Characters line of 'incarnation':

Priest Set(o) ~ Sebastian Montgomery ~ Seto Kaiba

Kisara~Karina~Kiarra
Tia ~ Tea
Akhenaden ~ Aden

I sighed as I spied my face in the vanity mirror as I cleaned it. I knew it be pointless to wipe it off. I'd just get more on it later.

I dumped my bucket outside at the end of the day and put it in the store room before going to where the other staff slept. I had been working and living here since both my parents died and left me with nothing. The innkeeper had been good friends with my parents, and told me I was welcome to stay and work if I so wished. I couldn't have been more grateful to him.

I sighed before I lied on my bed, before shutting my eyes.

In the morning I washed my face. Jacob, the taverns owner, at least wanted me to start off the day with a clean face. I went downstairs to the tavern before I set up the tables and a few patrons came in. I went over to their table and they told me what they wanted. I smiled, and went to the kitchen.

As I came out with their drinks, an unusual customer entered. He was no doubt rich, for he wore expensive clothes. No rich man ever had entered the inn since I had begun working here. He was handsome, with blonde hair and emerald eyes. Our eyes met for a moment before I looked away, going back to serving the tables, turning into a customer.

"You stupid girl! You spilled ale all over me!" He said, grabbing me, throwing me to the floor.

"Don't you dare lay a hand on her again." I heard a man say. I looked up to see the rich man pushing the customer back. "It was an accident."

I ignored the rest of the conversation, picking up the shattered ale glass, putting the pieces on my tray. I stood and was face-to face with the rich man. I curtsied.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

"Yes, thank you." I said. "You didn't need to do that, Jacob would have taken care of him, he's stronger then he looks."

"A gentleman never stands idly by when a lady is in trouble." He said.

"Karina, get back to work." Jacob said.

"Yes, sorry sir." I said. I looked to the rich man. "If you'll excuse me-"

"Sebastian Montgomery." He said, bowing slightly.

"Mr. Montgomery." I said before I curtsied again, and went back to work, throwing out the glass first.

As I lied on my bed that night I couldn't stop thinking about Sebastian. I sighed and went downstairs and saw Jacob putting the days earnings in his safe. He shut the door and turned around. "Karina? What are you doing up?"

"I couldn't sleep." I said, taking out a tea kettle and filling it with water. I set it over the fireplace.

"It wouldn't be because of Mr. Montgomery, would it?"

I sighed, and sat at the bar. "Yes, I cannot help it."

"You must forget about him, Karina, for your own good." He said. "Mr. Montgomery is the richest man in town, he practically owns our town. He will likely marry a woman whom has a vast fortune herself."

"I know." I said. "And yet I cannot stop but think we were meant to be together."

The kettle began to whistle and Jason got a towel and took it off, pouring the hot water in a cup. I got a tea bag of chamomile, and dipped it in. Once it steeped long enough, I sipped it.

He sighed. "I know it feels that way, Karina, but be realistic. You have no dowry. It would be a miracle for you to marry anyone." He said. "I do not mean to be cruel, but that is the reality."

I sighed. "I know." I finished my tea, put out the fire and headed back up to my room.

"Karina, I need you to go into town, we are low on a few things." Jacob said.

I nodded, grabbed my cloak and a deep basket. Jacob gave me a list and a pouch of money. I put it in the skirt pocket I had made. I put the cloak around me and headed out.

I was heading to the butcher when I spotted Sebastian. He was pointing out things to a servant, who took them and paid the shop keeper. He turned and spotted me. "Miss Karina, pleasure to see you again."

"Mr. Montgomery." I said, curtsying.

"What brings you to town?" He asked.

"I am running errands for Jacob." I said.

"May I join you?" He asked.

"If you'd like." I said.

We talked for awhile as we both shopped until we came upon the inn. "It was nice seeing you again." I said, opening the door to the kitchen.

"Wait, will I see you again?" He asked me.

"I cannot." I said. "Jacob lets me stay and in exchange I work for him. I have no where else to go...my parents died and left me with nothing."

"I'm so sorry." He said. "I too lost both my parents. I was quite young and was left in the care of the Manor's caretakers."

"I am sorry as well." I said. "Well I must go."

"Til we meet again." Sebastian said, bowing slightly. He turned to his servant. "Let us return home, Joesph."

I went inside the Inn and set the basket in the kitchen before returning to work.

Weeks went by, and even though I knew it was foolish, I always looked to the door when it opened. My heart ached each time it wasn't Sebastian. It never was.

One morning, as I cleaned a table the man who owned the building, Ivan, came in and went to Jason. "Rent is due, Jason."

"One moment." Jason said. He went into the kitchen, disappearing. He returned after a moment. "The money is gone..."

"But you always put it in the safe." I said.

"Someone must have broke into it last night...but I didn't hear a thing."

The owner sighed. "You know the terms of our agreement says you can't even miss one months rent. I'm sorry but you agreed to those terms." The owner said.

Jason sighed, muttering something.

I packed what few things I had, and picked up the bundle. Jason came to my doorway. "I'm so sorry Karina. I wish you could come stay with me and my family, but there is no room."

"It's alright Jason, I'm sure I'll find somewhere I can stay." I said. "Thank you for everything."

He nodded and walked me out of the inn, shutting the door behind him. He bid me farewell before we parted ways. I started walking around, going to every Inn I knew in town, seeing if any needed help, but none did.

It was getting dark when I settled into an alleyway.

"Karina?" I heard Sebastian ask.

I looked up to see Sebastian in the alley's entrance. "Mr. Montgomery." I said.

"What are you doing out here?" He asked, coming to me.

"Jacob lost the inn. He has some family he can stay with until he's on his feet again, but they have no room for me." I said. "I'm the only one who has no where else to go."

"Then come with me. I have plenty of room in my Manor." He said.

"I couldn't impose."

"And I cannot in good conscience let you sleep in the streets." Sebastian said, pulling me up. "At least, until you can find another job."

"Thank you." I said.

We walked together, and came upon his carriage. Joseph was standing by it, wearing a drivers cloak and hat. He bowed when he saw Sebastian, opening the door. He noticed me and smiled. "Miss. Karina."

Sebastian held out his hand and I took it as he helped me in the carriage. I sat in the seat and Sebastian sat across from me. I watched the town roll by.

Sebastian helped me out of the Carriage and we went into the house.

"Welcome home Master Sebastian." A gray-haired man said, stepping out from a room. He looked at me. "Who is this?"

"Aden, this is Karina. She'll be staying with us until she can find another job. Her previous employer, through no fault of his own, lost his place of business."

"I see." Aden said.

"Mai?"

A brown-haired woman came down and curtsied. "Yes sir?"

"Take Miss. Karina to one of the guest rooms. If she needs anything, please attend to her." Sebastian said. "Aden tell the chef we'll need an extra plate setting until otherwise noted."

Mai nodded, and took my things. She then headed upstairs, and I followed her. She took me to a room with a canopy bed. She motioned to a pull string. "Just pull that if you need me." She said, putting my things on the bed.

"Thank you." I said, and sat on the bed.

Mai came into my room later that evening. "Want me to help you get ready for dinner?"

"I was just going to wash my face..." I said. "I only own three dresses and they are all the same ones that Jason gave me."

"I think I might have just the thing." Mai said. "Wait here."

She returned a few minutes later with a light-blue dress. She held it out. "Hmm...should fit just fine."

She helped me in it and smiled. "Now for that dirt on your face."

Mai walked me into the dining hall, and I gasped at the space. It was a huge room with a long dining table at the end. The right side was decorated with windows while the left was decorated with paintings of various people. In the center of the left wall was a grand fireplace. I couldn't help but stare.

"Mai where did you get that gown?" Aden said, as he adjusted a candelabra on the table.

"A trunk in the attic, sir." Mai said.

"Go back upstairs and have her remove it immediately. It was Sebastian's mothers."

It was then I noticed Sebastian enter through a door behind a massive organ. He stopped halfway down and stared.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know." Mai said, not meeting his stern gaze.

"What's going on?" Sebastian asked, approaching us.

"Mai let Karina wear one of your mothers dresses without permission." Aden said, facing Sebastian.

"It's alright Aden, Mai started here only a year before Father passed. She wouldn't know those dresses in that trunk belonged to mother." Sebastian said. "Besides, all they are doing up there is collecting dust. I'd rather them get some use."

Aden nodded, and left the room.

I curtsied. "Evening Sebastian." I said.

"Good evening." He said, approaching me. "You look beautiful."

I felt myself blush. "Thank you. The fireplace is amazing."

"Thank you." He motioned to a painting of an Old man wearing 1700's garb. "My great ancestor poured his first great fortune into this manor, it's said most of it was on this fireplace."

"It shows if that is true." I said.

Aden came back in. "Dinner is served."

Sebastian escorted me to the table, pulling out my chair. Once I was seated, he pushed it in.

A few weeks went by, and I grew to like Sebastian, perhaps I even loved him. My search for another job didn't bear any fruit, but I didn't mind. I was close to Sebastian.

Occasionally, I would catch Aden glaring at me, but I ignored him.

One day the door's bell rung and Joseph answered it as I walked by. Jacob was there, so I stopped. "Jacob, what are you doing here?"

"I have great news Karina, I have spoken with Ivan several times since we last saw one another. He's agreed to rent the Inn back to me. We have a home again." Jacob said, smiling.

"That is good news." I said.

"Go pack your things." Jacob said.

Sebastian came in, having seem to overheard. I could see sadness in his eyes.

"Actually Jacob...I would prefer to stay." I said.

Jacob smiled. "As you wish, Karina. I wish you nothing but happiness."

I looked to Sebastian. "I already am."

Sebastian smiled.

Six Months Later

I hummed a dance tune, swaying in my ballgown. I looked to the sealed letter I had written on my desk. Tonight was going to be the best night of my life. Tonight Sebastian was holding a Masque Ball just to celebrate the love that was between us. We had long been sending letters to one another, even though we lived in the same house. Sebastian was often busy during the day, and the only free time was split between writing letters to businessmen in other towns, and occasionally spending time with me. So I had an idea, I would write letters to him on the days he was to busy. The open letter beside my sealed one only had a few lines.

My darling Karina,

I write this to ask you only one thing. Will you marry me my dearest? I cannot imagine my life without you any more. I do not care if our union costs me my fortune. The only thing I need to be happy is you as my wife.

Your Love,

Sebastian Montgomery

I had been breathless upon reading it. I hadn't even thought of my reply when I heard the nickering of horses. I looked outside and saw one of the two carriages Sebastian owned approaching the house. It stopped and Tia, one of the maids, stepped out with two dress boxes. I had known she went out to get my Masque gown, but was curious about the other. When Tea came to my room she placed both boxes on the bed before opening the one. I recognized my Masque gown. Tea took it out and lied it on the bed.

I opened the other one and gasped. It was a wedding dress.

"Master Montgomery did not tell you of this?" Tia asked.

"I had no idea." I said. "I have just received the question..."

"He knows you will say yes. The love between you is obvious." Tia said, smiling. She took the wedding gown and put it on a mannequin.

I picked the letter up just as Mai entered, dressed in her best gown for the masque. "Everyone is waiting." She said, smiling. "He's waiting."

"He can manage to wait a little longer Mai." I said, smiling. "He's to used to getting what he wants right away. Go on and dance with Joseph. I'll be down soon."

Mai nodded, curtsying before leaving the room. I spun before my mirror, the wedding dress beside it. I swayed again, but this time to the music from the ballroom below. I stopped when a knock came to my door. "Come in."

Aden entered, and bowed slightly, holding a tray with two glasses filled with wine. "I hoped to catch you before you went downstairs."

"You arrived just in time then, I was heading down in just a minute." I said, smiling. "I believe my agreement will be far overdue by then." Over the past few months, Aden had stopped his glares, and treated me with such kindness. He grew to like me, I think.

"May I propose a toast, madam?" Aden asked. He placed the tray on my desk, and picked up the glasses. He handed me one. "To yours and Sebastian's eternal happiness." He said, raising his glass.

I smiled, raised my glass back and took a sip. The wine tasted a bit strange. "Aden, what is-" I stopped, feeling dizzy, dropping my glass. I looked to Aden, but as his face began to blur, I could make out only a sinister smirk on his face before I fell to the floor.

Everything blackened.

Sebastian paced in his study. He had come in here cause he could no longer sit still in the ballroom. Karina still hadn't come downstairs, and he still eagerly awaited her reply. He knew in his heart she would say yes, but still, he wanted to hear it from her, from her lips or by her hand. He sat upon the couch.

"Master Montgomery." Aden said, entering. He held the silver tray meant for letters. Sebastian shot up when he saw the letter upon it. He practically ran over, grabbing and breaking open the seal.

Sebastian,

I am sorry, Sebastian. I do not love you. I was wrong in my feelings for you. After Aden leaves my room, I shall drink from the wine I have poisoned. I cannot bear this any longer.

Sincerely,

Karina Gracely

Sebastian was stunned; he dropped the letter and ran for Karina's room, hoping he was not to late. He thought he heard Aden call after him. He pushed past the party guests, ignoring their gasps. He ran up the stairs, almost tripping in his haste.

He pushed Karina's door open. "NO!" He shouted, seeing her dead upon the floor. A wine glass lied smashed and spilt upon the floor. He went to the floor beside her, and picked her up. "Karina, please...it cannot be true...come back to me..." He whispered before kissing her cold, dead lips.

For the next three days, Sebastian barely left his study, attending to the preparations for Karina's funeral. He even had a painting of her commissioned. Once she lied in a black dress in a coffin, Sebastian gave her one last kiss before leaving the Manor's parlor and back to his study.

Aden came out from the shadows, and took out a key on a chain. He put it around Karina's neck and smiled. "The secret shall be buried with you, dearest Karina. You should have gone back to that Inn where you belonged." He said, before going back to his duties.

The next morning, after Karina was placed in the family crypt, Mai went to Sebastian's study with a tray of food. She opened the door only to drop the tray and scream. There, hanging from the study's chandelier, was Sebastian.