I woke up to the warm feeling of sunshine on my face and the sweet smell of the muffin at my bedside, along with a single black gold lily. I couldn't help but smile. Although, the fuzzy feeling didn't last long when I realized…I was alone. I knew for a fact that I didn't fall asleep that way. I distinctly remember laying in the arms of the most frustrating and perplexing butler I have ever met in my life.
Hoping to avoid the unpleasantness of yesterday, I took it upon myself to bathe and dress myself before said butler could even begin to interject. The lacing of my corset wasn't exactly easy and a part of me had secretly wished Sebastian was here to help me, but I could manage. As soon as I had it tied, I went on an adventure around the manor.
I know I had spent a considerable amount of time in this place, but it never failed to amaze me. I'd always find something to marvel over. I still had a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that I've been sleeping the Phantomhive Manor, of all places, for the past few days. Or that I had a love/hate relationship with one of the staff. In my exploration, I had yet to find him…However, I did find his master in his usual hiding place with his head on his desk.
"Ciel?" Gently, I put my hand on his shoulder, "Are you ok?"
"Delighted," he groaned in pure agony.
"What's wrong?" I pulled a chair up next to him.
"Everything's fine," Ciel's sarcasm intensified.
"Doubtful," I kept digging, "Come on, Ciel. You can tell me."
"You really want to know?" Ciel pushed an envelope toward me, "That's what's wrong."
I opened the parcel from yesterday and studied it carefully. This was a travel brochure for Spain. Attached was a note in very beautiful handwriting. On the top of the stationary, it read: From the Desk of Lady Elizabeth Midford. Now, I see why it has the vein sticking out of Ciel's forehead.
Surprise! Happy birthday, my love! You and I leave for Barcelona tomorrow, just the two of us! All my love, Lizzie.
"Ciel…?" I wondered, "Is it today…?"
"Unfortunately."
"Well, happy birthday," I rested my head on his shoulder, "I'm sorry it's starting off so horribly."
"I'll be gone for a week," Ciel murmured into the desktop, "Will you be alright here by yourself?"
"I'm still staying here while you're gone?" I gasped.
"Yes. Lord Druitt has yet to be found. Why wouldn't you?"
"I don't know," I shrugged, "I wish I could help you."
"Maybe there is," Ciel's head shot up, "Perhaps you could go in my place! Lizzie adores you. I'm sure she'd agree with the idea."
"I couldn't," I turned him down, doing a quick scan of the room. A glass bottle caught my eye, "Ciel, is that scotch?"
"Brandy," he corrected, "Why?"
I grabbed the bottle and two small glasses, "Do you have somewhere we can go where no one would think to find us?"
"Isn't it a little early?" Ciel wondered.
"When is Lady Elizabeth supposed to be here?"
"A couple of hours."
"Show me somewhere we can be alone."
Ciel got up from his desk after digging a skeleton key out of his desk drawer. He led me to a cupboard in the library that he unlocked, "Very few people know about this."
He got on his knees and disappeared into the back of the cupboard. I looked into the opening with complete skepticism, "Ciel…?"
"There's a hidden room back here, Lumi," Ciel poked his head out, offering his hand to me, "Come here…And make sure you shut the door on the way through."
I dropped down on all fours, following Ciel through the door, closing it behind me. Wow. Oddly roomy back here. I expected Phantomhive Manor to have some secrets, but this was just amazing. I started pouring the golden brown liquid in the glasses, "Here."
"Are you sure?" Ciel took the brandy from me.
"Trust me," I drank straight from the bottle, "You're going to deal with Lady Elizabeth shortly for an entire week by yourself. This is the commoner's way of dealing with it."
"Alright then," Ciel took a shot, almost gagging on it, "I think it's gone bad."
"No," I giggled, "You don't drink very often, do you, Ciel?"
"Not really," he shook it off.
"It hasn't gone bad," I poured him another one, "It's aged. I'd say it's about fifty years."
"How do you tell?" Ciel asked, taking his drink from me.
"It's a gift," I said, pouring one for myself, "Call it commoner's wisdom. Self medicating."
"Hey, Lumi…"
"Yes?"
"I won't be drunk very quickly, will I?" he worried, "I don't need Elizabeth to see me like that."
"I don't know," I admitted, "Everyone's different. And since this has been aged, it's a bit more potent. I wouldn't have too many of those if I were you."
"Alright."
"Want another one?"
"Yes, please."
And the two of us sat on the floor of this cozy, hidden room in the manor, drinking brandy. Ciel was hiding from Lady Elizabeth. I was hiding from Sebastian. We were self medicating. We couldn't complain.
"My lord?" Sebastian was just outside the door, "My lord…?"
"Should we go out?" Ciel whispered.
"I don't know," I stifled a giggle. I was feeling the brandy more than what I was expecting to, "Does Sebastian know about this place?"
"Yes," Ciel nodded, "He knows."
"What about your hidden stash of brandy?"
"That he doesn't know about," he cringed.
"My lord," Sebastian spoke again, "Your suitcase is packed and Lady Elizabeth has arrived."
"Oh," Ciel gasped, "Lizzie's here. I have to go."
The tumblers in the door started to turn and I hid myself in the corner, "My lord, you really shouldn't keep a lady waiting."
"Yes," Ciel nodded, crawling out of the hole, "I'll be back in a week. Do keep the house standing while I'm gone."
"Yes, my lord," Sebastian bowed, "Ms. Olivier? I can only assume you're down there as well."
"Maybe…" I chimed.
"Do come out," he requested, "I'd rather not go down there to get you…"
"Fine," I crawled out after Ciel.
"Lumi!" Lady Elizabeth threw her arms around me, "Oh, goodness! I haven't seen you since the party. Are you feeling better?"
"Yes," I tried keeping my balance, "Much better. Thank you."
"Well," she sang, "We're off. Barcelona, here we come!"
"Ms. Olivier," Sebastian stopped me as Lady Elizabeth bounced out with her fiancé's hand in hers, "It's eleven o'clock in the morning. Don't you think it's a little early to start drinking? And considering your recent past when alcohol is involved?"
"I'm not drunk," I brushed him off, "You're just blurry."
"Oh, Ms. Olivier…" Sebastian smirked, running his finger down my jaw line, "What ever shall I do with you?"
I felt my stomach drop to the floor and chills emitting through my extremities. Why did I have a feeling that while the master was away, the butler is going to play? And all at my expense…This could be a very long, long week…
