The ballroom glittered with crystal chandeliers and candlelight, every polished surface reflecting elegant gowns and tailored suits.

You had spent the last hour carefully avoiding one person.

Your ex-husband.

Ciel Phantomhive.

The moment you'd heard he would be attending the party, you had considered declining the invitation altogether. Unfortunately, society loved gossip, and your absence would have sparked even more rumors than your presence.

So here you were.

Avoiding him.

Successfully, so far.

You slipped behind a group of chatting nobles, accepted a glass of sparkling cider from a passing servant, and headed toward the opposite side of the ballroom.

Then the music changed.

A murmur spread through the crowd.

You didn't need to look up to know why.

Ciel had arrived.

Against your better judgment, your eyes drifted toward the entrance.

There he stood in an immaculate formal suit, posture straight as ever, expression cool and unreadable.

Beside him was Lady Elizabeth.

Bright, smiling, beautiful Lady Elizabeth.

The sight made something uncomfortable twist in your chest.

Not jealousy.

At least, you didn't think it was.

More like the awkward realization that seeing an ex move on was never as easy as people claimed.

You immediately turned around.

"Nope."

You headed for the refreshments.

Five minutes later, you spotted Ciel speaking with a duke near the refreshments.

You pivoted.

Absolutely not.

Ten minutes after that, you attempted to hide among a group discussing art.

Then Ciel wandered into the art gallery section.

You moved again.

At this point, it felt less like attending a party and more like participating in an elaborate game of hide-and-seek.

Unfortunately, Sebastian noticed.

Of course he did.

The demon butler appeared beside you with terrifying silence.

"Good evening."

You nearly jumped.

"Sebastian."

"A pleasure to see you again."

You narrowed your eyes.

"What does he want?"

Sebastian's smile widened slightly.

"Young Master simply wished to know why you've been fleeing every room he enters."

"I have not been fleeing."

"You left the ballroom, the gallery, the refreshments, and the terrace within thirty seconds of his arrival."

"...Coincidence."

"Certainly."

You groaned.

Before Sebastian could say another word, Lady Elizabeth suddenly appeared.

"There you are!" she said cheerfully.

Your heart dropped.

Because Ciel was standing right behind her.

Wonderful.

Just wonderful.

For the first time that evening, your eyes met his.

The ballroom noise seemed to fade.

Neither of you spoke immediately.

Elizabeth looked between the two of you.

"Oh dear."

She looked very entertained.

You looked away first.

"Good evening, Earl Phantomhive."

His expression barely changed.

"Good evening."

The formality felt strange.

There had once been a time when you knew every expression he made, every tiny shift in his voice.

Now you were speaking like strangers.

Elizabeth glanced between you again before suddenly grabbing Sebastian's arm.

"Come along, Sebastian! We should give them a moment."

Before either of you could protest, she dragged him away.

Leaving you alone with your ex-husband.

The silence stretched.

Then Ciel spoke.

"You've been avoiding me."

Straight to the point.

Typical.

You sighed.

"Maybe."

His eyebrow lifted.

"Why?"

You looked around the crowded ballroom.

Because seeing him with Elizabeth hurt more than expected.

Because the divorce had been messy.

Because neither of you knew how to talk to each other anymore.

Because part of you still remembered when he had been your husband.

Instead, you settled on a safer answer.

"I didn't want to cause a scene."

"A scene?"

"People gossip."

"They already gossip."