A Thousand Words
Day 999
"Sebastian." Ciel handed a folded sheet of paper to his butler. "Get these."
The demon took the sheet and read it through once, placing it into his breast pocket once he was finished. He had a hand over his chest as he nodded, "Yes, my Lord."
The butler left, leaving Ciel alone in his study. He made his way to the dining hall to eat his breakfast, in which Sebastian would have already prepared. When he got there, Lubelle was already eating.
"Good morning, Ciel." She smiled.
"Good morning." He sat down in his seat and began to eat, feeling famished.
"Where's Sebastian? I haven't seen him all day." She wondered.
"He's out running some errands." Ciel replied.
"Oh…" Lubelle nodded slowly and finished her meal, "That leaves us here then. What is there to do here?"
Ciel turned a lazy eye to her, "We could play a game."
"A game? Are you fond of games, Ciel?" Lulu turned to him with curious eyes.
She doesn't look like she's slept well, Ciel noted the dark bags that were starting to become apparent. She looked tired.
"Yes." He replied, "I am quite fond of them."
"Then let's play a game!" She grinned.
The boy's brow raised at her happy behaviour. He was briefly reminded of the previous times he had met her and seen her personality up close. He took one last bite of his meal, finishing it off before slipping out of his seat.
"Follow me so you don't get lost." Ciel looked over his shoulder at the female who still sat at the table. She hurriedly got out of her seat and followed the younger one.
"Young Master—" Sebastian opened the door but stopped himself mid-sentence when he realised that someone was sleeping.
He walked fully into the room, seeing that there were a few games here and there. Ciel was sitting and reading a book, whilst Lubelle lay on the long chair, having dozed off.
"Did you get everything?" Ciel asked. His voice was toned down a notch so that he wouldn't wake the female.
"Yes." Sebastian took out a few slips of paper and handed them to the young Lord.
Ciel skimmed through its contents and he nodded his head in approval. "Did you find the 2nd?"
"Yes." Sebastian smirked, "I met him." Ciel stayed quiet so that he could elaborate. "As you thought, there was another person behind this."
The corner of Ciel's lips pulled upwards.
Sebastian tilted his head so that he was looking at Lubelle. He then turned back to Ciel, "It was a Shinigami."
"Shinigami?" Ciel's blue eyes widened.
"The same person that was at the Jenkin's Theatre when we entered." Sebastian recalled the presence he felt.
"What would a Shinigami have to do with anything?" Ciel brought his hand up to his lips in a thoughtful motion. "Where did you meet him?"
"Katherine Barns' home."
Ciel was silent for a moment. "So they are in cahoots with each other?"
"I suppose so. He is acting as her messenger." Sebastian chuckled.
"Messenger for what?"
"For news regarding anything that might dirty her reputation. That includes the 3 year old case where Lubelle was arrested. Katherine was quite suspicious of us."
"What of Gilford?"
"He's on his guard. He knows that you'll be digging information and thus burned the documents that would endanger his reputation, along with the truth."
Ciel's eyes narrowed at his butler, "Did you retrieve them?"
"I have the legitimate files here. Thankfully I copied them when I went there last. I swapped them." Sebastian chuckled darkly and took out more sheets from his jacket. He handed them to Ciel.
Ciel looked over them and a smirk grew onto his face. "Sounds like our work load just got lighter." He glanced to the table between Lubelle and him. They had been playing chess last, but Lubelle had fallen asleep when Ciel went to the restroom. He moved the queen chess piece so that it knocked over the queen chess piece of the opposing side.
"Now all we need to do is figure out the king's position."
When Lubelle awoke, she was in her own bed.
"Huh…?" She drowsily rubbed her eyes and looked around, remembering that she was playing chess with the young Earl.
Did I fall asleep…? She asked herself. Seeing the time was the late afternoon, she decided to get some fresh air.
As she was walking, she saw the servants running here and there, as if their work load had suddenly gotten heavier and they had many things to do. The female walked slowly towards the dining room – the only room she remembered.
Once she opened the door to go in, she gasped at what it looked like inside. It was furnished lavishly and looked completely different – it looked like preparation for a party.
"What is this…?" Lubelle glanced around. She hadn't seen something this grand in a few years.
"A feast."
Lubelle nearly jumped 10 feet when the voice sounded next to her. She breathed deeply, a hand over her heart, "You scared me, Ciel!"
"CIEL!" A loud, girly and high pitched voice screamed. In the next second, a blonde curly twin tailed girl jumped onto the back of the young Earl, nearly throwing him off balance.
Lubelle stared wide eyed and hoped that she didn't injure the poor fellow.
"Miss Donovan, come in." Sebastian had appeared next to the woman, holding out his hand. She took it and he led her to the middle of the room, where Ciel and the bubbly girl had gone after she had hugged him.
"EH?! IS THAT LUBELLE DONOVAN?!" She exclaimed loudly.
Blinking in surprise and because her ear drums were going to burst, the former actress nodded slowly, "Y-yes. It's nice to meet you…" She had momentarily forgotten that she was supposed to be hated, rather than liked.
"Elizabeth Midford! You can call me Lizzy!" She beamed and went over to the woman, holding her bigger hands in her smaller ones. "It's nice to see you again!" She chirped.
"See me again…?" Lulu quizzed.
"Yes! It's been a while since we met!" Lizzy glanced over to the Phantomhive, "Right, Ciel?"
Lubelle glanced at Ciel, who nodded.
"I've met you before?" She furrowed her brows in confusion.
I don't remember meeting him…?
"Yes! We were really young then, though. So of course you don't remember us! We look different now! But we always used to go and watch your shows! They were spectacular!" Lizzy gushed, her eyes literally sparkling as she marvelled at the former actress.
Lubelle was speechless. She didn't even think that they were her fans at all – just some strangers that came to help her in her sticky situation.
"Ah…I'm afraid I don't remember you two at all." Lulu said apologetically.
"That's fine! Now you know who we are, so it's okay!" Lizzy grinned and turned to look at the door, where her servant, Paula, had slipped in.
Sebastian put on some music as the servants all carried out a few side dishes, placing them on the table.
"Come on, let's get seated!" Lizzy dragged Lubelle to the table, forcing her to sit opposite her so that she could stare.
Ciel sat at the end of the table, observing the situation between his fiancée and his guest. It was rather amusing.
As the night dragged on, dinner was served, with Lizzy chatting to Lubelle about various topics, whilst Ciel and Sebastian mainly listened, adding their input here and there. It wasn't long before the night had finished and Lizzy had gone home – leaving Lubelle a tired mess.
She yawned, "Excuse me." She turned to Ciel and Sebastian, "Thank you for throwing a party. It was wonderful." She smiled.
"You had fun, no?" Sebastian smiled charmingly.
"Yes…but it's alright, you didn't need to throw a party just for me." She spoke with a sad smile.
The Earl and his butler blinked a few times in surprise. A smirk touched Sebastian's lips as Ciel looked away with a shrug, leaning back on his chair.
Lubelle giggled and nodded her head in appreciation, "I'll retire to my room now. Thank you for the night." Meirin hurriedly followed Lulu as she exited.
"She saw right through us." Sebastian chuckled.
"It was obvious." Ciel yawned. He stood up, "I'm tired. Prepare my bath." He ordered, walking off.
"Yes, young Master."
I wonder if they've solved the case, Lubelle wondered. She was in the comfy bed, but couldn't sleep just yet. Her mind kept wandering off to what would happen tomorrow – if she wasn't proven innocent.
I guess it's my last night here…she thought sadly. She remembered Lizzy's face whenever she talked to her; it was full of happiness and glee whenever she mentioned her shows.
She must have really liked them, Lulu thought to herself, I wish I could have acted a little more…
"Are you awake, Miss Donovan?" A knock on the door sounded the female half-awake.
"Come in." She said softly. She wasn't sure if Sebastian heard it or not; but he walked in, so he must have.
Lubelle adjusted her eyes; he had a lighted candelabra with him in one hand but the other hand had an envelope. She sat up and yawned yet again.
"Excuse me." She said tiredly.
"Miss Donovan. The young Master would like you to have this." The butler neared her and handed her the envelope, "He said to not open it now – but to open it at 5.50pm tomorrow."
Lubelle took the envelope and stared at it with confusion. She looked back up at Sebastian, "Why would Ciel tell me to open it just before I'm headed for death?" There was a strain on her voice; no doubt from her muddled and tired thoughts.
"That was the young Master's orders." He held a finger to his lip.
Even in the dark, Lubelle knew Sebastian knew something she didn't. The knowing look of his red eyes was almost playful.
"…alright." Lubelle agreed. She placed the envelope onto the drawer top near her bed. "Thank you, Sebastian."
"It's my pleasure. Goodnight, Miss Donovan." With a charming smile, he was gone.
"Goodnight, Sebastian."
Lubelle flopped back onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling. Now that she thought about it, she didn't know that much about the situation at hand – her situation. To top it off, the date of her execution loomed just above her head – it was tomorrow.
I hope they find out who the true culprit is…! She hugged a pillow tightly, squeezing her eyes shut, please, I want to act again! For those who continually support me!
Her grip loosened, but what if they've found nothing…?
A stray tear slid down the side of her face.
Then what was the point of all this?