"Party Invite... Party Invite... Ball invite... oh look, another social gathering... Dribble Dribble Dribble." I rolled my eyes and put the stack of papers down on the desk before me. My butler, forever at my side, smiled gracefully, "Well it is 'the season' my lord." he chirped. "Really... you don't say." I said sarcastically. I'm not sure demons understand sarcasm but either way he should know me well enough by now to know that I wasn't impressed and he acted accordingly, "Well there is one invitation that isn't so much a formal gathering... your distant great uncle, the Duke of Edinburgh, has requested you visit his home to speak about his will. I imagine he will be leaving everything to you since he has no other family." Sebastian said. "He does have family, he just chooses to ignore them." I said simply then, since the demon looked a little surprise I decided to go further into the matter for his benefit, "My great uncle has a daughter and a granddaughter. Unfortunately his daughter, my aunt, went insane after losing her husband and, from what I've heard, he's been raising his granddaughter as a maid rather than flesh and blood. He isn't exactly fond of women and was even harsh towards his late wife." Sebastian took all that I said in without a single change in emotion. I paused and sipped my tea before sighing and continuing, "Since he feels he has no one else I expect we should go and pay him a visit. The least that will come of it is that I can say that I was away visiting family and thus avoid any of these dreary parties." Sebastian bowed, "Yes my lord. I will send out the declines to the invitations at once and will let the Duke know we will be accepting his offer." he said as he picked up the tea set that I had just finished and left promptly.
I finally looked up from the morning paper and wondered about my distant cousin. I had never met her in person but had seen her in photos my mother had shown me. She is at least eight years my senior if I remember correctly. Her father died when she was only seven and the photo we have of her is still hanging around somewhere in one of the morning rooms... or was it a drawing room? Well, either way, Madam Red doesn't want me to get rid of it so as long as its out of sight I don't mind. But this had peaked my curiosity... I couldn't for the life of me remember what she had looked like or which side of the family she belonged on. If it was my mothers side then she'd probably be a lot like Lizzy... and that is a very unnerving thought indeed! With that unnerving thought I left my study to seek out Tanaka. He has been with my family longer than I've been alive and was the butler to my father so if anyone should know it would be him.
I found Tanaka outside, supervising Finny as the young gardener ran riot in the grounds... thank goodness we didn't take him on as a footman! The safest place for him (and everyone else) is outside. "Tanaka, tell me, do you know much about my great uncle, the Duke of Edinburgh?" I asked as I sat on an empty chair near the elderly man. "The duke? Yes I used to know the man very well when I served your father my lord. What is it you wish to know?" he replied. That's what I like about Tanaka, he always gets straight to the point and I found myself smile a little, "Do you know anything of his granddaughter? He has written to say he will leave everything to me but if he has a granddaughter then surely it should at least be divided between us?" I asked curiously. Tanaka shook his head sadly, "He hates the poor child. Last I saw of Miss Jasmine was at her fathers funeral. Her mother was distraught and couldn't be comforted by anyone and wouldn't let anyone try to support her except for Jasmine herself. The poor thing. I am certain that the Duke blames Jasmine for the decline in his daughter's health since her husbands death. I could not begin to suggest how he might have treated her up till now but he was never a warm man to begin with. Do not be surprised if you aren't welcomed with open arms when you visit him my lord." he said. I simply nodded, "Tanaka, do you, by chance, have a photo of Jasmine? I wish to see what she looked like so I might recognise her even if she is not present around the Duke. If he is planning to leave everything to me then it is also my duty to ensure she is taken care of also." I said. Tanaka smiled and got out his book. It was something I had often seen him carry around and I know he must use it as something of a diary. He pulled out a very old looking piece of paper and handed it to me. "That is the only remaining photo of the whole family. The Duke's wife died in childbirth so there is no photographic proof of her or what she might have looked like." he explained as I examined the photo.
In the photo there were five adults. In the middle, at the back, was my great uncle, the Duke. To his left was my father with my mother on his right, both looking quite young and from what I noticed, it was before their wedding as mother didn't have her ring on. On the Duke's right was another man... a shiver shot up my spine as I looked at him and, beside him was the Duke's daughter with her wedding ring on. She was a terribly beautiful woman... even as a thirteen year old I know she must have been greatly desired. She looked the very image of my father and I knew instantly which side of the family the Duke belonged to. Before them all was a little girl. She had bright eyes and dark hair that contrasted with the pale skin. As the photo was quite old there was no colour to it so telling what she looked like was impossible but it gave me an idea. She had taken the best parts from both her parents; beautiful and endearing looks from her mother and that unshakable look of intellect and strength from her father. "If I remember correctly, she has the same eye colour as you do my lord, but has bright blood red hair, like that of your Aunt Ann." Tanaka said, breaking my train of thought as he mentioned Madam Red. "Is that so?" I replied and stood up, "Thank you so much for telling me this Tanaka. I feel better prepared to meet with them both now... May I keep this photo? I will return it to you when I get back if that's alright?" I asked slowly. Tanaka smiled and nodded, "Yes of course my lord." he replied. I smiled back at him as Sebastian came outside, the tails on his coat flapping in the breeze, "My lord, I have spoken to the Duke on your behalf. When would you like to visit?" he asked me. I looked from him to Tanaka then back at him, "As soon as possible. I think that the sooner we get this little matter out of the way the better it will be for everyone." I said walking back towards the house. As much as I don't care for love or trivial matters from my fellow human beings, I still find it hard to believe that the Duke would really treat his own flesh and blood with such a lack of dignity as to reduce her to being little more than a common maid...? Surely there's more to it than this.
"My lord?" Sebastian said as he followed me through the empty entrance to the manor house. I knew what he was wanting to ask so rather than ask him outright, I showed him. "Sebastian, tell me, what do you make of this?" I asked, handing him the photo Tanaka had let me borrow. You see, that is the beauty of Sebastian though I dare say he doesn't know he has this quirk himself but I have found that he is quite like a dog. Yes. A dog. Even if he doesn't want to tell me something or cannot tell me something, I can still guess as to what he is thinking or how he feels about something from the aura he gives off. For example, when I showed him the photo I purposefully held it so it was covering the image of Jasmine. The instant he saw the image of her father his lip almost curled into a snarl with distaste and bitterness, like biting a gooseberry in mistaking it for a sweet grape. Still he didn't say anything. "I thought as much." I said in reply to his silence as he looked. "So... what do you make of this?" I asked further, removing my hand from hiding the image of Jasmine. Now, this reaction from Sebastian was something I hadn't expected as he doesn't show it often. A look of pure surprise caused his eyebrows to rise and his mouth to open slightly as he stared at the image of the girl who was being looked at lovingly by her family. I smirked, I couldn't help it, I love to see him struggle or show emotions he didn't mean to show and this one was quite a treat let me tell you!
"Who...? Is this your great uncle my lord?" he asked, recovering himself as I took the photo back and pointed to the old man at the back, "Yes. That's him. That one is his daughter, her late husband, and their daughter, Jasmine." I said as I pointed them out one by one. "She would be about 20 now and I am most keen to meet her... as I dare say you are too from that look you just gave." I smirked, unable to help myself from teasing him. Sebastian scowled, "Then I shall prepare the carriage to leave at once my lord." he said with a bow and left, practically storming out. I don't know, nor will I pretend to know what was going through his mind when he was the image of Jasmine but I know that the whole photo had gotten under his skin and rattled his cage. I'm not ashamed to admit I loved seeing him act this way.
A few minutes later I went to the main hall where Sebastian was waiting for me with my coat and cane. He had already packed my bags and got them onto the carriage as well as told the servants we were leaving... unfortunately we're bringing them all with us. Unfortunate for Sebastian that is. "The carriage is ready and waiting my lord." He told me with a slight bow before putting my coat on me and handing me my cane and hat. "Good." I replied bluntly as I left the manor house and walked down the steps to the courtyard where my carriage was waiting with one for the servants waiting behind it. As the house steward, I was leaving Tanaka there to keep everything under control. Despite his age and his now slowed down lifestyle, I get the feeling that Tanaka is still a very able man and that alone is the reason why I ordered Sebastian to re-hire him after the whole unfortunate fire incident. The rest of the servants, bar Sebastian, piled into the other carriage as I was seated in mine and Sebastian closed the door.
The whole journey was incredibly dull and dreary so I won't bother you with the details. Fine. I'll tell you a little of what I saw. There was a LOT of grass. A lot of trees. Some animals. Some birds. A lot of sky. A few bodies of water. A lot of clouds. A lot of rain that was on and off. There. Happy now? Nothing is more beautiful than the English countryside but I am not here to tell you about it and I'd much rather you went and saw it for yourself.
Anyway, after traveling for two days, stopping only late at night at an inn and then leaving the next day just before sunrise, we finally arrived at my great uncles estate. I don't often say it or even admit it but I was deeply impressed with the size of the place and how well it was maintained. As I mentioned, I don't say that often at all so this time was no exception. I think Sebastian understood but he knew better than to say anything as we got out of the carriage. Finny, on the other hand, was not so discreet and stood there with his jaw hung open, a hand on top of his hat to keep it there from the harsh Scottish wind, and gasped at the sights with a typical and common use of 'Wooow!' Which both the other servants repeated as they got out too.
"Ah! Ciel Phantomhive! I have been expecting you! Welcome to my home! Welcome! I am so glad that you decided to come!" An older gentleman with a white beard, very thin white hair on his head, dressed in a typically stylish suit with a top hat said as he came out of the entrance. In one hand he had a walking cane and the other hand was cast open wide in a gesture of grandeur welcome. The side opposite his cane was also something else. A girl of about twenty years old. As it was pitch black outside I could hardly see her but knew at once that she was the man's granddaughter. There was something about her that was very inviting and calming. Without even seeing her face I felt calm and at peace. "Good Evening, Hector Pendragon, Duke of Edinburgh!" I greeted him in return and found myself step forwards to take his hand of my own accord. Usually I would wait for Sebastian to be by my side, as he was currently helping remove the luggage, but with the girl there I felt comfortable enough to do so alone and unaided. "Now now, nothing so serious my dear Ciel! We are, after all, family are we not? No, please, just call me Uncle Hector!" he chuckled heartily as he stepped forwards to greet me, using the girl for support. We shook hands and I could feel Sebastian's glare at me without even looking so I found myself smiling too.
With the greetings over with the huge man turned around, back towards the gloomy and forlorn house and started limping back through the huge doors. All the while he continued to use the young woman at his side. Though we had yet to be introduced I felt certain of who she was.
I left the servants to bring in the luggage as i crossed the threshold with Sebastian walking behind. "It really is a magnificent house uncle Hector, I must admit, I am very impressed! Do you have a lot of servants to take care of the place?" I asked, using my most perfect and charming smile on him to learn what I wanted to know.
Needless to say, it worked wonderfully as it always does. "Oh no. Not at all! Only the best will do for my estate so I have Jinx here do it all." he said with gusto and pride as he put a heavy hand on the young woman's shoulder beside him. Her legs buckling slightly from the pressure. I couldn't help but frown slightly. "Ciel? Whatever is the matter?" he asked making me jump slightly. "Oh, erm, nothing uncle Hector. Only, I was under the impression that your maid was a distant cousin of mine by the name of Jasmine." I stammered, unsure what to say. "Well... Yes. Jinx is my granddaughter by blood and was given the name jasmine at birth but I felt that continuing to call her such was an insult to her father's memory. And besides, it never suited her anyway." he insisted, wafting his hand to dismiss the matter. I decided against pressing the matter and smiled politely. This made Hector smile back and he took his hand off the maid's shoulder, "Jinx, please can you escort the Earl to the guest bedroom you prepared for him?" he asked, though the tone of voice was more of a demand than a request.
"Yes, master." Jinx bowed, her blood red hair falling in front of her eyes as she curtsied towards us then took one of the suitcases we had brought with us and started leading the way towards the huge staircase that sat in the middle of the entrance hall, much akin to how it does at my manor. She picked up a candle from the table by the stairs and walked slowly up the stairs so that we could follow easily enough.
From what I could guess, Sebastian was still trying to make up his mind about Jinx as he stared at her continuously with a slight frown. "Dinner will be served shortly, I hope the room is to your liking. Once your servants have assisted you in settling please come down to dinner. I shall show them to their quarters whilst you and my master eat." she explained. Her voice was so soft and gentle... I almost felt as though I could hear my father's comforting voice in hers. Naturally i kept this to myself. "Very well." I said bluntly as I allowed Sebastian to remove my coat. "Then I shall take my leave, please excuse me, my lord." she said with a curtsy. She put the candle down and left the room.
"Aww she's beautiful! Yes she is!" Mei-Rin said, clasping her hands to her face as her cheeks went pink. The girl makes me wonder about her. "She really was very pretty, even in a maids uniform." Finny agreed, as star struck as Mei-Rin though he was at least helping unpack. "That gorgeous long red hair, as bright as a rose... those beautiful blue eyes... her pale skin but bright red lips!" Baldroy groaned as he helped unpack too. "I think you will find that she has ash mauve eyes." Sebastian said as he helped speed up the unpacking considerably. I couldn't help but smirk at that comment. "Really? Wow! What a gal!" Baldroy exclaimed in excitement.
"Now, now, lets not do anything to embarrass our young master, hmm Bard?" Sebastian sighed as he finished putting things away. Somewhere downstairs in the building a bell rang signaling dinner was ready and Sebastian went to the door, "Do you wish to grace them with your presence, my lord?" he asked me. "Yes, I suppose i shouldn't keep uncle waiting. Ensure you make yourself useful, won't you Sebastian?" I asked as we left the room. "Yes my lord. I will do my very best, as always." he said with a bow.
See, that's the best quality Sebastian has. He NEVER lies to me. Ever. So when he says he will do something, come hell or high water, he WILL do it.
With my servants going to find their quarters for the stay, Sebastian and I headed down the staircase where Jinx was waiting to escort us to the dining room where 'Uncle' Hector was sat at the head, waiting. She pulled out a chair for me near the old man which I accepted graciously as I sat down and let her push me in. All the while Hector was staring at me as though I was the star attraction at a freak show! I flashed him a small smile, hoping that would suffice but fortunately he wasn't able to stare much longer as the maid he calls Jinx, or rather my cousin Jasmine, brought through the dinner and immediately served us.
She didn't do terribly badly though she was no Sebastian and, were she serving under me and not Hector, I would certainly say something. But she wasn't and the old fool didn't correct her. Mind, had either of us corrected her I fear she might have suffered a heart attack there on the spot! It's rare I will take pity or show sympathy for another, but she was trembling like a leaf in a storm as she served her master. I dread to think of the hell he might have put her through. Though, perhaps that story is best left for another time? Yes. Another time indeed. Not suitable for the dining table.
"So! Ciel! How are you finding our quaint little home?" Hector asked, his voice booming even though I was sat, literally, right beside him. He leaned forwards eagerly to hear my response.
"It's delightful, uncle hector. It already feels like home." I said with a forced smile, knowing full well that absolutely everything that I had just said was a lie. Sebastian was smiling like a Cheshire cat... probably because he knew I was lying though sometimes it's hard to tell with Sebastian.
I continued to eat in near silence while the old fool babbled on loudly about something and nothing. And though I responded in kinds he didn't seem to care whether I did or not as he continued to talk pretty much none stop, irregardless of the dinner. Naturally I was starting to grow weary from his constant drivel so it was a blessing when the maid removed our plates, topped up our drinks and brought out dessert. "I do apologise for the lack of starters my dear Ciel! But Jinx insisted that a starter and a main followed by pudding would be too much for you when you have been travelling all day. I hope you can forgive us." he said. I glanced at him, only just realising he was expecting a response and had luckily caught what he had said, "Oh... yes... don't worry about it. Though she was right, it would have been far too much for me." I insisted taking my first bite of the dessert.
Compering the food to the stuff Sebastian serves me... well... it's hard to say. Sebastian ALWAYS gets it right. Well he did fail a LOT to start with so I expect it to be perfect now. But the dessert wasn't just perfect. It had something Sebastian couldn't put in... it was as though it had soul. Like how my mother used to make toffee sponge pudding, or treacle tart. It was bliss. I regret to write that my enjoyment of the food did not go unnoticed as I soon realised that Hector was smiling at me in a very creepy way. "It's good ain't it my boy?" he beamed. I swallowed hard, seeing how far forwards he was leaning. "Y...Yes, it is. Tell me, who is your baker? I must get them to make some for me!" I said, having been put on the spot. "Why, that's simply my Jinx's cooking!" Hector laughed, slapping the poor girl across the arse so hard she flinched and practically jumped forwards some. I felt bad for her. If that was how he praised her then I do dread to think how he would treat her when she does wrong.
I pushed the thoughts from the forefront of my mind though and savoured each bite, enjoying it with my drink. She had gone to the trouble of making me warm milk with honey in it to help me sleep well tonight. I guess the it was the drink and the dessert that gave me such a feeling of nostalgia. But, either the food or the drink, as soon as I had finished eating I found myself yawning. "Oh, do forgive me Uncle Hector." I said, my one visiblel eye closed, my hand over my mouth as I was in mid yawn. "Think nothing of it my lad! It is late though, you should get yourself to bed." he said standing up. Sebastian pulled my chair back to help me stand. "Jinx will take you up to your room with a candle." he insisted... and I was too tired to argue so I simply nodded. "Thank you Uncle. Good night. See you tomorrow." I said walking wearily over to the door we had entered through as Jinx stood waiting there with the candle in its holder. She looked quite sober as we approached her then she turned and, without a word, lead the way at a steady and calm pace, back up the stairs and to the room I was to be staying in. Sebastian was at my side constantly but I felt quite safe with her around... it was quite an odd feeling given how I don't know her. And yet, I find myself trusting her...
Once in my room for the night, she lit the candles by my bed and put the candle she had carried in a holder, "Good night, my lord. Pleasant dreams." she said, bowing and leaving. I allowed Sebastian to change me for bed as he always does. "Sebastian..." I yawned, "I want you to find out more about her... I want to know exactly who she is and why he insists on having his grand daughter as a maid..." I yawned as I climbed into bed and snuggled down under the duvet. I won't lie, I missed my Bitter rabbit who had stayed home because I had insisted I wasn't a child and didn't need my stuffed rabbit to sleep with. "Yes my lord." Sebastian bowed. There came a knock at the door. Sebastian frowned but answered it. "Forgive my intrusion... but I feel the young master would sleep better with this?" I heard her voice though I couldn't see her. "Ah. Yes. I'm certain he will be most pleased. Thank you." Sebastian said closing the door and, much to my surprise, brought over Bitter rabbit to me. I held my hands out to take it then settled down and drifted off into a wonderful peaceful sleep.