Chapter 31: Fine Line

                                    

                                          
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Fine Line
                          
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It seemed for an instance, time stilled, as if the two of them were alone for a tiny moment in their private world as their lips stayed on each other. Her skin was prickling with nerve-wrecking awareness, aware that Ciel's heavy angry pants have calmed, that he has calmed down. The sudden hitch of breath she felt under her lips suggested that he was beginning to be aware of what she was doing.
                          
Heat crept up her face as Estella quickly pulled her face away, her cheeks couldn't be any warmer when her eyes instinctively flickered up to his face to see him blinking at her as if trying to comprehend what she just did. Under his dazed questioning look, her mind was thrown into turmoil.
                          
In a burst of adrenaline, she swung a fist at him, connecting it to his right cheek.
                          
Estella was not sure what she was doing; she was acting on her embarrassment greater than her will. It was too late to stop herself, she could only watch Ciel fall back on the floor, groaning in pain. Guilt fluttered in her stomach at the bruising cheek Ciel reached up.
                          
However, she was quick enough to cover up both embarrassment and guilt with a scowl before he could see them. "You are an idiot, you know that? Where is the Ciel Phantomhive I know? Are you you now?"
                          
Ciel merely rolled onto his back to her, plopping himself on his elbows in response. Her eyebrows furrowed at the blank look that greeted her. Guilt and worry spiked. Did she hit him too hard? Worry shot up. What if he got amnesia-
                          
"What a punch, Blancbaston..." Her eyes snapped up to meet his face in surprise. Eyebrow twitching almost imperceptibly, his face held a mix of what she saw as grimace and amazement.
                          
The worried look on her face melted away for a scowl to set in once again, trying not to turn pink at the sudden thought of she did earlier. "So you're back, huh." Her head jerked over to Sebastian, her eyes running over him nervously. "And... I suppose that punch I just gave your master would make you want to finish me off even more, Sebastian?"
                          
At her words, Estella watched Sebastian flicker his eyes from Ciel to her face. The pair of endless crimson red pool shot a chill down her spine as she stared back at him; it was the same eyes she looked at almost every single day but her new discovery had unnerved her.
                          
An amused smile curved Sebastian's mouth. "Not really."
                          
"What are you waiting for, Sebastian?" she bit her lower lips nervously as she turned back to Ciel who was climbing to his feet. Was he still going to order for her death? "Burn this place!"
                          
Her mouth was faster than her mind. "But you're supposed to have me killed!" Estella blurted out, eyes wide in realization the moment those words flew out. Idiot! She screamed at herself, clenching and unclenching her hands. Are you that eager to die?!
                          
Estella gulped as she watch him drag his eyes over to her, staring at her silently like he was trying to digest what she just said. She badly wanted to move away from his burning gaze, but ironically her body refused to listen to her, it kept her rooted at where she stood.
                          
As though some unpleasant thoughts had crossed Ciel's mind, his gaze darkened and averted to the spot beside her. "Wait for us in the carriage."
                          
Her body still seemed to be incapable of moving itself, Move! Her mind desperately willed her body, Get out of here!
                          
Ciel turned away from her, without another glance. "Go."
                          
His voice finally seemed to spur her to action, and she moved over the stairs, taking uncertain steps up. This place was doing strange things to her, things that she could not understand. Sheneeds to get out of this place.