Chapter 10

With no more secrets between them, Ciel now felt freedom like he's never had before. He has no responsibilities as an earl, no reputation to uphold, no society to judge his every action and no vengeance to seek. He doesn't know yet what he would like to do in the future but for now, he is content to live one day at a time.

Fenrir would visit occasionally, bringing the bone of some creature he has hunted in the wasteland as a present for Ciel. Of course, he must leave it at the front door, because, you know, the slobbering. Sebastian would have a fit. Fenrir is only allowed inside the castle when he is summoned or when he must attend a meeting. On those days, he needs to have a bath first and trim his fur. Other creatures could have chambers in the castle to do their work, usually depending on whether they shed or not.

Ciel spends most days training under Sebastian's tutelage and learning more about life in the netherworld. Slowly, like a seed that sprouts from the ground inch by tiny inch before it becomes a sturdy tree, the trust between them began to blossom. Ciel trusted Sebastian before but he knew there were secrets separating them. Now, with everything out in the open, whatever feelings will grow between the two are based on the truth.

One morning, Ciel was running late for his lessons. He needed one of his books high on a shelf but was in too much of a hurry to get the step ladder so he simply stretched up, hoping that this time he'll be successful. To his surprise, the shelf that was previously too high for him, was now within reach. In a strange voice, he asked Leinas, who was tidying his bedroom, "Do I look taller to you?"

"Yes Lord Ciel" was the short reply.

He asked again "Does this mean I've grown then?" He received the same answer. "Then why do all my clothes still fit me properly?" he persisted.

Leinas stopped her chore and said, "I have been dressing you in larger clothes each time you grew."

Surprised, Ciel blurted "What?! Then how many times have you changed my clothes now?"

"I'm sorry Lord Ciel, I did not think that you would wish to know this so I did not keep track. It may have been three times, I think" Leinas answered.

Ciel estimated that he may have been in the netherworld for about two or three years now, certainly longer than one. He can't believe that he has been there all this time and did not once think of the world he left behind.

In a daze, he walked out of his bedroom, only to bump into Sebastian, who has gone searching for his errant pupil. "You are late," Sebastian said exasperatedly.

"Do you realize that I've been here for a few years now?" Ciel blurted.

"And what of it?" he asked.

"Nothing" Ciel mumbled and walked on. Everybody here is so much bigger than me that the few inches I've grown went by unnoticed, he thought.

Distracted by his discovery even after his lessons, Ciel did not notice the small moth that crossed his path. Its wings glowed faintly and Ciel inhaled the golden dust that trailed behind it without realizing anything. Suddenly, he saw visions of his past with Sebastian.

The many times Sebastian saved him from danger, when they were dancing in a ballroom, Sebastian down on one knee swearing to never betray him, Sebastian staying in his bedroom until he fell asleep.

Then Uilleam's words came back to him "Forgive me for pointing out the obvious, but most people would say that is the definition of a friend."

Could we be friends? How does one make a friend? Ciel wondered to himself, the only one I could recall was Lizzy and only because she's always been there. I suppose that's enough just to be there for him.

Meanwhile, Ciel's question also bothered Sebastian but he was more adept at hiding his disquiet. Humans live such short lives that after only a few years, he is now considered an adult. Compared to mine, he is a mere babe. I suppose soon he would seek the company of the opposite sex. At this thought, Sebastian denied even to himself the feeling of unease he felt.

Ciel, always determined to do his best in everything and wiser than his years, realized that to be a good friend to Sebastian, he must get to know the demon. But that was easier said than done, as the demon has always been reticent about his personal affairs. Ciel opted to ask the ones who knew him longer. He began with Leinas.

"I realized that demons are usually solitary creatures yet Sebastian has all of you serving him. How did you end up working for him?" he began.

"Well, this is new. You don't usually ask anything about our liege" Leinas queried.

"I know but as someone, he has saved countless times, the least I could do is get to know him better so I could be his friend" Ciel explained. As Leinas continued to simply stare at him, Ciel began to blush, I was just asking! What was wrong with that?! I just want us to be friends!

Finally, Leinas seemed to believe him and began her tale.

Leinas was born in a demon tribe of weircats. They had all the features of a normal cat except that they walked upright, endowed with intelligence and was faster and stronger. They did not possess any magic powers other than the ability to take on human form on the night of a full moon until sunrise. Weircats belong to a tribe but are mostly independent. One day their village was attacked by demons. There was no other reason for the carnage except that they were a different tribe, natural born enemies so to speak.

As Leinas lay dying in a pool of her own blood, surrounded by the ashes of her home, another group came upon her. It was Sebastian with a few of his retainers, passing through. They were just going to leave her so she called out "Master please help me! Help me seek vengeance on those who brought this upon me and I shall serve you loyally for the rest of my days!"

"I don't really need another servant," Sebastian said indifferently.

"Then I shall be anything you wish me to be!" Leinas said desperately.

"This is tedious. Fine, remember though that if you don't make yourself useful, I will get rid of you" Sebastian said, already turning his back on her.

From that day on, she became a part of his retinue, striving her best to provide all his needs. In their travels, they came across the group that destroyed her tribe. Sebastian eliminated them all and her vengeance was complete. As time passed she became curious about her new master but like Ciel found out, he rarely talks about himself so she approached Silena, the leader of the lamias.

"Like you, we asked him to save us from the other monsters," she said with a hiss. "We are not powerful so we swore allegiance to him in exchange for his protection."

"So you're saying that everyone here is serving him of their own accord?" Leinas asked.

"Yes, as you may have noticed by now, he is not a cruel master. He is not deliberately malicious either. He is uncaring at most times, but he is nothing like the other powerful demons out there who prey upon the weak" she explained.

Leinas, aware how lucky she was to have ended up with Sebastian, served him faithfully since then.

Ciel then realized that he has never seen Sebastian abuse his position. He demands total obedience from his people but never without good reason. That is why Fenrir and the other werewolves chose to stay under Sebastian's rule.

As Ciel turned to leave, he said "Thank you for trusting me with your tale Leinas. You've given me a lot to think about."

When the door closed behind him, a determined look came into Leinas eyes.

That night, Sebastian was working late in his office when a knock sounded on his door. He bade the caller come in and Leinas entered.