A/N: 'Carpe Diem' is officially two weeks old! *confetti shower* Not bad for a story I randomly made up on my lunch break because I was bored one day, huh? Inspiration hits at anytime~
No really, I wasn't expecting to get so many chapters done. Not as many reviews like when I first started but 36 isn't bad for two weeks and I thank you for your kind words. I appreciate all the favourites and follows too, but please take time to review, even if it's just once. Your opinions give me an extra push to get chapters written
After we left The Undertaker's funeral parlor, we headed back to the estate. I wasn't overly sure what the next plan was... I mean, where do we even start? We had no clues, no leads... basically no idea. We all sat in silence, thinking about the information The Undertaker had given us, however my thoughts were on the music box. It was still bothering me and after leaving that place, the nagging feeling just got worse. I just wanted answers and it felt like it was drawing me into a murder investigation for no reason. I glanced at Madame Red beside me as she looked down at her hands.
'What are you hiding...?'
"What do you think after hearing that?" Ciel asked, breaking the silence. He leaned against the window frame rather lazily, looking a little bored if I admit.
"I've been thinking..." Sebastian spoke up, resting his hand under his chin thoughtfully. "To commit these murders so precisely, the killer must have some sort of medical knowledge, perhaps he even practices it." He paused slightly then carried on. "He also must know where the police are at all times to get away with it so quickly."
"But why take the wombs?" I asked, glancing around. "What's the significance? And what does he do with them once he takes them?"
"He may sell them on the black market. Or he could be using them in rituals for a black magic cult, he may even be a part of a one."
That... actually made sense. But rituals? Really..? For what? I dread to think...
"Then where do we start from now?" Madame Red asked, she looked a little bit flustered... "There are many people in the capital right now that have a medical degree, even I have the medical skills necessary for this!"
...Yes... Yes, you do Madame Red, don't you?
"It has to be someone of a high class," I spoke up, making Madame red narrow her eyes at me.
"Commoners can't practise medicine, only nobles and higher class people can fund an education to do that sort of thing. So that narrows the field down a little bit..."
"Indeed it does." Ciel smirked slightly. "Doctors, physicians and even medical students are all suspects."
"Don't forget though, dear," Madame Red spoke up, crossing her arms over her chest. "If we leave it a week then all the doctors will go back home. You'll miss your chance."
"We'll wait until then to investigate." Sebastian smiled knowingly, I couldn't help but blink at him.
"Why...?"
"There's no way we can investigate clearly at this time." He continued to wear that damn cocky smile of his...
"Even if that's true, wouldn't now be the best time to compose a suspect list?" I felt a sharp nudge to my ribs, and I glanced down to see Madame Red retract her elbow, acting as innocent as ever.
'Did she just elbow me...?'
"Of course." Ciel smirked again, turning to his butler. "I'm sure I can leave that in your hands."
"Yes my lord." He placed his hand over his heart and smiled at all of us. "If I couldn't do such a small task then, well, what kind of butler would I be?"
"A bad one?" My stupidity will get me hurt one day, honestly.
Sebastian smiled yet again. "I shall quickly research all suspects." And with that, he flung open the door to the carriage while it was still moving. I gasped in surprise when the wind suddenly rushed around me, and I reached up to hold onto my hat so it wouldn't blow away.
"S-Sebastian! What are you doing!? Close the door you moron!" I yelled. He merely grinned at me and placed his hand over his heart for a second time.
"Please excuse me while I take my leave." Then he was gone, the door slamming shut behind him. That was not normal! Nobody jumps from a carriage while it's still moving! I joined both Madame Red and Lau at the back window, staring out into the street where there was no sign of the butler.
"Wait a minute! Isn't the carriage still moving!?" Yes, yes it is, Madame Red. Very observant. Ciel sat in his seat like it was normal, staring out into the streets from his window. I couldn't help but glance at the boy.
'There's more between those two than we know about... I'm sure about it.' I thought, slipping back into my seat.
We made it back to the manor not much later. As soon as we entered though... well... If you thought the thing in the carriage was strange then so was this. Sebastian the super butler had made it back to the house in the short time between when he jumped out of the carriage and when we actually arrived. Not only that, but he'd compiled an entire list of suspects and had their alibis checked out. I gawked in utter shock when he read out the entire list, everyone's reactions to his accomplishment were different. Madame Red look defeated, Lau just smiled, I stared like a fish out of water and Grell stared in admiration. Ciel had walked away from us like nothing was new.
Once he had finished, he rolled up the long script neatly back how it was, smirking knowingly at us.
"Currently, none of these people fit the conditions to be a murderer."
Ha... hahahaha... Sebastian, what are you?
"How did you do it, Sebastian?" Madame Red smiled but it was more of a forced smile. "You're not just a butler are you? Are you apart of her majesty's secret service?"
Just as Sebastian was about to walk away, he turned around and smirked at us.
"No, I am simply one hell of a butler."
I'm sure you are. I watched as he walked away, then proceeded to invite everyone in, taking Madame Red's hat off her. All three went upstairs after Ciel, I followed not long afterwards to find them now relaxing in the lounging area.
"To be someone who has knowledge of medical practises and human anatomy, to having no alibi on the night in question and to also having connection with black magic and cults, there is only one person who fits this criteria," Sebastian spoke up.
Wait, I thought you said no one on the list could be the suspect? I glanced around him to see him holding a separate piece of paper with various information scribbled on it.
"The Viscount Druitt, Lord Aleister Chambers."
"The Viscount Druitt huh..? Who's that exactly?" I piped up.
"No one that important for you to know." Ciel shrugged, sipping his tea. "At least up until now anyway if the information is true."
Sebastian continued reading out his research "Although he graduated from medical school and got a degree, he never once worked in the medical profession. He has also been hosting a number of seasonal parties, to which rumour has it that some of the parties are only for people close to him."
I blinked slightly. "Cult meetings perhaps...?"
"Possibly."
"The Viscount Druitt..? Now that you mention it, I do recall that he has been getting into black magic recently..." Madame Red mumbled, resting her hand under her chin thoughtfully.
Geez Madame, why not say this sooner..?
"So, he could be using some of those 'secret parties' to perform ceremonies?" Lau paused and sipped his tea. "And the prostitutes are sacrifices?"
"That certainly makes sense." I pondered, glancing up at the ceiling. "Some of the other parties could just be covers."
Ciel 'mmm'd softly, biting on a slice of cake. Oh... mm... that cake looked so good. Maybe I'll get a piece from the kitchen later. It's for medical purposes, honestly.
Sebastian wasn't done though. "At seven o'clock tonight, the Viscount will be hosting another party. This will mark the end of the seasonal period so tonight is our only chance to investigate."
So it's now or never, huh? This was starting to get more intense.
Madame Red smiled wildly and flicked back her shocking red hair. "Leave it to me. I'm quite popular so with a few words here and there I can get us all into that party with ease."
Nice one Madame!- Wait... Did she just say ALL of us!?
"This is stupid..."
"Nng... This dress is so... itchy!"
"It's unladylike to scratch yourself in public, Amy! Stop doing that!"
Boo on you lady, you shouldn't have given me this stupid dress anyway. With a reluctant sigh I tried to stop but the irritating fabric just rubbed against my skin more. It made me fidget uncomfortably in my seat.
"Madame Red, why am I even here?" I asked as the carriage we rode came to a halt outside the Viscount's manor. "I'm not a part of this investigation like you."
"On the contrary dear, you are! ...to a degree." She tapped her fan against her lips. "Besides, we couldn't leave you back at the estate by yourself. You might as well tag along and experience your first taste at a ball!"
Wipe that smile off your face. I would have rather stayed back at the estate, I could have been demolishing that sweet, sweet cake by now...
We all stepped out of the carriage and headed inside to the ball room where many people dressed in their finest outfits, talking and swapping business cards. Servants rushed around handing out wine and lemonade, and also these really small pieces of food. Reeeeeeally small...
After looking around at the bright white ball room, I turned back to the others. I instantly looked at Ciel and stifled a laugh, it was a failed attempt but at least I had a bit more control then earlier. Ciel, in his pretty pink dress and pigtails, glared back at me with folded arms.
"You look so cute, Mistress~"
"Shut up!"
I couldn't really joke about Ciel being dressed as a girl, since Bard still thinks I'm a boy. It's all good I guess. The hours between when we got back to the manor and now were full of lessons on how to be ladylike. We were exhausted by the end of it. Yup, we. As in Ciel AND me. Ciel had to go through the most though since, well, he was a boy. I remembered my lessons from before and practised my walk and posture, then after that was the corset fitting. Ugh that corset. I thought Elizabeth was bad when she tried the first time, but it was nothing compared to Madame Red. I practically kicked and struggled for her to loosen it but she wouldn't have any of it. Apparently I 'didn't have a waist' so I needed one. 'The tighter the better!' she giggled. I managed to get it loose though, but it was an awkward experience... I went to find Sebastian to loosen it for me, however I accidentally stumbled into one of the rooms to see Sebastian tying one onto Ciel, the kid practically screaming (panting and sweating too, I might add) that it was killing him. They stopped and stared at me. I stared back. Then hauled my ass right out of there to Grell, who reluctantly loosened it for me.
The dress Ciel was wearing tonight was a lovely little French number from Madame Red. Mine was also from her but Ciel's was a little more... extravagant, shall we say. Mine was rather plain, compared to others. It was a pale blue long dress with frills at the end and at the front. I wore elbow high white gloves and a blue hat with white flowers and blue beads. Yup, just plain.
"We need to make sure that he doesn't notice who I am, otherwise it'll be all over," Ciel spoke, keeping his infamous frown in his face. He looked like a moody girl, it was brilliant.
Madame seemed to shrug off his grumpiness and pulled us all into a small bunch to go over the plan.
"That's why you're dressed like this, Ciel! He can't know you're a Phantomhive. Tonight, Lau shall act as my young lover."
Lau smiled. "Lover reporting for duty!" he jeered.
"Ciel you will be my niece from the countryside." Ciel's frown could not have gotten lower. "Sebastian will be Ciel's tutor." He fixed up his glasses and smiled. That just left me...
"And Amy... hm. I had a bit of trouble trying to think of what you could be."
"Couldn't I be a servant along with Grell? Or perhaps even your assistant?"
She pouted and stuck her fan in my direction, making me step back. "You're dressed too nicely to be a servant!"
A clearing of a throat caught our attention, and we both turned to Ciel who wore a smirk.
"She can be Sebastian's fiancée."
I felt my cheeks burn painfully. "I-Isn't there another option then that?" Honestly I don't know why I felt so weird at the idea...
"I'm afraid not!" Madame Red smiled, proceeding to slip a gold ring off her finger and onto mine. "This is just if anyone asks."
I sighed and accepted defeat. I glanced up at the butler to see him smiling down at me like nothing was wrong. Obviously it didn't bother him as much as it did me. He was dressed to look the 'tutor' part; hair combed back, a beige jacket, a pair of glasses, etc., etc. You get it right? He looked good. I blushed again and looked at the wall, just as Ciel started ranting about why he had to be her niece.
"Because I've always wanted a girl!" She smiled and moved closer to him. "Besides, I heard that the Viscount has an eye for any pretty little thing in a skirt. And we want to catch his eye, don't we?" Oh Ciel, you've never looked so pale.
"By any means necessary, right my lord?" Sebastian responded with a smug smile, knowing he had Ciel in a corner. With a glare and a sigh, he began stomping off into the crowd.
"Let's just get this over with!"
Sebastian and I caught up to the raging lord. I held onto his arm to give the impression we were... ahem 'together'. My stomach twisted as I held onto him, it was so weird...
"First thing's first, we need to find this murderous Viscount," Sebastian said confidently. Ciel kept his head down though.
"At least Elizabeth isn't here. I would never want her seeing me like this..."
Oh... How wrong you were, Ciel. From behind me came the oh-so-familiar shrill voice of said lady.
"Oh that dress is so adorable!"
Dammit... why!? All three of us turned around to see, of course, Elizabeth with her back turned to us, complimenting on the women's dresses.
"I adore all the dresses here! They're lovely!" she squealed, clasping her hands together with a noticeable blush. Ciel began shaking uncontrollably.
"Se-s-s-se-se...!"
"Sir! I-I mean mistress, please calm down."
"Yeah Master- er Madame! Stop losing it, you'll attract too much attention!" I hissed, keeping an eye on the blonde behind us.
"Let's move quickly," Sebastian said, placing his hand on Ciel's back and guiding him forward to make a run for it. But, alas, cruel fate had another idea in store for us. It was called Elizabeth.
"OOH! You in the pink, your dress is just beautiful!" she beamed from behind us. Ciel began shaking more. "You in the blue too! You're dress is wonderful also!" Aw... hell...
Sebastian took us both by the arms and led us in another direction through the ever growing crowd. We ended up hiding behind this giant cake and- whoa, wait a second... a giant cake? Hot damn! The soft tapping of shoes around us and then disappearing indicated that now Elizabeth had left. Ciel sighed heavily, still panicking over the whole thing.
"This isn't good," Sebastian mumbled, keeping his gaze over the edge of the table. "I didn't expect her here."
"If someone was to see the head of my family dressed this way..."
"The Phantomhive name will be ruined for generations." That certainly made Ciel go pale.
"Hey... How about we go and join Madame Red? It's starting to get a little risky..." I whispered to them, hoping to at least try and get our plan together now that we had an obstacle. But no longer had I said that, then roaring laughter from the red lady could be heard. We turned to see her being fanned by Lau and surrounded by adoring strangers. I see what she meant by being popular... Well, another plan gone down the drain.
Ciel flinched and sneered. "Well, it looks like she is having a grand old time..."
"Yep..."
Suddenly, there was a shrill gasp from behind us. "There you are!" How did she..? Ugh, never mind! We both turned to run again, but Sebastian quickly grabbed Ciel's arm and they both took off across the ballroom. I tried to keep up with them but I kept stumbling on the folds of my dress to the point of tripping over in a blue heap in the middle of the floor. Now, I've lost them. Great. Struggling to my feet once more, I stumbled in the direction of where I'd last seen them, only to confront the red dress of Elizabeth who was receiving lemonade from a waiter. Oh... Give me a break! Forget it, I'm going back to Madame Red!
Suddenly soft music began playing from an orchestra at the other end of the room and people around me coupled up, bodies slowly moving and turning in rhythm to the music. I'd somehow become caught in the middle of it all, pushing and shoving my way past people just to get away from them. Though in my haste and I dare say aggressive behavior, I bumped into someone which in turn made me stumble on the folds of my dress yet again.
"A-Ah! I'm so sorry! Very sorry!" I bowed as much as I could. I wasn't really all that sorry but I don't want an angry noble on my case all night, it'll ruin the investigation. I heard a soft laugh from in front of me. A gloved hand appeared and slipped under my chin, making me look at a pretty man with bright blonde hair and purple eyes. He was dressed all in white like he was... pure.
"A lady should look where she's going." His voice was smooth and confident.
"I'm sorry... I got caught in the dancing and panicked. I'm not good with crowds." I tried to be as innocent and womanly as I could. That's another thing I was taught by the lovely Madame Red. It didn't work. I could fake it easily though.
"A lovely lady like you afraid of crowds? Oh, this simply won't do. Why come to a party?" You ask too many questions. Shut up.
"My... fiancé brought me here to help get over my fears..?" I tried to quickly change the subject. "Oh, but where are my manners! It's a pleasure to meet you... uhm..."
He took my hand and brought it to his lips. "I am the Viscount Druitt, Lord Aleister Chambers." He kissed the top of my hand and it sent a shiver up my spine. "And the pleasure's all mine, my lovely sparrow."
Sparrow..? What the..? Wait, he's the Viscount Druitt!? Damn you, Ciel, damn you, Sebastian! Damn all of you! Why do I have to be the one to confront the potential Jack the Ripper?
I forced a smile and curtsied at him, which wasn't one of my strong points either. "Lord Druitt! I'm honoured to meet you at last! I've heard so much about you!"
He chuckled slightly, swishing the wine in his glass around lazily. "My, my, little sparrow, you act like you haven't been to a ball before."
I felt my eye twitch slightly. "My phobia caused me a lot of grief my lord, attending parties was difficult for me. I'm glad I was able to attend tonight though, it's wonderful!" Yeah that's right, Amy, feed him those compliments. Keep him sweet until those two get their butts back over here.
He chuckled again, but his attention turned to an unknown object behind me. He breathed an 'oh my...' and excused himself, slipping past me to whatever had caught his attention. Curiosity got the best of me, so I turned around to see him clapping and complimenting none other than my little master, who was crouched on the floor breathing heavily. I shuffled over to Sebastian and grabbed ahold of his arm, forcing a smile.
"There you are dear," I hissed, trying to look as happy as I could. I was just a little mad they left me like that. "I've been looking everywhere for you!"
Sebastian simply smiled at me and adjusted his glasses. "I was wondering where you had run off to. Come, let's go and get the mistress a drink."
With that, we left Ciel with the Viscount. Once we had made it out of their view, but them not from ours, I turned and glared at the butler.
"Thanks for leaving me! I had to talk to that guy by myself!"
Sebastian didn't look impressed. "I would have thought you were capable of following us."
"Not in this dress!" I snapped but he didn't react in any way.
"Excuses, excuses. Though I'm impressed you were able to find the Viscount and keep him occupied until we got there."
It wasn't intended, honestly. We both watched Ciel cautiously as he spoke with the blonde beauty (Ha, well, he was sort of pretty. Not handsome but more... pretty). The guy kissed Ciel's hand in a polite gesture. The little lord in turn wiped it on his dress. I couldn't help but laugh a little at the scene, and the look on Ciel's face showed that he was enduring it as much as he could. Suddenly The Viscount was behind Ciel, holding him in a lustful manner while his hands traveled down his waist. This was just too much! If looks could kill this guy would be dead three times over. But from the corner of my eyes, I saw Elizabeth standing on the other side of the dancing people, watching Ciel with a determined smile. When the music stopped she looked ready to pounce on him for the get go. I blinked and nudged Sebastian.
"Uh... Sebastian?"
"Hmm?"
"We have a problem. Lady Elizabeth is over there watching the Master." I pointed to the blonde. "When the dancing stops she'll come running over and ruin the whole thing."
Sebastian looked at her cautiously then rested his hand under his chin. After a moment he adjusted his glasses. "You keep an eye on the Master, I'll keep Lady Elizabeth distracted."
Before I could ask him why, he disappeared. How did he keep doing that..? I turned my attention back to Ciel who was continuing to woo the Viscount, however he suddenly had an expression of panic and urgency. He must have spotted Elizabeth. This wasn't good. If he didn't hurry up and get information from Druitt or make him do something soon then Elizabeth would come running over and ruin everything. You would have put on a dress for nothing Ciel, try explaining that to your future wife. No sooner than that, the music stopped as did the dancing, Elizabeth made a beeline straight for Ciel, just as predicted. I held my breath as she got closer. Ciel didn't look like he was having much luck with the Viscount but suddenly, out of nowhere, a large trunk came slamming down in front of the young girl, making her stop in her tracks. Next to the trunk was none other than Sebastian, his glasses now replaced by a white mask with red patterns on it.
Sebastian then started talking about how he was going to perform a magic trick, but my gaze was focused on the Master and Druitt. Said lord stood looking confused at the butler, who had proceeded to call Lau forward to help him in his trick. Ciel caught Druitt's attention though by... oh god... putting on the most adorable and girly face he could, mouth moving in unreadable words. I choked on a laugh, especially when the act actually worked and seemed to win the Viscount over. Oh Ciel... I didn't know you had it in you!
Sebastian's performance started, and Druitt took Ciel's hand and led him towards a draping curtain. I could faintly make out some steps behind it. I tried to follow them through the crowd, not intending to let the master out of my sights but it was difficult when people were too focused on the act and got in my way. They disappeared behind the curtain and that was it, they disappeared. Dammit...
I had no choice but to watch the butler's trick, waiting until it was over to talk to him about the master. He handed Lau a bunch of swords and explained to him what to do, before climbing into the trunk and sealing it shut with some metal chains. Lau looked at the swords with his usual relaxed expression, muttering a 'I guess I won't hold back then." before leaping up on top of the trunk and slamming the sword in through the top, while doing a handstand. Right... where... Sebastian's head... was. I gasped along with the crowd in horror as Lau continued to assault the trunk with the swords in quick movements, shoving the steel objects in different places and angles. Surely even Sebastian, the super butler, couldn't escape that unhurt right? ...Right?
Nevertheless, I ate those words. Once he was done, the swords slid out of their holes and landed on the floor with piercing thunks. The chains dropped soon afterwards and the door to the trunk opened slowly. I held my breath slightly, expecting the worst but out came Sebastian with a smile and wave, not a single scratch or mark on him. The crowd cheered and clapped for him and Lau. I just stood there with my mouth agape. I do a good impression of a fish, don't I?
Once the performance was over, the music started up again along with the dancing. I fought my way through the people to catch Sebastian. I grabbed his arm and pull him down a little. He'd somehow managed to put his glasses back on.
"Sebastian! How did you do that!? You know what never mind, we have more important things to worry about. It's about the Master!"
From behind his glasses, I saw him glance around to the people surrounding us. In a quick movement, he circled an arm around my waist and clasped my hand in his free one before moving me slowly to the music, both of us moving in time to the bodies around us. I felt a blush rise up on my cheeks.
"W-What are you doing?"
"We need to blend in right? Talk and dance, Amy." He smirked, twirling me around. I couldn't dance properly, even though I was taught some moves at our lessons earlier. I still couldn't grasp the dance steps so my feet moved sloppily. Thankfully my long dress covered my feet so no one could see. "So, what's wrong with the Master?"
When we passed the curtain they disappeared through, I nudged my head in that direction. "They went through there when you started performing. I lost sight of him though, I'm sorry."
"Don't worry." He smiled again and closed his eyes. "You did your best, I'll retrieve the Master soon enough." I locked onto those crimson eyes once he had opened them again. He looked so good... so... ah god, what am I doing? Snap out of it!
"If you say so." I glanced away, forcing back another blush that was creeping onto my features.
"Why don't you stay with Madame Red for the rest of the night and leave the rest to me?"
I nodded and glanced at the charismatic Madame who had resumed being fanned by Lau. Though... looking at them something caught my eye...
'Where is Grell..?'
He was there the last time I saw Madame Red, why had he disappeared now? A servant should stay by their master's side... This was getting strange now...
We continued dancing a little while longer. I actually enjoyed it. I felt so at ease with him; even though I was worried about Ciel, I knew that he was ok in Sebastian's hands. They had a strange bond, I could trust them in a sense. They saved me from Dad, and yet me hiding something like blood in a music box from them felt like I was disrespecting them. Truth was I was scared... to tell them. What would Ciel say to his aunt having mysterious blood in one of her possessions? Would it cause a rift between them? Could it even get Madame Red in trouble with the authorities? I didn't want to be that person to drive a family apart... I didn't... but I need to know why... why there is blood? This nagging feeling won't go, I would have given up and forgot about it days ago if it wasn't for that. The key... I need that key...
Sebastian must have noticed my change in demeanor. My thoughts had suddenly got me quite down. He slipped a gloved hand under my chin and made me look up at him.
"You look bothered by something. Care to tell me what it is?"
I shook my head, looking down. As much as I wanted to... I won't tell them just yet. "No, it's fine. I'm just worried about the Master."
He nodded slowly, not saying another word. The music stopped and we broke apart. I stared up at the butler in silent awe, the chandelier behind him giving him an almost heavenly glow. Unconsciously I reached up and touched his face. He in turn flinched back at the sudden action but gradually stood back as stoic as ever.
'His skin is so soft...'
My fingers brushed through his raven locks, just to behind his ear.
'His hair is so silky...'
Then, I slipped off his glasses, putting them on my own face. With a few adjustments, I grinned up at him.
"How do I look?"
He blinked, then smirked. "Half as intellectual as you did before."
I pouted and shoved the glasses back into his hands.
"Jerk!"
He chuckles slightly, then suddenly his expression darkened. His eyes changed from his usual red to a glowing magenta, his pupils slitted. This only happened for a split second, but it was enough to make me stand back in surprise. He pushed the glasses back onto his face.
"Go to Madame Red, I'll find the Master."
I nodded and turned my back on him, forcing my way through the people to Madame Red and Lau. Grell was still missing. I decided to bring it up and see what excuse she gave me.
"Hey, Madame Red? Where has Grell gone to?"
She stopped in her tracks and stared at me, surprised by my question.
"O-oh! I, uhm, I sent him off to converse with the other servants. He was becoming a bit of an eyesore just standing around." She laughed like it was nothing, but I felt myself frown.
'Liar...'
I left it at that though and sat beside her.
During the rest of the evening, I never saw a sign of either Ciel or Sebastian. Madame Red and Lau commented on where they could have gotten to. I told them they had a run in with the Viscount and disappeared off with him. Speaking of the Viscount, he never came back either. His butlers saw everyone out when the party had finished. Grell had come back at this point acting like his usual self, but he wore an odd smile the whole time. I caught a carriage back to the manor with Madame Red and Lau. My body was achy and sluggish from the day's endeavours so I leant against the window the whole ride back. Sebastian's eyes... they were glowing with an odd darkness, desire... wrath... It may have only been a few seconds but they were etched into my memory when I closed my eyes...
'What is he...?'
A/N: I bet you were expecting a fluffy feels moment right? Don't worry, I disappointed myself also.
This chapter, fuck, I hated it. I actually loved writing this, the whole ball scene was fun. And just as I was about to copy it to post it, my phone goes in to troll mode and deletes the entire section I spent a whole day writing. Well, I was so frustrated I was about ready to flip shit over in my office. All my hard work suddenly gone and no undo button to put things right. That's the curse of writing on the notes app. So yeah I've had to write it all again and I was ready to give up. This doesn't feel the same but I got it as close to the original as I could. Blah...
