I WAS WRONG! I WAS HORRIBLY, HORRIBLY WRONG!, I thought as I laid on my bed from an exhausting evening to late night of training. This is so different than taking care of the funeral parlour. At least Miss Diaz is taking care of Rire, I'd feel awful if I left him all alone at the shop. I sighed as I got up, headed to the basin, and scrubbed at the wax polish that coated my hands while I continued to think back to Irene's letters. Miss Diaz reassured me that she'll take care of Rire as best as she can. At least that'll relieve me of some worry.
I changed into my nightgown, took my hair out of its braided bun, then sat on my bed with Irene's letter, reading it over for the fifth time. I thought I was careful with hiding my emotions but it seems some people can see right through me. How Miss Diaz was able to put together how I felt towards Ciel is one thing, but for her to suggest I should pursue him is ridiculous. For one reason, he's engaged to Lizzie and I never want to hurt her. For another, he'll leave as soon as his "contract" is fulfilled. Finally, he's a noble and I'm…nobody… I shook my head and paid closer attention at the words that read:
My Dear Red,
I would be more than happy to look over your precious little kitten while you are away on business, don't overwork yourself excessively! Also, please be sure to visit as soon as you're back.
Now, in regards to another matter, I've noticed at the banquet with how fond Earl Phantomhive is for you but he excuses it as you being his friend. I see doubt in his words when you gaze and interact with each other. As someone who has had experience, I implore you to pursue him before it is too late. One never knows when the open opportunity is their only one as life has many changes. Should things not turn out well, then at least you can say that you tried which is more than enough. I leave you with best wishes and hopes towards your love for the young earl.
Sincerely,
Irene Diaz
I'll consider it…, I think as I folded the letter and place it in the vanity stand's drawer. Until then, I have sleep to catch up on. I yawned and headed to my bed, laying down and closing my eyes. I was close onto the verge of dreaming before a loud scream echoed around the manor.
DAMN IT!, I thought as I rushed up and out of my room, heading directly towards the scream. Without thinking when I reached my destination, I barged through the door into a living room of sorts then rushed to the door at the far left and opened it to reveal Ciel shaking in fear with wide eyes.
"Ciel…" I called out quietly as I moved towards him slowly. "Did you have another nightmare?"
He didn't respond and only sat there as if he was staring off into another world, still trapped within his nightmare. Cautiously, I moved closer towards him and gently placed my hand on top of his head. When he didn't flinch away, I slowly moved him to lay back down and tucked him in. I pushed his bangs out of his face and caressed his cheek.
"…Red?" he asked slowly.
"It's only me." I confirmed. "You had a nightmare and I came as soon as I heard you scream."
"Usually Sebastian would come."
"I assume he knew I'd come."
Silence fell for a few minutes before I spoke up again.
"You should get some sleep. I'll let you re-"
"No!" he exclaimed, nearly sitting up as I gently pushed him back down, shushing him. In a desperate plea he whispered, "Don't go. Please."
"All right. I'll stay." I nodded and sat on the edge of the bed beside him, placing my hands in my lap. "What would you like for me to do?"
"Just…tell me about your past. What it was like when Undertaker raised you."
My eyes widened a bit before I stared at my hands, nodding as I said, "Okay. As you know, Undertaker took me in when my mother left me at his doorstep."
"Why him of all people?"
"Because she loved him. And she knew she could trust him. He loved her, as well. After preparing his shop to be safe enough to raise me in, he called in for assistance."
Flashback…
(Third POV)
"What have you done?" William asked Undertaker as Ronald stood beside him with his eyes as wide as saucers.
"It's a long story. But she's in my care now." Undertaker replied as he held a baby with big blue eyes and copper hair. "And I'm not giving her up."
"Very well. What do you expect us to do to supposedly help?"
"Just watch her when I have to work and help educate her."
"Educate!?" Ronald exclaimed, pointing at the child. "She's going to grow up to be a woman! Women aren't educated like men are, it'll just-"
The blond reaper stopped himself and stared at the baby grabbing onto his gloved finger and gnaw on it. Tears began to form in his eyes as he took the child from Undertaker's arms and hugged her.
"Who cares what men say!? I'll protect her with my life!"
A sweat drop appeared on the back of the two older reapers' heads as they watched the grown man cry and ramble on about how cute the child is.
"This may cause some issues later…" Undertaker mumbled, shaking his head.
"Indeed." William nodded and sighed. "However, I'll agree to this as long as it doesn't interfere with my work. Understood?"
"Hehe! Indeed!"
"What's her name?" Ronald asked as the child played with his glasses.
"Her name…" Undertaker frowned for a second before smiling. "Her name is Red."
Ronald then smiled and held up the baby high in the air, causing her to giggle as he exclaimed, "Welcome to London, Little Red!"
Flashback End…
(Red's POV)
"Why did he name you 'Red'?" Ciel asked.
"I asked him that when I turned ten years old. He told me it wasn't my real name, but it was the name he gave me to spare me the pain of those that were once in my past." I explained.
"Spoken like a true madman. Do you know what your actual name is?"
"He doesn't-…didn't want me to know…Although, he did tell me my mother changed her surname during her time in London. But I do want to know what it was on my own journey…alone."
"But you're not alone."
"Neither are you."
I looked at Ciel with a frown as he stared back at me, reaching over and taking my hand in his own. I leaned over him and pressed my forehead against his, staring into his eyes.
"Hair and eyes can darken or become lighter over time. My hair became darker and so did my eyes from the events I have witnessed and heard." I whispered. "But you…Your eyes are the same. Your eyes are so blue like the ocean, I could drown in them."
Neither of us moved as we looked at one another. Suddenly, I could hear Irene's words in my head saying, pursue him before it is too late.
"Ciel…" I spoke up as Ciel placed his hand on my cheek. "You belong with Lizzie-"
"By arrangement only." He interrupted.
"Yes. But…I do- I do want to be with you…just as long as Lizzie isn't hurt in the process! A-A-And-"
Ciel immediately sat up and stared into my eyes, causing me to go quiet. My face grew red as our faces were close to where we could hear one another breathe. The room itself was dead silent to where you could hear a pin drop to the ground and it would sound like a church bell clang loudly on a Sunday morning. Despite the darkness of the room, the purple contract of his eye shone brightly. I could feel myself almost get lost in it but his next words interrupted me.
"Say it."
"Wh-What?"
"The truth. Say it."
"I thought that if I acted like it didn't matter, then it wouldn't. That this, between us, wouldn't matter…that it was just a kiss. But it does matter. I want to be happy but something inside me screams that I do not deserve it and I'm terrified. I'm always terrified for everything bad that can happen. And I act like I know what I'm doing and smile all the time but the truth is I don't. It makes me feel as if I can't breathe and that I will faint." I ranted before taking a deep breath and continuing, taking a hold of Ciel's hands. "Irene tells me to have courage and faith and to take risks. So that is what I am going to do. I don't care where we are, I just care that we're together. So, ask me, one more time, of your offer."
Ciel's eye widened before his grip tightened on my hands as he sat up straight and cleared his throat before speaking.
"Red…will you stay by my side, be mine, and let me court you?" he asked hopefully.
"Yes."
