B: To make up for time lost, I updated again today! TWO CHAPTERS IN ONE DAY, hopefully the next won't be too far off.
Ciel had been somewhat worried about the letter, so much that Meyrin wasn't allowed to go about her daily chores unless Bard or Sebastian was near.
She didn't know why her Young Master was suddenly so skittish, considering that she was a trained assassin and they had their own private army either way. But somehow it endeared her that he was worried about her, she just hoped that it didn't mean that he would get entangled in her mess. She wondered what Sebastian would do about it, so far she hasn't found out his plans and he hadn't let on.
"Are you quite done with that, Meyrin?"
The maid had been cleaning the banister, surprisingly enough she had grabbed the right product and was able to finish it quickly. Sebastian had been hovering over her, she wondered if this interfered with his own chores. "I don't need a babysitter," She muttered, standing up to look at him; "I am capable of taking care of myself."
"Let's say that you're cleaning the windows, and you get shot. No one is around to take care of you and you die, what will happen then?"
"A-As if I'd even let that happen."
Sebastian raised his brow, "But it could, you must be prepared at all times."
"I always am, I 'aven't been killed yet."
"Ah, but humans are prone to mistakes every now and then."
"And what does that say about you?"
The butler merely chuckled, "Of course, I am only human aren't I?"
"It doesn't feel like it sometimes," She joked slyly, "but I still am able to take care of myself-I don't need a babysitter and I don't need anyone to fight my battles for me."
"What if this battle is too much for you?"
"Oh, will you stop asking those silly questions?!"
Without another word the maid walked away, but still the butler followed her as she did her chores. He watched with mild interest, amused at her outburst and wondering if the 'other' Meyrin was going to come out anytime soon.
That would be interesting to say the least.
When the days passed and no moves were made on the manor, Ciel had decided to have Sebastian keep a close eye on where Lau kept his business. It could have been an empty threat all along, but with his maid and his manor in danger-he wouldn't take any chances. He still wondered if Lau was playing a game with him, he was used to it after all-but he knew how to raise the stakes and Lau didn't know who exactly he was messing with.
Meyrin had been bothered however, by having her fellow servants constantly at her side. She even came to him, asking if she can work in peace for once without Bard or Sebastian hanging over her like parents. He understood her frustration, she was a woman-but a tough one at that. He had seen her angry one time, and she was certainly a force to be reckoned with if someone riled her up so.
She had even pointed her gun at Sebastian the firts few days she was here, and he wondered that Meyrin was slowly coming out under all the pressure. Would she snap and just kill them all? Perhaps not, she wasn't one to turn her back on someone who took care of her for so long. But maybe she would, after all the gang had taken her in as well and she turned her back on them in favor of him.
But he didn't treat Meyrin like they had her. Yes, Meyrin was a pawn to him in some aspects-but he never treated her as such. He never abused her, or made any inappropriate moves on her and neither had the others. He had made it clear to Sebastian and Bardroy that Meyrin was still a lady and she was to be treated as such, but his butler was a dog and his chef had his needs so that made him wonder if their 'needs' overcame his command.
He knew the butler and Meyrin had something on off at least, as Sebastian answered truthfully to his questions. After all, he could tell no lies.
The butler came back that afternoon with information about Lau, but it wasn't what he was looking for. He was dealing opium per usual, but no mentions of the maid and no meeting with unfamiliar gang leaders that they could have missed. These gang leaders had only interest in getting the opium and other drugs-not in their maid.
Then Meyrin had come to their office, with another envelope in her hand. This time the letter had been written in English, and it was addressed to Sebastian. Though it wasn't rare for the other servants to retrieve mail, Tanaka had a niece somewhere in Scotland and Bard had his niece back in the states. It was Sebastian and Finny that didn't retrieve any, as Finny didn't know his previous family and Sebastian obviously had none that would write him any sort of mail.
"Who sent it?" Sebastian asked, reading the envelope over curiously.
"It was left on the doorstep, I didn't see the messenger." Meyrin replied coolly, "I don't know the handwriting myself."
Ciel glanced at Sebastian, "Well go on, open it."
The butler raised a brow at his Young Master, before carefully opening the letter. It said something in a language that neither Ciel or Meyrin could understand at first, but Sebastian understood quite quickly. His eyes glowed ever slightly, though that was something that the maid didn't catch.
The rest of the leader was in English, however it wasn't anything useful to him. It simply said "I shall see you in the morning."
It was silent, the three occupants of the room stared at each other before the Young Master grew tired and demanded what the letter entailed. "It's just another threat," the butler replied, stashing the letter away; "it will be dealt with accordingly."
"We can't deal with it if we don't know who sent it," Ciel growled, "what did it say?"
Sebastian was silent for a moment, staring at Meyrin then. The boy looked to his maid and understood, sitting down he glanced at her; "Excuse us, Meyrin-but this is a private manner."
She was confused, but didn't say anything as she bowed slightly to him. Without another word she left, leaving the two alone to their thoughts. Sebastian brought the paper out again, examining the words before handing them to his young master.
"What's this say?" Ciel asked as he read it, "The first part, it's written in another language."
"It's not a language of this world, Young Master."
"What? What is it then?"
"It's the language of the underworld."
"So...it's demonic?"
"Yes." The demon sighed, "It appears we're dealing with more than a former gang leader, perhaps I wasn't able to kill him at the time because he simply was too good."
"That's nonsense, you could have easily have killed him."
Sebastian smirked, "We demons are hard to kill."
"So, what does this demon want with Meryin? She couldn't possibly have a contract with him and even so, why wait three years to come after her?"
"I am not sure, but perhaps it's time I look for this demon myself."
Ciel waved his hands, "He said that he'd see you in the morning, perhaps you should wait until then."
"Perhaps, but wouldn't that put the servants in the manor in danger?"
"Not if I send them to the London house on an overnight errand."
"What's with this guy?"
Bard had been complaining all the way to London, not sure why they were being sent from the manor to their young master's london townhouse. And without the Young Master. It baffled the lot of them, but Meyrin had a feeling it was because of that letter Sebastian had retrieved. There was something off, and somehow she felt it was connected to her again. It was rather aggravating that they didn't allow her to fight her own battles, but perhaps it was for the best.
"e's sending us to London for an overnight errand? And f'what? New china?!" Bard grumbled again, "I swear, I feel like he's tryin' to test me or something."
"The Young Master have a reason Bard," Finny chimed in, "maybe we're needed there to protect the townhouse."
"But why would anyone attack the townhouse, says keats?" Snake inquired, "It's being protected by Agni and Soma...says Emily."
"Oh yeah, I forgot they were there." Finny hummed, "Oh that means we get to hang out with them all night?!"
"I suppose so," Meyrin said softly, "but I don't mind, I rather like them."
"I think Soma rather likes you too." Bard muttered, recieving a jab from the maid.
"Do you think that has something to do with the letter Meyrin recieved?" Finny asked again, "Why would he send her out here where the gangs are more prominent?"
"What do you know about gangs, eh?" The chef snapped, "If th'gangs wanna try anythin' with us, 'll pop 'em!"
Meyrin decided to tune them out, looking out the road behind them as they made their way into town. Tanaka was with them at least, she didn't mind having him there as he was usually the one with his head on his shoulder and kept them in tow. She hoped Finny was wrong however, because she knew the gangs were prominent in London.
What if they found her? And poor Agni and Soma would be dragged right into this mess.
'Come back in one piece.' Sebastian had advised her, 'I don't want to have to kill someone because they killed my favorite lady.'
Just what was with him?
"Oi, Meyrin! We're here!"
The maid jumped at the sound of the chef's voice, and with his help she jumped down off the carriage. Soma and Agni greeted them gratiously, the prince fretting about something being wrong with his 'best friend'-only to be soothed by Tanaka that they were just fine. "It's just an overnight errand, he felt it was best we stay here instead of travelling in the dark."
"Ah yes," Agni said, "it is quite dangerous! Get yourself situated, I will make curry for everyone!"
Bard groaned slightly, but was soon quieted by a jab to the side courtesy of the maid. "Mr. Agni, you musn't treat us like guests-no sir!" Meyrin advised, "We are servants too!"
"But I wish to, I do!"
"But you don't have to, you don't!"
Finny watched as the two exchanged words, looking at Snake as he did; "Hey Snake, do you think us coming here has anything to do with that letter Meyrin got?"
"What letter?" Soma intervened, "What is this letter you speak of?"
"Nothing, says keats-"
"Oh Meyrin got a super creepy letter in Chinese!" Finny exclaimed, "They think a gang's after her!"
"FINNY!" Bard and Meyrin shouted, turning to look at their comrade.
"Oops."
Soma blinked, "A gang? After our maid? We cannot allow this, Agni you must protect Meyrin at all costs!"
"Jo ajna!"
Meyrin's face turned red, "There is no need to, I don't need any babysitters!"
Since Finny had spilled the beans, Agni had not left her side and neither had Soma. She loved them dearly, they were so sweet-but it was getting on her nerves. It was just like she had Sebastian following her again, and she wondered if she could go into Bard's room and sneak in with him. At least when he watched her, he didn't make any sly remarks or was constantly worrying every single time she took a step.
Why did Bard have to go to bed so early?
"I-I think I'm going to bed now!" She announced, "Thank you so much for your help!"
"Agni will stand outside your door then!"
Meyrin blushed, "N-No, none of that!"
She was ready to call Sebastian and tell him just how she felt about this arrangement, but of course that would be rude to Soma and Agni. They were only trying to help her, even if it was rather annoying. And Finny and Bard were not being of any help. 'Traitors.'
However her knight in shining armor came in the form of Snake, as her fellow servant stood by her and offered to watch over the room himself. "Keats and Emily will keep any unwanted visitors out, says Bronte."
Thankfully the two took that as a reasonable solution, and said their goodnight to the maid and the footman. Meyrin smiled at Snake, relieved; "Thank you so much Snake, you helped a lot-you did."
"It's no problem, says Keats."
The footman seemed down however, which she took notice to quickly. "Snake?"
"Yes, says Emily?"
"There's an extra bed in my bedroom, if you don't want to be alone tonight."
"But would that be inappropriate...? Says Bronte."
"No one has to know, besides it's innocent."
Snake seemed to contemplate this, before shyly nodding in response. The maid could only smile as they settled down in their room. It was silent before Snake spoke up, "I would wish for my friends to meet you, they would like you...says Keats."
"I would wish to meet your friends, and I will. Someday."
A/N: I hope this is alright! And I just wanted to add Snake's part in because he's a cutie-pie and Meyrin is technically lying to him without knowing it ;A;. But I want their relationship to build, because Snake will be involved in Meyrin's fate as well as the others will be. This is a TEAM effort after all. (; The Phantomhives stick together!
