Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/2387312.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Choose_Not_To_Use_Archive_Warnings, Underage
  Category:
      M/M
  Fandom:
      Kuroshitsuji_|_Black_Butler
  Relationship:
      Sebastian_Michaelis/Ciel_Phantomhive, Sebastian_Michaelis_&_Ciel
      Phantomhive
  Character:
      Ciel_Phantomhive, Sebastian_Michaelis, Elizabeth_Midford
  Stats:
      Published: 2014-10-01 Chapters: 3/? Words: 1105
****** Selfless Love ******
by seldombites
Summary
     Lizzy knows that Ciel and Sebastian have feelings for each other
     beyond that of a master/servant relationship. Her heart is broken,
     but Ciel's happiness is important to her so she sets out to bring the
     two together. Also posted on Fanfiction.net.
***** Prologue *****
Lizzy could not tell you exactly when her heart broke. There was no single
moment she could pinpoint. It was, rather, a slow process – a little piece
here, a little piece there, as she gradually became aware that her beloved Ciel
did not return her feelings.
He used to care for her. She was sure of it. Maybe still did. Just not in the
way she wished so much that he would. It was that damn butler’s fault. Ever
since he came on the scene Ciel had been different. More…remote. Yes, he still
cared for her. But now he loved her as a friend, or maybe a younger sister. His
true passions were reserved for Sebastian. And she was certain the butler
returned his feelings.
It was the little things that gave it away. The way Ciel would search for the
slightest excuse to order the butler about. The way that Ciel’s eyes would
follow him as he carried out his duties. The way the butler’s fingers lingered
for a split second longer than necessary when adjusting the young Earl’s
clothing.
It hurt her heart to see these things. Hurt her almost more than she could
bear. But true love meant putting your beloved’s happiness ahead of your own.
Or so it said in the fairy-tales she was so fond of reading. So she locked her
pain deep within her heart, planted a smile on her face and played the part of
bubbly, airheaded fiancé.
What irritated her most about the situation was the way Ciel seemed oblivious
to his own feelings. Her beloved Earl possessed street smarts and political
savvy. He was diligent and savvy in service to his Queen. Yet he was utterly
clueless when it came to matters of the heart.
Yes, she wanted Ciel to want her...to love her with all his heart, the way that
she loved him. But his happiness was important to her and his happiness lay
with that wretched butler. So, after one particularly gruelling afternoon of
watching those two tiptoe around each other, she began to formulate a plan.
***** In Which Lizzy Visits Ciel *****
Chapter Summary
     Lizzy knows that Ciel and Sebastian have feelings for each other
     beyond that of a master/servant relationship. Her heart is broken,
     but Ciel's happiness is important to her so she sets out to bring the
     two together. Also posted on Fanfiction.net.
Lizzy burst through the door of Ciel’s study, a vacant smile plastered on her
face.
“Good morning, my Beloved!” she gushed, ignoring the exasperated sigh that
escaped Ciel’s lips before he arranged his face into his usual passive
expression.
“Lizzy, what are you doing here?” he asked
“I just wanted to see you, Ciel.” Elizabeth pouted. “Does a Lady need a reason
to visit her fiancé?”
“I’m very busy, Lizzy. Do we have to do this today?” he responded.
Elizabeth made her way over to Ciel’s desk. “You work entirely too hard.” She
said. “You are going to exhaust yourself. I think you ought to take a break.”
Her eyes darted about the room, searching for something to distract the young
Earl from his brooding, before alighting upon the chess board in front of his
desk.
“I know!” she said, “Teach me to play chess, Ciel. Would you? Please?”
“Don’t you have tutors for that sort of thing?” he asked.
“Yes,” she said, in a whiny, little-girl kind of voice, “but they are so
boring! I simply cannot pay attention, and I really don’t understand them at
all!”
This was not true, of course. Elizabeth was actually quite an expert when it
came to playing chess. It would not do, however, for a Lady to appear too
intelligent in front of her menfolk. It tended to make them feel insecure.
“Fine.” Ciel responded, annoyed. “But you must promise to return home
immediately afterwards, so I can get on with my work.”
Elizabeth nodded and sat at the chess table, while Ciel took a seat opposite.
He then proceeded to attempt a chess lesson, becoming more and more irritated
as Elizabeth deliberately made silly errors, moving pieces in the wrong
direction, missing opportunities to capture Ciel’s pieces and occasionally
moving Ciel’s pieces instead of her own, until he eventually lost his temper.
“Are you even listening to me?” the boy shouted at her. “You’ve been making the
same mistakes over and over!”
Tears welled in Elizabeth’s eyes, and his voice softened.
“I’m sorry, Lizzy.” He said. “I didn’t mean to yell. I know you are trying your
best. Why don’t we leave it there for today? I promise I will spend some time
with you, soon.”
Elizabeth brightened. “I know! Let’s have a ball this Saturday!” she said,
pretending not to hear Ciel’s groan. “I shall arrive before noon to help
prepare!” She made her way towards the door, pausing to look back at Ciel.
“Oh, by the way,” she said, as though the thought had just occurred to her, “I
will need to borrow Sebastian for a while before then.”
“What? Why?” he asked.
“Why, to help me prepare, of course!” she answered, innocently. “He is far more
competent than any of my servants.”
“Absolutely not.” Ciel said, firmly.
Elizabeth fluttered her eyelashes at him. “Oh, come now, Ciel. Can’t you do me
this one little favour? Please? It’s only for a little while before the ball!”
Ciel sighed. “Oh, very well. Sebastian will be yours to command from the time
you arrive on Saturday until after the ball. Now, will you please just go home?
I need to concentrate on my work!”
Elizabeth gave Ciel a brilliant smile, and turned to leave before he began to
suspect the true reason for her visit. She did not feel the sharp eyes of the
butler following her out the door, nor did she hear his amused response to the
Earl’s questioning look.
“I do believe Lady Elizabeth is up to something, Master.”
***** In Which Lizzy Plots *****
Chapter Summary
     Lizzy knows that Ciel and Sebastian have feelings for each other
     beyond that of a master/servant relationship. Her heart is broken,
     but Ciel's happiness is important to her so she sets out to bring the
     two together. Also posted on FanFiction.net.
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
Lizzy spent the days after her visit formulating a plan of attack. She didn’t
want to be too obvious, since Sebastian was shrewd and would surely pick up on
her plotting. The plan could not be too convoluted, though. She was dealing
with Ciel, after all. Smart as he was, he could be a bit dense at times.
She sighed. It was such a fine line to walk.
Idea after idea emerged, was considered and discarded. She had a general idea
of what she wanted to do. It was the specifics that were stumping her. She was
beginning to get rather frustrated. It was Friday already and she still wasn’t
certain how she was going to go about things.
Lizzy was just beginning to consider the wisdom of seeking advice from her
friends when a sudden realisation hit. Of course! She had been going about this
all wrong!
Her back straightened and her eyes narrowed as she finally began to fill out
her plot.
Chapter End Notes
     I know this is an incredibly short chapter, but the next chapter is
     going to be longer than usual, so hopefully that will make up for it.
Please drop_by_the_archive_and_comment to let the author know if you enjoyed
their work!