It had been three days since the fateful events that led to the loss of so many lives, both innocent and guilty. The newspapers were rife with discussions over the murders and in the end detectives had settled for the idea that Leonard had been the perpetrator behind such horrific crimes. The newspapers told of Leonard's friendship with the Lord and how he was most likely jealous of the Lord's extreme wealth as he had inherited nothing when his father had died. It turned out in fact that when Penelope's uncle had died he was heavily in debt as he had gambled all his savings away and Leonard had changed his name in an attempt to get away from such debt.

Somehow the destruction to the manor and the body of Lucy were never discovered and Penelope had a feeling Claude had managed to deal with such issues when she had fallen asleep. She did not recall a lot from that night and she was glad her mind had done her a favour and blocked some of the more traumatic encounters out. She couldn't forget Lord Davis though nor her cousin jumping to his death. All in all, Penelope was still exhausted and had spent a few days just sat in her library looking outside, staring blankly into space. She needed time to herself and Claude had been more than helpful by managing to contact Victoria and giving her an extended holiday.

However, Penelope was no longer sat at her comfy seat but instead enduring the harsh winds and bitter rain as she watched the coffin of Lord Davis get slowly lowered further and further into the ground. She was not wearing her usual cheerful or elegant colours but instead draped in the blackest black imaginable. Her fiery red hair was clipped back and a dark vale covered her face. She knew very well that people were whispering about her, after all Lord Davis was trying to court her. She endured the sympathetic glances and with one dainty hand covered in a black lace glove, she threw the red rose she was holding into the fresh grave. It landed with a soft thud upon the wood and Penelope felt a single tear trickle down her pale cheek. With Claude behind her, she walked away from the large congregation ignoring the hushed discussions of her cousin and her relationship with the Lord, and made her way to the opposite side of the cemetery.

As she walked, she observed another funeral occurring in her direction. Unlike the one she had just left there was not a single being there and Penelope stopped for a couple of seconds to watch as the coffin was lowered into the ground. She gave the grave a small glance and carried on walking straight to the exit, wanting to get home as soon as possible. As she walked away, Claude turned around and glanced at the gravestone which they had just seen. In large letters spelt out the name Leonard and a few other details. Not one flower was placed on his grave.

The ride back was as quiet as Penelope had been over the past few days. She seemed empty as though she had been defeated which confused Claude as she was finally free. He didn't know how much longer she was to remain in such a depressed state but he was determined to shake her out of it. He had kept away to allow her time to grieve in peace and collect her thoughts but now the funeral was out of the way he knew she had to move on. Something which Penelope knew also.

She left the carriage once they arrived back and as she entered the house she gave a small gasp at the sight in front of her. The entrance hall was littered in a spectacle of bright colours and she pressed a gloved hand to her mouth. Turning around she gave Claude a confused look as to ask why they were there.

"Such dark colours do not suit you Penelope". He explained softly and Penelope gently nodded her head. With her hand she pulled off the vale which had been hiding some of her features and she let it float softly to the ground.

"Perhaps you are right. I have wallowed enough in my own sadness for a while now. I think it's finally time to enjoy living, don't you?" she asked a small smile gracing her lips. Her eyes still held a certain sadness but she seemed less fragile than she had done before. Claude in turn nodded and bent down to collect her vale. As he lifted his head up however he made a surprised noise when in front of him were two gloves. Then a coat and further up the stairs a discarded corset. She gave him a pointed look from the top of the stairs and peeled away a black shirt leaving her in nothing but her underclothes. Like she was peeling away the grief that had consumed her for days, he was happy to finally hear the tinkling laugh that had been away for far to long. He gave her a grin in reply and watched as she ran off, most likely to her bedroom. She was teasing him but he knew that she did not wish from intimacy at the moment. She needed love and he was more than happy to oblige.

It didn't take him long to follow her and when he entered her bedroom without knocking he gave a genuine smile at the sight in front of him. Penelope stood at her window wearing a pale lilac dress, her hair free from its restraints flowing happily down her back and she seemed somewhat relaxed. Quietly, Claude put the discarded clothes away but kept his eyes on her as she remained transfixed on the outside. The rain was slowly starting to disappear and in the distance the sun had begun to come out of its hiding spot from behind the clouds.

Claude then moved and gently wrapped his arms around her petite waist, happy to have her lean into him. He had never thought for one moment when he had been indebted to her that he would end up falling for her. All of his existence Claude had despised the human race, viewing them as so much simpler as himself. And although secretly he held distaste towards them, Penelope was undoubtedly different. He still craved her soul of course but would never act on taking it. She meant too much to him now. A soft hum broke through his quiet thoughts and he felt her hands laced through his own, giving him a small squeeze.

"You know, I have absolutely no idea what to do with myself". She murmured, her voice light and calm. Claude didn't respond immediately but instead pulled her up and spun her around causing a small laugh to erupt from the red head.

"You can't possibly be bored". He chuckled, placing her down on the ground and watching as she turned around.

"I wouldn't say bored, It's just odd not worrying for once". She said as she began to make her way out of the room. As she walked down the stairs, the large window near the door shone a single beam of light directly through onto her, bathing her in a yellow glow. She stopped in her tracks to allow the warmth touch her skin and closed her eyes basking in the small amount of sunlight. She couldn't remember when the last time she had enough time to simply enjoy life as it was and felt a small smile tug at her lips. She wanted to forget the past few days and enjoy her life to the fullest. Yet she felt as though there was something which needed to be done.

"Claude, can you get the carriage prepared please". She spoke softly, not even flinching when Claude appeared by her side within a blink of an eye. He opened the door and sunlight flooded in causing Penelope to use her hand to shield her eyes from the hatrsh glow. Claude passed her a white coat and looking down at her feet Penelope realised Claude had also brought some shoes for her. Dressed in pale colours, Penelope put her shoes on quickly and walked to the carriage, her mind in deep thought.

"Where would you like to go?" Claude asked, his hand bumping the roof causing the horses to start walking.

"The woods please". She answered and although she did not specify which one, Claude knew exactly and tapped the roof again. He watched her with an odd expression and she felt a sad smile tug at her lips at his confused response. She gently sat next to and used her hand to stroke his pale face, tracing the distinct outline of his cheekbones and his lips. When her fingers made contact with his lips she felt him press a tender kiss to them and she looked away quickly with a blush tainting her skin. She took off the white coat quietly and folded it carefully, wishing to enjoy the day's warmth to its fullest. She received a slightly pointed look from Claude who was no doubt thinking of her staying warm but she just ignored his expression, her eyes fully transfixed on the woodland up ahead.

When they arrived, she didn't wait for him to open the door and she walked at a fast pace further and further into the trees her mind recalling the first time she had visited. The roots beneath her feet just as wicked as they had been and unlike the golden leaves littering the floor, the soil was muddy, the dead leaves pressed harshly into the mud. Picking up her skirts she began to skip, the young girl in her breaking free and she felt an odd sense of familiarity and had a feeling it was nearby where her life changed forever.

"Why here?" Asked a quiet voice and Penelope almost laughed at how confused her butler was.

"It was here that I asked you to be my friend forever. It was here that your freedom ended and mine has truly begun". As she spoke, she circled the now suddenly still demon. His eyes were narrowed as he started to understand the gravity of her words. She stopped when she faced him and her eyes were full of unshed tears.

"I feel you have been in this debt far too long". She whispered. "I would like to r-"She never got to finish her sentence when she felt cold lips crush her own. She felt herself fall to the ground yet her back never made a sharp impact but instead a soft one. She moaned against the kiss and her tears spilled through her closed eyes.

"I want you to be free Claude". She whispered brokenly and Claude carefully removed his glasses. Her dress was ruined from the mud and yet she still looked fantastic in his eyes. She noticed that without the normal glint of the glasses, his own golden eyes were glassy with a dark red liquid.

"I am only free when I am with you. You are my saviour; my soul. You are my meaning; my life will always be yours. I do not need release when I have you. I love you Penelope. Allow me to share your life, your freedom, your happiness. Do not push me away now". His voice held so much emotion that Penelope felt a sob erupt from her lips. She didn't want to live without him but she wanted to give him a chance of his own freedom. His words now however made her truly realise that he wanted her and she just nodded her head in reply. She could not speak for the emotions she was feeling were too powerful. He remained on top, pinning her down and he watched as a single drop of red fell onto her lilac skirts, staining the beautiful material. His hand went to his face and he gave a surprised grunt at the red liquid, unused to such a sight.

"I love you too". She whispered and he brought his attention back to the girl in front of him. He bent down giving her a deep kiss and suddenly had an idea. The sun that was leaking through the trees showed that they still had time in the day to explore and Claude, in one swoop, lifted her and himself off the floor.

"I want no more talk about my freedom again". He demanded, his voice back to its usual cold bored tone. She nodded her head with a sniffle and laughed when she found a handkerchief pressed against her face.

"Now I do believe you have always wanted to see a fairy".

A/N The End! It has finally happened and I would like to thank everyone for their kind reviews, it has been the driving force behind me writing this story. A big thank you to everyone who also favourited and followed this story as well! It is kind of bitter sweet to say goodbye to this story but I hope everyone has enjoyed reading it. Thanks again!