Author's Note: Konnichiwa, minna-san! Thanks for all the faves and reviews that you have been showering upon me this week. As a token of my appreciation, I now present you with your very much awaited Chapter 2!
Disclaimer: Once again ALL of Kuroshitsuji, even just a strand of Sebby-chan's hair, belong to Yana Toboso-sama. In short NOT MINE! ^-^(I wish I own Sebby-chan though...)
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Robin and Tutor
Chapter 2: The Duchess of Devilshire
A year later, in "Queen Victoria's" garden soiree...
All heads turned as a lovely young girl was assisted by her breathtakingly handsome tutor from a magnificent crimson carriage bearing the crest of the Merryweathers-a coat of arms consisting of a wooden shield with a large blooming red rose held at the centre by bramble-covered chains and flanked on either side by widespread bat's wings. Crossed behind the shield are two three-pronged lances, their tips pointing downwards. Between the two spearheads is a banner displaying a Latin inscription that translates to: "With deviousness and cunning, we crush all foes"-a fitting motto for the noble family of the infamous dukedom of Devilshire.
The newcomer's single beautiful cobalt eye leisurely scanned the area, its pair obscured by several layers of frothy white lace spilling from her small, blue-striped white cap. Crowning her pretty head are lustrous gray-blue locks arranged in a simple half-do that was artfully twisted to fall gracefully beside her slender neck. A dainty parasol shielded her from the rays of the summer sun, its colour matching with that of her decorative headdress and elegant, long-sleeved dress.
The crowd started buzzing about the new arrival.
"A Merryweather...I thought none of the family survived the Great Fire of London last year." A lady resembling a heron whispered to her equally unattractive friend.
"Apparently, the daughter survived." A stout noblewoman joined in, enviously eyeing the young girl's expensive-looking gown. "Just look at that dress, she's probably enjoying the riches left by her parents. After all, aren't the Merryweathers considered to be one of the wealthiest families of the kingdom?"
The heron-lady's friend snorted.
"She was probably rescued by some demon summoned by her parents. You heard the rumours too, didn't you? About the source of the Merryweather's wealth? They say that the Merryweather's duchy was named Devilshire because in the Middle Ages, the place was said to be crawling with evil-witches and wizards proliferated, demonic possessions abound, and gruesome, unexplained deaths were plentiful. It was said that the Merryweathers became very rich because they made a pact with these wicked beings. In exchange for giving the creatures free rein of their land, the Merryweathers were given gold in return. But because of the purges that happened years later, like the infamous witch hunt for example, evil began to lie low, and only manifests itself occasionally. Although this is the case, they say that the Merryweathers' pact with the evil beings continues on to this day...and that may have been what saved that Merryweather girl."
The three ladies cast a furtive glance at the newcomer. At that precise moment, the girl turned at their direction, caught them staring at her, and smiled politely. The three ladies turned away in embarrassment.
""Did you hear that, Sebastian?" The young girl said to her tutor, her eyes on the backs of the three gossiping ladies.
"We have decided that you will be calling me "Damian" in public, haven't we, my lady?" The tutor scolded gently, looking around if someone had heard.
"Whatever, now stop being so paranoid. Have you heard what those ladies we're gossiping about?" The young girl's polite smile turned cold. "They said something about me...and a demon."
The girl's and her tutor's eyes met, deep blue clashing with dark red. An amused smile formed on their lips.
"They're quite close to the truth, aren't they?"
One year ago, in the Merryweather mansion in Devilshire...
"Seb...Sebastian..." Ciel panted, breathless. Drops of sweat were dripping from his face.
"Shhh, young master. Don't worry, I'm nearly there." Sebastian murmured. "This won't take long..."
"Faster! The pain...I can't bear the pain..." Ciel moaned.
"Be patient young master...and stop wiggling about. This will take longer if you continue to do so." Sebastian admonished, trying to soothe Ciel.
"Ahhhh!" Ciel cried out, his body buckling from the pain.
"Surely young master," Sebastian said with a trace of annoyance, finishing his job with a flourish. "We've done this before. Your past experience should have been enough for you to tolerate this action."
Ciel glared at him, still breathless at the ordeal of wearing the hellish corset that is now trying to squeeze the life out of him.
"I can't help it." Ciel replied sulkily. "Wearing this ghastly thing is so damn painful."
Sebastian just flashed him his usual pleasant smile.
"But we have no choice, young master. To rejoin society, we must regain your other identity, your identity as Madam Red's niece."
"And so, you made me take my second cousin's identity, huh?" Ciel said softly, gazing at the portrait of a young girl on the wall who bore a stunning likeness to him.
Sebastian stared at the portrait, too.
"Lady Robin Merryweather, daughter of the Duke of Devilshire, your mother and Madam Red's cousin through your grandmother. Your grandmother is the younger sister of Lady Robin's grandfather, and it's quite convenient both of you took after her and are of the same age."
"Only that she had died with her family in that great fire in London a week ago," Ciel murmured, stroking his second cousin's painted cheek on the portrait. "Burned to ashes, without even a tombstone to mark her grave. And now, I'm taking her identity, taking her place in life..."
Sebastian arched a quizzical brow at his young master's melancholy.
"Do you have any problem with that, young master? Let me remind you of our contract-"
"I know what I'm supposed to do, Sebastian." Ciel interrupted, casting a baleful look at his butler. "Cease your worries, for I will fulfil my part of the bargain."
Sebastian smiled at the look of determination upon the boy's face. He placed a hand upon his heart and bowed deeply before the young earl.
"Yes, my lord..."
Back to the soiree...
Ciel Phantomhive gazed with amusement at the nobles enjoying the party-his newest chess pieces.
"Well then, shall we begin the game?"
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Author's Note: The fun is just getting started, what do you think will happen next? Please do continue your reviews! I really appreciate it!^-^