A Girl and Her Demon Maid
Chapter 4
~My Queen Is Lost~
Sebastian and I had just got back home after Sebastian had a strange feeling. I had walked through the door and I thought everything was still alright.
"Ashelia? Sweetheart, I'm home….Ashelia?" The house was silent…too silent. "Sebastian…"
"Yes, my lord." Sebastian disappeared into thin air and after a few minutes, he reappears and shakes his head.
"Damn..."
"It's how you feared then."
"I didn't think he'd do it. Come. We have searching to do."
"Searching? My Lord, I have a special connection to Niera and as we both know where Niera is, Ashelia can't be far." Sebastian smiled.
Ciel snuffed his nose at Sebastian.
"Fine, then. Come now; let's not keep the girls waiting." Ciel turned and walked away.
"Yes, that would be…very rude." Sebastian followed behind his master and the doors shut behind them.
~Meanwhile, at the Trancy Estate~
"You won't get away with this! Ciel will come and he will find me! Let us go!" I yelled as I tried to wiggle out of the binds that I was put in by Claude.
"Now, my little princess, there is no need to get in such a fuss. And I wouldn't get too worked up about that little bastard, Ciel. He won't be coming any time soon."
"Be quiet. You spoiled brat." Niera said as she snarled at Alois from the ropes she was bound in.
Alois laughed and walked up to Niera. "Shut your mouth." Niera growled. "Make me." Her eyes turned neon green, making Alois jump.
"You should watch yourself. Niera has quite the temper." I smirked at Alois. "Hmph!" Alois shirked Niera off.
"Niera, you mustn't let your demonic power take over so easily. If you continue with that, you'll hurt yourself and I'd hate for any-"
"Don't you dare! You don't care about me or my safety if you did you wouldn't bind me and tie me up so! You're nothing but a fake! You are useless! Pathetic! Stupid and a HUGE FAIL-" Claude put his hand over Niera's mouth.
At that point, they were just glaring at each other. I looked at Claude, he wasn't upset at Niera's words, but I didn't see his eyes change color or anything. All I saw was the love and caring any man would have for the woman he truly cared for.
"You were always so stubborn…I knew the day I met you that you'd be trouble, but never this much trouble. But this is what is expected of a woman with so much pride as you.
These insults mean nothing to me. As long as I hear your voice, it's enough.
You believe you got away from me that day but you didn't…I just simply gave you space to think. You were never apart from me.
Never. So stop acting like what we had wasn't real when you know you felt the same thing I felt for you…" Claude released Niera but she just looked at Claude with wide eyes and then she just laughed.
"You really are a fool, Claude. I've never met a demon who was as demented as you."
Claude adjusted his glasses and leaned into Niera. I gasped. Was he about to kiss Niera? He just glared at her, and then he smiled.
"If I'm a fool for loving you, then may I remain a fool for the rest of life" He leaned away, teasing Niera. I sighed out of relief.
"What will you gain by kidnapping us like this? What is that you want? Money?" I yelled at Alois, who turned to me.
"You want to know why I'm keeping you here?...Because I want Ciel to beg for mercy, I want him to cry out, I want him to feel the pain of losing something so dear to him that he'll lose his mind. That's why…my princess. That is why. So until he finds you like you say he will, you'll be with me until the end."
"Oh no the heck she won't!" Niera broke free of her binds and attacked Alois, only to fail by Claude's intervention.
"Be patient, sweetheart!" Claude yelled as he kicked Niera through the front doors.
"Niera!" I glared at Claude. "You filthy monster!" Claude adjusted his glasses once again and chased after Niera into the darkness. Alois smiled and walked up to me.
"I'm surprised Ciel can take that disrespectful mouth of yours. But you'll find I'm not as kind as he is. I wouldn't be so crass if I was you."
"Who are you to call me crass? If anything, YOU are the one who will be getting hurt, NOT me!"
"Stop being so hardheaded, princess. Claude and I will win this round because it's what we specialize in…Tormenting and torturing."
"What makes you think Ciel will be here? If he's smart, he'll come up with a super-secret plan to get us OUT of here without you even realizing!"
"Oh really? Super-secret plan? My princess, Ciel is dumber than you think. True, he has plenty of time to think of a plan, but he won't because I have taken something so precious, so beloved, and so treasured by him that who are we to say he isn't going to panic?"
"That's where you're wrong; you have NOTHING that is that valuable to him!"
"Oh don't I?" Alois tilted his head at me as if trying to tell me something… Was the precious thing…me? I know the Ciel liked me and all but I don't think I'm that precious to him, am I?
I had no time to think. I was too worried about Niera. Alois grabbed my jaw.
"But don't you worry about him. We'll have plenty of time to worry about Ciel. What's really important is after I destroy Ciel, what will I do to you, my little princess?" Alois chucked but before he could open his mouth again, Claude had flew in and smashed into a wall like he got kicked really hard.
I would see the fear drape over Alois' face. I could help but laugh. As the dust started to come down and the rain started to die down, all you heard were the sound of footsteps drawing closer and closer.
"I'm afraid you won't be doing anything to her, Alois Trancy, you lost the second you dared to step into my domain and decided to take my jewel away from me." The bang of a wooden walker echoed throughout the house.
"You disgrace yourself." Ciel's silhouette burned its image into my mind. Ciel's blue eyes were so mesmerizing.
Wait…I thought Ciel only had one eye…I looked closer and his left eye had a type of pattern in it!
That looks like the one Niera and I share! What does this mean?
"I knew you'd arrive, Ciel, but not this fast. Tell me what let you here?" Ciel didn't answer him. He only glared at him with such cold eyes. A judgmental and scolding look that was so cruel that even I couldn't look Ciel in the face myself but Alois just glared right back as if this look was so natural to him. Sebastian walked inside only a few steps behind Ciel, with Niera in his arms.
"Niera!" I yelped, I hoped that she was okay but I expect fighting Claude was no simple task.
"I'm fine, milady. Sebastian, put me down this instant." Sebastian obliged with her wish and put her down on her own two feet.
Claude reappeared next to his master and it had officially turned into a staring contest.
I was in both an advantage point and disadvantage point because I was in the middle of the room but I was far away in the room so if they did try to come and get me whoever was faster wins.
"Alois, tell me what were you trying to accomplish by kidnapping Ashelia?" Ciel asked. Alois stood there with his arms crossed.
"I was going to torture you, make you suffer to be more correct. And after I had done away with you, I'd make her my wife." Ciel just chucked at Alois' resolve.
"What made you think I would let you take my precious diamond away from me without my consent?" Ciel banged his walker on the ground and in moments I saw Niera right beside me, she picked me up and with Claude closing in, Sebastian stepped in Claude's path allowing me and Niera to escape. Alois cursed as we escaped.
"Sebastian! Let's go!" Ciel said as we fled the scene. We quickly got into the carriage that was waiting outside. Sebastian hopped on the top and started driving. I had never ridden in a carriage that was moving so fast!
Niera took her pocket knife and cut the ropes binding me. I sighed as I rubbed my swollen wrists.
"This is such a bumpy road!" I yelped, trying to hold onto my seat.
"We aren't on the road, Ash, Look!"
I looked out the window and Sebastian was driving through the forest instead of the road I looked behind us and a woman that had silver hair and wearing a purple dress was catching up to us.
"Niera, that woman is catching up to us!"
"Hold on, let me handle this." Niera crawled onto the carriage. Niera's eyes turned neon green and she leapt off the carriage. Niera kicked the woman back into the forest after that she returned to the carriage.
"Taken care of." Niera laughed. We managed to find the main road again after a while but I had long fallen asleep by then.
All I could think about was Alois' words…
"I have taken something so precious, so beloved, and so treasured by him that who are we to say he isn't going to panic?"
I don't know what to think. Does Ciel love me that much? Am I so precious that he'd just run in without a plan? Or was this some trick? I had no way of knowing. So much has happened in so little days, it's frightening in a way. Will things like this happen every day? Or…Is this a once a month type thing. Or is this the last time?
Ciel's eyes…they were really beautiful. So blue but…it's like they had some type of malevolent aura about them.
I've never seen Ciel so furious if he was even furious at all.
I wonder…Can somebody be so angry that they don't even show it?
I was too tired to ponder it all. I was sleeping so heavily but I still felt and heard everything.
Niera putting me in my warm and fluffy bed, covering me up with my soft and puffy comforter, hearing Maximus crawling onto my pillow and falling asleep.
But I felt something unfamiliar to me. I felt a soft hand, push my hair back and stroke my cheek.
Sleep well, my darling, sleep well…
I felt a peck on my cheek and the silent shut of a door. I wanted to wake up but I was too tired and I fell back into a deep slumber.
The minutes turned out to be hours and I started to feel a warm light touch my face. I heard Maximus yawning and finding his mother still snoozing. I felt his little tongue licking my forehead, yelping and crying for me to awaken.
Maximus started running around the pillows and finally took a big breath and barked. I gasped at my son's new voice.
"Maximus, you finally barked!" He continued to lick my face in merriment at my awakening. "Hey, boy…sniff sniff…eww, puppy breath…Yawn! Doesn't matter, anyways…I'm awake now." I smelled something rather nice downstairs. I shuffled out of my bed, got into my yellow evening dress and slipper, brushed my hair into a loose French updo taught to me by my mother and scurried downstairs.
Before I entered the next room, I wiped the crud from my eyes and checked my breath…All okay. Now, I entered the dining room and a huge ray of light blinded me.
My eyes quickly adjusted to the light and I smelled tea.
"Niera? Are you around?" I rubbed my eyes trying to see where I was.
"Oh! I'm here, Ashelia!" Niera steered me to my seat and I yawn as usual. I grabbed a random muffin and ate it.
"Good morning, Ashelia." I heard a familiar voice and I looked to see who it was. I saw two blonde men and a woman with maroon-ish hair and glasses.
"Who…are you?"
"These are my servants, Ashelia." I gasped when I saw Ciel. I turned to Niera who was dumbfounded.
"W-where are we?" I looked around. "You are in the Phantomhive Manor, ma'am." Ciel sipped his tea and ate a scone. I was in disbelief. Niera should have taken the chance to let us escape. But I guess so much was going on…I sighed and sat back down, hoping for a miracle.
"So…What are your names?" I asked the servants, they panicked a bit, the youngest blonde stepped up.
"My name is…uhm….uhm." The boy seemed a bit nervous. "Don't be nervous, just tell me your name." the boy blushed and gulped. "I'm Finnian!" "That is a very handsome name, Finnian. May I call you Finn?" Finnian blushed. "Y-Yes, ma'am!"
The older blonde stepped up next. "Miss Ashelia, my name is Baldroy and it's my honor to be of service to ya!" I laughed and bowed my head to Baldroy; he seemed very brave and kind. "And it's my honor to be served by such an enthusiastic man." Baldroy scratched the back of his head and chuckled.
The young woman stepped up, she was shaking, and she seemed to be very nervous upon my arrival.
"M-my name is M-…Mey-rin and it's a p-pleasure…uhmm..." "Mey-rin, it's all okay. Nobody is going to hurt you, please take a deep breath. I'm just a guest here, it's not like I'm the queen herself. So please tell me again?"
Mey-rin took a deep breath. "My name is Mey-rin, I'm the maid here and might I say you're very pretty, ma'am." She blushed and everyone clapped.
"Thank you all for your kind introductions. I'm so rude to not have introduced myself yet. My name is Ashelia Mainte Rosa. This is Niera Liastia, she's my maid." Niera bowed to us. I've never felt so special in my life! Finnian and Baldroy seem to like her a lot!
That Niera fellow seems a lot like Sebastian. Hair, skin and eyes mostly.
I wonder if their related somehow…
"Everyone, I have an announcement." Sebastian looked at his master, clapped his hands and got everyone's attention.
"What is it, Ciel?" Ashelia asked me as I put down my cup. "This is more an announcement to my servants then it is to you, Ashelia. Now…You all remember Lady Elizabeth Midford, yes?"
They all nodded. My heart started racing, was he about to tell them about the arrangement?
"There has been a mix-up resulting in the closure of our arranged marriage. As it turns out, Elizabeth was never meant to be my wife, the arrangement was never properly finalized. This is Countess Ashelia Mainte Rosa, she's my fiancée and betrothed. And from now on, you'll be calling Lady Ashelia or Miss Rosa."
The room was incredibly silent. Ciel continued to sip his tea with no care.
"Uhh…I'm sorry that you all had to find out like this but…I promise…I'll be very kind to you all. I'm truly sorry about this."
"O-Oh, it's no problem. Ma'am!" "Yes, it's all okay. If that's the way it's to be then that's the way it's to be." "Yeah! Don't apologize! That's just how nobility is." They all laughed. I sighed at their laughter, but not of relief. I could tell they were rather hurt by it. I looked at Ciel who steadily drunk his morning tea. That breakfast wasn't very enjoyable. I sighed as I left to put on my day gown that was dark blue, tied my hair up in a ponytail, and put on a pearl necklace that had tiny pearls around the edge of the sapphire that connected at the middle of the necklace.
Actually,…I don't remember how I came to own this necklace. I've had it ever since I was small. I think…something is coming back…Ugh…
~Flashback~
~Time Set: March, 12, 1882~
I was only 6, I think. We…we were having a small party celebrating my father's re-marriage, I believe. This is such a vivid memory. People were coming from all around to see my father's new wife. Powder, the smell of fine wine, pipe tobacco and mints were the smells that filled the air.
I remember because I was upset that my stuffed bunny toy, Felix, was thrown away. I wept under the large willow tree that was behind the manor. I heard Sophie-Anne calling my name, violently.
I crawled into the trunk of the willow tree and wept silently, hoping to hear my mother's voice.
I heard two small knocks the wood; I wiped my tears and heard it again. I gasped and crawled out of the trunk.
I looked around and nobody was there. I felt something tap me on my shoulder, I wiped my tears, and turned around. It was a young Ciel. He smiled at me cutely.
"Are you Ashelia?" he asked me. I just nodded my head, wiping my tears. He gave me a handkerchief and I blew my nose on it, making him laugh. He pulled a rather large box from his pocket.
"Happy birthday, Ashelia…" That's right…that day was also my birthday and I was also crying because everyone had forgotten. Ciel was the only one who hadn't forgotten. It made me very happy. I've had that necklace ever since. All this time…
~Flashback End~
All this time…and I have never even pondered how I came to own this necklace. Ciel was so cute that day…in his little sailor suit. Then I felt a hand touch my shoulder, it made me yelp.
"Oh! I didn't mean to scare you! You seemed like you was pondering something. Is everything alright?" It was just Ciel, I sighed in relief.
"Hello, Ciel. I was just remembering how I came to get this necklace. You gave it to me…"
"That I did…I'm surprised you still wear it. Lately, jewel necklaces have been out of style on women."
"I don't care. I love this necklace. I've wore it whenever I can for years now."
"Oh really? I remember the day I gave it to you." Ciel turned, about to leave. I took a deep breath.
"Ciel, forgive me but…Lady Elizabeth had come for a visit a few days ago…Tell me…Does she know that your engagement with each other is over?"
Ciel remained silent. He turned his head to me.
"No. I'd figure her family would've told her by now. Does her visit bother you?"
"Yes, it does. Ciel,…does anybody know about our engagement?"
Ciel remained silent again.
"Ciel!"
"No. Nobody knows. I plan to keep it a secret until the ball held at the King Louis Square. All of our affiliates, friends and otherwise will be there. Even your family…"
"Ciel! You can't just do that! You have to tell my father!"
"I know, sweetheart, I know." Ciel put his hand on my cheek. He continued. "That's why you're going to tell them."
"What? But!...Wait! Who's hosting this party?"
"I've asked a favor of the queen that she host the ball…"
"Are you crazy?" I yelped. Ciel did the 'little bit' sign with his fingers and I palmed my forehead. He laughed and walked off.
"I've already had the gown sent to your original residence. Along with some of the finest jewelry and other essentials you may need. And the ball will be this weekend, darling."
"But…YOU said I have no carriage to ride in AND no driver!"
"Oh but sweetie…you didn't have those things at the TIME….You can always send for somebody…"
My mouth was agape…HE PLAYED ME!
I…I could've left when I WANTED TO! I was about ready to strike him across the head.
"Now go…and pass this letter on to your father." He handed me a letter sealed with the Phantomhive Crest.
"Oh…Okay then I'll just-" Ciel leaned into me and hugged my body. He whispered in my ear. "Don't let Sophie-Anne see it. If you do, then your father won't have a chance to use those three months…" I gasped. Who told him?
"I've been in my study for a long time, sweetheart…" He walked off and stopped in the doorway. "Did you honestly think I wouldn't notice the dust in the air?...Or maybe was it the fact I haven't touched that picture of my parents and myself for…years. Hmm…" He left.
I sat on the floor with my knees bent. Ciel was…so clever. I would have never thought he was this smart though.
"Ashe! Come on! It's time for us to go! Ciel said he'll send for your things."
"Right! Niera,…we've been friends for a long time now. But now I'm giving you a small order as master and demon butler…Okay?" Niera's face became dreadfully serious and a bit excited.
"Yes, Ma'am…What is your order?"
"When we arrive at the manor, take this letter and keep it hidden from Sophie-Anne and her children. Give it directly to my father when he is completely alone and no one is there to bother him otherwise. Niera, this letter must not get into Sophie-Anne's hands. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Your Ladyship." Niera took the letter and hid it somewhere on her body. I took a deep breath, I put my low-heeled shoes on and we both went down stairs. I looked at Sebastian.
"He isn't going to say goodbye?"
"We have a guest, Lady Ashelia. A very important one. He sends his regards." I nodded and smiled. I hugged Sebastian, Niera gasped. Sebastian was caught by surprise
"I'll miss you, Sebastian." "As will I, Milady." I backed up and left. Niera just nodded at him.
~Meanwhile, In Ciel's Study~
I watched Ashelia leave in her carriage. Her tan hair blew in the wind. She laughed with Niera over something. It must be quite funny…Niera can barely hold herself.
"You let her leave so casually, Ciel. Don't you fear for her safety?" Ciel glared at his guest…
"Be quiet,…" His guest laughed suspiciously. "Victor Liandus Carter…" Victor laughed even louder.
"I said pipe down! Do you want her to hear you?"
"Oh please…I came here for HER protection. Tell me has she figured it out yet?"
"No…She's still the sweet and naïve girl I remember her to be."
"That's good…I'd hate her to find out." He chuckled once more.
"Enough! Take the money, and leave after she does. I don't want her seeing you."
"Aww, why, you ashamed? "
"I have nothing to be ashamed about…"
"You give me the money, I sneak the money to her account, and she thinks you're the hero? Right?"
"No…If anything, I hate it that I'm framing her father."
"But it needs to be done. Father, will never let you be with her, otherwise. Once he is kicked from the corporation and Ashelia gains full power. I will be made co-administrator of Funtom Company and its contacts, yes?"
"Yes…That is the deal we made."
"Good…This is it, right?"
"Yes…One millions pounds as always." Victor picked up the money and put it in his coat.
"Is she thinking it yet?"
"She has."
"Good day to you, Ciel. Nice doing monthly business with you." Victor laughed as he left the room. I despised myself for the transactions I've been making. I love Ashelia, this is true. But will she love me when she finds out I've been framing her father for deceit and treason. Please understand, Ashelia. I'm doing this for your own protection. This is the only way I can protect without me, myself, being there. Please be safe, Ashelia. Please…
~Meanwhile, in the carriage ride to Mainte Rosa Estate~
"Ha ha ha! He looked so SHOCKED! I don't think he was expecting that at ALL!" Niera laughed, nearly as hard as I did.
"My goodness…Sigh…Niera? Did you see who the guest was?"
"Hm? No, ma'am. I suspect it was another bottomfeeder looking to lick the crumbs off the bottom of Ciel's boot. Why do you ask?"
"No reason…It's just that…that carriage in the front…it was a Mainte-Rosan carriage, A manmade 1895 Mainte Rosa original carriage. That carriage BELONGS to my family."
"What are you trying to say?"
"I'm saying…watch carefully. Whoever ISN'T home is likely the person who is taking under-the-table funds from Ciel. And if you see anything suspicious, tell me immediately."
"Yes, ma'am…But Ashelia, why can't we just go back and see who it is?" Ashelia looked at me and laughed.
"Then this puzzle wouldn't be any fun." Ashelia looked out the window; her eyes widened a little bit and went back to normal. "Forget my previous warning as well."
"If I may ask, why must I discard it?"
"Because this driver just took us down a scenic route." I said. Niera gasped.
"He's taking us the long way home…" Ashelia nodded her head slowly and pointed up to the driver.
"He's been tipped off….Why is that, Niera?" I asked Niera who already knew where this was going.
"Because whoever was just at Phantomhive Manor is taking the fast way home so he can beat us there."
"Exactly, Ciel isn't the only one who solves mysteries. Keep your guard when we get home. I have feeling this will be a very eventful weekend."
"Oh, really?"
"Yes, really. And I want you to look your best so…You and I are going shopping a little later for your ball dress."
"Oh! Ashelia, I'm the butler…I butler things." Niera complained.
"You are also a part of the family. Therefore, you shall party like you've never partied before."
"Okay…"
"And we must shop for your new knives."
"YESH!" Niera cheered. I look forward to this game, Ciel. You are so smart…But I believe I can sneak a few things pass you. This game of chess isn't over, Ciel… It's not over by a long shot.