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jqnehr · 4 months

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les améthystes du ciel | neuvillette — part 9

two individuals under pressure to marry. one has the hydro archon on his back, and the other has her matchmaking friend pushing her along. when the two meet at a ball, and both in dire need of peace from two meddlesome females, what better arrangement is there than their own betrothal?

pairing : neuvillette x fem!reader warnings : too tired to put anything, this is sfw. word count : 4.8k note : I am about to collapse.

! not proof read

! do not copy, redistribute, translate, or use my work with or without credit in any way. thank you.

part eight ⋮ masterlist ⋮ part ten

ao3 ⋮ playlist

...

Neuvillette has sharp ears.

Perhaps it’s because of their peculiar, inhuman shape, and thus helps him receive sound waves the average human cannot.

No. It’s simply that he is not a human at all. As we all know, he’s the Hydro Sovereign, born from the remnants of a Divine Dragon long lost. Besides, he’d been able to hear Paimon hissing to the Traveller about him in the Epiclese right before Lyney and Lynette’s show—and before disaster struck.

So, suffice to say, he heard good and well what Navia whispered into your ear, leaving your cheeks flushed red—and the back of his neck and ears burning.

However, he masked it, seeing your clear discomfit and hope he had not caught Navia’s words; choosing to shelve it overthink later, he suggested the two of you heading off.

Now, he is helping unload the few (heavy) boxes of your belongings into your new room. He had personally selected this room—two halls away from his own, as he had a feeling you’d appreciate—and by the look on your face, Neuvillette is sure you’re pleased with the room.

It is a moderately sized room, but its expansive windows looking out onto the harbour and the sunlight it lets pour in makes the place seem more voluminous. He stands aside, out of the way of the movers, carefully watching your reactions.

Your eyes are wide, sparkling, darting all over the place and taking in every detail. The canopy bed with a king-sized mattress and a floral, gold-hemmed duvet; the plush rug splayed neatly upon the mahogany flooring; polished bookshelves lining the walls, already half-filled with books he had picked out himself based on personal favourites; and the intricate paintings on the ceilings, depicting great feats of Fontainian heroes in the past and the Archons’ awesome endeavours during eras of calamity. You place a box down by the bookshelf, straightening, mouth agape in awe.

“Neuvillette.” He inclines his head in your direction to show his attention, something that goes unnoticed by you, as you’re too busy ogling your new room to show your descry. “Did you say you picked out this room yourself?”

One of the movers steps forward, tipping his hat in respect, apologetic for interrupting. “Monsieur, Madame, everything’s unloaded now. We’ll take our leave.”

“Oh, thank you,” you reply, still taking in the entire room. “Have a lovely rest of your day.”

The men click the door shut on their way out, and Neuvillette promptly answers your previous question. “Yes. I thought it would suit you. Do you like it?”

“Oh, yes.” You’re a bit breathless with reverence. “It’s wonderful. The sort of room I read about in fairytales as a child, something I never imagined having ever the chance to live in for myself.” Too bad it’s for a year, you think glumly, stepping towards the windows, where the breeze gently lifts the sheer curtains. You gaze outside, towards the breathtaking view of the sea.

Neuvillette feels terribly relieved. “I’m glad. If you wish for any rearrangements, simply call on the head maid. She will do all she can to fulfil your request.”

“It’s perfect as it already is.” Why would I renovate when I’m only here for a year? “I see the books already here.” You turn to face him. “Whose are they?”

“…Mine.” He can’t quite put a finger on why he feels embarrassed. “They’re the books I have enjoyed thoroughly throughout my long years. Not all of them are fictional, by the way. I just thought…you might appreciate some new reads.”

Neuvillette has to resist squirming at the intensity of your gaze as you stare at him. It’s a look he has great trouble reading, and he doesn’t know why his ears feel flushed.

“Thank you, Neuvillette,” you eventually say after a drawn-out moment of silence. You turn towards the bookshelves. “Considering how well you appear to understand my taste in things, I’m sure our preferences in literature will be no different.”

He watches as you run your fingertips lightly over the spines of the books, head tilted to the side to read the books’ titles. “There are a good many here. And you said they’re ones you’ve collected over the years.” The look you give him is what he presumes to be ‘excitement’. “And you’ve lived a long time. How many of these books are antiques, or centuries old?”

“Some are ones that I’ve not seen in bookstores for a good 150 years,” he responds, stepping forward to pull one out that is roughly four-hundred years old. The book looks old and well-read, considering its worn spine and yellowed pages. It has the distinct scent of an aged book, a smell you adore, and it creaks as he cracks it open. You aren’t able to catch its title, as the cover is also worn down. “This was a gift from a Melusine centuries ago.” An expression of distant sadness washes over Neuvillette’s face. “She…ended her own life to disprove some cruel accusations against her. You see, I was only just instigated as Iudex back then, and Melusines had recently entered Fontainian society as citizens. The humans were very distrustful of both I and the Melusines, leading to…violent discrimination.” Neuvillette’s Adam’s apple bobs as he pauses, a knot forming between his brows. His eyes are lowered towards the book, long lashes obscuring the amethyst of his eyes and thus the sentiments within them. “It was a dark time for the Melusines and myself. I had to put a close friend of mine away in the Fortress as a result, for he was falsely accused also. That’s why…I am, essentially, putting much trust in you by lending you this book.”

He lifts it towards you, and you refuse to take it. “Neuvillette, if it’s that important of a book to you, then there is no reason for you to give it to me. To accept such a personal item is—”

“Well, take it as a confirmation of my sincere wish to be your friend.” He pushes it into your hands. “There is no need for awkward air or any walking on eggshells between us. We’re going to have to brave the next twelve months joined at the hip, no? We must learn to trust and rely on one another to successfully get through this.”

You lower your eyes towards the book, finally accepting it. You lightly brush your fingers over the faded gold lettering of what once was the title, feeling the rough leatherette cover under your fingertips. “What was the book’s title, Neuvillette?”

“It’s called The Soul of a Human. It’s about human emotions and how they work. It’s likely an outdated work, as it is about four centuries old. Either way, the book was an awesome help toward me fitting in with society, making the populace trust me as Iudex, and furthering my understanding of human emotions…but, it’s still something I struggle with.”

“If you aren’t a human, then what are you, Neuvillette?”

If there is a question Neuvillette has been dreading you to eventually ask, it would be this one. How do I explain who I am without telling her my true identity? So he settles for a safer route, something maybe a bit more believable. “I am…a Melusine hybrid.”

I suppose it’s marginally better than telling her I’m the Hydro Sovereign. But he can tell that you do not believe him, which you waste no time in voicing. “No, you’re not, Neuvillette. Is there even such thing as a ‘Melusine hybrid’? I know you are not telling the truth.”

Neuvillette has never been quite put on the spot before as now, with your direct calling out of his little white lie. What an embarrassing look for a man who is supposed to be the embodiment of honesty. He’s the one who told you he is ‘not predisposed to lying’. He even told the Traveller that he’s more than capable of distinguishing flavour differences between each region’s water—something the Traveller lifted a sceptical brow to, and he gave it to them straight that he ‘is the Iudex’ and that he ‘does not lie’.

So. Although he was telling the truth then, it’s quite humiliating how quick you just saw through his lie. He swallows and looks away, fighting back a blush. “Haha…how embarrassing. The truth is…”

“You can’t tell me?” You offer, giving him an understanding smile. “That’s okay. You could’ve just said that, you know. We’re not obligated to tell each other anything personal.”

He looks up at you through his lashes, tilting his head. “That is true. Thank you for being understanding.” Neuvillette draws in a deep breath, letting it out in a heavy sigh through his nose, closing his eyes and shaking his head. “I don’t think anyone else would’ve been suited for this role other than you. It is rare to find someone with as level a head as yours.”

“I suppose so.” Despite your outwardly calm appearance, the inside is a much different story. With your tendency to bottle up your deepest emotions, to call yourself ‘level-headed’ would be almost an overstatement. You’ve been in a very serious life-or-death situation before, something that has left its unfading mark on you, and to say you were ‘level-headed’ or even ‘rational’ would be a bald-faced lie. You suppose that anyone getting strangled by their fiancé would be pretty inclined to panicking—but, the point is, although you seem circumspect and grounded, your inner sentiments are the opposite, and they’re always fighting to burst out of you.

And they have, a few times. The aftermath was ugly.

Neuvillette has fallen silent, staring at you, as if watching your expressions, and that makes you school your features in one of careful, impeccable neutrality, almost detachment. “Now, what about dinner tonight?”

“Ah, yes.” That look in his eye hasn’t disappeared—a look where he can seemingly see right through you, and isn’t fooled by your blank expressions. “I dine at eight. How does that sound?”

“Fine.” You nod, offering a small smile. “You should take this chance to show me your water collection.”

The Chief Justice raises a brow, an amused smile pricking at the corners of his mouth. “You make it sound like such a joke. But, I will take you up on that. I doubt you’ve tried authentic Natlanian-heated Snezhnayan water before. The combination is unexpected, but quite pleasing to the palate.”

“Goodness, Neuvillette.” You place a hand upon your heart in faux-shock, giving him a look of mock-distress. “You will drain the Palais of its funds if you keep importing all this water and heating it in real Natlanian fire and chilling it in genuine Snezhnayan ice!”

He plays along—something you’ve found yourself very grateful for. Not many get your sense of humour, but the Iudex does. All your attempts at jesting were frequently met with blank, awkward side glances and suffocating silence. Your humour changed from one of true heartiness to dark absurdity upon the events of five years ago.

For a while, you didn’t have a sense of humour at all. For a time it felt like there was no need to laugh, smile or joke. That there was no point in doing so, because there was nothing happy about life and living anymore.

Maybe it’s part of the reason for your inexplicable sense of comfort and safety around the man. He may not be much of a smiler, but he does have a sense of humour. He knows how to appreciate a joke—although, more often than not, he’s a bit clueless. Wriothesley’s jokes go right over his head, more often than not.

That led you to believe that maybe, just maybe, he’s as comfortable around you as you are him. That maybe, he understands you intimately, and always knows you mean no harm.

“Uh oh. I’ve been found out,” Neuvillette says in a deliberately overly monotone voice. “I’m so scared. How will I ever go on without my water?”

“Don’t they give you a glass a day down in the Fortress?” Frankly, you know nothing of how prisoners are treated in Meropide, and you’re not sure if you want to find out. At any rate, it’s humorous and utterly unrealistic to imagine the Iudex in such a place—a thought to which he himself chuckles. “Oho, I can assure you the Duke is much more merciful on the convicts than that. Either way, it would still be torture.”

Hm, okay… This entire time, you’ve, in a way, been fishing—trying to dig into why Neuvillette likes water so much, and how he doesn’t seem to complain about having to go to the toilet all the time, and how he lied about his true identity. So, you’ve concluded vaguely, that he must be some kind of Hydro being.

Oh well, better not read into it too much. It’s not your place, nor your business, as strictly stated by the contract. Besides, it’s clear the Chief Justice doesn’t want you knowing—if he’d even go against his own principles and lie about it.

You chalk it up to having just taken him off guard, forcing him to lie as he searched for a plausible excuse not to reveal himself to you.

“What time do you leave for your office in the mornings?” You change the topic, turning away from the bookshelf and for a box, kneeling to open it up. “Maybe we could have breakfast together.”

“I awake at 5AM, and leave at six-thirty,” he answers, tone somewhat apologetic, and you can’t fathom why. “I would never expect you to get up so early to join me—”

“That’s a perfectly normal hour to get up, Neuvillette.” If you were a morning person, your stomach maybe wouldn’t have dropped at the thought of having to get up at dawn to have breakfast with him. “My shift at the boutique begins at seven in the morning, so it’s not too ungodly of an hour to get up.”

“Don’t feel obligated, [Name]. I don’t have very big breakfasts anyway.”

He knows he’s said the wrong thing the instant you swivel around to look at him, face incredulous. “So that’s why you’ve been looking so gaunt! Neuvillette, you can’t live off of water alone.” You stand and place your hands on your hips, face stern. “Let me guess, for breaks you just have water also? No food? Do you ever eat full meals?”

“I—of course, I do.” Neuvillette feels strangely touched with how genuinely concerned you appear; brows upturned and lips pursed, jaw tight. He doesn’t know why the sight pierces him. “I’m not unhealthy, and you really needn’t worry for me.”

“How can I not?” He feels pierced once more, and you turn away from him with a hand over your face. “You’re the Iudex. You’ve got one hell of a burden on your shoulders, and you’re not even eating large breakfasts! The most important meal of the day! Neuvillette.” You whirl around once more, stepping closer and pointing a finger at his chest. You could be more intimidating if you were taller. The man positively towers over you. “You are my husband, and it’s a wife’s basic duty—and a friend’s—to worry for their companion’s health. And you tell me not to worry?”

Maybe I am overreacting, but it does his pretty face no good to have those eyebags! Yet, you suppose it’s nice to see him in such a human state. It’s strangely attractive. “You have higher chances of getting sick when malnourished, so don’t even think of wandering out about in the rain.”

Having silently stared at you while you were scolding him, the Iudex finally lets out a chuckle, raising his hand to take gentle hold of your pointer finger that is lightly nudging his chest. He lifts your hand to his lips, placing a chaste, gracious kiss to the top of it. You almost fall back in surprise. “I will keep your concerns in mind, dearest. Thank you.”

Despite his reassurance, your worries are not eased. You also pointedly ignore the blood rushing in your hearts from your thumping heart and his unintentional suaveness. “I-I trust you’ll eat proper breakfasts? And get full nights of sleep?”

Neuvillette gently lets go of your hand. You quickly realise how close you both are, and you take a quick step back to put more polite distance between the two of you, hiding behind your hair to obscure your flushed face. “I will try. Sometimes, my thoughts grow too loud, and I take midnight strolls.”

“I hope you dress warmly.” You’re beginning to wonder if you even have any right to be so concerned for him. This marriage is contractual, but you’re already acting like a nagging, forty-year-old housewife.

“Really, there’s no need for you to feel so concerned for me. My body is quite adapted to the coldness of rain.”

“…Alright.” You try to persuade yourself that you’re just worried for him as a sister would fret over the wellbeing of her brother. “Well, then. Shall I see you at dinner?”

“Oh, yes.” Neuvillette quickly understands your words’ implications. He now must leave you to adjust to your room on your own. “Until this evening, [Name]. Have a lovely rest of your day.”

・・・・

You don’t really know what to wear for tonight. You’re kicking yourself over not specifying with him about whether it would be formal, semi-formal, or just casual…so, you opt to dress the former, selecting a comfortable pair of black dress pants and a white button-up blouse with puffy long sleeves. You pop in two jewelled stud earrings for minimal embellishment, and brush your hair out, leaving it down.

You stare at yourself for a long moment in the body-length mirror before you. This time last year, your eyes would’ve been sunken, lifeless, lips chapped and set permanently in a grim line. Now, even though you have little makeup on, you look…lighter. You don’t look so tired anymore. Those haunted shadows in your eyes are almost traceless, and your cheeks are full with health, your cheekbones not so prominent anymore.

You’re smiling more, [Name].

You do a couple of poses in the mirror to fully assess your outfit for the evening, eventually ending up pleased with it. The pants look good on you, and, for the first time in years, you feel pretty.

I’m finally moving on from that man for good. In the last moments of your relationship—and what you thought were of your life—he made sure you knew how repulsive he found you. The insecurities have not faded, but you take comfort in the fact that Neuvillette has never looked at you with a sickened stare. He’s never seemed displeased with your presence.

With one final once-over of yourself in the mirror, you glance at the clock and quickly exit your room, trying to remember the way to the dining room. The Palais Mermonia itself is a maze, and Neuvillette’s wing of the building is no less of a labyrinth.

You spot a maid nearby, drawing the hall curtains closed for the night. “Um, excuse me, miss—could you please direct me to the dining room?”

The woman turns, surprised, before pointing along the hall. “Of course. Just go along here, take two lefts and then you’ll find a set of double doors.”

“Thank you.” You quickly send her a grateful smile and hurry off, hoping you’re not late. How embarrassing would it be to reveal that you’d been too busy admiring yourself in the mirror to arrive on time?

After a few moments, you arrive at the double doors the maid mentioned, and you politely knock on them. It’s swiftly opened, and there is Neuvillette, seated upon a chair before an average-sized dining table—neatly set out with a sea-blue tablecloth and cushioned seats—in the middle of taking a sip from his goblet of, presumably, water.

The food is already laid out, but the Chief Justice clearly has not touched it. He was likely waiting for you, and seeing the clock, you’re an embarrassing five minutes late. “My apologies, Neuvillette, I got a bit lost.”

“No worries at all.” He smiles and stands, pulling out your chair for you and stepping aside for you to sit. The gentlemanly act takes you pleasantly off-guard. “The food was only just set out seconds before you arrived.”

“Ah, so it’s still warm, then,” you muse, watching a male servant step forward to place your entrés before you—creamy chicken and onion soup. “Goodness! This is like eating at Hotel Debord.”

“The chef is a master at soups.” Part of why he hired the cook. He softly blows on his spoonful of soup, quickly swallowing it before speaking again. “He is eagerly awaiting your feedback.”

You let out a pleased hum once you taste the dish. “Very delicious. I dare say, the benefits of this little arrangement Furina forced on us is piling up.”

You’re inwardly relieved when Neuvillette chuckles at your jest. Of course, you are joking—but then again, if you’re able to eat like this for the next twelve months… “Don’t get too comfortable. She’s already demanded for us to meet, as she’s got our first event to attend ready for us.”

You grow solemn at his words. “She has? Oh. Shall we not talk about such dull matters at present, Neuvillette? It will ruin our appetites.”

The Iudex quite agrees with you. “Of course. How are you finding your room?”

“It’s wonderful, Neuvillette.” It’s the kind of room illustrated in all those old fairy tale classics you read as a child—a room fit for a queen. “It has such a lovely view of the harbour.”

“You should see the gardens.” You look at him, surprised at his words. “There’s a garden?”

“Of course. This is the Palais.” Neuvillette smiles at you amusedly. “There is a fountain. And no light pollution reaches the area, so you’re able to see the stars vividly.”

What if I told him that I want to stay here forever? And you haven’t even lived here for a day. In fact, you’re a bit overwhelmed. “Will I see you getting rained on out there at night, Neuvillette?”

His mauve eyes flit away, hiding behind his hair. “…That depends.”

You laugh under your breath at the sight. The man, despite having been a judge for hundreds of years, is so surprisingly innocent. It’s a cute quality you like about him. “I’m amazed you’ve never experienced a fever from it.”

“I just…don’t understand how strange it seems.” He appears genuinely puzzled. “The people of Fontaine always give me weird looks whenever I stroll through a downpour along the streets. Is it really so outlandish that a man just wants to be left to his thoughts in the rain?”

“I suppose it’s because, as humans, we catch colds, Neuvillette.” You lift the last spoonful of soup in your bowl to your lips. “Getting caught in the rain is the quickest way to catch a chill. And they’re awfully unpleasant.”

“Even when you have an umbrella?”

“Well, there’s less of a chance,” you concede, murmuring a soft thanks to the servant that steps forward to retrieve your bowl, preparing for the main course. “I’m happy to join you, as long as I either have a raincoat or umbrella on hand.”

Neuvillette looks pleased at your suggestion. “A bit of company would be nice. Furina must never find out, though.”

“Oh, yes.” If you are to put up your act successfully, then it is imperative she remains in the dark. “Anyway, I wonder how the public will react to the news of your marriage?”

“The tabloids will probably make it way bigger of a deal than it truly is.” Neuvillette's expression looks resigned. “And we will bear the brunt. You must prepare yourself.”

“Yes…” You stare blankly at your fork. “I’ll probably have to apply for leave at the boutique.” It’s quite dismaying, having to anticipate your privacy being stripped from you all because of the impulsive whims of a spontaneous archon.

“Don’t worry, as the contract stated, you will be protected.” Although, inside, Neuvillette is worried bodyguards won’t be enough. “No harm will come to you.”

“I can just sue them if they do overstep their mark.” The Steambird, as an example, is notoriously imposing, and bombardment from their journalists is guaranteed. “Is this what the Traveller deals with each day? No wonder they quickly head off to their next location as soon as they can.”

“Fame is a costly reward.” A long-suffering look passes over the Iudex’s handsome face. “For some, it is no prize.”

You understand his quiet referral to himself and the reception he has due to his exalted position within Fontaine and, essentially, Teyvat. “Perhaps some such as Furina, who revels in it, just cannot understand such a concept.”

Neuvillette considers your words for a brief moment. “Hm. Yes, you could say that. However…” He trails off as lidded platters with the main course prepared inside is placed upon the table. “There is much more to her than what first meets the eye. I’ve known her for a very long time, and she is certainly no superficial girl.”

That makes you fall into a thoughtful silence, just watching the servants bustle about. One finally lifts the platter lids, letting the hot food’s steam billow out, your pondering quietude broken. The aroma is heavenly. “Oh, my—a lamb roast? You spoil me!”

Neuvillette thanks the servant as the man bows and steps to the side. The lamb is already sliced, the meat cooked to perfection. “Of course. Help yourself.”

You notice that many of the dishes presented have a lot of sauce with them. You don’t mind—every dish smells divine and you’re quick to load up your plate. “What’s for dessert?” You’re unsure if you’ll be able to fit it in.

“I don’t usually have dessert, but I had a cake prepared for you.” He taps a serving spoon against the edge of a bowl to rid it of excess sauce. “A black forest layer cake. Is that alright?”

“Like I would complain,” you amusedly quip once you’d finished your mouthful. “And this sweet potato is exceptional, Neuvillette, do try some—”

A sharp knock at the door cuts you off, making the two of you pause in your tracks. Neuvillette sends a bemused glance to the nearby servant, who quickly opens the door.

A man stumbles in, hastily adjusting his spectacles and trying to neaten his flustered, unkempt appearance. A bolt of unease shoots through you at the sight, leaving no room to be offended at his abrupt and rude entrance during your meal.

“Monsieur Neuvillette!” He breathlessly exclaims, waving a newspaper around. “I am terribly sorry for the interruption, but this is urgent, and you were preoccupied today.”

“It’s alright.” Neuvillette dabs at his mouth with a napkin and stands, quietly approaching the disoriented man. “You may relax. What is it?”

“This, sir.” The man hands over the newspaper, and Neuvillette accepts it, curiously straightening it out and beginning to read the front page. “We’ve no idea how or when this was taken, and it’s all over the headlines—”

“[Name]. You must see this.” The absence of emotion in the tone of his voice sends a jarring chill down your spine and you quickly stand, making your way toward him. “What’s wrong?”

He silently hands the paper to you, and you feel your stomach plummet at the sight of the front page.

“Chief Justice Neuvillette caught with mystery woman on Tuesday evening. Is the ever-impartial Iudex not so impartial anymore?” You shakily read out the words, turning to look up at him with wide eyes. “This was when you were walking me home a few days ago. We didn’t even notice! I thought the street was empty.”

He lays a firm hand on your shoulder, giving a soft, comforting squeeze. “Don’t panic. I know how to twist this to our advantage. It is too early, yes, and this could become a major problem, but we mustn’t worry.” The Chief Justice gently pries the newspaper from your trembling hands, and you stare at the ground. “I think you’d best turn in for the night, [Name]. We shall discuss this in the morning.”

“It’s not like I’ll sleep anyway,” you mutter, shoulders slumped. “Alright. I’ll do as you say. But first thing tomorrow morning, we will talk about this.”

He extracts his hand from you, and you attempt to give him a reassuring smile. “Have a good evening, Neuvillette. Relay my thanks to the chef about the food for me, please.”

Neuvillette answers with a quiet “I will” before you exit the dining room, making your way back to your bedroom.

I’m sure it’s just a minor setback, you think you’re going to throw up. He’ll take care of it. He said he would.

But maybe this was the first of things to go awry.

hello hello, I am finally back with chapter nine <3

sorry for the two-week wait guys, it's been hectic. I have family coming up for Christmas and little time to Christmas shop, AND I got hit by a writer's block. also im so sorry if you were expecting a longer chapter because of the lengthy wait. I just couldn't be bothered to write as much this time 💔

and I did say two chapters before Christmas, but im gonna have to go back on that one too. in fact, this is the last chapter until january. I need a break haha. I hope you guys understand.

and if anything didn't make sense in this chapter, please attribute it towards my sleep deprivation. it hasn't gotten any less worse 💔

taglist!

@shiroonekoo @just-here-reading @avyakaslana @eternal-dokja @confusedparticle @xitrinez @tanspostsblog @vcatson @sek0ya @loving-august @mxyarylla @ultigoblin @constantlyoverthinking @pvbbyb0y @lynettezzp @esthelily @furblrwurblr @sangoqueenkoko

well, then, everyone. I wish you all a very merry Christmas (if you celebrate it) and a happy new year! I can't wait to continue this story with you all next year 💕

thank you all, and until 2024.

#neuvillette #genshin impact #genshin #fontaine #chief justice neuvillette #neuvilette genshin #neuvillette x reader #neuvillette x you #genshin x reader #genshin imagines

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primevein · 1 year

Text

The Prime of His Youth: Book I: Forging His Own Path: Ch41: Ciel

Arcelia stepped onto the bridge.

"Who do we have there?" the captain asked.

"Arcelia, archivist from Caminus. Do you mind if I join you on the bridge?"

"So long as you stay out of the way." the captain replied, "And aren't you going to spend time in the room with the others?"

Arcelia stepped onto the bridge, "Humans have to spend 1/3 of their cycle in powerdown, which they typically do together."

"They all powerdown at the same time?" the captain asked, "Why would they do that?"

"They are diurnal." Arcelia stated.

"Like animals?" the captain asked.

"They are animals." Arcelia stated, "Wonderful animals."

"Are they your pets?" the captain asked.

"Our equals." she stated, straining to not say the truth.

"Oh?" the captain asked, "Next time I should charge for passage."

"It's not like they take up any room." Arcelia stated, "Unless you had a large group of them."

"I suppose I could charge them by the room." the captain replied, "That is what I do with the scions of Solus Prime."

"They call us femmes, which works for us." Arcelia stated. "And if this works out, you will be seeing a lot more of them."

"Interesting." the captain stated, "Don't they need Human facilities?"

"Ours are providing their own, but I suppose if they have more, they will need us to provide them. And if we have regular trips, perhaps we should get a dedicated ship?"

"And then you take it away again." he said, and paused for a moment as he thought it over, "Are you sure you can find another warp drive?" Arcelia paused, "Though having consistent cargo might be nice. How far away it is?"

"That's a good question, as right now we are using the spaceport on Cybertron."

"So, it's true?" the captain asked, " Cybertron has been restored?"

"From what I've heard. We apparently have two of the saviours. This is one of the things I am going to check. And while I am there, I will get navigational information for Terra and Cybertron."

"If you do," the captain said, "your first trip back will be free."

"That sounds good to me." Arcelia said with a weak smile. "This is a vast universe."

* * *

She stood in front of the door to the room. She thought that 8 of their hours had passed. She wondered what she should do. She wondered how Humans would ask for entry without com. links. These ones had com. links, but would that disturb their powerdown?

* * *

Sirenia opened the door and saw her standing there. "Is their powerdown complete?" Arcelia asked.

"Now they are taking care of their ablutions." Sirenia stated, Arcee appeared behind her and stepped out of the doorway. Arcee stepped out and it closed.

"It's a Human thing." Arcee stated.

"Would you care to go for a walk?" Arcelia asked.

"I'm going to pass." Arcee stated.

"You truly are joined at the hip." Arcelia replied.

"I like spending my time with my sparkmate." Arcee stated.

"Most still find time to contribute." Arcelia stated.

"Well, the good news is I'm earning my Energon on Earth. So I can contribute however I want."

"And how are you contributing on Earth?" she asked, and Arcee gave her a lost look. "Does oil wrestling count?"

"We are assisting her sparkmate." Sirenia added.

"Assisting with what?" Arcelia asked.

"Well, not really yet." Arcee stated, "We just got a place renovated so we can actually live together. But, Jack's been rebuilding motorcycles."

"And what is a motorcycle?" she asked. With this, Arcee transformed, paused on her two wheels for a moment before dropping her kickstand and then leaning onto it. "And what exactly is rebuilding?"

"Hm?" Arcee asked, and said nothing else.

"He pulls them apart," Sirenia jumped in, "finds any parts that need to be repaired and replaced, and then reassembles them. He makes his money from selling the completed repairs."

"And what is this oil wrestling?"

"Something that fembots haven't done yet, but we can probably make a lot of money with." Arcee said, and then transformed. "Want to try?"

Arcelia eyed her a moment, "I will say I am intruiged."

"Can I join in?" Sirenia excitedly stated.

"Maybe we can get Renée onboard?" Arcee asked.

"And how does your sparkmate feel about this?" Arcelia asked.

"Oh, he'll be surprised." Arcee stated.

* * *

The door opened, and Jack and June stepped out. "Morning." they said in turn.

"Morning, Master." Sirenia said to him.

"Morning, Jack." Arcee added. "June."

"Mr. and Mrs. Darby." Arcelia stated, and they just stared at each other. "Is that not the correct form of address."

"It just kind of implies things." Arcee stated, and Arcelia gave her a curious look.

"By saying Mr. and Mrs. Darby, you are implying they are married." Sirenia added, "If you said Mr. Darby and Mrs. Darby it would be more ambiguous."

"Plus you can call me June." she simply stated.

"Jack works for me." he added.

"I wondered if I could pick your brain?" Arcelia asked.

June looked at Jack. "Windows?" Jack asked.

* * *

Jack and June stood in one of the windows, looking out, with Arcee and Arcelia standing by them. Sirenia stood against the wall behind them.

"What kind of world government do you have?" Arcelia asked.

"We don't." Jack said, and June gave him a curious but trusting look.

"Have you not tried to have one?" Arcelia asked.

"Oh, we tried." Jack stated.

"And how did it work?" she asked.

"It just made things worse." Jack stated.

"We do have the United Nations." June added.

"We thought it was a good idea." Jack stated.

"It's not that bad." June stated.

"When's the last time it accomplished anything?" Jack asked, and June gave him a lost look.

"I'm sure it's done something?" June asked.

"Hence why it's your belief that the cities should be self-governing?" Arcelia asked.

"Pretty much."

"I didn't know you thought so little of the government?" June asked.

"Yeah, well, you haven't seen what's going on in schools." Jack stated. "I wanted to just get away. Now I want to get further away."

"Is it really that bad?" Arcelia asked, and Jack just shrugged. "If there is no planetary government, then how is your country organized?"

"It's a confederation." June stated, "With powers and responsibilities divided between Federal and State."

"It's called the United States of America." Jack added.

"It's one of the biggest in the world." June said.

"Jasper has lots of room to drive around." Jack added. "Which we'll cover when we get to Earth."

"And where do you live?" Arcelia asked.

"And old autoshop." Arcee said, "It has room for me and Sirenia to stand up, and room for Jack to work on his bikes. June has her own suite."

"Mother-in-law suite." June stated.

"I... uh?" Arcee asked.

"I don't have my own kitchen." she said, "Because someone wanted me to teach her to cook. Which we had a few troubles with."

"We'll have to try it again." Arcee stated.

"Of course we will." June added.

Sirenia then walked up. "Yes." Arcee said to her.

"We'll show you around." Jack said.

#transformers #prime #the prime of his youth #darcee #jack darby #arcee

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rwbyvein · 2 years

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Firen Lhain: Chapter 1204: Bitch: Part III / III

"Nope." Jaune replied.

"Doesn't mean you aren't thinking about it?" Yang asked, and Jaune stomped his food, obvious sign of anger on his face, snorting at her. She raised her hands to the side in surrender, "Chill, man."

"We can have that conversation later tonight." Weiss lightly stated.

"Yeah?.." Yang sighed.

"Any, uh, GOOD ideas?" Jaune asked.

Penthesilea cleared her throat. "We do not need to trust them at all. Keep them at arm's length, and have..." she voiced, and looked at Raven, "observing."

Raven gave her a wicked smile in reply.

"Works for me." Jaune stated, and looked around. He then raised his hand, "All in favour?", and many raised their hands. Nora and Ren. Penthesilea and Ciel. Ilia and Neo. Yang slowly lifted her arm, followed by Blake.

"That does seem the best choice." Weiss quipped.

"Uh-huh?!" Nora said to her, and Weiss looked over at her for a moment before raising her own hand.

"Pardon."

Jaune then looked to Ruby. Ruby jumped to her feet, raising her hand, "Can I give a great speech?!"

"Uh?" Jaune asked, "Yeah?"

"Okay, yeah, I mean, this is Cinder, and she is - one of the most evil people alive, but even she just wants to be left alone. This is our big chance, our one and only chance. The queen has lost her pieces. The only thing she has left are Grimm. We attack Salem's castle!" She proudly, dynamically stood tall, and everyone just looked at her. "What?" she asked.

Penthesilea giggled for a moment, "Wasn't that already the plan?"

Ruby sighed, "I guess..."

Jaune then looked to Qrow, Raven, and Taiyang.

"What?" Qrow asked, "You don't need our vote?" Raven augustly looked away.

"We don't?" Nora asked.

Taiyang then stood up, "You have enough Yeahs."

"Oh, right, we do." Ruby said, "Because of my speech?"

"I'm sorry, but it was a wonderful speech." Penthesilea said to her.

"Really?" Ruby asked.

* * *

Jaune walked down to the bottom of the rocky slope to the edge of the scrubland where Cinder and her crew had stayed. "Well, we had a talk. One, we don't trust you, but two, you can still join us."

Emerald sighed, "Are we going to be staying in the tower again?"

"What?" Jaune asked, "No. Not even if we wanted to." Emerald looked at him with a stun. "On one hand, we're renovating the turret and undercroft, on the other, we don't trust you."

Emerald scoffed, "But, you?"

"We don't want to overstay our welcome." Cinder added. "We got exactly what I was hoping for."

"So, where are we staying?" Leverette asked.

"One more thing, to show we are completely being honest." Cinder said to her, and looked at Jaune.

"Uh, yes?" Jaune asked.

"She's the Summer Maiden." Cinder said, and Jaune stood completely unflinching.

"Kind of figured he would react at least a little bit?" Mercury asked.

Jaune shook his head, "I'm honestly more surprised than I should be." He paused and breathed in deep. He turned his head to Leverette. "Uh?"

"Leverette." she said to him, and stepped forward offering him her hand. He reached over and they shook.

"Jaune, Jaune Arc."

"oh!" Nora exclaimed, followed by the sound of an explosion. They looked up the hill to see her gliding down.

"Uh?" Jaune asked.

"Can I say it?!" Nora eagerly asked, and Jaune sighed before nodding his head. "Ladies love it!"

Jaune breathed in deep and looked at the others as Nora looked at them nervously. "It's... kind of an inside joke..." Jaune said. "Anyways, only those 'bound to me' are allowed in the woods."

"We're prisoners?" Emerald asked.

"What?" Jaune asked, "No. Kind of. Message Sarah or Ciel if you want to take off in your airship, so Hugh won't shoot you down. It will likely take a month or two for Ironwood to put everything together. If you guys want to stay here in your airship, we'll get you food or something."

"How very accomodating of you." Leverette sarcastically replied.

* * *

Cinder, Mercury, Emerald, and Leverette sat in their airship's sitting area. "What the hell are we going to do?"

"Isn't this place lovely?" Cinder asked.

"What?" Emerald asked, "The sheep?"

"The sheep, the woods, the grass, the clean, moist air?" Cinder asked.

"What?" Emerald asked.

"The badlands can be harsh on the skin?" Cinder asked.

"You're suggesting we stay here, with the sheep?" Emerald asked.

Mercury just looked solemnly when Leverette spoke up, "I'm sure, even if we wouldn't ever return, Boon would keep are mansion looking beautiful. He'll probably want a LOT of backpay when we do come back, of course."

"Of course." Cinder said with a disturbing smile. She then looked around their spacious airship. "We've certainly stayed in worse places?"

"This did belong to a pirate king." Mercury stated.

"And now it belongs to the Queen Bitch of the Badlands." Cinder said with glee.

"So, we stay here?" Emerald looking around, "In the middle of nowhere, surrounded by sheep?"

"Do I really have to say it?" Leverette asked.

"Say... what?.." Emerald asked her.

Leverette looked at Mercury and the two smiled before speaking at the same time, "Spoiled Valean princess." Emerald scoffed.

"My?" Cinder asked, "You've come a long way from the lost little girl who would eat anything, and sleep anywhere?"

Emerald looked lost for a moment as it dawned on her.

"You're becoming as spoiled as the ice queen." Leverette said to her.

Cinder wrapped her arm around Emerald's shoulder to soothe her. "Nothing wrong with me spoiling you." Cinder said, and Emerald blushed ruby red. "But, that couldn't last forever."

"Unless we win." Leverette said with glee.

"You've certainly... adapted?" Mercury asked her.

"I wasn't exactly looking for the end of the world." Leverette replied, and took a moment to breathe, "But when I learned about the Maidens... and that I am one... I don't exactly have a choice in it."

"Feeling lost?" Emerald asked.

"Not in the least." Leverette replied, "I'm doing better than I ever have in my life. A little end of the world is worth it."

"What?" Emerald asked.

"I don't know how to tell you this, but I haven't exactly lead a good life." Leverette stated. "Eleanor saved me."

"We are the same." Mercury said to Emerald, and she sighed.

"So, what, we enjoy the sheep?" Emerald asked. "Play in the woods?"

"Except we can't do that last part." Mercury added.

"It still feels like a prison." Emerald stated.

"Or we just think of it like hiding." Leverette stated, "We're used to that." Emerald sighed.

Cinder stood up, "Or we can just think of it as a love nest."

Leverette looked at Emerald, "With her?! Fuck no."

"I think fucking will be the problem." Mercury replied.

"Or the solution." Cinder said with glee.

Mercury and Leverette looked at each other for a moment before just shaking their heads before Leverette spoke to him, "Maybe you could hook up with one of the pretty girls in the castle."

"Most of them are part of the harem." Mecury replied. Leverette looked at him as if calling his bluff, "Not joking, just ask Eleanor." he said, and the two looked at Cinder.

"Oh, yes." Cinder said, "Try not to be too judgemental."

Leverette smiled and almost laughed, "Yes, I'm here because of how judgemental I am." She paused for a moment as something dawned on her, "You know what, yes I am, but not about idiotic things like who's hooking up with who, but for competence. I have trouble believing these guys are as good as you say they are, that they could take on an army of Beowulves."

"And Beringels." Cinder stated, "Creepers, Nevermores, a Nuckelvee, and even a Dragon."

"They... had an army with them?" Leverette asked.

"Yes, and no." Cinder stated, "It was definitely the ones from the castle that killed the Dragon."

"Arc Nouveau." Mercury voiced.

"Pithy, isn't it?" Cinder delightfully asked.

Leverette stood up. "I'm going to get to the bottom of this." She then turned to Mercury. "Some of the girls there aren't part of the harem, right?" she asked, and nodded for him to come along.

"I also don't like girls." Mercury stated, "Like I said, me and Cinder are looking for different things."

"Shit load of working men that would probably love to bend you over something?" Leverette asked.

"I also have trust issues." Mercury nervously stated.

"Well earned ones." Cinder lightly added, and Leverette nodded.

"I'll make sure to send you pictures when I hook up with the girls you're too scared to." Leverette said with glee, and hopped away.

#rwby #firen lhain #fauns au #arc-en-ciel

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msbarrows · 1 year

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Sephiroth has met one of the neighbourhood vampires, and the two of them really hit it off and were flirting like crazy. Finally took the time to thoroughly explore the neighbourhood, too, and found a couple plants he didn’t have seeds for yet (plasma fruit and a mosquito-eating flytrap), plus some he already did (nightshade and garlic).

Added a ladder up to the little roof tower, so Seph can use it as a small painting studio. Have done some more work on cleaning up the yard, as well as further renovations to things like the upstairs windows, making the house a bit more Art Deco than Gothic. Have also continued renovations to the interior.

I’ve started running out of goals I want to work on with Sephiroth, so I decided to try out the “science baby” option. His friend Molly provided the other half of the kid’s genetics. He now has a son, Jaxson.

Also, I decided to change Seph’s last name so I’ll be able to more easily pick out his particular descendants in future as opposed to those of all his cousins with the Tank surname - he’s now Sephiroth du Ciel. Because if I do let him become a vampire, he might be generating offspring for many generations to come.

#The Sims #TS4

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rankentech · 1 year

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Jack Worstell came to Ranken right out of high school and enrolled in the Architectural Technology program and graduated in 1955. He worked for one year with Ciel G. Schmidt, a small architectural company, and then was hired by HOK where he worked for 21 years. While employed with HOK he was the project manager for several major projects including King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Dallas Fort Worth Airport, the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington DC, at which he was only 26 years old when he was made project manager. In 1975 Jack passed the NCARB architecture certification exam. At HOK Jack had risen to the position of Vice President. Two of the other HOK Vice Presidents, graduated from and Washington University in St. Louis. In 1980 Jack started his own Architecture firm, Hornberger + Worstell in San Francisco. This firm had an expertise in four and five star hotels designing 60,000 hotel rooms in China, Mexico, and United States including hotels like the Ritz Carlton, JW Marriot and more. They also specialized in historic renovations. Giradelli Square, the world famous del Coronado, on Coronado Island, San Diego, the Ahwahnee at Yosemite Park to name a few. Jack is now retired but Hornberger + Worstell is still in business. It is truly inspiring to know that a Ranken alum with a two-year Architecture degree has his fingerprints on so many major projects around the world at one of the largest architectural practices in the United States. He states, “I am very thankful for the success I have had, and I credit Ranken for the solid base that I received.” Find your career path at links in bio #rankentech #architecturelovers

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the-letter-horror-lover · 2 years

Text

Good night Josephine."

Chapter 17: The Butler & The Maid, A ghost of the past

Chapter Text

-One week later-

"My what a creepy building, and the queen wants this place to be renovated as a hotel?"

"Indeed, from what I was told the workers here believe the place is haunted, so I decided we should investigate."

"Do you believe in ghosts master?"

"No I do not."

"And you Sebastian?"

"I-"

Before the Butler could speak his answer the door of the mansion suddenly slammed shut causing the young woman to jump and grip the butlers arm. Looking down at her the butler smirked and let her grip tighten, none of the pain registering as he let her nails sink deep into his clothed arm. He found it adorable how she couldn't have picked that up when he could have. But all though she had excellent hearing she wasn't able to pick up the sound of the doors moving at all, it really threw her through a loop as she let out a small,

"Eek!" Before feeling a chill run up her spine once they heard a voice from beside them call out,

"Who are you? why have you come here?" Glancing over the team saw a young boy with haunting blue eyes and long blonde hair, a golden scepter in his hand as he rested the other on his hip, eyebrows furrowed as he gave the three an evil and menacing glare.

"So that's it a traveling minstrel is squatting here." Ciel scoffed as he rolled his eye in annoyance. At such an insult the group could feel the room grow colder and the persons temper rise as he now scowled at the young master.

"You dare insult me?" His aura now growing darker causing the woman to reach out and put the boy behind her as an act of defense but the butler lightly grabbed her wrist, not even looking up at him she could tell with just a touch that the boy caused no threat to the master. He was a ghost after all, it wasn't like they could cause the living any actual harm...could they?

"Me the king of all England? I am Edward the fifth!" Uh oh.

"This doesn't make any sense." Ciel whispered to himself as he tried his hardest to believe what he was hearing and seeing, the young maid as well was equally impressed, her hands were clasped together tightly as she tried to not scream in pure joy over the fact of meeting a ghost for the first time ever. Sure she believed in them, but never had she met one! and yet here she was meeting one! a famous one to be more specific!

"It appears that ghosts do exist." The butler smirked as he looked down at the stunned boy. Smirking as well the young maid hummed in satisfaction.

"I told you so." Sighing the boy glanced over his shoulder at the two, as if telling them to quickly shappen themselves up in the presence of royalty.

"He may have been our king for a few months but that doesn't change anything. He is still our king." Nodding at this the two quickly became straight faced and gave a respectful nod to their masters wishes.

"Understood." Clearing his throat the butler took a step beside his master and gave a slight bow.

"Your highness may I present to you, my master Lord Phantomhive." Walking towards the child ghost, the servants watched as he took a knee and removed his hat, eye closed and head down as if he was in front of the queen.

"Please forgive my rudeness I was unaware your majesty still resided here." Calming down now the king just sighed and gestured for him to stand.

"You are forgiven.I don't get many guests."

"I am not a guest your highness in fact my company actually owns your castle."

"Oh so you must be the new caretaker then?"

"Not exactly, if I maybe frank, Sire, i'd like you to vacate the premisses."

"Vacate the premisses!? after me and my brother have lived here for over four hundred years?" As soon as it was said the woman and demon felt another presence enter the room, glancing over they noticed a small child peek his head through the doorway of the room, his quite and shy nature made the woman give him a slight smile to which he gasped and shyly waved to her before entering the room entirely.

"Naturally we'll offer you compensation for the castle. I shall pay every regard to your wishes. I'm sure we can come to an amicable agreement." Observing the servants from a distance the young prince slowly became fond of Josephine, her long dark hair and friendly nature reminding him of his mother who had passed centuries ago. Her smile was so warm and bright almost reminding him of the sun that he hadn't seen or felt in a long, long time. Wanting to know if she was as warm as she seemed the young prince ran up to her and held her hand, to which he smiled and clung onto.

"Well, well it seems my brother has taken a liking to your servants especially the maid." The king smirked as he noticed the way they interacted, the way his brothers once dull blue eyes suddenly began to glow brightly as he noticed how nice and attentive the maid was, surely he couldn't let such a thing go especially if it made his sibling happy.

"These are my loyal servants Sebastian Michaelis and Josephine Brandson, your majesty." Giving the royal a smile and bow, the king looked to them and smirked thoughtfully.

"We would have so much more fun if there were servants around. " He heard his brother say as he clutched Josephines hand tightly, observing from the corner of his eye the Earl gritted his teeth slightly but quickly cooled himself. He had forgotten who he was in front of, and since these two were in such a high rank he couldn't say or do anything that might offend them, for just this once he was going to have to put his jealousy on hold.

"Indeed they do seem to be quite an unusual pair I think this could become interesting."The king muttered.

----------

Moving from the throne room to the kings personal play room the two sat across from one another, a chess board set in between them. The tension between the two was so thick one could cut it with a knife.

"If I win a game you turn the servants over to me, and if you win you can do whatever you wish with the castle." The king said simply as he gestured to the room that surrounded them. Knowing her master he always had a trick up his sleeve, but this time she had her doubts could he really beat a ghost? after all he was older and most likely wiser than Ciel, so was this fixed from the start?

Knowing her master he always had a trick up his sleeve, but this time she had her doubts could he really beat a ghost? after all he was older and most likely wiser than Ciel, so was this fixed from the start?

"Alright. I hope you don't regret it." Ciel smirked.

"Let us make sure we both play fairly otherwise it won't be fun, will it?" The king said as he cocked his head to the side, hand extended towards the young Earl. Hesitating for a bit the young boy nodded in agreement and shook the ghosts hand.

"Yes, I agree." He said as he let go.

"I am holding you to the wager we made." The king stated as he watched Ciel place his first piece, and from there it spiraled. Every play that was made, made the young woman's breath hitch. She knew she had to have faith in her master, but this? this was making her feel a tad bit sick. She knew that if he lost she would be forever stuck taking care of the ghosts. But she had to remember her master wasn't like any other Earl he was special and with Sebastian by his side she was sure there was a loop hole or plan in play if things went south.

"My that looks like check mate." The king said, as his player shifted to a queen, and knocking Ciel's king off the board. Noticing the obvious change, the maid felt her temper slowly rise, accidentally squeezing the young princes hand, which she was still holding. Looking up at her the young prince smiled and hugged her tightly arms wrapped tightly against her waist as he knew his brother would win.

"Majesty! were you lying to me when you said we would be playing a fair game?" Ciel stated angrily. Scowling at this the young royal gritted his teeth and glared daggers at the young Earl who gulped in slight fear. Sensing this the woman went to ease him but the prince who was still wrapped around her stopped her.

"Excuse me? what did you say?" The ghost gasped, the angry dark aura from before circling around him.

"Sire?" Ciel whispered as he watched him rise from his seated position.

"Don't you accuse me of lying! I hate liars! this is still my chess piece I just used my power to its full potential!" Sighing the woman lightly unwrapped the young princes arms from around her waist and gave him a gentle smile, as if saying, 'one moment please.' Walking over to the kings side she clasped her hands in front of her and gave him one of her signature calming smiles, her voice as soft as silk.

"Your majesty?" Josephine hummed.

"Maid, you have leave to speak." The king spoke as he began to settle down. Josephine's voice making him suddenly feel more at ease with every word she said.

"Unfortunately I believe my master has forgotten his own creed." She said as she gave the boy a sparring glance.

"Excuse me?" Ciel sputtered as he looked at the woman wide eyed, eyebrows raised in question.

"Surely my master remembers his belief, that those who do not use their pawns to the utmost are fools.My master does not believe in holding back."

"Well then, it seems that our problem is resolved, right Richard?" The king suddenly smiled as he glanced over at his brother who in turn smiled and ran up to her. Grasping her hand he looked up and smiled, causing her heart to melt slightly, surely being the young princes maid for a day or two wouldn't be so bad. Scoffing the Earl sighed and closed his eye out of frustration and jealousy, such a childish emotion made Josephine giggle as she heard his heart beat, come to a quickening pace.

"I order you two, to care for these boys and do anything your new master may ask of you." Feeling a bit odd about the order Sebastian raised an eyebrow in concern.

" Feeling a bit odd about the order Sebastian raised an eyebrow in concern

"Are you certain master?"

"Indeed, I'am the one who lost." Clapping his hands together the king smiled and looked towards his brother, who's sapphire blue eyes glowed even brighter from the sheer joy and excitement that the new servants would come in store with.

"Very well then. It is settled. I'm sure servants as strong as these two will certainly last us many years to come." Putting a hand over their hearts the two gave a respectful bow before looking towards the royal.

"We will do our best ."

"Good, Phantomhive stay. I wish to play more with you." The boy said as he gestured to the chess board that had now reset itself. Giving the king a false smile the boy nodded and watched perplexed as Edward stood from his seated position.

"I am honored your majesty." Ciel trailed as he watched them leave the room, no sparring glance given by Sebastian or Josephine! he would have thought she would have given him a look, a glance, a smile! something! but her full attention was on serving prince Richard and king Edward. Sharing wasn't in the Earl's vocabulary and something as ridiculous as sharing servants was something he never heard of. The two servants knew this would eat at him to the very core and so they had to prepare themselves for that event. They couldn't tend to his beck and call unless it was a direct order and so he was to be only treated as a guest, no longer a master to either one of them. So to say he was fuming with jealousy would be an understatement.

------------

That same day as the servants went about their daily tasks, young prince Richard decided to linger about and watch. His eyes were entranced by Josephine's smooth and gentle way of going about such daily activities, and this particular activity she was doing was what she was known for, something the Earl would miss during his stay here which would hopefully not be long.

"Hey, do you know what that is?" Richard asked the skull as he watched Josephine put spoonfuls of tea leaves into the tea pot. Holding up the pitcher of warm water she began to pour it in the kettle, a small smile grazing her lips as she watched Richards reaction.

"These are special Indian tea leaves they were only recently discovered your royal highness." She said as she put the pitcher down and grabbed the small jar of honey. Taking out a small spoonful of the substance she swirled it around delicately before making sure the substance had meddled in well with the tea.

Glancing over at the butler the young boy watched in amazement as Sebastian ironed his shoe laces. The boy was dumbfounded by this as he watched them become neatly aligned and pressed along the wooden board.

"He's even ironing the laces for all my shoes! why's he doing that?" The prince gasped to the skull.

"You are a man of noble birth it's only natural that your footwear is treated as such." Sebastian said as he began to polish the boys shoes.

"Hmm, I've never thought of it like that. I never even go outside." Upon hearing this Josephine's heart ached. She would at least think that ghost not only haunted buildings but rather the grounds themselves, but seeing as his brother would be busy playing king and all, the young prince had no one to keep a watchful eye on him.

"Your highness do you wish to change clothes before you have supper?"Sebastian spoke as he held up a freshly ironed white blouse.

"Yes." He smiled as he looked from the skull to the butler.

"Very good, well then let me just hold on to that for you-"

"No don't!" The boy shouted as he clutched the skull close to his body. Frowning at this the butler put the shirt down and gave the child a soft look.

"But how are you going to change your clothes if your hands are full?"

"I can't this is something really, really important to me. Right?" He muttered softly, as the butler went back to shining his shoes all the while the maid continued to prep the afternoon tea for the king and earl.

"Who did it belong to?"He asked mindlessly.

"Not telling!" Richard snapped back.

"As you wish, your highness." Pouting slightly the young woman, suddenly smiled at the idea that popped in her head. Maybe if the prince was comfortable around the maid, maybe he would be able to tell her who the skull belonged to. After all the child seemed to be attached to her hip, and followed her everywhere like a shadow.

"Hmm, well then your highness would you like to go outside for a bit? see the gardens perhaps?" Upon hearing this the young prince's eyes lit up, his lips curved into a wide smile as he vigorously nodded his head.

"Yes!" He said as he jumped up and down excitedly, grabbing the silver cart Sebastian gave her an acknowledging look before making his way towards his new and old master. Surely the young Earl would be a bit huffy since it wasn't Josephine who was delivering his tea but regardless of who was bringing it as long as Josephine made it all would be well.

"Very well then let's go." She said as she extended her hand out to the boy who happily took it and began to lead the young woman down the hall, his gleeful giggles echoing through the castles stone cold walls.

-----

After marveling at how warm the sun was and how green and soft the grass was, the young prince had finally calmed down and decided to wander the gardens with Josephine beside him, his hand clutching her's as he contemplated on telling Josephine the truth of the skull in his hands. Would she try and take it away from him? surely she couldn't do such a thing in fear of him telling on her to his brother, but looking deep into her calm and soft features the prince could tell she feared nothing...not even death.

"You want to know don't you?" The little boy asked as he looked down at the skull in his hands. Glancing down at him the young woman smiled and looked over at the red roses that grew beside her.

"Only if you are at liberty to say." She hummed. Shaking his head he gripped the skull tighter and pulled it to his chest, as if it was to be ripped away from him at any moment.

"Not telling!" He huffed.

"As you wish." She said as she sat down on the freshly cut green grass. The prince setting himself down right beside her. Picking at the various wild flowers and dandelion as the woman began to weave the young boy a flower crown fit for a royal. Her mother, before her passing taught her how to make extravagant crowns that the two would make and sell on the streets. By night fall their pockets would be full of jingling coins, their cheeks hurting from the amount of giggles they shared with each other as well as giving kind and warm smiles to those who looked interested in their crafty work.

Remembering that made the servant smile as she remembered her mothers kind green eyes and long dark brown hair.Her mother was average to those around her, they thought nothing of her but just a plain Jane with a radiant smile. But to little Josephine she was the most beautiful woman on the planet...

"But I can't give you away! if I did he would be sad, right?" Richard asked as he looked to wards the woman who's nimble fingers worked quickly and swiftly to finish the crown before the dinner bell sounded which would be in just a few moments hopefully.

"It's your decision your highness." The woman shrugged as she added the finishing touches, before presenting it to him. His wide blue eyes grew even wider at the sight that beheld him, he had never been presented with something so unique in his life. At a young age he was showered with jewels and furs of all kinds, and none of it made him as happy as he was when he saw the crown.

"Here, a crown fit for a prince." She smiled as she placed it on his head. Lightly touching the flowers the boy smiled happily and let out a giggle before wrapping his arms around the young woman, his head resting against her chest and tiny hands gripping her outfit tightly as if she would disappear on him like everyone in his life had.

"Hmm, I like you Josephine, you remind me so much of mother!" He gushed as he pressed himself closer into her, smiling at this the woman lightly patted his back and let him rest against her for as long as he wished.

"Please, I am simply just one hell of a maid." She giggled as she looked up at the stone castle to see the curtain move ever so slightly, surely someone was watching but whomever it was didn't seem to stick around long and nor did she really care to know why. What mattered was helping the prince and king in any way shape or form as the young master had instructed. Anything else would come to play at night when all was asleep, even the ghosts.

"I hope to god you never leave us Josephine, you are truly the only friend I have." Those words, oh, they made her heart break. She knew what loneliness was like, from a young age she had, but over time she found love and warmth from the friends she had made in the light of fame, but quickly it was swept out from under her like a rug and so she plummeted into a deep depression that drowned her...she thought she would never resurface, that was until the damned butler came along...

But to be alone for over four hundred years!? how could a child live like this? but she guessed when you're a ghost time just seems to stand still, until a force comes along and shakes it all up. Just as the young earl and these workers had.

"If his majesty wishes for me to stay then I shall." She said with a smile that was true, as well as tone of voice that made the child believe her and hold her even tighter. But in her eyes held lies of all kinds. She knew that once all of this was over and the young master had figured out a way to get them to cross over, she could no longer serve the young royal, even if it was just a temporary matter. She still couldn't help but feel the need to watch and protect him like she did the Earl, because deep down she saw the Earl as a little boy in the eyes of Richard.

------

Meanwhile in the kings study the two men sat and conversed with one another while Sebastian served the tea Josephine had prepared, both playing a game of chess by the window that over looked the garden Josephine and the young prince were sitting in. Resting his chin in the palm of his hand the king looked and watched as the young woman smiled and laughed with the prince. Never had he seen such a woman smile so genuinely towards his sibling, a smile that radiated the warmth of the sun, something he hadn't felt in decades.

"That maid of yours she's...special..." The king commented as he pulled the curtain back a bit to get a better view of her beautiful features.

"Indeed she was one of my top servants." The Earl said as he moved his chess piece, his fingers curling around the porcelain cup that held the beverage she had prepared for the two.

"I know it is unheard of...but would you think it would be wise to court a woman such as herself?" Nearly spitting out his drink the boy let out a cough and quickly covered his mouth with his napkin, that sat on his lap. Ghost? and human? married? it was never heard of! and for him to actually love her!? when only just meeting her a couple of hours ago!? unbelievable.

Even Sebastians eyes widened for a moment at such a declaration! it didn't matter the species, demon? human? ghost? it was all the same! they all fell head over heels for the lovely Josephine.

Even Sebastians eyes widened for a moment at such a declaration! it didn't matter the species, demon? human? ghost? it was all the same! they all fell head over heels for the lovely Josephine

"Uh...well I uh..." He couldn't think of the right words to say, he couldn't degrade his top servant or even former crush, he couldn't even think of any bad qualities or anything for that matter! she was just so perfect! perfect in a way that wasn't sickening but rather typical and expected of someone like her. She entranced those who didn't know her with a smile and a look, she amazed them with her skills and precision as well as her ability to speak her mind in the slickest of ways. Everything about her was sharp down to the very knives she carried with her.

"I feel as though she would make an excellent queen, age is no concern however her status is troublesome..."Continuing to stare out the window he watched as Richard hugged her waist, while she hugged him back. It never really crossed the kings mind on wether he should marry or not, at least not until he met her...his cheeks dusted a soft pink when he heard her laughter from below, as well as watch the way her Emerald green eye sparkled with such joy.

"S-She's not really someone who's ready for marriage! honestly!" The Earl chuckled nervously as he tried to persuade the young king in to disregarding his thoughts before he would actually go through with it.

"Really?" Edward said as he looked away from the window and to the blushing and frantic Earl.

"Yeah! s-she's a wild spirt! she's uh...uh-"

"What I think our guest is trying to say is she is troublesome and strong willed, she doesn't listen well to authority

"What I think our guest is trying to say is she is troublesome and strong willed, she doesn't listen well to authority." The butler chimed as he to tried to lead the conversation away.

"That's not such a terrible quality now is it? a woman who knows a thing or two about politics and war is rather hard to come by now a days." He said thoughtfully as he lightly tapped his chin in thought. Gritting his teeth, the earl tried to make it look as though the matter was no big deal, since the servants weren't supposed to be his anymore. However, he still refused to see it in this or that way.

'This damn brat can't seriously be thinking of marrying her!?' Ciel growled.

"Nonetheless, her status is the main concern, a low born couldn't possibly marry into the royal bloodline no matter how beautiful or smart." The boy said as he slowly dismissed the matter, and resumed to play his game. However the woman never left his mind, and he would continue to wonder about the woman through out the entirety of the chess match.

'That was a close one.'

--------

-That evening-

"Please sit you don't have to stand on ceremony." The king commented as Josephine pulled out his seat. Giving her a thankful nod she returned it with a smile, before lightly pushing the chair in for him.

"Thank you your majesty." Ciel said as he sat down.

"This is hare, lovingly roasted served with red currant jelly and some local leeks." The butler said as he placed the dish down in front of the king, the maid on the opposite side of him pouring a glass of wine.

"We're eating a bunny." The young prince commented to the skull as the servants aided him in his meal. As she poured his glass of wine, the woman noticed the odd look in the kings eye as he noticed the flower crown that adorned his brothers head.

"Richard what is that on your head?" He said with slightly stern tone. Smiling he lightly patted it and let out a light giggle.

"Do you like it? Josephine made it for me! she took me out to the garden today!" He gushed as he gave his brother a warm and happy smile, something the king hadn't seen in quite some time. Although it wasn't formal for a royal such as himself to wear something like that, the king decided to let it slip just this once.

"Oh? is that so?" He said as he looked to the maid who was tying a handkerchief around the young princes neck.

"I hope your majesty doesn't mind." She said innocently. Smiling at this he shook his head, his cheeks donning a light pink when he made eye contact with her. Her lone green eye sparkling with charm, rather than a dull and lifeless color he had grown use to, the woman was a magnet, so much so she attracted humans as well as ghosts!

"Of course not, thank you for making my brother happy."

"You're very welcome sire." She bowed as she and the butler continued to serve tonights dish.

"Have you found out anything?" Ciel muttered as he glanced at Josephine who resisted the urge to speak to her master, as well as Sebastian who had served him his dinner rather than spoke.

"Hey, you two!" The boy spat lowly.

"I must ask my guest to mind his manners, common rules dictate that you conversate with the person next to you." Sebastian said as him and the Josephine stood side by side next to each other, both of them waiting on standby if needed.

"No ones next to me! honestly! how am I supposed to talk to them when they're sitting so far away!" Ciel fussed, causing the maid to stifle her laughter.

"I wonder what our guest is making such a fuss about?" Prince Richard asked as he looked to his brother confused.

"Nothing! I just wanted to make sure my servants were behaving properly!" Ciel laughed nervously.

"But I thought they were our servants?"

"Yes, of course!"

"Now then I propose a toast to our new guest and servants." The king said as he smiled towards the servants, a raised wine glass in his hand.

"Me too!" Richard cheered as he raised his glass too. Before clinking his drink with his brother and taking a sip from the glass. Looking up the prince noticed that Ciel hadn't even touched his drink making him raise an eyebrow in confusion.

"What's wrong you're not drinking."

"Oh it's nothing." He hummed as he drummed his fingers along the table, a bored expression placed on his face as he tried to ignore the irritating fact that none of his servants were helping him, even the dutiful Josephine refused to look or speak to him unless her new master ordered her too which made the young earl very, very impatient.

-------

Late that night when everyone was asleep, the maid was left to search for the master or well former master. His footsteps lingered in the dark halls of the castle, as her excellent hearing quickly caught up on his trail. Finding him in the kings study she watched as he struggled to find where Edward had disappeared too. Ghosts could walk through walls that much was true, but the same couldn't be said for humans. Lucky for him she managed to swipe the key from Edward during bedtime.

"Pardon me dearest," She hummed as she entered the room and ran her fingers along the spines of the book, her senses trying to find a hidden entrance to the passage way.

"Yes and what do you want? shouldn't you be with prince Richard?" Ciel nearly spat as he crossed his arms over his chest

"Yes and what do you want? shouldn't you be with prince Richard?" Ciel nearly spat as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"His highness is fast asleep as should you be." She smirked as she looked down at his attire. Blushing he pouted and turned away from her, obviously he was but flustered with her, after all it seemed as though her loyalty now lied with the two brats rather than with the boy who rose her up from the ashes of her former-self. The least she could do was at least treat him a bit more graciously.

"Tch." Upon pressing the spine to one of the books, it opened up to reveal a small key hole, humming in satisfaction she smiled and turned to the boy who looked at her in pure shock.

"I say, Josephine!" He gasped.

"You want to go inside don't you?" She teased.

"I never gave you an order, I make the rules around here! " He spat as he pointed to the floor, his angry face coming off more as a joke rather than scary causing the woman to just giggle and shake her head.

"But isn't it good service to you? the trick to satisfying a guest is to think ahead.No? " She said as she tapped her chin with the key, her eyebrow raised in a joking curious matter causing the boy to just grit his teeth.

"I'm going to kill you."

"Does my dear guest not want me to open it?" She pouted.

"Open it." He said flatly, obviously he was tired and would surely need a nap once they got back to the manor. Putting the key in the hole she twisted it to hear a soft click, standing back the two watched as the door came to life and slid to the side revealing a dark long stair way lit up by torches. Listening out for any other forms of life or traps, the woman grabbed one of her knives and gestured for the boy to follow her.

A tad bit scared with what lingered in the dark, the boy kept close to the woman, to the point where if she was to stop suddenly he would surely fall back. It wasn't until they made it to the root of the place that he kept his distance, but even still the young maid made sure to keep him on a tight leash.

"What is this?" Ciel suddenly spoke as he looked down at the ground to find skeletons littered across the room, cobwebs covering them like veils.

"I believe it's a crypt." She said as she looked around at the buildings high ceiling and mountains of bones. Before she could elaborate more she heard a light crack from beside her, looking she saw the earl lift his foot up from off one of the various bones.

"Please be careful this place has been untouched by humans for many years." A voice spoke from in front of them, turning the two looked to see the manifested spirit of King Edward, his voice and facial expression sad as he too looked around with despair.

"Your majesty what is this place?" Ciel questioned.

"Originally it had been a dungeon, criminals of the church who were denied burial were thrown in here and forgotten by even the grim reaper. The path to heaven is forever lost to these poor souls." He said as the three watched a collective amount of souls float upwards and suddenly light the dark place up.

"Once, on a whim I made something to remember them by, here let me introduce you." He said as he gestured to a rather large chess board that sat behind him.

"The king is my father, and the queen is my mother, I suppose I could have been a bit more original, that rook is Earl Rivers and my uncle over there is the bishop. The family is reunited." He said as he pointed to each piece that lined the black and white squares.

"One of the knights is missing." Ciel pointed out.

"That place is for Richard."

"You can't find him?"

"That not it he's here . I have the bones that were found 200 years ago but Richard has the skull, and he won't let go of it. Don't you see surely you must, all I want is to send my brother on, I want him to live with god, where there is no pain. " Feeling her heart break the Josephine really did feel sympathetic towards the spirit. He had been through so much in life and in death and all he wanted was to make sure his brothers soul was put to rest before his. All he cared about was his brother and for that bond alone made Josephine want to wipe away a stray tear.

"Send him to heaven with god." The Earl muttered as he lightly caressed one of the skulls on the set.

"Yes and all of that would come true if I just finish this set-"

"Alright then, if you can get that skull, you'll be satisfied. All you want is to have the skull? No matter the sacrifice?"Oh, her master had a trick up his sleeve.

"That's right, yes-"

"Sebastian." The boy called out, suddenly with in the blink of an eye the man was beside the maid who could only smirk at how quick and silent he was.

"Yes?" He said with a smile, his attire back to what it once was no longer a long pony tail but now short and perfectly suiting his face, the tailcoat he missed so much now back on his shoulders.

'Always lurking about huh? damn butler.' Josephine thought to herself as he gave her a sly smirk.

"I order you, go get that skull!"He demanded loudly.

"Indeed my young lord." He nodded as he placed a hand over his heart.

"And take the chess board to the hall." He said as he pointed to the large table behind him.

"Yes sir."

"I don't understand what are you doing?" The king asked, perplexed by the child's orders.

"I am simply fulfilling your most dire wish your majesty." Ciel smirked as he turned his back on him, the maid could only smile and shake her head. Boy, did she miss him being the boss.

---------

"No stop it! please just put me down Sebastian!" Now the group had migrated to the main room of the castle. The young prince struggling underneath Sebastians arm with the skull held tightly in his grasp.

"I'm afraid not my young lord." The butler said.

"Pity I was looking forward to a fight between a demon and a ghost."Ciel chuckled causing the woman to throw him a slight glare, which he thankfully never caught.

"Let me go Sebastian! Josephine! brother help!" Richard cried as he reached out to his sibling who in turn went to get him but stopped himself.

"I'm sorry, come now don't you think you could be a little more gentle?" Edward spat as he glared over at the Earl who sat by and watched with amusement.

"You got yourself into this really, this has been going on for over two hundred years isn't that a bit silly?"

"Seeing my brother cry isn't silly! "Edward snapped,

"No!" Richard cried as Sebastian suddenly grabbed the skull from the boys hands causing him to cry out even louder.

"What are you doing!?"Edward spat to Ciel.

"Doing what you have asked."

"He'll help me! my brother will help! and Josephine too!" He said as he looked to Josephine who kept her face as cold as the stone walls of the castle, never had he thought that his most trusted servant would turn on him like that. Her cold features sent a shock of alarm through his body, so much so he had stopped fighting for just a second.

"I am your sovereign I order you to let him go!" The king shouted as he went to hit Sebastian but quickly he moved away making the ghost to fall to the floor.

"Brother!"

"I'm sorry to say this your majesty, but for a king you are extremely powerless." Sebastian pouted slightly as he looked down at the king with little to no pity.

"NO! PLEASE NO!" Richard cried.

"Please no! stop it! I instructed you to stop! I am your king!"

"You said the skull was what you wanted no matter the sacrifice, if you take that statement back now, well then, you are no better than the liars you claim to hate." Ciel stated firmly.

"Sebastian listen to me! I am your master-"

"I'm sorry your highness, you have never been my master

"I'm sorry your highness, you have never been my master." The demon said coldly as he gave the royal a blank face, looking at in fright he instead turned to Josephine who in turn stared at him blankly. Causing the young earl to have a ghost of a smirk appear on his lips as he finally gained the control of his servants back.

"Wha-Josephine?" Shaking her head she crossed her arms over her chest and looked down at him with a glint of pity in her green eye.

"You were never mine either." She said as she put a hand over her heart.

"We are contractually obligated to the Earl Phantomhive, we only served you and your brother because our master ordered us too. All this time, we have faithfully carried out the orders of our true master." She said as she looked to the Earl who in turn nodded at her truthful words, by the look on his face she could tell her words struck a nerve in him, after all he had only known her for about twenty four hours or less and had come to like her smile and treatment of others. And yet it was all just a facade conned up by the Earl Ciel Phantomhive.

"Josephine...how could you?" The crack in his voice made the woman sigh, she could show no love for the young king, he was not hers to love and care for and so for that she could only treat him as a guest nothing more nothing less.

"I'm sorry your highness." She said dully.

"You-you betrayed us too!?"He shouted as he went to hit her but swiftly moved out of the way before he could do so. Shaking her head she tutted his actions,

"No there has been no betrayal we have always been faithful to the master we truly serve." She said as she took the skull from Sebastian and handed it to Ciel who took it over to the large chess table.

"Now then, since we are sending you to this heaven place you wish to see so badly, I suppose I can be your chief mourner."

"No! my brother Edward!" The prince cried.

"No it's alright Richard. I will always be with you."

"Once we do this you can finally move on." The king said hopefully as he looked from his brother to Ciel who placed the skull on the table. Bracing themselves for some sort of change, but it didn't happen, no light, no shift nothing.

"Hmm? " Ciel questioned as he raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"What's wrong why is nothing happening?!" The king said as he looked down at his hands then towards his brother. Who looked down at the ground with a guilty expression. Seeing this the maid frowned slightly and looked down at the boy,

"I think theres something his majesty Richard would like to say." Josephine commented causing the boy to shrink a bit.

"I couldn't if i'd told brother he would have been sad. I'm sorry brother I shouldn't have lied to you like that."

"Lie? Richard?"

"That skull, the one I always carry with me isn't mine, it isn't even part of the families. It belongs to someone else, someone we don't even know." Looking at his sibling shocked he couldn't believe what he was hearing, all this time for four hundred years his brother had been doing an action he so much hated and despised.

"No, that can't be."

"You forgot our bones don't exist anymore they have already gone away . Since that day they have been lost. That night the guard said good night just like he always did, but he was the one who let the assassin in. He said we don't have to worry about anything, because he would protect us."

"That's why I hate liars so much...I'm sorry Richard you must have been so frightened," He said as he cupped his brothers face in his hands, eyes filling with tears.

"But brother you know what, the scariest part was when I thought I would never see you again I couldn't bare that, then they chopped up our bodies and threw us in the thames. Our bodies were picked away by the fish, we sank into the mud and our flesh and bones were gone." The young prince muttered as he held his brother.

"I'm so sorry Richard how could I have forgotten something like that!? the night I had failed to protect you!"The king cried.

"Brother, please don't cry." The prince whimpered.

"Earl Phantomhive you were right all along, all the hatred and pain, they have been with me for over 400 years." The king cried as he let his tears fall shamelessly.

"Pain tends to heal after time passes , but personally I don't want time to heal my wounds, you may think you've escaped pain, and forgotten it but it's nothing more than stagnation you can't move forward without the pain."

"I see now, I have spent all my life hating liars all the while I was the one lying to myself and Richard. "

"Look brother you're glowing!" Richard exclaimed as he looked down at him and his siblings glowing bodies with wide blue eyes. Eyes that no longer held sadness or despair but rather a glow of youth and happiness that made the woman's heart smile.

"What's going-"

"Preparing the funeral was never anything but formality."Josephine said as she smiled at the bond the two brothers held, something she knew was sacred and never to be given to her, the butler who noticed her looked at the way her eye glossed over with a sadness that made his heart ache slightly.

"It wasn't bones or ceremonies that had the true power to release your wandering souls

"It wasn't bones or ceremonies that had the true power to release your wandering souls."

-------

"I'am in your debt Phantomhive, I wish you a long life." The king said as he put a hand over his heart, head bowed respectfully.

"Really I didn't do much of anything, and one more thing, you really don't need to fear for the castle, i'll take care of it." Ciel said as he gestured to the building. Looking at it with a smile the young king took it all in one last time before turning back to the young Earl.

"That eases my mind, thank you," Feeling the little prince wrap his arms around the young woman's waist. Smiling down at the small boy she lightly patted his head, sure she had only been with him for a good day and yet she felt like her heart was slowly breaking bit by but. Sure he was a ghost and all but to her it didn't feel like that, to her this was an actual child who just needed a new friend, and Josephine just happened to be there to supply him with that love and friendship.

"And to you Josephine," The king said as he grabbed the young woman's hands. His dark blue eyes never leaving her, as he announced the following with all the feeling and emotion he could muster.

" In all my years of roaming these halls you are truly the only person who has made my heart beat. You are a rose amongst thorns." With a nod of her head and smile as sweet as honey, although she hadn't talked to the king as much as she had with the prince, she still knew that deep down she would miss him just as much as she would miss Richard.

"Thank you your majesty."

"Good bye now! thank you Josephine for everything! I will never forget you for all your kindness." lightly cupping his face in her hands she gave him a kind smile and nodded.The young Earls cheeks flushing pink with jealousy as he wished the brothers would just leave already so he could have his maid back. Noticing this she smirked and let the young child go before watching him and his brother get on the boat that awaited them.

"Take care your royal highness." She waved as the boy turned back around and waved to her with a happy and joyful smile, until the boat had disappeared in the foggy night air. Putting a hand over her heart she pouted slightly and heard the annoyed tisk of her master before turning and leaving the sight, the servants trailing behind. The wandering demons eye looked to see the woman with a sympathetic look in her eye, a heart that is tough in exterior but is indeed soft internally. She had a soft spot for children and things of the like, and for that Sebastian couldn't blame her, he also had a very small soft spot for his master as well.

--------

-The next day-

"Well then, that's that. The nuisances are finally gone. Let's make up for lost time! work! work! WORK!"The workers grumbled in agreement and continued to restore the old castle and turn it into a hotel fit for a noble, the eerie feeling of death and decay was no longer present, as the presence of the two lost souls were no longer roaming the halls, a new life was to be reborn from this and hopefully this new found life would forever remain peaceful.

Turning his back on the place the butler and maid escorted their master to his carriage, where they would venture off back to the mansion of their own. Opening the door for them the butler helped the two in before getting in as well and knocking on the roof as to signal to the driver that they were ready to head home. Slowly the carriage began to move all the while the maid sat and watched as the castle began to disappear, the smiling faces of prince Richard and king Edward now just a figment of her imagination as she put them to rest in the back of her mind.

"You're awfully quiet." The boy commented as he looked at her from the corner of his eye. Her sympathetic eyes making him grow sick the more he looked at them. The butler who sat opposite of them noticed this too, to which he could only smirk at, of course someone as human as her would be able to feel such emotion, yet how could she not freely express it on her face? such a mystery, such a wonder, she was.

"Hmm, theres nothing much for me to say dear." She said with a slight smile as she turned to look at the boy.

"Honestly, you seem a tad bit upset about the whole thing, did you like working for the king and prince?"He said with slight venom in his voice that pierced the woman's heart

"Honestly, you seem a tad bit upset about the whole thing, did you like working for the king and prince?"He said with slight venom in his voice that pierced the woman's heart. Surely she worked and cared for only one master, but surely her heart couldn't go out to those who needed it sometimes. From what the butler had told her later yesterday evening as they were cleaning the dishes, the young king had tasted the tea she had made before taking the prince outside, and had absolutely loved it. He was at a loss for words from what the butler remembered, his exact words were,

'In the four hundred years of roaming these halls never have I been more filled and satisfied with a warm light such as this. The maid prepared this did she not? my graciousness goes to her, I hope she can make people just as happy with this tea as I am. '

For a ghost to say he had never been filled with such happiness and glee before made the woman blush and smile. So much so that it rubbed off on the butler who congratulated her on her appraisal. Sure the demon was use to being appraised by royals of all types, it was nothing new but it never failed to inflame his ego bit by bit. But to see her in such a happy state for such a small comment he couldn't help but feel happy himself.

"You know I only serve you, and only you dearest." She said as she gave him a wide smile before lightly patting his hand reassuringly, slipping his hand out of hers he blushed and lightly rested it on his lap, his heart rate accelerating and his cheeks bright pink as he let the feeling of her warm touch linger.

"But to be honest...it was sad to see them go, but at last they can finally be put to rest."

Chapter 18: The Butler & The Maid, Surprised

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

"It's almost time."

"Almost time for what? master?"

"Keep your voice down, blasted woman can hear anything from a mile away!"

"What I mean is, it's almost Josephine's birthday, January 28th."

"Have you memorized her birthday my lord?"

"N-N-No I saw an article in the paper about it, this morning

"N-N-No I saw an article in the paper about it, this morning."

"Master if I may ask? Do you wish to do something for Josephine's birthday?" The butler whispered as he leaned into his masters ear. Deciding not to seem too eager about the arrival of such a date he rested his cheek in the palm of his hand and glanced at the man.

"If my schedule allows me." Reaching into his coat pocket the man pulled out a small black book filled with the boys scheduled appointments with teachers, businessmen, locals any and all things that pertained to his day was written down in the book and all of it was in the demons hands. Flipping through he found tomorrow's date and ran his finger down the page to see that the only thing he had that day was his fencing lesson.

"The only objective you have for that day is your fencing lesson." Nodding in approval he knew that this was to be a surprise. As difficult as it was going to be, the young master was determined to see a genuine smile appear on her face.

"Good, while she's being distracted you and the others can set something up," He said as the butler closed the book and put it back in his coat pocket.

"Anything specific my master wants at this party?" Looking down in thought the boy remembered something very special about Josephine. He remembers his father reading to him a headline from her 17th birthday, quoting how the young starlit was met with bouquets of pastel blue hydrangeas, her absolute favorite flower. Flowers like that during this season were extremely hard to come by but the rich had a way of obtaining such beauties. Even Vincent, Ciel's father sent her a bouquet with Ciel's hand written signature.

"Josephine likes hydrangeas, very much actually, do what you wish with that information." He hushed as he wavered the demon off. Knowing this was no easy task either the butler nodded and bowed to his master.

"Will do sir."

"And make sure she doesn't catch wind of this, it is a surprise party you know." He called just before he left to leave his master to his paper work. Of course the woman had supernatural hearing and could hear just about anything going on in the manor! She could probably hear what the butler and child were saying right now! But even still the butler was determined to make it happen, no matter what.

"Of course sir."

---------

Down in the kitchen the servants gathered together to discuss Josephine's birthday plans. In the midst of it the butler was preparing the boys afternoon snack, while he was doing that the maid was upstairs polishing his shoes.

"Listen up you three, we musn't let Josephine catch any word of this, she will try and ease it out of you if she does. This is our masters order, to create a party for her and make sure it stays a secret which means, you must be quick, clean and most of all,"Putting a gloved finger to his lips he furrowed his brows and whispered extra quietly,

This is our masters order, to create a party for her and make sure it stays a secret which means, you must be quick, clean and most of all,"Putting a gloved finger to his lips he furrowed his brows and whispered extra quietly,

"Quiet.Do I make myself clear?" He asked as he continued to prep the masters snack. Saluting the man the three whispered softly,

"Y-yes sir!"

"Good, preparations will start tomorrow during the masters fencing lesson, remember everyone she has a heightened sense of hearing, she can hear as much as a pin drop from a mile away, and that eye of her's is as sharp as a razor. Everyone must be on their guard-"

"What are you lot planning?" She asked as she popped around the corner with her hands on her hips.

"Ah!" The servants squealed as they all jumped up with surprise.

"Josephine what are you doing here? I thought you were polishing the masters shoes." Sebastian said as he crossed his arms over his chest. Trying to act as though the matter they weren't discussing wasn't about her. Walking into the kitchen she nodded and went to grab the new tea set the butler had ordered.

"I was and I did, I came to prepare the masters afternoon tea," She said as she pulled out the box of earl grey tea leaves. Boiling a small pot of water she began to gather her necessary materials before looking over her shoulder.

"You all aren't planning something with out my knowledge are you?" She asked with raised eyebrow before turning back around. Almost gasping at the fact she managed to figure them out so quickly.But the warning look Sebastian threw them made them gulp and sit still.

"And what would make you believe such a thing?" The butler casually asked as he began to put the child's freshly made pudding on a serving plate for him. Watching her once simple smile quickly fall, she shrugged her shoulders and shook her head.

"It's nothing more than a feeling, I guess." She softly sighed as she looked up at him with a smile, a smile that was awfully fake.

"Trust me Josephine if we were planning something you would know, right guys?" Bard smiled nervously as he looked around at the two equally nervous servants

"Trust me Josephine if we were planning something you would know, right guys?" Bard smiled nervously as he looked around at the two equally nervous servants. Looking over she noticed that they're heart rates were a bit faster than expected she figured it was the butlers ever spying and glooming presence that caused this to happen.

"Uh huh!" The other two smiled. Nodding she turned back to making the boy his tea while the butler went about cleaning his dishes.

"Mm, very well then. My suspicions do get the best of me sometimes."

------

"Dearest?" Josephine asked as she set the tea set down in front of the slumped over figure of her master

"Dearest?" Josephine asked as she set the tea set down in front of the slumped over figure of her master. Peeking up he looked to the woman and raised an eyebrow before picking up his cup.

"Yes?" clasping her hands behind her back she she fiddled with her fingers nervously. She knew that she held no special privileges just because the master had a fond love for her as a child but she figured that maybe her efforts would be appreciated with just a small event or maybe just a simple, 'Happy birthday Josephine!' maybe she was asking for too much?

"Do you know what day it is tomorrow?" She searched for a heartbeat, for a look of anxiousness to cross his face. But nothing! He was still. Unnerved by her words! and that made Josephine's heart slowly start to crack.

"It's your birthday isn't it?" He calmly asked as he sipped his drink.

"Indeed."

"Happy early birthday." Suddenly her fingers stopped as well as her heart. She was a fool to suspect anything was going on.

'He really isn't planning anything! his heart beat is as steady as can be!'h-he isn't lying...'

"Thank you dearest." Giving him a small smile she nodded and went to take her leave, her smile slowly dropping as she took her leave. Shutting the child's office doors closed she leaned up against them and put a hand over her heart the thumping soft and almost quiet as she felt it nearly break. She shouldn't have expected it but it hurt just a little...

-------

-The next day / Josephines Birthday -

All morning Josephine had been in a little bit of a mood however she didn't let it get the best of her. She had a job to do and she couldn't let something as simple as a forgotten birthday get the best of her, she was better than that. Walking into the training room where her master was already two minutes earlier than expected she tightened her blue velvet ribbon and grabbed her favorite foil sword. Before turning to face her master who's stance meant he was ready and waiting.

"Right then shall we begin?" She spoke as she readied herself as well.

"Indeed." The Earl smirked as he went to take a jab at her but before he could hit her a sudden

'CRASH!' radiated from outside the window. Running over to the window she looked around and saw nothing had fallen and shattered. She was sure she had heard something break right outside that window, it was loud enough for even the Earl to hear!

"Did you hear that?" The woman spoke.

"It sounded like it came from the garden?" Trying to act as though it wasn't something important or worth paying attention to the Earl just sighed and shrugged his shoulders.

"I'm sure it was nothing, Finny most likely dropped a flower pot or something." He smirked as he began to creep up on the woman. Sure it was a dirty move and all but she did always say to strike your opponent at their weakest and right now she was at her weakest.

"Hm, that's true." She sighed as she took one last look around. Putting her suspicions to rest she closed her lone good eye and pouted her lips.

"Now-" She began as she went to turn back to the awaiting boy, but she suddenly felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. Twirling around she blocked his sword with hers and gave him a smirk. He headed her words carefully and for that she was proud.

"Tch." The boy gritted as he leaned in a bit to apply more pressure.

"Master you should know by now,I have eyes in the back of my head." She giggled as she spun away from him and quickly began to jab at him, his breathing more relaxed as he dodged her movements while also trying to hit her in the process.

"Your breathing is progressing," She pointed out as he went for a straight jab to the heart but her cat-like movements caused her to bend backwards and sweep her one leg out and knock him down. She was playing dirty but he started first.

"However," She said as he fell to the floor with a thud.

"UGH!"He gasped as he was suddenly met with light poke to the heart. Looking up into her green iris he could see that she was searching for some hint of truth in his eye, hoping that he was indeed giving her a smile on the inside and that her surprise was coming and that she needed to be patient.

"Your footwork needs more work."

---------

-That afternoon-

In the afternoon as the young woman went to tend to her masters laundry with her friend Mey-rin she began to hum a soft tune that brought her rattled and slightly angry nerves to ease. She knew that by doing the laundry she would be able to take out most of her frustrations on the stubborn stains and dirt that lingered on the nice attire. But just as she went to go into the laundry room the sudden smell of dirt entered her nostrils, looking around she tried to see if one of the servants had opened a window maybe but it was late January...She couldn't think of any other source of where it could come from until she looked down at the floor.

"Oh no!" She gasped as she put the basket of laundry down beside her. Running out to the main hallway she saw a whole trail of muddy foot prints along the freshly moped floor. Blowing out a puff of frustrated air she sighed and followed the trail out to the green house, her cheeks flushed red with anger as she went to scold the young gardener.

"Oh no!Finny! I had just moped the floors!" She said as she got closer and closer to the gardens door. Closing her eye she opened the door and frustratingly said,

"Finny! I thought I told you to wipe y-"

"SURPRISE!" The group of servants shouted as they all jumped out of their hiding spots

"SURPRISE!" The group of servants shouted as they all jumped out of their hiding spots.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSEPHINE!" Putting a hand over her heart and mouth she felt her heart stop for just a moment as she realized that the boy and servants had done an outstanding job bluffing about her birthday. Her supernatural hearing had picked up one or two things but her intuition told her otherwise.

"Oh dear! what's all this then?!" She gasped as she felt a joyful tear well up in her eye.

"It's your birthday party!"The butler smiled as he put a flower crown atop her head

"It's your birthday party!"The butler smiled as he put a flower crown atop her head. Smiling as wide as she could she looked around the green house and noticed that the butler and servants had decorated the green house with hydrangeas of all colors! the intoxicating scent sending shivers down her spine, a table decorated with white table cloth and all her favorite foods sat on top as she felt her mouth nearly drool at the scent.

"It's so lovely! and you even got me hydrangeas! my favorite!" Patting himself on the back the butler was not only proud of himself but of the others as well. Although there were many close calls and two burnt cakes the butler knew he would be able to pull it all together on such short notice.

He really was one hell of a butler...

"Thank you everyone!" She said as she felt her bottom lip suddenly quiver. Smacking a hand over her mouth she went to fight back the tears but it seemed so hard to do when she was so overwhelmed with happiness and a sense of belonging. Her place was here along side these amazing and magnificent people that she called her friends.

"Come now, if you cry you'll look an even bigger mess." The Earl sighed as he handed her his handkerchief. Shaking her head in refusal she instead grabbed his hands and looked him deep in his sparkling blue eye, her face nearly pressed up against his as she asked,

"Who did all this?" Her gaze soon shifting to that of the butler then to the servants who just smiled and watched their friends reaction.

"It was all their idea. I just entertained it." Smiling as wide as she could she wiped her eyes with the cloth her master had given her before putting it in her apron pocket to wash when all of this was over. Clasping her hands in front of her she smiled to her friends and said proudly,

"Thank you. Everyone I really appreciate this but this isn't just for me, it's for all of you amazing people! So celebrate with me for doing an amazing job at the manor!" Letting out a cheer the servants all let out a cry of excitement as they all ran to the woman and embraced her in a tight hug. Even when it was her birthday she was just as generous as she always is.

"Now let's dig in shall we?"

"ALRIGHT!"

-------

-That night-

"Thank you for the surprise today dearest...you don't understand how grateful I am." The woman smiled as she cleaned up his nightly cup of tea. Blushing slightly, he closed his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest.

"It was nothing really the others wanted to do something for you, so I thought why not?" He shrugged. Shaking her head she lifted the tray and blew out his bedside candle.

"Hmm, well again thank you dearest, now get some rest," Walking towards the door she turned and gave him one last word before he would fall to rest in the comfort of his bed.

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight."He yawned as he turned to face the windows. Once exiting the room Josephine carried on down to the kitchen where she proceeded to wash her masters dishes and dry them before placing the fine china back into their appropriate places. Once she finished she walked back to her room in the servants quarters.Upon opening the door the woman looked to see the moonlight from her small window illuminated a beautifully wrapped back the length of her forearm. Furrowing her brows, she shut her bedroom door before observing the box even further.

'Hmm, what's this then?' She thought to herself as she unwrapped the beautiful navy blue wrapping paper, now appearing before her was a white box which she took the top off of to reveal a beautiful silver dagger the length of her forearm. Sure it wasn't her typical sword she would use for fencing but this would be easier to carry around and conceal.

The beautiful weapon glinted with pure steal as she now held it in her bare hands. The handle had been wrapped in a tight navy blue ribbon that reminded her of her blue velvet hair accessory. Upon taking it out of the box a small note was suddenly discovered. Picking it up she observed the writing and felt her lips curve into an even wider smile.

'Happy birthday Josephine.' She knew that handwriting anywhere, she was sure of it.

'No name, that's odd, either way the gift is lovely.' She thought to herself as she placed the weapon and box on her bedside table before swiftly getting ready for bed.

-------

That night with the moon full and the duties of the servants done, the young maid laid sleeping in her bed. The full moon shone on her delicate features making the person who loomed over her sigh with loneliness and want. While she slept her senses where put on pause, she was normal while she slept no more did she have a high powered sense of hearing that could put a demon to shame. Her beauty made her look as though she was a doll, laid back her eye would flutter shut and when up right reveal stunning irises that resembled that of the beautiful emerald gemstone on their finger.

Feeling a soft hand brush against her face she let out a small whimper before squinting her eye at the darkened figure.

"Mmm, who's there?" She yawned as she slowly turned her head to look at the person. Putting a finger to their lips they shushed her all the while their cold hand continued to run down her warm cheek, their thumb tracing under her cursed eye.

"Shush, darling go back to sleep," They hushed as they watched her eye slowly close. Her one hand gently reached out to grab their hand, nearly freezing in surprise they felt her warm hand wrap around theirs in a tender motion.

"You-" She began but the person continued to hush them.

"Sh sh sh...my apologies for not attending your party... I was caught up with some work of mine, could you ever forgive me?" Putting a hand over their heart, lips formed into a pout as if begging for her forgiveness. With her eye now half open through the light of the moon she could make out the persons expressions, the sadness in their eyes made her heart hurt, so with a gentle smile she nodded and said,

"Of course..." She mumbled softly, the sweetness that dripped in the way she spoke made the persons heart flutter.

"Glad to hear it my sweet, don't you worry soon everything will be ready."

"Ready?" She questioned with a yawn as she suddenly felt her eye flutter shut. Smiling wickedly the person put a finger to their lips and a cold hand over her eye much like a doll whose eyes remained open and glassy.

"Shush now, you need your rest."

-End of The Butler, red arc-

-End of The butler, red arc-

Notes:

THIS IS THE END OF THE BUTLER RED ARC! AH! I HOPE YOU ALL ARE ENJOYING THIS SO FAR! TRUST AND BELIEVE THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO COME!- Natalia

Chapter 19: ~The Butler & The Maid, Circus arc~

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

#black butler fanfiction

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winterdeepelegy · 2 years

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Ciel’s house has been completely renovated! Varied wood colors and textures, and plants galore! Lavender Beds Ward 3, plot 7 - Balmung

#ffxiv #ff14 #ffxiv housing #ff14 housing #Balmung #Ciel Sauveterre

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sylois · 3 years

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Welcome to Funtom Hotel!

Funtom Hotel is a first-class hotel that has been renovated from a count's mansion. Non-human customers?👻

In frame:

• Bitter Rabbit Funtom Hotel Sebastian (Square Enix)

• Bitter Rabbit Funtom Hotel Ciel (Square Enix)

#黒執事 #kuroshitsuji #black butler #ciel phantomhive #sebastian michaelis #シエルファントムハイヴ #セバスチャンミカエリス #blackbutler #black butler aesthetic #flatlay #bitter rabbit #yana toboso

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dexpairs-blog · 3 years

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Random info about my twst MC/Yuu!

Warning: implied child abuse

They're adopted! They were adopted at the age of 7 by their mothers. they spent 6 years in their previous household which... Wasn't the happiest place on earth if you know what i mean.

Their moms names are Ylenia Sanna and Nova Cintio, they're both around 37 now.

Ylenia works as a lawyer while Nova as an artist from home and makes paintings on commission.

Nova and Ylenia despise Crowley LMAOO.

Crowley is also afraid of them, now he can see where Ciel took that from.

They love Ciel's friends! They're always so happy when they visit!

This is what they look like!

Ylenia is the blonde one and Nova is the red haired one.

Lol they're both cat moms so the moment they saw Grim he immediately because their new child. Not that he's complaining lol.

When they visited Ciel they were FURIOUS at Crowley, have you see how Ramshackle was before getting renovated!?

The lesbians are coming for you Crowley, you better hide.

Ciel and his moms are a very chaotic family overall (In the good way dw!).

They like to tease their child in front of his friends lol, once they pulled out a fucking photo album just so they could see Ciel as a kid--

Btw ty@bravefire for helping me picking out a name !

#occiel #twst mc #twst yuu #ocnova #ocylenia #twisted wonderland #twisted wonderland oc #twst #twst oc #twst wonderland

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acesandfairydust · 1 year

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Back to the grind. Ciel needs to get 100 top scores for renovations. We have a long way to go.

#ts3 #sims 3 #jaceic's game #cider lepacy #cider lep 3: ciel bleu #ciel bleu cider #ciel's renovations

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scribbleseas · 4 years

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The Indignant Pawn, Chapter IV: The Sinners’ Subconscious

Description: You are Y/n Y/l/n- formerly known as Princess Helena, the runaway princess.

You’re an assassin for hire who only agrees to find the worst of London's criminals at the business end of your knife; until a mysterious woman hires you to end the likes of Ciel Phantomhive, the King of the Underworld. You find yourself trading your weapons for your abandoned family crest in order to infiltrate his home as none other than Princess Marie-Louise, your twin sister. What's to happen when you find that the young Earl is more than a callous businessman?

OVERALL STORY WARNINGS: sexual assault, objectification, misogyny, death, detailed description of blood/gore, detailed description of murder, lying, impersonation, theft, weapons, detailed panic attacks, symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.

CHAPTER WARNINGS: implied rape/sexual assault, mentioned rape, cold water torture, sane asylum, non-consensual drugging by injection, a detailed panic attack, and a single mention of alcohol.

Author’s Note: If you have any questions or concerns about these warnings, please don’t hesitate to contact me! I’m sorry this chapter came out a little behind schedule,I hope you enjoy it! You may want to find somewhere comfy and grab a snack because this one has whooping word count of 10k!

-Dan

⇠ PREVIOUS CHAPTER | NEXT CHAPTER ⇢

. . .

JANUARY 23RD, 1892

LONDON, ENGLAND

“Thank you,” you hugged yourself, wrapping your arms to keep the thick fleece robe secure around your bare figure as Mey-Rin hauled a heavy tin basin of steaming water with two hands. You sat on the edge of your bed, simply watching the maid struggle to carry the basin for the final few feet to the interior of the attached lavatory. She had apologized time and time again for the lack of running water since it was only installed in Lord Phantomhive’s personal quarters and the kitchen, rather than the assorted rooms of the main house. Apparently, they were planning to finish renovations when the Earl made his yearly move to his townhouse in the interior of London, but in lieu of your arrival, both happenings were canceled. However, whether the water was pushed by some innovative pipes, or dragged up the main stairs made no difference to you. After all, you were well adjusted to going through the tedious bathing process without a willing servant at your disposal.

“Ah- of course- Your- Highness-!” Mey-Rin managed through labored breaths, finally putting the basin next to the opulent clawfoot tub.

Nonchalantly, you stood up from your bed, your hand running over the top quilt to smooth the wrinkles that surfaced from your moving. You followed Mey-Rin into the lavatory and loitered beside the open door as you watched her work.

The tub’s feet were constructed with pure silver, holding up the white porcelain body of the appliance. “Are you sure I can’t be of more help to ya?” she asked before quickly pushing up her falling glasses with two fingers. Tucked in her apron was a dry washcloth that she put over the rim of the tub, paired with a bar of ivory soap and a crystal bowl of lavender essential oil. She poured small spoonfuls of the essential oil into the water, the scent of lavender momentarily calming the hyperactivity of your nerves.

“I am quite certain, yes,” you recalled how you had requested a change in scents when she originally offered a combination of rose and honey. The scent of roses never failed to bring you back to the lavatory of the woman you drowned. She decorated her entire estate with red and pink roses, down to bathing in the scent with perfumes and oils. That woman- Agatha Tolton- was the reason you could only bathe in tubs with a little more than an inch full of water inside and meticulously dip your washcloth in the remaining basin water to dab on your body.

“Right, Your Highness. I’ll be back with your tea,” Mey-Rin squealed, pulling a matching beige towel out of the linen closet by the bathroom’s door. She put it on the lid of the toilet (which surprisingly, had plumbing) and showed herself out, closing the door behind her.

Finally left to your lonesome, you picked up the tin basin with a grunt and slowly poured a good quarter of the water into the porcelain tub. You wondered how Mey-Rin was able to haul it up the main staircase and down the winding corridor every other night when all you needed to do was pick it up for a few seconds. Steam now rose from both the tub and the basin, which was hot to touch, leaving your palms red from merely moments of direct contact. After setting it down again, your arms too weak for your preference, you shouldered off your robe and quickly stepped into the tub, the hot water encompassing your feet and drawing goosebumps all over your scarred skin.

Sitting down, the water only came to your kneecaps which was too shallow for drowning. Agatha always liked her water up to her chin and not an inch less. She needed a team of three maids on her bathing service, one to wash her hair and two to lather her body as it submerged in rose water. You had waited two weeks exactly for her servant rotation to put you on the bathing team, and two days to put you in charge of her hair. The maiden charged with Lady Tolton’s hair always entered first and you were efficient- out the window and halfway out of Essex when the two other maids entered, meeting the corpse of their employer.

You squeezed out the washcloth after dipping it in the basin, methodically running it over your body and re-dipping it into the water when it began to lose its heat. The steam from the hot water caused your hair to curl, although you had yet to wash it out yet. You undid the precarious bun Mey-Rin twisted it in that morning, letting it fall on your shoulders in brushed out waves. The least enjoyable part of bathing was submerging, or nearly submerging your head and face. It was left at the very end of your bath for that reason.

The smooth surface of the soap was a sensation that you always focused on while bathing. You found that it kept most intrusive thoughts at bay while you lathered your skin that was long marred by unsoftened water, combat, and self-sufficiency.

With a sigh, you rubbed the bar of soap over each clavicle and back to the middle of your chest- your sternum. The lather left lines of white on your skin, the gentle scent combining well with the lavender oil in the water. Everything from your privacy, the warmth of the water, the dim lamps should have been enough to completely wash the tension out of both your body and your mind, but it made your looming stress even more intense. It was different from the stress that came from sitting through a play at the Globe Theater and proceeding to enter a dark carriage as the late Felix Keating had. Instead, this stress manifested itself as something that was going to happen because of the serenity of the scene you were in. This was everything that could happen, simply because there was a moment of peace.

Quickly, you finished washing and you poured the remaining water from the basin into the tub, dipping your hair by sitting back and keeping your face out of the water. You carded your fingers through your hair and sat up, squeezing all of the water out and standing, since the water level had raised considerably and frankly, flashbacks took too much emotional- and seldom physical- strain. If you could help to avoid the circumstances that led to them, you did everything in your power to. Unfortunately, bathing was, for the most part, unavoidable.

Water ran down your body as you stepped out of the tub, the cold hair causing a fresh wave of goosebumps to multiply across your skin. You wrapped the towel around yourself, trying to catch each water droplet that ran down your thighs and to your legs before it could reach the tile flooring. You then squeezed out your hair with the towel, letting the soft fabric absorb all of the water before dropping it to the floor carelessly. Mey-Rin would take care of it after bathing Lady Midford, delivering your tea, and finishing off the rest of your night routine.

Your robe was warm from the steamy air, which allowed you some comfort before opening the door of the lavatory where Mey-Rin was waiting, her smile toothy. Her eyes were hidden under the glare of her obnoxiously round glasses. Water stained her white apron, likely from having to wait on the blonde noble more than she had a princess. The irony of it was amusing to you, but in Lady Midford’s exhaustion, she would have fallen asleep in her own tub, which would have resulted in the Earl having to wed a prune. “Oh, you’re out so soon!” Mey-Rin commented, fumbling over her words in her haste to stand at attention.

“The brush?” You requested, extending your hand to her as you sat in front of the vanity mirror, the padded stool supporting your bottom.

“Right ‘ere!” she chirped, her tone too excitable for the late hour. Too happy for the solemn moon that hung in the sky. You could see it out the large windows beside your bed. Mey-Rin handed you your brush by the handle and you preferred to only let her touch your hair in the morning when it needed to be braided and twisted about. You watched yourself move in the mirror, your reflection showing your face and copying your every move, but you couldn’t help but feel detached from it. Disconnected from the flawless skin on your face; grime free and blemish-free, the lack of prominence in your collarbones from the food you had Mey-Rin bring you after cutting every major meal short. The female that stared back at you wasn’t the woman the conman had raised- but a product of status and society.

She was Princess Marie-Louise, not you- Y/n Y/l/n.

“Something wrong, Your Highness?” Mey-Rin asked, pulling you out of your thoughts. You hadn’t realized that you stopped brushing your hair and instead, regarded your own reflection.

“No,” you lied, handing the brush back to her so she could tuck it away in one of the dresser drawers. You dipped a cotton ball into the elderflower water that sat in a small bowl before you, which was prepared nightly by the maid. It ran down your face when it was supposed to only go under your eyes on behalf of Andrea’s instruction.

“Well you had quite a long day, yes you did,” Mey-Rin said, unfolding a light yellow nightgown from a drawer and holding it open for you to look. Long day. Please. “How about this one?” she asked, showing you the long ruffled sleeves of it, the satin rippling from her movement. The shade of yellow reminded you of the primrose petals that bloomed in Alfriston.

“Sure,” you stood once again, abandoning the cotton ball on the surface of the vanity. You exchanged your robe for the nightgown in Mey-Rin’s hands, allowing her to sink to her knees and pull the silk that rode upwards. “I suppose you’re right. Salome was a taxing piece,” you added as a truthful afterthought. Salome’s main topic was sexuality and the toxicity of addiction, a sin that you held close to your heart- behind each emotional barrier you erected around the proverbially vulnerable organ.

“Why, yes, Lady Elizabeth recounted all of it for me,” Mey-Rin agreed, efficiently undressing the bed by taking off each decorative pillow and pulling down the bulky quilt for you. Without hesitation, you took your place on the right side of the bed, sitting forward as she put another pillow behind you. “She told me all about the maiden...the gentlemen who loved her. And that ending! Nothing short of a tragedy- I’d have bawled if I was with you lot.” The side-table with your nightly cup Earl Grey tea sat waiting.

“Right,” you answered halfheartedly, like any investment you had in the conversation from moments ago swiftly disassembled to nothing. The citrus notes of your favorite tea were rejuvenating as per usual, which always helped you to put off sleep. Sleep was the most vulnerable point of everyone’s existence, a death-like state and you couldn’t count the number of lives you’ve taken by using this fact. There wasn’t a dagger under your pillow for the angst of it.

Mey-Rin hummed, “if you don’t mind, I will just finish up ‘round ‘ere and be out of your way!” she chirped, nearly tripping over the stool that you failed to push back under your vanity as she started towards the bathroom to clean up after you.

“Alright, thank you, Mey-Rin,” using someone’s name amid a conversation was a sign of attention, making them more prone to like you. The conman always reminded you to use names as often as you naturally could, since it further expressed respect and divided the subject’s attention. Convincing someone that they were more important than they truly were put them off guard and you were open to taking any advantage you could in this environment.

“M-My pleasure!” Mey-Rin exclaimed, scurrying into the bathroom after looking at you. The use of her name always caused her to startle, as if a sudden lightning bolt struck.

Your restless night had begun the moment Mey-Rin left your quarters. As you instructed her, she left every lamp and drape open, which kept the room properly alight, sufficiently keeping the darkness of night at bay. You were left nursing the Earl Grey tea she brought, the remaining contents of the teapot lukewarm as you poured the rest of it into the teacup.

On your lap, the book was open to the Emperor’s New Clothes chapter of the book. You skimmed halfheartedly over the tale, only for the dullness of the task to distract you from your reality and allow you to drift off into a light, dreamless sleep. You hadn’t known the phrase ‘sweet dreams’ since the conman died and you vouched for a violent change in career.

After finishing off the remaining mouthful of tea, you sat back, leaning against the two downy pillows that were upright against the bed’s headboard. The covers of the bed were pulled over your chest and folded at the top, shielding you from the draft from the window. Your own warmth was trapped under the sheets and the sensation along with a sated appetite and fatigued mindset, you succumbed to reluctant slumber.

. . .

????

Bethlem Royal Hospital; established in 1247- admitting and torturing the mentally unstable since 1407. It was financed and run by the same family for centuries after Bishop Goffredo de Prefetti. Now it ran under a descendant of his great-great-great-great-great-great grandson, Alessandro de Prefetti, who was particular in ignoring the terms of the 1853 Lunatic Asylums Act as it exemplified the rights of the mentally ill. Under his control, the Bethlem Royal Hospital was a prison for the poor and incurable- a way to dump them off-radar.

The system, at its Greek origin, worked purposely against women which inevitably led to a woman asking you to get her sister back after her husband had dumped her into admission for ‘imaginary female trouble’. Already, you received a hefty sum for organizing a lethal accident involving her sister’s husband, and next, you were off to finish Alessandro de Prefetti and as you promised, clear the falsely imprisoned.

It was raining, the sky a deep grey as the clouds wept. The wind whistled in your ears, blowing the loose strands of hair in your face as you climbed the side of the brick building, the tips of your boots fitting between the worn gaps of the cement. After studying the layout of the entire facility, you knew that entering through the window of the man’s study was your best option, as senteries and doctors roamed through the corridors unpredictably.

You shivered from both the exertion and the freezing wind and when you finally reached the window, your fingers were raw from climbing and you weren't sure you could properly feel them. As you predicted, the window was locked, which made it all the more gratifying to pull your screwdriver out of the soaking wet pocket bag between your petticoats. Your trembling fingers quickly wrapped around the handle as you balanced precariously on the side of the wall, your knees bent. The glass window cracked under the blunt tip of the screwdriver as you drove it into the glass repeatedly, as a miner would drive his pickaxe into the ore of a gem. The crack grew with each hit, splintering off before the entire pane shattered, some of the glass shards falling and hitting you. One particular piece fell into you, slicing a thin cut into your cheek, causing you to spit out a curse as you pulled yourself through the busted window, “Huhrensohn!” (Son of a whore!). You could hear the fabric of your gown tearing as it was caught on the few parts of glass that were still intact.

“Who’re you?” A gruff voice asked, giving you no time to catch your bearings. A man stood before you, years older and dressed finely. He was pointing a gun at you, which made sense, considering you had just pried open the window of Alessandro de Prefetti’s study. However, you weren’t about to risk a bullet in your head, driving you to act swiftly.

“Hmm,” You hummed, dropping your screwdriver back into your pocket bag as you slowly inched closer to the man holding the gun. The lamps illuminated his face, casting shadows over the features that likened him to the praising photographs in the paper. “Are you Alessandro de Prefetti?” you inquired, purposely emphasizing the questioning lilt in your voice. The muzzle of the gun was within range, a few inches from your forehead.

“I asked you a question, girl,” his eyes were fixated on the hilt of the dagger that stuck out of your pocket until both of your hands worked in tandem to disarm him. You turned away, hooking your right arm over the antecubital space of his right arm. Instinctively, he jolted forward, pushing the gun closer which allowed you to turn your body back in towards his, pinning his forearm against your chest with your right arm, your palm flat over your heart. Without hesitation, your left hand forced the gun out of his imprisoned hand, and for good measure, you pushed his face away with the palm of your right hand.

The conman had shown you multiple ways to trap a gun.

Prefetti stumbled back with a yell, bending over and cradling the red side of his face. The metal gun felt cold in your hands and while you considered chucking the firearm out the window and hacking the businessman to bits with your dagger, this mission called more efficiency- especially if you were to liberate as many as possible. You pulled the trigger of the handgun, staggering back from the force of the gun and immediately, the man before you crumpled to the ground, the bullet finding sanctuary in the midline of his stomach area...before he laughed.

“Enchanting,” Prefetti climbed to his feet, his eyes never leaving your figure. His thumb and index finger entered the entry wound, digging around until he found the bullet and dropped it to the floor. Your next panicked shot missed, flying past his head and running into the door behind him.

“H-How?” you stuttered, shooting again as Alessandro smiled at you, a sadistic glint lighting up his onyx hues. This bullet landed in his shoulder while he walked towards you, continuing to advance after picking out the bullet in the same manner.

“Come on, darling. We can help you,” he purred, “it’s unladylike to shoot at your savior.” Blood poured out of both his wounds, but he appeared completely unfazed as it ran down his clothing, staining the carpet under his boots. “We’ll take care of you.”

. . .

You were bound to a wooden chair, rope binding both of your arms and legs. The fibers of it poked at your skin, leaving red imprints from the tightly pulled loops. You were shivering once again, your head down as another bucket of ice-cold water was poured on you. Completely exposed, your entire body was peppered with goosebumps, your fingers fidgeting, your palms facing in front of you. There was a pounding in your head and you couldn’t keep your eyes open.

Another bucket of water was poured over you, each breath you took was laborious and shallow and your whole body tensed.

“I reckon that’ll teach her to not shoot at Master Prefetti,” a familiar voice chuckled, causing you to reluctantly open your eyes. Your vision was obstructed by wet hair that fell in your face, but vaguely you could see the outline of another man, paired with another set of laughter behind you. “That’s right, princess. I hope you didn’t intend to kill us with that shootin’ back there.” His hand pushed your hair out of your face before giving the strands a forceful tug. The pain caused you to yelp and immediately, another bucket of freezing water was violently spilled, causing you to choke on it. “Ha, good one there, James.”

Pete.

“Tell me, how is this one still beautiful after we’ve played with her?” James asked, a bucket in one hand as the other forced you to look at him, the back of your head hitting the top of the wooden chair. “Still so breathtakin’, ain’t she?”

“Quite,” Pete chuckled, accepting the bucket from James to pour right in your face. You squeezed your eyes closed before the water could sting.

“Did our little princess not enjoy that?” Pete cooed, the false sympathy in his voice palpable. “Brat needs her medicine to properly calm down,” he left the room after calling over his shoulder, “I’ll tell Prefetti!” The door was slammed behind him, the sudden noise causing you to flinch.

“Hear that? We’re going to calm you right down,” You were met with James’ smile once you opened your eyes again, blinking as much as you could to keep water out. “And while you’re out, we’ll relax ya even more,” he kneeled at your level, his cold eyes prying, his large hands on your thighs. His fingertips tickled your skin, which was frankly, a more comfortable substitute for biting ice water. “That sound good?”

“Don’t think you’re useless to us when you’re off in that dreamland of yours,” he added as Pete returned, immediately going to your side. Amusement danced in James’ eyes, but he wasn’t looking at you. He was meeting Pete’s gaze and in the same moment, there was a dull sting in your arm. The smell of rubbing alcohol vaguely permeated the air.

Your vision went dark as the hands on your thighs languidly traveled up your torso.

. . .

JANUARY 24TH, 1892

LONDON, ENGLAND

You couldn’t breathe.

The opulent bedroom around you seemed to be a mirage, as your hands pulled at the covers over you. Sweat gathered in your hairline, falling down your forehead and to the bridge of your nose. You sat upright, your heart beating uncontrollably as you panted.

Alessandro de Prefetti had died about two years ago, 1890. The spring rain had made scaling the side of the building challenging and there was a faint scar across your cheekbone from the broken glass of the window. Every element of that dream was accurate until you shot him. His handgun was instead, thrown out the broken window and you had wrestled the skinny man to the floor, pulling the blade of your dagger across his throat to sever his carotid artery. Everything else that you could vaguely recall from that nightmare- the cold water therapy, the rise of the first two men you had ever killed, never happened.

After killing Prefetti, you found the woman that you were set to free in the first place and she was treated that way. She was chained to her chair and the men that poured the freezing water over her head were torturing her for bearing an illegitimate child out of rape. Her husband had dumped her into the institution on the assumption that it was her fault. You should have killed him afterward since he took no time to replace her with another doe-eyed lady. Her belly was swollen with presumably, his child.

You pushed the covers off of your body, the heat that they provided was no longer any kind of comfort to you. A quick shake of the cold teapot told you that you finished the last of your evening fix of tea when you needed more or at least a glass of warm milk. The bell that sat on the wall beside your door was tempting, as it would wake the maid and bring her to your room, but you didn’t have the heart to wreck her night of sleep simply because your mind conjured horrid dream sequences.

The wooden planks felt cold under your bare feet as you sulked to the door of your room, opening it and immediately meeting the dark abyss of the corridor. Before crossing the threshold, you grabbed a lantern to take with you as it illuminated bits of the walls, floor, and ceiling around you. The light chased away the foreboding darkness with each reluctant step you took.

Frankly, you had no clue as to where the kitchen was located- if it was near the dining hall, by the servant quarters, or even at a completely different wing. Your only interest was a certain beverage to calm your racing heart, to still your trembling hands. The lump in your throat was hard to swallow down as pitiful tears threatened to fall.

Every door that you passed was closed and there was no sign of light anywhere, except the bit that the lantern emitted. The ruffled sleeve of your nightgown had to be stained with how frequently you wiped your forehead clear of anxiety-fueled perspiration. All you needed was a glass of warm milk and you’d go back to your bedroom, on the assumption you could find it after somehow reaching the kitchen.

The opening door to your side caused you to jump and the yelp that passed your lips was narrowly stifled, causing it to be a diminutive squeak. Your tense back was against the wall, the lantern in your hand brandished as if it was an effective weapon. In a way, you supposed it could be. The iron was heavy enough to cause some amount of damage if your hands hadn’t been shaking as much as they were.

“...Your Highness? Is that you?” Lord Phantomhive’s hoarse voice was octaves lower from sleep. The light of the fire dancing in your lantern showed his face, his black hair disheveled. Notably, there was no black eyepatch over his right eye and instead, his eye was only closed, his long eyelashes kissing the tops of his cheeks. “Did you need something?” His hand fell to his side, his fingers wrapped around the grip of a gun. The sight of it caused the lump in your throat to return with vengeance and while crying in front of your target was lamentable of you, the dam that kept your emotions at bay was only so sturdy.

“I-...” You started, staring at the equal confusion and surprise on his face as tears welled in your eyes, falling down your cheeks as you sniffled. Crying in front of others was an ultimate sign of vulnerability and the conman had you do it on command to play with the heartstrings of your victims when needed while this was different. This was the type of weeping that you couldn’t force down and as a result, you were gasping like a fish out of water before the Earl’s perplexed gaze. Your throat seized with words you couldn’t dare admit. “I-... need warm milk,” your damp sleeve did a poor job of absorbing your tears.

“We can send for Sebastian. Wait just a moment,” he quickly returned to his room, having exchanged his weapon for a white handkerchief, and his eyepatch fastened back around his head. “Silk is never good for anything more than a first-glance appeal,” he commented, handing the cotton to you. He was right; the material was much more absorbent than your sleeve.

Upon rubbing your nose with the handkerchief, the prominent scent vaguely reminded you of the Earl’s- bay leaf with a touch of lavender and ivory soap.

“Wait with me in my room,” you ordered as a ploy to cover your own passing fear of being alone. Walking back down the winding hall in the darkness was a poor idea and even if your temporary companion was the condescending Lord Phantomhive, he was better than no one. Having to actively speak to someone helped you remain present- far away from the pain that you associated with darkness.

“Certainly, Your Highness,” he said, walking with you, but a few short paces behind. You could hear each step he made, otherwise, the impenetrable silence that loitered between the two of you returned. It was a void that neither of you bothered to fill unless there was a need to. But as he escorted you back to your quarters, two hours after midnight, there was no need. He knew his place, and it was far from inquiring as to what had agitated you enough to send you out of bed, wailing silently. Although, the unfazed expression on his face; a neutral frown and unfurrowed brow, you suspected he knew. If Lord Phantomhive killed as much as Doña had claimed, then surely, the theater of his subconscious treated him just as poorly as yours did.

“Did I wake you?” You asked, nodding once to validate his attempt at chivalrously opening the door for you. It was already ajar, and you had been able to see the light pouring from it into the hall from ages away, but he didn’t dare leave you then. The cotton handkerchief was rolled into a crumpled ball in your fist, damp with your tears. Your tears had finally ceased as you grappled for control over your own train of thought.

“No,” Lord Phantomhive responded and you couldn’t tell if he was lying or not. His poker face rivaled yours as it was impassive as a brick wall unless you were deliberately poking fun at him. His grandiloquence needed to be rivaled and by passively vexing him, you took pleasure in offering a semblance of modesty to his countenance. “Unfortunately, the thresholds of sleep aren’t so welcoming to me either.”

“I reckon you could use a glass of warm milk as well.”

You could have killed him right there in your room. There were at least seven completely lethal places on the human body to stab with a blade; the spinal cord, the carotid artery, the axillary artery, heart and lungs, the liver, the femoral artery, and the popliteal artery. Your dagger was tucked right under the pillow you slept on and Lord Phantomhive was merely standing at the side of your bed while you sat down on the edge of it. He was off his guard, making it easy for you to pounce, stab, and make your escape through the window.

However, the mere thought of holding a weapon and covering this nightgown in more bodily fluids was mildly distressing. You knew yourself well enough to be sure that stabbing the Earl would only cause you to freeze up and stare at his corpse, rather than act swiftly and leave. Besides, your eyes were heavy and it felt as if loads of bricks were piled onto your shoulders. Killing him could wait until you returned to top form. Giving Doña such a short time frame was foolish of you, and there was no doubt that she would gloat when you returned after a few days more than a week. There were too many unprecedented factors; such as the able butler and lack of opportunity. The most time you spent with the Earl in a day couldn’t surpass more than an hour, or even less. From accompanying him and his betrothed to the theater to having to wait silently for a glass of milk together, this was the most time you spent with him since your arrival.

“It would be my second of the evening,” he responded, hesitating long enough for you to look at him, rather than the wall across from you. This was the first time you noticed that he was only clad in a long nightshirt, the neckline a deep v-shape with ruffles that matched those on your sleeves. The shirt hugged his thin shoulders, the rest of the garment completely loose around his frame. His arms were slender, the muscles there likely less developed than yours. Against you, any fight he attempted to put up would be pathetic.

The conman made sure of it, although he’d never be happy with this life you picked for yourself. After all, the violence he armed you with was supposed to be ‘last resort’. He would have wanted you to attempt to take his lessons and make yourself into someone legitimate. Naturally, the irony was that he was the most honest man you knew.

“To unwind, milk surely surpasses a two-row malt,” you said under your breath, which the Earl either ignored or didn’t hear. Clearing your throat, you spoke louder to articulate more of an appropriate response, “as many as it takes, Lord Phantomhive.” Alcohol wasn’t proper to discuss for a woman, much less a princess.

“Es ist ziemlich früh zum Aufstehen, Eure Hoheit,” (It’s quite early to rise, Your Highness). When Sebastian entered, he showed no sign of fatigue, unlike yourself or even his master. Out of the three of you, he was the only one clad in more than oversized nightwear. The butler tended to wear some form of a black ensemble, matching with the raven hair that fell in his eyes and cascaded down his neck. Within your time at the estate, you had never seen his bare hands, since they were always covered with pristine white gloves. Sebastian couldn’t have been much older than the Earl, his face was clear of any hints of aging.

“Ich würde den nächtlichen Terror nicht als 'früh aufstehen' bezeichnen,” (I would not call night terror ‘rising early’) your eyebrows knit at the cheeky statement as you took on of the two glasses of milk off of his serving tray. “Mein Bedarf an Ihrer Unterstützung sollte nicht zur Diskussion stehen,” (My need for your assistance should not be up for discussion), you continued, quite sternly. If you hadn’t noticed the Earl’s blank expression, then you would have forgotten that he couldn’t understand German as you scolded his butler. When he was agitated, Lord Phantomhive’s ability to filter his facial expressions was significantly reduced, which resulted in what you christened, the look.

Sebastian chuckled as if he was more amused by your sentiment than taken aback. He closed his eyes, briefly lowering his head as he stood before you. “Sie haben Recht. Ich bitte aufrichtig um Entschuldigung; wenn Sie noch etwas benötigen, zögern Sie bitte nicht, danach zu fragen,” (You're right. My sincerest apologies; if you need anything more, please do ask) he said, practically cooing with the smooth intonations of his voice. That patronizing articulation reminded you of the three men in your nightmare and the sickening reminder caused your blood to boil.

“Wenn ich sehe, dass Sie Ihren Zweck erfüllt haben, würde ich sagen, dass Sie sich rar machen dürfen,” (Seeing that you've served your purpose, I would say you're cleared to make yourself scarce). You took a sip of your milk, the warmth of it providing a new sensation to anchor your presence onto. The glass between your palms was also warm to touch.

“Natürlich. Gute Nacht, Eure Hoheit,” (Of course. Goodnight, Your Highness), Sebastian responded, tucking the serving tray under his arm. “A goodnight to you as well, my Lord. I presume you can show yourself to your bedroom when Her Highness requires privacy once again.”

The Earl was slow to respond, likely having allowed his mind to drift some with the foreign conversation that excluded him. “Evidently,” each syllable of the word was pronounced with malice from the haughtiness in Sebastian’s condescending countenance and the conversation that was completely lost to him. Once Sebastian closed the door behind him, he turned to you, his upper lip saturated in milk before he pursed his lips to get it off. “Of all the skills he’s mastered, Sebastian still hasn’t learned the art of holding his tongue. My apologies.”

“He answered for himself,” you stood with your glass in hand, and looking back at your disheveled bed, you had half the mind to ask the Earl to stay until you fell asleep. The conman would do that for you when your nightmares were far tamer; consisting of missing an important event, or simply falling from an unknown height. However, scratching a subconscious itch wasn’t worth shredding the carefully crafted exterior you had put on for this charade any more than you already had that night. “You should retire now. It’s late.”

“So long as you attempt to as well,” Lord Phantomhive said, giving you a long look, devoid of pity. Instead, there was a tentative awareness, an insight that was dangerously convincing. “Sleep well,” his parting timbre seemed octaves lower, causing you to pause and look at him.

“Sleep well,” you reiterated, quickly putting your glass on the side table with your empty teacup, sliding back under your warm covers. He shut the door, twisting the knob slow enough to leave a soft click, rather than the louder bang that sounded when the door was shut normally.

The next bout of uncertain sleep you fell into was light and fortunately, dreamless.

. . .

JANUARY 24TH, 1892

LONDON, ENGLAND

“It was an honor to meet you, Your Highness!” Lady Midforf dawned a new dress for the fresh day. It was another baby pink shade that strategically brought out her big emerald optics. You had left breakfast early that morning, but as kindness towards her, provided her and the Earl your permission to continue to dine. You had retreated to your room with the hope of catching some final moments of rest, despite being completely dressed in a deep blue gown, your hair pulled into another intricate bun.

At your request, Mey-Rin brought a tray of Earl Gray tea and two little squares of butterkuchen, or butter cake, paired with assorted berries. You were in the process of nursing your tea and slowly picking at each cut of cake with your dainty dessert fork. They were easiest to maneuver in your small hands.

The moment the door opened, you stood and quickly brushed crumbs off of your lap with your hands. In order to eat your breakfast, you were sitting at the desk in front of the large window. Merely watching snow fall lazily was enough entertainment for you, since it gave your mind the proper space to wander.

“The same to you, Lady Midford,” you said. Her title came out awkwardly as you tensed in surprise when the tall blonde caught you in a tight embrace. She was a handsy girl, judging by the way she clung to her betrothed, but you had assumed that being royalty, she’d grant you mercy. However, her (surprisingly strong) arms squeezed your middle with the same insistence that your corset had that morning. You couldn’t imagine having to endure uncomfortable contact multiple times.

Reluctantly, you patted Lady Midford’s back twice, which she took as a gesture for her to release you. She didn’t know her own strength and you couldn’t help but wonder where it came from exactly. “I very much hope to see you again,” Lady Midford continued, her smile beaming at you. It reached her eyes and you had no doubt that it was genuine; your only question is- how is one so happy?

Although you sincerely doubted the likelihood of you crossing paths with the noble, you pretended to have a desire to. After all, if you did see her again, it would mean that Lord Phantomhive was still alive and you were still shouldering this heavy charade. You hoped to be out of the estate days ago and at this incredibly slow rate of progression, you were sure that you’d be stuck there for at least a few more days.

“Safe travels,” you said, watching as she stepped back towards the open door. She proceeded to retreat, until she stopped at the door, her face suddenly quite serious.

“Your Highness,” she said, her voice lower. “Ciel is very dedicated to Her Majesty. As long as you’re here, he won’t let a single thing happen to you,” she continued, her stare prying into your soul, it seemed. “He’s...a bit distant, but you can trust him if my word means anything to you.”

Your face softened and for a passing moment, you felt sad for the girl. You were going to kill her betrothed- her cousin that she seemed to care dearly for. She was merely collateral damage- considering Lord Phantomhive was responsible for the deaths of many innocents.

Your hand rested on the top of the chair that you were previously sitting in. “Thank you, Lady Midford. That is very reassuring to hear,” you lied, moving your hand over heart for a shallow curtsey. “My grandmother has done nothing but sung his praises. I trust him with my life,” you continued, properly standing to your feet. Lady Midford’s eyes were glassy as if she was about to cry from the sentiment. Hopefully, she’d get on with leaving before you had to deal with that.

Lady Midford nodded, her high pigtails moving as she returned the curtsy. Hers was deeper and much slower than yours had been. “The pleasure is completely mine. I must go now- before Paula comes up to fetch me herself,” Lady Midford made an effort to joke, her laugh was a little wanner than it normally was. She sniffled and quickly left your room, leaving the door open after.

. . .

“Your Highness...might I ask why are you are so invested in these...children’s tales?” Lord Phantomhive’s voice sounded behind you, causing you to nearly lose your footing and fall off the short stool that you were using to look for more Brothers Grimm pieces. The sound you made wasn’t as strong as you would have preferred it to be, your hands quickly flying to the shelf for stability. If you had been holding a book, it would have certainly fallen to the floor. “My apologies. It wasn’t my intention to startle you.”

Normally, you would have heard his footsteps, the sound of the door opening and closing, but you were too invested in finding the story that Hanna used to tell you from memory. Hanna was a maid that worked in the Glücksburg Castle for your family. She took you in the kitchen from time to time and you’d help her bake as well as a little girl could; until Governess Lydia fired her for teaching a princess a skill of a middle-class woman. Hanna had every tale from the Brothers Grimm memorized and she’d recite each story to you, particularly one that featured a mother, a murder, and a bird. You couldn’t remember the title for the life of you, but out of a lack of agenda (besides plotting an impending murder), you set out to locate it within the expansive collection of books.

You took a large inhale, closing your eyes for a moment. From having them open for an extended period of searching, you had forgotten to blink. You released the air in your lungs after it grew stale and stepped down from the short stool to properly face the Earl. The height difference between the two of you wasn’t severe with your heels, but it was enough to force you to look up at him.

It took you a moment to realize that the bulk of his words were completely lost on you. “I beg your pardon?” you asked, dutifully ignoring his reliable deadpan.

“You’re going to read...yet again,” Lord Phantomhive pointed out rather astutely. You were positive that his statement was much longer than that simple comment, but you didn’t push the matter.

“Unfortunately, the options in the estate are rather limited for me,” you responded truthfully. You meant this by way of interesting things to do as well as the opportunity to complete your assignment. Sebastian was always hovering around the Earl and in the rooms where he is alone, there are no clear routes to leave through. You weren’t in possession of any thallium which was last resort in the first place. “I can do almost anything at home, but here,” you mused, playing into your role, “...here, I’m essentially under a house arrest. It’s quite boring.”

Lord Phantomhive’s eyebrows furrowed as he watched you. The action always caused the bit of skin between them to wrinkle and paired with his parted lips, he resembled a gaping fish. This was the look of exasperation and disbelief you met multiple times per day- enough for you to start calling it the look.

“I’m looking for a particular story by the Brothers Grimm. Are you familiar with their work?”

“I was-” you cut off his budding sarcasm with a glare of your own.

“A stepmother kills her stepson and bakes him into a pudding,” you explained as you turned back to the shelf to skim over the titles on the spines of the books.

“The Juniper Tree,” the Earl named almost instantaneously. At your questioning stare he cleared his throat, “my late aunt would read that one to myself and Lizzie all the time...there’s no copy here.”

You frowned and turned to look at Lord Phantomhive again. How could he be so sure? There had to be a few hundred books in the library to keep track of altogether...how could he be sure of one particular tale? The tautness in his shoulders told you not to pry. “Very well. Did you need to speak to me?” you asked since the Earl only approached you outside of meals when he needed to inform you of something particular.

“Yes. I have a dinner meeting with the head of a trans-Atlantic shipping company this evening. For your safety, I’d like to request you remain on this level of the building while it proceeds,” Lord Phantomhive’s poker face was quite nonchalant as he more or less ordered you to keep hidden from the other businessman. You understood that given his own instructions from the Queen, he had a certain degree of authority over where you went, or who you saw. Besides, you could use the time on the second floor to your advantage.

“And what of my dinner?” You were quite open to the prospect of eating alone because it meant that you could eat more than a few measly forkfuls.

“My staff is fully prepared to serve you in the foyer- or wherever you’d like on this level,” the Earl said, shifting his weight to his other side in preparation to leave you alone once again. “If there’s anything you need-”

“I won’t hesitate to ask,” you finished, finding the spiel more patronizing by each second it carried on. “Thank you,” you added as a half-hearted afterthought, pairing it with a strained turn of your lips.

A few seconds of silence followed as Lord Phantomhive composed himself. Irritation flashed in his exposed eye and his hand clenched at his side since he wasn’t carrying anything with him. The subtle movement caught your gaze and when he noticed that you were looking, the same hand opened. The blue gem on one of his rings shined in the light, just as yours did. Was it a family ring as well? The band was silver instead of rose gold, but there was no doubt it had a hefty fortune behind it.

“Of course, Your Highness.”

. . .

While Lord Phantomhive focused on his meeting, you took the opportunity to get into his study. A nagging voice in the back of your mind demanded concrete evidence that the boy was truly a criminal, considering you failed to pry into Doña’s motivations. She was a shrewd woman and went as far as to unapologetically provide you with an alias. Doña translated to lady or madame, a tidbit that you learned through finding a Spanish to English dictionary tucked in a shelf of the Phantomhive library. You didn’t actually know her name, and for all you knew, her deceased family resided within a crime ring that your grandmother could have asked her guard dog to eradicate. Although the likelihood of finding evidence, either way, was slim, there was cause to try.

Your hand twisted the knob of the door, but before you could apply any pressure, Sebastian intervened. He stood behind you after his stealthy approach, silent, almost waiting for you to speak first. Sebastian’s steps were too quiet- the conman taught you how to make yours as indiscriminate as possible, but the old wooden floor always whined beneath your heels. You let go of the knob after trying to give it a twist. However, it didn’t budge.

“Kann ich Ihnen helfen, Sebastian?” (May I help you, Sebastian?) You turned around to face him properly, his face predictably smug, no matter how he tried to maintain his respectful smile. Although his poker face was far superior to his master’s, no facade was perfect; not even yours. Marie was much more genteel than you; following the customary guidelines to pretend to be nice, or pretend to enjoy having her whole middle shoved into a restricting torso. She shoved her feelings so far off, you doubted she had the complexity to frown- or think- by the second time you ran away. In that way, you were failing to personify her- the perfect princess she was.

Sebastian ignored the question, “Mein Meister ist derzeit in einer geschäftlichen Besprechung. Wenn Sie ihn gesucht haben, erlauben Sie mir bitte, eine Nachricht entgegenzunehmen,” (My master is currently in a business meeting. If you were looking for him, please allow me to take a message) you figured it would be best to pretend as if your conversation with Lord Phantomhive had simply slipped your mind (or didn’t take place at all), since Sebastian was notably absent.

“Ach ja, richtig. Dann werde ich mein Abendessen jetzt im Foyer einnehmen, vielen Dank,” (Oh, right. Then I will take my supper in the foyer, now, thank you). You hastily left Sebastian standing alone in the hall to show yourself to the exact foyer in the west wing of the estate. The fireplace reminded you of the exact brick pattern that the fireplace in your own home had, which was a vague comfort to you. Furthermore, eating alone was a relief because it allowed you to fully let down your usual restrictions and eat until you were completely satiated- to take bite after bite until your corset felt even tighter than it had that morning. Your empty stomach rumbled at the thought.

. . .

Finny brought firewood inside the foyer and started a warm blaze in the fireplace at your off-hand request. Once again, his strength took you aback when he effortlessly hauled in multiple thick logs, the dirt on them staining his yellow shirt.

Since Sebastian was too occupied in serving the Earl and his other guest, the other servants on the estate were left to tend to you. The table that you were sitting at was pulled in from the library, the white cloth that ran over it was pristine and pressed to size. Your utensils shined, likely polished recently. The atmosphere was much more comfortable, as opposed to the cold silence that you and Lord Phantomhive tended to sit in. Moreover, the other servants- Mey-Rin, Finny, and Baldroy were simply less...presumptuous and sly.

You particularly appreciated Baldroy- not for his work or lack thereof, but his scattered presence. The vague scent of cigars that followed him reminded you of the conman, just as his laid-back drawl and leadership tendency did. There was hardly any commonality between the respective appearances of the two men, but the way Baldory carried himself oddly...helped you to remember the conman’s voice. His phlegmy laugh and snide grin.

“We’d be doin’ a fine disservice to you in tryna pronounce the names of these dishes,” Baldroy said, emerging through the open doors of the foyer with several small plates of distinctively different German plates. They were small enough to be considered canapés, but the summation of five plates made up for their portion. You assumed it was a bid on Sebastian’s part to waste less food in attempting to please you.

At Baldory’s side was Mey-Rin as she held a small basket of bread rolls, with one little glass bowl tucked within them. It was one type of jam- likely the quince that you had been favoring over your last few meals. Even as a girl, it was one of your favorites, being almost exclusive to Germany.

Your smile turned one corner of your lips upwards- barely there, but completely genuine. “That’s fine. I do find Sebastian’s introductions quite tedious to sit through,” your shoulders jumped when you laughed shortly, unable to help your reaction to their surprised faces. Baldroy wasn’t accustomed to your dry humor and Mey-Rin’s shortcomings were rarely validated with a semblance of amusement.

“Oh- well, alright, then-” Baldroy started, placing the tray that carried all the dishes before you. It was clear that he wasn’t experienced with table service, (Mey-Rin none the wiser), but in a way, you found the informality strangely comforting.

“-This is spätzel,” you interrupted, gesturing to the first plate with egg noodles nearly twirled. It was usually quite heavy for your preference since the noodles could sometimes be considered ‘dumplings’. “Käse, cheese,” you couldn’t name the exact type of cheese that was cut on the next plate. Each slice was paired with a different cracked and knowing Sebastian, you felt safe in assuming that this was on purpose. “Katenspek...teewurst” you continued, mostly naming the food in front of you for your own memory’s sake. After spending the most recent nine years of your life in various cities in England, you were more accustomed to bangers and mash and heavy cottage pies.

Quickly looking up at the two servants, you cleared your throat. “Is this all?” you asked impassively. It seemed to be more than enough already.

“Yes!” Mey-Rin responded, “this is all. I’ll be right back with your tea, ‘scuse me,” she rushed out. Her basket of bread was still in her hands and with her short attention span, there was no way she’d realize it until she reached the kitchen. However, the scent of freshly warmed rolls continued to linger around your table, just as Baldroy’s scent of smoke did.

The combination reminded you of the desperate day you met the conman- after you swindled an upper-middle-class couple out of a great sum of their money. With that man’s wages...Baxter purchased a loaf of bread, under the logic of conserving what the two of you rightfully earned. He laughed in that alleyway, praising your acting skills until his face was shades darker than the cold air made it. No one in Germany praised you- not once and within a single week of relocating across the sea, you had garnered someone’s appreciation. As a girl, nothing (besides a full stomach) was quite as satisfying. That was when he offered to take you in, and evidently, the rest was history.

You hadn’t noticed Baldroy leave, but after looking up from the plates of food before you, space across from you was empty. Once again, you were left alone, the only prominent noise in the foyer was the soft crackling of the fireplace and the chime of your fork and knife against the bowl that the spätzel was piled in. There was a sprinkling of parsley on top, but you brushed it out and onto the plate under the small bowl. Amongst many moving parts, the food that was involved in this particular operation was both a vice and a virtue- sitting in front of delectable meals multiple times a day, but due to social codes, only being able to eat a few bites while with company. Your circumstances reminded you of the Greek myth of Tantalus, though you were much better off than the deceased king of Sipylus.

After reaching the bottom of the bowl, you moved on to demolishing the tasting of pre-cut Katenspek, which was smoked pork belly. It would have been salty for your liking, had there not been some kind of cranberry sauce pooled at the bottom of the stack of thin strips. You were about halfway through finishing them off when Baldroy returned. By the surprise in his eyes, it was safe to assume that he expected you to have returned to your quarters instead.

Baldory didn’t wait too long to speak as he raised an eyebrow at you. “Huh, I was beginning to doubt me cookin’,” he mused, sharing your bashful half-smile. You dabbed your lips with the edge of the folded napkin on your lap. The action stained the white cloth with the red cranberry sauce that loitered on your lips.

You sat back in your chair, finding the corset you wore much tighter than it felt before you sat down to properly eat. Relief bloomed in your stomach as you regarded the chef in front of you, the euphoria of finally having a full stomach causing you to smile again. “It was delightful, thank you,” the idea of someone of importance witnessing you so content sent shivers down your spine.

. . .

There was a knock at your door, the sound too strident to be Mey-Rin’s and unnecessary for it to be Sebastian’s. Mey-Rin had finished her nightly duties, this night’s routine much more simplified, since you had only just bathed last night, and rather than Sebastian, she brought up your Earl Grey tea with a hefty slice of Black Forest cake- the best dessert to grace the earth. The recipe was native to Germany, chocolate layers of cake with a cherry and cream filling. The cherries in the filling were soaked in cherry schnapps that originated in the Black Forest, a mountain range in Germany. There was still more than half of it on the plate as you pried small bites from it every couple of minutes.

“Hereinspaziert,” (Come in), you mumbled, hardly looking up from the page of the new book you picked up before retiring to sleep. This was a compilation of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Poems, each in native German, and translated on the next page over. Along with theater, poetry tended to enervate you enough to allow you to rest some for a night. This particular poem was called “Night Thoughts”. The title was ironic enough to catch your eye in the glossary at the beginning of the book.

‘Ihr, von denen der Seewurf die Matrosen angezündet hat…’ (Ye by whom the sea-toss'd sailor's lighted…)

The door opened to reveal the Earl at the threshold. He was still dressed in his posh number, his jacket, and trousers a matching forest green while his shirt was its predictable white. You pulled your covers up further, holding them up to your chest under your open book. The neckline of your nightgown was much lower than you were comfortable with exposing and keeping the bits of dignity you had was more than preferable.

“Yes?” you urged Lord Phantomhive to state his case for interrupting your reading- not that the poem made much sense to you anyhow. The male’s face was terse as if the meeting hadn’t played out the way he had wanted it to. Considering he had only shown himself in your, it was hard to believe that you coaxed out the look with a single syllable.

“You called this estate boring,” he stated nonchalantly, loitering in front of the open door. Behind him, the hallway was alight with the dim glow of lanterns, a gesture that you duly appreciated.

“I did,” you replied, matching his level of care in his articulation. Lord Phantomhive was nothing of a utilitarian in a sense of parlance. He used too many posh words most of the time and appeared to believe that studying Latin was a productive use of time. Yet, he seemed too peeved to care.

Furthermore, fun wasn’t something you were well acquainted with, but you could confidently say that sitting through a tragic play with your intended victim and his betrothed did not qualify. Vaguely, fun was supposed to be stimulating or engaging in some way. Lord Phantomhive was close to your age, but he acted several years older with a lack of interest in anything that resided off of some variant of paper.

“Let’s go horseback riding, then. I know a private trail,” he suggested. Learning how to ride a horse was about the only interesting lesson you had as a girl, although you were constantly scolded for refusing to sit side-saddle. It was considered a way to preserve a woman’s modesty. For a lady to spread her legs outside a marriage bed was a complete sacrilege and you made the most out of standing in the stirrups of your horse when you could.

You couldn’t remember the last time you held a pair of reins in your own hands since you had only learned in the instance of an emergency. In any other case, you had to sit behind a man while he directed the horse for you. Besides, the January cold had to be too much for the horses to bear for a winding trail in the countryside.

“Well?” Lord Phantomhive asked arching an eyebrow at you. If the trail was private, it made a good setting for killing him, hiding the body, and leaving with the horse. Especially if Sebastian was going to be the only accompaniment on the trip. Judging by his slender physique, you doubted that he’d be able to put up much of a fight against you if there was no way to be furtive.

“Fine,” you cut a slice out of your cake with the side of your fork, momentarily breaking eye contact with the noble as you let the hunk of chocolate cake and tart cherry marry on your tongue before meticulously chewing and swallowing. “You know, you are ambitious in your pursuits, my Lord.” You added offhandedly, considering this proposal came from a vague challenge from you.

Lord Phantomhive shrugged, the corner of his lips twitching to form his elusive smirk. “Hm,” he paused, the thought clearly facetious when it was supposed to be a simple observation from you. “We’re human beings, Your Highness. Always after our own self-interest.”

“Then it’s within your self-interest to both protect and entertain me?” The conversation was quickly evolving into a clever, existential turn of phrase, rather than an invasion of your time alone. You closed your book after putting a little piece of paper inside to save your page.

“Of course. The Phantomhive name is known for the standard of care we give our guests- particularly-”

“Particularly grandchildren of Her Majesty,” you finished smugly, although he would have used a less blunt way to state your title. The coy smirk on his regrettably prepossessing face dropped, quickly replaced by the look, once again. If the Earl couldn’t admonish you verbally, he was sure to show you his irritation with his face, whether he meant to or not. At least he was to be reasonably humbled before you ended him.

The Earl cleared his throat, “Tuesday is my only free day this week. I’ll have Sebastian make preparations for then.”

“And what am I to do in the meantime?” You questioned, playing up your impertinence to bother him further. Marie would do the exact same and more likely, she would have demanded more from the Earl. You were much more acquiescent and you merely kept to yourself, save for your attempt to get into his study to pry. Gaining access was crucial to your morality and since you intended on striking at the end of that trail, you’d need to enter before Tuesday morning.

“I trust that you are capable of entertaining yourself, for the time being, Your Highness.”

You took a long sip of your tea, the floral notes of the Earl Grey mingled nicely with the remnants of cherry on your tongue. The heat of the beverage caused you to cringe as it ran down your throat. The teacup remained in your hands as you regarded the noble, who had inched his way to the foot of your bed for ease of conversation. Naturally, he loitered at the respectful distance, keeping his gaze proper and away from the covers that fell from your chest. You didn’t have the hands to readjust them, or the peace of mind to notice.

“...Fine. Sleep well, Lord Phantomhive,” you dismissed, putting the teacup back on the nightstand with the remnants of your cake. You had a feeling that he wasn’t done with the conversation, but you weren’t shy in expressing that you were. The night was a complex time and while the presence of another in your room was somewhat soothing, it reminded you of the episode you had that morning. The bruise to your pride was somewhat fresh, making it uncomfortable to think about or dwell on. At least in that way, you understood Lord Phantomhive. His pride made for a sturdy defense around the vulnerable- terrified- subconscious as yours did. You each protected your weaknesses fiercely and that's what made this particular assignment so complicated.

“Sleep well, Your Highness. I’ll sort out the rest of the details and keep you up to date,” the sound of the door shutting behind him caused you to jump. You put your book on the nightstand, using it to push the tray of refreshments further away. This night would do well to be kinder to you.

. . .

Tags:

#ciel phantomhive #ciel x reader #black butler #black butler fanfic #strangers to lovers #anime fanfiction #sebastian michaelis #murder #angst #historical fiction #victorian era #the indignant pawn #a sinner's subconscious #ciel phantomhive x reader

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