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—
Phantomhive Manor and all of its residents began to settle into a new normal.
It had been three days since they had announced the return of "Vincent Phantomhive" and so far, not a single threat had been made.
Every moment, Sebastian and the other servants were silently bracing themselves, ready for anything, but as each tranquil day passed, they began to wonder…... what were the villains waiting for?
Unless….
No.
Surely those that had murdered the previous Earl Phantomhive and his wife were still alive?
As Sebastian busied himself in the kitchen one snowy morning, he couldn't help but think…..
It had been a decade…..
Maybe…...maybe those who were responsible for the near destruction of the Phantomhive line were….no more?
Sebastian put the day's bread into the oven and raised an eyebrow at that thought.
His original master, Phineas, would not be happy to hear that, if it were true.
No, not at all…..
And where would that leave Sebastian's agreement with his original master?
If Ciel, or, Phineas rather, could not achieve his revenge, that would mean Sebastian could never complete their contract.
Sebastian would remain a butler forever.
Sebastian's eyes widened at that realization.
Not that he minded really, serving Phineas and acting as the head of the Phantomhive staff….
It was just that…..
Well…..
The true Ciel's future may include retirement from the theater, but Sebastian was certain that after that, the female bluenette had no plans of returning to this manor.
If an attack against Edwin didn't happen soon, Sebastian would have to think up a plan.
Somehow, Phineas had to get his revenge.
Sebastian looked up as a loud knock came from the front door, echoing down the hallway.
The butler blinked.
The sun wasn't even up yet.
Who could that be so early on such a frigid morning?
—-
Sebastian's polished shoes clicked down the hallway as he walked towards the door.
He pulled it open and in the fading darkness, he saw a woman standing on the step.
The woman was short, about Ciel's height, and dressed in ornately beaded shaws, draped elegantly over her thin frame.
She had dark hair and striking green eyes.
The shaws that covered her were beautiful but tattered, showing signs of wear that hinted at their age.
The woman herself looked to be older too, easily in her forties or fifties. She stood with the support of a white oak cane, embedded with precious gems.
She smiled at Sebastian as the snow poured down around her.
Sebastian glanced behind her.
There was no one else with her and no carriage…..
Where had she come from?
Perhaps she was a wandering beggar?
Phantomhive Manor did not encounter many of those, since the estate was so far out of the city.
Sebastian half-expected the woman to say something but after a long moment of silence, Sebastian finally spoke.
"Good morning, madam, what brings you to the Phantomhive estate today?" Sebastian asked with a cordial smile.
The woman returned his smile and lifted her cane, then she proceeded to push Sebastian gently to the side as she entered the house.
Before Sebastian could protest, the woman began to make her way up the stairs.
Sebastian narrowed his eyes.
How rude!
One did not simply shove the house butler aside and barge in!
Who was this woman?!
Sebastian quickly raced in front of her, blocking her path.
"Excuse me, madam, but I'm afraid I must know your business with this house and those in it before I can allow you to go any further." Sebastian scowled.
The woman stopped on the step and gave Sebastian the same sweet smile. "I am just a simple teacher here to see my simple student. I am assuming Chancé sleeps upstairs? It would make this dull countryside feel more like the Palais to her."
Sebastian's mouth opened in shock.
Could it be?
His contact attempts had not seemed to have worked, even after consulting Emilie, after practically begging the woman who answered the number Ciel's friend had given him.
Sebastian asked. "Are you….are you meré monstre?"
The woman chuckled.
She recognized Sebastian's voice from the phone.
Yes, she knew that her best student needed her.
She could tell by the desperation in Sebastian's voice and the preservernacr he showed, calling and calling, asking and asking her to please come to the manor…...
Clearly, Meré Monstre thought, Sebastian had been expecting her to look different.
Younger, perhaps?
Or…..
"Today I am simply old and tired. Do not waste my time, boy. Will you let me see Chancé or not?" The woman asked curtly, although she had the same friendly smile on her face.
"Yes, of course, ma'am. If you'll just follow me…" Sebastian mumbled, a little embarrassed, turning and showing Ciel's teacher up the stairs and to her room.
Once they arrived out of Ciel's door, Sebastian raised his gloved hand to knock, but before it could touch the wood, Meré Monstre had already pushed it open and began to walk in the room.
Sebastian followed.
He struggled not to purr at the sight…..
Ciel was peacefully asleep, her bluenette locks fanned out behind her on the pillow, her face relaxed, her rosy lips pursed just a bit…
Toulouse also lay snoozing, curled at her feet.
Sebastian's eyes shone with admiration at the peaceful scene and he watched as the older woman carefully approached Ciel's bed.
"I'm sure my lady will wake soon, madam. Would you like a cup of tea while you wait?" Sebastian asked Meré Monstre politely.
"There is no need. She will wake now." Meré Monstre replied.
Sebastian watched in horror as the woman propped her cane against the wall and reached out. She grabbed Ciel by her shoulders and pulled her up to eye level.
Meré Monstre was stronger than she looked.
"Chancé, cherie….." Meré Monstre whispered.
Ciel lulled her head for a moment as she slowly woke, her long, black eyelashes parting to reveal those deep sapphire eyes Sebastian had come to adore so much….
"Bonjour~." Meré Monstre chuckled as the bluenette finally saw who had woken her, who was holding her.
Sebastian watched in surprise as Ciel clasped her hands over the woman's and bowed her head.
Her body shook and Sebastian heard a quiet sound coming from the bluenette.
Was that laughter?
The woman raised Ciel's chin up.
Sebastian looked on in horror at the tears of despair that streamed from Ciel's eyes.
Was she…...not happy about this?
Ciel had asked for Meré Monstre!
Hadn't she?!
Or had Sebastian…..made a mistake?
That was rare, but it did happen.
On occasion…..
The woman's pleasant smile faded to a foreboding scowl. "On your feet, Chancé." She commandeer
"Yes, Meré Monstre!" Ciel whispered, hopping out of bed to stand on the floor perfectly poised.
The woman tapped her cane against the floor in a rhythm as she circled Ciel, looking over each inch of her, raising her fingers to squeeze here or pinch there.
Sebastian looked on curiously.
He had not been told to leave.
He got an odd feeling from Ciel's teacher.
Sebastian decided he did not trust this strange woman.
"You've forgotten, little flower." The woman scowled, whipping Ciel's calves sharply with her cane, causing the bluenette to flinch. "You've forgotten everything while you've been lounging about in the bleak countryside, I see. Perhaps that is why you can no longer make art?"
The woman's cane struck sharply on Ciel's lower back and Sebastian watched the bluenette jerk and bite her lip, trying to be still and quiet.
Sebastian's eyes narrowed.
He was not fond of watching his little kitten get hurt.
There was a difference between discipline and abuse.
Forget about not trusting no….
Sebastian decided it was not just about trust.
Sebastian did not like this woman at all.
He was not fond of Meré Monstre.
He was not fond of anyone who hurt his precious Ciel.
"Sebastian, it's alright." Ciel said, looking at the concern on his face as Meré Monstre continued her inspection, seeing what work was needed to retrain her student.
"You may go now, boy." The woman ordered Sebastian, not looking up from her study of Ciel.
When he did not move, the woman stopped, looked up, and with an irritated growl, she walked him out of the room and went to close the door right in his face.
He stopped her with his hand.
"Are you going to hurt my mistress, madam? Because that I cannot allow." Sebastian growled back, his eyes still narrowed.
"Hurt her? I won't hurt her at all. Ballet will hurt her. Beauty will hurt her. Ballet is pain. Beauty is pain. I am simply here to teach and to remind." The woman gave one of the most sinister chuckles Sebastian had ever heard. "To do that, I'm afraid my porcelain doll will have to be shattered and rebuilt."
Sebastian's eyes widened at those words but Ciel did not order him to stop her.
She was willing to comply with her teacher.
Just before the door shut, Sebastian heard Ciel call out to him, "Sebastian! Thank you!"
As he walked down the hallway to wake Phineas and Edwin for the day, he shook his head.
Discipline was a necessary and noble pursuit, yes.
And one as dignified as Ciel should absolutely practice it strictly, but…..what lengths was his lady willing to go to?
—
While Ciel was in the care of Meré Monstre, Sebastian went about his daily chores and looked after the other two bluenettes currently residing in the manor.
He woke, dressed, and fed Phineas and Edwin, leaving Edwin to play with his paper planes in his room and Phineas to relax by the fireplace.
His original master was nearly recovered, but he was still taking things easy.
Sebastian and Ciel both thought that was for the best.
As afternoon came, Sebastian was waiting for Meré Monstre and Ciel to emerge from her room for lunch, but that did not happen…
Sebastian looked up the stairs at Ciel's door and he frowned, struggling to choose between knocking to offer them an afternoon meal or leaving them to their work.
He made his decision….
One as committed as Ciel and one as terrifying as Meré Monstre would probably not appreciate being interrupted.
Sebastian narrowed his eyes and walked to the kitchen.
Oh well, at least he could serve the other Phantomhives.
It was really too bad though…..
He had baked some healthy treats just for his favorite bluenette to enjoy.
—-
As the day droned on, Ciel and her tutor stayed shut up in her room.
Sebastian was used to Ciel practicing for long hours.
He was simply worried about her being with that…...woman.
Sebastian narrowed his eyes as he poured the afternoon tea for Phineas and Edwin.
If Meré Monstre hurt his little kitten, she would have to answer to the Phantomhive butler.
"What are you scowling at, Sebastian?" Phineas asked, looking up from the dice game he was playing with Edwin.
The two had moved to the parlor after lunch and out of boredom, Phineas had agreed to play a few games with his Uncle.
Edwin happily rolled the dice to take his turn as Sebastian replied, "Nothing, my lord. It is just that I am concerned your sister will grow weak. She hasn't taken any food or drink all day."
"Isn't her….teacher…. still here?" Phineas asked.
"Indeed, my lord." Sebastian replied.
Earlier in the morning, Sebastian had made Phineas aware of Ciel's teacher's arrival.
"Then she'll be fine. Isn't it a teacher's responsibility to care for their students?" Phineas asked, sipping his tea and taking his turn in the game.
Edwin watched Phineas move his game piece but Phineas was watching the worried look on Sebastian's face.
"Why are you so concerned with my sister?" Phineas asked suspiciously.
"As butler of this household, is her well being not part of my responsibility?" Sebastian asked.
"Yes….." Phineas said slowly, eyeing Sebastian warily.
Sebastian nodded at his original master.
That was close, Sebastian needed to be more careful.
He couldn't have Phineas discovering his feelings for Ciel prematurely.
Phineas still looked a little incredulous as he continued on, asking Sebastian, "Why is it that we've had such peace since announcing my father's return?"
"Of that, I am not sure, my lord." Sebastian replied. "But it has only been a few days. Is it not possible that the guilty may simply be planning something elaborate?"
Phineas's face seemed to darken with fear as he entertained that thought.
Edwin took his turn, blissfully unaware of the dangers that could very be threatening them all very soon.
The dangers that could destroy them….
No.
Not this time.
"Sebastian." Phineas spoke solemnly and Sebastian looked at his original master intently.
"Yes, my lord?" The Phantomhive butler asked.
"No matter what happens, I want you to protect this house and everyone in it. No matter the cost. Am I understood?" Ciel asked sternly.
Sebastian was surprised.
Protect the house and everyone in it?
Had his master….changed his mind?
"And what of your original command, my lord? Your revenge?" Sebastian asked as Edwin preoccupied himself with rolling the dice for several minutes.
"When the time comes, I will take my revenge. I want you to focus on keeping my sister and my Uncle safe and out of harm's way so I may do with a clear mind." Phineas sniffed.
"Yes, my lord." Sebastian nodded with a bow.
A butler that couldn't do that much wasn't worth his salt.
—
Dinner was served, more parlor games were played, and as the hour grew late, Sebastian helped Phineas and Edwin to bed.
The manor was quiet…
Both bluenettes were sleeping…
The moon rose high in the sky…..
And Ciel had still not emerged from her room.
Sebastian stood at the bottom of the steps, holding his candelabra.
A scowl formed on his face.
That was it.
He couldn't stand it any longer.
His lady must be starving.
His lady must need something to drink.
Sebastian made his choice, he was going upstairs.
He was going in her room….
Besides, it was time Meré Monstre gave his little kitten time to rest, even the most rigorously trained athletes needed to sleep.
Sebastian's polished shoes clicked up the stairs and to Ciel's door….
Silence.
No cries or words came from inside.
Total silence.
Sebastian raised a gloved hand and knocked.
No answer.
His eyes narrowed.
Raising a gloved hand again, Sebastian opened the door.
He walked through the black, empty bedroom.
Instead of scowling at his intrusion, Sebastian noticed that Toulouse sat, quivering in fear underneath the drapes.
Sebastian raised an eyebrow and pushed the door open to Ciel's studio.
Meré Monstre sat on the floor in front of a heap of bruised skin and bluenette hair.
Sebastian's face twisted in despair and anger as he realized that heap was Ciel.
Either from exhaustion or dehydration, he didn't know, but Ciel was asleep.
"What have you done to my lady?!" Sebastian growled at the woman.
Meré Monstre lifted her head and looked at the butler. "I have broken her. I have destroyed her completely. It had to be done. When she wakes, I will rebuild her better, stronger, and more beautiful than ever before! I will stay here until then, waiting. I will make sure she does not forget the ballet, even in her dreams."
Sebastian knelt down beside of the bluenette and began to pick her up when Meré Monstre's cane smacked sharply against his knuckles.
Sebastian looked up with a growl.
"Enough of you touching her! Leave her alone and let her work! Even in sleep, she dreams of the stage once again. Why is that you think she has lost some of her ability since she has come here!?" Meré Monstre demanded.
Sebastian pulled back his hand with a scowl and replied, "I am sure I do not know, madam."
"All true art comes from pain! Chancé has lost touch with her artistic abilities because of you!" Meré Monstre shouted.
Sebastian looked confused. "Pardon me, madam?" He asked.
Meré Monstre made a noise in her throat. "Do you think there is no reason why ballerinas are not allowed to take lovers?! Not because of the effects on their bodies but because of the effects on their hearts!"
Sebastian's eyes widened.
Meré Monstre raised a tapered finger at Sebastian and hissed angrily. "Chancé has lost touch with her true talents because she's in love with you!"
Was it true?
Could his feelings really…..truly returned by his little kitten?
Sebastian's breath caught in his throat.
He met Meré Monstre's disdainful gaze for a moment but his eyes quickly drifted back towards the sleeping bluenette.
In his chest, his heart beat hard and heavy.
Ciel…..
Oh Ciel…
—-
Across the rolling green acres of Phantomhive estate, unbeknownst to those inside the manor, several sets of eyes menacingly watched the formidable house.
"Why are we waiting until dawn to attack?" One voice asked.
"Because last time, we attacked at night and that's exactly what they'll be expecting." Another responded.
"Ah, Yes, I see…" The other replied.
"Remember, no survivors this time." The other answered.
"There weren't supposed to be any before." The first added.
"I know that, but this time, no mistakes!" The first affirmed.
"Yes, this time, no mistakes~." The other laughed gleefully.
In his sleep, Phineas tossed and turned.
Something dreadful was about to happen…
He could sense it, even in his nightmares.
