The ball had finally ended and the young noble had just waved off the last departing guest.
He shut the large set of doors and turned to find a certain brunette maid sweeping the floor. A smile formed on his face as he took a step forward, "Joseline."
Joseline is a maid who has been working at the Vaughn estate for six years. She's fairly young, being only eighteen years old. Her and Elias have always been rather close, but little does she know, his feelings for her go much deeper than just servant and master.
Elias has had these feelings for her ever since he laid eyes on her. It was love at first sight- but he would never admit that, of course.
Not until today.
The maid's eyes peered up as her gaze landed on the blonde. "Yes, young master?"
He strolled towards the other side of the room, gesturing for her to follow behind him. "Come here for a moment." He spoke as he walked out onto the terrace.
The maid did as she was told and followed him outside. When she got out there, he was already leaning against the railing, staring up at the starry night sky. She smiled softly as she took her place beside him.
"The sky looks beautiful tonight, don't you agree?" She asked.
His gaze shifted to the girl's face as he stared into her hazel orbs. "You look beautiful tonight."
A light chuckle slipped through her pastel lips, "You're too kind."
"I mean it." He spoke solemnly.
Her eyes widened slightly and a rose pink blush spread across her ivory complexion. She turned her head away as she spoke, "Young master-"
"Don't call me that." He sighed, "It's just the two of us. You can call me by my name."
Her lips parted, but before she could speak, the doors behind them busted open. Her heart had jumped as a result of the loud noise, and she turned to face whoever it was who had joined them.
"Elias Zephyr Vaughn." A voice called out.
A smirk pulled at the young noble's lips as he turned to face the man. "Theo Nathaniel Manning."
Though this man was not very well-known to the public, it was Elias' job as heir to the Vaughn name to know about people like him: people who trade drugs, weapons, and various other goods within the black market.
"Do forgive me for intruding, but I hear it's your fifteenth birthday." Theo spoke, narrowing his hazel hues at the boy. "I do hope you had a good day."
Elias rose a brow, "I appreciate the gesture, but I don't believe you came all the way here just to congratulate me."
"You catch on quick." He grinned. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a pistol, pointing it directly at Elias' head.
A gasp escaped the maid's mouth as she took a step back.
"Give me the Vaughn household's secret family heirloom or get shot." He threatened, his finger just itching to pull the trigger anyways.
Although no one outside of the Vaughn family knows what the secret heirloom is, there's been rumors going around saying that it's something of great value, practically priceless. Occasionally, some wise guy will sneak into the manor and try to steal it. Needless to say, it's never worked out for any of them.
The noble laughed lightly before holding his arms out and shrugging his shoulders. "Deepest apologies, Sir Manning, but I'm afraid I can't do that. It's out of my hands."
The reason Elias was acting so calm and collected was because he knew the bullet wouldn't be able to hurt him. It's because he's cursed. Everyone born into the Vaughn family is cursed, actually. In short, the curse causes them to be vampires; thus, making them immortal.
Another reason for his confident behavior was because he could clearly see his demon butler Savaric standing right behind the man.
"Have it your way." The man muttered, pulling the trigger.
An expression of confusion quickly claimed the noble's face when he saw that Savaric was not going for the bullet, but rather, he went for Theo.
"ELIAS!"
Blood splattered onto the railing of the terrace and as the body hit the ground, the crimson liquid pooled around it.
But it wasn't Elias who got shot...
The blonde looked down at the ground in awe. His heart had dropped when he saw the motionless body of the only woman he had ever loved.
He fell to his knees and lifted the girl into his arms. "Joseline..." He spoke softly, carefully cradling her in his arms. "You're going to be fine, alright? Just- Just stay with me, okay? Savaric will get a doctor and he'll fix you right up!"
It was obvious she was struggling to keep consciousness. Even though she must have been in so much pain, she managed to smile up at the boy. "Young master..."
The blonde's vision was becoming blurred by the tears that threatened to fall from their barrier. "I'm sorry that it took me so long to say it, but I love you. I love you so much, you wouldn't even understand." He laughed halfheartedly.
Her angelic voice was hardly audible, "I'm sorry..." Her smile soon faded and her eyes slowly closed, a blank expression making its way onto her face.
"Joseline, open your eyes." He spoke quietly as he gently shook the girl, as if trying to wake her up. When she failed to respond, tears started to escape the boy's glassy eyes. "Joseline, please... I don't care if you don't feel the same way, I'm perfectly content with just being able to remain by your side. So, please... Just open your eyes..."
Elias woke up in a cold sweat with a racing heart. He let out a deep breath when he realized it was morning, and he placed his hand on his chest as he tried to steady his heartbeat.
It's been almost four years since Joseline died, and yet, he can still remember it so clearly. He's tried to forget about it- oh, how he's tried- but it never seemed to work. The harder he tried not to think about it, the more lucid it became.
He constantly wondered why Savaric didn't stop the bullet, yet he never bothered asking him. Maybe he didn't want to know. He didn't want to hear why that damned demon thought it was alright to let his first love die.
Elias ran his fingers through his hair as he then swung his feet over the edge of the large bed and stood up. He made his way into the washroom and paused in front of the mirror, scanning his reflection.
His golden locks were messily tousled and dark circles were noticeably forming around his strikingly gorgeous viridescent orbs. His skin was slightly paler than usual; he looked like a walking corpse.
A heavy sigh escaped his lips before he then splashed water onto his face and went back into his room to prepare himself for the day.
There was a knock on the door. "Young master." A familiar voice called out from the other side.
"Come in." Elias mumbled, fastening the last button on his shirt.
Without a second to spare, the door swung open and there in the entrance stood Savaric.
Savaric was a rather enticing looking man despite his dark air. His pallid complexion, piercing silver hues, and shoulder-length raven hair may seem intimidating to most, but he was actually rather captivating.
"What is it that you want?" Elias asked, dropping his arms to his sides as he peered over to the dark butler. "It must be important if you came to me and not my father. That, or it must not be important at all."
A slight grin pulled at the servant's lips. "Lord Marcellus had requested that you attend Aleister Chamber's ball in his place. It would seem that he's connected to the disappearances of the young women, and Her Majesty would like the Vaughn household to take care of the matter."
"Tch." He scoffed, "If Her Majesty wants it done, don't you think the lord of the house should do it? It's his job, isn't it?"
"I believe you'll find it in your interest to attend tonight's ball." Savaric spoke with a carefully hidden smirk on his face.
Elias could easily sense the smirk in his words, raising a brow in result. "Oh? How so?"
"There will be an auction taking place and I have a feeling that one of the pieces is something you'd find to your liking." The demon spoke with a devious gaze.
For some reason, this really intrigued the noble. He pursed his lips together for a moment before speaking, "And what exactly is this mystery item, if I may ask?"
Savaric shrugged, "Why don't you go see for yourself?"
Elias always hated how he couldn't get information out of that damned demon. It's because he's not the one with the contract, it's his father. The demon only has to obey the lord of the house. You see, the Vaughn 'family heirloom' is Savaric.
For several generations, the lord of the house would form a contract with him and have his loyalty to protect them and the their family until the contract is fulfilled. In return, Savaric will get to devour their souls.
Since it's not yet time for Elias' contract to begin, Savaric takes advantage of this and teases the boy. He'll be passive about things and keep secrets, but he'll let it be known that there's something being hidden from him.
The only way Elias ever finds out what exactly it is, is when he goes headfirst into whatever direction Savaric leads him in. Although he may seem hesitant at first, he knows the demon would never put him in harm's way. Or, at least he hoped not, though he knew it would not kill him.
As for why an immortal being such as a vampire would need to form a contract with a demon- it's because of that very fact. The only way they won't have to suffer an eternity of loneliness is if a demon takes their soul. In a twisted way, I suppose you could call it 'mutual benefit.'
"Fine." Elias muttered, "I'll go."
The raven butler smirked. "I'll prepare the carriage."
The servant and master stood side by side in a dimly lit room full of masked people. They stood in front of a stage where 'goods' were being auctioned.
"So, care to tell me what exactly it is that's going to pique my interest?" Elias questioned quietly.
Savaric placed his index finger over his lips in a hushing manner as he whispered, "Wait."
The blonde's brow arched in irritation. "Wait?" He whispered angrily, "All I've been doing is waiting!"
The demon turned to him, a mischievous grin plastered to his face. "Wait a little longer."
The noble pursed his lips together as he shifted his gaze back to the stage.
The Viscount of Druitt was the host of this auction, and so he was the one announcing all of the items up for trade.
"And now," Aleister Chamber began, dramatically ripping off a sheet that covered a large cage, "We have a beautiful little robin with mesmerizing bicolored eyes! One orb as blue as the ocean and the other a lovely lavender~! She's truly a beauty like no other!"
It took all of Elias' strength not to burst into laughter upon realizing who exactly the 'girl' in the cage was.
"Is that who I think it is?" He asked, letting out a small chuckle.
Savaric nodded, "Indeed it is."
"Ciel Phantomhive." Elias recited with a large grin. "He truly is the Queen's lapdog."
Currently, Ciel sat unconsciously with his back against one of the bars of the cage with his wrists bound together. He wore a frilly pink dress and he had large cerulean pigtails hanging all the way down to his waist.
The Viscount then stepped forward. "So, I think the bidding should start at-" He was interrupted by someone approaching him from the side of the stage. They whispered something in his ear and then they exchanged looks before Aleister spoke again. "Excuse the interruption, but it would appear a jewel has been anonymously donated to tonight's exhibit."
Just then, Ciel opened his eyes. He shot a glare at everyone in his line of sight before saying something under his breath. This did not go unnoticed by the other noble, however, he merely shrugged it off under the assumption the boy was calling for his butler.
The masked person who had previously come on the stage to whisper something to the Viscount had come back with another cage, except this one was slightly smaller than the one that the blunette was occupying.
Aleister removed the cloth from the cage, and it revealed an unconscious young girl. Her skin resembled porcelain and her brunette hair had a wavy texture to it. She looked almost like a doll.
It really fascinated Elias that they would completely forget about Ciel and bring in what seemed to be just a regular girl.
Before anyone could even react, the room was engulfed in darkness. Shrieks and screams could be heard coming from every which direction, and within a moment of time, the lights were back.
All of the masked people who once crowded the room were now lying on the ground either about to lose consciousness, or already had. Elias and Savaric were the only ones who remained standing.
"Michaelis." Savaric spoke up, eyeing the other demon.
Sebastian glanced at him with a smirk dancing on his lips. "Piper."
Elias stepped forward, brushing past his butler. "Rather than pointlessly arguing with this bastard, shouldn't you just worry about your little princess over there?"
"Princess?" Ciel scoffed, "You-"
"Don't forget what you're wearing, Phantomhive." The blonde quickly retorted, not even bothering to glance at the boy.
A scowl had claimed the blunette's lips as he then turned to face his butler. "Get me out of this damn cage."
"Of course, my lady." Sebastian spoke with an entertained expression.
"Don't call me that!" The boy huffed, clenching his fists ever so tightly as he angrily stepped out of the cage.
It truly was a sight to see. Usually the young earl would keep his cool, but whenever he's near Elias, it's almost impossible for him to conceal his frustration.
"Lets go." He ordered sternly, briskly walking past his butler.
The master and servant soon left the building, leaving only Elias and Savaric standing in the poorly lit room full of bodies.
"Perhaps we should take our leave as well." Savaric suggested.
"Hold on." The blonde spoke quietly, eyes positioned on the girl who was previously being introduced in the auction.
"What is it?" The demon asked, watching the noble curiously.
Elias stalked over to the insensible girl and scanned her features. He noticed that she truly was breathtaking upon closer inspection. He reached his hand out and lightly brushed his fingertips against her cheek, examining the doll-like freckles that were scattered on her small nose.
For some reason unknown to him, he felt drawn to her. He just stood there, entranced by her beauty. That is, until Savaric pulled him out of his daze.
"Young master?" He called out, trying catch the blonde's attention.
The noble blinked, turning his head away from the girl to look at his butler. "Lets take her back to the manor with us."