Chapter 26
Her Maid: A Pawn
I hope you guys like this I am trying to wrap up I just need to bridge to the ending.
Song for this chapter was The Bird and the Worm by the used. Idk it just inspired me lol.
(Sophie's view)
Time ticked away in the silent manor. At first it had been tense, then almost peaceful, but after a full month the silence became awkward again, as Alois and Evelyn ate in silence at opposite ends of the table. It was almost unbearable.
I had almost forgotten what lord Trancy's voice sounded like, and when I had confronted Evelyn on the matter she had remained silent a moment, looking away with a childish pout. She didn't care what he did, and had claimed the silence peaceful and distaste mutual.
Hannah and I glanced at each other from either side of our assigned master, our past feud gone after so long of being in service to the same children. Finally Evelyn put down her fork, the soft clinking the only sound as she stood up and left the room. I cleaned up quickly and hurried after her, following to her study where she proceeded to look through the day's mail, a seal from the queen catching her eye.
"Sophie." she said, breaking the royal seal and skimming through the letter.
"What is it my lady?" I said politely, watching her brow furrow.
"It's demanding an investigation on a new drug." she announced glancing up at me. "Called Lady Blanc." my eyes widened and I appeared at her side in 3 quick strides, reading the letter over her shoulder.
"Angela Blanc." I muttered under my breath.
"The woman in white." Evelyn replied, putting the letter down. "If we find the source I am sure we will find Angela." I nodded in agreement, my mind calculating any possible leads.
"Do you suppose we should talk to the undertaker?" Evelyn asked curiously. He was always our lead, somehow, that man always knew exactly what was going on, even though I didn't know how. I nodded in agreement, making a mental note to add the undertaker to my list of tasks.
"I shall make sure to visit him today while I am in town gathering supplies." I told her bowing deeply as I turned to leave.
"Go now." she ordered rising to her feet to show me to the door, giving me instructions as we proceeded downstairs. "Understood?" I nodded just as there was a knock on the door Evelyn and I entered as Alois answered it, seeing a handful of young ill experienced policemen.
"What do you blokes want?" Alois asked bluntly, always gentlemen.
"We are here for Mrs. Trancy." one of them explained. Alois opened his mouth to reply but I stepped forward, Evelyn remaining a few steps behind.
"Thank you my lord." I told him. He glanced at me wearily before looking at Evelyn and walking away in silence leaving us to the guards. "May I help you?" I asked him, inviting them in with a wave of my hand. They followed and though we really had nothing to fear...I couldn't shake an awful feeling racing through me, sending my whole body into alert.
"Mrs. Evelyn Trancy you are under arrest." he stated clearly, holding out an official looking document for us to see.
"Under what charges!" Evelyn exclaimed. Her brow furrowed with disgust. She glanced at me, obviously upset.
"Rumor says that you are well associated with Earl Ciel Phantomhive." the younger redhead began.
"And it has recently been found that he is responsible for the distribution of the drug, lady Blanc." the brunette said quickly, the two men seemed determined to get their job done. Something inside us clicked. Here it was again...Lady Blanc...what game are you playing Angela? I thought. My mind sharpening as my entire being went into defensive mode.
"Do not resist arrest." the first one said. "Or we will be forced to take your husband into custody as well." Evelyn's eyes narrowed and I could tell she was about to defend herself when I cut in.
"Yes sir." I said simply, stepping forward and lifting the teapot on the table. It was intended for afternoon tea. But this was much more important. "I suppose this pot will go to waste." I added sadly, looking up at the young gentlemen. "You wouldn't mind having some tea first would you?" I asked, picking up the two cups initially intended for Lord and Lady Trancy. The two exchanged confused glances but my voice demanded their gazes back to me.
"Please, I insist." I said simply, my blue eyes softened but the loom seemed to pierce them and the two nodded blankly as I seated them on the couch. it only took me a few minutes to get them talking, shifting smoothly from topic to topic until we reached their personal lives, one man was about to attend the wedding of his friend who also worked for Scotland yard while the other began to tell me stories about his wife and children...and it seemed all charges were forgotten, even if only for a moment.
(Evelyn's view)
I watched Sophie engage in conversation panic struck me first but over time it ceased.
What are you up to? I wondered, watching the angel seat out 'guests'. And slowly I watched as she shifted their conversation, and their mind set with it. By the time they'd finished their tea she was showing them out the door, the three were smiling and laughing, cracking jokes even as the officers left like nothing had happened. I stared at Sophie wearily and it occurred to me she had always had that talent. The way she'd shifted their focus hadn't been natural, there was something about her eyes, something almost hypnotic that made her way seem right...and I didn't like it, the feeling seemed almost threatening. Something inside me clicked and I began to understand. She would never have used that...she had never used that ability before because it was wrong...and she knew it...for Sophie to use such a technique was almost as possible as her killing in cold blood. I must have been in some deep trouble.
(Sophie's view)
I showed Evelyn to her room, leaving her with a tray of food her favorite food.
"I'm going to investigate." I told her simply. "I will come back with my errands completed my lady." I promised turning and leaving her alone. I stepped outside the manor just in time to hear the officers from earlier encounter their boss, it was almost comedic their conversation. Bumbling and fumbling when they realized they had not collected their person of interest.
"FOOLS! IMBECILES!" the boss yelled angrily, causing me to squint in distaste. "Go back there right now and bring me Evelyn Trancy." the two nodded, hurrying from view back to the manor. I was about to step out from the bushes to greet them when Alois answered the door, his face expressionless and solemn.
"Yea?" he grumbled, looking at the two in confusion and boredom.
"We are here to collect Evelyn Trancy." the brunette said seriously. There was a split second of silence and my heart skipped a beat and my mind raced. We would have to go on the run. I was just thinking about where we could hide when Alois answered much to my surprise.
"She's no in." he lied. "In fact I don't think she's going to be back for a while, and if you two ever come snooping around my manor again." he said, his eyes suddenly somber and threatening, his presence seeming larger than life as he glared up at the man, the two newbies beginning to sweat nervously. "Or I will have you both of you fired and your privileges revoked by order of the queen." he snapped, slamming the door shut on the two fearful cops who in turn fled. I didn't know how he could do it, but one glare from him could send the police running.
I quickly flew into town, landing in a dark alley to avoid attention. I strode quickly down the busy streets, pausing only to let carriages pass. I had no time to waste. The bell rang as I opened the door to undertaker's home, watching him creep out from one of his coffins.
"Welcome~" he said, his voice echoing eerily through the dim store. "What can I help you with today Sophie?" he asked, his never faltering smile plastered across his face.
"What have you heard Undertaker? You have eyes and ears all over the city, and with this business you always know who comes in..." The grey haired man laughed, folding his ringed hands in front of him.
"You know there is a price."
"Yes, yes." I said nodding. I said quickly, wanting to get this done and over with. "What did one casket say to the other? Is that you coughin?" undertaker remained silent, watching me. I took a deep breath, having failed I tried again, "One day a woman died and while carrying the casket out of the funeral they accidently bump into a wall to hear a small groan, they find the woman still alive. She lives for another 10 years and dies again and at the 2ed funeral the husband calls out. 'Careful of the wall!'." I smiled attempting to sell the joke but undertaker didn't even flinch. I sighed, slowing down so I could tell a better one and hopefully get it right."
"A blonde goes to get a haircut while wearing a pair of headphones. The hairdresser asks her to take them off, but she protests and says she will die without them. The hairdresser sighs and begins cutting around them and soon the blonde falls asleep and the hairdresser removes the headphones.
A few moments later the blonde collapses dead on the floor. Alarmed the hairdresser puts the headphones to his ear and hears. 'Breathe in. Breathe out.'"
That did it; the undertaker broke out in laughter.
"Yes, yes please, Undertaker tell me everything you know, anything that's important." he nodded.
"Of course Sophie." he grinned, looking at me ominously. "There was a murder this morning, down by the eastern docs, fella was said to have a regal document with him...hasn't been discovered if that was true or not." he said with a grin. "If you're looking for anything I suggest you start there, there was something fishy about it!" he broke out laughing again but I merely smiled hurriedly, bowing and making my way to the door.
"Thank you Undertaker." I said with a smile, rushing out the door and down the cobblestone streets.
I made my way diligently towards the docks, it was likely the murder was uninvolved but there was always a chance it was tied in with my case...instead I became distracted when I saw a familiar face stop a child, kneeling down to eye level.
"Ash!" I called out to get his attention, the slightest of scowled pierced him before he turned to me, smiling as he rose to his full height.
"Sophie." he greeted, his lavender eyes causing me to hesitate, I always seemed to get lost in them, but I couldn't afford to do that now, Evelyn was in danger. The child Ash was talking to ran away and I continued.
"Ash, maybe you can help me." I said quickly. "You're the queen's servant are you not? Scotland Yard is after Evelyn you have to tell them there has been a mistake; you have to call them off-"
"Please, please Sophie." Ash said his sweet voice almost hypnotic to me. "Why don't you take a deep breath and tell me why they are after Evelyn." he cooed, I paused for a second, taking a deep calming breath before continuing.
"The officers are saying that Ciel Phantomhive is responsible for the spreading of a new drug." I explained. "They are saying that Evelyn knew about it and is responsible as well...but it wasn't either of them Ash, it was Angela. The new drug is called lady Blanc...isn't that proof enough?" Ash nodded, holding a gloved hand to his chin deep in thought.
"Yes, yes...quite a dilemma." he said, however Sophie I am afraid I cannot help you." he said, startling me. "I cannot call of Scotland yard without proper evidence...the only way to prove Evelyn's innocence would be to prove Ciel's...you'll have to go down to his candy company and find proof that it was not him." I nodded in understanding, curtsying quickly as I stepped away smiling in relief, his warm smile filling me with hope.
"Thank you." I said quickly, "For everything Ash. It seems I am in your debt once more." I said, turning and running quickly down the street towards the docks, holding my dress just above my heels.
(3ed person)
Ash watched Sophie vanish, a slight smirk tugging at his lips. As he turned, walking away...his work was done.
(Sophie's view)
I arrived at the warehouse and immediately found my way inside by flying up to an open window, impossible for a human to reach. I was surprised by what I found as I unwrapped phantom candies, dumping the contents into the palm of my hand. The quality was horrible; each piece was just a misshapen lump. I crushed it between my fingers, sprinkling a bit of the white powder onto my tongue, my eyes pulsed in recognition and my face twisted in disgust. It was derived from opium yet mixed with angelic presence.
"Horrible." I muttered to myself just as the door flung open, I spun around to see members of Scotland Yard charge in, seeing me with an open candy sized piece of Lady Blanc.
"It's the Trancy maid." one of them from earlier said, recognizing me.
"You're coming with us." one of them demanded. I smiled at them, holding out my arms.
"I'm sorry." I said simply." I can't do that." I jumped into the air, landing on one of the storage shelves and dashing across, jumping up and through one of the windows, leaving a trail of shattered glass in my wake. I hadn't helped the situation. In fact now they were positive Evelyn had something to do with that. Somehow, I would have to clear the manor's name and the only way to do that was to go to visit a friend.
"Sebastian!" I called out, knocking loudly on the Phantomhive door. The youngest servant, Finnian, opened the door for me hesitantly, a smile spreading as he spotted me.
"Oi, its Sophie!" he called back excitedly. I glanced into the manor to see Bard in a battle stance with a frying pan and Meirin standing ready with a sniper rifle.
"Oh, I thought for sure you were gonna be another officer yes I did." I looked around in confusion.
"Where is Sebastian?" I asked seriously, the three looked down, acting like scalded children.
"Master and Ciel left this morning." Finny started sadly.
"They aren't back yet, I'm mighty worried." Meirin added.
"It's all that bloody bloke Ash's fault." Bard gruffed crossing his arms. I froze my eyes widening.
"Did you just say Ash?" I asked startled glancing between them and they nodded.
"He's the queen's personal messenger." they said. "He came by this morning to tell Ciel he was supposed to investigate some lady Blanc...whose lady Blanc?" Reality hit me and paled.
"Miss Sophie, are you alright?" Meirin asked. I nodded solemnly.
"Yes, thank you." I said turning, once the door closed I unrolled my wings and flew. Crossing distance quickly, I knew how to find him; I always knew if I looked, the signs were obvious. Ash had a strong presence and lately it felt as if it had grown stronger. I found him at the Scotland Yard office; I lowered myself into an alley under the cover of night and walked in right through the front door, strutting up to the main office just in time to hear the end of a conversation between Ash and the chief of police. My jaw dropped as I pressed my ear to the wood. Ash had been the tip that told them I would be at the warehouse, he'd told them that was where the stash of Lady Blac was located and that Ciel was behind the murder at the docks. My blood boiled and my head spun, the chief left and I burst into the room defiantly. He had played me and Ciel into each other's hands, set us both up to be framed to the police. But why?
"Ash." I said quietly, my anger quickly fading to disbelief and hurt, the pain that only could come from betrayal. I stared into the eyes of my friend. They softened, no longer seeming foreign and cruel.
"Sophie." he said sweetly. Rising to his feet and holding out his arms in greeting. "I've just talked to the chief about Evelyn. Everything is going to be ok." his words were kind and he almost seemed sincere.
"What?" I said in disbelief, refusing to let go of the fact that I had just heard the opposite. He leaned over, wrapping me in a startling embrace. I stiffened, something was wrong...wasn't it. I slid my arms free from him and made no move to hug him back as he pulled my head to his chest.
"What is it Sophie?" he asked, his voice hypnotic. "There was a time where you would have cherished this embrace."
"Yes." I stated unable to deny it. "But things are different now." I said, beginning to pull away.
"Quite." he said, my eyes widening with shock. I knew that voice, and it wasn't Ash's. I looked up startled, finding myself staring into the face of Angela. There was a stabbing pain in my side and I threw my head back in a silent scream, pulling away to reveal the grey bladed knife in her hand, now dripping red with my blood. I clenched my teeth, staggering away, holding a hand firmly to my side.
"W-why?" I asked, close to tears.
"You've fallen Sophie." she told me, her voice seeming hypnotic and sickly sweet. "You were the falling angel, not me. I was sent to kill you." she lied stepping closer to me, her eyes glowing faintly as my head began to spin and I began to doubt myself. Was it true? Was I really the fallen angel? I shook my head to free myself from the thought, she was lying, the same hypnosis trick I had used on the guards earlier that day.
"No, get away from me!" I said stumbling back, glancing up in shock when I was answered by Ash.
"Sophie...you're hurt." he said, my friend having suddenly reappeared. "Please, let me help you." he said, and every nerve in my body told me to run to him but I pulled away. He was betrayed by the knife in his hand, my dizzy mind suddenly clicking. He must have merged with Angela, the two were one now. "Please, come here." he coaxed stepping closer and I backed away, shaking my head like a scared child. Either one of those two were more powerful than I was, and in that moment, I became utterly afraid.
"What are you going to do now?" I asked. Ash's facade faded, replaced by a maniacal grin.
"As we speak." he confided. "Sebastian is being taken to the tower of London. There the demon will be tortured until he admits to his lord's collaboration with the drug lord Lou." I shook my head defiantly.
"He won't do it." I stated, it wasn't like Sebastian to betray his master like that. Ash nodded.
"I know." I froze, a wave of disgust washing over me as blood seeped through my fingers, red and silver.
"You tricked me." I growled, teeth clenched in pain, tears brimming my eyes.
"I tried to warn you Sophie." Ash said with a shrug. "At the curry festival I told you to leave it be...but instead you ignored my warning and have interfered...even after I sent Claude to warn you." he sighed. "It is such a shame Evelyn won't get to live...she could have been so pure." my eyes sharpened, a low growl rumbling in my throat.
"I won't let you get away with this."
"Oh but Sophie, I already have." he said with a grin, waving his hands nonchalantly. "I've won this game from the very beginning, I've been the one pulling the strings, and moving the pieces." he said, flicking his fingers quickly. "I've been playing all along...and you my dear sweet angel were no more than a pawn."