Hello all!
I wanted to give you a quick update on whats going on with me, for those of you that also follow my other stories. Motivation for writing has been dwindling as drastic events in my life are taking place. I'm going through a series of changes that preoccupy all of my attention. The speed in which I have been updating has been very poor and I apologize for that, but I'm trying to figure out the game of life as of late. So my apologies that these chapters are slow and not as lengthy, but I hope to improve in the next couple of months once I figure out how to climb these hurdles that keep piling up before me.
Thank you all for your continued support and I hope you enjoy the chapter.
Within the next few hours, the Earl of Phantomhive was standing outside the Midford Manor. Flowers of every shade lined the tall stone walls, and each garden almost sparkled in perfection. Ciel winced at the sparkling flowers and walked the few steps up to the door, but before he could reach them they exploded open.
"CIEEEEEEELLL!" the shriek of a high pitched voice was the only warning before a girl a little taller than Ciel flew out. She crashed into the boy and spun him round, giggling.
"I can't believe you've come to visit me for once!"
"Elizabeth! Put me down!" Ciel attempted to command the young girl, but his voice shook from the spinning. Blue eyes glared at the approaching butler and an almost snarl-like sound escaped the boy's throat when he noticed Sebastian trying not to laugh.
"Lady Elizabeth, it is a pleasure to see you" the butler bows and Elizabeth pauses in her girlish glee.
"Hello Mister Sebastian-" with the mild distraction, Ciel slips from her grasp and huffs a breath of relief as the butler sets to work on fixing his suit.
"Elizabeth I wish you wouldn't-"
"IT'S LIZZIE!" Elizabeth snaps, pouting from his obvious discomfort "how many times must I tell you, Ciel."
"Lizzie, you must stop doing that…" Ciel sighs and straightens as Sebastian finishes fixing the bow at his throat. "You will make people talk-"
"What is this?!" another exited the already open doors and Ciel grimaced as he looked up into Edward Midford's enraged expression. "What is the Earl of Phantomhive doing on our porch alone with my sister?!"
"Surely you didn't overlook my presence, sir." Sebastian raised a hand and gave a closed eyed smile.
"I didn't, but if you're the only one present, he might as well be alone with my sister." He walks up and shoves Elizabeth behind him, as if Ciel was a predator. "State your business."
"I am here to compare-" a flash of black crossed his vision and suddenly Ciel was doubling over, wheezing for air. Sebastian's hands wrapped around his shoulders, stopping him in his fall.
"What my lord was planning to say was that he wished to take a stroll down memory lane with Lady Elizabeth. Please excuse his fit of asthma, the winds have been quite cold the past few nights. Surely you wouldn't have us travel back home in his condition?"
"Ciel!" Elizabeth whined, reaching out to her fiance, but Sebastian lifted him into his arms before the boy could be touched.
"He is ill?" Edward questioned, looking confused but concern did paint his words.
Ciel wheezed and weakly hit Sebastian's cheek, making the butler smile.
"Yes. We had planned to look over some photographs of my lord's late parents, as he believed it would be quite the bonding opportunity for him and lady Elizabeth." More slaps to the face followed his words, but he easily dodged them.
"Well." Edward rubbed his face, appearing exhausted "as I don't wish to deal with my sister crying for the next week because I turned the Earl Phantomhive away, I shall permit you the next two days to visit our manor. I cannot have you staying any longer, as my parents return at the end of this week and I don't wish for them to know of your stay here without their supervision." He steps back and gestures them to enter the house.
Now that some of the blows were connecting with the butler's chin, the boy is set down to walk upon his own device. Ciel pushes Sebastian away and tugs at his rumbled suit jacket, glaring up at his loyal servant.
"You did that… on purpose…" Ciel wheezed, his lungs still aching from the sudden blow. He made sure to keep his voice down, not wanting the two residents to over hear their argument.
"Did what exactly?" Sebastian leaned down and smiled at his master without a single ounce of remorse.
Ciel ground his teeth and turned away, moving to enter the opened doors. He knew the ball was in Sebastian's court so there was no point in arguing a lost battle.
The house was warm, like he always remembered it. Shades of clashing pastels painted the wall and ceiling in floral patterns and it took everything in him to not cringe.
"You are seeking memories? Such an odd request from you." Edward ushered them through the house, his walk a brisk step. He seemed eager to finish their business as soon as possible, but this was perfectly fine by Ciel.
"Yes…" the boy's eyes shifted to the bouncing curls to his right and he alters what he was about to say, regardless of his repulsion. "What my Butler stated is correct. I wish to spend the day reminiscing over my late parents." Well, my father to be exact. He thought, mentally scowling as Elizabeth's eyes sparkled in excitement.
"Oh Ciel! How wonderful!" Elizabeth gushes and hugs the boy's arm in an outburst of affection. Annoyance laces into the boy as he attempts to wiggle free of her, feeling her brother's glare on him.
"Right this way then" the older brother's voice came out stern, giving an obvious warning before opening a door to his right.
They entered a large study that was adorned with walls upon walls of bookshelves. Some held detailed texts of history and accounts, whereas other sections held small affections and fiction bound stories. Ciel followed as Edward approached a shelf that was left a bit barren. The elder reached and brushed his fingers against the dust powdered spines and selected several of them from the shelf. He dumped about three volumes into the younger boy's hands and he jerked in order to catch them.
"These are photographs and articles of your family's memories." Edward stated, and walked over to a nearby desk with his several books. Once before it, he dumped the books upon the wooden table with a thump. "You may use this room to your liking, but I would appreciate it if you would remain in here until I have finished my studies for this morning. My sister has hers as well." The brother looked to his sister, predicting her refusal. She bit her lip and pouted, but complied. Ciel had to swallow down his shock at how mature his childhood friend was being and he had to admit, he was proud of her.
"Only if I can dress Ciel for dinner."
Well. He had been.
"It isn't in any of these." Ciel pushed the book away in frustration and slumped onto the desk, the wood feeling cool against his throbbing head. Time had passed and the youth hadn't found a single clue to the mysterious photo of his father. His eye twitched when movement caught his attention and he turned his head so he could watch Sebastian approach him.
"I have checked within every book in this study and have even taken the liberty to check the photos framed upon the walls. No match, I am afraid." The butler brushes his bangs away from his face and glances down at the defeated boy. "What now my lord?"
"Cake." Ciel groaned.
Sebastian smirks and bows. "I shall see about dinner preparations." With that, the butler leaves, a small click of the door shutting his only evidence. Ciel sighs and pulls out the photograph of his father, glowering at it. He couldn't lie, he loved challenges, but he was finding this one not very enjoyable. For once he just wanted an answer. No investigation, no chase, just a solution so he could be done with it. However, nothing in life was ever that easy.
He pushes himself from the desk and sits back in the chair as the photo falls from his fingers. Why would someone send him pictures of his deceased father? It just didn't make sense. He reached up and pushed his bangs back, cringing when he felt sweat in the hair.
"What does this mean?"
"What does what mean?"
Ciel jumped and looked behind him, noticing his childhood friend standing behind him.
"Elizabeth! How long have you-"
"LIZZIE!" The girl scolded and reached over him, grabbing the photograph. Her eyes widened as she stared at it "this is your father."
"I am aware." Ciel huffed, defeated. He may be able to control the underworld and all of the tenants of Phantomhive, but this girl he held no rein over. Annoying yes, but he had learned to accept it long ago.
"Is this why you're here?" The girl's eyes looked sad, but to Ciel's shock, he saw understanding and without hesitation he told her everything about the photo.
"That is very strange" Elizabeth mused aloud, studying the photograph, "and it is the same photo every time?"
"Indeed." Ciel nodded and stood, standing beside her. "Elizabeth… My memories are quite faded, but I believe your family had a photograph of this exact picture. Do you know where it is?"
The girl set the photo down and stared at the desk, her eyes deep in thought. After what felt like hours the girl finally perked up and smiled.
"I believe there is one in my father's room! Come on, let's go!" That being his only warning, Ciel's wrist was caught up in her hand and he was dragged towards the door at an uncanny speed of a 14 year old girl. As they flew through the door he caught sight of his butler, but before Sebastian could utter a word Ciel was already flying up the stairs by Elizabeth. He reached out his hand to his butler with a desperate expression, but with a growl he watched as his butler smiled.
"I see lady Elizabeth has found you already my lord! I shall come for you when dinner is prepared!"
That was fine, perfectly fine. He would have plenty of time to think of a suitable punishment for his negligent butler in the meantime
To be continued.
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I'll see you next update.