chapter 16

The days following their Masters return, Lily became visibly tense and near frequently on edge than she had been prior to. Whenever she was alone, or at least believed she was, she would watch the grounds from the nearest window, or if outside would make habitual scans of the perimeter of the manor.

She was walking around the perimeter of the manor, eyes locked on the surrounding woods when Jameson's boy rode over to her, slowing as he approached from behind.

"Miss Lily," he said, catching her off guard, having never heard him speak before. She turned to face him, eyebrows going up in surprise.

"Junior, my goodness…" She cleared her throat, "what is it? We weren't expecting a delivery at all today…"

"Pa and I got a letter from your family," he said, offering it to her. She slowly took it, brow creasing as she looked at it, the seal was broken. "Pa couldn't read it or tell who it was for, he can't read French or I-talian…"

"French you say… Why has it been opened, Junior?"

"I'm sorry Miss Lily, Pa opened it… Said it wasn't like the usual ones they send you, so he was worried,"

"I see… I would prefer that he refrain from opening any of my letters in future, please Junior, if he is concerned then bring it as soon as possible… My people do not appreciate strangers' eyes on our words…"

"Yes Miss Lily, I'm sorry…"

"It's done, thank you for bringing it to me so quickly," she said, opening it she took out the letter, walking on and away from him, reading.

"Darn Pa…" Junior muttered, before turning back on himself as he rode quickly off of the grounds.

Once she had read the letter, Lily ran into the manor, along the corridors where their masters study was. She knocked on the door, letter grasped firmly in her hands, crumpled slightly.

"Enter," he called out. Lily opened the door and walked over to the desk, standing about a foot or two in front of it. Sebastian stood behind their young master, brow raising slightly on seeing the housekeeper enter. Ciel raised his eyes from his work, also surprised on seeing Lily. "Lily, what is it?"

"I'm sorry to disturb you sir, but I must ask to be permitted to return to my family. I have received word today that my grandmother has been struck down with an illness, strong enough to cause concern amongst my people. I was the best at making the required eliquers, so have been asked to come back…"

"I'm sorry to hear that, but that is not how thing's work here. You have assigned days in which I expect you to be at work, and those where you are free to do as you wish. Exceptions cannot be made on whim." Lily's eyes widened, taken aback by how cold he was being. True, in the time she had known him he had hardly been one to be overtly warm, but he had lost family of his own. She thought that would have surely inserted some empathy into him at a time like this.

"My lord, I understand that, but unless I felt it was as serious as I do I assure you I would not ask this…"

"Nevertheless, you were informed of what was expected of you when you were brought to work here…"

"Yes, when you requested me to work for you, sir." She snapped, growing tired of this brat.

"I do not care for your tone, Lilith, I advise you to alter it before you next speak to me. Now," his attention went back to his papers, "please return to the tasks which have been assigned to you." Sebastian nodded to her, urging her to obey before looking at their masters work, keeping an eye out for any errors.

Lily clenched her jaw, a twisted smirk coming to her lips, trying to suppress the anger building in her. The boy didn't get it, and was refusing to, her grandmother never got sick like this. It was something of a trait that the women in her family carried. She would try once more, then she would do what she must.

"Is that your last word on the matter, sir?"

"It is."

"Very well," she said, nodding. She reached behind her, she began to undo her gown, hands working their way down. She lowered her uniform gown so as to step out of it, before folding it before walking over to his desk.

Sebastian looked up, having heard her move but not towards the door, his eyes widened from shock as the sight which greeted him. She dropped it down on their masters desk with a loud thud, earning his attention. She leaned forwards just as Ciel looked up, ready to scold her, only to fall silent on seeing his housekeeper; practically naked before him, bar her underskirt, stockings, garters and shoes. The way she leaned obscured most of her breasts from his line of sight, though her cleavage fully on show to him. He slowly looked up, seeing her smile eerily sweetly at him.

"If that is your decision, sir, then I simply cannot work for you any longer. I shall pack my things and make my way back home. I have enjoyed and appreciated my time here, sir, but my family comes before anything else. I wish you well and joy in your future, sir," she said, standing up straight, Sebastian quickly covered Ciel's eyes as Lily stood there, now completely exposed. She turned and walked across the office, opening the door and walking out before closing it behind her again.

She looked to the left, raising an eyebrow as she saw the other three servants standing there, frozen. She snorted slightly, before turning and walking towards hers and Mey-rin's room. She stopped as she heard a whistle, slowly looking over her shoulder she saw that Finny was covering his eyes, blushing wildly. Mey-rin was frantically trying to clog her bleeding nose, glasses seemingly cracked, where as Bard, he stood looking more pleased than the cat who got the cream.

"Damn…" He said softly, another light whistle confirming that he was the source. Lily paused for a moment, before letting out a light giggle, turning fully she walked back over to them, brushing Finny and Mey-rin aside as she focused in on the cook.

"I must say… To leave without saying a proper, fitting goodbye… How rude of me," her voice unusually light and sweet

"Er… Yeah… Yeah, it would be kinda rude, Lil,"

"Yes, especially to you, who've been so very kind to me," she said, her right hand tenderly stroking his hair, her left resting on his chest.

"I'm just… That kind of guy, Lil, you know that."

"Oh, I do, I truly do… You are one other thing," she said, giggling again, biting her bottom lip.

"And what's that?" He asked, letting himself enjoy the attention, hands floating to her waist.

"Well… It's two thing's… But they're both a secret, really,"

"Whisper it to me then," he said, his voice becoming husky. She leaned in, lips parted, near begging to be kissed, yet her head turned so they were next to his ear. Bard let out a shaking breath, closing his eyes as her breasts pressed against his chest. Neither seemed to notice that Sebastian had opened the door to their masters office, and was now watching the two, silently.

"Presumptuous" she whispered. Bard's eyes slowly opened, brow creased.

"Wha… What's the other one,"

"Oh," she said, her voice her normal one again, as she drew her head back, "forgetful, far too forgetful…" She continued, Bard looked at her confused.

"Lil, what…." It was now that she swiftly brought her knee up, coming into brunt contact with his genitals. He cried out in pain, before falling to the ground in a fetal position.

"Don't call me Lil," she said, eyebrow raised, smirking. She looked to the butler, blinking slowly. She wasn't sure why, but his silence in there had cut her deep, like he'd betrayed her. She hadn't wanted to see him again before she left, knowing that her eyes would most likely show this; betrayal mixed with a hurt she didn't yet understand. She turned back the way she had before Bard had whistled, flipping her hair over her shoulder, before walking on, head held high.

Authors notes: hey didn't get any answers about what people prefer less chapters but longer chapters or more chapters and shorter chapters please can anyone who reads this please leave a comment what you prefer just so we know what people like but other then that thank you for reading this story and i hope everyone likes what is written :)