Chapter 21: Escaping the Trancy Mansion

I couldn't comprehend it. Sebastian was…here? I wanted to catch a glimpse of him, just to make sure the voice was really his. But my attention was focused on the scene in front of me, my eyes widening at what I saw. The dagger Hannah had thrown at me was resting between Sebastian's pointer and middle fingers, just inches away from my torso. Sebastian removed his hand from my mouth and stepped forward so he was now fully visible.

''I should have known that you'd come to save your mistress,'' Hannah spat.

'She's not my mistress,'' Sebastian replied, ''rather, she's someone that I've been ordered to protect.'' Then he tossed the dagger to the side, letting it glide across the room.

Hannah narrowed her eyes Sebastian. ''You went through a lot of trouble just to rescue a mere human.''

Sebastian smiled. ''My master has ordered me to protect her, and I mustn't go against his orders.''

''Are you sure that's the only reason why you fancy this girl's protection?'' Hannah inquired, raising an eyebrow. Sebastian's gaze narrowed, and he looked as if he was unsettled by Hannah's remark.

Then suddenly, the bedroom door opened. Alois and Claude stood in the frame, a look of surprise on both of their faces.

''Michaelis,'' Claude grumbled, his eyes flashing red, ''you're not supposed to be here.''

''I apologize for coming unannounced,'' Sebastian said, bowing slightly, ''but it seems something urgent has come up, and I need to take Lady Cynthia back with me.''

''That goes against the deal we previously set up,'' Claude hissed, glaring at Sebastian.

''Ah, but I did not set up the deal,'' Sebastian retorted, ''my young master set it up between himself and your master. Therefore, I'm not breaking the deal, but rather…interfering with it.'' Then Sebastian picked me up bridal style, and rushed over towards an open window on the opposite side of the room. It only took me a second to realize what was going to happen.

''Claude!'' I heard Alois shout. ''Bring Cynthia back to me!''

But by then Sebastian was already a top the windowsill, saying to me, ''Please hold on tight, my lady. It's quite a long way down.'' Without realizing it, I titled my head downwards. My stomach lurched. I slid my arms around Sebastian's neck, and before I had the chance to take a breath, he jumped. I closed my eyes as we plummeted downwards, hoping it wouldn't be too long before we reached the ground. To my relief, I heard Sebastian's shoes hit the pavement within seconds.

Then I opened my eyes and blurted out, ''What's going on?!''

''It seems my master has changed his mind, and he wants you back,'' Sebastian replied.

''And…he just decided this all of a sudden? Why? I mean, I'm not complaining, I'd just like to know the reason.'' And hopefully it's for a good reason at that.

''I think he'd prefer to tell you himself.'' Then Sebastian dashed forwards again, causing my upper body to swing back into his chest. I looked over his shoulder and saw Claude charging towards us. I guess now is not the best time to start asking questions, I thought.

''Michaelis,'' Claude hissed, ''she needs to come back with me.''

''I'm afraid she can't,'' Sebastian said, ''my young master has ordered me to take her back, and I must do just that.''

''I need to follow my master's orders as well,'' Claude replied, still advancing towards us again. Golden knives flew past us, and I saw one nick Sebastian's arm. I tried not to look at the blood dripping from his tailcoat.

Then Sebastian turned around a corner of the mansion, and came to a stop. He placed me on the ground and said, ''It will be safer if you stay here and wait.''

''When are you coming back?'' I asked.

''As soon as Claude leaves us alone.'' And with that he took off.

I sighed and looked up at the sky. Stars were just starting to become visible. I really need to find out what's going on here. It's not like Ciel to go back on a deal. What could have made him change his mind about it? Then I heard someone call my name.

''Cynthia!''

I tensed. The same person call me again.

''Cynthia, over here.''

The voice sounded familiar, but it was too low for me to make out. I turned my head in the direction it was coming from, and found myself facing a series bushes. I squinted, trying to make out who it was. A figure moved behind them. Who is that? The figure started walking towards me, and I braced myself for the worst. However, as they got closer, my nerves went away, and I immediately recognized who they were. ''Ciel?''