The picture and of the Phantomhive and the Midford family burnt before her eyes, her eyes glued to the smiling young Ciel.
"Ciel..."
Her voice was soft. He, like the rest of the picture, burnt. The image of the burning of the burning manor, the red yellows and oranges crawling up the walls. The flames crawled up the outside walls of the manor, illuminating the dark night.
"He disappeared for a while after the estate burnt down and his parents died."
A carriage pulled up in the driveway of the rebuilt Phantomhive Manor. Lizzie sprang from the carriage and ran towards the boy with the bandages on his head. She stared at him for a moment before a smile spread on her face.
"Eventually, he did return home."
The boy turned around and her vibrant green eyes met his dull blue orbs. Her face fell.
"But, by then, he had stopped smiling."
She remembered them playing with the 'Noah's ark' toy set. She remembered her own smile, as well as his.
"I love him."
A young Ciel smiled back at Elizabeth.
"I love Ciel. And I love his smile."
Lizzie thought back to their most recent meetings.
"But... we keep going in circles."
The memories faded as Lizzie sat in a chair. The chair was pulled into a brick wall, her head low.
"What can I do? How can I help him?"
A rat ran past her feet but they did not move. Her face was deadpanned and glossy, her eyes dull.
"How can I get his smile back?"
She remained so deathly still, till her head fell to one side.
"Ciel..."
~o/0\o~
"I was six years old when I lost the two most important people in my life."
The glasses that sat in the pool of blood. The hanging woman that swung in the tree.
"I was taken against my will and was abused by my grandparents for the sake of their cult."
Whips cracking down against skin. A young girl desperately biting hard on her lip to avoid screaming.
"Ever since then, I have done everything I can to be stronger."
'Again.' her voice was tired and thick but she stood up and readied her position. The gunshot rang through the night as she pulled the trigger.
"I have worked for this strength."
Fist after fist came at her but she blocked them. The exercise stops and she fell to her knees, gasping for air. 'Again,' she says, her voice no more than a croak.
"I cannot let the people who got me here down."
Stings smiling at her as she wins another fight, Bones clapping as the victim fall, Ryu lying on her lap by a firelight, Khun dancing with her in the moonlight, her grandmother hugging her.
"I will not let myself go back to who I was."
A young girl, limp white hair, scared pink eyes. A teenage girl, blonde hair blowing in the wind, strong blue eyes that held such strength.
"I will not let myself be weak again."
Strapped to a table, Yuri's eyes opened and the fear had washed away with the tears that had stained her face. Two hard and focused blue orbs replaced them.
"I will not let them win."
~o/0\o~
The curtain blew softly with the midnight breeze as Sebastian sat on the window sill.
"You lost your parents, your home, and this time." The curtain blew away, revealing Sebastian's face. "You stand to lose Lady Elizabeth and Yuri." Ciel jerked forward.
"Sebastian!" The boy said, surprised by the butler's presence. There was a silence. "Take that back." Ciel's voice was hard, unwavering. Sebastian sat on the window sill, smiling ever so innocently. "Right now."
"What do you mean?" Sebastian asked innocently.
"I don't like you taunting me."
"Master," Sevastian began. "Earlier you informed me you had business to take care of." Ciel scowled. "This business of yours? Did it include endangering yourself? In a misguided effort to rewrite the past, I mean." Ciel scowl grew. "Do you remember what you said at the frost fair?" Sebastian continued. "About your body? About your ring?" There was a moment of silence. "What you said, was that both had been shattered and reborn. But you no longer had any fear of being broken yourself."
"I remember. You don't need to remind me. But it is not just Elizabeth in there." Sebastian kept his cool, about to respond before the music came again.
Build it up with iron and steel,
iron and steel, iron and steel,
Build it up with iron and steel,
My fair lady
Ciel moved away from the sound. The dolls and the doll master came into the room.
"This means they defeated Grell," Ciel said, shocked.
"Interesting. They appear to be controlled by the singing of that song," Sebastian noted. "In which case;
Iron and steel will bend and bow,
bend and bow, bend and bow,
Iron and steel will bend and bow,
My fair lady."
Sebastian ripped the head from one before continuing.
"Iron and steel will bend and bow,
bend and bow, bend and bow,
Iron and steel will bend and boy,
My fair lady."
The doll's heads all coaxed to the side, their necks hallow. By the climax, Sebastian bowed in front of his master.
"Who are you calling a lady?" Ciel hissed.
"Now, my young master, let us go," Sebastian said, standing up and walking to Ciel.
"I think not," The doll master interrupted. "Ciel Phantomhive, you are now the property of my master."
"Property?! Who do you think-" Ciel asked.
"The proof is there. You're marked by the very ring you're wearing." Both men's gazes' returned to the ring that sat on Ciel's thumb. "I know what it is. That is a hope piece. The same gem as the one my master sends to those who are destined to be his dolls." Sebastian's gaze hardened and he shot a cold glare at the man.
"What master?" he asked.
"Its been decided Ciel Phantomhive is going to become a doll. An exquisite doll made of silver and gold," The doll master continued. A smirk spread onto Sebastian's lips.
"Silver and gold will be stolen away,
Stolen away, stolen away,
Silver and gold will be stolen away."
Sebastian picked Ciel up bridal style before leaping from the open window he travelled in through. The man put a hand out to stop them but was ultimately powerless. Sebastian leapt into the night as the man came up to the window.
"He was indeed stolen away." He sank to the floor, his gaze focus downwards. "However, I am thinking to myself, Ciel Phantomhive will return, whether he wants to or not."
~o/0\o~
Sebastian landed on a bridge not too far away from the manor. He placed Ciel down on the bridge before standing up straight.
"There we are. You're safe," Sebastian said. Ciel glared at him, his hand reaching up and slapping the butler, hard enough to leave a mark. Sebastian's wide eyes looked down and met Ciel's glare.
"What about Lizzie and Yuri? They're still in there," Ciel shouted. "Did I not order you to solve the recent string of kidnappings, or didn't I? Lizzie is one of the kidnapped victims, saving her is the first priority-"
"If an order negates the contract, I cannot obey it," Sebastian said, a smile on his face. Ciel recoiled away from the butler's words. "Your first priority is orders from the Queen. Similarly, my first priority is your life." Ciel turned away, choosing to look down at his reflection in the river. "I've devoted myself to your service and protection. It's been two years." Sebastion blinked, but when he opened his eyes they were reduced to fuschia slits. "I can't very well let someone steal you after all this time, now can I?" Ciel met the butler's gaze before reaching into his coat and producing the second hope piece. "Master?" Ciel ignored him before placing the ring on his thumb beside the first hope piece.
"Apparently the hope piece is what marks the master's next target," Ciel said, looking up at his butler, lifting his hands to reveal the two rings, a smirk on his face. "And I have two of them. And I guess that means I've been doubly marked. Protecting me will be a difficult task." Sebastian chuckled, a smirk spreading onto his face.
"I'm not afraid of hard work," Sebastian said, hand on his heart, bowing to Ciel. The howl a demon hound brought them back to the present as they turned in the direction of the sound.
"Pluto?"
"I searched the mansion top to bottom," Sebastian said. "I wasn't able to find any sign of Lady Elizabeth or Yuri. That leaves one place." They both looked to the large tower that peaked out through the trees. "They must be in that sealed up tower."
Pluto howled as he was tried to free himself from Grell, who was holding his leash.
"Hey now, calm down. Whats wrong with you puppy?!" Grell asked, trying to keep Pluto from running away. Ciel and Sebastian ran up to meet the pair.
"Thats a surprise. You're still alive," Ciel said. Grell all but swooned at first glance of Sebastian.
"Oh! Bassie!" The reaper jumped forward, hoping for Sebastian to catch her but Pluto jumped on top of her, knocking her to the ground as the demon hound lept into the butler's arms, and clung to his side, panting happily. Ciel gave the two the side eyes.
"How rude!" Grell said, two footprints on her back. "Wait a second. A demon hound? Really?"
You're just not noticing?" Ciel said, baffled. Grell gathered herself before letting out noises of joy.
"Oo la la la, a night with a demon hound! How sexy!" Grell beamed, blood coming from her nose.
"You really have no standards," Sebastian said. "Now, I've been waiting for you, Pluto." The hound stopped playing the butler's shoulder and looked at him. Sebastian walked up to the door of the tower. "That door has been sealed with unnatural power. Only a demon hound can open it." He stopped in front of the looming wooden doors. As soon as he was close enough, the collar Pluto wore illuminated along with the door itself. Pluto gripped his collar, falling from Sebastian's side.
"Look, his collar's shinning," Ciel pointed out.
"And so is the door," Grell stated. The light from the door soon took over Pluto as he transformed in a large white hound. He howled into the night while Grell swooned behind him.
"it's so big!" The hound began running towards the now open doors, breaking the seal. Ciel ran past the butler.
"He's run off again," Ciel said, stopping just a foot ahead of the butler.
"No worries," Sebastian said calmly. "We'll follow him in, he should prove to be a serviceable guide."
~o/Intermission\o~
The group ran up the never-ending spiralling stairs, Ciel in front and the two non-humans trailing behind. They eventually came to a landing at the top of the tower. Ciel ran up to the first door on their left before stopping. Demon and Reaper came up not far behind him. Sebastian stepped forward and place his hand on the door handle before turning back to Ciel, waiting for the signal. When the boy nodded his head, Sebastian opened the door. Almost as quickly, a hand dove out, swinging for the group, but fortunately, Sebastian was quicker. He caught the hand holding the hand holding the rusty pipe and was about to crush it until he noticed it was Yuri's hand. The girl dropped the bar before hugging the butler close. Her Phantomhive dress was ripped, with the skirts ripped off and the bodice was torn leaving her in a slip and her shoes and socks gone. Her hair cascaded down her face, which had a few cuts. A lot of purple bruises decorated her pale arms and legs. She let go and walked to the boy, bending down to check if he was alright. He gave her a timid nod and she stood up, a soft smile on her lips. The smile fell and a look of anger washed over her face as she noticed the reaper.
"You." She lunged for the reaper but was caught by Sebastian.
"Not here. Not in front of Lady Elizabeth." His words caused a halt to her plans, but not to her mood. She didn't lift her dark gaze from the reaper. Ciel and Sebastian chose to ignore that particular fact, neither one of them wanting to scorn Yuri herself. They took a look around the room, noticing the body parts of dolls sitting on a workbench, the metal nights that stood tall and finally Ciel's gaze swept to Elizabeth.
"Lizzie!" he said before running over to her. She sat in the chair, hands crossed over her lap, head bent. He bent down to Lizzie's eye level. "Lizzie?" He held her shoulder's before gasping at her porcelain skin. "Yuri! What happened to her?"
"I don't know. Up until maybe five minutes ago I was unconscious and tied up. When I heard the large door bang open I untied myself and picked up the first thing I saw, then the door opened," Yuri said. "Thats all I know." She shivered violently. Sebastian took off his coats and covered the girl's shoulders.
"Who did this?"
"A man with a music box," Yuri said before her voice was uncertain. "At least I think it was. I remember getting into the shop then the song started and then... why can't I remember anything else?" Her voice gradually decreased till it was quieter than a whisper. Sebastian rubbed her shoulder in comfort.
"Oh my, looks like we're too late," Grell said, wary of the dark gaze she was being sent from across the room.
"Wake up," Ciel said, shaking the girl. "Lizzie. Lizzie, wake up! Lizzie!" The girl's vibrant green eyes slowly opened but there was no shine to them. A gasp left the boy's body. "You're okay..."
"Thats the ring," The girl said softly. Ciel, shocked, looked down at the two hope pieces. "So, did you like it? That makes me happy. So happy." Ciel thought back to the morning when Lizzie had come over to give him her present.
"That was her gift to you, the one you didn't open," Sebastian said, Grell yawning in the background.
"How foolish, she didn't have to," Ciel said. The sound of a string being drawn brought the group to alert. Elizabeth's body reacted. Her hand jerked up.
"Then why... did she?" The same puppeteer's voice came back. Elizabeth's eyes widened in surprise as she was lifted in the hair before a sadness settled over them. "Why is her body movie without her control." The demon and reaper searched for the source of the voice. "Why?" An axe flew through the air and the young noble caught it. "Why is she going to hurt the one person she loves most in the world?" A look of realisation washed over the young girls face as she realised what she was about to be forced to do.
"Whats happening to her!" Ciel asked. The young girl was raised up and she swung the axe.
"NOOOOO!" Sebastian lept forward grabbing his master before pulling Ciel back. The axe landed in the ground as Sebastian moved them to the wall.
"I figured you would do that." Sebastian looked up to notice Yuri's body glued to the wall as she struggled to escape. The doll strings so thin they began to leave cuts on her wrists and ankles. Without being able to let up, Elizabeth swung the axe again, screaming for someone to stop her.
"Look sharp, Grell," The Butler said. "Can't you see whats happening?" Grell, who was trimming her nails, looked completely bored.
"I suppose so," she said. "But I would hate to chip one of my blades, so..." Sebastian caught the axe before it could hit them. Sebastian stuck a grin on his face and turned to the reaper.
"Would you please help us, Grell?"
"Oh bassie," Grell said, suddenly showing interest. "How can I deny you. When we kiss," She said, shyly. "Can there be just a little tongue?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about, but I can, in fact, tie a cherry stalk with my tongue," The butler said, looking to Yuri as she stopped fighting. She gave her signature eye-roll with a soft smile look. She struggled some more but Sebastian shook his head, reassuring her that he's got this. Grell blushed before screaming, pouncing on Elizabeth.
"I cannot allow a little girl like you wield a better blade than I do," Grell said, a sinister smirk on her face. "Unforgivable."
"No, Grell, stop!" Ciel shouted. Grell swung twice and both Lizzie and Yuri fell to the ground. Lizzie landed face first, while Yuri slid down the wall closest to the group, her head low. Ciel fell to his knees between the two. "Are they alright? What happened?" Sebastian felt for the strings before pulling a thin one from Elizabeth's dress.
"A puppet string." Ciel gasped.
"Only a death scythe could cut it with such ease," Grell boasted. Sebastian bent down in front of Yuri, lifting the girl's head. She slowly opened her eyes. Sebastian once again wrapped her in his jacket. "Sebastian, aren't I amazing? Tell me how good I am."
"Are you alright?" Sebastian asked. Yuri gave a small nod, curling into the jacket. Sebastian gave her a soft smile before standing up and facing the reaper. "Well done. Perhaps you should run with scissors more often."
"Uh! I am just flattered to death."
"Now let's see, where does this string lead to?" Sebastian wondered, looking up. He noticed the figure at the roof.
"So then, I began thinking to myself," the man used his strings to tie up the three men. "I have two more dolls at my disposal, what material should I use this time."
"Indeed. And of what materials are you made?" Sebastian asked.
"Me? Uh, I don't know," he said. "What am I made out of." The relaxation swept back over Sebastian's face, leaving a smirk on his face.
"Well, I'm not sure, but whatever materials were used don't seem to be of the highest quality," He said.
"Oh my, and then I thought to myself, I have always believed I was human," the 'man' said. "But, lately, I often find termites crawling out of my ears, isn't that strange?" Sebastian gaze hardened as he kicked up the axe before sending it flying, hitting the 'mans' neck and knocking him down. The strings loosened and they broke free. Sebastian caught the axe just in time to prevent it from hitting anyone. "Now, Grell."
"Oh, bassie! We'll work together as one!" Grell swooned. "United together in love-" Sebastian used the reaper's head as a stepping stool to push himself up to reach the 'man'.
"You are utterly lacking in style! You are no butler!" Sebastian swung down the axe, hitting the 'man' on the head. He landed down on Grell as Ciel watched, Lizzie lying on his lap and Yuri beside him. Sebastian landed down with grace. "I'd never lose to someone so hopelessly inferior. Grell began to inch closer to the demon.
"Thats my-" Grell was cut off by a pipe being thrown at her face and a dark glare from Yuri.
"Back. Off." The reaper was about to laugh but stopped upon seeing the girl's face. Sebastian let out a fond chuckle before everyone's attention moved back to the doll.
"So he was just another doll then," Ciel said.
"His name was Drossel Keinz," Grell said, suddenly serious. "His soul was collect five years ago but we still detected signs of his existence."
"He must have been fitted with a translucent soul by somebody," Sebastian said.
"A demon maybe?" Yuri said, standing up and using Sebastian's arm as a support. "Or, his master?" There was silence.
"Ciel?" The boy looked down to the now conscious Elizabeth. She has a soft smile on her face.
"You're awake! Let's get you home," Ciel said.
"I want to give you a real birthday party," The girl said. "Can I?" Ciel's eyes widened before his gaze hardened, and then he finally relaxed.
"Okay, we'll have a party," Cuel said. Elizabeth's smile was so soft that she looked as if she was about to cry. She closed her eyes and the porcelain gleam off her skin disappeared. Yuri gave a soft smile at how cute the two were. 'Young love, how annoyingly adorable.'
'I wouldn't say annoyingly so, you're still young, aren't you?' Yuri whipped her head up so fast she wincest. Sebastian winked before putting a finger to his lips.
'How long have you been able to read my mind?'
'Not long. Since the frost fair.' Yuri gave a small nod before wincing again. 'Does everything hurt?'
'Everything is more... numb.'
'I'll get you home-'
'Let's not forget about Ciel.' Sebastian was surprised how her mind always seems to revolve around the boy.
'If I didn't know any better, I'd believe you were in love with the boy.'
'Not in-love, but I do care for him. Like a sister, or a mother. You do too, you just won't admit it.'
'I-'
'You can't spend over two years working to protect this boy and not have developed a certain level of caring for him. That much I'm sure of.' With that, Yuri moved over to the pair carefully.
"You can rest easy now Lizzie, it's all over."
"It appears that it's not," Sebastian said. Yuri slowly took the girl form Ciel laps as he looked down over at the doll as it began to get up and move.
"So then, I thought to myself," He said. With every movement, you could hear the wooden joints jerk. " I still have a task. I must report to my master."
"Whats wrong with this loon!" Grell said. "He's all torn up and he still wants to serve his master?"
"Perhaps I judged him too hastily," Sebastian said. "He may be, one hell of a butler." The doll opened the two large double doors.
"master... it's me," he said, opening the doors. He fell down, eyes rolling back as the light disappeared with the creak of the doors. The trio ran in, while Yuri followed behind, Elizabeth on her back. She set the girl down and moved up behind the trio. Pluto lay in front of the chair that was facing towards the windows. Ciel gasped at the scene.
"Why is he here?" Ciel asked aloud. He let out a soft growl before liking the man's hands. "And why... is he so friendly?" Ciel scowled as the man spoke.
"I'm terribly sorry," he said. "My butler incompetence prevents me from offering you hospitality."
"You're the one behind this? Why would you want to turn little girls into dolls?" Ciel asked.
"Perfection is so difficult to attain. And when is it achieved, it is fleeting. Doll making is noble work, it preserves that which is most beautiful in this world. A doll is a perfect little person, forever frozen in time," he said.
"I have to disagree," Grell chimed in. "Those little brats of yours were anything but lovely-"
"Why are you after me? You won't win," Ciel said, taking th second ring off his finger, while Grell fumed behind him for being cut off. "I'm no one's doll, and I will never be apart of your collection. Here's your ring!" Ciel threw the ring at the back of the chair.
"You should learn your place, boy."
"What?"
"My butler's head was filled with straw so I doubt he had the intelect to know why I wanted you," The man said. "Ciel Phantomhive. The manor of your death had been fated since the day of your birth."
"And why did you take Yuru if not to make her into a doll!" Ciel shouted.
"Ciel, You might not-" Yuri began but was cut off.
"She is a beauty. Given to us by the angels themselves. They offered her to us to cleanse us of our sins. Our beautiful Lily."
"Stop." All three looked at the girl who's gaze was on the floor.
"She will be our saving grace. She will purge the unwanted, the unnecessary, the unclean! She will clean out these people and she will save the believers."
"Stop!"
"That body you wear, Ciel, is unclean." Ciel's eyes widened. He remembered the time he was kidnapped.
"But how... how could you know about that."
"I cannot allow someone like you to live in this world. Your existence is a desecration. Unclean. Unnecessary. Unwanted. That is why I intend to erase you."
"What?"
"Snuff him out," the voice said as the chair vibrated. "He is unclean. Unnecessary. Unwanted. End him. End him. "Yuri pushed past the group and ran to the front of the chair. Horror took over her face as she took steps back. They followed behind up, running up to the chair.
"its a puppet." Yuri placed a hand over her mouth as she coughed violently, her knees growing weak. Sebastian held onto her, rubbing her back as blood dripped from her hand. On the large doll's lap sat a tiny wooden puppet. It ran away, laughing like a mad thing. Sebastian gripped onto Yuri's waist until the coughing subsided and her heart rate slowed down. She had been pushed past her physical and mental limits.
"Sebastian, go catch that thing!" Ciel said.
"The person pulling the strings elsewhere, my lord," Sebastian said. "It would do us any good to play chase." Grell trembled from behind Sebastian. "Now I see. There were hidden strings woven throughout the entire room." The very thin strings glowed in the moonlight. "How very unpleasant." Ciel moved his gaze down to the ring, a look of concern on his face.
~o/0\o~
"Bassie!" Grell cried, jumping in the air. Sebastian had Elizabeth in his arms, while Yuri, in Sebastian's coat, stood behind Ciel. "its time for our kiss!" The reaper puckered her lips but Sebastian ducked, resulting int he reaper landing roughly on the ground a few meters away.
"Well, young master, what now?" He turned to Yuri, who was struggling to stay awake. "Would you like me to avenge Khun for you?" Grell laughed nervously.
"On second thought, the kiss can wait till next time," she said, taking off. "Bye-bye, Bassie!" She said, disappearing.
"Wait, Grell-"
"No, drop it," Yuri said softly. "We have more important matters, right Ciel?" She said, a fond gaze on the young girl in front of him. Ciel nodded, placing a hand on the girl's cheek.
"Elizabeth's here. I don't want her to see any more bloodshed." She smiled softly in her sleep as if knowing they were talking about her.
~o/0\o~
By candlelight, Abberline studied the files in front of him. He inspected Ciel Phantomhive's file. From his childhood to his disappearance.
"Look at that. It's little Lord Phantomhive's birthday today," he said, smiling softly.
"Somehow, I doubt he's celebrating the occasion," Sir Arthur said, stepping into the room.
"I'm sorry, Sir Arthur, I was looking into the Hope Diamond and I became sidetracked," Abberline explained.
"It's not a bad idea to investigate him," Sir Arthur said.
"huh?"
"He gets special treatment. Including information, we, in the yard, can't obtain. He wags his tail for the Queen, marking all territory as his," Sir Arthur explain. "Queen's damn Guard Dog."
"Guard Dog?" Abberline asked but Sir Arthur left without answering. Abberline was silent for a moment before looking back down at Ciel's file. "Well, whatever this kid's secrets are, there can't be a child in the whole world who wouldn't want to celebrate his birthday.
~o/0\o~
In the snow-covered Phantomhove household, the group gathered together.
"happy birthday, Ciel!" Lizzie shouted. The three servants cheered as Yuri clapped lightly.
"Happy birthday to you, master!" The trio said. Paula stood behind Elizabeth smiling.
"This is fun, see!" The girl said and the trio, plus Tanaka, agreed with her. The snow fell in the night behind them.
"This is the best birthday party ever, hurray!" Sebastian served the cake, a traditional Christmas fruitcake.
"Master, shall I serve the pudding now?" Sebastian cut into the cake and handed a slice to both Ciel and Elizabeth.
"What a bother, you could've just cut it in the kitchen." None the less, Ciel accepted his plate and took the first bite, while Lizzie watched on, a large smile on her face. He paused his chewing before pulling out the second hope piece ring out of his mouth, confused. "Whats this?"
"Well, the season is almost upon us, so it's a traditional Christmas pudding," Sebastian explained. "Whoever's piece has the ring is it is destined to have happiness throughout the new year. It seems you've found the ring, master-" Elizabeth practically glowed beside Sebastion. She cut him off with a squeal. She took Ciel's in both of her, happy tears in her eyes.
"Did you hear that? You can finally be happy again!" She said. "I'm so glad."
"I don't think-"
"Paula! The bells!"
"Yes, right away," The maid said before pulling out the bells and shaking them. "jingle jingle jingle, jingle jingle!" 'Perhaps I should get bells?'
'Don't you dare.' The two exchanged a soft expression. The other servants moved in excitement as Elizabeth radiated happiness. Ciel tried and failed to conceal his blush.
"How ridiculous."
~o/0\o~
"Yuri?" The made turned to the sound of the sweet voice of Lady Elizabeth.
"Yes, your ladyship?"
"I wanted to thank you. For coming to my rescue. I fear my actions got you dragged up in something unpleasant for you," Elizabeth said. "I am truly sorry."
"My lady, please don't be sorry. I'm sorry I failed to protect you."
"I suppose that makes us even," Elizabeth said.
"I suppose it does, my lady." Yuri bowed. "I wish you well, my lady." Elizabeth smiled softly.
"And I wish that whatever it was that the man said gets put behind you, and you can move on, Yuri." Yuri doubted she would ever be able to move on but she smiled and bowed.
"Thank you, Lady Elizabeth."
~o/0\o~
In the carriage on her way home, Lady Elizabeth looked out the window.
"All I wanted was to see Ciel smile, I want him to be happy. Like he was before. Always." Paula was silent as Elizabeth closed her eyes. She smiled, reaching forward and holding the young girl's chin.
"You've such a good heart. Sleep well, my lady."
Back at the manor, Ciel studied the hope piece.
"I cast this ring away, yet here it is," he said as Sebastian served him his tea.
"Today's events aside, it's still a present that Lady Elizabeth went to great lengths to acquire. Besides, cursed ring or not, I will always protect you," Sebastian said, placing the teacup in front of the boy.
"As will I," Yuri said, from Ciel left side.
"Hmph." Ciel looked down. "What do we know about the mansion."
"Well, its been empty for some time. It's owner, the Earl of Mandalay, currently resides in a sanitarium," Sebastian explained.
"In all likely hood, he has nothing to do with this then," Ciel said.
"Yes, so it would seem."
"But still, that crest we saw..." Ciel thought aloud, the image of the crest on the floor in his mind.
"Is there something bothering you?"
"Nothing. I'm going to retire now. I'm tired," Ciel responded.
"Yes, as you wish, my lord."
"Yuri?" the girl turned her attention to the lord.
"Yes, Ciel?"
"When is your birthday?" The girl was silent for a moment, calculating.
"Six days." Both Butler and master looked at her with wide eyes. She let out a little laugh. "What? You never asked."
~o/0\o~
On a bridge in the city, the little puppet ran along the handrail.
"Snuff him out, he is unclean, unnecessary, unwanted. Snuff him out, he is unclean, unnecessary-" The doll was picked up by angelica. It rambled on until she squeezed it, breaking the doll.
"Snuff out the unnecessary, snuff out the unwanted. Snuff out the unclean." A sinister smirk spread on her face. She dropped the doll into the water and let it sink, walking away. "End him."
So, I looked it up and Grell is a trans woman so from now on I will be using her correct pronouns.
Also, I wanna do a speical for Yuri's birthday and a special for Christmas. Just wondering if you guys would be interested. Ik its still four months till Christmas but we all know me and my lack of being able to write on schedule.
Let me know what you think 3
Fairy OUT!