Wow, sorry about that. Two months later I finally decide to spit out another chapter. It's a bit short. I wanted to get their introductions and stuff out of the way so I can begin the actual story! Also, I need suggestions on what Sebby should call Persy. Mistress sounds too naughty, so I chose young miss (I know if this were an anime he'd be calling her ojou-sama, so I wanted something equivalent.) If there's something better he could be calling her, let me know!

I don't own Kuroshitsuji or Sebastian, but I do own Persephone.


He took a long, pensive look at his new temporary place of residence. It was a big mansion, well-crafted and beautiful, but a bit smaller than the ones he was used to. All the easier to keep maintained, he supposed. The dark, burgundy, velvet walls combined with the rich mahogany used for the flooring and staircase created an air of coziness while still upholding grace and sophistication. The entire inside was dimly lit by what little light that came through the windows, and that's why there was a lamp placed every twenty feet or so along the walls.

Outside, the thick stone walls were heavily cloaked with ivy as if it had been neglected for years. The garden was overgrown, on purpose, so it wouldn't need that much work. He admired the shade and serenity of the trees and foliage. It must have been a perfect oasis from the heat during the summer months. The sound of birds chirping and insects buzzing about were the only sounds to be heard.

Glancing past the garden and through a small gate colored in faded white paint, one could see a grassy knoll about a half-acre in size with a single oak tree placed directly in the center. It must have been there for at least a hundred years, judging by its size and gnarled branches. The leaves were alive and of a vibrant green, typical of the Spring season. Beyond the grass were more trees, and a downhill slope leading to a babbling brook. A gentle, cool wind completed the fairytale-esque scene.

His thin lips twisted into a contented smile. Adjusting a white glove with his other hand, he stood outside the bedroom door of his new master. He couldn't help but become increasingly overwhelmed with a feeling of deja vu. It was exciting, exhilarating.

The demon butler known as Sebastian Michaelis entered Persephone's bedroom with a small vial of liquid in his coat pocket.

The condition the female was in was a pitiful one at that, however much less pitiful than the one he had found her in. She slept - moreso laid unconsiously - in her bed, covered in bandages from head to toe. The floor was completely clean of any sign of blood, glass or dirt. Only one bed remained in the room, the one currently occupied by Persephone. This could only be the work of a demon.

Sebastian calmly kneeled beside the sleeping teen, slipping one hand into his coat pocket to retrieve the vial while the other hand brushed a few stray hairs from her mouth. "Young miss, it's time for you to take your medicine," he told her, gently nudging her arm.

For the first time in almost five hours, Persephone stirred beneath the clean, white sheets she had been tucked into. Sebastian was anticipating formally introducing himself as her butler. She felt extremely light-headed as her eyes slowly opened, and was somewhat startled to see a strange man hovering over her. She instinctively tried to move away from him, but was met with a flood of pain from all over her body. Then, suddenly like a tidal wave, memories of what she had done filled her mind. She choked out wearily, "I-It's you, isn't it?"

"It is. Please try not to be alarmed. Your injuries are quite serious, so it would be best if you didn't put any stress on your body," he replied calmly, sensing her tension. He took the cap off the vial, holding it up to her face. "You need to drink this to recover your strength. I shall prepare a dessert as well to restore the blood you've lost."

Persephone normally wouldn't accept medicine of any kind, but she really didn't have the energy to refuse. She slowly opened her mouth and allowed the butler to poor the liquid into it. It was extremely bitter, and her face screwed up in distaste. However, she forced herself to swallow it down. "That was rather unpleasant," she commented.

The butler grinned, and stood up. "Then I shall prepare a dessert now. Do you have any preferen-"

"Strawberry shortcake," she ordered, before he even could finish his question.

He liked her enthusiasm. Judging by her ample figure, he concluded she wasn't one to turn down any sort of dessert. Or perhaps he was being too assuming. "Very well, young miss. I shall make haste. Please, try to relax in the meantime."

Persephone sunk into the sea of blankets and pillows after he had bowed and made his leave. She didn't even know where to begin with her thoughts. Was he really a demon? Did he really just save her from certain death? She didn't quite get a good look at his appearance in the dim light of the bedroom, but she could sense he had a tall frame and dark hair. His voice was smooth, and he sounded intelligent. Her previous servants, a butler and a maid, were both middle-aged and fragile – a stark contrast from this new servant. In fact, he was almost too good looking to be a butler. If he was a demon, like he had made her believe, then that would explain his exceptional talent. Suddenly she sat up.

The large mirror that had been reduced to shards only a few hours ago now sat whole again across the room. She just realized it. Even more shocking, the bed that used to belong to her sister was gone. How that butler, by himself, managed to move such a behemoth was beyond her. She was starting be more and more convinced he was a real demon in human form. "What have I gotten myself into," she muttered to herself, right before Sebastian had returned with her dessert.

"Ah, I see you're feeling better. Please enjoy this dessert, young miss," he said eloquently and placed a tray on her lap. He stood by her bedside with a straight back, his hands rigidly by his sides in a manner of pure sophistication.

Persephone found his demeanor to be quite intimidating, so nervously she picked up a fork and held it over a strawberry. The dessert, however, looked wonderful. It was almost too beautiful to eat. Stabbing into a plump strawberry, she brought it to her face and popped it in her mouth. "Mmm," she blushed and chewed with satisfaction. It was very sweet and juicy.

Sebastian continued to stand motionless as she ate. He was happy his new master was pleased with his cooking. Glancing down, he noticed how her frazzled hair somewhat stood up in the back, and the way her cheeks lit up in contentment as she enjoyed her sweets. It was nice to see some color back on her skin.

She placed the fork down on the empty plate with a ting once she was finished. "Yum," she told him, and he could only guess that was her way of showing appreciation. The butler was about to reach down and remove the tray from her lap when she grabbed his wrist. His eyes widened in curiosity. She loosened her grip a bit; she didn't notice she had grabbed him so firmly. "I.. I want you to turn the light on, so I can see you."

As she let go of him, he grinned. "Ah, forgive me, young miss. How rude of me to be so inconsiderate. Let me just open these drapes then.."

What Persephone saw shocked her.

In the soft, glowing light of the early dusk, she saw her demon clearly for the first time. The thing that caused her to gasp upon sight was his eyes. They were of a deep crimson hue, and in the warm light they seemed to glow. His skin was pale and translucent like porcelain, with soft, raven hair that fell gently to the sides of his face. He was a very beautiful man, so beautiful it was monster-like. Placing a white gloved-hand on his chest, he bowed with such elegance it caused her to freeze. "My name is Sebastian Michaelis, and from today on, I shall be your butler till the very end."

"Till the very end," Persephone repeated for a reason unknown to her. With the room filled with light, Sebastian wasn't the only thing she could see clearly. She shifted her gaze downwards to her arms in front of her. The bandages were stained a deep reddish-brown, a reminder of her own cowardliness and stupidity.

Sebastian noticed the girl looking at her bandages. "Do your bandages need changing, young miss?"

Persephone smiled emptily. "I suppose. You're really on top of things, aren't you?"

The butler's lips curved into a grin. "I thank you for such a compliment, but, after all... I am just one Hell of a butler."

Suddenly Persephone exploded into a fit of laughter. "Ahaha! That's quite a dumb line coming from someone like yourself," she mocked, finally calming down after a few more moments of laughter. She could tell by his expression he was not pleased. "Oh, I joke. It was just.. surprising, that's all."

Was this girl really mocking him? How fun his new master would be. "No offense taken, young miss. However, I hope you know your bare breasts have exposed to me since the moment you sat up."