Ciel couldn't care less who was the bride . Me , Elodie - same difference . The Clementine house was dead quiet when we pulled up . Sebastian , his butler , greeted me , then frowned . " Mr. Clementine's parents died young . He's been on his own for years . Doesn't keep staff . From now on , you're handling his daily needs . " I took the keys and , still wrapped in satin and tulle , face - planted on the bed . Sleep was just pulling me under when I felt it - that stare . I cracked my eyes open . Ciel stood over me , blank as stone . He slid a dagger from under my pillow and pressed it to my throat . A cold smile curved his lips . " My family forced this marriage . If you're dead , problem solved . " The blade bit into my skin , a thin line of blood welling up . Pain shot through me , but I held his gaze , steady . In my past life , he'd tossed Elodie into the snow on their wedding night , nearly freezing her to death . A spoiled princess like her - no wonder she'd cracked in a year . Clutching the blanket , I tried to figure out what answer he wanted . " But if I stay alive , you'll have way fewer problems . Compared to a corpse , you need someone who can play the wife role . " Ciel's eyes narrowed . Just when I thought he'd stay silent , he lowered the dagger and brushed the blood from my neck . I sucked in a sharp breath , realizing I was soaked in cold sweat . " But as far as I know , your family hasn't publicly acknowledged you , " he said , voice dripping with mockery . " Your father seems to prefer Elodie . What makes you think you can be my wife ? " I froze . I hadn't expected him to already know about the engagement swap I thought I'd pulled off clean . Even from Northvale , he had eyes inside the Weston family in Southport . " Because I was supposed to be Stanley Hamilton's fiancée . " I lifted my chin , locking eyes with him . " And you've been his worst enemy forever . Don't you want to ruin him completely ? " His gaze darkened , calculating . Then he laughed , lifted my veil , and said , " Pleasure working with you , my ... bride . " 1/2 Chapter 3 *** +25 Bonus The next morning , when I came downstairs in one plece , Sebastian's eyebrows shot up . He told me the Clementine elders had lined up plenty of brides for Ciel before . Every single one got tossed out on night one - sobbing , humiliated , and never coming back . A shiver ran through me as I remembered his question from last night . Sebastian broke my thoughts . Ciel had sent for me . The car stopped in front of a bar . Neon lights flickered over Ciel , sprawled back with his shirt hanging open , a shaking woman on her knees in front of him . " Mr. Clementine , I was wrong . I shouldn't have let greed get the better of me ... " She bit her lip , slapped herself hard . The crack echoed , but Ciel didn't even glance at her . Then she shot to her feet , pulling a gun from her thigh . " Watch out ! " I didn't think - just threw myself in front of him . The bullet tore through my shoulder , hot blood running down my arm . For the first time , something cracked through his cold , detached eyes - shock . Not interesting at all