Ciel Phantomhive read over the letter that had arrived along with his lunch and afternoon tea, rubbing his pale temples as the words ran through his mind. The butler had left soon after, preparing for the company of Lady Elizabeth but also making sure a certain burden be kept out of sight. Ciel had permitted him to go but now found himself needing his butler.

Dearest Ciel,
I would like for you to investigate a troubling and dire matter in the Cornish town of Truro. The local people have been subjected to rumours of supernatural happenings such as witchcraft and strange rituals in an abandoned cabin just North of the town. Not only is this a distressing matter in itself, but the people have started 'witch hunting' and have taken it upon themselves to victimize the widowed women of the town. I would like you to leave as soon as possible to deal with this situation. If you need anything, please contact any of my private secretarial officers for assistance.

I wish you the best of luck,

Victoria

"Sebastian!"

"To Cornwall? Why on Earth would you want to go there, of all places?" Elizabeth screeched, outraged that her betrothed would be too busy to see her after promising her a night of fun and complete and utter (in her mind, not his,) cuteness. She stomped a heeled boot in frustration, the duck egg blue of her expensive skirt ruffling at the motion.

It just wasn't fair. He never had time for her anymore. He'd always be 'too busy,' or, 'in the middle of a meeting with another company manager.' When she thought about it, the last time she had actually spent time with him must have been about January time. It was now the end of April. She found herself deeply deprived and neglected of Ciel's company.

Ciel nodded to Sebastian as he had finished loading the carriage. He gave Elizabeth a tired look before sighing.

"Elizabeth, I'm very sorry for cancelling but the queen needs me. This is my duty." His voice didn't even show a hint of remorse. But what did Lizzie expect? This was Ciel. He never really apologized for any of his actions. The blonde locked girl scrunched up her face, as if sulking and her hand maiden instantly came to her side.

"It's alright, my lady! Another time, maybe. Now, let's get back to the manor. I'm sure your mother would be delighted to hear that you can now attend her tea party. And you can wear that lovely new dress!" Paula squealed the end part. She was so eager for Elizabeth to try on her new dress. It had been deported from Germany and was a lovely shade of orange. The fabric was patterned with floral decorations and the skirt was pin ruffled expensively.

The girl perked up a bit. She did like her new dress. Ciel gave a smirk.

"See? It's not that bad that I'm leaving. Now, I promise that I'll have you over for dinner when we return."

After a hesitant goodbye from Elizabeth's part, Ciel watched her own carriage leave down the cobbled country road. He turned to a bemused Sebastian with a scowling look.

"Is she ready?"

"I shall go and check, my lord." Sebastian promptly bowed before entering the manor.

Gabriel was finding it difficult. Everything was difficult. Being a human was difficult. In the past week, she had experienced her first menstruation cycle which was so painful and unexpected that she had fainted and had to have a brief discussion with Ciel's aunt. She'd had her first bowel movement which was embarrassing and tedious. Sebastian had given her a thorough lecture about human anatomy after explaining that old Thomas Crapper hadn't invented the toilet for the reason of washing one's face in the morning. She'd also experienced the taste of her first roast dinner and that had been an experience she would remember for ever. She would never had pictured herself for a gluttonous human with her lithe form and graceful etiquette, but when she thought of that steaming chicken breast smothered in thick gravy and sprinkled with salt, a side of crispy baked potatoes and soft carrots and cabbage, her mouth watered. Something so meaty would have never taken her fancy, or so she thought. It was like a delicious sin.

Gabriel looked in the mirror and flattened out her modest, grey dress. Sebastian had joked that she looked like a school mistress and she cocked her head at his jibe. What was a school mistress, she had thought. Her hair was in its usual matching plaits and on her feet, sensible heeled boots. She looked so dull. Like a rock amongst flowers. Maybe that's why Sebastian kept picking them for her. He was so cruel.
She looked down at the ground with sad, lidded orbs. She hated him. But he was the only company she had nowadays. Ciel never saw her and she only ruined things between them even more when he did. She never saw any of those other strange humans that had found her in the cellar before. She could sometimes hear them running up and down the corridors but she had a feeling Sebastian was ordering them away from her all the time.
She was just so… lonely…

There was a knock on the door, and she turned quickly. The demon butler himself stood leering in through the crack of the door.

"Lord Phantomhive would like to make sure you are ready to go." He spoke, his voice so sincere for a being so evil. Gabriel hesitated before nodding. On the bed was a single brown leather trunk full of necessities such as under garments, night clothes, dresses and shoes. She'd also packed a set of slippers that Sebastian had given her just in case she'd needed to find the restroom at night and had nothing to wear. Although the gesture seemed friendly, he just didn't want her wondering about the manor bare foot at night like a peasant just in case she'd bumped into one of the servants.

Sebastian entered the room and his eyes scanned the area, looking for any way he'd left it untidy. She was quite clean, he'd give her that. Well, when she wasn't spearing her blood all over the washing just to spite him, that is. He strolled over to the bed and lifted the trunk by its handle with ease.

"If you would please follow me, the carriage awaits."

-

The carriage ride to the station was long and awkward. Sitting in with Ciel, she wanted to speak to him, just to break the silence. But he did nothing but stare out of the window. The weather had turned bleak and drops of rain started to patter onto the glass. She'd thought the country side had looked lovely in the rain. She'd seen so many animals. That intrigued her. She's been excited over seeing a few horses in a green field, being guided back into their stables, and then she had seen a flock of birds flying overhead in perfect coordination. She'd been a bit disheartened when the wheels of the carriage had run over a rabbit that she had smiled at when it ran out from the hedge. Ciel had caught her horrified expression and had rolled his eyes.

When they had reached the station, it was bustling with so many different people. She'd really preferred the countryside where it was peaceful and quiet. Sebastian had helped her out of the carriage and she felt so underdressed for the occasion. The women who were there eyed her up and down with looks of pity at her lack of expensive fabric layers. She looked like she was married to a soap merchant. Not entirely poor, but not wealthy enough to look as good as them. Because Sebastian's arms were full with Ciel's own trunks, she had to carry her own. She hadn't minded, of course. But it was just the looks that she was getting from everyone.

"Two adults and one child ticket to Truro station, please."

Gabriel had stared in awe at the giant made of iron. It was like nothing she had ever seen before. She found herself blushing when Sebastian had whispered in her ear, 'close your mouth.' But couldn't help but be amazed at how mankind had advanced since she was last on Earth, a few thousand years ago. It let out a loud whistle which had made her jump for her life and squeal in fear. She hadn't been expecting that.

Aboard the train, there were multiple booths with comfortable looking seats made of a soft fabric and there were even compartments where she could put her trunk instead of holding it which was what she was expecting. She, Ciel and Sebastian were in a 'first class' booth which was something she didn't really understand but she wasn't complaining when it looked that lovely. She had taken a seat next to Sebastian opposite Ciel which she was hesitant. At least she didn't have to look at either of them though. Instead, she focused on what was going on outside. She saw a man with a whistle in his mouth that was waving at the front of the train and other people were waving at the train as well. In all of her obliviousness to human social skills, she waved back, a bemused look on her face. Was it some kind of tradition to wave at random strangers on a train? An elderly couple had noticed her waving at them and turned to each other with questioning stares as if to say, 'is she an acquaintance of yours?'

Ciel and Sebastian who were currently discussing the matters of the Queen's assignment had stopped after noticing her odd behaviour. Sebastian cleared his throat.

"Who are you waving to, exactly?"

Ciel's eyebrow rose as she turned, pausing her waving.

"Them." She gestured at the old people.

Sebastian brought his gloved hand to his face and sighed.

"You're so clueless."

Ignoring him, she carried on waving at random people who gave her an awkward smile and waved back, probably thinking that she was a mad woman.

-

Sebastian took his pocket watch out of his tailcoat pocket and looked at the time. Quarter to five in the evening. It would be another three hours before they arrived. He sighed. It was a long trip. But it would be longer by carriage so he was thankful. His rusty eyes flickered over to his master who had fallen asleep, his head lulling back against the seat and occasionally moving with the motion of the train. He looked so peaceful, Sebastian let out a chuckle at his master's pathetic posture at that moment in time.

"What's so funny?"

Oh, yes. How could he have forgotten about the woman? He turned to her with an uninterested gaze. She sat there, hands on either sides of her, clutching the seat. Her black eyes bore into him with curiosity but he could also see the deep hatred she felt for him underneath a few layers of black. It gave him such satisfaction knowing of how much she despised him.

Over the past week she'd talked to him more. He assumed it was probably because she didn't have anyone else to talk to but he was still trying to find ways for her to hate him. After all, it would be boring if she suddenly warmed up to him. Sebastian roamed his eyes over her small physique. That dress was fairly dull and uninteresting but it did look quite flattering on her. Especially of how tight it was. He smirked.

"Nothing, I was just thinking of how tight that dress is on you. I think it would definitely look better with a lower neckline, though." Gabriel pulled a disgusted face before folding her arms over her chest and turning away from him, rage burning in her dark eyes. How dare he say such degrading things like that about her?

Sebastian chuckled and looked away. Oh, how she was fun.

-

Sorry this was a long update, but my laptop kind of broke heheheh… ^^" it was also a bit of a boring chapter but I promise the next one will be a bit better. As always, if you like this story, rate, follow or review. I appreciate any. I love everyone who reads this and I appreciate your patience. Until next time, me lovelies! xx