Angel of Mercy
Summary: When a young woman is found injured and unconscious on the Phantomhive grounds, the young master allows her to stay there until she was healed. However, a major problem arises when she awakens and can’t remember who she is.
Word count: Too many
Rating: 15+ (dm me if I should change it)
Warnings: Curse words, some slight mentions of showing skin (le gasp), possibly curse words. NOT PROOF READ
Part 2 coming soon!
The girl sighed and spun in her throne. Once she had been excited to receive this position but now, a millennia later, she was running out of ways to deny the desire that coursed through her veins.
She leaned against the armrest, her legs dangling over the other and let out a long groan. The layers of sheer white linen no longer covered her copper thighs. In fact, had her skirt gone any higher, she would’ve revealed herself to herself to the man who was approaching.
Her jade eyes raked over his form and her lips curled upwards in a smile. But it quickly fell when her visitor didn’t kneel. Instead, he approached the throne and gave her a disapproving glare.
“This foolishness has gone on long enough, Aletta. You are no angel of mine.” Before the girl could even open her mouth to retort, her tiara was ripped from her head and tossed onto the marble floor. She was yanked to her feet and the elegant dress was torn from her copper skin.
“Stop this at once! You can’t do this to me! I’m one of you!” She struggled to fight back, kicking and scratching as best she could.
“You’ve failed us once again. And now you will pay.” A cold hand wrapped around her neck and lifted her from the ground. She gasped and gulped for air, her hands attempting to pry his away as she kicked her legs.
He walked her to the window and, with determination in his eyes, tossed her out the window. She screamed all the way down, but it was lost in the wind.
The last thing she saw before she lost consciousness was her wings.
Some feathers white and pure, as everything was to be.
And some feathers black as ink, mysterious and deadly.
Some feathers were made of gold.
And yet…
They were burning.
“Ugh, Sebastian, I don’t see why you think I need to take a break. I’m perfectly fine,” grumbled the young master as he and his butler were walking around the grounds. He had only closed his eyes for a second, maybe even thirty, but his infuriating demon butler insisted he take a walk to ‘relax his young mind’.
“Now, now, Master. You’ve been so stressed lately that I couldn’t help but notice. I mean, falling asleep at your desk, drooling on important documents, that’s an act of a child, don’t you think?” Sebastian’s face only grew more smug at Ciel’s expression. Annoyance always made Sebastian’s eyes twinkled.
“I am not a child, Sebastian,” scoffed Ciel.
“No? Then why do you act like one?” Ciel made an aggravated noise which provoked his butler to chuckle. But the laugh soon died when his red eyes caught sight of a body laying just past the rose garden.
Noticing his sudden silence, Ciel looked at his face.
“Oh what is it?” The young boy asked in a tone that screamed ‘I don’t have time for this’. It was then that he followed his butler’s gaze. “Is that-“
“Stay here master,” said Sebastian as he picked up the pace. He was on high alert now, ready to protect Ciel should the need arise.
When he reached the woman immediately he noticed the lack of clothing. She was dressed in odd undergarments that not even a prostitute or a whore would be caught dead in. There was dark purple bruising everywhere, but what caught his eyes was the bruises around her neck in the shape of a hand. Blood was all around her, staining the white lace on her body and the golden gladiator sandals on her feet.
“Sebastian, is she alright?” Ciel asked as he approached. His butler scooped the unconscious woman into his arms.
“She needs a hospital, Master.”
“Place her in a guest suite and call for a doctor.”
“Are you quite sure?”
“That’s an order, Sebastian.”
“As you wish.”
“I’ve done all I can do,” sighed the doctor as he stood from the chair beside the bed. “She’s likely in a coma. She seems to have multiple broken ribs, a broken bone in her arm, as well as a head injury. And, well, cuts all over her body. I also noticed two large and peculiar burns on her shoulder blades.”
“Do you think she was attacked?” Asked Ciel, glancing at the woman tucked under the baby blue duvet. She looked almost peaceful, with black hair fanning out on the pillow and an emotionless expression.
“The bruising around her neck certainly suggests so, but the rest of her injuries are consistent with a fall from a great height.”
“Perhaps from one of the trees nearby?”
“It seems unlikely that she would’ve been able to move with a head wound that bad. In fact, I believe she was unconscious as soon as she hit the ground.” The doctor took one last look at the woman and handed Sebastian several bottles of different types of pain medication. “If she wakes up just try to keep her as comfortable as you can and alert me as soon as possible.”
“Is it true? Is there really a lady in the mansion?” Demanded Mey-Rin as soon as Sebastian and Ciel exited the room. She, Finnian, Baldroy, and Tanaka (who was sipping tea) had stood there for many minutes after learning there was a guest in the Phantomhive mansion. How they found out, Ciel could only guess. But they were a nosy bunch, after all.
“Yes. And you will not disturb her. She is unconscious and injured, unlikely to wake. You will only go in there upon my orders, understood?” Ciel arched his brow ever so slightly.
“Yes Master!” Chorused the younger three of the servants. Tanaka merely chuckled.
“Master, before you go, can’t we have a little peak at the lady?” Mey-Rin asked, her bottom lip ever so slightly poking out as she clasped her hands together.
“We promise not to bother her afterwards!” Finnigan joined in on the puppy dog eyes. Baldroy chewed on his straw.
“Just a peek won’t hurt, will it? I bet she’s a sight for sore eyes, a’ight.”
“Absolutely not. She is a guest, and you will treat her as such,” said Ciel. “Sebastian will be the one to look after her.” The young servants whined and complained but Ciel ignored them and walked towards his office, Sebastian beside him.
“Me, Master? Are you quite sure? I mean, she is a lady after all. Perhaps it’s best if Mey-Rin tends to her.”
“Sebastian, are you questioning my orders?”
“No, Master. Just your intentions.”
“The lady came out of nowhere. She should’ve never been on my grounds. I’ve never even seen her before, not once. Doesn’t that strike you as odd?”
“London is a large city, Master.”
“Still. I trust you to not only be able to tend to her needs but also subdue her should the need arise.” The corners of Sebastian’s lips tugged into a smirk.
“You trust me, Master? How flattering.”
“Shut up.”
It was when Sebastian was brushing her hair three days later did he notice a change in her breathing. He stilled slightly, red eyes darting to her face which was contorting into an expression of discomfort.
“N-No, please,” whimpered the woman. Sebastian set the hairbrush on the bedside table. Her voice was soft and velvety, he thought. “You can’t- you can’t do this to me. NO!” Sebastian almost wasn’t prepared for when she bolted upright, not that he’d ever admit it.
He placed a tender hand on the girl’s shoulder and kneeled on the ground, waiting for her to look at him. She was panting, jade eyes frantically searching around the room as she blinked rapidly. Finally, they rested on Sebastian. “Who are you? Where am I?”
“My name is Sebastian Michaelis, butler of Earl Phantomhive. There was an incident and you were found unconscious. Now, can you tell me your name?” The girl’s eyebrows knit together and she grasped at the sheets tightly.
“I-I can’t-“
“Why is that, m’lady?”
“I can’t r-remember…” She trailed of and Sebastian could tell she was concentrating. He was about to tell her to just relax when she let out a shriek and clutched her head with the hand that wasn’t in a sling.
“Are you alright?” Sebastian asked, standing now, brows knit with worry. Even he, a demon, was confused at the situation. He, with infinite knowledge, had no idea what was going on. It was as if the universe was toying with him, saying he’d had it all for too long. And now there was a puzzle in front of him. A beautiful puzzle in fact, even if she was covered in bruises and bandages.
“My head hurts,” She whimpered. Sebastian turned to the nightstand, getting out the bottle of pain killers. He shook three into his hand, knowing she’d need it, and handed it to her along with a glass of water.
Much to his amusement, she turned her nose up at the medicine and instead drank the water quickly, with no regard to the loud gulping noise or the small stream that landed on her skin and trickled beneath her shirt. Only when the glass was empty did she stop, handing him the glass and wiping her mouth on her sleeve.
“You should take the medicine,” said Sebastian as he refilled the glass. “It will help.”
“I would rather suffer than accept pills from a stranger. Much less a-“ She cut herself off. She had been so close to saying something. So close to offending the man who was so gentle with her so far. She swallowed thickly. “Forgive my rudeness, I’m not thinking clearly.”
“It’s quite alright my dear, medicine is not for everyone. Though if you change your mind, I will be happy to give them.” Sebastian watched as she set the pills on the nightstand and leaned back against the headboard after propping up the pillows.
“How long have I been here?”
“Four days.” Her eyes fluttered closed and she released a loud exhale.
“I would like to meet your master, Mr, Michaelis.”
“I will fetch him for you. And please, call me Sebastian,” he said with a smile and bowed to her before exiting the room. She listened to his footsteps and, only after she knew he was gone, did she force herself out of bed despite the overwhelming pain in her body.
She stumbled to the adjoining room, which was thankfully a toilet room, and looked at herself in the mirror. Curly black hair framed a heart shaped face. Jade eyes contrasting against copper skin. Plump lips and long lashes. She had to touch her face to ensure it was really her. Her eyes fell to the bruises on her neck and she grimaced.
Had he really gripped her neck that hard?
Blurry images flooded her brain but she couldn’t make sense of any of it. It was as if staring at her reflection in a puddle right as someone stepped in it. And the harder she tried the worse her head hurt.
After relieving herself and attempting to pretty herself up and make herself presentable, she stumbled back into the bedroom. Her eyes darted to the light pink dress draped across a chair next to the bed. She crinkled her nose. She hated the color pink. But it was either that or stay in the cotton nightdress which was certainly disrespectful if she knew anything.
Which, come to think of it.. she knew nothing.
The only thing she knew was Sebastian and this room, which was way too elegant in her mind. She was undeserving of such pleasures, being nothing but a burden on the Earl like this.
She sighed and peaked into the wardrobe. Her eyes lit up and she quickly yanked the clothing from the hangers and stripped of the nightgown before pulling the sling off her arm. If she was quick she could make herself presentable.
Footsteps were just beginning to be heard when she finished tying the corset, which was thankfully laced up the front. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror. White button up blouse, red skirts, and a black corset. She sat on the edge of the bed and awaited her host.
The door was knocked on thrice and she called out a faint ‘come in!’ The door opened slowly and Sebastian stepped aside to let his master in.
She almost couldn’t believe it.
The Earl was just a boy, probably twelve years old.
She quickly collected herself and stood, ignoring the pain as she did so.
“I’m glad to see you’re awake,” said the Earl Phantomhive. She dipped into a small curtsy and hid her wincing face.
“Thank you for allowing me to take up space in your home for such a long period. I’m forever grateful.”
“Don’t thank me, I just did was right. I could never leave a lady for dead.” Something told her there was more to it than that but she didn’t push. “Sebastian tells me you’ve lost your memory.”
“It’s true… I can’t even remember my own name, much less how I ended up here…” She trailed off, looking to the ground. She wanted to cry with how badly her head pounded.
“Well, I believe it to be rude to have a guest in my home and not treat them to lunch. Come.” The boy turned and began to walk out. She stood and started after him, glancing up at Sebastian as she passed him.
She made sure to stay exactly one step behind the young Earl. Close enough to hear him but far enough away to not seem as if she was challenging him. Sebastian was not far behind them.
“You are welcome to stay here as long as you need to. Sebastian and the rest of the staff will tend to your needs.”
“Oh, no, I could never intrude more than I already have.”
“It’s not intruding if I’m offering,” said Ciel, looking up at her with a polite smile. She bowed her head in thankfulness.
“You are too kind. I promise I will find a way to repay you for your hospitality.”
“There is no need. You are a guest in my home, what’s mine is yours. Sebastian will show you around after lunch if you’re up to it.” She tried to pay attention to where the young Earl was leading her but her mind went blank when a sudden surge of pain filled her head.
She stumbled and nearly fell on Ciel but strong arms wrapped around her and she was met with the solid chest of Sebastian as he pulled her against him. Her body shook and shivered as she curled into him. Her eyes fluttered closed and she ground her jaw, trying to stop the flashing behind her eyelids.
“Sebastian, what’s happening?”
“I’m not sure, master.”
They continued talking, asking if she was alright, but she couldn’t hear them over the ringing in her eyes.
After what felt like several minutes the pain settled into a barely bearable throbbing. She opened her eyes and her face grew hot when she realized just how close she was to Sebastian.
“I-I’m okay. Thank you,” she whispered and attempted to stand on her own. Sebastian let her, only holding onto her until he was sure she was steady.
“Perhaps a wheelchair? That way you don’t have to worry about stumbling,” suggested Ciel.
“I’m fine, truly,” she tried to assure them, even putting on a smile. But Ciel noticed the way her hand twitched.
“Sebastian, did you take off her sling when you dressed her?”
“Actually I dressed myself.” Ciel’s brows shot up in surprise. “I’m used to it. I dressed myself every day back home.”
“Do you happen to remember where that is?” Blurry images flooded her brain. A large white gate preventing anyone from getting in, a twelve foot tall fence, white roses that bloomed even in the constant snow.
“I don’t know exactly where but… I think it was an estate. Perhaps a mansion? No one has a gate that tall unless they’ve come across a large sum of money.”
“Perhaps another Earl then? Or a relative of the Queen?” Ciel said, mostly to himself. He couldn’t tell if the girl was lying or not. However, something in his gut told him he needed to help her. He hated gut feelings sometimes. He preferred to carefully calculate a strategy and treat life as a game of chess. “Anyways, lunch is awaiting. Are you sure you’re okay to walk?”
“Yes I’m quite sure,” she replied meekly. Ciel turned and began to walk down the stairs. Her stomach dropped. There was no way she’d be able to go down stairs.
“If you need assistance,” came Sebastian’s whisper in her ear. “You need only ask.” She inhaled sharply and took the first step down the stairs.
Immediately she grasped onto the railing, feeling rather dizzy. She blinked away the spots in her eyes and continued. Sebastian watched her move at a snail’s pace. He was rather amused with this young human. So stubborn yet humble. He looked forward to getting to know who she truly was.
It was halfway down the stairs when she paused. Ciel had already made it to the bottom and was looking up at her. Her cheeks grew hot. She was such an inconvenience.
“Sebastian,” she called quietly. Sebastian was immediately at her side and hoisted her up effortlessly. She let out a little squeak, not expecting him to pick her up. He carried her down the rest of the stairs and set her down gently. She cleared her throat and nodded her thanks, then proceeded to follow Ciel into the dining hall.
Ciel took his place at the head of the table but the girl hesitated. Where was she to sit? Sebastian walked behind the chair directly to Ciel’s right. The guest of honor’s seat. She followed Sebastian and allowed him to push in her chair when she sat.
Sebastian served lunch, grilled salmon, steamed vegetables, some sort of sauce that she couldn’t pinpoint, and a delicious truffle for dessert.
During lunch Ciel explained how they came about finding her, which made her cheeks turn red. The thought of Sebastian and Ciel seeing her in such a crude state sent shivers down her spine. Although, the thought of Sebastian taking care of her she didn’t mind as much.
***
Ciel had the doctor look over the girl after lunch. Afterwards, the doctor pulled Ciel and Sebastian out of earshot of the young woman.
“It’s a miracle she’s alive,” said the doctor. “But I don’t understand how she’s walking. The broken ribs should’ve prevented that. And she has no problems using her broken arm. Even if she had been taking the medication I would’ve expected signs of major discomfort.”
“Is it possible you made a mistake, Doctor?” Asked Ciel, stroking his bottom lip with his thumb in thought. “Perhaps she’s not as badly injured as you thought.”
“I’ve seen broken bones before. She has many.”
***
“And this is the end of our tour, m’lady,” said Sebastian as they somehow ended up back in the foyer. She felt turned around and had no idea how they had gotten back here. “I do ask that you refrain from bothering the young master during his work. He is very busy and cannot always afford to take breaks. But feel free to come to me or any of our other servants if you need something.”
“Thank you, Sebastian.” She was glad it was over, she was beginning to feel dizzy again. Sebastian looked down at her as if already knowing something was wrong.
“Perhaps some fresh air will help.” Sebastian extended his arm and she took it gratefully.
He led her to a fountain in the middle of the rose garden where she sat. She stuck her hand into the mist of water and smiled a bit. A wave of comfort ran over her as she listened to the water running, almost as if it cleared the fog in her head.
Images passed in her brain until she settled on one.
A word.
It burned into the back of her eyelids.
“M’lady, do you need a doctor?” Asked Sebastian and her eyes flew open with a gasp.
“A-Aletta.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“My name. It’s Aletta.”
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Mirror Image
Alois is staying the night at the Phantomhive manor. He and Ciel are becoming friends, slowly, and the offer to have dinner and play chess together was something he didn’t want to pass up. As night falls, he chooses one of the many spare rooms, one with a large window seat for reading and a constellation-patterned rug.
As he curls up with a novel, he feels a chill go up his spine. Odd, since the evening is warm and the window isn’t open. He looks around the room. No sign of a breeze.
The hairs on the back of his neck stand up. No, he isn’t cold, he’s being watched.
He knows that a demon inhabits this house, but Sebastian has been nothing but courteous to him. He would be silly to trust him, but there would be no reason for Sebastian to hurt him. Right?
Alois closes the book and takes a careful lap around the room, peering around every shadowy corner. His heart races, and he curses himself for still being scared of the dark at his age. It was foolish to come here without Claude.
Still, there are no signs of the butler. He knows that demons can take other forms, but he resigns himself to taking his seat again. Canterbury was right, from what he overheard him whisper to his brothers. He must just be sick in the head, inventing things again.
Settling back down with his book, he tries to focus once more. After a minute, he swears he hears the trample of feet. Quick footsteps, too fast to be anyone in the manor. He glances at the rug, dropping his novel as he sees a small Ciel chasing a mirror image of himself. Ciel is shorter and much younger, missing his eyepatch. Alois freezes, the image leaving as soon as he blinks.
Had Phantomhive drugged him? Or did the medicine Claude had given him for his headache the previous night implant visions in his mind?
He must be losing it. Embarrassed to bring the issue to Ciel, whom he knew already thought he was insane, Alois makes his way to the large bed and covers himself with the heavy quilt. If he closes his eyes, his brain might stop playing tricks on him.
His heartbeat starts to slow, and he feels his muscles relax. Yes, it was just some byproduct of his awful life, his brain conjuring up visions to torment him.
That is, until he feels something pull at the quilt.
He jolts up, finding himself face-to-face with Phantomhive. He looks strange. He is missing his eyepatch, yet lacks the contract seal. He also possesses a wide grin.
Alois looks at the boy in horror. This is not Phantomhive, surely not—
“Never seen you before. Guess he finally made a friend.” The boy laughs a little before getting up and disappearing underneath the bed.
Alois no longer cares if he looks insane. He lets out a bloodcurdling scream as he jumps out of bed and frantically opens the door. Sebastian is there, followed by a tired-looking Ciel in his nightclothes.
“Lord Trancy, is everything alright? Was that you who yelled?”
Ciel blinks, staring at Alois. His eyepatch is off, and his contract seal is still there. He looks beyond the other boy, mirroring Alois’ horrified expression as he sees the interior of the room.
“Sebastian. Find him another room. That one is blocked off, I thought I told you that!”
Sebastian frowns. “My apologies, my lord. Mey-Rin was cleaning it today, and—“
“Shut up. Just shut up. Lock the door. Put him elsewhere.” He grabs Alois’ wrist and attempts to drag him into the hallway.
“Phantomhive, what are you…?” He looks at Ciel again. The boy’s hands have too many fingers. His face looks like a ruined photograph, the lines doubling over. Is he about to faint? Or is Ciel actually two people?
(R!Ciel ghost AU, originally by @her-majestys-watchdog)
(Probably too short for ao3 so I’m putting it here)
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