Chapter 10

One evening, once their Master had gone to his bed chambers for the night, three of the five servants sat together in the kitchen, with Sebastian tending to their Masters last needs of the day, and Tanaka having called it a night not long after their Master had, Lily having taken to finishing his tasks after a certain hour.

Finny, Mey-Rin and Baldroy sat around the wooden table in the centre of the room, Lily lounged on her side upon the counter, a small worn book open in front of her. Her lips moved slowly as her eyes went over the words, narrowing slightly. Mey-Rin let out a large sigh, shaking her head.

"What is it dear?" Lily asked, eyes never leaving her book, turning a page. The maid looked to her, hanging her head.

"Miss Elizabeth is coming in two days, I just don't know if two days is enough time to prepare."

"I'm sure if we follow Sebastian's words it will be more than enough… Ca… Caaa…" She slammed the book in a huff, "useless and pointless…" She cleared her throat, looking up. "She is the young Masters cousin, yes? So, does that mean Madam Red will be joining us?"

"No, wrong side of the family, Lily," Baldroy said, shaking his head, "if anything her maid, Paula, will come with her, though sometimes she gets here on her own."

"A headstrong girl? I like the sound of her already…" She said, looking to the door as it opened, Sebastian walking in. "Evening Seb,"

"Lilith," he said in greeting, looking to the other three, "I am to assume that everything is clean and away then, going by how relaxed all of you are."

"Of course they are Seb, give us some credit will you, honestly…" Lily said, shaking her head. Sebastian smirked, stepping into the room, going through to the pantry, the four watching him. He turned on his heels, the three at the table turning away quickly. Lily had opened her book, though was still watching him. He carried a large item, wrapped in brown paper, bound with string. He raised an eyebrow at her, going the long way around the table, as he got closer she slowly closed the book, sliding it under herself, tilting her head at him. The two stared at each other for a moment, before Sebastian made his way to the kitchen entrance.

"Lilith, would you mind ensuring the doors and windows are all secured?" He asked over his shoulder. She nodded, sliding so she was seated before slipping down onto her feet.

"Of course Seb," she said, as he carried on, leaving the kitchen.

"Well… I think I'm going to call it a night," Baldroy said, rising to his feet.

"Me too, have to rest up to work well tomorrow!" Finny added, doing the same.

"Right you are, can't let ourselves get tired, no we can't!" Mey-Rin said. Lily sighed, shaking her head, preparing and lighting a candle on its holder.

"I will see you in our room later Mey-Rin, goodnight boys."

"Night Lily." The two said, she nodded to them before making her way into the corridor, beginning her task.

Lily was almost finished with her inspection of the manor, the front windows and doors were all shut, locked and secured. She was making her way to those at the back of the manor. She passed a large window on the second floor corridor, when she spotted something, a shadow moving away from the manor. She took a couple of steps back, looking out, curious. She narrowed her eyes, brow creasing. It was Sebastian, still carrying something, now uncovered. Though she couldn't see what it was, it was clear it was something red. She thought for a moment, going over the contents of the pantry, though nothing came to mind. She decided to watch him, not minding or caring if he saw her.

He went into the surrounding woods for around twenty minutes, before he emerged once again. He made his way towards the manor, eyes going up to the one window upstairs which had light behind it. He smirked, nodding to Lily, though she crossed her arms tilting her head. He looked ahead, walking on. Lily shrugged it off slightly, carrying on with her task.

Once back inside, Sebastian made his way to the kitchen, seeing Lily there. He walked in, door squeaking slightly.

"Need a bit of oil there…" She said, inspecting the pantry, "still better that squeaking than mice or rats,"

"Have you spotted any?" He asked, staying in the doorway.

"Not yet, but the weather is heading towards that… Little buggers have patterns, easy catches though…"

"I see, I trust I can leave any rat issues we may have to you?" She nodded, turning to face him.

"Leaving food out won't help… Just bring em in closer…" The two stood in silence for a few moments, watching each other. She turned, securing the pantry. "I'm going to bed, I shall see you in the morning."

"You shall," he nodded, stepping to the side to give her space to pass.

"Good night Seb, sleep well," she said, standing before him, looking up at him, "no night time walks now, I just ensured we were all locked up safe…" She smirked, walking on.