A/N: To all the readers who ever so faithfully read this crappy fanfic of mine, thank you very much. P.S.: Sorry for making Ciel very OOC in the last chapter with Sebastian. I know, he's a bit *ehem* goody-goody but I wanted him to be pictured as a rather changed person. Anyway, just tell me if you want him to be less OOC and more like a cold-blooded noble.

Forgive me for the delay!! Due to laziness and discouragement, I didn't manage to upload this. But anyone please, review! I'm crying right now because no one gives a damn about this.

Episode 2

That Butler, Weakness

Ciel Phantomhive contemplated on his next move. Elizabeth really had improved throughout the time I was gone. The young earl thought as he moved his black rook in level with his opponent's king, to be then eaten by a white bishop.

He glanced at his 'mistress', clad in a white nightgown made of a rather delicate material. He also noticed that she too was looking at his direction. Both turned a shade of pink and gazed to the opposite direction when their eyes met.

"It's been a long time... since we played chess," Ciel said, breaking the silence between the two. He placed a knight to counter Elizabeth's rook. Thank goodness Sebastian's in the kitchen helping Paula prepare dinner otherwise...

He imagined himself being quietly laughed at by Sebastian as the butler played the violin. He shivered slightly.

The future Marchioness thought for a while as she led her pawn to a near corner, capturing another one of the black pawns.

"I'm really glad... to play this game with Ciel again," said Elizabeth, with a bit of uneasiness and embarrassment. She was afraid that if she said something foolish, she might vex the young earl and maybe anger him.

"Me too," beamed Ciel further assuring her that he was indeed, smiling again.

She did not notice herself smiling as well.

"Lizzie, are you all right?" said an alarmed Ciel as he pushed the chessboard aside and began dabbing her eyes with a lace handkerchief.

...and crying.

"I'm sorry," was a whimpering reply from Elizabeth as she silently thanked him and slowly backtracked from the little Phantomhive, fearing she had offended the earl. "I mustn't do this... I really mustn't... but I... I..." She remembered something; an important and disturbing thought.

"Are you fine?" Ciel's tone became more and more worried. He came closer and closer to Elizabeth who continued to walk backwards to the door. "Lizzie? If you wanted to win you could have said something earlier and I would have-" As he attempted to touch her, Elizabeth slapped his hand away.

"NO! Don't touch me! I mustn't-" screamed Elizabeth as she tried again to pedal out, then her back ultimately reached the wall.

"What is it, Elizabeth?" Ciel crooned as he walked toward the young lady cautiously.

"It's just that... it's just that... two years... gone... mother thought you dead... tried to find another for me..." she murmured, scared at the boy's reaction.

The string of words quickly made sense to Ciel.

"Two years? What do you mean two years? That I've been gone? That I vanished?" he didn't notice in his hurry to comprehend the situation he was shaking Elizabeth violently.

Elizabeth only stared at his uncovered eye: empty, unfeeling.

"ANSWER ME WOMAN!"

That bellow of Ciel made her heart beat wildly. She was no longer staring at the Ciel she had known five minutes ago. This was the cold Ciel. The numb Ciel. The Ciel full of hatred.

"Yes!" her tears continued to pour. But no longer were they tears of sadness, but of fear. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you I was no longer your fiancée. I'm sorry that I've been betrothed to another for two years. I'm sorry that you were never pleased with me," She continued to cry, admitting things she did not do. "I'm... I'm sorry that... that... even though..." She buried her face with her hands and knelt down. "EVEN THOUGH YOU HATE ME, I'LL STILL LOVE YOU!!" she then cried out finally telling the earl her true feelings.

The air finally deafened in silence. The night was calm, with a soft, cascading black as the moon showed its pale white beauty in the night sky.

"We'll leave straight early morning tomorrow," said Elizabeth, recovering from the fright and shock as she stood up and opened the door of the large guest room. "I'll have a wedding taking place by ten o'clock." Her face was blank, her voice dull. The door then closed.

Sebastian chuckled slightly after hearing Ciel's story of the argument.

"Why am I not surprised young master made another woman cry?" he chortled as his master's temper soon outgrew him.

"Shut up!" he said slapping his hand against the one of the terrace's handles. "I never intended to do that to her. It wasn't my fault."

"On the contrary, it's the young master's," said Sebastian with a light chuckle. "You let fury get the better of you and so, you obtain the results." The butler continued in a soft chiding tone.

The earl then stayed quiet for a while. He glanced at the white and radiant moon for a moment, perhaps pondering and then started to speak once again.

"You knew already that two years passed since I... died," he gasped before saying the word. "You knew all along." His hands turned into fists as he recoiled it, to his cotton sleepwear. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"You would know soon enough," said Sebastian, as he covered his master with a wool blanket. He then took Ciel's hand "Come now, young master. It's getting chilly."

"IF YOU TOLD ME EARLIER THAN KNOWING IT, I WOULDN'T HAVE TO SHOUT AT HER!!" screamed his furious master, pulling his hand away from his butler.

From there, he noticed for a fraction of a second a glint of sadness in the demon's eyes. It wasn't what he expected his reaction to be. He now felt something; a kind of churn in his stomach and his mind wishing he never uttered the thing he said earlier. Was it guilt?

"Lady Elizabeth was a really thoughtful person," said Sebastian, acting as if Ciel's outburst never occurred. "Miss Paula told me that she restored your manor again against her mother's wishes; she took on and continued the Funtom Company, she bought clothes for your sake and changed herself for you. She did these because she believed in you, master. Even if the entire England was positive you perished in the fire two years ago, she didn't care-"

"Stop telling me of the outrageous stunts she did," yawned the Phantomhive. "She's just stubborn. A brat who never gives up her faith even if it kills her is what Elizabeth is. Period," he then turned back from the stone veranda and went inside to his dark room, slipping to the covers of his four-poster bed.

"Wake me up tomorrow, Sebastian. Early. I have a wedding to attend."

"Don't go, Young Master. It's dangerous for you to be present there."

"Who will be trying to assassinate me?"

"It doesn't concern assassination. It's the Scotland Yard, Young Master. The dogs have an obsession to bring back a rare bone like you since your unwelcome 'visit' to the Queen before. They even took the three idiots under arrest."

"What a nice way to describe my 'fetching' situation, cat lover." Ciel's sarcasm was still shallow mockery to the butler.

"Of course, young master. I am after all just one hell of a butler." Sebastian then tucked his master to the bed, plopping Ciel's head against the feather-stuffed pillow. "Goodnight then, Young Master."

Sebastian then walked to the door.

"Sebastian, can I ask you something?"

He paused, signalling it was all right.

"What should I do then... about... about Elizabeth's Wedding? Should I come?"

"I only gave you a warning, Young Master. It is up to you if you will take heed of it or not. I am only on the obedience of your decisions."

Ciel looked up his divan for a while and then he called his butler again.

"Sebastian?"

"Yes Young Master?" His tone was still patient.

Damn, how can he still act so calm?

"Tell me, did I rub you the wrong way earlier with that attitude I had before? I'm sorry I wasn't nice to you like I did to Elizabeth." He was a bit rueful, silently admitting he was indeed wrong.

"Then continue to not be nice to me. Hate me if you must. I am a demon after all. I was never even meant to be trusted." It was a cold remark and straight to the point. "If you must, Young Master never apologize to me. I'm just a butler. A master, if anything gets out of hand, does not apologize to his butler rather, it should be the latter. It is always the butler who commits the wrongdoing and not the master."

He then turned his feet to the door.

"Sebastian, pack our things for tomorrow. Bring as many clothes and money as you can if we have that. Make sure everything is in order here. We won't come back here for a while."

A cunning smile spread upon the demon's lips, as if awaiting this.

"Yes, my Lord."

"And Sebastian?"

He turned to his master one last time.

"Goodnight. And thank you."

He returned the Young Master's smile and finally closed the door.

She wandered for a while in her small dressing room. She stared at herself; her fair hair was pinned up in a braided bun adorned with orange blossoms, a small bodice of silk, a small waist and other necessary lingerie were piled up on her fragile body. Her veil was still on the table, her gown still secretly tucked away. A diamond tiara, a gift from her future mother-in-law lay by another table, with her diamond choker and earrings. I look ugly. She said to herself as she sat down, tired of looking at herself too much by the mirror.

She always imagined herself on a wedding dress, but not like this. She detested the fact that soon, she would be on that wedding dress, marrying the man she didn't love. Though her groom-to-be was the same age as her, as well as polite and kind, she still couldn't replace him with her ex-fiancée and she doesn't even know why! Heck, she even had his burned-down manor rebuilt and managed his company by herself. She paid more attention to her studies, lived by the English etiquette and did what she could, all to make him like her more in his return. She almost succeeded.

But she failed.

And now, she would be a bride against her wishes. She was foolish. "If only I had postponed the wedding..."

"Then you would've had been able to pick a nicer dress." said a voice in a bothersome manner.

The voice was familiar and Elizabeth almost bawled in happiness. She turned around, to see Ciel Phantomhive, her dear friend and ex-fiancée by the door, fully clad in a black cloak and a top hat. There was no expression on his face; chilling, as Elizabeth might say but she didn't care, when she ran to him, calling out his name.

She now knew; she wanted to be with him. She loved him very much and she doesn't want to marry anyone but him. Now she understands.

As she spread out her arms to embrace him, but he then said:

"Don't touch me. You will soon marry. A sin will be committed if a bride touches another man on her wedding day."

"W-what are you saying? I don't understand Ciel. I-I"

"Didn't you tell me you are having your wedding today? And put on some clothes, for goodness' sake."

It was only when she realized she only had her undergarments on. Mortified, as well as a bit distressed by Ciel's indifferent remark, she hastily put on a cashmere robe near a hat stand.

"Do you love me?"

Those words slipped out of Elizabeth's mouth without her thinking. She was taken aback by her words, but she knew she yearned to know the answer for a long time, and that was through him.

"Don't say such rubbish Elizabeth," said Ciel, looking unconcerned of the query she asked. "If you had to ask a question you must ask significant questions like 'Why are you here?' or 'Will you stay at my wedding?'"

"Fine then! Why are you here and not there at the wedding waiting?!" Her temper simply flared up. This time, she already knew his response.

"I'm here to bid you adieu."

"Then I'll come with you." Her voice was only louder than a whisper. Maybe Ciel expected this, maybe he didn't. All she knew was that, she can't change herself after all. She was still that predictable, selfish cry baby who only wanted her way in things and now, she wasn't getting it.

"I don't want a brat like you to hinder my troubles anymore. I hated you, Elizabeth. Let me tell you straight: You're a pest who keeps getting into trouble and making me rescue you all the time. I saved your life many times and yet you still..." Ciel breathed for a while. He was containing his anger. He then bowed his head, pushing his tears back.

"I understand," said Elizabeth, silent tears rolling down from her cheeks. "I am a burden to Ciel. That's why he won't let me come with him." She then took an antique, silver ring from the table and put it in Ciel's hand. He only looked in surprise and disbelief at the precious thing Elizabeth gave him.

It was his ring. The Phantomhive ring that was owned by his forefathers; the ring with a shard of the cursed Hope Diamond that he gave a sailor in return of coming back to a blazed London to save his servants.

"I found this from a skipper a year ago. The price was high, but it was worth it." smiled Elizabeth. He was flabbergasted. She was really optimistic, even till the end. Maybe that's why she often gave him strength before, amidst the gloom enclosing him. She was a beacon of hope, which shone even at the worst of his storms.

"Keep it." Ciel then said after a moment of stillness and returned it to her.

She stared at the ring, then at him then continued to grieve.

"I'm sorry I was a bad fiancée," she whispered between tears, covering her face.

"Don't be." was Ciel's remark as he turned to the door.

"Ciel?"

He paused and looked at his past fiancée.

I'm sorry Ciel. Elizabeth thought before rushing to him...

...to kiss him.

Ciel was taken by surprise (and angry) by what Elizabeth showcased him. But why was he sad when she let go?

"Elizabeth-"

"I know, I know. That I mustn't do that because I'm a bride," cut in Elizabeth, wiping her tears. "But I'm happy because I saw your smile. Thank you."

"I'll be going then," he then halted briefly. "Don't come stepping into my mansion again." he fingered, with every word a shake.

"I won't," she smirked. "As long as that will make you happy..."

"Good because," he opened the door. "You probably might not see there again. And that ring, consider that as my wedding gift."

Elizabeth was stunned by what Ciel said before the door closed. She stared at the ring for a few minutes and then placed it at her ring finger, studying it closely.

When her handmaidens arrived and showed her a pearl-strewn gown, she shoved it away.

"Please give me a different color." said Elizabeth, her voice then empty. She couldn't contain her feelings of sorrow anymore. "I want red."

"But young mistress red means-"

"I'M AWARE OF WHAT IT MEANS!" she screamed before bursting into tears as the maidens tried to console her.

"You've really hurt Lady Elizabeth's feelings Young Master," said Sebastian as they walked through the hallways of the Middleford house, invisible to the liveliness of the home because of the wedding. "You even made her wear that color on her wedding day: Red."

"Red-wish herself dead," he murmured dully.

"...."

Both were silent.

"Where shall we go now, Young Master?"

"The tower of London; I heard from the maids that the three were kept there when they turned it again into a prison house."

"But of what use are they?" said Sebastian, who was wishing they wouldn't recruit the three servants who, to him, would cause nothing but trouble.

"They'll be of use, when we take down the people who killed my family," was his defiant answer as he walked faster. "I'm doing this, to not let those people kill other families and let the survivors be engulfed with hatred like me before."

But he noticed guilt staring at him in the eye. He then ran to Sebastian and hugged him tightly.

"It's the only way to protect her Young Master," said Sebastian soothingly, as he patted his Young Master's back. He didn't want to scold his Young Master yet for acting so childish.

He then carried him to a brougham after an hour of walking; Ciel was asleep, apparently tired from all the grieving. He afterwards put his master's head gently onto his lap as the carriage rode on.

You're really becoming an interesting meal. He thought as the butler stroke his young master's hair. Ciel's slumber only drifted on. How long can you think of hiding the truth that you only desire vengeance, Ciel Phantomhive?

By the time they went down the coach, Sebastian then gave the fine and an extra tip to the driver and continued carrying his master to an inn two blocks away from the tower.

When the time comes, will you have the courage to kill them, or will your cowardice prevail?

Five yards away to where they were walking a person was watching them closely. In the person's hands were two rifles.

"Ciel Phantomhive is sighted." the unknown person said with a faint grin.

By the time Ciel awoke, it was already night time. He already expected waking up this late, after a nightmare.

It was an ordinary nightmare for Ciel. His parents were consumed by the fire was his dream once again. But what was odd was both were laughing and taunting him as his butler tried to protect him. Then, they burnt Sebastian as they burned as well, highly amused as his butler tried to push him away to safety. But Ciel only stared in horror at the now-hideous faces of his parents, who tried to set him ablaze as well.

He noticed a note, written in an elegant script. It was from Sebastian, telling him he went to search for the servants in the tower and will soon return after buying groceries.

There was then a knock at the door. Then another, and another.

Thrice were the knocks at the door as Ciel sensed something was terribly wrong. He grabbed a pistol from his cloak and opened the door.

A figure in a black suit and mask greeted him, with two rifles in hand, pointing directly at the earl and said in a calm voice, as if addressing a youngster.

"Good evening. I'm an assassin. I've been assigned by the Scotland Yard to kill you, Ciel Phantomhive."

Ciel, without second thoughts quickly aimed the pistol and fired.

A/N: From now on, my updates with this story will be monthly. Sorry, but I have school to be responsible of. And please, I beg all of you to review! I may take a long time to update this in June, since the next chapter focuses on how they will regain the servants and their trust. In case you're wondering, Tanaka-san is already dead. It was mentioned by Sebastian in Episode 24. Sorry for not including the other servants here already. I still don't have any ideas how they will live their life after the 'Great Fire'. Sorry too, for not including Grell and Undertaker. They'll show on the next, next chapter. Forgive my delay and the delays of the next remaining chapters. *Bows.*