Chapter 1:
I looked at the address on the envelope then at the address on the very large manor in front of me. This was the right place alright. I smoothed out my clothes thankful I had remember to pack my good clothes with me and walked up to the door. I knocked three times and waited.
"Welcome to Phamtomhive ma…Scarlett" Sebastian said actually shocked.
"Hello" I replied with a slight smile. "I know I should've sent a letter in advance but…" I trailed off and wiped a small tear that dare make its way down my cheek. "May I come in?" I asked.
"Yes of course" he answers taking my bag.
I stepped inside and he shut the door behind me. "We can talk in the kitchen" he said starting to walk.
I followed him and kept my head down as force of habit. When we got to the kitchen he put my bag down next to the small table and I sat down.
"Would you like some tea?" he asked.
I nodded and he set a tea kettle on the stove before sitting down across from me. "I thought you were in Russia" he said.
"I was" I replied. "I got some time off" I lied. "Figured I'd come see my favorite brother. If you're busy though I can go."
"Don't talk nonsense" he said.
The tea kettle started to whistle and he took it off the stove before dropping in the tea leaves. He handed me a china tea cup with tea and I took a sip. "Mmmm. Cinnamon tea, my favorite" I said taking another sip.
"Oye Sebastian" a man said coming into the kitchen. He paused when he saw me. "Who's this?" he asked.
"I'm Scarlett" I said with a polite smile. "I'm Sebastian's younger sister."
"You have a younger sister?" he asked Sebastian.
"Yes Bard" he answered somewhat stiffly.
"You never mentioned one" the man said
Sebastian got a slight annoyed look on his face, kind of like the one he would give me when I was bothering him when I was little.
"Maybe I should go" I said standing up
"Sit" Sebastian ordered.
I sat down in the chair and kept my mouth shut.
"Is there something you need Bard?" Sebastian asked him.
"I was going to start preparing the master's lunch" he answered.
"That's really not necessary" Sebastian told him. "I will prepare the young master's lunch."
He scowled. "I'm the cook" he said.
"You burn everything" Sebastian replied. "You do not cook with flame throwers."
The man, Bard, rolled his eyes. "Then what am I supposed to do?" he asked.
"Help Finny in the garden" Sebastian answered.
"Fine" he said leaving.
"You could've given him a chance" I told Sebastian.
"He would've burned down the house" he replied while standing up. "Are you hungry?" he asked.
"No" I answered before my stomach growled. "Ok…maybe a little."
He smiled slightly. "Would you like a sandwich?" he asked.
I nodded. "If it's not too much trouble" I answered.
Sebastian made me a sandwich and set it down in front of me. "I must take the young master his lunch. I'll be back shortly" he told me.
"K…thanks" I said.
He put a plate of food on a stray and walked out of the kitchen. I finished my sandwich and started to put the plate in the sink when I saw Sebastian had left behind one of his gloves. I picked it up and alked out of the kitchen.
A butler never forgets his glove, I thought.
I basically followed the voice of a little kid and came to a set of double doors that led to an office. I took a deep breath before knocking.
"Come in" a young child's voice said.
I opened the door and stepped inside. Sitting at a large desk was a boy about twelve or thirteen. Black hair covering his right eye which had an eye patch leaving one blue one visible and he had somewhat pale skin.
"I'm sorry for the interruption sir but Sebastian left his glove in the kitchen" I told him bowing.
"Who are you?" the boy asked.
"This is my younger sister my lord" Sebastian answered walking over.
I held the glove out to him and he took it imminently pulling it on. "I told you to wait in the kitchen" he said.
"A butler who forgets his gloves isn't worth his salt" I replied.
"You never mentioned a sister" the boy said.
"Forgive me my lord" Sebastian replied bowing.
"What's you name?" he asked me.
"Scarlett sir" I answered.
"Sebastian I've finished with my lunch. You may take it away and have the rest of day off" he said.
"Are you sure my lord?" he asked.
"Yes" he answered.
"Thank you my lord" Sebastian said taking the tray. I followed him out of the room and shut the door.
"He seems nice" I said once we were in the kitchen.
Sebastian cleaned the dishes and put them away. "Would you like to go to town?" he asked. "I have some items I need to buy."
"Sounds fun" I answered.
"So what's the real reason for your visit?" Sebastian asked me.
"What I can't come visit my brother?" I asked while looking at a cart of flowers.
"Scarlett" he said.
"I quit the circus" I told him while starting to walk away.
"Why would you go and do that? I distinctly remember you telling me you were going to join the circus no matter what then storming out" he replied.
"That was also years ago" I pointed out. "6 years to be exact."
I picked up a black rose and smelled it. "Besides I think it's time for a change" I said putting the rose back. "I finished school. Maybe I'll become a tutor."
"You look a few years too young to be a tutor" Sebastian pointed out.
"I'm only a few years younger than you" I said.
"Yes but in mortal years you're still only 16" he replied with a slight smirk.
I smacked his arm. "Shut up. You're what 30 in mortal years" I teased.
"24" he corrected smiling a little. "But if you want to tutor, you could tutor master Ciel."
"Working for your boss?" I asked. "Won't that be awkward for you?"
"Nothing is awkward for me" he answered. "Besides this way I can keep an eye on you."
"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked while walking. I picked up an apple. "Have you ever wondered if that whole an apple a day keeps the doctor away is true?" I asked before putting the apple down.
"It doesn't really matter in our case" he replied.
I followed him as he started walking away. I hooked my arm through his and rested my head on his shoulder as we walked.
"Something wrong?" he asked.
"I just missed you" I answered.
It started raining a bit as we walked back to the mansion and we were both pretty wet when we finally made it back. I picked up the hem of my dress as we went inside. "What a stroke of luck" I said pushing my sopping wet hair behind my ear.
"Come on. You'll catch hypothermia" he said leading me down the hall. We went upstairs and he opened a door to a bedroom. "I'll bring your bag up. The bathroom is right through there" he told me pointing to a door.
I nodded. He left closing the door behind him. I went to the door he pointed to and opened it. I let out a whistle. This bathroom was very nice. I went over and turned on the faucet for the bathtub. I started to get out of my clothes when there was a knock on the door.
"It's open" I said.
Sebastian came in with towels. "I'll just leave these here" he said setting the towels on the counter before leaving. The door shut behind him.
I stripped out of my clothes and got into the bathtub before breaking down and crying softly. My tears mixed with the steam. I washed up before getting out and wrapping a towel around me. I wiped the steam off the mirror and looked at myself.
I was pale, thin, my hair wasn't as bouncy or good as usual, I had dark circles under my eyes even though demons don't necessarily need sleep, even my eyes looked dull and lifeless.
I dried off and changed into a nightdress that stopped just above my knees and pulled on a thin coat over it. I brushed my hair wincing at all the tangles. I gave up after the fifth time my brush got tangled and just pulled it up.
I sighed before getting up and going to find Sebastian. He was in the kitchen making tea. "Enjoy your bath?" he asked.
"Yes" I answered staying in the doorway.
He looked up at me and he seemed to actually take in my appearance this time. He walked over and pulled me into a hug. "Everything will be ok" he whispered. "You can talk about it when you're ready."
It was rare for Sebastian to ever show actual emotions, but when he did it always met it would be ok. I nodded and hugged him back. We stayed like that 'til the tea pot went off and he poured us a cup. It was mint this time.
"You start next week" he told me breaking the silence.
"Hmm?" I asked looking up from my tea cup.
"Tutoring. You start next week" he answered.
I nodded. "Thanks" I said.
He nodded back.
