Hey so, wanted to apologize this took so long, work has been a nightmare. I also have been dancing alot, as writing isn't very active and I have put on some weight. T-T Sad face.
But here is the next installment, I hope you all enjoy. :D
"I remember this portrait…" Ciel's hands shook as he stared at the image of his late father. Back before the estate had burned to ashes, the room he currently resided in had held a large portrait of this exact image. His eyes moved to the wall in which it had been hung, but the fresh paint deceived any such past event.
"My lord?" Sebastian asked, following the boy's gaze.
"It was… there." Ciel's pupils shook as memory painted his vision. All the colors in the room became more vivid and lifelike as missing articles filled the room. Toys littered the center of the room where the infant form of himself sat and played. His mother, Rachel was watching as old man Tanaka affixed the large portrait to the wall. When set, his mother's blue eyes met his with a stunning grin.
With a swallow, Ciel looked past his mother's loving features and stared at the painting. It kept blurring, the memory hard to recall because back then the picture hadn't mattered, but just by reminiscing over it, he knew it was the same picture.
So then why? Why now would he receive a picture of his father?
His eyes narrowed and he tossed the portrait on his desk, clearly fed up with it. He pushed himself up and out of his chair, but his legs didn't comply with the movement, causing him to stumble to the ground. However, two white gloved hands slipped under his arms and caught him in his fall.
"My lord?" Sebastian asked again, lifting Ciel back onto his feet. The boy slumped against him and gripped the material at the demon's chest. Pain knotted into his chest and he found himself panting harsh ragged breaths. Tears pricked the sides of his eyes and his vision began to blur as he was lifted into his butler's arms.
"Master, do you believe you can stay conscious until I count down from five?" Wind caught in his hair, the world moving around him fast. He was unable to focus so he buried his face into Sebastian's collar bone and allowed the familiar scent to wrap around him.
"Yes…"
"5."
Ciel could feel the arms around him tighten as the butler sprung into motion. It was odd sensation, he knew Sebastian was running and yet it felt as smooth as treading through water. His eyes dipped and he forced himself to swallow, his breath calming for a mere second from the intake of saliva. He wheezed and gripped the dark material tighter.
"3."
He was set down atop a cushioned surface and he felt Sebastian leave him. It was cool to the touch and he found his body already relaxing from the material curling around him.
"1…"
The smell of ammonia filled his senses and soon he was blinking up at the roof above him. He noticed he was laying in an unfamiliar room and it shocked him. Never would he of thought Sebastian would take him anywhere but his own room, however, his room was quite far from that particular study.
"Where… am I?"
"My quarters, my lord." Sebastian entered his peripheral vision and he turned his head to watch the butler set something on the aged stool next him. It was a small container, clam like in style, and within was a white powder. With realization, he noticed it was the sense of smell.
"Smelling salts…"
"Indeed." Sebastian moved to his side and reached for his forehead, brushing back the boy's bangs. "Have you returned from your attack?"
Ciel glared and pushed the demon's hand away, "I'm fine."
Sebastian's eyebrows raised, obvious he was not believing a single word Ciel said. "You will accomplish nothing by lying to me, Master."
Ciel brought his arm up and put over his eyes, his skin damp.
"Im past this Sebastian... " his voice came out low, a mere whisper. "Where did that picture come from?"
Sebastian's eyes narrowed and he grabbed the folded blanket near the bottom of the bed. He undid the cloth and draped it over the boy's form, noticing Ciel quivering.
"I am unsure, but I shall investigate this at once."
Ciel gave a jerk, the motion resembling a nod. Sebastian dipped his head in a bow and turned to leave, but paused when the boy spoke again.
"Burn it…"
"My lord?"
Ciel removed his arm and revealed an expression of apathy. Both mismatched eyes stared back at him, and power tingled around the demon as the boy spoke once more, their contract flaring to life.
"Burn the picture. That's an order."
Compulsion brought the demon's hand to his heart, regardless of his desire to refuse the order. His head dipped and his eyelids blocked out the boy's impassive dark eyes.
"Yes, my lord."
Fire crackled and sparked within the large fireplace as Sebastian kneeled before it, staring down at the picture of his young master's father. The man looked so young, much different than the giant paintings he had manifested those years ago. When he had recreated the mansion, he had relied on the markings and leftover articles in order to repair it to its previous glory; however, not everything was exact. He guessed as to what Ciel's father and mother may have looked like in their adult lives solely based off of the boy's image. Humans were hereditary creatures and by so Sebastian could assume that Ciel's parents would resemble him. He found this to be true, looking at the portrait of the late Vincent Phantomhive.
The demon outstretched his arm to the flame, but his fingers refused to release the picture. He found himself wondering if Ciel too would look this way in years to come. Would he grow and become tall and attractive like this man was? The demon already found his young master to be quite compelling, but how much different would it be if he were a man and not a child. The potential…
He grimaced as he could no longer ignore his previous order, pain collecting between his eyes from the resistance, and he allowed the parchment to fall from his fingers into the flame.
It didn't make sense. Why would the portrait be sent now, almost three years after the prodigy had returned to his former responsibilities? It had been odd how the letter had been received as well. It had in fact been attached to the gate, the messenger not even attempting to enter the grounds of the Phantomhive estate. Too many unknowns and not enough answers. This would be difficult, but nonetheless, a grin perked the demon's mouth.
"I do enjoy the occasional challenge…"
The world spun as Ciel felt himself lifted from the ground by his arms. He gazed up and found his mother's smiling face peering back at him. He could tell she was laughing and yet she made no sound, but then he realized there was no sound all together. The spinning lessened and he was set back down on his feet, but that hardly stopped the twirling sensation. He wobbled until he fell atop a blanket that was stretched out over a small portion of a field of grass. His body quivered as he shook in laughter and his mouth stretched into a wide smile. Memories, long forgotten and repressed, filled his senses as his mother laid out beside him, sharing in his joy.
A shadow fell over them and they both looked up at the man who now loomed over them, also smiling and appearing to chuckle. His father.
The sunlight behind Vincent kept increasing in brilliance until the bright rays completely drowned the older man out of Ciel's sight. It was then that man combusted into flame, jolting Ciel upright.
"Have you returned from your slumber?" A deep purr of a voice asked. Footsteps approached and Ciel's eyes shot sideways to watch as the butler clad in black approached him from the now opened curtains.
He was back in his bed and it was morning yet again. He couldn't help but wonder just how long he had slept and as if Sebastian read his mind, he provided an answer.
"You have been asleep for two days my lord. You must eat now." A tray of blinding silver was set before him. Many different variations of food filled his senses and he was surprised when he felt saliva build in his mouth.
"I request that you eat as much as you can, as it has been some time since you ate last." Sebastian moved back to his trolley and began pouring tea.
Ciel picked up his fork and began digging into the food. It was strange how hungry he was, never did he have a big appetite. Most days he would just pick at his food for appearances as he didn't much care for normal healthier foods. What he craved and desired were the desserts and if it wasn't for his nagging butler, he would eat them day in, day out. However, today was different. Every morsel he put in his mouth he enjoyed and savored. After eating almost half of each meal present, he sighed in satisfaction and went to grab his tea, but when he looked it wasn't there. He looked up and found his butler wide eyed in shock holding his tea.
"Are you going to give that to me?" Ciel asked, making a gesture to give it.
Sebastian blinked and shook his head, returning to the present. He grinned and handed the boy his tea.
"I am just shocked… Never have I seen you eat as much as you have this day."
"Yeah? What of it?" Ciel asked, sipping at his tea.
Sebastian chuckled and removed the tray from his master. He returned back to the cart and set silver atop the trolley.
"My lord, I have most unfortunate news."
Ciel paused mid sip and moved the cup away from him slowly.
"Go on."
"Another letter has arrived." Sebastian turned and revealed another blank letter with only "Ciel Phantomhive" spelt out on it. The boy narrowed his eyes and reached out for it.
"Have you looked into the matter?"
The butler nods, "I took the liberty of following a set of tracks that led into town, but from there they disperse. When that lead provided useless, I decided to spend the rest of my time researching all there is to know of The Phantomhives."
"Impressive, and what have you found?"
Sebastian almost appeared grim "that your family has suffered from an everlasting series of unfortunate events. If I believed in curses, I would state your bloodline suffers from one."
"A curse?" Ciel scoffed and broke the seal of the letter. He peered inside and glowered. "Its another one."
"Shall I burn that one as well?"
"No, I will keep it…" he slipped the photo back into the envelope, recalling the still fresh image of his father aflame.
"What are your orders, my lord?"
Ciel looked down into his tea once more and sighed.
"For now, we shall treat this as an act of harassment, as I cannot fathom why else someone would do such a thing." He moved to the edge of his bed and nodded to his butler. "I think I would like to go into town, get some fresh air."
The butler smiled and brought a hand to his heart as he bowed. "At once, my lord."
To be continued.
Thanks for the reviews and favorites! I appreciate them greatly!
Seriously tell me what you think so I can improve this story. :D
See ya next chapter!
