Welcome to chapter 14 of The Fall of Peace! I'm not finished yet!
William: Could you finish it soon? If this drags on much longer, I'll be late for an important appointment.
SnowyNeko: I was planning on that anyways. May I ask what the appointment is about?
Undertaker: The souls of the dead, of course! *chuckle* What else?
William: Actually, it's for my glasses.
SnowyNeko: Aw, but thats so boring! Why can't it be something like what the Undertaker said? ):
William: *pushes up glasses* The glasses of a grim reaper are very important. We can't see without them.
SnowyNeko: Uhuh... for once I wish Grell were here. At least he's fairly interesting.
Grell: You call?
SnowyNeko: Never mind.
Sebastian: Miss author does not own any of the Kuroshitsuji cast members.
Grell: BASSY!
William: Grell! Do not sully the name of the grim reapers by touching such filth!
Grell: Yessir...
SnowyNeko: *thinks to self* It's a little late for that.
I barely get any shuteye at all, fidgeting the entire night. Today, these first few hours will be all the time I get, as well as the last. Sebastian returns less than an hour after he left, but I ignore him and try to sleep. If there's no energy for me to use, how will I accomplish my goal? Still, I don't get more than a few hours of rest before the sky outside begins to brighten.
"Sebastian, what time is it?" I ask, staring at the ceiling like I've been doing all night.
"Six twenty-one," he responds immediately. I sit up and hop to my feet, fully awake.
"Are there any clothes that will show my star? Or that maybe even compliment it?" There's no point in hiding it anymore. For the last few moments of my life, I will wear the contract mark that bonds me to my demon proudly.
As if expecting my request, he presents me with a flowing white dress. The neckline is low and an unusual heart shape I've never seen before. The sleeves are but straps, only there for the purpose of supporting the rest of the dress. The length pours onto the floor, the entirety of it pure white, more immaculate than Sebastian's gloves. The outfit will frame the thorny star perfectly. In the other hand he holds a pair of matching flats.
They'll be more than a suitable ensemble for my funeral. I allow Sebastian to help me change as long as he doesn't see anything. Even though he has his eyes shut the whole time, I blush profusely. Once finished, I admire the dress silently. When I look up at the demon in front of me, I realize he's grasping a black crystal tiara.
"That's a little overboard," I tell him. "It's not like I'm actually of high status." He slips it on me anyway, with a sad smile that rips at my heart. Though it's way over the top, his expression keeps me from refusing.
"I've said it before, Mistress Kara, and I'll say it again. You are beautiful."
My breath catches in my throat and I close my eyes, turning my head away so he can't see the tear that's escaped. Neither of us jump at the sudden clashing coming from somewhere else in the palace.
It's time. I take a deep breath and open my eyes with a newfound determination. The tear is long gone. Sebastian opens the door for me, gazing at me when I walk through it.
He brings me to Emperor Celso's room without my asking. When I enter, Celso is still in his nightgown. His surprised face quickly transforms into his calm, hard mask.
"Kara! You look gorgeous, my daughter!" he praises me hollowly. "But why are you here at a time like this? Shouldn't you be hiding from the rebels, with your sisters?"
"Sisters?" I sneer. "I have no sisters."
He sighs. "Don't go acting up now! I know girls your age are difficult to deal with, but now isn't the time!"
"I had a sister, but you killed her!" I scream at him trembling.
"Oh, ho," he laughs to my annoyance, realization flashing in his eyes. "Mary snuck a rebel into my palace. I will have to punish her after this."
"Don't say her name!" I screech, starting to sound like a banshee more than a human. "You don't have the right!" I have to restrain myself so I don't go rushing at him unprepared. Being Emperor, he's sure to be trained in hand-to-hand combat, as well as swords. I'll have to be patient a few minutes longer if I am to do this.
"Oh?" he raises an eyebrow, uncaring. "And what are you, a little country lass, going to do about it?" Before I realize it, he's wrapped his large hands around my throat.
Choking, one of my hands claws at his arm. The other reaches for the knife on my necklace, only to find it missing. I forgot I took it off to show off the star.
Squeezing my eyes shut, I hold out my hand for something, anything. A second later, the handle of the dagger is resting in my palm. Thank you, Sebastian.
Without thinking, I grip it and plunge it into the heart of the man I've hated so desperately since Mary's death.
Time seems to stop as his eyes widen, staring into my livid eyes. His hands loosen and arms fall to his sides. Gasping for breath, I pull it out and stumble back a step. When blood dribbles from his mouth, I conclude I must've nicked one of his lungs.
I watch merciless, as the life drains from his eyes and he collapses dead on the floor. He lands in a pool of gore, similar to Mary's. Fitting, for him.
I don't look at Sebastian when I exit the room. My business is done, and he is now set to take my soul.
"Well?" I ask. "What are you waiting for? It's time to collect your prize, demon."
….
"I'm not going to consume your soul, Kara."
I freeze, comprehending his words. He what!? He steps in front of me, tilting my chin up so that I can see his sincere grin.
"I decided I can't, Milady. I couldn't stand it if anything happened to you." Broken noises erupt from my mouth, unsure of how to respond. Does he mean…?
He leans closer, as do I, eager to close the gap between us. Before our lips touch, however, I hear the familiar sound of a kid laughing. I pull away with a jerk, head turning to see Kitty in the protective arms of Marianne.
She spots us, shouting something I can't hear. Over the commotion, I'm shocked I made out the goat's wailing. She holds up a hand to cup her mouth, preparing to yell again when the black goat leaps out of her arms. At the same time, a confused guard dog enters the room and spies the misplaced kid.
On impulse, I dive for Kitty. Just as I feel the silky fur in my arms, something sharp burrows into my back. I scream as it digs into me again, this time in my neck. My yelp turns to gurgling as I feel the dog's jowls torn from me.
I'm rolled onto my back, Sebastian hovering above me. He looks utterly horrified. Weakly, I reach up to trace his jawbone, trying to get him to relax.
"The…n-note," I cough, anxious that he may not find it. "F-for you." This is good. This way, he gets his meal that he's been waiting for. And he doesn't have to be the one to kill me.
"M…Mistress," he stutters out. I twist my lips into a grin, staring up into his unbelieving, beautiful, ruby eyes. I did what I had to. If I die here, then so be it. I'll be one of the many casualties in the uprising.
Shakily, Sebastian kisses my forehead slowly. Then, his eyes now pained, he places a melancholy kiss on my lips as black and white spots alike appear in my vision. His lips move softly, and in them I can feel his torture. His hand strokes my hair delicately, but soon I can no longer feel it. The last things to fall numb are my lips, one second burning, and the next…nothing.
He pulls back as even the ringing in my ears fades to naught. The last thing I remember before my eyelids slide shut are those raven colored locks framing his bottomless, garnet eyes, that rage in a turmoil of emotions I could never distinguish.
Goodbye my demon, I think dimly. I bid you goodnight.
SURPRISE! Now here's the question- is she really dead? What do you think. I'll be typing the final chapter soon!
Till then, Kisses from SnowyNeko! :3 MEOW!