Author's note: Idea occurred to me when understanding the true value of the Queen's piece on the chess board. Relating it Black Butler and so it was born. I'll update Demon's Keeper (for those of you who read it) later on. Woot! Second favorite pairing! Heh, I also wanted to write Sebastian as the true demon he was.
Title: His Butler, Meddling
Summary: In which Sebastian sees the true reason of Elizabeth's being as a whole, and decides to play around a bit.
Rating: T, just because there is nothing K or K+ about this, and the amount of swearing someone does at the end.
Side note: Takes place during chapter 14 of the manga; when Aunt Frances comes to visit. Sebastian's POV, so it will not say 'Ciel' directly, or bocchan (I do not believe in wapanese), since it is improper for a butler to talk/greet with his owner in such an informal way, thus will use indirect description.
"...Yet the Queen is the most valuable and important piece and the whole outcome can depend upon how successfully she plays her role." - Alexander Kotov
"Inexperienced players have a fear of this piece (the knight), which seems to them enigmatic, mysterious, and astonishing in its power. We must admit that it has remarkable characteristics which compel respect and occasionally surprise the most wary players." - Eugene Znosko-Borowski
Although it was nothing life-changing, it was a peculiar day that was certainly worth remembering.
As per usual, the demon butler headed towards his young master's bedroom to wake him. He entered the door rolling a cart full of food, and proceeded to open the curtains. When he heard shuffling coming from the big bed, and could only predict the child was having nightmares. Seeing as there was no point for letting this show continue on, Sebastian began to wake his young master, but only to be greeted with a pistol to his forehead. He stepped back as the boy ordered him not to touch him so freely, and gave his small trademark smile- smirk if you prefer. The tall man continued on to introduce the morning's tea which had been Assam Black with a mixture a milk; he added on saying that warm milk was the best for calming someone down in the morning especially after a nightmare.
When the boy was sitting up enough, Sebastian grabbed the source of his nightmares, and sighed; he had been reading Edgar Allen Poe before sleeping again. Upon commenting his young master's bad habit, he quickly earned himself a scold. Nevertheless, he went on to announce the day's schedule, but could not finish anything after stating the arrival of Marchioness Middleford and the Lady Elizabeth for the young boy began to go into panic. When questioning his sudden change in his demeanor, Sebastian was scolded yet again; after all, how foolish he was to forget that the Marchioness was one hell of a noble lady. The demon sighed once again, and tried to change his moving master seeing as how the carriage already pulled up. He was successful...enough to look presentable in front of guest anyhow.
This time, it was the young master's turn to get scolded by his dearest aunt, but quickly got hugged by his dearest fiance. The tall demon had to let a small chuckle; his young master's love life was quite the entertainment. Sebastian, keeping his butler act up, bowed to the Marchioness, but he what did not expect was the sudden death glare she was sending him nor the insult she spatted out about his face. Above all, however, he was completely thrown off guard when the human decided to forcefully comb back his fringes; if she were not the boy's aunt, she would've been lying on the ground with her throat open by the now. The demon caught the quick apologizing glance that the Lady Elizabeth sent both him and the young master; the fact that she was Lady Marchioness' daughter somewhat disturbed him.
After accepting yet another insult from her, Sebastian decided to help her with the inspection of the manor. Seeing how humans were such a predictable species, the butler in disguise informed his master that he made preparations from the night before, so there was nothing to worry about. That is, if you did not hire the three imbeciles Maylene, Bardroy, and Finnian. He couldn't understand how an experimented boy actually thought you could just pull out all the flowers when he felt like it, how an assassin with eyesight better than the best made scope could be completely clumsy, or how a soldier for the British army did not know that he couldn't cook with explosives. The red-eyed man began to express doubt if he even chose the right people for the job. Nevertheless, they were good at protecting the manor even if they did end up destroying half of it. Being as he had no other option, he chose to show the Marchioness the stable despite it being a tad inappropriate for ladies. Luckily, he was able to impress the elder blonde with the horse he had bought for the young master. Apparently, upon doing so, it had sparked a competition between his young master and the Marchioness, a hunting one at that.
When everything was said and done, the hunting game started rather quickly, and the boy's aunt already had the lead. His young master, after a quick dispute with the Lady Elizabeth, also took off. How interesting the results would be...
"It's a relief," the young girl stated, pulling him out of his thoughts, "Ciel is acting like his old self again. Since he was so close to Madame Red, I was worried." Now Sebastian was completely listening the words of the human beside him.
"I don't want Ciel to have anymore bad memories. That's why I do what I can to cheer him up. It hardly ever works though; I kinda over do it and end up making him mad instead." On the one hand, his young master is trying to desperately to keep her out of his dark world. On the other hand, the Lady Elizabeth is forcefully trying to bring him out. Ah yes, the relationship between these is quite the pitiful.
He kneeled before and spoke, "I am certain that young master always considers your concern for him." He added encouragingly, and the Lady Elizabeth gladly gave him genuine smile. After all, what kinda of butler would he be if he couldn't bring a smile to his master's future wife's face.
She giggled before continuing, "Thanks; you're so nice Sebastian. But to tell you the truth," Again, the lady beside captured his attention, "...I'm really jealous of you." He looked at her with a small mixture of shock and curiosity spilled on his face. He smuggled a small smirk, and gave her a smile of confusion.
"And why would you be a jealous of a humble servant like me?" He asked. She had her head down, and set a rather dejected smile.
"Because...fair...it's...not..." After not being able to hear her, Sebastian kindly asked her to speak up.
"It's not fair..." the Lady Elizabeth said softly. He titled his head to the side; just what on earth was she rambling about? "You're so close to him. He always seems comfortable when he talks to you. He never has to force any expression on himself, and...he's more... open with you...about everything." So that is what this was about. The demon forgot how emotionally fragile humans are, so he sighed, stood, and offered a nervous smile; if he said something wrong, he'll never hear the end of it from that brat of a master.
"I suppose it is because I am forced to listen more than to speak, but I assure it does not mean anything." The girl shook her head at his statement, and began to tense up. Sebastian never thought he would engage in an actual conversation with someone like her, and someway or another, he was getting more and more interested.
"It's because...Ciel trusts you...because he...you were the one that saved him, "By this point he noticed that the blonde girl's fist were shaking at her side. "You were the only one that heard him...you...and what was I doing? I was crying in my room and praying to someone who doesn't even exist- day after day, hoping that one day he would return to me, and he did. It wasn't because of some miracle that he return; no, it was, because he ordered you to do so. Ciel...he...he...did the unimaginable...he..." She stopped to hold back the threatening tears. "And since then, all I've ever did was make things harder for him everyday. All the time...I'm always crying, and he's the one who deserves to cry not me."
'A crying of loneliness, despair, and the reliance on the obvious false hope to keep her going. Truly a soul worth make one hell of a feast out, but 'tis a shame. The young master screams harder and cries louder'
"It is true that young master has had a rough past, but he cannot simply cry, and that is a reason why he desperately needs you. Whether he wants to admit or not, you are of extreme value to him. I do not know what would become of him if you were gone." She began to ramble something incoherent after that, and held his small smile until she said something that made him drop his whole facade.
"Those 'accidents' you had were not yours. They were Finnian's, Meirin's, and Bardroy's. Humans will never reach the level of perfection, yes we say we do, because we give up on the level that has reached our satisfaction. However, you...you are in every essence perfect." The Lady Elizabeth dropped to her knees and looked up; instead of a fierce determined look, Sebastian saw nothing but hopelessness in every inch of her. He restrained himself from gently tracing her facial features, and held his hands behind his back. The demon smelled it- her soul that is. It wasn't exactly where his standards were, much like raw dough. He would've needed to shape and bake it into 'perfection', before he could consume it. The idea of two contracts at once set a quick smirk upon his face.
"It's because of your perfection, it is you will bring Ciel happiness not me. Because that bond that the two of you share, the bond I so despairingly want to have with him...I can't...I just can't." He continued to look down on her; his face was plain, yet his eyes screamed curisoity.
Sebastian, cutting her off, said "And what makes the Lady Elizabeth that I will bring such 'happiness' to the young master?" The green-eyed girl gave merely gave him a simple, yet drastically sorrowful smile.
"Because if the King moves his pieces around so carefully, even the knight can become the 'queen'. I have failed not only him as a potential wife, but as piece too; I have lost a game before I was even considered the 'queen'. No...I was never the queen to begin with...I'm just a mislabeled pawn that will eventually die by his or your hands...the hands of such a cold yet obediently nice demon butler." His lips formed a straight line, his eyebrows furrowed, and his eyes were narrowed. No...it was not possible. It was not possible that a mere fourteen year old girl possibly knew that he was...well out of this world? When she claimed her conclusion, the young girl began sob in place. Oh yes, the love life of these two small humans was comically pitiful. The lips of the demon transformed into a sickening smirk; perhaps some entertainment was due on his part. Restoring his facade again, Sebastian spoke once again.
"What a pity," Lady Elizabeth looked up at him again with confusion, "To think someone like the young master has the magnificent privilege to be your fiancee." He shook his head to add on to his act and continued, "Honestly, what kind of person would make such a beautiful lady cry?" He spotted the faintest of blush on the now standing Lady Elizabeth's face. Sebastian smirked on the inside, but kept his act nonetheless.
"Sebastian...?" The girl murmured.
"It is rather painfully evident that you can do better- much better. An attractive lady such as yourself deserves someone with more worth." He combed through his hair in a rather sensual way; perfectly messy enough to compliment the lust in his eyes and the smirk on his lips. As he approached her, the Lady Elizabeth moved back a step and could not form any words to stop him. Sebastian even began to strip of his coat, and threw it on the ground with such carelessness. He proceeded to touch her face, but she quickly looked away.
"Um...Ciel is the only man-"
Sebastian snorted, "Man? Excuse my rudeness, but though he acts like it, the young master is not a 'man'. You deserve a real gentleman, not a child who is nice to you, because he feels it is his duty to please you. And even better, why not an immortal man who is right in front of you." The demon kept advancing on her, making sure she would back into the large tree; then, he'd have his prey trapped and ready to eat.
"But...you...why?" Her eyes began to widen as he stepped closer, the demon noted. Humans were such insecure creatures, that even the slightest of compliments would set them on fire. The thought of that brat watching him as he proceeded to take the virginity of his precious 'pure' cousin made Sebastian release a dark chuckle. He had to admit though, the Lady Elizabeth was beautiful for an English lady. However, he just wished she'd become more...'seductive'; a sinner if one would place it.
The tall man finally backed her up into so said tree, and spoke, "While it is true that I, as a demon, do not love per say, I do, however, lust over the sexiest of preys with the bonniest of figures." His voice was dangerously low, and husky. The blonde girl furiously shook her head, and even began to tear up, as he pinned her arms over her head with hand, and covered her mouth with the other. Sebastian felt her struggle, as she tried to set herself free, but honestly, whether she was daughter of the leader of a bunch of knights or not, what tiny human could have the power to fight off a demon like him? A bigger smirk set across his face; what fun he was going to have.
He leaned in and whispered, "Breathe in this sweet poison..."
Bang!
At the sound of the gun shot, Sebastian's face went straight, and he hid a scowl. He stood, released her, and saw as the Lady Elizabeth slid to the ground. The green-eyed girl was completely shaking and crying; he loved seeing her in such a vulnerable state. Every time she cried, he had to resist himself from killing her and taking her soul right on the spot. It didn't matter, there was always another time for that.
"Five-Four; the competition seems to be in full swing. We should go and cheer." He looked over to the bushes where he thought he saw...no it was just another prey waiting to be shot. He glanced over backed to Lady Elizabeth, let out a small sigh, and set a 'frown'. "It appears that we will have to save our little fun time until next time." He bent down and offered her a hand; however, she shook her head and moved - tried to anyway- away from him as much a possible. The young girl began to stutter- saying something that she had a dagger of some sort, and that it was okay for him to go ahead. The demon began to reason, but the lady would refuse his offer.
He sighed once again, and spoke, "If that it was the lady wishes, then I am in no position to refuse that. Try not to stay too behind, or you'll be mistaken for prey." He turned away, and began to walk away; he heard the sigh of relief coming from her, but ignored it and continued to walk. The tall man smirked boldly and pridefully; he had never been so entertained in his life- except for that one time, but 'tis not the point. He couldn't wait until she screamed in his name in pleasure, until he took away her 'innocence', until he got to see the horrid expression on his young master's face when yet again someone was taken from him. The breakdown it would have on his on soul, the nightmares he would have- it was going to be one hell of soul he would devour.
When the Marchioness left home (insisting the Lady Elizabeth stay over) , his young master automatically requested a hot bath. Now, once done with his bath, he dressed him for bed, and was serving him his nightly tea.
"Hey...Sebastian," So said butler turned around, but did not expect the extremely hot liquid (with the cup) splash against his face, and a double smack across the face- specifically the ringed hand. After recovering from the small attack, the tall man turned to his young master with a slight expression of shock.
"Young master...?"
"Bastard...you bastard...You. Bloody. Fucking. Reeking. Dumb-arse!" He met the foul glare of his young master, and all it's rage. Sure, he had seen completely him at his worst, but somehow never like this. "How dare you...How fucking dare you?" If he continue to scream like this, he would wake up his prey.
"Young master, perhaps it would be wise not to yell at this time of night, you are going to-"
"Don't tell me what the hell to do! What idiotic sense gave you the right to think that I wouldn't be yelling at you right now?" Sebastian felt the heat and anger the boy in front of him gave off. Under normal circumstances, he could care less that some angry British child was yelling at him, but if he wanted to consume so said boy's soul, he would have to pretend like he did, and act innocent.
"My lord if you could clarify-"
Now standing, the young master grabbed his fringes and forced him on the floor, "Drop the charades Sebastian! What kind of fool do you take me for? Did you honestly think I wouldn't fucking know that you nearly tried to rape my fiancee! Explain your bloody self!" Ah, so the 'animal' he saw in the bushes was actually his young master; he would've figured.
'He shot the nearest thing, not caring if it hit or not, just to distract me from eating my prey.'
"M'lord, a gentleman does curse at such an hour, but if you truly want this butler's opinion, I do not see why it should concern you so much. At the least you know that the Lady Eli-"
"Don't you even say her name you sickening moron!" What a temper this child had, but nevertheless continued what he was saying.
"As I was saying, at the least you know that you have your fiancee's complete loyalty in your hands." He offered simply, yet earned himself another smack to the face. His young master walked past him towards the window, touching it slowly with his hand.
"You didn't answer my question. Why the hell did you think you would have consent to touch Elizabeth? Do not lie to me you filthy bastard, I have no patience to even see your face." The demon sighed; if he didn't answer soon, his young master would go off on another rant.
"Truth be told, my lord, I considered it to be an interesting experiment that had ended up proving positive results on your side of the case." Sebastian didn't face him, but watched his master through his peripheral vision. His lord's fists were shaking by his side, and he heard the gritting of his teeth. He was scolding him harshly; saying his love life was not for amusement.
'Perfect," He began to think, 'His soul is breaking more, but I do not want it to get too sour. It's important the Lady Elizabeth stays in good health for that boy's soul relies on her whether he knows it or not. My, my...how interesting things have gotten so far.' The demon smirked, but it quickly faded when his young master returned in front of him. The blue eyed boy removed his eye patch, and the contract mark glowed.
"This is an eternal order; you will follow it even after my death: You Sebastian Michaelis, head of the Phantomhive Butlers, shall never ever touch my fiancee, Elizabeth Ethel Cordelia Midford Phantomhive. And you shall never make a contract with her no matter how much she so damn desires or you feel the need to do so." His glare was cold, and his voice colder. Sebastian kneeled, raised his hand to his chest, and spoke.
"Yes, my lord."
"Have Maylene bring me Elizabeth. Other than that, leave!" The tall man nodded as he watched his little lord climb into bed, and began to read; waiting for his maiden. He left his room, and went to look for the maid.
"This was more amusing than I thought it would be."
TO explain Ciel: he may have overreacted, because first off it's Elizabeth. Secondly, he didn't think Sebastian would try to do that.
To explain Sebastian: Heh, if you're going be serving a brat like Ciel, might as well have some fun right? /shot
