ad-her-ence: the quality of adhering; steady devotion, support, allegiance, or attachment.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Kuroshitsuji but with a female lead character, Katherine Phantomhive. The fan fiction will not exactly follow the manga/anime series as I plan to make the plot different with new exciting adventures and obstacles for the female Queen's watchdog. It will still hold the usual characters (+ new ones) and hopefully the much adored dark general concept of Black Butler ( humor for comic relief as well! )
So in short, it is my version of Black Butler with new plot arcs/missions for the Queen's watchdog, with a female lead original character as Ciel for a finishing touch of sensuality and sexiness. At least that is what I hope to accomplish since i am a mere novice. I probably plan to make it more dark as well. ( Don't we fangirls just love that dark horror cruel aspect of Kuroshitsuji? ) Ratings might change, well screw that, it will probably change.
I hope you enjoy this fan fiction and do leave reviews, follow and favorite if you like it, it would be much appreciated and loved! I own nothing of Kuroshitsuji!
Prologue:
Love, a short sweet word that holds the most crippling emotions. Every person has their sets of rules, Katherine Phantomhive ultimate rule however, is never to harbor the two most potent emotions, guilt and love. These are the two emotions that she must never bear, the world's most humane yet most vicious emotions.
The only way that she could succeed in her ultimate revenge and survive the underworld is block out her humanity. In a world so vicious and unforgiving, it's either you allow your emotions to seep through, swallowing you alive or you suppress it and remain cold and heartless.
Katherine Phantomhive was determined to lose her humanity.
What happens when the fickle emotions of humanity stands in the way of your life long mission for vengeance? Will it cure her burning and aching thirst for revenge, or will it be just a tad too late to unveil the dark clouds that blinded her and deprived her from happiness for the past years?
"Sebastian, I have sinned."
"I know."
"Damaged, tainted, ruthless, barbaric and heartless. That is what a human is."
"Is that really what humans are only capable of?"
"Those other fleeting emotions mean nothing to me, I have strayed too far off."
"Of course. I will be the one who drag your damaged soul to the burning depths of hell."
"…I look forward to that day…"
The day where you and I can finally become one by devouring my soul, she whispered to herself.
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, 1888.
The social season has finally arrived in Great Britain. Aristocrats from all around the world were invited to London for many lavish social events; nobles mingled while adorned in the most fashionable jewelry and clothes, socialize over delicate French pastries and danced to the softest music in the immense grandiose ballroom with their finest shoes.
"Lady Gabrielle, it's a pleasure to meet you." Earl Herman Coleman approached the buffet table lined with delicate snacks. He proffered his hand for her to take. Countess Gabrielle Spencer smiled pleasantly, handing her satin glove clad hand. Herman bent over and landed a quick peck on her hand as a greeting. "You are growing more beautiful everyday."
"Always a charmer, Earl." Gabrielle chuckled softly, taking away her hand. Her blond curls were in a fashionable tumble, and gold ornaments shone at her wrists and fingers and kept her pleasant sweet smile, in hopes that the wealthy Herman would take a liking to her and decide to court her for marriage.
"Are you enjoying yourself, My Lady?" Herman smiled gently, stopping a nearby server and taking refreshments for the Gabrielle and him self. "The finest champagne from France."
Gabrielle gracefully nodded her head, accepting the drink offer. "Thank you. Certainly, this ball is wonderful. I am impressed. But then again, you are known to throw the most lavish and grandiose parties." The party was truly ostentatious and extravagant, from the regal decorations to the light snacks and vintage wines.
"You flatter me, Lady Gabrielle." Herman chuckled softly, bringing the champagne glass to his lips and taking a small sip. "That is a lovely gown you have on." He complimented smoothly.
"I am delighted to hear your praise." Gabrielle looked down on her own dress. It was a beautiful pale blue gown with a long line of bodices in the middle, incorporated with realistic flower trimming. Her skirt was bell shaped and large and she paired it with a lovely pair of satin white gloves. "You must be really popular, your guest are overflowing in the ballroom."
Herman grinned and pride swelled within him. He stood up taller and straighter at that compliment. Earl Herman Connor owned a successful trading company with Asia, and he was not one to hide his prosperous business. He flaunted his wealth and connections during this lavish parties, adorned him self in stunning jewelries and boasted about his riches to his envious friends. "Yes, I suppose so."
"Oh my, is that the young Countess Katherine Phanthomhive?!" Gabrielle gasped, looking towards the marble staircase where a young woman had just emerged. Herman cocked an eyebrow up and looked towards the direction where Gabrielle was staring.
She was absolutely flawless and extraordinarily beautiful, a young innocent Victorian beauty. With luscious stunning chocolate brown locks curled to frame her slim oval face with a fine bone structure, an ivory porcelain diamond complexion and almond-shaped, deep stunning sapphire eyes with thick dark lashes – Lady Katherine was breathtakingly stunning. The young Countess was no older than fifteen, yet she was famed for being the head of a famous household at that young inadequate age.
Dressed in a lavish emerald green gown, Katherine was accompanied by her chaperone befitting the position of standing beside her. He was equally as stunning as she was, with equal beauty and ambience. The man moved gracefully and elegantly. He had jet-black hair; uncanny blazing red eyes that looked like they were cherries set into the deep shadows below his brow and a well-tailored pressed suit to frame his tall well-built figure. His spotless skin was pale, almost to a point it looked glistening marble.
"I have never expect to see her here." Gabrielle gasped, her eyes wide with astonishment. Gabrielle was an acquaintance of the Phanthomhive family. She was introduced to Katherine's late father years back at a highly coveted social gathering. "The young Countess is famed for her recluse personality that rarely shows herself. Moreover, I heard that she hated the staunch social life." She gossiped to Earl Hermon.
Katherine gracefully strolled through the room, arm in arm with her chaperone escorting her. She approached the host of the party to give her greetings, and she gracefully curtsied to him. "Earl, I am thankful for your invitation."
Since Katherine status of Countess was equal to the title of an Earl, she was free to approach him without worrying about the rules of proper British etiquette. Noblemen and ladies around her gave out a short gasp, awhile some smiled nervously at the appearance of the infamous young teenager, but it was not the guest that Katherine was watching. The uneasy glance that passed between Herman and his business partner, Count Albert across the room lasted no more than a second, but she did not miss it. Then Herman dropped her gaze the petite young girl and smiled gently.
"It is my pleasure, Lady Katherine." He greeted her in a warm tone, Hermon hesitated to ask the young countess how the she had manage to obtain an the invitation to the exclusive party, but waved it off when he reasoned that the Phanthomhive was a renowned family name and it was fairly easy for them to obtain a mere invitation.
"This is my chaperone and also my butler, Sebastian Michealis." She introduced, her smile as bright and glorious as the sunshine. The butler beside her bowed politely, his black tailcoat proper and pressed to a point it had absolutely no creases.
"Greetings, Lady Katherine." Gabrielle curtsied. "You're a rare character to find at a occasion like this." She mused lightly, her eyes downcast to look at the petite young frame of 5'1".
Katherine smiled warily at Gabrielle before turning back to the Earl. "I would love to have a proper conversation later, Earl." She glanced over to the Herman left hand, the rings he wore were studded with glorious jewels and loud sparking diamonds embedded in a white gold band and smirked. "I be delighted if you would to tell me about your brilliant jewels collection, you see I am quite fascinated with diamonds. Some say it's that diamonds are a girl's best friend."
Gabrielle fumed silently beside the Earl at Katherine's indifference. Herman managed to break into an awkward smile. "Of course, Lady Katherine. Perhaps a dance later?"
"That will do, I am quite a fine dancer myself." Katherine glanced over to the dessert sections, displaying wide varieties of marzipans cakes, puddings and chocolates. "Oh, I see Turkish Delight there. Let's go Sebastian."
Katherine casually strolled to the dessert section with Sebastian loyally following behind he. Gabrielle's and Herman's piercing venomous gaze followed her as she passed them. "Brat." Gabrielle muttered a little too tad loudly.
"My Lady, that is improper of you." Herman glanced at her shockingly. "She is still a young child, pardon her manners. She has grown up without her parents."
"Sometimes I wonder how she manages The Funtom Company. Never mind to make it as prosperous enterprise as it is today, I am surprise that a child like that could even manage a company for a day." Gabrielle grumbled irritably with an expression of faint distaste. She was not pleased in the young Countess rude behavior. She couldn't imagine that this young rude girl was the famed character known to exhibit wise business acumen and impressive keenness in management affairs.
"It will crumble soon enough." Herman swirled the champagne within his glass out of habit, eyeing the young Countess from the corner of his eyes. Katherine was pointing out the desserts with sparkling gluttony eyes for her butler to take and already had her plates piled high with sweets.
Lady Katherine was still a child after all, Herman mused to himself amusingly. He had thought too much of the infamous young head of the renowned household. It was unusual for a highborn woman to manage her own company, but it was even more unusual that a noble household head was a female. It was only because Katherine was the last descendent of the Phanthomhive family, so she had automatically inherited the titles, lands and deeds. But she wasn't much of a threat as Herman had thought of, sure she might have lacked manners and proper lady etiquette, but she was nevertheless still an innocent young girl; too young to carry the burdens of her titles.
With such sweet innocent doll-like looks, who could have imagined that Katherine was already the head of her household?
Suddenly, classical music flowed into the noisy ballroom signaling the dance of the dance. British gentlemen immediately requested the ladies for a dance awhile spectators encircled the dancing couples. Part of the social season biggest importance was to cement relationships for the future, some in terms of business awhile others undergoing a serious chase with marriage as the ultimate goal.
As promised, Herman strolled across the room, avoiding the dancing floor on the ballroom and proffered his hand out for the little Lady to take. Katherine smiled softly and accepted the dance offer, handing the plate of sweets over for Sebastian to hold.
Along the soft music from the band at the far corner, Herman led her towards the dance floor. Wearing her trusty heels to make her self seemed taller and more adult-like, Katherine's dress waved to the direction to which she leaned. She clasped her hands around Herman's elegantly and drawing attention to her doll-like features and to her long curls flowing down to her slender waist.
"You're a very graceful dancer, Lady Katherine." Herman complimented her as he led the steps. Her delicate steps were small, and elegant and seemed to have flowed naturally.
She was the complete harmonious concoction of grace, splendor, unsurpassed poise and beauty. Katherine only smiled softly at the compliment, tilting her face down almost as if she was ashamed of her talent. "I have a really good tutor, in fact, I love dancing so much so a point that I named my dances."
Herman cocked his eyebrow quizzically, before laughing out loudly. She was a still child after all, an immature child too young to attend these parties without her parents. "Yes, I name my dances sometimes as well." He jested, deciding to play along with her childish antics. Herman didn't want to burst the little lady's bubble and preferred to tease her.
"Would you like to know the name of my dance?"Katherine eyes were wide with anticipation and excitement; she seemed to be a child at that moment, and not the owner of one of Britain's famous and successful enterprise. Even Hermon found it puzzling to process in his head that this Lady was rumored to the brilliant businesswoman and the child genius.
Katherine roughly knew what Hermon was thinking and couldn't but let out a small smile. It was queer how sometimes a child's innocent eyes can see things that grown men are blind to.
"Why not, little lady?" Herman entertained her, calling her fondly. They flow harmoniously in sync through the ballroom, Katherine's emerald green dress sweeping across the sparkling marble floor.
Katherine cool sapphire eyes appraised him, and Herman seemed to have been entranced by it as he stared deeper into her sparkling crystal eyes that seemed so mesmerizing. "I will tell you, if you promise not to let go of my hand."
It was an odd request, but Herman paid it no thought. It was nothing more than a request from a harmless innocent child after all. "Yes, My Lady. You have my word." He smiled, his fine lines at the corner of his eyes showing.
Katherine smirked playfully as she quickened up the pace of her steps. Herman was puzzled at the fast pace, but followed anyway thinking that Katherine was perhaps too young and energetic to fully appreciate the art behind ballroom dancing.
As they twirled around the ballroom, Herman suspicion sparked. Last that he remembered, the ballroom was crowded and packed with his honored guest. There was no way that they could have freely danced and glided over the dancing floor without knocking into anyone.
Just as the thought popped in his head, that was when the gruesome image flashed across his eyes. The crimson color of blood, he saw, and on top laid a lifeless woman. It was so sudden, as if the murder had just occurred in a snap that Herman thought he was actually hallucinating.
Then once more, he saw it again, another lifeless body dropping to the ground, a pool of blood that welled on the floor splattered when the he dropped. Could it be? Was he hallucinating? Herman wasn't sure if it was the dancing and alcohol that he had consumed that allowed him to have these vivid vision, but he was sure now; those were not visions.
"Ah!" Hermon gasped, jolting in revulsion, dread coiling in around his stomach. He felt his blood ran ice cold through his veins. He tried to let out of his dancing partner out of reflex, but Katherine only tightened her grip around him.
"Earl Hermon, are you really not going to honor your promise with a lady?" Her voice was different now, sterner, more confident, and more powerful. Horror flashed across his face when he saw Katherine's malicious expression, her large almond shape eyes narrowed down fiercely, and her plump lips curling into a dreadful malevolent smile that didn't match her delicate features at all. "Didn't you want to hear the name of my dance?" She taunted grimly, filled with sick amusement.
The Earl was horrified, his complexion had gone into a ghastly white, but he couldn't muster the strength in him to roughly push Katherine away or shake her hard grip even if she was much weaker than he is. He was blinded with the purest form of fear and anxiety. Somehow, he was terrified of the steel threading behind Katherine's words; it was a warning, no doubt.
"What's wrong Earl?" Katherine feigned concern, noticing that he was reluctant in moving and his posture had gone straight stiff. "Are you not having fun?" Hermon couldn't speak, his words seemed to have died on the back of his throat and he painfully swallowed. He was frightened of what he was seeing; frightened of what this little innocent lady might do and frightened above all else of the Countess's voice, that cold voice that was like a rapier dancing, beautiful and deadly and utterly merciless.
Then he heard it, the horrifying cries, the wailings inflicted under screeching pain - they were screaming as the brutal slaughter carried on, he heard bodies drop nosily onto the floor and he could even smell it. The smell of crimson iron filled blood was wafting in the air. It was so pungent. So much to a point that it felt all the oxygen had been sucked away from his body replaced by only the aroma of toxic blood. It was the scent of death and the sounds of the horrors going on in his ballroom; his senses only confirmed the dire situation he was in.
His scream froze in his throat. His muscles were frozen, too, held motionless by his terror—and by some nameless force. The temperature dropped and it was unusually chilly. He'd felt the wind, a cold gust that had blown out the candles on the buffet tables. Hermon would have sworn the doors and windows were shut.
Just as the hairs on his arms began to stand and Goosebumps started to form, he took a rough moment to look at his shoes, noticing the splattering sounds whenever he took a step. What he saw was enough to for his senses to come to a resounding halt; he was stepping in a pile of crimson thick blood. The once beautiful green material that Katherine wore glided over the red-stained floor, soaking up the scarlet blood.
As much as he wanted to freeze up in absolute fear, Herman fear one thing more than blood pool beneath his soles. It was a petite little lady of fifteen in front of him, looking as stoic and calm as ever amidst the chaos, like she was use to the sight. It was almost as if Katherine was so accustomed to the gruesome spectacle that she didn't even flinch anymore and remained indifferent, instead, she embraced and cherished the moments with the same blessed apathetic gaze.
The sceneries changed abruptly as Herman glided throughout the dancing floor, the once grandiose ostentatious decorated ballroom with just under a hundred guest was now painted into the ghastly color of malevolent crimson, changed into a picturesque massacre, and the once stunning white marble floor formed a pool of blood and corpses.
Finally, Katherine abruptly halted and released her grip on the Earl's hand. Hermon fell to ground, his stomach sick with horror and his knees weak with fear. He took a moment to observe his surroundings, chanting and praying that it was all a dream, a hallucination, or even a sick thought. But it was reality. The thin pool of blood welled beneath him from the drained corpses, the life source of his business partners, his friends, and his colleagues – his guests.
"W – what… have you done?" Hermon was shaking by this point, flabbergasted and beyond means and the reality of the events was still processing in his mind. It was too shocking, too revolting, and too sudden. It just under five minutes, how could someone massacre so silently, so skillfully, and so quickly? The sight his grandiose ballroom filled with socializing noblemen and ladies had suddenly turned into an appalling mass slaughter in a snap.
Katherine peered at him with a look of disdain. "My hunting dog just got hungry, and I forget to feed to him. So sorry about that." She smiled cheekily, her eyes turning crescents. "I was hoping to play a little more with you. It's regrettable that this game had to end so early, you see, I am very impatient. Children are after all, very impatient."
She shrugged idly and sighed before lifting her gaze off the trembling appalled Earl and towards the mouth immense staircase where her faithful butler awaits. "Sebastian, take care of the whining dog, and where did you put my Turkish delight?"
"Yes, young mistress. I have specifically picked up the biggest pieces for you and place it on the table right there." Sebastian replied with a bright smile, looking as prim and proper as ever. "I suggest that you slow down on the sweets as we will be having dinner soon."
"Finally." Katherine cried softly, reverting her attention to her sweets on the unstained table and waving off Sebastian's concerns. She quickly prodded her way over, tugging her damp gown across the ballroom. The blood stained her marble on the floor, leaving a grisly trail of scarlet whenever she went. "Ugh." Katherine grunted, noticing that her favorite dress was heavier than usual and looked down to see it stained scarlet and soaked with blood. "Couldn't you do it a little more elegantly?"
"My apologies." Sebastian bowed his head down, his stone ruby eyes shimmering underneath the chandelier, a foreboding warning. Katherine rolled her eyes at his small apology and grunted.
"What the hell are you?!" Hermon's heart rate began to elevate immensely, as the approaching butler stood slow condensing strides towards him. He watched the indifference conversation between the butler and mistress with a pure look of stunned silence – how could anyone react like that in a horrifying time like this? He began crawling backwards, fearful for what was going to happen. These people are not normal; they can't be normal.
"Me?" Sebastian chuckled curtly. "I am just one hell of a butler." He smirked coldly, enjoying every bit of the fear radiating from the human below him. Sebastian enjoyed the hunt, he loved seeing the prey writhe in agony and fear. He bowed his head closer to a trembling Hermon and his black pupils turned in to silts in his red eyes. "I thought it would be fun to see you looking that way a little bit longer, but young mistress's orders are absolute."
The hot pain shot up Hermon's lower back and twisted around his heart, he turned to the Katherine for a final plea for his life. "Lady Katherine, please! I will do anything you want! Let me live! Tell him to stop!"
His pleas were met with nothing but cheerful murmuring of Katherine as she picked up the sweet candy and popped it into her mouth, savoring the sweetness flowing on her palette.
"AHHH!" Hermon's screamed when he felt a firm grip at his leg. He turned quickly to meet with his wildest fears as the elegant inhumanly beautiful butler greeted him with a calm sophisticated smile with a touch of maliciousness added to it.
"Stay away! Let me go! You can't do this!" The Earl kicked and screamed, trying to loosen the tight grip on his leg, but it was futile. "ARGHHHH!" Hermon shouted in agony when the iron grip on his leg suddenly clenched down, piercing through his pants and skin and digging into the flesh like it was soft butter. The strength of the grip was barbarically strong, inhumane even; Hermon could feel his bones cracking under the weight. How is this possible?
"Thank you for your hospitality, the Young Mistress really enjoyed the ball." Sebastian grinned sardonically, his row of pearl white teeth in full view. Hermon's eyes widen to saucers when he saw the row of pearly white teeth; for there were two sharp un-human fangs protruding out of his upper gums. Sebastian found his fury, his striking ruby orbs turning into a glistening fuchsia and he came up snarling, pouncing onto the frozen fear-stricken Earl.
Katherine knew that the deed was done was she popped the last of the Turkish delight into her mouth and the room went eerily silent. Placing the empty plate back on ivory linens, she whipped back to where Hermon was and strolled across the room with an expressionless face.
She bent over towards the lifeless corpse, tightening her lips as she observed the wide appalled eyes of the deceased Earl as he took his final breaths. Sighing, she grabbed his hand and pulled five glorious sparkling gemstones and diamonds rings off his fat chubby fingers.
Lady Katherine threw the jewels rings to Sebastian standing idly by the side waiting for an order. He caught each ring skillfully. "Give them to the beggars or the pheasants, I will not have something touched by a useless pig." Katherine declared, staring apathetically at the corpse at her feet.
"But didn't we come for the stolen jewels, Young mistress?" Sebastian pointed out, looking at the blood stained rings in his soaked red-stained gloves. Blood sprayed out across the ballroom, as red as summer wine. "These aren't the only jewels that he had taken."
Katherine made a noise underneath her nose and crossed her arms across her budding chest. "True, the jewels from my mine, they are rightfully my property. This useless excuse of an Earl installed his workers in my mines and stole the jewels for his own usage and to sell them, thinking that I would be stupid enough to not notice, but I don't want them. I am just not happy with him having what belongs to me." She explained haughtily, snapping her fingers.
"He was foolish to think he could underestimate me, and he paid the price, with his life, all for a just few sacks of stupid jewels. He thought of me as inferior little young girl and hesitated to act first, and that hesitation caused his lost." She spat in acrimony and disgust. Humans were always so greedy and lustful.
Sebastian smiled wickedly at his young mistress's words, admiring how very unique this human master was. She was one of a kind, a precious and rare soul. Katherine was so arrogant and shrewd for a fifteen-year old that it amazes him. Unyielding, strict and proud, stern on her orders especially in the assertion of her authority. So innocent, yet so stained. Sebastian loved the ironic element embedded in her.
A soft whimper flowed into her ears and Katherine curiously turned to the direction of the sound. Ruffling sounds were heard shortly after and upon further inspection, Katherine frowned when she came face to face with an alive tear-stricken Gabrielle hiding behind the tables.
"What is she doing here?" Katherine turned to Sebastian, who peered over her head and glanced at the frightened and shivering female. Sebastian was much taller than Katherine, almost towering her you could say, Katherine just barely reached his shoulders.
"You have ordered everyone directly related to the schemes placed the Funtom Company brought down, Lady Gabrielle was merely a invited guest to the exclusive event and had no relations to the Earl's scheme to bring down Phantomhive name, it appears that Earl Hermon wanted to court her." Sebastian explained, observing the trembling female looking as distressed as ever.
Katherine sighed, looking at the pitiful Lady Gabrielle. "Well, it is simply unfortunate that she was here. We can't risk any witnesses, so do as you please and make it quick. It has been a long time since you had a little snack as precious as this, be sure to enjoy it." Her lips turned into a smile when she saw the terror strike the Gabrielle's face.
"Please! I won't say anything!" Gabrielle cried and pleaded, but again was greeted with Katherine's indifference and apathetic expression. "I beg of you!"
"Burn the place." Katherine commanded swiftly towards Sebastian. "I will not let you off if you tarnish my dress once again." She berated her loyal butler and was met with a weak smile of understanding and a small bow.
They left the building, leaving behind a fantastic splendor display of raging fire, skillfully carried out in the art of arson. Fire started blazing all around, destroying the splendid giant mansion and reducing everything to smithereens. It's orange tongue flicked up into the high sky, licking the oxygen around. The building started to crumble slowly under the fearsome fire. Katherine curled up comfortably in the arms of her butler as he carried her out of the building. She sighed and closed her eyes, worn out and fatigued from her long trip.
Her carriage was nearby, pulled by two strong muscular black horses. Sebastian carefully placed his young mistress into the carriage and hopped on. Katherine was beginning to fall asleep, her eyes droopy and blurry from the smoke of the fire. She rested her head on the carriage door, the vibration from the rocky grounds transferring to the door.
"How long before we reach the manor?" Katherine inquired in a grim voice, bothered by her sticky gown and her grumbling stomach. She was fatigued and in need of sleep.
"Perhaps an hour?" Sebastian replied coolly, taking off his red-stained gloves and changing into a pair of fresh satin ones. He smiled at his young mistress, noticing her moving around uncomfortably in her seat. "I will have tea prepared and some snacks when we arrive, as well as a warm bath."
Sighing once more, she looked at her faithful butler calmly seated in front of him before averting her eyes away. "Oh, I had forgotten to tell him the name of his last dance. I do have to tendency to forget about it." She murmured bitterly, her face calm and devoid of any emotions.
"What have you named it young mistress?" Sebastian questioned, looking intrigued as he watched his fascinating young sweet thing in front of him. So young, so innocent, so fresh and doll-like, yet so tainted and scarred within, so capable of doing horrifying things in a blink of an eye. She was epitome of the phrase "don't judge a book by its cover."
"It's a little bit dramatic, really." Katherine replied idly, staring out into the lush evergreens that became the scenery from the carriage window. She enjoyed the beautiful bright colors that the dense forest brings. "But it really simplifies the roots and culture of the dance."
"Oh really?" Sebastian entertained her, tidying up himself with the creases on his tailcoat. He too was curious of what she named the dance.
"I call it…" Katherine's sapphire eyes moved from the evergreen landscape to the burning red eyes of her beloved butler. Her lips curled into a sadistic smirk and her butler's expression mirrored hers.
"The deathly dance of the loyal demon."