Yes, My Lady
Chapter 1:
The veils of midnight were closing in. The moon was large and luminous, highlighting the fine details of the large Phantomhive mansion. All was quiet as death around the neat gardens and the estate. But not inside. It was the year, 1902, date 28th of August, and Lady Elizabeth was in labour.
Her husband, Ciel Phantomhive, aged 27, was by her side clutching her hand tightly, his face contorted into a face of worry for his wife. His mind flickered between the moments during Elizabeth's pregnancy.
Flashback
~ 8 months ago ~
'Master.'
Ciel looked up from his desk to greet the ruby coloured eyes of his demonic butler, Sebastian Michaelis.
'What is it, Sebastian? You know that I'm busy.' the young man sighed in frustration.
'I thought that you might want to know that Lady Elizabeth has been ill three times this morning.'
Ciel stood up in shock. 'What? Why didn't you tell me sooner?' Abandoning his work, he rushed out of the room, but he wasn't quite sure where to run to. 'Lizzy!' he called out, his figure searching around him.
'Master, she's in your bedroom, resting. Paula is taking care of her as we speak.' Sebastian said, appearing next to his master. Ciel felt himself calm down a little. 'I see. But I must go see to her.' he told his butler, who nodded in silent agreement. Sebastian stared at his master for a few seconds as Ciel hastily made way to his room.
It had already been over 10 years, since the contract was made, and Ciel still hadn't completed his wanted revenge. But the weird thing was, was that the master soon began to see more happier moments that seemed to make him forget ever so slightly about his goal. After he married Elizabeth Midford, he seemed to have focused less on his revenge.
In Sebastian's case, he was unsure about his own position. He had been a butler for Ciel for so long, he had almost forgot his purpose as a demon. Not that he minded. He quite enjoyed living amongst humans and serving his master.
Smiling to himself, he walked off in the direction of Ciel and Elizabeth's room.
When he reached the room, he saw that Ciel was kneeling next to Elizabeth, who looked a bit white and pasty, and was lying, fully clothed, on the large bed, fast asleep.
Sebastian walked closer and then saw that Ciel's hand was shaking. Anxiety? He thought. His attention turned back to the scene in front of him, as he saw Ciel's head turn to his own.
'What is it, Master? Do you need to lie down?' Sebastian placed a gentle hand on his master's shoulder.
'Se-Sebastian..' Ciel squeak almost inaudible. His face was pale and small beads of sweat clung to his face.
'What is it, my Lord?'
'I-I'm...g-go-' he trailed off in mid-sentence.
Sebastian leaned in further to try and gesture for him to speak more clearly. Ciel swallowed loudly and tried again.
'I'm going...to b-be a f-f-father.' he whispered, with a look of disbelief.
End of flashback
Elizabeth cried out in pain as a contraction hit. She cracked her eyes open to look at Ciel. 'C-Ciel. D-Don't leave m-me.' she said, through her dry, cracked lips. After she spoke, she began to cough harshly. For you see, Elizabeth had a high fever. She had developed it four months ago, and she didn't seem to get better. The doctor said that giving birth to this baby would be a huge risk to her safety. But like Elizabeth was, she refused to give up her child. Constantly, Ciel, Sebastian or the servants would always check on her and made sure that she was stable.
Ciel was excited, yet concerned about the day the baby was to be born. He usually hid his concern, by keeping on top of his work, but no matter what he did, nothing would mask the pain he felt. He loved Elizabeth too much to lose her to a fever. Or his child's birth.
Elizabeth cried out again, her face scrunched up in pain and sweat making her nightdress cling to her body and her blonde hair to her face. Around that time a storm was beginning to stir. Rain splattered against the window. Ciel wanted to cry out in frustration. Nothing could be worse than this. Waiting for a doctor, who seemed to be taking a long time to arrive, in this now, rotten weather, while his wife was giving birth and running a dangerously high fever.
'Sebastian! What should we do? Elizabeth could die!' he cried out in a panic. His heart thudded against his chest, waiting for his butler, who was by Elizabeth's opposite side, moping her forehead with a wet towel, to answer.
Sebastian thought for a moment, his face in deep thought.
Then he stood up and stripped his tail-coat off his body and then rolled up his sleeves. He turned to the maids in the room, who were staring at him in wonder.
'Mey-Rin, go get some clean towels. Paula, you're going to assist me.' said Sebastian.
Paula and Mey-Rin looked at each other in confusion. 'For what, sir?' Paula asked.
'I will deliver this baby; now we don't have time to dawdle! Hurry Mey-Rin!' Sebastian snapped slightly. 'R-Right!' Mey-Rin squeaked and hurried out of the room.
'Lady Elizabeth, I'm going to have to ask you to part your legs.' Sebastian said to the sick woman. When Elizabeth made no move to lift her legs, Sebastian had to lift them himself. Ciel stared at his butler with a shocked look on his face. 'Sebastian! Do you even know how to deliver babies?' he asked, unsure.
That's when Sebastian smiled sweetly at him and said, 'You told me to do something, my Lord. I'm just following your orders.'
Sebastian carefully entered the distressed woman's body with his hand. He had faced situations like this before; assisting with medical procedures a very long time ago. But what kind of Phantomhive butler would he be if he couldn't deliver his master's child? 'She is completely dilated, so I think she can start pushing.' He noted to those around him.
Elizabeth broke the conversation with a sharp cry. 'Ow! Help! I'm dying!' she sobbed. Sebastian went back to his task at hand and placed a hand on Elizabeth's stomach. 'Lady Elizabeth, when I tell you to, I want you to push. Can you do that for me?' The response was a quick nod.
Elizabeth's grip on Ciel's hand tightened as she made an effort to push when Sebastian instructed her to. 'C-Ciel! Are you the-re?` she choked hoarsely. Ciel leaned over to kiss her cheek. 'I'm right here, Lizzy. You're doing great. You're going to be a mother. You know that?'
Even though she was in so much pain, she let out a little laugh, tired and slightly hoarse. 'I wonder if it'll be a little boy, we c-could name him C-Ciel.' This made Ciel laugh a little. 'And what if it's a girl?'
'If it's a g-girl, I want y-you to n-name her.'
'Why me?' Ciel asked with a slight wobble in his voice. For some reason, he had a feeling that Elizabeth wasn't going to make it. It was a terrible gut feeling, and he hoped that was all it was.
'B-Because it wouldn't b-be f-f-fair if I took over the child, wouldn't it?'
Elizabeth pushed again, a harsh groan escaping her lips.
'Lizzy! Are you okay?' Well that was a stupid question. His wife was dying giving birth to his child. Ciel squeezed Elizabeth's hand and told her to hold on.
'Ciel. A-A name. For a g-g-girl.' she hissed.
Ciel thought hard and quickly. A name. A name. What would be a girl's name that he loved? He looked at Sebastian, who was supporting the unseen, nearly-born child. His face was serious and he was sweating. Sebastian never sweats.
'Rose.' Ciel slipped the name from his mouth as his deep blue eyes stared at the dark crimson ones.
Elizabeth sighed and smiled, lighting up her face. 'W-What a pretty name.' Ciel didn't realise tears were falling from his eyes until Elizabeth wiped them away with a shaky finger. 'Ciel. Don't cry. Even i-if I were to die, I want to see your smile t-that I always loved.'
Ciel nodded and wiped a hand across his eyes. He had to be strong for Lizzy. Just for her.
'I love you too, Lizzy.'
Mey-Rin cried out. 'I can see the baby's head! You're doing great, my lady!' Sebastian looked up at the exhausted mother. 'Just one more push.' He had the baby's head resting in his bloody palms. With one loud cry, the child was finally out and with a weak cough, began wailing.
Sebastian looked down at the tiny, sticky little baby in his hands. Humans may be greedy and stubborn creatures. However small children are somewhat like miracles in this messed up world.
Quickly, the baby was wiped clean, umbilical cord cut and wrapped in a soft towel.
Ciel was afraid to look up, but as soon as a small, warm bundle was placed in his arms, he couldn't help but look at the strange being that he and Elizabeth created.
'Congratulations, Master. You have a healthy baby daughter.' Sebastian whispered in his master's ear. Ciel couldn't hear his butler speak. He was mesmerised by the small baby in his arms. She was beautiful. Her pearly white skin was smooth and soft, and he met bright blue eyes staring back at him. She was so small. She was so strange. She was so perfect.
Ciel felt tears fall again. He had never in his life, felt this kind of love before. He could feel himself smile. It was a pure smile. 'Hello, Rose.'
The happy moment ended when Elizabeth lurched in her bed, and vomited. Only, there was nothing left to vomit. 'Lizzy! Lizzy!' Ciel shouted out. 'What's wrong?!'
Sebastian was at her side immediately and felt her clammy forehead. 'Master, her fever is rising.' Ciel wanted to scream at Sebastian to do something. He wanted to slap the demon's face. This could not be happening.
'Ciel...I-I...' Elizabeth croaked, her eyes unfocused. 'I want to see m-my baby.' Ciel choked back a sob building in his throat. He laid his daughter on her mother's stomach. Elizabeth looked at her little girl, while silent tears slipped down her face. 'Rose. You l-look like your papa...' She looked up at her husband with pure love in her eyes. 'Look after your daddy for me okay?' Then she closed her eyes, her delicate hand slipping from her stomach.
'NO! LIZZY! WAKE UP! LIZZY!' Ciel screamed, shaking his wife's shoulders violently, making the small baby cry. Sebastian pulled Ciel away from the dead woman and held him, as he cried and screamed in his butler's chest. The screams died down after a while and just became racking sobs. Ciel clutched at Sebastian to prevent himself from falling. Sebastian stroked his hair and was silently whispering words of comfort.
'S-Sebastian. Why...did this have to happen?' The Earl sobbed bitterly, franticly searching for evidence that this was all just a dream.
'My Lord, she was very ill. There was nothing I could do. She lived a good life, knowing that she was married to you and that she produced a little girl with you. She died as a happy woman, wife and mother.' said Sebastian. This was all he could say to the weeping man. This was the first time that he had seen his master break down over the death of someone. Usually he would show his deep sorrow through anger and bitterness, but he never had shed a tear over a death. Then again, Ciel Phantomhive was only human.
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
'I-I just can't believe it. I d-don't want to!' Ciel hiccupped, keeping a tight hold on Sebastian's shirt.
'I know, Master. I know.' Sebastian whispered softly. His gaze landed onto the crying baby on top of the beautiful corpse. He also noticed that the other servants were in tears. Finny and Mey-Rin were clutching each other and crying. Bard was trying to appear strong, but the evidence of tears down his face was too obvious. Paula stroked her mistress' hair and wept. Turning his attention to Rose, he shook his master's frame a little to get his attention. 'Master, have a look. It's the daughter that you created with Lady Elizabeth. I'm sure that even now, she would want you to protect and cherish that child as much as she wanted to herself.'
Ciel pulled away from the butler and picked up his baby girl off his wife's still chest, whimpering a little as he saw her. He cuddled Rose to his chest protectively. 'I understand. I will protect this child with my life.' he said before starting to cry softly, holding Rose close. 'I u-understand.'
Sebastian smiled at the sight. It was definitely once in a lifetime thing to see Ciel vow something like that, but it felt, kind of, nice. Sebastian could feel the small but tight bond between father and child.
However, it wouldn't last forever.
/
A few months passed since the birth of Rose Phantomhive and the death of Elizabeth Phantomhive. It was a strange mixture of happy and sad emotions. No one was really sure of how they should be feeling. The one who was taking it hard the most was Ciel. One minute he was calm, collected and observing how his child was growing up. The next minute, he was wailing and screaming out for Elizabeth and would curse his daughter for killing her. It was madness.
One day, Ciel seemed to be totally out of it. He was looking exhausted, confused and deep in thought all the time. Sebastian was delivering his master's afternoon tea and with it all on a trolley, he knocked softly against the door.
'Master, I have prepared your afternoon tea.' he called out before entering the room. His eyes fell on Ciel holding Rose in his arms, playing with her chubby cheeks.
Sebastian chuckled a little. 'She looks like you.'
Ciel ignored him and changed the subject. 'What's for tea?'
'A nice custard and cream tart, with blueberries, complete with herbal tea.' The butler said as he placed the dishes on the desk. Ciel pulled the plate of diabetes closer. Rose tried to swat the tart with her little hands but was stopped by Ciel as he battered her hands away. 'No Rose! Sebastian, do something about her! Go play with her or something.'
'But, Master, I have other chor-' Sebastian was cut off as he had a squirming baby shoved in his arms. 'I don't care. Take care of her.' Ciel said, focusing his attention on his desert.
Sebastian smiled and slightly bowed. 'Yes, My Lord.' He turned to exit the room, but was soon stopped by Ciel who spoke quietly. 'Please, take care of her.'
Sebastian looked at his master, with a slightly confused look on his face. 'What do you mean by that, sir?'
Ciel seemed to be very deep in his own mind, but answered his butler somewhat reluctantly. 'I want you to raise her Sebastian.'
The demon butler was certainly taken aback by his master's request. He had never raised children in his whole life. Sure he had been around them plenty, but raising one was a new experience for him. "Master, she is your daughter. Wouldn't you rather raise her yourself? Perhaps one of the maids would be better.' Sebastian said to Ciel who was pushing around the cream on his cake with a fork.
'I can't do it. She resembles Lizzie a lot more than I would've liked. I vowed to protect her, and I shall. With your assistance, of course. It pains me to look at her. I just…can't.' Ciel's voice shook slightly with emotion. It was taking him a very long time to get over Elizabeth's death. 'You're the only one I trust with this, Sebastian.'
Sebastian looked down at the little girl in his arms. She had fallen asleep during the conversation, her small hand clutched onto Sebastian's coat tightly. The demon sighed. He glanced back at his master, who was avoiding his butler's eyes. 'If that is what you wish, Master.' Sebastian spoke, bowing a little so he wouldn't wake Rose. Knowing that this conversation was over, Sebastian left the office. \
Walking down the hall to the newly placed nursery, Sebastian said to the sleeping baby, 'It seems we will be spending a lot of time together, my Lady.'
Greetings! This is my edited version of Yes, My Lady which hopefully came out a little bit better than the previous version. I'm actually enjoying writing this right now, listening to Marilyn Manson, the sky is stormy and with my fat-ass of a dog on my lap. (Jks I love him like crazy) I'm designing the next chapter so I'll get that out later today I hope! Please let me know what you think. Also give me ideas on some events that could happen in the story as like a build up to the climax. :D
Grazie!