The Redemption of the Devil

Chapter Two: My Butler, the Shield, and Sword

Pulling the black jacket tighter around her frame as her eye remained fixed on the three graves before her. She has not been to the Phantomhive Cemetery since her return and now a year after the incident, she stood there. Three graves, two bodies six feet underground. She presumed family members, perhaps the Midfords or her Aunt An had arranged for their funeral, assuming three of them had died in the fire. Her father was on the left, her mother was on the right and in the center was her own, empty. All three had the same death dates, however, her's was crossed out recently. The air was bitter cold, the sky gloomy gray and promising snowstorm soon.

Sebastian stepped up next to her after a long while holding out the roses of silver white. She turned to him and gazed at the sterling roses, guessing they came from the greenhouse rose garden. The scent of the roses was heady and she inhaled them, they were her favorite. She took them from his hands and laid few on her father's grave, murmuring a short prayer and moving onto her mother's grave doing the same. Finally, with a single rose in her hand, she stood before her own and held the rose up to the taller man and said softly without looking at him, "turn it blue."

He smiled his placid yet sly smile and touched the rose, it turned brilliant blue before settling to midnight blue. "How fitting, my lady."

She hummed in agreement, inspecting the rose before laying it on her own grave, "someday eventually. Come, Sebastian, I fancy a trip to London." She turned and walked out of the cemetery, her butler in tow toward the waiting carriage.

Slipping in, she sat on the bench facing forward and Sebastian sat with his back to the front, facing his young mistress. Her eye met his and he banged the roof above him, "to London." The carriage gave start and rolled, bouncing gently over the snow crusted road. The snow began to fall softly. He glanced out of the window and softly commented, "the weather will hold but turn ugly later tonight. Let's limit the trip to London for a couple of hours."

Ciel turned her head to the window and nodded. "Sound good. Tell me, has there been any lead since that night?"

Sebastian turned back to the young girl before him. "I regret to report there have not been much of any leads. Apparently, with the loss of the majority of their members in the fire along with other children, they felt it was best to remain low for the time being."

She turned her sharp eye to the man, "but it has been a year! How long would they remain hidden?"

Sebastian's lips curled up slightly, enjoying the sharp tang of annoyance from her. The strong and defiant her soul is, the more delicious it would be. "Indeed, it has been," he agreed, "I believe they would begin to think it is safe and rear their heads soon enough."

"Good."

The carriage bounced slightly, nearly shaking Ceil out of her seat and she scowled prettily. Sebastian had to bite back a laugh as he helped to right her up.
"Recently, I unearthed some information and now would be a good time for you to be aware of it," he gestured to the silent carriage except for the sound of clopping hooves of the Clydesdale horses and the rattle of the wheels. "When we are alone." He noticed her curious look and smirked, drawing a hint of annoyance from her once again, "your father, Vincent Phantomhive, wasn't just an Earl and a businessman of the Funtom Company."

"What do you mean?" She asked, curiosity in full peak.

"He was also the Queen's Watchdog, especially over the underworld. It appears he was involved in something rather dark and servicing the Queen as a liaison or rather, police especially with cases that involves things within the shadows."

"You mean, like such as yourself?" She asked glancing down to the silver and blue ring on her thumb, caressing the shining stone. The stone was so blue that the shade matched her eye perfectly and it was known as the Hope Diamond. Rather cursed like her own family, she fleetingly thought amusedly to herself.
He bowed his head, "precisely. It apparently is something your family has been for generations, passing down from father to son."

She huffed a cloud of condensation in the cold air, "but he has no son, so it ends with him."

Sebastian shook his head lightly, "I think not. This gives us an advantage..." He saw the lightbulb go off in her head and grinned cattily, "yes, my lady."

"So," she tapped her gloved finger on her chin. "If I find a way to become the Queen's Watchdog and continue the Phantomhive legacy, I will be able to find the ones I wish to find?"

"Yes, my lady."

"Sebastian, this is an order." She reached up and flipped the lace gauze that covered her right eye, the symbol glowed, "find a way for me to become the Queen's Watchdog."

Sebastian closed his eyes, hand over his heart, bowing his head and grinning, "as you wish, my lady."

They reached London and spent the next two hours casually going around the marketplace. It had been the first time since she left the Phantomhive manor since that night. It was her first public appearance and she knew it. People gasped and whispered around her, store clerks stumbled to serve her each time she stepped in the store.

After a couple of hours, she was beginning to feel tired and decided it was time to return home. Together, she and Sebastian started back to their carriage.
"Lady Phantomhive?" A man voice stopped her and she turned, curious to who had called her.

She looked up to see an older man with a serious face, graying sideburns and long ponytail under a bowl hat. She gave a small smile and dipped slightly in courtesy, she looked like a miniature lady, dressed in a dark gown, fashionable hat on her head and coat over her shoulder and a black umbrella serving as a cane in her lace gloved hand. "Yes?" She replied politely.

The man looked taken aback at her air of maturity and snootiness underneath the coy mask. It unnerved him, knowing the young missus is only twelve years old, however as he saw her blue eye looking up at him, he realized the girl was mature beyond her age and perhaps had seen more than a grown man should have seen in his entire life. The man standing behind her, he could see, was a butler but his red eyes set off a warning flag in the back of his head. "My name is Sir Arthur Randall of the Scotland Yard. I am pleased to see you out and about after a year. I regret not being able to talk to you of the indecent." He took his bowl hat and bowed in the manner before replacing it.

The courteous smile slid off her face as she glared at the man. "Hm. Thank you and yes, I am aware of Scotland Yard attempts to contact me. It is over and behind me and there is nothing more needed to know." She then brightened with a fake smile, "pleased to meet you. I am sure we will be seeing more of each other then."

Arthur frowned, "what?"

"Oh," she tittered behind her hand, flashing her silver and blue ring. She saw his eyes connect to the jewel and widened. She knew it was her father's ring and her grandfather's before that. With learning of the Phantomhive family being the Queen's Watchdog, she connected the symbolism of the ring to the title. It was enough to send the man reeling. She dipped before replying, "like the Funtom Company, I'll be taking my father's other roles. Good day to you, Sir Arthur Randall." With that, she turned and walked off. Sebastian bowed, smiling at the astounded man and turned to follow his mistress.

Arthur stared after the two, watching them climb into the carriage, noticing the butler took extra care to lift his lady in. "Surely not... The Queen's Watchdog?" He shook his head and wiped his clammy brow with his handkerchief. "It is not a place for a young lady or a girl for that matter." He murmured to himself and walked away.

LadyCielPhantomhiveLadyCielPhantomhiveLadyCielPhantomhive

Sebastian pushed the tray into the office where Ciel sat before a large desk. She looked like a tiny fae dwarfed by the furniture and the room itself. He smirked at the concept, she appeared to not belong there but with the burden of her family's legacies. She would be often found in the office doing both the business works and lessons and occasionally doing the Queen's Watchdog duties. Making his way to her side and he silently prepared the tea to perfection and turned to her, seeing her push the papers aside and softly told her, "English tea with roses from the summer garden." He took out a letter from his jacket, "and an important letter."

Taking the teacup and the letter, she noticed the Royal Family seal on the back and broke it to open it.

To Lady Ciel Phantomhive,
First of all, I would like to express my deepest regret for the loss of your family. I am thankful to God for your safety. Included in the letter is an invitation for a decoration ceremony that will be on 17th of March at 10 am at the Buckingham Palace. Therefore, I would like to return to you the land and title that were temporarily given back to the royal family in the absence of a lord. I look forward to meeting you and would want to have a private tea with you to discuss some matters.
Victoria.

"Rather personal for the Queen of England," Ciel remarked softly as she finished reading the letter.

"I agree," Sebastian said as he handed her a fresh cup of tea. "We will need to hurry and have some gowns made for an audience. It is soon."

"Yes. I do not favor the idea of having to be fitted but for this, I suppose." Ciel murmured, placing her empty tea cup down. She tossed the letter aside, "some matters. What do you think?"

Sebastian simply smiled as he took the teacup and placed it away. "It is clear that the Queen isn't one for frivolity talk."

"Yes," Ciel replied a shade darkly.

She hummed and took the tea from him. She took a sip before asking, "The Queen wish to meet with me soon. I wonder, would it be regarding my father's position as the Queen's Watchdog?"

"That and perhaps, granting the title of Duchess since you have been actively taking roles as the heiress of the late Earl Phantomhive," Sebastian replied as he watched her take more sip of the tea and scan the papers before her. They have managed to uncover her father's journals and files from the townhouse in London that day she went for a shopping trip. What they had gathered barely scratched the surface. She sighed in annoyance as she placed her cup down.

"This is not enough." She gestured to the papers before her on the desk, strewn about. She had been reading and re-reading them all morning, trying to piece the puzzles together. "Whatever my father had, everything, all burned down with the old manor."

Sebastian nodded, "it seems so, my lady." He took the cooling tea, knowing she would not drink anymore and placed it aside. He turned back and picked up a paper, "we know enough here that he has connections with some people."

She looked up at him, a small frown on her face, "yes. I must make appointments with them soon. I am concerned with how they would accept me, in their eyes, I am only an twelve years old girl."

"Yes." Sebastian smirked, "you should be playing with dolls and having teas with girls your ages. Speaking of such, Lady Elizabeth Midford is expected to come next Friday afternoon with her mother, Marchioness Francis Midford."

Ciel shot him a glowering glare, "I am not a child! I have not played with dolls in a long time and will not ever again!" she snapped. He smiled benignly at her and pushed the tea tray away, she glowered at him and retorted at his back before he disappeared, "Shut up!" She threw a book at the closing door, it thumped loudly and fell to the floor with a smack. She sighed and rubbed her head, feeling a headache coming on.

Ciel and Sebastian made their way to the Buckingham Palace early in the morning, riding through London from the manor. She had been dressed in royal blue with gold accent. The gown was designed with a cut that made her look more mature and similar to the military style rather than laces and frills. Her long gray hair tied up in tight coif with bangs hanging down over her eye-patch, curling at the end. Sebastian had found a seamstress that understood Ciel's preference in styles and made the gown quickly enough.

The ceremony was not a large one but many other Earls and Lords had made their attendance to witness the ceremony. Many of them had a reservation for a young girl to granted a title so soon but dared not to object to the Queen.

Sebastian stood at the back of the room, watching as the Queen place the decorative chain around Ceil's neck. It was intended to be for an Earl but since there was no male left in the Phantomhive household to receive the title, only Ciel, a female one. She is being granted the title of a Duchess, a title equal to the Earl. In so, if Ciel were to ever marry someday, the man would have to be an Earl or of higher rank to adopt and carry on the title of Earl Phantomhive or else she remain the head of the house until a son is born. But how would Ciel play out the future? A stab of doubt rang in him as he watched Ciel formally bow before the Queen.

"You should be up front, you're good as family to Ciel by now." Sebastian glanced over his shoulder to find Madame Red, also known as Aunt An. He gave her a friendly smirk, "it would be presumptuous to call myself something like family. Because I am just one hell of a butler."

Madam Red bowed her head and patted Sebastian's arm before passing him to sit in the audience, "nonetheless, you have done more for Ciel than anyone else could ever have in these time."

He bowed slightly until she was gone.

After the ceremony had ended, everyone was shown to reception and Ciel was found in the hallway alone, staring out of the window deep in thought. Sebastian approached her, the doubt gnawing and growing in him. Perhaps, he should be done with her. She has achieved everything with his help and has more than what a mortal could've ever wanted. A year recovering from the ordeal, rising up in the business and finally taking back the title of her family's name.

He approached her and softly spoke, "Now you're officially a Duchess." He saw her shift her good eye to him, "The status, the fortune, possible suitors lining up for your hand in marriage. You have it all."

Ciel turned away from him, frowning. His eyes glowed demonically and his teeth lengthened. So, it seems. He thought to himself and his voice rasped softly and if anyone heard him, chills would've gone down their spine. But not Ciel, she knew his voice and do not fear him despite his true identity. "Would you live on in happiness with everything you have now and throw away the foolishness of the revenge?" His form begun to waver and shift slightly, ready to finish this contract once for all. If she changed her mind, the flavor of her soul would change. He did not want that.

She softly replied, "It does not sound so bad…" Then suddenly she turned sharply to him, her cloak and gown swirled almost too dramatically. Holding back his true form, he saw the blazing anger on her face and smirked, relishing in the bright soul that he knew she has. He fell to his knee, bowing before her as a butler would do. "Foolish!" She snapped at him, "You think I would give that up? All I have come back for happiness? I came back to fight! As Duchess Ciel Phantomhive, there's no other way to go but forward." She stood resoundingly still, determined as she ever was when he first met her. "I'll stake this on the name of Phantomhive that I will definitely attain my revenge." And with a softer tone, she reached out to touch his cheek as he had knelt before her and leaned forward that her lips barely touched his ear, "and you will have my soul." Her lips grazed his cheek as she stood back up.

He grinned most devilishly as his eyes glowed before settling to blood hue, "Yes, my lady." All doubts he had washed away and he watched as she turned her back, striding forward with pride and dignified pace. Before she went far enough, she paused and spoke, "This is an order, Sebastian." Her voice carried back to him strongly, "you will be my sword and shield and bring me victory."

He stood up and bowed his head with his hand over his heart, "As you wish, my lady."

A servant in white approached them and bowed to Ciel, "My lady, the Queen would like to see you now. Please follow me."

Ciel tilted her head and followed the servant. Sebastian followed close behind. Soon, they were ushered into a private room and the Queen was sitting on the couch, taking a sip from her teacup. She smiled at Ciel and waved her in to sit in the chair across from her. Sebastian moved to stand beside and slightly behind Ciel.

Ciel curtsied before the Queen while Sebastian bowed. "Thank you for inviting me to sit with you for tea, Queen Victoria." She told the older matronly woman. She sat down and accepted a tea cup from one of the servants in white.

"Please, call me Victoria. I am happy you came. I understand it is unusual for a young girl like yourself to take on the responsibility the title hold. You're in for a difficult time, especially with getting people to accept your title, but if anyone were to give you much trouble, don't hesitate to write to me."
Ciel took a sip and smiled, "I am sure I will be fine. I am a Phantomhive after all and they will know that."

Victoria studied the girl before her, so small and so young. But she can see the time and wisdom in the bright blue eye, making her appear far much older and wondered how much has the girl had seen. She caught the silver and blue ring on the girl's thumb, an understanding came to her and she placed her teacup down, becoming serious. She waved her hands and the majority of the servants left the room, leaving only two standing behind her couch.

Ciel has noticed the difference in most of the Queen's servants. The one that attended closely to the Queen appeared slightly different from the rest, silver hair, violet eyes, and white uniform. They appeared almost like celestial soldiers. She could tell things were going to get serious and placed her tea down and folded her hands on her laps, to receive what would come.

Victoria regarded Sebastian and gestured to him, "is he trustworthy for what I would discuss with you?"

Ciel glanced up to Sebastian and noticed his placid smile on his handsome face. She nodded and turned back to the Queen, "I trust him with my life. He is not only just my butler but my guard and caretaker. He knows everything about me that others do not know. You could say, he is my right hand, my shield, and sword."

"Very well." The older woman arranged her skirt before settling her hands to lay on them. "what I wish to speak to you about is your family's duty to me. I am not sure if you are aware of it and I need to see if it is necessary for me to withdraw the duty until the time is right or allow it to continue."

Ciel nodded and lifted her hand up to show the ring to the queen, "I am aware of it. I have recently uncovered some of my father files, what was left of it since the majority of them were gone in the fire."

"So," The Queen stood up and walked around the couch to pace slightly before the fireplace in the room. "Being the Queen's Watchdog is not an easy job, especially for a child like yourself. Your father had served me very well while he was alive and I regret that he died so young. The Phantomhives, for many generations, has served the Royal family as the agent in the shadow and keeping what's within under control. It is a dangerous job and I do not think it would be proper for one so young and small like you to take on responsibility."

Ciel stood up and walked around to meet the Queen in mid-stride. She looked like a tiny waif compared to the older grandmotherly woman. Looking up seriously into the gray-haired woman's face, "I've seen enough and came back stronger. I can take what the shadows would dish out to me. Someone out there is responsible for my parents' death and my despair, I will carry on the Phantomhive's duty as the Queen's Watchdog to uphold my family's legacy and honor, as well to find those who were responsible and make them pay."

Queen Victoria almost stepped back at the intensity of the girl's resolute. She nodded softly, "I see. There's no protecting your innocent soul."

"Who says my soul is innocent?" Ciel replied.

Staring into the blue eye that stared back, she saw the shadow and darkness swirling in them and gave a single nod. "Very well. I'll allow you continue with your father's duty. You've shown to all of us that you are capable enough of bringing the Funtom Business to its height in a short time and integrating into the social as a Lady of the Phantomhive household. One wrong move as my watchdog, you know what happened to dogs that misbehave?"

Ciel narrowed her eye, "I understand clearly. I will not fail you." Her hands had clenched so tightly by her sides in the fold of her gown. Only Sebastian could smell the tang of blood, knowing Ciel's nails had cut into her palms. "If that would be all, I'll take your leave."

Queen Victoria nodded and watched as Ciel turn to join Sebastian's side. The two of them bowed and turned to leave. She frowned and murmured to her servant that joined her side, "so young to be subjected to the legacy of the family. It is indeed a cursed family. She's a beautiful child, I would hate to see her end."

"Her fate has long been written out for her." Her servant replied.

Sebastian helped Ceil into the carriage and moved to sit beside her rather than the opposite of her. She said nothing as the carriage moved on, taking them home. He reached out and pulled the leather gloves off her hands, he could see she had clenched her hands so tightly that her nails broke through couple layers of soft lambskin and cut into her palm, leaving four bloody crescents on each palm. "Ah, you really should not allow anyone get to you." He bit back the desire to lick her hand, the blood smelled so enticing. He reached to pull out the handkerchief.

She glanced over to him as he was about to dab her hand clean. She noticed the tint of pink demonic glow fighting to overtake his red iris. She withdrew her hand and brought it closer to her face to inspect the bloody crescent. They were still bleeding. Perhaps she needed her nails to be trimmed shorter. "She was right, it will be difficult to move on from being a small girl I am. I guess I'll have to prove them wrong." She lifts her hand to his face, close to his lips. "Lick them clean."

The handkerchief dropped to his lap as he gently took her hand and smirked, "as you wish, my lady." His tongue darted out and licked the blood off her hand softly and slowly. She watched from the corner of her eye and held back the shiver as his eyes glowed.

LadyCielPhantomhiveLadyCielPhantomhiveLadyCielPhantomhive

The Friday afternoon came too soon for the young lady of the house. She stood at the top of the staircase in the foyer, watching as Sebastian held the door open. She could see beyond the open door where Finnian helped the tall beautiful middle age woman out of the carriage, followed by a young girl her age. Sebastian bowed and took the woman's hat and shawl. Ciel can see her aunt inspecting the butler with critical eyes and nearly rolled her own eyes when she heard her aunt comment, "your hair is improper, butler."

Stepping down the stairs and replying before Sebastian could say anything, "his hair is fine as it is. He is my butler, not yours, Aunt Francis. Welcome."
The woman gave a sniff and turned to her young niece, "Ciel, dear. It's good to see you well."

"CIEL!" The young girl with blond hair and emerald eyes cried out as she rushed forward and gathered up her cousin in a bear hug. It was clear that Elizabeth was taller and healthier than Ciel. "Oh! It's been so long! I've missed you!"

Ciel coughed and patted her cousin's back before attempting to pry herself out of the vice grip, "yeah, Lizzie. It's good to see you again too." When she was finally free, she brushed her skirt and tugged her jacket and stood straight. "Please, let's adjoin to the garden sunroom for tea." She gestured the way and her aunt nodded in agreement. Lizzie smiled and grabbed Ciel's hand as they went.

"I wish you would come and stay with us, let us take care of you," Francis said as she took a sip of her tea. Her daughter nodded beside her mother.
Ciel closed her eyes and gave a placid smile, "I am fine now. Thank you. I needed time to myself to recover. I have my servants taking care of me."
Francis glanced over to Sebastian who were serving them crumpets and biscuits, "A butler? It is improper for a man to be serving a young lady like yourself personally."

Ciel gave a wry smile over to her butler who had been grinning like a cat behind the shadow of his own hair. "He has been good to me. In fact, it is Mey-Rin that serves me in the bedroom, so there is nothing to worry about. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for Sebastian. He helped to get this household back in shape and managed the staff. Tanaka is getting on in his age."

"I see." Francis murmured into her teacup.

Desperate to change the uncomfortable subject, Ciel asked, "How is the family?"

The older woman smiled as she held her teacup on her lap, "Alexis is doing good, staying busy as usual doing his duty as the Marquis of Midford. Half of the time, he is hardly around but that's understandable. Edward is at Weston College. In his last letter, he reports that he had been made Perfect for the Green House. He is upholding the Medford's name honorably."

"Oh, that is wonderful news," Ciel replied and had to bite back a small laugh as she noticed Lizzie looked like she was going to burst at the seam.
When the silence filled the air, giving a pause in the conversation, Lizzie burst out, "He is coming home for the summer, I can't wait to see him again! It's been a long while!"

"That's right, he did not come home for the winter recently?" Ciel asked.

Francis nodded, "yes, we were disappointed but being a young man and wanting to see the world with his friends. He opted to go to India for few weeks before school started again. I hear India is beautiful."

The younger Midford giggled, "Edward writes that the women there wear much fewer clothes and in silk! I wonder if it is soft as English silk? He said the color is very bold and bright!"

Ciel smirked in her tea amusedly, her cousin has been naive to the world and find about everything fascinating with good intention. Her smile faded, unlike her, everything isn't rose-colored and she saw through shadows and darkness. "Sound exotic. Do give him my regard next time you see him."

Lizzie looked like she would bounce in her seat if it weren't for her mother, " Oh, Ciel! Mother want to plan a ball for my birthday by the end of the summer! You must come! Edward will be there and he asked about you." Lizzie gushed, almost bouncing at the statement.

Ciel looked to her cousin and smiled slightly. "Is that so? I will make sure to come."

Francis gave a small, almost tight smile. "Elizabeth is turning thirteen and it will be her coming of age ball. You are turning thirteen by the end of the year, a ball should be planned soon as possible for you."

Ciel shook her head, "no. I rather not."

Lizzie frowned, "why ever not. It's perfect to be introduced into the society! To put yourself out for the suitors and dance with them." She blushed at the thought.

"No. I am already out in the society with the business and being the Duchess. It's trifling enough."

The older woman nearly narrowed her eyes at her niece but composed, "Ciel, love. It is not right for a woman, let alone a young lady like yourself, be meddling in men's business."

Lizzie shot a glance to her mother and worried her lips, she knew when her mother is at her disagreeable mood and this was it. Shooting another glance at Ciel, she bit back a gasp, finally seeing the scowl hinting on Ciel's face. She realized then that her younger cousin had grown up and is far beyond her age, almost unreachable. "I need to use the water closet." Lizzie piped in, hoping to ease the tension building up and excuse herself from the two stubborn women.

Ciel snapped her finger and called out, "Mey-Rin," knowing the maid is outside the sunroom waiting to be called. The said maid came in and bowed, "see Lizzie to the water closet."

"Yes, my lady." Mey-Rin softly replied and turned to the blond girl and gestured to the door. The girl hops up and followed the maid out.

Francis watched as her daughter leave the sunroom with Mey-Rin and turned back to her niece once they were out of sight. "Ciel, there are things that your father had dabbled in before he died and I implore you to not get involved. You are far too young and innocent to take on the full responsibility your father left behind, unintentionally or not. I strongly encourage you to reconsider my offer by coming to live with us and let us take care of you. You should be living a life of a proper young woman. Leave the unsavory things to your future husband."

Ciel glanced at her aunt with her good eye, her face devoid of any emotions and her voice even, "and let you and Uncle Alexis parade me around for any suitors? That I should sit aside and do embroidery, drink tea and gossip? Eventually, marry some stuffy lord and let him take over the Phantomhive legacies and run it down to the ground?" She saw her aunt's face pinch at this. She turned fully and leaned forward, her voice dropped a level and a frown appeared over her good eye, "I am aware of what my father dealt with. I know of the services the Phantomhive does for the Queen. I intend to follow through and continue the legacy that the family had carried on for several generations and uphold it with honor." She saw her aunt pale and smirked. Her aunt paled even further as Ciel continued, "I will not sit around idly, do things what society think a proper young lady should do. I am no longer that person. In fact, that little innocent Ciel died that night. I am a rubies woman, no man would want me." A gasp echoed from the older woman and Ciel stood up and looked down at her distraught aunt, "I am Duchess Ciel Phantomhive, the heiress to the Phantomhive and I am fully aware what it entitles to be the Queen's Watchdog. I have seen what is within the shadow." She turned and walked around the table to her shocked aunt, "forgive me, I am no longer in any form to receive guests. Give Lizzie and everyone else my love. Thank you for coming and have a safe trip home." She leaned down and gave the older woman a kiss on the cheek and softly replied with restrained emotions, "I'm afraid when something is truly lost, one can never get it back again." then she walked to the door. "Sebastian, have their carriage brought around and see them off for me. I am going to retire to my room for the evening. I will take dinner there."

Sebastian bowed, "as you wish, my lady." He remained there as she walked past, glancing side-way, he caught Ciel's face and realized the young mistress was on the verge of cracking with rage and other emotions. So, Marchioness Francis must have angered Ciel in some way. He does not like to deal with upset Ciel, the girl is troublesome and bothersome as it is if upset or angry. He very much prefers her obstinate and crass when she can be, it is far much more amusing than the former. He stood up and entered the sun-room to find the older woman pale and shaking, "Madame? Would you like anything while I call for the carriage? Perhaps a glass of scotch?" He asked with a smile on his face.

Marchioness Francis looked up to the butler and frowned as she attempted to calm down. "Thank you, no." Sebastian gave a nod and gathered the tea cups and placed them on the tray, she watched him move with ease and asked, "is she really ruined that she believe she would not be accepted by any man?"

He tilted his head to her, his eyes studying the older woman. He could see some likeness between the woman and the former head of Phantomhive, Vincent while he considered his answer, "These things are something Lady Ciel do not easily divulge." He stood back up, "what had transpired that time indeed changed her, moving her beyond the reach of anyone," with that he rolled the tray out of the room.

The woman had composed herself enough to appear if she had never been upset and greeted her daughter with false cheerfulness. Interesting woman, Sebastian thought and called to Finnian to bring the carriage around.

As the carriage came and giving the two ladies their hats and shawls, he helped them in, first Lizzie and then Francis. The woman paused before entering the carriage, turning halfway at the top step to Sebastian, "I am not sure where you came from and I have been told that it was you who found her and came to her rescue. A warning for you, from a former Phantomhive; the family is cursed and I fear for my niece Ciel. Protect her."

Sebastian eyes seemed to glow and he bowed slightly, hand over his heart as he replied, "I am Lady Ciel's shield and sword, your warning is noted."
Francis regarded Sebastian for a moment and nodded before entering the carriage.

Ciel stood at her bedroom window, watching as the carriage leave the ground. She had witnessed her aunt and Sebastian passing some words but knew Sebastian would not imply any falsehood despite who he is.

With learning of the family's position as the Queen's Watchdog, it brought some understanding and insight into the possible connection of her parents' death and her suffering and humiliation. She had been correct, her innocence had died that night.

"My lady?" Sebastian asked as he entered her bedroom, finding Ciel standing before the window. He wondered how long she had stood there, the sky was already dark and he held a tray with her dinner.

She blinked and turned to find him approaching her. Ah, where had the time gone? She had been lost in thought and shook her head, moving to take a seat at her small table and allowed Sebastian prepare her plate and put the napkin on her lap. He turned back to prepare her drink, pouring a glass of wine. She took a bite of the savory veal, chewing but not tasting and swallowed. She asked, "did they leave all right?" He tilted his head at the question and smiled, handing her glass of wine. "Yes. Your Aunt Francis is some woman."

Ciel gave a weak chuckle. "Growing up a Phantomhive, she knows what it is like. That is why she is hard and proper as she is. Lizzie is fortunate to be sheltered, I would not be surprised if she managed to have a suitor by the end of the year, perhaps a fiancée." She took another bite, the food was beginning to calm her and she continued to eat her dinner in silence. She looked up to Sebastian after her plate had cleared, meeting his red eyes, "was I right to suspect that being the Queen's Watchdog is what led to my family's demise?"

Sebastian only smiled at her and replied, "only one way to find out."

Ciel scowled, "of course." She stood up and moved to the two wingback chairs in front of the fireplace, a small round table was set up in between and a board of chess game was set upon it. She fingered the chess pieces, on one side, were silver figurines of the Romans and on the other sides were gold figurines of Vikings. She picked up the Viking Queen and held it up to inspect the fine details, "so, the game begins."

Sebastian smiled to himself as he watched Ciel. He saw the young lady as the Queen of one side of the board, making a motion to move the pawns. He knew which role he played on the board. He was the black knight, the one that can move anywhere across the board with unlimited power under the order of his little queen. Indeed, the game had begun.

LadyCielPhantomhiveLadyCielPhantomhiveLadyCielPhantomhive

I have just recently finished watching Book of Circus and I found the story very interesting and look forward to the next season next year with the Luxury Liner.
I have already outlined how I wanted this story to be and from what it look like, it will be three parts with roughly around 30 chapters in total. The chapters would be around the length of this chapter, some longer or some shorter. The first part will be following the first season of the anime series and the second part as well for the second season. However, the third part will branch off, I still have not yet decided how I want to approach it even though I know how I want to end it. I will not be exactly following how the story goes, there will be changes in approach with Ciel being a female especially during late Victorian Era. If you have read most of my other stories, you know you'll be in for a treat with this one as well.
I'd love to hear your feedbacks. Thanks for reading.

On extra note: Fan fiction . net is being most uncooperative in uploading this very chapter on Safari. I had to switch to using Firefox and fix a lot of things here. If there is any problem, let me know.