Chapter 29
Sebastian sat alone in the dark in his bedroom. It has been two days since Ciel left but he could not make himself move on. Their last conversation kept replaying in his head. Was I wrong for doing what I did? he asked himself for the umpteenth time and only silence answered him. She is not safe here, even from me. No, especially from me, he amended himself. Why?! Why did I have to fall in love with her?! his heart wailed in agony. This wouldn't be so difficult if I don't have feelings for her, his mind reasoned. His heart protested, but then you wouldn't have the joy of falling in love with someone so special. At that thought, he remembered all the times Ciel surprised him, always exceeding his expectations, getting past his defenses and not being afraid of his past. In that moment, he realized no one will ever be able to touch his heart the way Ciel has. I knew...I always knew that there could never be a future between us but I couldn't stop myself from dreaming...from hoping for the impossible. No. The moment we met, it was already too late for me. Sebastian took a deep breath. Then with a determined glint in his eyes, he stood up and finally left his room. The mere act of opening the door felt as if he was escaping his prison. Nothing changed outside but inside, he felt reborn. No, not reborn, it was as if he was discovering himself once again. These feelings I have for Ciel will never go away no matter how hard I try. So I won't try any more. I'm sorry Ciel. It is selfish of me to chain you to my side but I know no one else will love you more than I do. I wanted to be noble for you. I thought I could endure any pain for you. But there's no denying my demonic nature. So I will do what I do best. I will take what I want and damn the consequences. CIEL YOU ARE MINE.
As Sebastian was preparing to leave, Gurlagh arrived, wounded and panicking.
"My liege forgive me! She was taken! I couldn't find her!" Gurlagh said, almost incoherent in his agitation.
"Gurlagh pull yourself together!" Sebastian commanded. The distraught demon made a visible effort to calm down and finally recounted all the events that led to Ciel's kidnapping.
"This is Claude's doing. I'm certain of it" Sebastian said in a dangerous voice. "Grovius you're in charge while I'm away. Make sure the army stands ready, I may need them."
"My liege there is something else" Gurlagh said hesitantly.
"What is it?" Sebastian asked, impatient to be on his way.
"The last thing I saw before I lost consciousness was Lady Ciel willingly taking the stranger's hand" Gurlagh said nervously.
"What exactly are you trying to say?" Sebastian enunciated his words carefully.
"What I'm trying to say is...uhh...I think...Lady Ciel may not be willing to come back after what happened" Gurlagh finished his sentence in a rush.
"That's too damn bad. I'll just have to take her prisoner then" and with that he was off.
Sebastian travelled with the utmost haste, not even stopping to eat or rest. He didn't want to have time to think about what Ciel must be going through right now. She's been in Claude's clutches for days now and who knows what that deprived demon might do to her. Instead, he focused everything he had into finding her as soon as possible. Finally, he was close to his destination. But when he caught sight of Claude's mansion, he stood still in shock. The mansion was in ruins, exactly as he left it years ago when Claude first kidnapped Ciel. He expected Claude to rebuild it right away but it looks as if it has been abandoned long ago. Ciel I will find you, he silently vowed.
Sebastian returned to his castle and ordered Cotho to use her magic to find Ciel. After much waiting which felt like an eternity, he had her location but Ciel was in the last place he expected her to be. She was in Raiden's castle.
Sebastian immediately left with orders for his army to follow him with all haste. In no time at all, he was standing outside the castle's doors. Expecting a battle, he was surprised when he was allowed entrance. What game are you playing at Raiden? Sebastian thought suspiciously as he followed a servant towards the throne room.
As they traversed the castle, Sebastian was puzzled as to why Raiden's home resembled an English castle. As far as he knew, Raiden had never been to the human realm and saw them as mere insects. That bastard must be trying to win over Ciel, Sebastian thought sourly. Upon entering the room, Sebastian's eyes immediately found the being lounging indolently on the throne. Being half-brothers, they shared the same black hair and red eyes. But that is the only connection they had. For as long as Sebastian can remember, Raiden had always hated him. But then again, being demons, Sebastian did not really expect him to be a doting older brother.
"Do you really have a death wish? How dare you take her!" Sebastian said angrily.
"I did not take her" Raiden said, not even bothering to deny that Ciel was indeed in this castle.
"Oh? Then I suppose she just happened to land right on your doorstep" Sebastian said sarcastically.
"Actually an old friend of yours dropped her off" Raiden taunted him.
"If that was the case, why didn't you simply return her to me? You know I would have spared no expense to get her back" Sebastian asked, disbelieving.
"YOU HAVE NOTHING THAT I WOULD EVER WANT!" Raiden raged. Then forcefully calming himself, he added "There's no way I would have thrown such a fair maiden out especially when she begged to stay with me." Just then, the door opened and Ciel walked-in.
"There you are Bassy! I've been looking all over for you!" Ciel said happily. Completely ignoring Sebastian, she walked right up to Raiden and hugged him.
