Ciel stared at himself in the mirror as Sebastian adjusted the red rose in his pocket. Ciel scrunched his nose at the elegant suit he was wearing. Despite it being December and freezing outside, the inside of the manor was warm and toasty, making Ciel feel sweaty.
But it wasn't just the warmth of the fireplace, it was also his nervousness. Ciel Phantomhive, who manipulated people around him like chess pieces to exact his revenge, was nervous from the thought of marrying his childhood betrothed.
The guests had already arrived in the church not far from his manor. They were waiting for the bride and groom. Prince Soma and his butler Agni were already making preparations for the Queen's arrival to his wedding.
"Are you sure everything is prepared for her highness's arrival?" Ciel continued to look over his reflection as Sebastian did a quick look over of his master. Today was supposed to be his day and Sebastian would make sure that everything would run smoothly no matter what. After all, it was his master's order and his master's order was absolute.
"Yes Master, I've personally seen to every preparation. I believe we are all done here,shall we head out? The tradition is for the groom to wait, not the bride." Sebastian smiled slyly at his annoyed master as he placed his pocket watch back in his perfectly pressed butler's pocket.
"Do you have the box with you?" Ciel asked referring to the little blue velvet box he meant to give her majesty. She had given it to him years ago for safekeeping and now it was time to give it back. Ciel did not know what was inside and although his fingers ached in curiosity as Sebastian handed him the small box, he stayed loyal to his queen.
"Let's go." A strange feeling overcame Ciel as he stepped outside of his manor. The finely groomed horses attached to the rich carriage were waiting for him. Sebastian opened the carriage door and once his master was seated inside, closed it softly and took his place as the carriage driver. With a quick snap of the reigns they began their journey towards the church. The odd feeling didn't leave Ciel though. It was a sort of longing...but Ciel couldn't quite put a finger on it.
Sebastian arched the carriage around the bends and ice on the road, trotting the horses towards the church but he too could feel his master's anxiety. He couldn't understand what was making him so uneasy, since this day had been decided so very long ago. He thought back to the first time he had met Ciel, forging the contract with him that would bind the two in a way only a master and servant could be binded. Sebastian's services for Ciel's soul. That had been the agreement.
It was rare for Sebastian, but he had been so occupied in his thoughts that he didn't see it coming. Their carriage was now on the wooden bridge that overlooked the now frozen creek that flowed freely in the summers when something erupted right in front of them.
Sebastian heard the explosion and the sounds of the horses neighing as the heat from it burned the startled horses. He tried to get control of them while trying to listen for his master's safety in the carriage behind him, which now sat dangerously on the edge of the bridge. The confusion grew as Sebastian let go of the horses and they escaped the flames that had started to engulf the wooden bridge which was now basically in splinters.
"Master Ciel, are you alright?" No response. Sebastian tore open the carriage only to be met with emptiness as he noticed that the back half of the carriage itself had been blown away and his master was nowhere to be found. Sebastian immediately looked around him and at the water below. Surely he would remember a splash if his master fell into the frozen water below or even a shout for help, but he had heard nothing. The flames started to grow stronger as Sebastian pondered on what he should do. Without a moment's hesitation, he dove into the water below and started to search expertly. He felt the chiming cold but he paid no mind to it. There was only one thing etched in his mind and that was to make sure his master was safe.
After much searching, Sebastian came up for air. He looked at the deteriorating bridge and the remnants of the carriage and cursed at himself. Where was his master? How could he let this happen?
Soaking wet, he climbed out of the creek and made his way back to the burning bridge and called out Ciel's name again. Still, no response. One thing he knew for sure, Ciel wasn't dead. Then was he kidnapped? Maybe that's why he couldn't find him. Sebastian's foot hit something and he looked down to see the remnants of an explosive that was used on the bridge. So this was all set up. His master must have been abducted but Sebastian could think of no such enemy that would dare it though. Sure his master had many enemies both in this society and the underworld, but Ciel Phantomhive had a reputation to put dogs that came after him down.
"Master, wherever you are, I will find you." Sebastian picked up the bit of explosive and was about to toss it into the water when he noticed something etched on the side of. The partial words, "on Factory" and "Danger."
"Hmm." Sebastian thought to himself as he pocketed the item. He wondered if he should search the surrounding woods, but he knew it was no use. Whoever did this, they most certainly weren't human. Sebastian may have have been distracted, but his demon senses would be able to pick up on human scents from a mile away. No...someone else was responsible and that someone else was long gone. But Sebastian would find them, and when he did, they would pay dearly.
With one last look around him, the butler straightened his soaked coat as best he could and ran demon speed towards the church. The guests would be waiting, there was no point in delaying the inevitable. The wedding was off, or at least for now. He knew Lady Elizabeth would be devastated and the rest of the guests worried. And the Queen, how would she react knowing her faithful watchdog has gone missing?
He could see the structure of the church in the distance and make out figures moving about inside and out in black, formal suits. Guests and servants, all getting antsy.
"Well, no point in dilly-dallying. Might as well hurry up and get this done, the sooner I break the bad news, the sooner I can go searching for my master." He walked up the cobble step to see that the Royal Carriage was already parked and that there were guards in bright red posted on and around the vicinity of the church.
"Sebastian!" He turned at the sound of Finny's voice and noticed his peaceful, boyish face change from a smile to a frown in a matter of seconds as he took in Sebastian's appearance. "Oh my, what happened to you?"
"Finny, where is her Highness? And Lady Elizabeth?"
"They are all waiting inside with the other guests. Lady Francis is not pleased that the young master was not here to retrieve the Queen. But they are growing edgy…" He trailed off as Sebastian turned on his heel and headed towards the building.
The guards saw the soaked man approaching and immediately stopped him, thinking him to be a commoner. Sebastian smiled sweetly and asked them to step aside.
"Please, I am the Groom's head butler. Sebastian Michaelis. Allow me inside." His smooth silky voice awed the guards but they still looked at each other oddly before finally letting the man and the other boyish looking lad past.
"Sebastian, oye, what happened to ya?" Bard was the first one to see Sebastian enter. Other guests immediately turned to look at the commotion and Sebastian threw him an annoyed look before continuing down to the doors to the main church room.
"Sebastian! Hey Sebastian!" Mey Rin ran after him. Everyone had one question in mind: Where was their master?
"Mey Rin, follow me. You and Paula must make sure you are there to comfort Lady Elizabeth. I'm afraid I have bad news."
"Bad news...what do you mean?" Mey Rin's voice cracked as Sebastian stopped momentarily to look into her bright eyes. He could see fear and concern in them and an unfamiliar feeling jolted through him. It was warm and sad. Sebastian wanted to pull the girl into his arms and tell her everything was alright but that would be false and it was not in the nature of a demon to do so.
"Mey Rin, the young master has been kidnapped. We were attacked on the bridge and I was too slow to stop them. We must hurry. Before anything, we must explain the situation to her Highness and Lady Elizabeth. No doubt it will be hard on her, but this is not something we can hide."
"Sebastian, he's alright right? Our young master? You'll get him back...you always do." Mey Rin said with tears in her eyes. She could only imagine the kind of torture the master might have to endure until he's rescued.
Sebastian stared intently into Mey Rin's eyes, wanting to make the promise, wanting to assure her that indeed, he will rescue his master.
"Come on, we have to go." He looked at Finnian and Bard and told them to follow him too as he opened the door and entered the room.
The guests turned to look at him but he focused on the maiden dressed in white already at the altar, an anxious look on her face.
"Sebastian!" She ran towards him, holding her skirts up with her hand so as not to trip over, as others around her stood up. "Where is he?"
"Lady Elizabeth…" How was he supposed to say this? This was a tough situation, had it been a stranger, he wouldn't care, but with his years of service to Ciel Phantomhive came a liking and loyalty for his fiance too. He knew the girl was brave but she had a fragile heart, how could he be the one breaking it?
"Sebastian, answer me, where is Ciel?" Elizabeth tried to keep her voice hushed as she asked, but she was already nervous and shaking. Sebastian's straggly appearance did little to sooth her tension.
"Master Ciel, well you see, he-" Sebastian was cut off as a voice rang out from behind him.
"He what?"
