Chapter Seven

"Is there not a way that she could have a contact symbol somewhere else?" Ciel questioned, "Like Alois hiding his on his tongue. Perhaps the eyepatch is to redirect the attention of it being somewhere else."

"That is a possibility, but I don't suppose many people would go searching specifically for such a thing."

"Meaning there would be no reason to redirect attention." Ciel concluded.

He and Sebastian had been going over Lillian's background check furiously, but came up with nothing of particular interest. Everything that was written was of common knowledge to the rest of the high class society: The fact she was orphaned after a fire, and how she now lived with distant family who inherited her fortune. None of this was new to the Earl, making it feel as though he had hit a dead end, something he was not used to.

"Are there any hospital records?"

"Yes," Sebastian stated, handing the Earl some papers about the burn across the girls eye, "It seems her story about getting hurt in an incident is true as well."

"Then I suppose there's no need to chase her anymore," he paused, "At least that's what she wants us to think." Ciel stood, grabbing his cane and pacing throughout the room, "Are you sure she felt like a normal human, Sebastian?"

"Yes. She seemed perfectly untouched by anything evil."

"And I don't suppose there would be any way for someone to change that in the presence of a demon, is there?"

"You mean altering their aura to those around them? That is a possibility, but I've only seen that occur when in the presence of a very powerful witch."

Ciel stopped pacing and turned to his butler, "You don't suppose Miss Hill could be a powerful witch, do you?"

"It's not likely at her age, but it is a possibility if she was aided by someone of strong power themselves."

"Like a demon." Ciel concluded. Sebastian simply nodded in agreement.

The boy began to smile, for the ball was back on his court. "Sebastian, when you visited the Hill mansion uninvited was there anything of interest?"

"Nothing at all."

"Ah yes, but her butler wasn't anywhere near, correct?" Ciel pressed.

"That is correct."

"Then I wish to travel to the Hill's home at once."

"Yes, my Lord." And with that, Sebastian went to prepare a carriage, leaving Ciel to compose a plan of action.

As he walked through the hallways between his study and the main stairs, he thought back to the various movements of his previous guest. The way she walked on her limp ankle, and how it affected her as she danced, and yet, she did little to no complaining until she seemingly figured out something. There was a look of distress in her eyes during her dance before she had darted out of the room.

The girl had also seemed hesitant to leave her parents alone in the study, and to stay the night at the manor, as if there was something she was trying to hide. Not to mention how she seemed to shiver whenever Sebastian was near, as if she knew he wasn't just a regular butler.

"E-excuse me, Sir," Finnian fumbled over his words as he stood by the doorway of the manor, "I don't believe there's a chance for me to accompany you to the Hill's home, is there?"

"Now why would you want to visit the Hill family?" Ciel questioned, "Is there reason you need to accompany me?"

"No, Sir, I-" the gardener fiddled with his fingers, "I think it would be nice to visit Miss Lillian. I'd like to see how she's coping with her sore ankle."

The Earl took this into consideration, for he knew Finnian and Lillian had danced that night. Finnian was also the first one to come when Lillian had called for him. Perhaps he could use this to his advantage.

"You can accompany me, but not in that attire. Do change into something more fitting. Sebastian will help you if need be."

"Thank you, Sir."

It was a mere hour later that the Phantomhive carriage stopped in front of the Hill's mansion. It was a large home, with black pillars and delicate designs throughout it's entirety. But the home was no match for the garden, with flowers and green houses and hedge mazes galore. Finnian nearly felt his heart jump from his chest, but he remained calm, trying to look as sophisticated as possible.

Sebastian left the carriage first, walking to the home's door and knocking on it before Ciel would exit the carriage. Once Sebastian nodded, the driver opened the door, allowing both Finnian and the young Earl to exit before walking up the pathway to the manor, cane in hand. He was a figure of power, and the young maid who opened the door knew it, getting antsy and nervous as she walked the three into the main room of the home.

"Do remain here until the Hill's have accompanied you," the maid insisted, leaving the room in search of the head of the family.

"What do you feel, Sebastian," Ciel whispered to his demon, Finnian much too distracted by the homes array of exotic plants.

"There is definitely something of darkness here," Sebastian whispered back, "But it seems weak, almost as if it's power was being diluted or borrow by something or someone else."

"Earl Phantomhive," Mrs. Hill danced in, arms wide and a smile on her face, "What brings you to our beloved home?"

"We came to discuss business changes." Sebastian spoke in place of Ciel.

"And Finnian is here as well," Mr. Hill strutted in, "What a pleasure. I'm sure Lillian will be pleased to see you."

"You think so," Finnian exclaimed, then quieted at the death stare of Ciel, "I mean, I'll be glad to see her as well."

"I brought Finnian as he wished to see your famous gardens, Mrs. Hill. He's quite taken aback by the beauty of it all. I figured he too could learn a thing or two about how a proper garden should be presented."

"Why, thank you," Mrs. Hill blushed, taking Finnian by the arm and leading him out of the house, "I'll guide you on a tour of the household grounds."

"So, may I ask where your daughter is?" Sebastian questioned, taking the Earl's cane and top hat in hand.

"She's upstairs with the family butler. Those two are practically inseparable, almost like you and your butler seem to be."

The Earl and his butler looked between each other before looking back at the man of the home. "Would you mind if we go up and see her? We want to formally apologize for our wrongdoing the other week."

"I see no problem with that," Lillian's father smiled, talking the two through the home to the last door of the last hallway that overlooked the backyard garden.

The Earl began sneezing before the door was even opened, "There is a cat," he declared.

A tall man in a black suit opened the door. He had short hair and a fringe that covered his right eye, the same eye that Lillian had a patch over constantly. His shoes were polished to perfection, not a single crease in his clothes existed, and compared to Sebastian, he looked like the model of a perfect butler.

"May I assisted you in some way?" The butler spoke, his voice deep in rich like butter.

"We're here to visit the young Miss Hill." Sebastian smiled gently, keeping Ciel one step behind him, as if sensing something was not right.

To the demon's surprise, the butler opened the door, allowing the two guests to enter.

Lillian sat in an overstuffed chair, book in hand, reading under the light from the sun streaking through her lace drapes. There were bookshelves lining the walls, a large bed at one end, and a vanity, not to mention multiple wardrobes overstuffed with clothes. Yet, despite the ridiculous amounts of stuff in the room, it felt welcoming and warm, like a home should.

Lillian set the book down and stood, obviously setting more weight on one ankle than the other. "Welcome," she smiled, "My butler will bring in some chairs from the separate room."

"Yes, Master," Lucius bowed, leaving. Moments later he returned with two delicately crafted chairs for both Sebastian and Ciel, though Sebastian insisted on standing, almost like a shadow behind Lillian.

"What brings you to our home, Earl Phantomhive?"

"Please, address me as Ciel."

"That doesn't answer my question, Ciel."

"We came to apologize of course."

"Yes, of course," Lillian smirked, "Would you like some tea? I hear you fancy Earl Grey. I do as well."

"Thank you, but I'll politely decline to the offer."

The air in the room was tense, with the two young master's staring each other down, and both demon's waiting to pounce on the other in the event of one wrong move.

"I don't think I properly introduced you to my butler," Lillian smiled, "Ciel, Sebastian, this is Lucius. Lucius, this is the Earl Phantomhive and his butler Sebastian."

Lucius simply nodded, moving his hand gently onto his master's shoulder as if marking her as his own.

"So, how long as Sebastian been your demon," Lillian questioned.

It was as if the air snapped, Sebastian had jumped in front of his young master, withdrawing his cutlery from his waistcoat pockets. Lucius too had moved, but not as drastically, simply placing himself in front of Lillian with an eerily perfect poise.

"Oh, boys, don't be overdramatic. It's obvious, don't you think? Anyone who knows anything about the supernatural would know your butler isn't a butler at all." Lillian grabbed a cup of tea that Lucius had brought in early, sipping it was a sense of confidence. "You don't do a very good job at hiding that fact."

"And you do?" The Earl hissed.

"Are you implying that I too have a demon?" Lillian questioned, eyebrow raised before taking yet another sip of tea.

"You can't tell me Lucius is anything other than just that."

"Lucius is not something as useless as a demon." Lillian laughed, setting the tea cup on the table with a clank that made Ciel jump, "Correct, Lucius."

Lucius remained emotionless, prepared to fight in need be. He simply stared into the eyes of the opposing demon, a glare that made even Sebastian shiver.

"Young Master," Sebastian whispered, a sense of urgency in his voice, "We must leave this place immediately."

Ciel attempted to climb over the chair, but Lillian was waiting for him on the other side, ripping off her own eyepatch. Unlike Ciel's seal, her's with crimson, as if painted on with blood, and her iris and sclera were the darkest of blacks.

"Lucius," she spat, "Kill them."