The morning slowly crept up on that part of the world. The servants were already awake, preparing breakfast. Unfortunately, it wasn't going to plan. Bard was trying to cook, but he started a small fire. Mey-Rin and Finny ran out and got some water and put it out. However, the water also got on Bard and the food and the stove and the floor. Sebastian entered and frowned when he saw the kitchen. "You three…" He shook his head and didn't bother to end his sentence.

Walter came in the kitchen. He looked tired. "What is all this noise?" he asked, annoyed, and then began coughing.

Sebastian bowed slightly. "There was a small fire. It's been taken care of. The kitchen shall be aired out. Come, Lord Walter; we must get you away from this smoke."

Walter left the kitchen. "This is already becoming a rotten day. First, I get a rude awakening, then breakfast gets ruined."

"I am very sorry. I assure you, breakfast will be a splendid meal."

"Why isn't Lily awake? With all this noise, it's a wonder that she's still asleep."

"Lady Lillith must be exhausted. The constant changes of scenery tire her, greatly. It is best to let her slumber."

"Well, she's going to sleep the day away."

Sebastian looked at his pocketwatch. "It's still early. Let her slumber. Remember, Lord Walter, that this vacation is supposed to be relaxing for her. Think of all she's been through recently."

"Hm. I suppose you are right. Lily does deserve plenty of rest."

At that moment, they heard Lily scream in the bedroom she was sleeping in. The servants and Walter ran in. Lily was laying down in the bed, gripping the sheets for dear life. She screamed, "SEBASTIAN! SEBASTIAN, SAVE ME!"

Walter ran to Lily and held her. He spoke softly to her until she opened her eyes. Walter said, "It's alright, Lily. You were just having a nightmare. You're safe."

He hugged her, and she looked over his shoulder. Her eyes immediately stared at Sebastian, who bowed. "I shall get you some tea to help calm your nerves. Would you like some, Lord Walter?"

"Yes, please, Sebastian."

Sebastian turned to the other servants. "Lady Lillith is quite alright. Now, go back to your duties."

Everyone except Walter and Lily left the room. Lily lifted her hand a bit to reach toward Sebastian, but he had already walked out. Walter stopped hugging her and said, "There. You're already starting to feel better, aren't you?"

"I had a terrible nightmare, one I won't be able to recover from easily."

"Nonsense! Time and tea will make the fear pass quickly. Surely, you have enough grace to not let such an insignificant thing as a bad dream trouble you too much."

Lily ignored him, and Sebastian came in with a tray with a pot of tea and two teacups and saucers. He poured Walter and Lily both a cup. Lily's hands were shaky, and she dropped her teacup. The butler caught it with incredible speed, and not one drop of liquid had spilled. Walter said, "How impressive! You have amazing speed, Sebastian!"

Sebastian bowed. "I am grateful for your compliment, but I am only doing what is expected of me. After all, if I can't even keep tea from spilling on my mistress, then what kind of butler would I be?"

"A very poor one. You will make an excellent servant for the Dellmore household. Lillith, I told Sebastian that he is to be our butler after you and I are wed."

"Is breakfast ready?" Lily asked.

"It will be, very shortly. You will have time to dress. Come, Lord Walter; we must let Lady Lillith prepare herself for the day."

Sebastian and Walter left the room. Lily was alone. She looked at a red dress that she had chosen to pack for the trip.

Red. The color of blood.

She touched the fabric.

So much blood.

She withdrew her hand and looked at it. Some of the dye had come off of the dress and onto her hand. No, it wasn't dye.

Blood.

It dripped off her palm and down her arm. She didn't want to scream again and have them all run to her again. She didn't want them to see this. As calmly as she could, she called out, "Sebastian, I need help."

Soon, Sebastian came in. "Whatever is the matter, my lady? You're pale and shaking."

"Blood…There's blood coming from the dress."

"My lady, I see no blood."

"Sebastian, it's on my hand and arm! How can you not see it?!" She extended her arm toward him.

"My lady, the nightmare you had is still fresh in your mind. If I may, I suggest that you not exert neither your body or mind today. You need time to relax."

Lily hugged him. "Blood. Blood. They killed me. They hurt you. You couldn't save me. Sebastian, I'm afraid! Comfort me!" She cried in his chest.

Sebastian put his hand on her back. "You have nothing to be afraid of, my lady. I will always protect you; that is part of the contract. No harm will come to you."

"But what of you?"

"I cannot be killed by anything but a reaper's scythe, and even then…well…You need not concern yourself about me."

Lily forcefully kissed his lips, desperate for comfort. "Take me. I need to get my mind off of this."

"Mistress, we cannot do such a thing at this moment. Breakfast is almost ready, and the others will begin wondering where we are."

"Then do it quickly. I need intimacy. I need…"

Sebastian sighed. "Very well, mistress."

A few minutes later, Lily went to the dining room in an orange dress. Mey-Rin and Sebastian served the meal. Lily was distracted as she looked out a window. "There are clouds in the sky. I believe a storm is coming."

Walter scowled. "Just what we need: rain to spoil this day!"

Lily said, calmly, "It is just for one day. We can have a relaxing time staying in the house."

"That sounds dreadfully dull. I wanted to go for a walk."

"Tomorrow, Walter," Lily said, exhausted.

"Lady Lillith, are you feeling better?" Sebastian asked.

"I am. Thank you. Where are the others? Won't you all eat with us?"

Walter rolled his eyes. The butler replied, "We had our meal early. Thank you for including us, though. You are truly kind."

Lily nodded.

It started to rain halfway through the meal. Walter continued to grumble about the weather, and Lily tuned it all out. Since going outside was out of the question, she was thinking of ways that they could entertain themselves. Games, perhaps? Reading? Reading would be a good escape from reality and was very relaxing. They had brought some books with them. The day was not lost, after all.

After breakfast, Lily chose a book to read. As she looked at the cover, she remembered the books she had found at her aunt's house and the two she had read. How were they connected to her quest to find her parents, or were they even connected to it?

A roll of thunder interrupted Lily's thoughts. She looked out the window and noticed it was darker outside. She saw a flash of light, but ignored it and sat down and read. She got so absorbed in it that she didn't notice anything around her until she heard the door open, violently. Finny ran in. "The storm is really bad! We can't calm the horses!"

Mey-Rin said, "The sea is getting violent, yes, it is! I fear it will reach the house!"

Walter rolled his eyes. "What rubbish. We are too far away from the ocean to get hurt by it. Besides, a little storm won't affect us."

Lily stood up and looked out the window. "I don't like it. I have an uneasy feeling about staying here. We should leave."

"But we just got here yesterday! It took us a whole day to get here by train! And now you want to go back?!"

"I'd rather have a trip be cut short instead of lives," Lily argued.

"There is no threat!"

The thunder boomed louder, shaking the house, and lightning cracked and looked like it was breaking the dark sky open. Sebastian said, "Lady Lillith is right; we should leave and at least go to the nearest town, which will be farther away from the sea."

"I am not leaving just because of a storm!" exclaimed Walter.

Lily whirled around. "Then stay. Stay and take the risk, but you will be taking it alone."

"You don't care about me, then?! Is that what you're saying?!"

"I am saying that I can't force you to leave, but I am warning you what will happen if you don't."

Before Walter could even open his mouth, thunder and lightning sounded again, louder than the previous time. Rain beat on the windows and slammed against the house. Lily looked at the ocean. The waves were tumultuous. "We are leaving," she decided. "Let's go somewhere safer."

Sebastian nodded. "I will get everything packed and ready to depart." Then, he got the luggage and opened the door. It flew open, and a gust of wind and rain almost knocked Lily and Walter down. The door slammed shut. Sebastian came in a couple of minutes later and said, "Lady Lillith, I will carry you to the wagon. Lord Walter, will you need any assistance?"

"No," Walter replied, grumbling.

Sebastian picked Lily up, and she held onto his coat, tightly. The door opened, and Sebastian ran out, carrying her.

Lily couldn't see a thing. The rain bombarded her whole body. The sea roared in her ears. She heard shouts and screams. She was lifted up and set in the wagon, then a canvas was put over it, shielding her from the storm.

The wagon jolted forward. She heard horses' frightened whinnies. She desperately tried to hold on to something, but all she grasped was Walter's sleeve. He was sitting by her, soaking wet like she was. He said something, but she couldn't hear him because of all the noise.

Suddenly, there was a crash that was louder than the raging sea. She sat up and tried looking out, but Walter roughly pulled her back. "Are you crazy?! You'll let in more rain!" he yelled.

The wagon rocked from side to side as it raced down the rough road. Lily was thrown off her seat, and her body slammed on the floor over and over again.

All of a sudden, Lily felt herself being violently tipped over and something heavy hitting her. Then, everything went black.