Sebastian Michaelis sighed heavily as he lowered himself onto his favorite chair. Across from him, Ciel sat silently, both demons were facing each other but refused to make eye contact.
"How shall we handle this situation then?"The older demon asked quietly.
"Best thing to do it to come right out and say it when they get here. They're grown now." The former earl replied, watching the flames flickering in the fireplace.
"They may be grown Ciel, but I doubt that will soften the news for them. How does one do such a thing?"
"You can't I suppose. They have their own lives now and it's not like we're just- We waited for them to be able to care for themselves before we decided to tell them. I think we've kept it together well. Evian might already know, you know how he is."
"Yes, but how can we expect them to feel any other way than hurt, they have not seen anything that would cause suspicion. We've always shown them that everything is fine. The shock alone may very well-"
"Pardon me, Masters, the princes and princesses have arrived." Cynna announced bowing his head. Sebastian caught sight of the butler's backward antlers, once a source of amusement to him, he found that now he could not smile.
Sebastian and Ciel rose to greet their children as they entered. Ciel's heart filled with sadness almost immediately upon seeing their smiling faces. How could he tell them?
"Mum, Dad, how are you?" Rowan greeted, wrapping his arms around his mother.
"Good, and what about you Rowan, look how tall you've gotten." Ciel commented as he released his son.
"Fine, I've only just come from completing a contract, you might be surprised at how many willing souls one can find across the sea. It's good to be home.
"We're very glad to have you all here, the castle, well it just hasn't been the same." Sebastian said. "If you'll all come into the parlor, your mother and I have something to say once you're settled in.
"Mom's finally decided to let grandfather show him how to-"
"No, Vincent, it has nothing to do with your grandparents."Ciel interrupted as he hugged each of his children and the group proceeded to their destination.
Once inside, they noticed the sofas had been placed in front of two chairs and they were instructed to be seated.
"Mama, what's wrong, you and Dad seem a little different tonight." Evian commented, Ciel and Sebastian sat down in the chairs.
"I could say the same for some of you. You hugged your mother but didn't say a word. Rachel, Angelina, Kathryn and you Evian, my son, you are usually the first to offer a warm greeting to your dear mother."
"Yes, please forgive me, I sensed that something was different as I said and I didn't know what to say. My sisters have picked up on my uncertainty and followed suit." The young princesses nodded solemnly.
"I see, well, my dear ones, your mother and I just want you to know that no matter what, we will always love you and-"
"Are you or Mom ill?"Angelina asked throwing a concerned glance to Kathryn.
"No, we're well enough. But please try to understand that what we are about to tell you is- it's not easy to say." Evian bowed his head. The action from their older brother seemed to alarms the Michaelis siblings greatly. Sebastian and Ciel looked at each other.
"Well, your mother and I have come to the decision that it would be for the best if we-"
"I'll tell them if it's better for you." Ciel offered.
"No. I won't put that on you, as their father, it's my responsibility." The older demon insisted.
"Sebastian-"
"It's alright, Ciel. Now then, after we tell you the news, I invite you to say anything you feel that you need to. We still love you as much as we always have and nothing can change that. I say this again because I feel that it's very important to keep that in mind during this conversation. Your mother and I have decided that it's for the best to...go our separate ways."