The wind whistled in the demon's ears as he sped over the countryside, heart pounding madly with every inhuman step. He was but a shadow in the growing darkness, a silhouette sprinting hysterically over bridges and dewy grass, flying over dirt roads that eventually gave way into cobblestones as he neared the city. His pace was relentless as he hastened down the winding streets, dodging the few passersby and keeping his senses fixed on detecting signs of the nearing harbour.

Sebastian paused for a moment at a small intersection, breathing deeply. A stout woman came laughing out of a nearby tavern, wiping her pudgy hands on her speckled apron as she called to someone still inside the seedy establishment. The light and noise emanating from the open door were overwhelming, and Sebastian turned his eyes away, irises adjusting to the now darkened street. He heard the woman utter a last farewell, then the door slammed shut and all was still.

He lingered for a moment longer, watching as the sturdy maid strolled assuredly down the road, humming to herself as she was swallowed by the gloom. Then, he was off again, tearing down the streets and around the bends in his worried frenzy.

He reached the docks not long after, and searched desperately for a means to get across the water. His keen eyes spotted a small rowboat bobbing merrily further down the pier and swiftly crossed the boardwalk to examine it.

"Wah- Hey! Get outta there ya bleedin' thug!"

The thick cockney accent caught him by surprise, as did the sudden blow to the back of his head. Sebastian grabbed his attacker by the collar and sent him spinning across the dock like a discarded ragdoll, his limbs flailing about uselessly as his broken body tumbled under a streetlight. The lump groaned and raised its head.

"What…What are ya doin'…"

The demon ignored the half-hearted query and set about untying the boat. A few moments later, he heard the sound of fabric scraping over stone. He glanced back at the youth and noticed he'd dragged himself along the ground, almost halfway to where Sebastian was standing. As his face came into the light, the butler noted that he couldn't have been more than 17.

"I'll leave the money for the boat here. And perhaps some extra for your trouble"

Sebastian set down a bag of coins on the pier and stepped into the boat. Taking up the oars, he began to paddle into the night.

…

It was still dark when Ciel came to. As his eye adjusted to the shadows, he noticed his surroundings. He seemed to be seated in a small stone room, complete with tiny slot-shaped windows near the ceiling and a little rickety desk pushed haphazardly against the wall to his right. He touched his cheek, feeling a tender bruise beginning to blossom below the skin as he attempted to remember the events before arriving in the room, recalling vaguely a rough hand on the back of his neck as his head was shoved unceremoniously into a thick canvas bag. He turned his head, still observing the space, and noted a large wooden door just across from where he was seated. Standing with much difficulty, he stumbled towards it.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you"

Ciel whipped his head around to see an unperturbed Charles Grey leaning against the wall behind where he was previously sitting.

"And why would that be?" He rasped. Grey pushed himself off the wall and circled around to Ciel.

"Please, have a seat. You look a fright"

He sat reluctantly, eying the queen's butler as he promptly kicked the desk over to the centre of the room, seating himself on its weathered surface.

"I suppose you're wondering why you've been brought here" said Grey, leaning his elbows on his knees.

Ciel crossed his legs neatly. "I assume her Majesty is not pleased. Let's get this over with so I can make swift amends"

Grey chuckled, hand feathering over the hilt of his sword. "I wouldn't be so blithe. See, you've committed two extremely, lewd crimes against our esteemed sovereign" He strolled leisurely around the desk as he said this, charcoal eyes laughing. "Would you like to know what they are?"

The earl of Phantomhive snorted contemptuously. "That would be a start"

"Don't get smart with me, Phantomhive" he snarled, leaning against the desk.

"It's the report you sent her Majesty"

"What of it?"

"First of all, it's the truth. You've created evidence that the Queen has lied, and now, it's been stolen"

Ciel paused at his words, stunned. "And she believes that I was somehow involved in the theft? That my intention was to expose her actions?"

Grey shook his head. "She doesn't doubt your loyalty, only your judgement. Seeing as you were the one to write the damned thing, she has decided to punish you"

"That's ludicrous. How could I know it was to be stolen?" The butler shrugged and began to pick his teeth. "Dunno, maybe she really is angry, maybe she's just bored. Anyway, that's not all" Ciel's expression darkened as Grey extracted several documents from his pocket.

"Her Majesty has decided that your punishment is to take full responsibility for the crimes, as well as the 'forging' of the report. Consequently, you will be charged with-

"Treason" Ciel finished. Grey nodded and waggled the papers around a bit, as if swatting a fly.

"And why would I do that?"

At this, the butler nodded to the papers in his hand.

"The Queen has devised a certain incentive"

"Which is?"

Grey smirked at his annoyance.

"Several letters addressed to a certain Sebastian Michaelis were intercepted and copied recently. If you do not take the blame for the murders, we will be releasing these copies to the public"

Ciel was quiet. He could feel his heart beginning to race as cold sweat beaded at his forehead. His hands clutched at the sides of the chair, pale as death. The sapphire ring stood out on his ghostly flesh.

"What?" He murmured finally.

Grey beamed. "Didn't I say your crimes were lewd? We've got all the juicy bits here, nothing about our made up criminal or the reports though, we've edited those parts. Everything else has been copied, right down to your handwriting" Grey seemed to revel in the youth's shock and strode confidently around him like a leopard stalking its prey. "Oh, and don't worry about anyone finding out the true nature of your beloved, that can be a secret between us"

Ciel sat, unmoving and unresponsive. Grey had taken his seat on the desk and was swinging his legs to and fro like a child.

"Aren't you going to say anything? Her Majesty is so very generous. She's given you a choice, treason or lechery"

"…How.." His voice was almost a pained moan.

"Come on, Phantomhive. I haven't got all day, you have to choose"

Ciel suddenly glared up at the butler. "And if I refuse?"

Charles Grey's mouth slid into a drunken smile, eerie and crazed.

"Well, that's where the fun starts. Final answer?"

Ciel breathed hard, noticing Grey's menacing stance and the dangerous look in his eyes. His thoughts wandered to Sebastian.

"I will not play her game. I will not willingly destroy myself for her pleasure"

Charles Grey grinned and removed his gloves.

"That's what I hoped to hear. Well then, let's get started, shall we?"

…

It was nearly dawn when Sebastian first caught sight of the port. A searing pain in the center of the contract seal had spurred on his rowing through the night and into the early hours of the morning, reminding him of his charge and the perils he might be facing. As he neared the pier, Sebastian stared distantly into the pinks and oranges of the rising sun.

Docking the boat, he entered the city, searching for a sign of his master. Deciding to start at the place he'd been staying, Sebastian took off down one of the narrow roads ahead of him, searching for the name of the hotel.

After a few wrong turns, he arrived at his destination.

Which had been completely annihilated.

The area was closed off by a few makeshift fences, and other than the gaping hole in the tightly constructed plaza, there was no sign of anything having been there at all. It seemed the wreckage had been cleared some time ago, although it couldn't have been long since the establishment had been destroyed. Still, Sebastian endeavoured to inspect the area.

He hopped gracefully over the fence, hoping no one was nearby to interrupt his investigation. He began by scouring the perimeter of the empty space, looking for any signs or trails that could lead to his lord. After several minutes, eyes inches from the ground, Sebastian concluded that there was absolutely nothing there. Sighing, he was about to cross over the fence once more when a voice stopped him.

"There was a man in white here before" He turned in time to see a little girl skirt behind the façade of a neighbouring building.

"He left this, for a man all in black" She held out a letter to him, emblazoned with the royal seal. Sebastian took it from her, smiling gently. She was gone before he could thank her.

He turned back to the letter and opened it.

October 25th 1895

Dear Mr. Michaelis,

I hope you are well. Your master is alive, although I must dissuade you in your endeavours to find him. You see, your correspondence has been copied, and I would so hate to have to release such personal revelations to the public. For now, I would much enjoy it if you would join us for tea in the Chateau de Rambouillet on the 28th. It shall have to be late in the evening, I'm afraid; 7:00 on the dot. We have much to discuss.

Her Majesty, Queen Victoria

…

A/N: The plot thickens! Thanks for reading, feel free to leave a review, and I'll see ya next update.

Wordsmith8