Ciel sat in his study at the middle of the night, waiting for Sebastian to return from his duties. He looked rather grim, lost in deep thought. He was fingering idly his Hope Diamond shard, staring at thin air. He heard someone knock on the door. He didn't need to say a word, for his butler entered with a tray of tea for him.

"Sorry if it took me longer to finish my duties, Young Master." Sebastian said. "Your sister seems to be not that kind of person who could sleep immediately. I have taken care of her problem."

Ciel scowled at him. "Do not tell me that you did something to her? If you did anything to violate her, I swear I won't forgive you."

"I only gave her a strong tea to make her sleepy." Sebastian replied, pouring out tea. "Perhaps, the young master would want some of it too? It's past well into the midnight and you're still up."

"I'll pass." Ciel said, looking steadily at the tea placed before him. "Surely you know the reason why I wanted to talk to you."

"Yes, milord."

"Do you have the name of that French noble whom my sister wanted to marry?"

Sebastian only smiled. "I have not yet acquired it, milord."

Ciel looked annoyed. "What?" he said through clenched teeth. "I specifically told you to look up his name and family background. What have you been doing these past few hours?"

Sebastian looked at his young master. "I know you told me to do that, milord. But something interesting came up regarding this matter."

"And what would that be?"

"I gather that an English noble would want her hand in marriage too, though her ladyship ignored him."

"And who would this noble be?"

"Viscount Druitt." Sebastian said simply. A shiver ran down through Ciel's spine.

"Forget about the Viscount." Ciel said tersely. "I won't give my sister to him even if my sister really likes him."

"I figured as much." Sebastian said. "As for the French noble, I'll be looking him up, and tomorrow you'll have your answers."

"See to it that it's done, or else." Ciel said darkly.

"Yes milord."

~oo~

Ciel lay on his bed, unable to sleep. His sister's room is just a few doors down from his, and that thought alone is enough for him to be calm. However, the thought of her marrying into some French hierarchy at such short notice, he could not erase the fear that the French noble had done something to her that they're going to be married soon. He grimaced at the ceiling. If he won't get some sleep right now, he'll be like a zombie the next morning. He rolled on his bed, trying to catch sleep but in vain. He sat up, growling. If it really comes to that kind of worry, then he has no choice but to do it. He got off his bed, donned in a robe, slipped into his fluffy slippers, and left his room. He walked down the corridor, and stopped in front of his sister's room. He had second thoughts of knocking, and he decided to enter it quietly. He looked around the darkened room, and saw his sister sleeping deeply on the four poster bed. He walked over to her and saw her serene face. He half smiled. True, she really looks like their father, minus the mole under the eye and the long hair. If only she'd look like their mother, rather than their father, he would have been much comfortable with her around much more.

"Ciel..."

Ciel started. He looked down at his sister, who was still in deep sleep. Had she been always this sleep talker ever since they were kids? He can't remember much of their time together. He placed a hand on her cheek, caressing that soft skin. If only he could postpone her engagement, to know more of his "future brother-in-law", he'd do anything. He can't just let her get married if they still haven't recovered the time lost between them, and he won't let anyone get in his plan. Even if it's just for three years they'll be together, have a sibling bonding and all...