A/N:
Hey hey, guys!
Heres the new chapter. I went into a bit of writers block for this chapter so it may seem like a filler. Though, something important at the end so bear with me. I have a few ideas for the next few chapters to be a lot more captivating and thrilling. So I hope everyone enjoys this chapter enough. Please leave any comments or questions you have about this fanfic!
Thanks for reading,
Till next time!
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
This morning when I went out for my daily secret jogging, it was slightly chilly out. Though, apparently mother nature had other plans to ruin the day by sending heat waves in spite. My maid dress was practically drenched in sweat, it sounds gross and it is. All the windows were open to air out the manor, but it was still horrible. That is for both outside and inside, I had to keep fanning myself to cool down.
Where's some ice cream when you need it? I'm really craving some chocolate fudge brownie right now. A pool sounds great right now also. The nice cool water and floating on it in a relaxing manner. I almost forgot about the heat momentarily thinking about it till some hot air brushed against my face by the window I just passed. I breathe out a deep sigh, wishing fans were invented and not the paper type used with the hand.
I desperately wanted to use my clothes from Nina that I bought. Sadly, everyone here is bias against woman appearance. Trudging down the hall, I smile briefly at many of the passing servants. I could tell by their faces that they were also not enjoying the boiling weather. I have a great urge to spill water all over me to feel better. Perhaps, I could take a bath I wonder. Although, it might not feel the same as to what I was looking for.
I still had a lot of chores to do today. Since I don't take care of the boys so often, the head maid assigned me more chores. It only irritates me further to do so. I do not enjoy scrubbing the floors with wax I have come to realize begrudgingly. If only I could sneak out in my shorts and shirt, dress like a young boy; go to London for a bit. I'm pretty sure Tanaka would not let that happen though. For probably the one hundredth time today, I sigh loudly, and I happen to do so when walking past Racheal.
"A young lady does not sigh." Racheal critiques me, making my walk turn into a sudden stop.
I glare at her, not really in the mood for a lecture. "At this point, I could give two hoots about my sighing, my lady." I grumble out lowly.
She glares back in response, "Rina, you are at an age where you should be accustomed to manners around the higher class. Perhaps, I need to remind you again how you speak to one as such." Racheal threatens.
A tick mark makes it way up to my forehead and I could feel myself begin to shake. I'm such a hothead and she knew it, why is she picking a fight? "I am so terribly sorry, my lady. Maybe it is that your ears are not well accustomed to what people call, 'free will'?" I bicker back with an irritated frown.
If I thought she was pissed at me before, she was now if her reddened face had anything to say about it. "How dare you. You are just a servant, there is no need for an opinion." Racheal shouts out.
I gasp in shock from her claim, "How dare me? How dare you! I am a person who can say what they when they want." I shout back becoming even angrier due to her claim. But before I could continue, someone interrupts me behind Racheal.
"What is going on here?" Vincent's stern voice cut the tension in the air between Racheal and I like butter.
I tense and I notice Racheal does also, "It is nothing, Vincent. Just some woman squabble is all, isn't that right, Rina?" Racheal explains to Vincent, directing the last bit of her sentence at me with a perfect fake smile.
I gulp nervously and nod in agreement, "Erm, yes. It must have been the heat today. My apologies my lord and lady." I curtsey to them each and scurry away from them.
That was the most ridiculous argument I have ever had with her. It has been a while since we last had a squabble like such before. I used to argue with her a lot more in my teenage years. She officially put me into a shitty mood for the rest of the day though. The weather certainly was not helping the least. I finish up my chores for the day which did not improve my mood whatsoever.
Maybe food could make me feel better? Chocolate was a miracle worker after all. Debating on that option, I already find my feet caring me to the kitchen. I hear laughter nearby and glance out a window I pass to find Ciel in the yard playing with Sebastian. Smiling at the scene, I make a quick detour and head towards the doors that lead to the backyard.
Opening them, I walk out from the porch and down the stairs. Ciel didn't notice me yet and neither did the dog. I whistle loudly and that caught both of their attention. Sebastian charges at me, quickly forgetting Ciel. He tries to jump on me, but I hold him down somehow with a squeal.
"Sebastian! Calm down, boy." I command in amusement.
Ciel runs up to me, covered in sweat. "Hello, sis!" he cheers in greeting with a big grin.
He was panting slightly from playing outside, I assume. The warm weather out here was just as bad as the inside and I felt even worse. "Ciel, you're crazy for being out here." I comment, patting Sebastian's head calmingly.
Ciel chuckles in response, rubbing the back of his head. "Heh, yeah. It's really warm."
"You look like you wouldn't mind a bath," I recommend because of all the sweat and dirt he was covered in from playing. "Wait, don't you have lessons around this time?" I ask in confusion.
He smiles again, "Our teacher is an older woman. She couldn't make it due to the heat being too much for her."
I nod in understanding, "Well, lucky you, huh kiddo?"
He hums back in agreement, "Can you give me a bath?" he asks, looking a bit hopeful.
"Sure thing, smelly." I tease and pick him up.
He gasps in surprise and I laugh at him, "I can walk you know, sis." Ciel comments with a grumble.
I shake my head, "I know. But I miss holding you guys. Cutest little babies I have ever seen." I pout slightly.
He grumbles incoherent words and I swore I saw a blush appear on his face from my compliment. "You're cute too, sis." Ciel smiles bashfully.
I blink in surprise and laugh in response, "Thanks, kiddo."
I call for Sebastian to follow us back into the manor. The heat was really making me feel sick out here and I'm not sure how Ciel could withstand it. My arms were getting tired from holding him, but I felt determined to do so. I forget they keep getting bigger and not in the height sense. I carry him up the stairs and Sebastian left us to wander somewhere else. Up to his bedroom, I set him down in front of the door that leads in.
Opening the door, I usher him in. "I'm going to go ask your brother if he needs a bath and grab the water. I'll be back soon."
He nods in response and I shut his door. Approaching Fenians door, I knock on it, hoping he was in there. I do not receive a response and I open it anyways to make sure he wasn't asleep. I do not find him in his room sadly and I leave quickly after. Now I had to search everywhere for him whilst getting more water.
0-0-0-0-0-0
I ask passing servants if they have seen Fenian anywhere. Most of them respond with negatives and it was slowly beginning to irritate me. I swear to God if that child is out in this weather; I will punish him so help me. Grumbling out a stream of curses, I continue my search for the little boy. I ask another servant passing by and they said Fenian was in Vincent's study.
I breathe a sigh of relief and make my way down the hall to the room. I softly knock on the door once I arrive and wait for permission to enter.
"Yes?" I hear Vincent call on the other side.
Opening the door, I stroll in, still feeling a little embarrassed from the fight with Racheal earlier. Remembering the incident makes my blood boil a little. I care about Racheal, but sometimes she really grates on my nerves. I don't even know how to describe our relationship. She was much more kind when I was a child.
"Sis!" Fenian calls my name in greeting with a smile.
Pulling myself out of my thoughts, I greet him with a smile also. "There you are, sport. Been looking for you."
I direct my gaze over to Vincent who was staring blankly at us. He seemed to be in deep thought about something. "Good afternoon, Vincent." I greet him.
He smiles kindly in response, noticing I was speaking to him. "Yes, indeed." he replies calmly.
Fenian stumbles over to me and tugs on my dress skirt, "What do you need me for?" he asks, wonder filling his pretty blue eyes.
I chuckle and pick him up into my arms with a huff. Ciel was a bit heavier than Fenian I notice, perhaps Fenian should eat a bit more? I think aimlessly. He let out a surprised gasp and grinned at me in excitement. "I was wondering if you would like to bathe with your brother." I tell him, knowing full well he would accept.
He nods quickly, "Yes! I want to!"
I laugh and turn to face Vincent, "If you don't mind, I'll be stealing Fenian for the time being."
He chuckles and waves his hand at us in a shooing motion, "I am quite busy now. It would be welcomed. I will see you later, Fenian."
Fenian tosses a tiny small at his father and I walk out the door with him in my arms. He wraps his arms around my neck, looking behind me. "It's pretty hot out, isn't it?" I make small conversation.
I turn towards the laundry room where I could get some water for the bath. Setting him down gently, I grab a bucket and fill it with warmed water that was being heated by the mini-boiler. I wonder how long till regular plumbing comes.
"It is. I think this is one of the times I don't mind being inside." Fenian admits, walking over to the window to peer outside.
I nod, "That is true. It's disgustingly humid." Once the first bucket was filled, I grab another empty one and do the same to it. "A popsicle sounds nice right now." I think out loud, I want a bomb-pop to more exact.
Fenian turns to look back at me and backs away from the window, "Popsicle? What's that? That's a weird word." he asks curiously.
Shaking my head in amusement, his words held some truth. "It's a type of food, sadly there's none around here. It cools you down though." I explain, wanting one even more now. I really need to back away from sweets, good thing I exercise, or I would've gained weight at some point.
"I want one now." he pouts cutely at me.
Oh God, he knows how much that face affects me. I want to give in desperately, "Damnit, brat. You know how I feel about the pouty face." I frown, watching it increase with every word. I stop the water before it overflows, "If I had magic, then I'd make every single food appear and I'd be comatose."
He laughs in response, "You'd look funny fat." he comments while pointing at my stomach.
I smirk and pat my stomach, "You think? I'd be a comfy pillow though." I joke and pick up both the water buckets.
I begin to trudge out of the room and Fenian follows behind with his hands clasped behind his back. He giggles at my jest and shakes his head, "You are perfect the way you are, Rina!"
I feel my eyes widen in shock, but I smile slightly in response. "One thing you should know kiddo is that nobody is perfect." I advise as we come up to the staircase in the main foyer.
He taps his finger on his chin in thought, "Why not?"
"Well," I begin with a huff, feeling the strain of the buckets on my arms. "People just can't be. It goes against everything in life. If someone were to be perfect, that means they never learn anything new. A perfect person just does not exist."
He frowns and we made it all the way up the stairs. "Even if they practice?" he asks as we turn in the direction of Ciel's bedroom.
"Even if they do, occasionally people mess up. It's part of what makes us human I suppose." I explain in deep thought.
He went silent after that, appearing to be finished with his curiosity. I come to a stop at Ciel's door and Fenian opens it for me. I walk in behind him and found Ciel reading a book on his bed. He looks up at arrival whilst giving us both a smile.
"Ready?" I ask them both, tugging the buckets with me into the bathroom. I dump the warm water into the tub. I walk out quickly after and let them go undress in the bathroom. They call out when they were ready, and I make my way back inside. The bath mainly consisted of all of us beginning a water fight and I was partially soaked by the time the water got very cold.
I lift them out and dry them off quickly. I comb out their hair with brushes and ruffle them slightly. "I think you guys need a haircut soon." I comment mindlessly, running my fingers through Ciel's hair.
They don't reply and I shake my head at them. I let Ciel pick out an outfit and Fenian went back to his room to grab his own. Fenian meets us back in Ciel's room, holding an outfit in hand. I was in the middle of tying the bow on Ciel's shirt. All in all, it only took fifteen minutes to get them dressed.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
The night cooled me down tremendously and the air bites my cheeks. The boys were tucked in bed already and everything went calmly for the rest of the day. Vincent has called me to his study not long ago, so I was on my way there. I let out a small yawn, wanting more than anything to dive into my warm blankets and sleep without a care.
I knock on the door to his study and he calls my name. When I walked in, he was facing his window, staring at the nightlife.
"Did you need me for something, Vincent?" I ask curiously and sit down in one of the chairs by his desk.
He chuckles slightly, "I've been thinking, Rina." he starts and turns around to face me afterward. He had a small frown printed on his lips, and he appeared quite serious.
I stiffen at the expression and become less relaxed. "What is it?" I ask, leaning forward a bit.
"You may not like what I'm about to say, but it is only a suggestion. So please, bear with me." Vincent suggests, clasping his hands together on his desk. My leg starts shaking from nerves unconsciously and I nod for him to continue. "How do you feel about leaving the manor?" he asks calmly, no emotion detectable in his eyes.
My own widen in surprise, "What-What do you mean?" I stutter from shock.
He sighs heavily, "I know that you have been here for a while. Not that I don't appreciate it and we all love you here. It's just I thought that you might enjoy some free time for yourself. To live your own life, you are still so young, Rina."
Still stunned by his question and explanation, my brow furrows in confusion. "But you know I don't mind it. I'm not sure if I could live alone out there by myself. I'll miss everyone so much, just thinking about it makes my heart shake."
He smiles warmly in response, "I know. It was only an offer and I want you to know you have the option. I wish for you to be happy, truly."
His words touch me in the most loving way, it almost brought tears to my eyes. I feel a wobbly smile settle on my lips, "Thank you, really. I understand what you mean."
He continues smiling at me, "There is one thing I need to inform you about."
Vincent becomes serious again and leans closer to me. "Yes?" I ask hesitantly, feeling very unsure of his request.
"As you know, I am the Queen's Watchdog and this manor is under constant threat. I feel as though in a couple of years or so, a huge threat will target my family. If you choose to stay, I would like you to partake in fighting lessons. Not only for yourself, but for the boys also. I need someone to protect them at all costs." he requests and explains, the matter definitely weighing heavily in the air around us.
I stand up abruptly, "Vincent, you already know I would protect those kids with all my being. They're like my brothers. I will gladly take up lessons!" I shout in reverence.
I couldn't deny that I felt a little excited to learn. I love to exercise more than anything, it always gets rid of my stress. Vincent smirks at my enthusiasm, "I am glad to hear that, Rina." he comments, but his expression soon turns serious again. "There is one thing you must accept to go through with this though."
Curious, my eyebrows raise in question, "What is it?"
If I thought his expression was serious, it now turned ominous and it gave me the chills slightly. It was a dark look, one that made me cautious. I have only seen that expression a couple of times while living here and it was never good.
He stands up also and comes toward me, keeping contact with my eyes all the while. "You must kill someone, to prove you can do this. They need someone who can protect them, but also kill if the need is required."
I froze in stunned silence, not expecting that answer. Then again, it was only logical, right? If I had to protect someone, that includes all the factors. Could I really kill someone though? What would everyone think of me? I felt like I was going to be sick if I continued these thoughts.
"Um, I-I can try-" I stutter out anxiously, but he interrupts me briefly.
Vincent puts a hand on my shoulder, giving it a comforting squeeze. "Rina, that is why I gave you an option. I will allow some time for you to think this through, as this is not an easy task. Be honest with me when you decide."
I nod meekly, still unsure of what to do or say about the matter. "Thanks, goodnight." I curtsey in farewell for the night and he lets go of my shoulder. He responds with his own goodbye and I close his study door quietly. Pressing my back against it, I feel a little lost on what to do. This was not a simple task like he said. No shit, I'm not sure how to digest this information. I walk back to my room for the night and I barely got any sleep for the next day.
