He was infecting her, this much was clear. The slight touches as they passed each other and the little looks had only increased her agitation. His force fed blood curled in her gut before seemingly wrapping itself around. All the moments when she allowed herself a rest (more so when she could escape Sebastian) she would feel her fingers trace around her neck then dip lower….before she would abruptly stop herself. She could hear his chuckle in the back of her head laughing at her every thought.

His poison was making her deranged.

(…line break…)

Hellebore giggled as Finny knocked the tree down. "Someone's in trouble!" She cried kicking snow off her shoe. She frowned; winter was her least favorite season. She shivered involuntarily as she felt Agni's presence behind them. When she noted that Soma was most likely still mulling over all the thoughts running through his head she felt a twinge of pity for the boy, after all he had had quite the eye opener after the festivities at the curry contest.

"Let me help!" Agni yelped as he jumped over to them allowing Finny to sit on his shoulders so he could better reach the tops of the trees in order to knock the snow off. "Tree's are living things, so treat them kindly." Agni chided gently as Finny hit the branches. "Living things…? I think I understand!" Finny cried smiling happily. Agni looked at Finny in interest while Hellebore discreetly went over to pick apart the tree that Finny had knocked down. "How did you become a gardener?" Agni asked after a moment.

"I was picked up by the young master." Finny stated as if it were obvious. He then climbed off of Agni. "Picked up?" Hellebore and Agni questioned simultaneously. Finny nodded as he went over to a tree. "It used to be that I couldn't go outside like this, so not it's fun to do it every day. I can touch trees and bugs and…people." Finny lifted his hand and stared at it darkly. "At first it was scary…it was hard for me to touch something without breaking it…" He trailed off before looking up in surprise at the tree. "We forgot to get the tree's other side!" He laughed. Hellebore smirked and looked up when she felt eyes upon her. There at the window Sebastian was watching them. She turned away slightly flustered and went to help Finny while Agni ran off to do something else.

(…line break…)

Both Sebastian and Hellebore bowed as Lord Randall and Aberline climbed down from the carriage. Aberline relinquished praise at first but was quickly shot down when Randall ordered him to stop, saying that he hadn't wanted to come in the first place. Sebastian stood to the entrance hall and smirked. "Then, I shall call my master, so please wait a moment." He opened the door and before Hellebore could even blink had it shut again. He then leaned against the door and whispered. Hellebore decided to entertain the guests. "So Lord Randall…how was your recent…" She paused looking for words. "Investigation?" She finished uncertainly. Randall glared at her in annoyance. "Don't ask silly questions woman."
"My apologizes."

Everyone looked up when the click of shoes began to step down the stairs. "Well, well Lord Commissioner. Welcome to my manor." Hellebore curtseyed before motioning them toward the dining hall. "Preparations for dinner are finished, so please if you would." Ciel smirked at her, "Please Hellebore, no need to act polite to these mutts." She nodded.
"As you wish sir."

"It's rare for a second guest…is he your successor? You're arriving at that age aren't you…?" Ciel mocked as they walked along, trailing behind Sebastian and Hellebore. Randall fumed. "If you hadn't appeared at the crime scene, it could have ended without him knowing anything!"

Ciel sighed as they stood in a semi-circle. "I don't care…but if this relationship is exposed, they're the ones who will get into trouble, isn't that right?" Ciel asked casually. Sebastian's eyes widened as his head flicked to the side. Hellebore was about to ask what was wrong when he was suddenly at the French doors slamming them shut. Everyone stood in surprise. "The doors were open…I apologize."

The rest of the evening went mostly the same as they walked through portrait halls while Sebastian closed curtain's leading to windows, jumping up and slamming Prince Soma's mouth shut. The of course the lights went out. "Oh my, it seems the lights have gone out." Sebastian mused as he held up candles to lead the way through the darkened manor.

As Ciel, Randall and Aberline sat at the table Sebastian handed Ciel an envelope whilst Hellebore handed Randall his own. Ciel opened it and there in his hand sat a check. "Oh you didn't know?" Ciel asked Aberline as he studied his shocked expression. "The Commissioner has been used by the queen for ages. He brings out the bait to the doghouse. In general, the Phantomhives are a secret committee that carries out special duties. Because of that, the funds for their activities and their rewards cannot be included in the national budget. The fact of the matter is, we cannot raise such a large sum, it's you, the police." Randall bit his lip and shook in anger while Aberline sat up in shock. "No way isn't that basically bribe money-"

"There is no 'basically'. It is bribe money. Now won't you celebrate with me?" Ciel questioned in reference to the solving of the case. Hellebore picked up some glasses which had been chilled perfectly while Sebastian grasped the champagne. "But the culprit still hasn't been arrested!" Aberline protested. "That's enough. If her majesty and Phantomhives say it's over then, the culprit no longer exists." Randall murmured authoratively.

Hellebore stifled a laugh as Agni burst through the doors, beaten and exhausted with ropes hanging off of him. "The truth is that I-" He began but was cut off when Sebastian flicked off the cork of the champagne bottle, causing it to hit Agni directly in the face.

Hellebore placed a hand over her mouth and grinned; she bit down on her forked tongue and attempted to hold back. But inevitably failed. Suddenly she was laughing, a mirthful laugh which rang in Sebastian's ears causing him to focus every ounce of his attention on her. He was hardly aware of catching the cork from the champagne bottle.

"Sorry…are you alright?" Sebastian asked casually. Agni stared at him in shock as he held his mouth in his hands. Through the doors Soma walked, clearly unaware of what was happening, "Hungry! I should get something before they find me…" He stopped cold in his tracks as everyone stared at him.

Hellebore's lips peeled back into a grin. Ciel sighed exasperated. "This is the prince of Bengal, Soma, and his Servant Agni. They're my good friends who are staying here while they study English culture." Ciel explained bluntly. Soma beamed and leaped upon the boy. "You admit it!" He cried happily, clearly reveling in the fact of being called Ciel's friend.

Sebastian smiled and motioned for Hellebore to bring forth the glasses; she obliged and allowed him to pour the champagne into them. "A conflict once again solved. Congratulations." Ciel announced blandly.

(…line break…)

"The circus?" Hellebore questioned skeptically as she sat next to Sebastian on the carriage as he steered with the reins in hand. "Why yes Demoness, I hear they have a wonderful performance." He smirked at her. "Stupid…The young master doesn't seem the type to enjoy such childish ventures." She ventured.
"Indeed." Sebastian replied with a hint of amusement.
"Is he doing this for the queen?" She asked finally, earning a smirk from Sebastian. "Why of course, my master doesn't do anything for mere pleasure. Speaking of which…" Sebastian craned his head as to hear inside the carriage compartment. "The young master is sleeping." His whispered. Suddenly he sat up and tied the reins off. He wrapped an arm about Hellebore's waist and gripped her to him.

He placed his lips on her neck and kissed gently. She attempted to pull away; it was unnerving how he could easily make her insides churn so forcibly. "So much writhing…" Sebastian murmured as he tightened his grip on her, causing her to cease struggle. He gently allowed his other hand to find her leg; he allowed his fingers to trace patterns on the fabric which stood between him and her bare skin. "Ah Demoness… you are extremely aggravating." Sebastian said as he pulled away from her, she in turn scooted as far away as the seat would allow her to. She bit her lip in apprehension; she hoped to arrive there soon.