Until the very End

Chapter 02:
His Master enjoys the quiet everyday Life

"Young master!"
Abruptly, I sat up straight in my bed and tried to gain some air among my panting. The first thing I realized was the sweaty nightgown, which snuggled up against my warm body. Through this heat, the pictures of the recent nightmare sent a chill down my spine. With a shake of my head I tried to recover consciousness.

As I let my sight wander around my bedroom, I realized through the closed windows that it had to be night yet. It was dark outside. I couldn't even see moonlight. Merely the flickering glow of a candle stand lightened the room.

I looked to where the light came from to find the silhouette of my butler next to it, who now put the candle holder on the nightstand. Then he handed me a cup. I took it and examined the white liquid, while I appreciated the warmth of it in my hands.

"A cup of warm milk with honey should soothe your senses, young master."

With a nod, I took a sip and felt almost immediately how my body clearly relaxed on it. Sebastian had been right. He always is. Furthermore, he always knows what I need, even without me knowing. Whilst the fact that he wasn't even human, he could plagiarize a better one than I actually was, which was quite considerable.

"Since you obliterated Noah's Ark Circus and thwarted Kelvin's machinations, you once again tend to have diverse nightmares more often," Sebastian said and stared at me with his ruby-red eyes, which let goosebumps spread all over my body.

Whatever, I didn't know what he wanted to state. On the one hand, I believed to hear concern, which also reflected on his countenance. I quickly scrapped this thought as it was kind of silly.

Why should Sebastian Michaelis be anxious about me?

He was a powerful demon.

And I was a mere human.

After I drank up the milk, he took the cup, suggested a brief bow, wished me a pleasant rest - even if there wasn't much left of it - and disappeared through the door.

Silence perfused the room. I leaned back into the soft pillow and cogitated about my dream. That my parents happened to make an appearance in my nightmares wasn't a rarity, as well as those weeks of my captivity. But the situation with Elizabeth was new to me. Generally I never dreamed of Elizabeth - especially not of her death.

At the image of her dead body in my arms, my body began to shake slightly.

Lizzy could be quite annoying; even so, she was one of the most important people to me. She really meant a lot to me. Not because she was my fiancée or because she obviously had certain feelings for me. Even less because I held some sentiments for her, or at least no romantic or sexual sentiments. And certainly not because she was essential for my title of nobility, my prestige, and the alleged preservation of the Phantomhive bloodline.

No, I wasn't interested in any of these shenanigans. It was quite the opposite. I harbored deep feelings of friendship towards my childhood friend. To have to see her in situations like in that dream, hurt awfully in my chest.

To diverge myself from those kind of pipe dreams, I rolled over as to give them the cold shoulder.

Astonishingly, this gesture worked. So, instead, there appeared pictures of silk black hair, pale skin and red eyes in my head. A tingle spread through my stomach, while I slowly drifted into a dreamless sleep.


"My Lord, it is time to wake up," the soft voice of my butler said. I turned away from where the voice came from. But in the next moment the curtains were pushed aside, which caused the blinding sunlight to fall directly onto my face. Therefore, I turned back to the other side und pulled the warm blanket over my head.

I heard Sebastian sighing, before he opened one of the windows. Although the obtrusive chirping of some birds outside annoyed me within seconds, I sat up.

Yawning, I stretched myself to awake my still tired muscles.

"Good morning, young master. Soon it will be summer. The temperature outside has already reached a mild 20°C. In honor of this occasion, I prepared scones with fresh berries. Thereto is an aromatic Darjeeling to encourage your gustatory nerves at this early hour."

Like every day, he explained with an appropriate smile the served food and rolled the metal tray in front of me, on which those implied scones were, as well as an elaborately ornamented teapot and a teacup with the same pattern as the pot.

After he had filled the cup, he waited for me to come towards him. I complied to his mute request and sat on the edge of the bed. Still sleepy, I took the cup and sipped on the hot tea.

Even though he knew what was coming next, he waited like every morning for my command: "Tell me today's schedule, Sebastian!"

"As you wish, my Lord," my butler answered with an implied bow and opened his small notebook. "On your desk await a few letters, to which you have to reply after breakfast. Around noon, Lady Elizabeth Midford is going to pay a visit for tea. At two o'clock, your studies will start. At first you have French class, and at three p.m. you will have the last teaching unit of this week: violin classes with yours truly. After that you will have leisure time."

"Lizzy is going to come over today?" I asked, while thinking about my dream.

"Yes, indeed. She announced her visit last week."

"Well," I said and took one of the scones. "By the way, keep in mind to find me another teacher. It was a pity to have to dismiss Mrs. Rodkin.* I liked her way of teaching. At least more than yours…." The last sentence wasn't more than a murmur, but I was sure Sebastian had heard me anyway.

"Why, certainly. I will keep an eye out for a new tutor, my Lord," Sebastian replied with a barely noticeable eye-roll. Then he was about to unbutton my nightgown.

I frowned. "What about the newspaper?" Normally, at this point, his duty was to hand it to me while dressing me for the day.

With a placating look he answered: "Forgive me, young master, the postman seemed to have trouble this morning. Therefore, I don't have any newspaper for you."

"Damn it, Sebastian! You should have told me that earlier, before I have to ask! Whatever, report to me the current news!" I ordered, because I was positive about Sebastian being well-briefed. This was mainly because he had time all night; after all he didn't have to sleep. If he wanted to he could have brought me the newspaper all by himself. He didn't need to wait for any postman to deliver it.

"Yes, my Lord!" he responded with a somewhat deep bow, before continuing to dress me. "The negotiations with the Germans had been completed as of yesterday. While the German Empire obtained Helgoland, which is as you know an island in the North Sea, the United Kingdom received in return the East African Island Zanzibar.** Moreover, the construction on the Hawarden Bridge in Wales is almost terminated***, whilst in Scotland the planning of a new and vastly greater bridge had been announced.**** Besides that, the British author George Robert Gissing currently published his new work 'The Nether World'. This could be utterly interesting for you, since you read his previous novel 'A Life's Morning….'"

From the topic of the bridge in Wales, for what I hardly held any interest, I didn't exactly listen to Sebastian's recital. I only asked myself from where he knew such things

As I had consumed the last scone, Sebastian had finished his speech as well as my dressing.

I stood up from the bed and followed Sebastian into the study. After entering the room, I sat down at the desk. On the surface were the aforementioned letters, but none of them seemed to be considerable.

"I will start with the preparations for today's dinner," Sebastian excused himself, gave me a more or less deep bow and left the room. I had looked after him for a moment before I faced this utterly annoying task.

The first letter was an offer from the entrepreneur Stanley Hawkman. He had established and circularized his company in the division of food production - including confectionary - during the last decades. After my corporation, with its innovative ideas und its variety of products, built up overnight, his obsolete concern faded more and more from the spotlight. In addition, his clientele shrank enormously. By this time, Funtom Company was brand leader in the candy and toys branch.

His offer was about a fusion of both of our companies. Maybe he was about to go bankrupt and therefore saw the fusion as a last resort. However, I didn't see any profitable incentive for the Funtom Company. Why should my modern company ally with a competing company, which is known for headlines like child labor or food intoxication? Eventually it would damage the reputation of my company.

"Rejected," I murmured to no one in particular. I put the letter aside, while making a mental note that I will have to write the rejection later.

The next writing appeared to be an invitation from the Marquis of Broadland, stating that he had plans for making a dance event concerning the Summer Bank Holiday, which was celebrated on the last Monday in August.*****

But alone, the thought of dancing sent shivers down my spine.

If I remembered correctly, the last time I had to dance was at the ball of the Viscount of Druitt. Sebastian had tried to teach me some dancing movements. Along with this hateful Viennese waltz! But soon he admitted himself that it was meaningless to teach me any longer. It was like I had two left feet. I simply wasn't made to dance. Normally, dancing should touch the spectators to the quick. The only things I arouse with my clumsy movements are sentiments like amusement or compassion. Fortunately, Sebastian had comprehended this sooner or later.

"Also rejected!" With these words I throw the letter onto the one from Stanley Hawkman. I didn't like celebrations anyway.

Even the other three documents didn't obtain my interest. Bored as hell, I supported my head with my right hand as I couldn't restrain a yawn.

The tiresome daily routine had an exhausting effect on me. Well, on the other hand, it was quite nice after the turmoil of the last few weeks. It was kind of calming. But, at the very same moment, a voice in my subconscious mind told me that this peace was nothing more than a façade. Since my tenth birthday, a normal life would never be granted to me. I didn't exchange it for my soul. No, this destiny had been sealed before I met Sebastian. He only made a few tiny alterations due to my rescue and this contract. Without Sebastian, I wouldn't be here. In all probability, I would be dead by now. Instead, he put up this in cotton wool wrapped façade, which only served to bring me closer to my end.

Who knew how long it will last until I got my revenge and until this contract between Sebastian and me was fulfilled? Would it be within weeks? Months? Ages? Goodness knew. One thing was for sure; Sebastian will be by my side until the very end.

Another thing was that I will never marry a woman, settle up a separate family, raise children, or generally live a happy life, leaving aside the fact that this imagination was horrible anyway. I knew it was merely a matter of time when Sebastian will gain my soul. It would be worse if I got snatched from this life while being content. I would rather prefer to befriend myself with the thought that I didn't have a future.

In the next moment, I had to chuckle over this thought. As if I would ever be at risk of having a happy life. Sooner hell would freeze over!

"May I hear what amused you, young master?" I suddenly heard the voice of my butler. I struggled to keep myself calm and to not show my fright. I hadn't even realized Sebastian entering the study. Probably he knew that his sudden appearance had frightened me, though.

"That's none of your damn business! But put that aside, I can't remember giving the permission to come in," I spat out arrogantly. As I looked in his direction, I saw the tray he had brought along.

"Excuse me, my Lord. You haven't answered even after repeated knocks. For this reason, I took the freedom to enter. It is time for the eleven o'clock tea."

I often catch myself at scrutinizing his actions, his words, his countenance, or even his gestures. He was a demon after all. Nevertheless, he acted as my butler. Why on earth…? Was my soul worth all this effort?

Sighing, I nodded to give him the permission to continue with his purposes. Sebastian understood, poured some pale liquid into the cup, and handed it to me, along with a plate, on which were small and unknown balls.

"I made white jasmine tea from the East India Company, and, in addition, there are a few fluffy gulab jamun, which suit perfectly with the tea."

"What are those?" I asked, examining the auburn balls skeptically. Only from the corner of my eye I saw that Sebastian's smile had widened.

"Gulab jamun is a milk-solids-based dessert that is deep-fried and soaked in syrup. The desiccated coconut on the topside has been imported from southern India. Please enjoy your meal."

His voice sounded, for whatever reason, insincere. Without giving it another thought, I took one of the balls and tried just a tiny bite. Surprisingly, it really tasted delicious. While the exterior was kind of crispy, the inside was very fluffy. The rasped coconut suited just fine. Even the jasmine tea went along excellently. But, of course, I would never tell him how marvelous his food tastes. After all, he was only the butler.

At the hopeful awaiting gaze, I answered with an eye roll: "It is alright. But you know I prefer the tried and trusted. Why is today's appetizer in an Indian style anywa-"

"CIEL~!" I was interrupted by a voice that let goose bumps appear on my skin.

Horror of horrors! Please not! I looked to the door, which swung opening at full tilt in the next moment.

To be continued

* See Black Butler: Chapter 23, Page 03

** Well, actually this historical event that was about territorial claims happened one year later on 01st July 1890.

*** The opening was at the 03rd August 1889.

**** The Forth Bridge, which is with about 2.500 m the longest bridge in Great Britain, opened at the 04th March 1890.

***** Historical seen this fact isn't quite right. In 1871 the 'Bank Holidays Act', which was a row o holidays like Easter and Whit Monday, has been remitted. But the Summer Bank Holiday was postponed from the first Monday to the last Monday of August first since 1965.