Here it is, what you've been waiting days for~
Disclaimer: Despite my rabid fangirlness, I do not own Kuroshitsuji, or any characters in it. *sigh*
Chapter II
"Your grace, it is time for dinner," Sebastian's polite yet seductive voice woke the duchess from her slumber. Her eyes fluttered open to find the butler gazing at her, a dress neatly hung on his arm. "We will be having a pair of… unexpected… guests… I suggest this dress for tonight, as it goes so well with the young master's attire." His tone was that of annoyance, no doubt due to the sudden arrival of more mouths to feed. "Thank you, Sebastian," Rayna smiled, a bit too gratefully. The aforementioned butler bowed, laying the dress on the bed, and then made his way out of the chamber, leaving her to her amiable sighs. The duchess rose from the plushness of the bed, stretching and shaking the sleep from her eyes. She reached back, untying the ribbon that held up her dress, and let it fall to the floor. She stepped out of it, adjusting her corset and petticoats. She stepped in to the dress, and was quite surprised to find that it fit her perfectly. It was midnight blue, the chest and bustle bows having wide vertical stripes on them. It was elegantly embellished, crystals covered the fitted bodice. The redhead admired her reflection in the floor length mirror, taking in the sight before her. She smiled, unpinning her hair, letting the crimson waves cascade to her ankles. She finished preening, silently thanking the butler's good tastes, then ventured out in to the corridor, making her way down to dinner.
The duchess strode in to the grand dining room, and was immediately tackled by a flash of blonde and pink and frills. "Rayna-Chan!" The duchess knew immediately who it was without looking, due to the excessive cutesiness in the high pitched voice. "Hello, Lizzie darling. My, look how you've grown!" The cousins chittered away until Ciel, already seated, cleared his throat.
"Ladies, dinner is getting cold, and I am famished. Shall we simply get on with dinner?" He sounded bored- quite bored-, and slightly annoyed. Lizzie's governess ushered her to their seats, while Rayna took her seat next to Ciel. She smirked, noting that she had been made to sit at the earl's right hand. Sebastian appeared from the direction of the kitchen, a pleasant yet unreadable smile on his snowy skin. "My apologies for the wait," he sat one of four plates in front of Ciel, expertly balancing the remainder on his free arm. He pulled the lid off, revealing a scrumptious-looking plethora of cuisine. "Tonight's meal consists of Grouse Pâté, blackberry compote, and sweet corn muffins," He served Rayna next, then the governess, and finally Lizzie, "For Lady Elizabeth I have omitted the compote, and replaced it with fresh strawberries, in consideration of her allergy. Please enjoy. I will return momentarily with your tea."
He bowed, preparing to leave, as the petite blonde spoke," Sebastian, would it be alright if Mei Rin to serve us tea? She's just so terribly cute!" She giggled as both butler and master shifted, gulping. "Master…?" the raven-haired demon inquired. "Send her in…" he waved his hand in dismissal, sighing. "Yes, my Lord." Sebastian bowed once more, before retreating to the kitchen. Rayna knew the maid was clumsy; however, she was not aware of the full extent of her clumsiness. If she had, perhaps she would have known to dodge, and avoid what would happen next.
Mei Rin walked in slowly, one foot in front of the other, just as the butler had instructed. She only stumbled once on her way to the table, and as Sebastian watched from the shadows, he could not help but to feel proud for…maybe five seconds…?
It all happened very quickly, but to those directly involved it seemed as if time had slowed down immeasurably. Mei Rin had poured her master's tea without disaster; however, as soon as she moved to Rayna, she tripped over her own feet and shrieked, throwing the tea pot in to the air. It dived at the duchess, but before she could emit a scream or cover herself, a shadow crossed over her. She was suddenly face to face with the demon butler, so close she could feel his icy breath against her lips. He was bent over her, his arm raised to capture the airborne pot. He caught it with ease, leaving not a drop of tea spilled. The red-haired woman blushed and her breathing all but ceased as she noticed the proximity of his face to hers.
"I do hope Mei Rin didn't frighten you very much, my lady." His lips formed a small, unperceivable smirk. She herself nod, her breathing slowly returning to normal as Sebastian straightened, pouring the tea into her cup with the upmost elegance. It was only then that she registered what else had been occurring while she had been…distracted. The maid had fled to the kitchen, no doubt sobbing while she recounted the story to the chef and gardener. Lizzie and her companion were clapping and offering Sebastian words of praise and admiration. Lastly, she noted Ciel. He had a firm frown on his face, which soon melded in to a mischievous smirk.
After the chaos had died away, the Earl began to dig in. When Lizzie saw this, she squealed in disgust, making a fuss, "Ciel-kun! We have not said our prayers yet!" The ashen-haired boy smirked, sharing an amused look with his butler." My apologies, where have my manners gone? Lizzie will you recite them for us?" His fiancé giggled and nodded, closing her eyes and putting her hands together, "Dear Lord…" Rayna's eyes flickered to Sebastian. Coincidently, he had been gazing at her. She flushed, and though he had known better, he did something irrational. In the sanctity of prayer, all faces in the room except three downcast is piousness, Sebastian licked his soft, alabaster lips, garnet eyes firmly trained on sapphire. In that moment Rayna Durless realized something.
She was going to Hell.
Author's Note: This chapter is much longer than the last, though I believe everything here is bigger in Microsoft Word. 0-o Please R&R, but I won't beg :3