Sapphire woke up in a bit of a depressed mood. Last nights fiasco had not comforted her at all. Her cousin was not who she thought he was at all. "Though Mr. Damiano was not who I thought he was either. He was lying to Ciel and trying to scam more money out of him… even after already shutting down that factory. But what Sebastian and Ciel did to that man... That was cruel." She thought bitterly. "What time is it?" She slowly sat up and looked toward the window. The sun had already risen, but the light hadn't hit the garden yet. "Must be before seven…" She yawned and got out of bed. She headed out of her room and downstairs to the kitchen. She assumed Sebastian at least would be up at this time. She peeked her head around the door but didn't find anyone in the kitchen. "That's weird…" She stepped inside and opened a cupboard then closed it. "Where do they keep the glasses?" She opened another and sighed. "Not here either." She closed the cupboard and stepped back, tapping her foot. "How hard can it be to get a glass of water?"
"Fairly easy, all you have to do is ask." Sebastian's calm voice came from behind her. She jumped slightly and turned around.
"Sorry Sebastian, I didn't hear you come in." She admitted. He walked over to a cupboard she hadn't looked in and opened it, pulled out a glass and filled it with water.
"I was quiet since I was wondering who was in the kitchen." He handed her the glass and she sipped it.
"Thank you." She gave him a small smile and he bowed his head to her.
"You are welcome, Sapphire." He reached out to touch her cheek before stopping himself. "It is not nice to tease me."
"Huh…? Tease you…? What are you talking about…?" She was confused as he leaned in closer to her face. "U-um… you're awfully close."
"You show up here in just that thin nightgown and expect me to restrain myself? I am afraid I am not that strong, my dear." He cupped her cheek and quickly pressed his lips against hers. Sapphire's face turned a bright red as she felt his lips against hers. It was cold, but soft and when he pulled away she immediately wished he hadn't.
"U-um…!" Her cheeks natural shade had not returned as she thought about the kiss. "Sebastian kissed me… he kissed me.." A smile crept across her face before it was a full blown grin. He chuckled as he watched her expression change.
"You are quite the adorable one, Sapphire~" He was still cupping her cheek as his thumb ran along her cheekbone.
"O-oh um… thank you…" She averted her eyes and looked at the floor, "I-I should get back to bed…"
"Would you like me to escort you to your room?" Sebastian removed his hand finally.
"N-no! I'm sure you have work to do here. I'll be fine." She struggled to steady her shaken nerves as she spoke. She gave him a small smile and left the kitchen.
When she returned to her room, she found Mey-Rin looking behind curtains and under the bed in a frenzy. "Mey-Rin? What are you doing?"
"Oh Miss Sapphire! I thought you had been kidnapped! I was looking everywhere! Young Master and Mr. Sebastian would be oh so angry if something happened to you!" Mey-Rin gushed before she stopped. "Where were you?"
"Oh, I was in the kitchen getting a glass of water. It's time to get dressed then I presume?" She watched as Mey-Rin rushed over to the wardrobe.
"Oh yes! Young Master has company coming so we have to make you presentable!" She pulled out a blue dress with black lace and white accents. "This would look beautiful on you, Miss Sapphire. Come now, we'll get you into a corset."
"Corset…? Ha ha no way. Aren't I thin enough to wear it?" She looked at herself in the mirror.
"Oh my yes you are! But a proper lady always wears a corset!" Mey-Rin stated firmly, holding up the god forsaken item of clothing.
"No, I am not wearing it." Sapphire stood her ground and Mey-Rin caved.
"Alright, let's get you ready then." Mey-Rin was cheerful as she dressed Sapphire. "Please stay here and I will send Sebastian in."
"Huh? Why does Sebastian need to come in?" She asked but Mey-Rin was already gone. Sebastian walked in a moment later.
"Please take a seat." He pulled out a chair by the dresser and grabbed her hairbrush. "Oh… to brush my hair, I should have known that." She thought to herself.
"Why do you brush my hair and not Mey-Rin?" Sapphire asked.
"Mey-Rin is quite clumsy, I fear that she might harm you during the task. I worry enough about her dressing you already. " He sighed as he combed through her hair gently. His fingers were steady and careful.
"What are you going to do to my hair today?" She relaxed into his touch.
"I think a simple braid will work well for today." He finished the braid with a tying a ribbon into a bow at the end of said braid.
"Oh, who are the guests that are coming today?" She turned to look at him.
"Sir Arthur Randall, a detective with scotland yard. Lau and his sister Ran Mao, an associate of your cousin's. They have contacts within the underworld. Madame Red, young master's aunt. Ferraro Vanel, a man young master suspects might be trying to take over the underworld. So please watch yourself around that man…" He continued talking but Sapphire zoned out. "-This behavior really makes it hard on me. I should punish you." She tuned back in at the wrong time.
"W-what are you talking about, Sebastian!?" Her face flushed a bright red, as he smirked.
"I knew you weren't listening. Why are you not wearing a corset?" His hand ran along her side and she froze.
"I-I didn't w-want to wear o-one…" She tried to calm herself down as his smirk only got wider.
"Didn't I already tell you that it is not nice to tease me?~." His voice was low and husky as he leaned in close. When she didn't respond to him he pressed his lips against hers. She flushed as she felt his hand continue it's path down. She grabbed his wrist before his hand moved below her waist. He pulled out of the kiss and gave her a smile. " Now let's get you down to breakfast."
She blushed and followed him out of the room. Her heart was pounding in her chest. "Twice, he's kissed me twice now… But is he doing it because he likes me or because of the fact that we're supposed to soulmates?" She stared at his back as she followed him. He's absolutely perfect yet he's still a demon… I hope my other two soulmates can put up with that." Her mind was full of these thoughts. She arrived to breakfast and sat next to Ciel. "Good morning, Ciel."
"Mm, morning." His reply was indifferent as he bit into a scone.
"As expressive as ever, cousin…" She sighed and took a sip from the hot chocolate Sebastian had gotten for her.
"Madame Red will be arriving in 10 minutes." Sebastian informed the two teens and Sapphire rushed to finish her toast. "Sapphire… Please chew your food. It is not very lady like if you eat like a cow." Sebastian sighed deeply. She blushed in embarrassment and swallowed.
"Sorry." She finished her hot chocolate and stood up from the table. "I'm done." Ciel stood up and offered his arm to her.
"Shall we go meet our guests?" Ciel asked. "Guess all that teaching has really turned Ciel into a gentleman." Sapphire smirked to herself at the rude thought.
Sapphire stared at the pool table in boredom. "Who calls it a billiards table, it's a pool table…" She thought to herself before sighing when she heard a crash from outside the room.
"Quite a commotion going out there, It seems you're experiencing a rat problem as well." Randall stated as he walked around the table, Vanel took the spot Randall had just vacated.
"Speaking of which, how long will you let the vermin run wild? Filthy monsters. Someone really ought to take care of them, don't you think?" A man eating a sandwich asked. Sapphire for the life of her could not remember his name. "Just pray that he doesn't talk to me and then I won't need to know his name." Sapphire internally hoped.
"And someone will. He is just waiting for the opportune moment." Lau looked at Ran-Mao as he spoke, seemingly disinterested with the entire conversation.
"Indeed. He prefers to settle things with one blow. Will you pass on this turn too, Lord Phantomhive?" Madame Red smirked as she watched her nephew, Ciel leaned back in his chair and rested his chin on his fist.
"I'll pass. It's my policy not to shoot if I know that I'll miss." Ciel replied.
"That's all very well, but when will you handle the problem?" Randall paused in his steps and turned to face Ciel as he spoke.
"Any time you like. The rats will come soon come looking for their forbidden cheese, and I hold the key to the storehouse."Ciel answered as he leaned on his pool cue. Vanel took his turn but ending up sinking the white ball. He let out a 'tch' in annoyance as he glanced to Ciel. "Even so, locating the nest and eliminating the vermin promises to be a tedious task. You should concentrate on preparing me a suitable reward." Ciel smirked softly at Randall.
"What a vulture!" Randall was horrified by the teen's brashness.
"Sir. Randall, I'd be careful how you smear my family name." Ciel warned. "Oh not this name stuff again… A name doesn't mean anything, it's simply a label. What one does is so much more meaningful…" Sapphire bit her lip. Her father had not been a well known man but she hadn't cared.
"Ha, you're in trouble now, Randall. What next, Lord Phantomhive?" Vanel chuckled. Sapphire hadn't trusted him the moment she met him, but she was thankful he would be leaving soon. "Then I just have to deal with Lau, Ran-Mao, and Madame Red." Sapphire thought, almost wanting to do a little dance of joy.
"It's time to put an end to this worthless game, don't you think?" Ciel stood up and walked over to the pool table. "How soon can you secure the payment?"
"Tonight, I'll have it by then." Randall resigned himself to his fate as he sighed.
"Then I'll send a carriage for you later. We can even prepare some light entertainment for you, does that sound good?" Ciel leaned onto the table as he aimed his pool cue.
"You passed your turn twice and now you're after them all in one go?" The man eating the sandwich sat up as he watched.
"Naturally." Ciel smirked.
"Careful, or your greed will undo you." Randall's eyes narrowed as he watched the young earl.
"Am I undone?" Ciel asked as he struck the white ball and swiftly won the game. Sapphire cheered internally as Randall, Sandwich guy, and Vanel left.
Sapphire sighed softly as she watched the carriages pull away. She sat down and listened to Ciel and Madame Red talk. She looked up when she heard the door open. Sebastian walked in carrying a tray.
"Your tea. We have a special Darjeeling blend to offer from Fortnum & Mason today." Sebastian prepared the tea expertly.
"Smells lovely. Tea can be excellent when made well." Lau smiled and ran his hand along Ran-Mao's hip. Sapphire raised an eyebrow as she watched the chinese man, he made her uncomfortable.
"Grell." Madame Red summoned her butler to her side.
"Ah, yes, my lady." Grell had been watching Sebastian in awe but had responded when his mistress called him. "He's a bit strange, not like Sebastian at all." Sapphire thought as she examined Grell.
"Learn something from Sebastian." Madame Red ordered and Grell lowered his head slightly.
"Uh, yes…" Grell replied sheepishly.
"Just look at him. I mean, his physique!" Sebastian poured the tea as Madame Red reached over and began to rub his butt. "You should quit this country job and come work for me in the city." Sapphire was surprised when she felt jealousy boil up from within her.
"Ahem! Madam Red" Ciel coughed to get her attention.
"Oh, Sorry. I couldn't help it. He looked like he needed a physical. Just a doctor's habit" Madame Red explained with an innocent smile. "Like HELL!" Sapphire thought angrily. "She just wanted to feel him up, that BITCH!" Sapphire clenched her fists angrily but was surprised when a teacup appeared in her hands. Sebastian gave her a small smile as he stroked the top of her hand with his thumb. No one noticed this except for the two of them, she blushed softly when he gave her a wink before moving on to serve tea to Lau and Ran-Mao.
"So, do you believe the drug trafficker you're after was one of your guests today?" Lau asked after taking a sip of his tea.
"Perhaps." Ciel replied as looked at his own tea.
"Why not leave the extermination to Lau? A rat knows best where the rats' nest is, doesn't he?" Madame Red suggested as she watched her nephew.
"I'm but a tame guinea pig dedicated to my lord. If the earl instructs me not to act, I'm bound to do nothing." Lau replied with a closed eye smile as he reached out to touch Ciel.
"Watch it! You'd best keep your filthy paws off my darling nephew!" Madame Red quickly got up and pulled Ciel out of the way, holding him close to her body.
"You wound me. I would never paw at him in his own home, dear madam." Lau explained. Sapphire raised an eyebrow. "I was right, he's a creep." She thought internally.
"Are you saying you would if you were elsewhere? Careful, you're on thin ice now, sir!" Madame Red exploded on him and glared at him.
"Hahahaha. Sorry, I'm joking of course." Lau laughed as Ciel escaped from Madame Red's embrace.
"Master?" Sebastian watched Ciel head for the door, Sapphire had disappeared from the room already.
"You'd better be. I hope you understand how protective I am of my dear nephew. I would lay down my own life for him and I'll…" Madame Red exclaimed in anger.
"Hahahaha." Lau just continued to laugh, ignoring Madame Red's concern. Ciel found Sapphire just standing next to the wall and just watching the servants run up and down the hallway.
"Oh, the rats are here…" Ciel sighed.
"It went that waaaay " Baldroy shouted as he ran past Ciel.
"And here, too…" Ciel rolled his eyes and headed for his office.
"I'm going to the library." Sapphire side-stepped around the servants and walked off. She heard the servant's shouting fade the farther away she got. She stepped into the library and picked up the mystery book she had been reading yesterday. She settled into a chair and got absorbed into her book.
After a few hours she slowly became more aware of her surroundings. "What time is it?" She turned to the grandfather clock and blinked in surprise. "It's almost 6:30… Where is Sebastian?" She stood up and discarded the book, heading for the kitchen. She spotted Mey-Rin, Finny, and Baldroy sitting by an empty plate with their heads down on the table. "Where is Sebastian?" Mey-Rin bolted up from the table.
"Mr. Sebastian went to retrieve young master!" She replied. "We received this letter and Mr. Sebastian went to get him, yes he did!" Mey-Rin handed the letter to Sapphire. Her eyes widened as she skimmed the letter's contents. The paper crumpled when her grip tightened on it.
"That drug smuggler was here! That sneaky little bastard! How dare he hurt threaten to hurt Ciel!" She thought bitterly only to have her thoughts broken by the sound of the servants scrambling out of the kitchen.
"Young master and Sebastian are back!" Finny exclaimed happily. Sapphire quickly followed the group outside to meet her cousin. "Master! Welcome home, sir!"
"Oh, dear!" Mey-Rin looked at Ciel worriedly. Sapphire froze in her tracks spotting the two males.
"O-oh my god." She clenched her fists angrily as she looked them over. Ciel was bruised and scratched, Sebastian's uniform had bullet holes in it. She was surprised to feel that she was more worried about Sebastian. "Is it because he looks worse… or because I'm falling for him?" She thought to herself.
"Master Ciel, you're injured!" Finny said with concern.
"I just tripped and fell. It's nothing to worry about it." Ciel rolled his eyes as he explained, then glared at the servants when they wouldn't stop staring at him. "What, you don't believe what your master tells you?" Sapphire smirked to herself as she noticed why the servants were smiling.
"Oh no, we do" Mey-Rin replied with a huge smile.
"It's just... you look so cute, being held like a baby and all.." Finny admitted bashfully as the three servants grinned at their young master. Sapphire couldn't contain herself as she started to laugh.
"Baby Ciel… Perhaps I can catch up on some of those moments I missed long ago. How about those first steps, baby Ciel?" She teased.
"Put. Me. Down!" Ciel demanded and Sebastian complied. The servants and Sapphire still smirked at him. "Stop looking at me like that, honestly!"
"Master... I'm so terribly sorry. I've committed a blunder unacceptable for a Phantomhive butler. How could I ever atone...? I hang my head in shame." Sebastian got onto one knee and bowed. "Dinner is not ready." Sapphire blinked in surprise.
"You seriously think that matters? Ciel was kidnapped and it looks like you ran a mile through no man's land. Dinner can be made at anytime. We're more worried about you two anyway." Sapphire rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Now both of you need to get inside and out of those dirty clothes." The two men blinked at her before Ciel let a dry laugh leave his throat.
"You sound like a mother scolding her children who played in the mud." He smiled softly at his cousin. Sapphire smirked.
"Oh, I can rub mud in your wounds if that's what you want." She threatened. Ciel quickly shook his head and Sebastian chuckled quietly to himself.
