Natalia Bennet was dying.
An odd way to start off the story, but the best place nonetheless.
Everything else aside, Natalia Thornton was lying in a pool of her own blood, a gash on the back of her neck, and very obviously dying. The only thing keeping her alive was sheer willpower, but even that was starting to fade away. Her thoughts were leaving her as her mind grew clouded. She couldn't think straight- no, at this point, she couldn't quite think at all. She could feel her resolve fading away, as a comforting darkness tempted her. But a shrill laugh just above her head reminded her that she couldn't go quite yet. She couldn't! She had to defeat this thing, this, this… monster! This demon!
The creature above her laughed again, obviously amused by Natalia's state. The dying girl wanted to do anything, anything at all! But she couldn't! All she could do was weakly move her hand, trying to reach the laughing woman's leg, but she couldn't even do that once a high-heeled foot crushed her pale palm. Natalia was too numb to even wince.
The woman above her still laughed, and laughed, and laughed…
Natalia couldn't scream. She couldn't speak. She couldn't move as the demoness knelt down beside her. The woman smirked. "Aw, come on! Giving up already?" She asked. She lifted up Natalia's chin, and guided the girls face up close to hers. "Or is there still a spark in those eyes?" The demoness tilted Natalia's head to each side before faking a pouty face. "Was I wrong then? Or do you wish to prolong your miserable existence? Just say the word."
The demoness tapped the gash on Natalia's neck.
"Ahhhrgh… Iahhhh…."
Incoherent noises spilled from Natalia's mouth as the demoness smiled sweetly. "What is it?"
"I… I waaahnnnn… oooo…"
Natalia could feel herself fading, but she was beginning to feel too numb to panic accordingly. With her final breath, she uttered one word:
"Live."
She passed out, her breathing shallow and quick. Her pulse was growing weaker by the moment, but the demoness just smiled once again.
"And live you shall… mistress…"
"Don't worry Lord Phantomhive, we'll see to it that she is returned home safely," Natalia said, giving a slight nod towards the bluenette boy.
Ciel nodded in return. "Of course," He said, before walking away. Natalia winced. Cold as ice, like always…
She sighed, and climbed into the carriage with Lady Elizabeth, who was sound asleep with a soft smile on her face. Natalia smiled at her mistress before a familiar chuckle made her frown.
"Aw, are you glad to have your mistress home?" The blonde woman across from her said. Said woman was gorgeous, light blonde hair swept back out of her face, in perfect waves down her back. Her lips were naturally red, and her eyes were a dark stormy blue, almost gray.
Natalia hated this woman with her whole entire being.
She stiffened. "I am merely glad that she enjoyed herself. Is there anything wrong with that Chienne?" She asked, her voice oddly clipped.
Chienne Renard, or as she was called, laughed. "Oh, nothing. It's just odd to see you smile," She responded.
Natalia rolled her eyes. She had been working for Lady Elizabeth for a little over two years by this point, and had grown accustomed to the girl's wild, yet sweet, nature, and she had grown to enjoy it as well. Lady Elizabeth was kind to her, and treated her as a friend rather than a servant. How she could put up with her stoic fiance was beyond Natalia.
Chienne sighed and looked out the window. "I don't why you bother to work for this puny brat. I could give you anything you wanted…" The blonde woman mumbled.
Natalia frowned. "I don't want anything from you," she said curtly, before turning her head out the opposite window. "Why you keep insisting we try to take over the Midford household is beyond me… like we could, even if I wanted to. Which I don't."
Chienne sighed once more. "If you say so. But remember…"
She leaned over to Natalia so she could whisper in her ear. "You give the order, I give you it all… anything you could want is in your reach…"
Natalia swatted the woman away. "Like I said before, no. I want nothing from you."
Chienne laughed, and retreated towards the opposite side of the coach. "If you say so… mistress."
Natalia shuddered. "Don't. Just… just don't…" She mumbled.
"Oh? Is that-"
"That's an order."
A shiver ran down Chienne's spine as her mistress said those three words.
"Of course…"
A low grumbling noise escaped Natalia's lips as she recalled what had led Chienne to being her maid.
The demoness, after slaughtering Natalia's family, had closed in on Natalia, but sensing resistance from her, chose instead to make a contract, so she could break Natalia's soul. But luckily for Natalia, the girl hadn't been broken yet. Scarred, terrified, and humiliated, yes, but broken? Not yet, and not ever.
Several times the blonde demoness had offered to help Natalia, to improve her social status, her rank in society. But Natalia had refused, instead choosing to try to find work with Chienne. Meeting Lady Elizabeth had been a blessing. The bubbly blonde had immediately taken a liking to Natalia, claiming that she was "just too cute, even though she was a tad bit filthy". One thing led to another, and soon, 14 year old Natalia had secured a job. Unfortunately, Chienne had worked her way into one as well, so she could keep an eye on her true mistress.
Natalia felt rage bubble up inside her. She would live. She would live, and one day, she would kill Chienne.
That is my promise.
Hello there!
So, how'd you like it? Just figured that I'd state that I don't own Kuroshitsuji, and thanks for reading, and yadda yadda yadda. All that stuff people say in AN's. But seriously, thanks for reading! Readers! Yay~!
So, this chapter takes place in that episode in season one where you first meet Lizzy. Gosh, even though some people hate her, I've always liked Lizzy. But what do you guys think of Natalia? Chienne? (Oh, and if you want to know why she has such an odd name, type in her full name, Chienne Renard, to google translate. It's french, btw.)
So, thanks again for reading this first chapter! Yay~! I'll try to update soon!
- Sadsally514