Chapter 6: Of Siblings

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"Regal..."

Regal smirked at her, shoved his hands into his back pockets, slouched his shoulders then said," What's wrong, Mistress?"

"You've got to be crazy if you think I'm gonna have sex with you just to make Ciel lose the bet! I'm not like him. I'm not the type who would do everything in my power just to get what I want!"

Regal lost the smirk and bore his eyes into hers. All he found was the truth. Dejectedly, he made his way to the door without a word.

Only then did Ashley realize the damage of her words. Before he could get his hand on the doorknob, she hugged him from behind.

Regal slowly turned his head back to look at Ashley. "What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry."

"Whatever for?"

"You know what…"

He pried her hands off him and put his hands on her shoulders. "You think I got offended by saying that you don't want to have sex with me in order to win a bet?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying."

*Sigh* "You're right. I got a bit offended."

"I think you misunderstood me."

He raised an eyebrow and said," OK. Then explain what you meant."

"If we were to have sex, I'd like us to do it on our own terms. Not just to win some stupid bet."

Regal played with a loose strand of hair on Ashley's face as he said," That sounds fair enough."

Before he walked out the door, he lightly kissed her lips, leaving her a bit fazed but happy.

Once he left, Ashley thought of something rather mischievous and went next door. The door wasn't locked.

*Knock* *Knock* *Creak* (door opens)

"What's with all the noise, Ciel?" Ashley said while leaning against the door frame, smirking at the fact that Ciel and Sebastian were still in bed. Still completely naked.

"Ashley?" Ciel exclaimed.

"Lady Ashley," Sebastian greeted while playing with a lock of Ciel's hair.

"Looks like you made me lose my side of the bet. "

Now it was Ciel's turn to smirk. He put both his hands behind his bed and leaned back against his pillow. He said," So, when will it be my turn to lose my side of the bet?"

"I'm not sure yet. But even if I do lose my innocence to Regal, it won't be to make you lose your side of the bet, Ciel."

"Should we decide on a time limit, then?"

"Ciel let me make myself clear. I will not subject Regal and myself to have sex in order to win."

"A penalty, in that case," Ciel said, triumphantly.

"Fine. What be the penalty?"

"Tell me about your past. Your childhood, your parents' deaths, how about you came into a contract with Regal. "

Ashley contemplated on it for a while before finally agreeing to it.

As she was about to go downstairs to the drawing room, she turned back to Ciel and said," Please dress decently. Dinner will be served at 7." She closed the door behind her and made for the stairs.

Once in the drawing room, she settled down into a wooden chair in front of an easel. Ashley picked up her paint brush, dipped it into some paint, but before she could place her brush onto the paper, there was a knock on the door.

"Mistress!" Regal barged in.

"You may come in," Ashley said, exasperated.

"Forgive me, Mistress, but Alice has fainted."

"Where is she?"

"Lawrence carried her back to her room."

"Cause of fainting?"

"Sudden flashback of memories."

At the sound of that, Ashley's eyes widened.

"Does she remember everything?"

"Not everything. Hardly anything, actually."

"What was it? The memory fragment."

"It was a scene from the ball she attended before we found her in the alley. She was dancing with a man and she seemed happy."

"No clue as to her past?"

"None whatsoever, Mistress," Regal replied.

"Is she alright now?"

"Yes, she's asleep."

*Sigh*

"Dinner is almost ready, Mistress," Regal said.

"Alright. I'm going to freshen up."

"Would you like some help, Mistress?" A mischievous grin on his face.

Ashley blushed and turned her back to him. "No, thank you! I'm perfectly capable of showering on my own!"

"Of course, Mistress." With that, he made his way to the garden.

Once in her bedroom, Ashley stripped, hopped into the shower and scrubbed her body. She rinsed off the soap, dried herself and wrapped a towel around her body before stepping out of the bathroom and into her bedroom.

She then opened her double-door closet and pulled out a dark maroon coloured dress with a tight, strapless bodice and princess folds that ended at mid-thigh. She slipped on her underwear, a strapless bra and pulled on the dress. As she was about to pull up the zipper, she felt Regal's hands weasel their way through the opening at the back of the dress and hug her at her stomach area.

Ashley involuntarily blushed when she felt his pinky finger at the edge of her underwear.

"Regal, get out or help me zip up my dress."

He let her out of his hold and zipped her up, just as he was told.

"There. Shall I wait for you outside?"

"Escort me downstairs. I need to ask you something regarding the plans for tonight."

"Of course, Mistress."

Dining Hall-7pm

Lawrence began to set the food on the table. There was wide variety of food too. When he was done, he proudly announced," Dinner is served!"

Ashley helped herself to the spaghetti while Ciel scooped some mash potatoes onto his plate.

"When will I get to hear about your past, Ashley?"

"Things will come to those who are patient, Ciel," Ashley said, giggling a little.

"I am not a patient person, Ashley," he said quietly.

"Sigh… I know that. I was just teasing you. Lighten up!"

"After dinner."

Regal and Ashley shared a knowing look before she said;" We have a guest tonight."

Ciel raised an eyebrow and asked; "Who?"

Ashley smiled her Cheshire cat smile and said two words that made everyone's eyes widen except Regal's.

"My brother."

The rest of dinner was eaten in silence. Ciel couldn't begin to even imagine what Ashley had in store; neither did he want to know. Ashley was known very well for her unpredictability and well thought out and executed plans.

Once the table was cleared completely of food, Ciel asked, "What time is Aeric coming?"

Ashley's expression was thoughtful. "Around 9, if I'm not mistaken."

"How did you even contact him?"

"My cousin-Aden helped me send him a message. He has agreed to come to see if I'm his long lost sister."

"What connection does Aden have to Aeric?"

"Now now, Ciel. I am not a liberty to relay any information regarding Aden to you."

After a moment of silence, Ciel asked, "Will he be staying here?"

"No, he will not. He has his own residence. He will merely be dropping by for a visit."

"Fine. Is my presence welcome during his visit?"

"I advice you against being present during his visit. I do not want matters of the Queen to intercede. Not yet, anyway."

"Do you suggest I leave?"

"That would be advised for the time being. Lawrence would be pleased to drive you wherever you wish to go."

"I guess there is no other way. So be it."

"Thank you, Ciel."

Ciel let out a small *hmph* as he left the dining table with Sebastian at his side. Lawrence peeped out of the kitchen and looked towards his Mistress. "I assume you wish for me to accompany them, Mistress?"

"Yes, Lawrence. Be their tour guide for the night. Recommend the best places for them to visit. The further away the place, the better."

"As you wish, Mistress."

"Lawrence, please ensure that they do not return before 11pm."

"Understood, Mistress."

As soon as Sebastian finished tightening the lace on Ciel's shoes, Lawrence opened the front door for them and escorted them to the car.

As Ashley watched the car drive off, she said," Regal, please prepare the meeting room, and ask Alice to prepare some tea."

"Yes, Mistress. Would you like us to take precautions of any sorts?"

"No. There's no need. I think I'll be able to handle him."

"Well, if you ever need me, I'll always be there. Just give me an order."

"Where will you be?"

"Let's just say I need to get my protein."

"I thought my soul was supposed to be your protein."

"Well, I haven't had enough to eat for a long while."

"How 'long' is long?"

"A couple a hundred years."

"I see. Have a good meal, then," she said, a little disappointed.

"Don't worry, Mistress. What I'll be having tonight is only an appetizer. You're the main meal," he said, while licking his lips seductively.

Ashley couldn't help but blush and look away, while Regal merely chuckled.

Before he left to organize the meeting room, he whispered," Don't let him touch you. Everything of yours-your body, your soul and your heart, all belong to me." As Ashley looked up to meet his eyes, he pulled her face up and kissed her with so much lust and passion, she swore he literally made love to her mouth with his oh-so talented tongue. She pulled away, absolutely breathless, while he just moved his mouth and oh-so talented tongue to her neck.

Oh God, did she want to just submit to him. How she wanted him to touch her body, make sweet, sweet love to her and make her scream. Unfortunately for Regal, Ashley had common sense and self control, even when clouded with lust.

Before he could unzip the back of her dress, Ashley gently pushed him away and gave him a tentative smile.

"Not now… It's too close a call to make," she said.

"Remember. If anything happens."

"I know. Call you," she said while nodding.

He smiled at her before making his way to the meeting room.

Ashley looked at her watch before heading to her bedroom to change into her sleeping wear-8pm.

Drawing Room-8.59pm

Ashley was playing Fur Elise on the piano when the doorbell rang. She was wearing long black sleeping pants and a grey sleeveless tee.

Alice opened the door and bowed as she welcomed Aeric in. When she straightened her back and saw a glimpse of his face, she almost fell backwards at the shock. He looked like a male version of Ashley!

"Thank you, Alice. You may be excused."

"O-of course, Mistress." Without wasting another second, she quickly made her way to the kitchen.

"Please excuse Alice; she was not aware of your arrival. She was simply informed that I have a guest tonight."

"Isn't that a little inconsiderate, Ashley?" Aeric said. His voice was more serious than Ashley imagined it to be, and it startled her.

"What is inconsiderate?"

"That you didn't tell your maid that your brother was coming. It gave her such a fright."

"Hmm… I guess you're right."

Aeric looked up to the ceiling and finally rested his eyes on Ashley.

"I apologize for interrupting your piano playing."

"It's fine. I was just playing to pass the time."

"Your playing is beautiful."

Ashley hesitated before whispering a quiet," Thank you."

Hearing his voice made her feel like crying for some weird reason.

"Well, let's sit down in the meeting room."

"Lead the way, then," Aeric said.

Ashley pushed open the doors of the meeting room and walked in, Aeric following behind her, his stride matching hers exactly.

She took a seat on one of the two similar armchairs and motioned for him to sit down in the chair opposite her.

She gave him a once over and nodded to herself, silently approving his choice of clothes. He wore a simple white buttoned down shirt and loose black slacks.

"You're her." A simple statement. Not an ounce of uncertainty in his voice.

"After reading through all the documents placed before me, I think I am."

"Is that all?"

"Well, we both are quite similar. Not only based on our looks, but our habits as well. And no, I don't think it's just a coincidence," she said, beating him to the punch.

Aeric raked through his blue-black with his fingers, shook his head slightly in mock confusion before muttering," We have to be related."

Ashley giggled. Truth be told, she felt slightly uneasy. Then only did she realize that he was feeling a bit uneasy himself! They sat in awkward silence for a few moments before he broke the silence with a question.

"How was it like? Being an only child and all."

Ashley had a thoughtful look on her face as she was thinking of what to say.

"Well, I suppose my life was easy enough to lead. School wasn't a bother. Neither were friends. Parents were protective. The usual."

"I suppose you can understand why they were protective."

Ashley smiled briefly at him," Yes, I guess I understand now. After what they went through. After what you went through."

He just gave her a heartbreaking smile. Ashley couldn't take it anymore.

"What happened to you?"

"Well, about seven years ago, I questioned where I came from. Why I saw children my age with parents, whilst I did not have any. One of the elders who favoured me told me what happened. At the hospital where we were born in, there were two nurses who were assigned to take us to the room where all the new born babies were kept in. Little did anyone know that those two nurses were actually spies sent to take us away. The nurse that was holding you was kind and couldn't bear to separate a child from its parent. The nurse that was holding me didn't have the same compassion."

"So, in the end, I was put into the room with the new born babies-"Ashley spoke up with realization.

"- while I was put with the children who were to be trained," Aeric finished for her.

"Trained for what?"

He looked up at her and spoke. "To become the best killers the world has ever known."

"Quit. Stay with me."

Aeric got up from his seat and went to stand in front of her.

He kneeled down so that their heads were at the same level before saying, "You know, that's the only thing I want to do."

"Then why don't you?" She said, while he cupped her cheek.

"It's complicated. I can't just leave."

"Then I'll help you leave!"

Aeric smiled longingly at her. She started to cry, tears streaming down her cheeks. She just found her brother. She didn't want him to be taken away from her again.

"Hush… It's ok. Let me deal with it. It'll be ok."

"Please… stay here…"

"Ashley, do you love me?"

"Of course I love-"

Before she could even finish her sentence, he kissed her. Deeply. Full of emotion. He gently pushed her into the depths of the armchair, completely overwhelming her senses. Dear God, this was beyond wrong. For goodness sakes, he's her brother! Every warning bell in her head was practically ringing.

By now, his hands were on her waist, gently making suggestive moves by twisting her hips to the right and left with his hands. Her hands that were pushing against his chest were now desperately gripping him closer.

All of a sudden, she heard Regal's voice in her head. Don't let him touch you.

Ashley pulled away and tried to sit upright. "This is wrong."

Aeric stood up at his full height and said with the corner of his lips pulled up slightly, "It was wrong, but you liked it."

She blushed from embarrassment. "I confused my sibling love for you with a more passionate type of love. Please don't misunderstand me."

"That's fine for now. I'll be happy to receive any form of love as long as it's from you."

"Alice!"

Within a few seconds, Alice appeared at the door. "Yes, Mistress?"

"Please escort Aeric out."

"Of course. This way, Sir."

"Thank you, Alice."

"Nice seeing you, Ashley," Aeric said before walking through the door.

"Take care."

Ashley's Bedroom- 10.34pm

Ashley was sitting down on the bedroom floor, stroking Raven's soft fur when Regal knocked on her open door.

"Mistress, may I come in?"

"Sure thing." As soon as Regal stepped into the room, Raven went out.

"Regal, I have a plan."

"And what is this plan regarding?"

"It's to get Aeric out of Phantom."

"What's the plan?"

"Kill everyone. And take Alice, Lawrence, Dee and Dum with you."

"When do you want the plan executed?"

"Next week. I want Aeric to be here with me when the plan is carried out."

"Of course, Mistress."