out cold. Didn't see his baby for two hours."

Sweat beads gathered on Lizzy's forehead as the mental image played out, "Well..we are women. Our life is not easy. But you mustn't worried—"

"I shall be with you, dear." Angela pipped in cheerfully, "I assisted when my sister gave birth to Ciel and although it was a very difficult and hard labour, in the end everything went soothingly. I would be honoured to hold my dear grand-children in my arms from their first moments."

I forced an awkward smiled, "Ok...? I don't think it will be that soon.."

Angela and Lizzy only laughed although in elegant and graceful manner that it sounded more like an echoing bell as Angela disagreed, "Knowing my little nephew, it won't be long before he has his own way with you. Oh, such innocence...so naive about the way men thinks."

"Auntie, they say a man should know how to wait." Lizzy countered.

I shook my head awkwardly, "No..not really.." I wasn't that naive..I mean it was hard to be naive in 21st century. If anything, I knew exactly how their mind worked. Blame it on drama.

We females moved to sit with the other ladies. I sat on a divan, with a group of other women arrayed around us as unfamiliar ladies presented themselves at me respectively.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Yuri! I am Countess Rothes." Noëlle Lucy Martha Dyer-Edwardes, the Countess Of Rothes, was a 25ish English blue-blood with patrician features, curtsied, "So you are the woman of desire Her Majesty had spoken very highly about."

I curtsied back, "Nice to meet you as well, Countess."

"Please call me Noëlle."

I nodded, feeling quite overwhelmed many other women came up to me with fleeting breeze and so many names I forgotten half of them as they attempted themselves known. We soon settle down into a comfortable group of six consisting of Ruth, the Countess Rothes and Lady Duff-Gordon are taking tea, Lizzy, Marchioness, Madame Red.

I sat in silent and still as a porcelain figurine as the conversation washes around me which gave me a lot of time to think on my own. They had to be friends with me, I came to realise.

Why? To their eyes, I was (apparently) like a Queen. The Victorian cultural structure was predicated on the equation of beauty with power. One instinctively aligned themselves with someone who holds the greatest potential for societal supremacy. To me, it's a Darwinian pressure I'm too young to bear.

"Of course the invitations had to be sent back to the printers twice." One of the women said, "And the bridesmaids dresses! Let me tell you what an odyssey that has been..."

"My daughter is well-bred and devoted to her duties. She speaks French, Latin and Italian, and is fully versed in horsemanship and dancing...I can't think of anything in her that would stand in the way of a singularly happy marriage. One has to accept one's responsibility. Certain obligations come with marriage, no matter how burdensome they may seem.."

"..Mr Brown had no idea I'd hidden the money in the stove! So he comes home drunk as a pig and he lights a fire!"

Marchioness becomes engrossed in conversations with Cosmo Duff-Gordon, while Ruth, the Countess and Lucille discuss fashion. I sat, flanked by people in heated conversation. Marchioness and Ruth are laughing together, while on the other side Lady Duff-Gordon is holding forth animatedly. I felt quite bored, an endless parade of parties and cotillions, yachts and polo matches... always the same narrow people, the same mindless chatter.

At the corner of my eyes, a sight caught my attention. A tableau of mother and daughter having tea. The four year old girl, wearing white gloves, daintily picking up a cookie. The mother correcting her on her posture, and the way she holds the teacup. The little girl is trying so hard to please, her expression serious. A glimpse of that at such age, and I could see the relentless conditioning... the pain to becoming a Victorian geisha. How weird..reminds me of..

"I have heard there will be a ball in the name of your honour." Countess Rothes informed as everyone on the table seemed to be interested in the conversation as well.

I looked at her surprised, returning to the surroundings, "A ball?"

She nodded with a dainty smile, "Of course. Her Majesty accepted you into one of her closest circle; you are one of us now. This is your débutante you can call it. The whole London is curious about your person."

"I see." I said, "Well, I hope it will be a great party."

She smiled, "It will be a night to remember."

Yes it will be, I inwardly thought ominously, more focus on eating the delicious cake placed upon the delicate china.

"Elizabeth," The Marchioness sternly called, "Prepare Miss Yuri for tomorrow. I must carry out her training as a future lady of the house more strictly."

At this, Elizabeth's face paled for she knew the hardship and suffering she endured to become a respectable lady of the society.

"Yes, mother." Lizzy looked at me with a pitiful stare just as I looked up from my cake when I felt someone was talking about me. Before I could ask, there was sound of bugle playing fanfare, announcing dinner like a cavalry charge as we headed to the dining saloon where I was handed dinner menu that was far more extravagant and vast diverse of choices. Thank goodness Lizzy was here to order something that I probably knew in other words.

Dinner:

Hors D'Oeuvre Varies
Oysters
Consomme Olga
Cream of Barley
Salmon
Mousseline Sauce
Cucumber
Filet Mignons Lili
Saute of Chicken
Lyonnaise
Vegetable Marrow Farcie
Lamb Mint Sauce
Roast Duckling
Apple Sauce
Sirlon of Beef
Chateau Potaoes
Green Peas
Creamed Carrots
Boiled Rice
Parmentier & Boiled New Potatoes
Punch Romaine
Roast Squab & Cress
Cold Asparagus Vinagrette
Pate du Foie Gras
Celery
Waldorf Pudding
Peaches in Chartreuse Jelly
Chocolate & Vanilla Eclairs
French Ice Cream

-3rd Day, April 19th-

This day was quite apprehensive compared to the other time and I understand it was a built up of our worst intuitions but I knew it was only the partial quantum of it. Of course for me, it started at 5AM.

5AM

Hannah, Elizabeth and the Marchioness (disapprovingly) stared down at the sleeping form, clicking her tongue at the disgraceful posture. I let out a cough in my sleep, scratching my head roughly before calming down. Marchioness cleared her throat loudly, stirring me from my sleep but I ignored it. "Ahem!" I peeked open sheepishly.

"Please get up. We need to start our lessons." Hannah asked softly.

I sat up, my back hunched, head nodding away, eyes barely opened and demanded frustratingly, "Why did you wake me up so early in the morning?!"

"We're already late." Elizabeth revealed, sweat-dropping from somewhat comical reaction.

"Late? It's only like 5 in the morning!" I yawned, "Beside, who would care when I wake up.."

"A lady of respectable society would not show such disgraceful behaviour in the morning!" Marchioness strictly corrected.

"What?!"

"Ladies of respectable society wakes up before 6AM." Hannah explained, understanding my irritation of being awaken so early and sudden, "Thus as a wife of an Earl, one must awake an hour before the ladies. This is the regulation."

I bit my lip from shouting out death threats for waking up a girl, I might add, at dawn before pulling up the bed sheet over my head to go back to sleep. The three women looked at each other before grabbing the rim of the silky materials and roughly yanked it away as cold wind breezed past my whole form.

6AM

I can't believe this is actually real.. I thought as I concentrated on getting my feet to follow the straight line guided on the red carpet while balancing a damn plate on my head! A plate! On my head! Seriously?!

"A lady's, particularly wife of a noble, manner of walking must be as graceful as a crane. You must not be frivolous." Marchioness said in firm voice, gesturing Elizabeth's perfect grace and elegance in her walk.

My feet wobbled as the plate fell with a loud 'SMASH!', shattering across the floor.

"Again." Marchioness ordered as Hannah placed another plate as my jaw dropped in baffle.

I sighed, closing my eyes before starting again to complete a metre long ribbon used as a ruler for my 'straightness'.

SMASH!

"Again."

Hannah placed another on my head, walking a step before shaking my head deliberately as it come crashing down.

SMASH!

I kicked away some shards in annoyance.

"Again."

SMASH!

"Again."

I shook my head, my walk becoming rougher.

SMASH!

"Again."

SMASH!

"Again."

SMASH!

"Again."

This time I did succeed reaching the end of the ribbon with still unbroken plate but I took the plate before throwing it down on the floor as it shattered with familiar 'SMASH!', "I'm not doing it! Not doing it!"

7AM

"Miss Yuri, p-please eat more slowly.." Her word of advice went unheard of as I stuffed the bread smeared with butter and jam, large piece of steak, bacon, eggs, whole sausage, hash browns, toast down my throat, sometime if possible at the same time. I moaned in pleasure as my empty stomach was finally being filled.

"Please comply with the proper decorum." Marchioness advised, her aristocratic brow twitching at the sight she never have seen in her life.

After swallowing large chunk of food enough to talk, I retorted, "I'm about to die from hunger and you talk about that damn decorum. Hurry up and get me more food." I pleaded to Hannah.

"Please follow the decorum." Marchioness gritted out, "And watch your language, you're a future wife-to-be to the Phantomhive name."

"You won't even let me eat more, is that so?" I frowned, my stomach are not even half filled!

"Even Queen Victoria has learnt the traditional order passed from generation to generations that girls of the elite can't be greedy for food. I know this is not easy. You must know your life before and now are not the same. There are a lot of regulations you must follow. Especially as the Countess of Phantomhive. You are the representative of Ciel and the Phantomhive name. So of course it is not easy."

"Lady! Lady! Society! Society! My ears are about to grow callouses!" I complained.

"Take the food away." Marchioness ordered as Hannah and Paula picked up the large tray.

"Huh? Huh?" My eyes widened at that dreading sentence as I pushed the tray down from being lifted, "What are you doing? Can't you see I haven't finished eating?!"

"Take the food away." She ordered in fixed tone.

"Huh?!" My arms shook in anxiety before my eyes fell on the basket full of croissant. I reached out to grab the bread, Marchioness quickly snatched it away, having seen my plan.

"Fine! I might as well die of hunger!"

"You should learn the rules of the ladies of high society."

I grumbled, chewing the remaining of the food as if it were some surrogate for all the frustration I felt.

8AM

"Please recite it." Marchioness ordered.

"First, is preserving one's virtue and the second is equanimity." I recited, "First, is preserving one's virtue is the most important to women. And the second one is to have calmness and composure. Women at home should not go out. Shouldn't gossip and don't listen to gossip. At dusk..." I halted.

Marchioness eyes lit up in alert.

"A-at dusk..." I closed my eyes, attempting to remember. I reached out for the tome, only to be stopped as the wooden stick slapped the book closed just an inch away from my fingers.

"When it's nearly dusk, the lamp should be lit. Whatever have been the cares of the day, greet your husband with a smile when he returns. Make your personal appearance just as beautiful as possible. Let him enter rooms so attractive and sunny that all the recollections of his home, when away from the same, shall attract him back." Marchioness recited without a flow, "Please start again from the beginning."

"Start again?"

"Yes. Please recite it one more time."

This was when all my senses were thrown out of the window. I ripped open the book before tearing the pages of sexist axiom and rules, throwing it in the air, "I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't recite it!"

"If you don't finish the training, you can't be the Countess of Phantomhive." The Marchioness warned.

"Who cares about being the Countess Phantomhive. I'm not doing it." I retorted, "Not doing it, not doing it! I GIVE UP!"

Laughter escaped Ciel's mouth, clutching his stomach as Sebastian reported the incident word to word, "She clearly said she wasn't doing it anymore?"

The crow demon chuckled along, "She said she was giving up and could care less about becoming the Countess of Phantomhive."

Ciel chuckled, repressing the outburst at the imagination of what she went through and the kind of things she would have said, "It's too bad..she might have stayed here willingly but she can't end this willingly."

"Don't be nervous." Hannah soothed, seeing how nervous I looked as she gently brushed my hair until it was so soft it could flew down her grip like water.

"Hannah.." I started, "Even though I've already made my decision.. it's starting to shake."

"You regret staying?"

I smiled bitterly, "I really do miss my family and friends. I could have lived normally if I choose to go back to my world too, you know. You think that if I put my heart out there and then separated, I wouldn't be able to handle it afterwards, don't you? Well, I draw on that strength and live on. You think if I leave, they'll be inconsolably sad, don't you? Being able to live with that sadness is what being human is. That's love, and memory, and what becomes remembrance. We humans only need one of those things to give us the strength to live out the rest of our life. Now, if you had absolutely nothing—then you really couldn't live on."

I wondered if this was, call me cheesy, a destiny. I wasn't even sure if it existed. Yes, sometimes I believed they did exist and other time I didn't. Fate, destiny call it whatever you want; I never did understand the difference in them. When destiny comes you'll know it for sure. I'm not clear about it, I just know it is so. A feeling of absolute certainty... of knowing you belong to each other. That's how it's like in my eyes, this is all that I see.

"I know I'll be happy. Perhaps I'll have few happy years here but I knew I'll regret it at least once. It would have been the same if I chose to go back. They came to like me. I came to like them too." I told sincerely, "But while having to forgo my family...realistically, any men are not something a girl can't forget. Men are not worth that much. This is a result of when the love that I used to belittle, has controlled me. It felt thrilling and happy, and painful too, because what I saw here was so nice. I can't even ask help from my parent any-more. Every parents would be so sad when their kid says she doesn't need their help any-more."

Hannah cupped my cheeks, "Don't forget what you learned from your first miracle. Your own will is what saved you. That strong will of yours that wants to live your life like a great human being..."

A smile appeared on my face, my eyes softening before it glassed into a far away look. How weird, it's just like what my teacher—my eyes widened as I jerked around, "How—?"

"Isn't that right, Yuri?" The image flashed too quick for my raste but nonetheless enough to grip my heart like claws as the familiar face moulded with her icy ones.

"You're..." I muttered.

"I told you didn't I?" Hannah smiled, "That from the moment you were born, I have looked over you..always."

Alois entered my room with a knock as Hannah had finished with helping me getting ready. I looked pretty. Beautiful even.

"Tonight, there will be a ball held in your honour." He informed, scanning my face as I stared at him in consternation, my brows rising up in question to elaborate further.

Alois bent down and picked up the heels beside the bed, gently guiding my ankle into the beautifully made shoes much to my surprise but those feelings were soon forgotten by the serious expression he showed along with his sombre tone, "There is something you absolutely must know before the ball. You must promise that tonight you will address me by my given name without any title."

"I already do."

"Good." He said, "Keep it that way."

He picked up the last heel, "When they ask you things..it is up to you to decide what you are comfortable with letting them know, if anything at all..there will be certainly be many people who will... approach us freely talking about our relationship or your connection to Ciel or your background, be it with idle chatter or even unwelcoming gossiping, but be wary of them, Yuri.."

As I finished preparing, I saw Sebastian standing in my doorway, reflected in the cracked mirror of my vanity. I noticed I had seen him and Claude less and less, perhaps doing their best to discreetly get rid of the thousand corpses.

He comes toward, "Beautiful. As always of course."

"Thank you." I said with a slight blush, "Where's Claude?"

"Taking care of the last few..quite many than we expected." The demon informed.

"I said there will be huge numbers.." I dead-panned, "Don't tell me you thought like fifty.."

"No." Sebastian chuckled, "I had eons of time to learn not to underestimate things. I came here to give you a gift."

I frowned in surprise, "A gift? What's the catch?"

"I know you've been melancholy, and I don't pretend to not know why." Sebastian revealed seductively, "I intended to save this until the time is right and tonight seems appropriate, perhaps a reminder of my feeling for you..."

From behind his back he hands me a large black velvet jewel case. I took it, numbly. I slowly opens the box. Inside is the necklace...the infamous Marie Antionette necklace(1) in all its glory. It is huge... a malevolent diamonds glittering with an infinity of scalpel-like inner reflections.

First was a choker of seventeen diamonds, five to eight carats each; from that hung a three-wreathed festoon and pendants; then came the necklace proper, a double row of diamonds cumulating in an eleven-carat stone, finally, hanging from the necklace four knotted tassel. It was tied with pink satin ribbons.

I cupped my hand against his lip before placing a chaste kiss upon the back of my hand where his lip were hidden as his fangs retraced and his eyes became the normal light blue colour I loved.

In the Campania 1st class passenger lounge, the ballroom was bustling with the elegant laughters and murmuring of the prestigious elites dressed in their loveliest evening gowns.

"Ciel, look look!" Elizabeth pulled along her cousin into the deeper part of the room, "That cake is so cute!"

The murmurs and talk came to a hushed tone as a man climbed onto the platform, clearing his throat to catch others attention.

"It is always a delight, when one is on holiday, to request a few words of wisdom. So without further ado it is a great honour to hand over to our most distinguished guest...when she appears, every eyes are upon her; when absent, she is the subject of universal conversation. And what we see her wearing tonight," An attendee at the soirée remarks to the crowd, "I look forward to seeing the rest of you wearing tomorrow! The empress of fashion herself, Lady Yuri."

The crowd applauded loudly as I entered, accompanied by Alois. There was a hushed 'wow' as everyone took in my appearance; the gold dramatic fit and flare dress was one of a kind. The bodice was a combination of a Dusty-Rose background and hand embroidered lace, which combined a point d'espirit background and shimmery medallion embroidery. The off the shoulder sleeves, embroidered with pearl scalloping and sequined fringers and voluminous pleated skirt with layers of Blush and Ivory silk tulle and flocked tulle and the impressive train was framed by shell-like structure, of Ivory starched point d'esprit tulle were breath-taking art to look at. What caught their eyes however was the necklace that were possessively snacked around the neck.

Inside I was screaming and crying. I hated being the centre of the attention. Court reporters in the corner began furiously sketch on their drawing pad. Other women looked at my dress, and then their own dress.

My eyes were caught by the overhead glass dome, with a crystal chandelier at its centre. The opulent of the first class deck made my eyes want to close from its brightness. I instantly tightened my arms around Alois and he tightened in response as I was thrown into the sharks that were the upper class.

"How are you doing tonight, Earl Trancy and Lady Yuri?"

"How are you doing, Lady? Earl Trancy and Earl Phantomhive has informed us of your existence, but they would not say anything more and we are curious.."

"Kindly come to the centre..."

"We all want to admire your beautiful face."

"Come.."

"Come closer, my Lady."

"Lady Yuri..."

"Lady Yuri."

"...Lady Yuri.."

"Come to think of it, your features strikingly resemble those of a rose among thorns. One to love as a beautiful flower – gazed upon but not picked?"

"I think it is her soft, gentle gaze that melted the two icy Earls' heart."

"Her witty intelligence that shocked Her Majesty's."

"Oh, Lady Yuri, the Earl Trancy and Earl Phantomhive have left for us such a marvellous and delightful treasure...we could never have imagined such a wonderful thing."

I gulped.

"Oh, yes...one worthy of the Queen's highest honour and compliments are our precious 'treasures'..."

"I imagine we will be as close as sisters."

Alois words came to play in my mind as they began to reach out their hands for friendship.

"None of it is done out of affection or sympathy. Parts of them do it to try and ingratiate themselves with us...and another part does it for the sake of hurting you and amusing themselves by watching you feeling shaken. Some of them even do it for both the reasons at once...but in any case...don't let their insincere flattery and lies touch you, Yuri. It's perfectly fine for you to just brush their attempt off and ignore them. There's nothing at all obligating you to give in and disclose any information if you don't want to...and the Victorian society has already been made aware of all they might needed to know about...our relationship, anyway. Yuri, I'm sure you've already noticed some of them before...in the eyes of the vast majority of the Victorian society...we nobles are merely..for them to jab and poke each other just for the sake of soothing our boredom. For them, you are a prey. However, when you do feel like fighting back...you have the power to take control of them at wish using either my name or Ciel's."

Never in my entire life had I ever wish to jump off the ship and make friends with the dolphins down there.

(1) The Marie Antoinette Necklace (The picture of the necklace can be seen in my profile under the name: Yuri's diamond necklace.) - The loudest scandal known as 'The Affair of the Diamond Necklace' of the 18th century engulfed the jewel which did not belong to the crown of France. In 1785 the Comtessa de la Motte had the necklace delivered to her. She in turn was supposed to take it to Marie Antoinette but she stole it instead.

This necklace was the downfall of Marie Antoinette whose reputation was already tarnished by gossip, was ruined by the implication that she had participated in a crime to defraud the crown jewellers of the cost of a very expensive diamond necklace although Antoinette was innocent of any participation in the affair, and had no idea what was going on, the Diamond Necklace Affair added fuel to the fire of hate surrounding her. Antoinette refused to buy it and within a few days it had already been broken up, smuggled by Monsieur de la Motte to London, and sold piece by piece in the markets of the city.

It was the most expensive jewel of the era, costing 1,600,000 lives. The infamous necklace which contained 647 diamonds, and weighed 2800 carats. Perhaps in today's currency, this is the equivalent of $100 million (US) or £66 million pounds (UK).

A/N: Can't believe this story will remain incomplete….it's horrible I know, it really unnerves me I have to leave a story unfinished. In a perfect, ideal world I'd love to finish the stories as intended but life has another plan it seems. When I read back to the story, I just can't believe how far I've come…

Although this arc weren't concluded as I and probably you all hoped, I really hope you enjoyed this chapter.