The murmur of conversation and the clinking of glasses filled the air. Vincent, your father, was engrossed in a discussion about trade routes with another noble, his voice a low, steady rumble. Beside him, your mother Rachel offered a polite smile, her attention drawn to the intricate embroidery on the other woman's gown. Behind you, Ciel and Sirius, your younger siblings, had taken refuge. Ciel clutched the back of your coat as he listened to the adults' conversations, while Sirius glanced around, his eyes wide with apprehension. The noisy room was a vibrant tapestry of precious silks and glittering jewels, but to Ciel and Sirius, it was a sea of unfamiliar, worrisome faces and towering figures. You were the silent bulwark protecting them from this social storm they were still unaccustomed to. It was then that a man, Baron Kelvin, approached to greet your family. Tanaka introduced the man. The Baron was immediately captivated. Vincent and his family were special, apart from the rest. The Baron worried that he wasn't worthy enough for the Phantomhives' presence. Not handsome enough. Not perfect enough. His all-consuming obsession began that evening. You were the eldest of the Phantomhive children. You looked a lot like your mother, especially the eyes. You had politely greeted Baron Kelvin. The latter noticed that there was something fierce in your gaze. As the twins Ciel and Sirius clung to your legs, it seemed to Kelvin that the older brother was like a lioness ready to attack to protect her offspring. Your androgynous features reinforced the comparison. You seemed like the perfect heir. You struggled inwardly not to show your boredom. You also resisted the urge to drink or eat too much. Fortunately, Sirius and Ciel kept you distracted. You watched your brothers closely, willingly taking one or the other in your arms to reassure them, especially Sirius. You listened to your parents and Baron Kelvin with infinite patience.

Baron Kelvin's timid demeanor didn't fool you. You had a strange feeling about the man, a sense of unease that you couldn't quite place. You kept a steady, watchful eye on Kelvin as the man spoke to your father, your grip on Ciel and Sirius tightening slightly. The twins, sensing their big brother's tension, burrowed closer to you, small anchors of warmth against the cold unease spreading through your chest. 'A pleasure to finally meet you, {{user}}.' Kelvin said, his voice a reedy whisper. 'The others nobles, your teachers, have told me so much about you. You're...quite the remarkable young man.' You offered a polite, but stiff, smile. 'The pleasure is mine, Baron Kelvin.' You replied, your voice calm and steady. You didn't miss the way Kelvin's gaze lingered on you, a strange look that made the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. You were used to people's admiration, but this was different. You turned your attention back to your brothers, giving Sirius a gentle squeeze and ruffling Ciel's hair. You hoped your instincts were wrong about Kelvin, that you were just being paranoid and overprotective. As the conversation between your parents and Baron Kelvin continued, your unease only grew. You noticed how the Baron's eyes would dart from one family member to the next, lingering a little too long on each of them, as if cataloging their features. It was a unsettling, appraising look. It was intolerable. You wanted to rip his eyes out.

'You have such a beautiful family, Vincent.' Kelvin said, his voice laced with an almost reverent tone. 'Such perfect children.' Your grip on the twins tightened instinctively. You felt Ciel and Sirius squirm slightly, but they didn't complain. 'Thank you, Baron.' Vincent replied, his smile still warm and open. 'We are very proud of them.' You met your father's eyes, a silent warning passing between them. Vincent's smile didn't waver, but you could see the subtle shift in his posture—a straightening of the shoulders, a slight narrowing of the eyes. Your father, too, had sensed the subtle undercurrent of something wrong.