Author's Note: The last chapter says twelve, but it is eleven. I promise.

Disclaimer: I do not own Black Butler or any of it's characters. I only claim Serena.

A Demon's Mate

Chapter Twelve

The next day at breakfast, Ciel was still quiet and had a hard time looking at Serena after their little talk last night. Following the stilted meal, Ciel had ensconced himself in his office as a new stack of papers had come for the opening of another factory. The Earl wasn't simply the owner of Funtom, he was involved in every step of the process. There wasn't a single product that didn't come through the Phantomhive house first and not a single sweet that Ciel didn't try first. Serena had been shocked to learn that the confections had all come from Sebastian's recipes.

'Although I don't know why I was surprised. That is one demon who knows how to cook. I think I've gained a couple pounds in just a few days. Definitely have to start watching all the rich food. Although, maybe it's muscle from having to wear these ridiculously heavy dresses. Honestly, the women from this time must be the beginning of professional weight lifters.'

The red head was bored and curious. She had taken to exploring the mansion's various rooms as a diversion. She had found really nothing that peaked her interest other than the music room. Although, she had a love of music, not being able to play any of the instruments the girl had moved on. The billiards room held nothing that caught her attention as she no one to play with and she finally made it back to the mansion's central library. The books were nothing that she hadn't looked through before, but she still pulled a few down and set them on the small table by the window.

There was another that caught her interest on a higher shelf. Stretching to reach, Serena still wasn't tall enough. She stopped to think for a minute and came to one conclusion.

'Well, I guess that's the only option. The shelves are solid wood and look like their set into the wall.'

Pulling up her skirt, she started to scale the first couple of shelves. Her finger was on the book when the slick soles shoes that she was forced to wear slipped on the oiled wood. She tried to grab another shelf but slipped from that one too. The girl braced herself expecting to feel the floor when she was caught.

"Honestly, I can't leave you alone at all." Sebastian smirked down at her. "I thought Mei-Rin was the one who foolishly tried to scale things."

"Well, if you didn't put the good stuff on a high shelf, neither of us would do it." She waited. "You can put me down now."

"As you wish."

Serena brushed her skirt and rearranged the dress after her fall. The butler reached past her and easily pulled down the book she had wanted.

"Thank you." She smiled up at him. "So, I'm assuming you didn't come here just to help me get a book."

"No. The young master has a meeting to attend before the ball tonight and we will be departing for London shortly."

"Alright! Something to do." Serena put the book back on a lower shelf with a smile. It faded when she saw the butler still standing there. "I'm not going."

"No, Serena. Master has decided that you will remain here. We will return tomorrow morning."

"I could stay at the London house. He wouldn't even know that I was there." She looked hopefully at Sebastian but the demon didn't say anything.

"Fine. I'll stay here." She huffed and took her book back.

"Thank you." Sebastian smiled and leaned into her. He put a hand against the bookshelf she had backed into to cut off her escape route. "Would I get a kiss from my mate before I leave?"

"Whoa!" She put a hand against his mouth. "That is not going to happen."

"Very well." Serena felt him smirk against her palm and he pulled away. "I thought that we had made progress last night."

As soon as he had left the room, she sighed in relief. "What have I gotten myself into?"

****************************A Demon's Mate*******************************

Serena tossed the book to the table and leaned her head against the back of the chair. A sound caught her attention and she looked to the window. The place she had chosen to sit overlooked the corner of the garden that housed Sebastian's cat and the feline was hissing at something she couldn't see. The red head jumped up with a smile. Something to do. Running to her room, she threw on her cloak and headed for the garden.

The cat was all puffed out and spitting at something under one of the bushes.

"Calm down." She went to the bush and leaned down to see a small white kitten. "This is what all the fuss is about?"

Her hand reached out to the kitten, but he backed away.

"I bet you're hungry." She turned back to the older. "Sebastian already fed you, didn't he? Oh well, I guess being fed twice won't hurt you any. I'll be right back."

Bard was surprised to see Serena walk into the kitchen, blinking at her for a moment. "Can I help you?"

"Oh, I'm just looking for something to feed the cat outside." She walked over to the icebox but was stopped by the chef.

"Sebastian keeps that over here." He reached in and pulled out a wrapped package. He held it up with a smile. "Here it is."

She laughed as he pulled a bowl down and started chopping the meat. "Sebastian always saves some of the meat every night that we're not supposed to touch. We all know that it is for the cats in the garden. They'd head to the stables to look for mice if they weren't being fed by someone."

"The stables? That reminds me I should probably get some hay to make a little bed. It's far too cold for a kitten."

"A kitten?"

"Yeah, he somehow found his way in through the gate."

He put the scraps in the bowl and handed it to Serena. "I'll tell Finny to grab some from the stables. He'll bring it to the garden."

"Oh, that's alright..." She saw his shoulders slump a little. "Thank you, I'll find a spot for it while I'm waiting."

As soon as she left the room, the girl heard Bard yell out the servant's door for Finny. She giggled at the excitement.

'No wonder they keep getting into trouble. They're just as bored as I am.'

Back outside, there hadn't been much progress with the felines. Sebastian's had finally stopped hissing and was now sitting staring at the smaller. She took some of the pieces and tossed them by the bush before setting the bowl down. It took a few moments for the kitten to come out. After eating the few pieces, his nose sniffed the air for more.

Serena sat next to the bowl and stroked the black cat while she ate. She watched as the kitten took small steps toward the bowl. When the other didn't poker back up, he took small bites from the chopped meat. She reached out a hand but he backed away again.

"It's alright."

'Is that what I look like? I take small steps but still in the direction that he wants. How long will I still shy away? How long can I? And how long do I have before he pushes me?'

A flake of white landed on her nose and Serena looked up to see more falling from the gray sky. Putting out a hand, she caught a few of the small flakes that melted as soon as they touched her skin.

'December. It's strange, I've only been here a few days and it's snowing. When I left Tokyo it was June and warm.'

Footsteps preceded Finny opening the garden gate. Both cats took off as soon as the blond stepped inside carrying a whole bale of hay.

'Well, that's not what I had in mind. Definitely more than I needed. He's just as eager to please as the others.'

"I got the hay, Miss Serena!"

"Thank you, Finny." She stood and brushed her skirt off. An idea struck while looking at the large bale. "You know, I only need a little. We could use the rest by putting a thin layer at the bottom of the trees and shrubs. It will help insulate the roots from the snow."

The young man's hand shot up. "I'll do it."

'Maybe if I can find a way to keep them all busy, the manor will survive until tomorrow?'

"I'll leave it to you then." Serena smiled and grabbed some of the hay for herself. She watched him out of the corner of her eye as she fashioned the pieces into a bed under the largest bush in the garden. The gardener was certainly enthusiastic spreading the covering over the plants' bases.

She stood and brushed off her skirt. "I'm going to head inside. I'll have Bard make up some hot cider for when you're done."

Finny stood quickly and saluted. "Yes, my lady."

"Come inside if it gets too cold or if the snow gets too heavy. It wouldn't be good to get sick."

"Can do!" He sang as he went back to his task.

Serena shook her head as she went back into the house. The main hall was bleak in the late afternoon winter light. She stood silent and looked over the large space with a critical eye. Everything was perfect, too perfect. Another idea formed in her head as she heard more footsteps.

'December. Mid December.'

"My lady," Mei-Rin stepped in front of her. "Is there something that you needed?"

"Mei-Rin, I think we should decorate the house for Christmas."

"This house hasn't celebrated the Christmas season since the current Lord Phantomhive became the family head." Tanaka came out from the servant's stairs with a disapproving look.

'Well, if you're contracted to a demon, celebrating the birth of Christ probably doesn't occur to you.'

"I never said we were going to celebrate. We're going to decorate. Winter decorating if you will."

"I believe that Lord Phantomhive may become upset if you decorate the manor."

She shrugged. "Then he shouldn't have left me here by myself, now should he?"

"No, my lady." The former butler sighed in defeat as Serena clapped her hands and the other four servants came running.

"Everyone, we're redecorating."

"Are we going to have to pull the things Lady Elizabeth left back out?" Bard whispered to Tanaka.

"Hell no! Stay away from that stuff." Serena pointed at the chef. "We need greenery and red bows. You know, winter things."

Finny smiled brilliantly. "I'll go get the greenery."

"Take Bard with you." She thought for a minute. "Mei-Rin, is there garland in the store rooms?"

"There is Miss, I'll get it."

"Tanaka, could you help her?"

"Yes, my lady."

"Snake, I'm assuming that you know the greenhouse very well?"

The footman started and looked confused. "Yes."

"Good, we'll go look at the flowers that are available. Everyone, bring what you find back here and leave it in the center of the hall. We'll decide what we are going to do once we have a stock of what is available."

"Yes, my lady!"

The servants scattered in a hurry with Tanaka following more slowly. He was still shaking his head as he followed the maid.

*************************A Demon's Mate****************************

Ciel allowed Sebastian to slide the dark blue frock coat with gold piping over his thin shoulders without complaint. The butler smoothed out imaginary wrinkles from the outfit with his normal smile in place. Black gloves were pulled over long and slender fingers, followed by his family rings. Just like usual, the demon had choose the best armor for the noble's gathering. He looked perfect, the perfectly untouchable and cold Earl of Phantomhive was reflected in the floor length mirror.

Serena's voice echoed through his mind. 'At least try to have a little fun, Ciel.'

'Fun. This isn't playtime.'

'Ciel, you are unfortunately the stuff that society girls dream of. You're rich, titled, cold and mysterious. And with the fight with Elizabeth, you're arriving alone. Have a little fun with it.'

'What is that supposed to mean?'

'Dance with as many as you can, only once. Get their parents hopes up, and then head out.'

'I can't believe that you're saying that.'

'Yeah well,' she scratched her cheek. 'While I was in London with Lizzy I met a couple of the nobles and then Edward the other day. They pissed me off a little with their whole doing nothing but looking down on other people.'

'I am a noble.'

'True, but you haven't upset me that bad yet. Besides, you don't spend all day doing nothing and then think you're better than everyone else. At least you do something with yourself.' She smiled as she walked out to the waiting carriage with him. After he had settled into the seat, Serena waved them off. 'Remember, have fun.'

"Let's get this over with." Ciel waited for his servant to open the door before sweeping out of the room and down the staircase. Outside, Sebastian opened the carriage door for his lord so he walked fluidly into the vehicle without stopping. The drive was uneventful, the Earl's thoughts more focused on the red head back at his home.

'I can't believe that I told her all that last night. Why her? Shouldn't I be telling Elizabeth that story if I was going to tell anyone?' He groaned. 'Elizabeth. I still haven't talked to her at all since the argument with Edward. I hope she doesn't make a scene here. That's all I need is the nobles watching for all the latest gossip.'

When the carriage stopped in front of the large townhouse belonging to the Marquess of Arden, Ciel forced all other thoughts to leave his mind. Thankfully, Soma and Agni were currently on a tour of Brighton or else he would have been forced to bring them. They were a distraction that he didn't have time for. He needed to be on guard. Even at fifteen, he lived in a world of elder lords who still looked down on him as they did when he was ten. They were like sharks, any smell of blood in the water and they didn't hesitate to tear someone apart. Those who were born into money had nothing better to do with their time.

Greeting the Marquess and his new wife in the entrance hall, the Earl moved into the ballroom. It was decorated well, festive for the season. Servants were stationed at several points throughout the perimeter, silent and unmoving while those with trays moved fluidly through the crowd.

'I should probably hire some people like that. No, life in the Phantomhive manor is far to strange to have "normal" servants. Just look at Serena. A girl from the future falling from the sky that turns out to be the mate of my demonic butler. Occurrences like that are far too common in my home. Were there always things like that happening at the manor? Was I too young to see them? Did my predecessor have the same cases that touched the fringes of the supernatural that I always seem to find? Come to think of it, Undertaker was around the manor during my predecessor's time, he would know.'

"Lord Phantomhive. It's wonderful to see you again."

He turned to see Lady Annabelle Benison with her youngest daughter, Phoebe, in tow and held back a sigh. Behind them were four other ladies with their various daughters behind them. Ciel had a moment of panic, the feeling of being hunted overcame the young lord. The women came far too close and pulled the most beautiful that they had to offer forward. He had to remind himself not to show fear. The women were always far worse than the men in society.

******************************A Demon's Mate*******************************

Sebastian felt the presence of another demon the minute he stepped inside the house through the servant's entrance. The kitchen was bustling with life and he took a moment to stare in appreciation at the efficient servants. With a sigh, he moved in the direction that he felt the presence. Several hallways led to the storerooms of the house. He flared his aura a little and smirked at the gasp of shock he heard from a room that smelled of linen and lavender and sex.

In the blink of an eye, Lucien stepped from the room and Sebastian could see one of the house's maids asleep on a pallet of linens. He raised an eyebrow at the younger demon. It was obvious that he had fed, new life shown from the demon. His blue eyes were brighter and hair was spun silk once more.

"Elder, I would offer you a taste, but she's out." Lucien turned back to the maid with a fond smile before closing the door. "Humans. Their so full of life."

"I apologize for interrupting your meal."

"Not at all. I was already finished." He smiled brilliantly at his family's head. "Shall we take a look at the festivities?"

Sebastian waved the younger forward as Lucien seemed to have a better grasp of the house than he did. Lucien led them to a small space overlooking the ballroom. He easily spotted his master, surrounded by young ladies that looked as though to make the Earl their prey.

"I see that it really has spread."

The Elder looked around and saw the flash of blond and smell of sugar that always accompanied Lady Elizabeth. She was staring at the growing crowd around her fiancee and appeared almost in tears. Her brother looked on the pack of wolves in ballgowns that surrounded his enemy with a smug smile.

"What has spread?"

Lucien leaned forward and leaned against the rail. "It appears that someone has spread a rumor that the House of Phantomhive and the House of Midford have split. The Earl and daughter are now fair game in the eyes of society."

Sebastian smirked, "the ladies are quick to make a move. The wealthy and powerful Earl of Phantomhive is too juicy a bone for them to leave for others. How will you handle this, Master?"

He turned back to Lucien. "Now, why are you still in London? You waited till now to feed?"

"Oh no. I already fed twice." He laughed. "Well, three time now. I'm like a bear fattening up for the winter."

"Why are you storing food?"

"Emily...she doesn't like to be left at the tower with the younger ones. They make her nervous. Edwin will need to come up too soon and we don't know how long your contract will last so, I'm preparing to stay at the tower for an extended period." Lucien winced at having to explain the problem with his mate to his Elder.

"They make her nervous?" Sebastian turned back to the ballroom. "Well, this should be the last time that happens. With Serena there, she will command the family in my absence."

"Her name is Serena?"

"Yes and that reminds me. I have a job for you before you head back, Lucien."

"Elder." The demon bowed, awaiting his orders.

"Go to the Phantomhive estate. I had to leave my mate there, unprotected. You will watch over her until I return in the morning." Sebastian continued to watch as his master led one of the young ladies onto the dance floor. "Do not enter the house unless there is a threat. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Elder. I will leave immediately." He bowed again and took off.

******************************A Demon's Mate****************************

"I like it." Serena nodded at the main hall. The once stark but elegant space had been transformed into a warm and festive area with garlands and flowers. Candles softly lit the layers of green trimmed from the garden and surrounding forest. The three troublemakers had worked fine with a little supervision. More importantly, nothing had been destroyed during the afternoon.

"Now, I think we are all entitled to dinner."

The servants cheered and headed for the kitchen to get out the meal that Sebastian had left. Serena let Snake lead her into the dining room and to the seat that had become hers in the last few days. She saw that it was the only place setting and felt a little lonely. Tanaka led the way for the servants to enter through a door in the back wall and each took up their usual spot behind the red head.

Only two spoonfuls into the parsley soup, Serena let out a sigh. "Why don't you all sit down?"

All of them wore a face of shock and confusion at the suggestion.

"We couldn't possibly do that, my lady. The dining table is for the Earl and his guests, not a place for the servants of the house."

She watched as the others nodded at the sage wisdom of the retired butler. The red head took another bite of the first course while she thought. Finally, Serena put her spoon down and stood. Snake hurried to pull her chair back.

"Fine then." She picked up her bowl and went to the side door. "We'll eat somewhere else."

The trek to the kitchen was filled with chatter. Mainly, the younger ones asking the elder what they were supposed to do in this situation. Tanaka was still not sure of what to do himself, having never encountered a guest that wished to eat with the servants.

Once inside the manor's kitchen, Serena set her bowl down on the large island and looked for a chair. The footman pulled one out of nowhere and held it out for her. When she was seated, she waved the others to do the same but they were still fidgeting next to the door. Snake was the first to pull up another chair. Still unsure, he lowered himself into it slowly, as if waiting for someone to reprimand him for doing so. The red head smiled at him from his left side.

Finny was next, getting his own chair much faster than the footman did. Mei-Rin took down bowls for everyone before taking a seat herself at Serena's other side. Bard laughed while he grabbed the pot from the stove as well as the main course of roasted beef and place them in the middle of the table with plates for everyone.

They all looked to Tanaka, still standing in the doorway. The elderly man admitted that he had been given certain privileges by the current Earl after he retired that the normal servants would never have had, Lord Ciel had called him Grandpa for the majority of his childhood. Even Lord Vincent had confided in his butler as more of a friend than a servant. However, there was always a line that was never crossed. Servants didn't eat with their masters or any other noble. They never presumed to sit with the nobles as if they were equals.

"Come on, Tanaka. You can do it." Serena softly coaxed him closer.

"This is highly improper."

"Back at home, my place in the world is closer to you all then it will ever be to Ciel. If it makes you feel better, we will all swear an oath of silence that this never happened." The red head smiled as the others nodded.

Tanaka sighed and walked forward to the only chair that was left. The others cheered as he finally sat down. Brad quickly handed him a filled bowl and Mei-Rin slid a spoon over.

Conversation was slow to pick up, everyone still put off guard by this strange occurrence. Serena kept it going by asking each a little about themselves. Mei-Rin was found to have a sister that was living in London and married to a small business merchant. Bard had three brothers however, he hadn't spoken to them since leaving to join the army. The family hadn't been happy with his career choice as it took a set of hands away from the farm. Finny and Snake stayed pretty quiet about their pasts and Serena guessed that they did not have family except for the persons in the manor. Tanaka told about his daughter who was the lady's maid to a duchess. He was known to visit her and her two children on her days off when the noble family was settled in London for the Season.

Serena brought up what they did every day and found that the servants actually did enjoy their employment at the Phantomhive estate. Despite the gloomy Earl and constant reprimands by the family butler, each had a great story to tell that showed how much they loved being here. Finny had once caused a flood in the storerooms that took up the manor's basement when he accidentally dug into a water main and then tried to fix it before Sebastian found out. The Earl had used the backup as an idea to improve the indoor water pressure. Mei-Rin had started a fire with her glasses in the attic, but the cleanup had led to some pieces of jewelry that had belonged to the Earl's mother. Bard brought up the time that he had destroyed the east wing with a bazooka and all the master had asked was where he had gotten such a thing. Later, he ordered the chef to purchase two more.

"That brings me to what happened yesterday." Serena turned to the maid. "Mei-Rin, you can't blow things up. That's Bard's territory. He'll blow things up, you'll blow things up, I'll blow things up...it'll be anarchy."

"I'd like to blow something up." The soft voice caused everyone to turn and stare at Snake. "Well, you all look to have so much fun doing it."

"See, it's already started." The table laughed as Bard slapped his napkin down. "You all are horning in on my trademark!"

**************************A Demon's Mate****************************

Ciel breathed a sigh of relief when he finally escaped the ballroom for the sanctuary of a secluded corner of the balcony overlooking the garden, if only for a few moments. The matchmaking mamas had been all over the young lord with their not so subtle hints that their daughters or nieces or granddaughters would make an excellent Countess of Phantomhive. In case the split between the Midfords and himself was permanent, of course. It looked as though Edward had been successful at keeping Elizabeth away from him. Which wasn't hard with the constant barrage of young ladies wanting a dance with the Earl.

Brothers and fathers were not immune to the attraction of having the Earl of Phantomhive as a part of their family either. Escape to the male dominated card rooms had proven to be attack from a different and more direct front. His host had even suggested the younger sister of an acquaintance of his with the advice to choose a back-up soon. The Marquis of Arden had been the prize of the Marriage Mart last year and knew the hell that awaited the Earl until he either announced that his engagement was still valid or jumped into another.

'Even then, the only peace you'll find from their mothers is when you're finally married. It's very easy to break an engagement from childhood and they won't stop until you're completely off the market.' Arden laughed. 'I should know. I was in your position for the longest time and you have years to go before you actually do get married.'

"I know that already. It's the reason I always avoid these damned things." The Earl sighed and leaned on the stone railing.

"Ciel?"

He looked over to see Elizabeth at the edge of his sanctuary, unsure of whether to come closer or not.

'She never would have done that before.' He sighed and the blond started to draw back.

"Lizzy, it's alright. Come here."

The lady was still unsure and walked slowly to railing next to him. Both looked at the garden instead of each other.

"I didn't think that you would come tonight."

"I had already said that I would."

Silence took back over the young couple and they watched as others were going down the stairs to explore the rose garden and flirt while still within the safety of the lights that hung from the trees.

"Do you want to break the engagement with me?" Elizabeth kept her head down when he looked at her. Dread pooled in her stomach as time stretched further without an answer.

"No, Lizzy. I was upset and I said some things that I shouldn't have."

"So, you don't hate it when I come to the manor?"

"I just wish you would give me some notice."

"But, I've always..."

"Yes, Lizzy. You've always just come to the manor when you felt like it, but we're not children anymore."

"I know that!"

"Do you?" Her head snapped up at his question. "I can't drop everything to entertain you anymore. There are things that I have to take care of, that I can't delegate to someone else. With each year, that list grows. It's not simply skipping out on tutors anymore."

"I just want it to be like it was before." She cried.

"That won't happen. You can't go back in time because you want to."

"Is that why you act like this now?"

He sighed as he figured they had reached the true heart of the matter. "It's not an act, Lizzy. This is me. I hate these parties, I have no interest in the current gossip, I have no interest in fashion, and I really don't care about socializing with these stupid people."

"You loved the parties that your parents hosted. Remember?" She grabbed his arm. "We used to talk about when we would have our own. We used to talk about everything, and now you don't tell me anything."

"There are aspects of my life now that are not suitable for a lady. My work for the Queen and business are not proper topics of conversation with you."

"I want him back!" Elizabeth put a hand to her mouth when she realized what she had said. The sentence, the demand that had been running through her mind since the Phantomhive manor burned down. The wish that filled her during the month she thought her fiancee dead. The same feeling that came over her every time she saw him after his return. "I just want the Ciel that I used to know."

"He's not coming back."

"He could if you would just..."

"He's dead, Lizzy." She back up against the brick wall of the mansion at his harsh tone. "He died and was buried in the Phantomhive cemetery with his parents. I'm not that boy anymore, nor will I ever be."

Tears rolled down her cheeks in a silent stream. Ciel pulled his handkerchief from his pocket and wiped her eyes gently.

"The person that you should be asking about the engagement isn't me. It's yourself. Is this what you want, Lizzy? Because I cannot change. This is what you will be stuck with should we actually get married, not the happy boy you want to see so badly. He only exists in your memory."

Elizabeth threw herself at him as tears turned into sobs. She buried her head in the crook of his neck and realized that he had gotten taller again. Another reminder that Ciel spoke the truth. The hands that rubbed her back were larger than they had been and she felt the heavy weight of his family rings through the silk of her gown.

"You need to decide if you can live with that." He pulled away. "It's fine if you cannot. I am well aware that I am far from who you thought you would marry when we were children."

She pulled back further, wrapping her arms around herself.

"I'm sorry to make you cry, Lizzy. I'm sorry that it turned out this way, but I don't want you to be miserable or spend the rest of your life looking for someone that you will never find." Ciel waved someone forward from the ballroom doors and she found her brother's arm wrapped around her shoulders.

"Why don't we call it a night?" Edward smiled encouragingly at the younger blond.

Ciel stepped around them to head back into the ballroom when he was called back.

"Mother said that Serena was part of one of your cases. Is that true?"

The Earl nodded, his usual expression back in place. "Yes. Her leaving the manor at this time is not an option."

Edward took a breath. "I apologize for making a scene in your home."

"Thank you. If you want to leave through the garden, there is a gate to the left at the bottom of the stairs. I'll have Sebastian tell your driver to meet you there and give your excuses to the Ardens."

"That would probably be best." He looked back to his sister who had quieted, but tears still fell from her eyes. Edward gently led Elizabeth down the stairs and disappeared down the path through the bushes.

'There was no peace here either.'

*************************A Demon's Mate*************************

Later, Serena found herself back in the library watching the snow covered landscape. There was a place in the trees that kept catching her attention. She didn't know why. There was nothing unusual about it, nothing extraordinary. Even so, her attention was constantly drawn back to it. Almost as if something was watching her while she tried to find them.

'Oh come on, there is nothing there. It's probably an owl or something. I'm just paranoid because Sebastian isn't here and that's not needed. The others are good at protecting the manor. Now, stop looking.'

"Lady Serena." Mei-Rin stood in the doorway with Tanaka right behind her, holding a branch of candles. The elder servant had stepped back into his former role with Sebastian in town attending to the Earl. "We should probably get you ready for bed."

"Right." She took one last look at the treeline before turning to the two servants and following them down the hall.

Tanaka came into Serena's room and lit the candles before bowing to leave the two women. The maid let her take her own hair down while she took a nightgown from the wardrobe. Laying it on the bed, she saw the lady was back to staring out the window.

"Mei-Rin, do you think Sebastian and Ciel will be able to travel tomorrow? With the snow, they may not come back in the morning."

The maid smiled at the concern shown for the Earl and butler. "It's sure to be clear by morning, my lady. The master hates town and Sebastian will find some way to get him back here safely."

"Also," Serena crossed her arms while still looking out the window. "Have someone check the perimeter around the mansion. I keep feeling like there is someone out there."

Mei-Rin moved forward quickly and pulled the girl away from the window. She closed the drapes with a snap. When she turned around to usher Serena into the bed, her normal smile was in place.

"I'll do that, my lady. You should get some sleep, you should."

As the red head slid into the bed, one thought pushed whoever was outside from her mind.

'Now, how to get out of being yelled at for decorating the manor tomorrow?'