2012 Wilma: I've been really busy with school and stuff so I haven't had time to update. Also, the computer was in the family room and i didn't really want anyone looking over my shoulder. My family already thinks I'm a complete nerd XD.
2022 Wilma: Wow, you talk a lot. You really were just writing fanfiction about anime bois in front of your whole family, weren't you?
2012 Wilma: ANYWAYS, my dad gave me a computer for my room (Thanks dad!) so I'll update much more frequently, hopefully on a weekly basis or once every two weeks. We'll see.
2022 Wilma: Dad is such a G, the computer was for school but I bet he noticed how much we were writing and wanted to support it. Anyway, we will now be updating with the improved chapters in order of when the story takes place, so 2-3 times a month.
Sebastian approached the door to Angeline's room, knocking softly on the wood. "Miss Redthorne?"
Angeline didn't answer.
The door opened and she heard something being placed on the bedside table. "I know you're awake, and you really should eat something Miss Redthorne."
Angeline didn't move, she only let out a sigh. "I'm not hungry." She stated simply.
Sebastian frowned. "In that case, the young master wishes to see you in his study. Do you need assistance dressing?" Sebastian asked.
Angeline shot up. "No!"
Sebastian chuckled with an amused smirk plastered on his face and left, closing the door behind him.
Angeline reluctantly got out of bed and opened the wardrobe. The wide array of dresses nauseated Angeline, who hated making decisions. Eventually she chose a dark blue one, not bothering with a corset, and found her way to Ciel's study. Standing at the front of the door, she knocked softly.
"Enter," Ciel mumbled from inside.
Angeline opened the door, stepping inside the large study.
Ciel looked up from his paperwork. "Well, don't you look lovely. please, sit." he said. "Sebastian, tell Mey-Rin to run a bath for Miss Redthorne. She's been missing for three weeks, I'm sure she could use it."
Angeline couldn't even be bothered to take offense. He was right, she certainly smelled like she'd been missing for three weeks.
"Yes, master." Sebastian said before exiting the study.
Ciel put down his pen. "Well, Miss Redthorne," he began.
"Please, call me Angeline," She interrupted.
"Very well, but I didn't bring you in here to chat. I'll be blunt, where were you in the three weeks you were missing? You disappeared immediately after the earthquake that destroyed your home and killed your parents and sister."
There was a long pause as Angeline considered her next words. If she told the truth, Ciel could send her to a pauper's madhouse and she had no one to come looking for her. "You won't believe me if I tell you."
"I assure you, Angeline, I have seen many strange things in my short life. You need not worry about how I perceive you."
Angeline's gaze flicked the the floor. "You'll send me to Bethlam."
Ciel sighed with frustration. Her fears were not unwarranted, she knew not of the supernatural that walked among the citizens of London as Ciel did, but this would certainly be easier if she was willing to be candid.
"I had a disturbing dream last night," Ciel said.
Angeline's brows knitted together, her confusion toward the change in subject clear. Ciel went on, describing the events of his dream to Angeline in as much detail as he could remember. When he was done, he threw a pointed look at Angeline. "Surely what you've been through isn't more unlikely than that."
Angeline was looking at Ciel inquisitively. "That is exactly what happened," She admitted.
"What happened after he carried you off? Before William retrieved you?" Ciel asked.
"Who's William?" Angeline asked.
She doesn't remember last night, Ciel realized. "Before you arrived here," He clarified.
There was a long pause as Angeline thought. "I don't remember."
Of course, nothing could go without some mystery. "That's alright," Ciel said. "What's important is that you're here now and we know of Ash's plans and whereabouts."
A knock sounded. "Enter," Ciel said.
Sebastian opened the door. "Angeline, your bath is ready," He said.
"Thank you, Sebastian," Angeline said.
The sound of his name in her gentle voice was refreshing and Sebastian gave her a smile. "You'll find it at the third room to your right."
Angeline nodded and excused herself from the study. It was true, Sebastian thought, Angeline was dirty enough to say say the least, but she looked lovely in Lizzie's old dress. He watched her leave the study, then turned to Ciel for further instruction.
"Take this and send it to the queen." Ciel instructed, holding the letter out to Sebastian.
"Yes, master." Sebastian replied, taking the letter. "May I?"
"You may as well."
Sebastian walked down the corridor, scanning the letter.
Your Majesty,
I must inform you that I have found Angeline Juliet Redthorne. While she was missing, she was not in hiding as would be expected. She had been kidnapped. I hate to alarm you so soon after your recovery, but the kidnapper was your angelic butler, Ash. he has returned to cleanse the earth once again. I need to know what you would like me to do with Miss Redthorne, she has yet to tell me how she escaped Ash's clutches.
Yours Truly,
Ciel Phantomhive.
"Ash has returned and he is after miss Redthorne," Sebastian mused to himself as he stuffed the letter into an envelope and sent it. "Well, that will not do. I won't stand for it, he should not soil her."
Meanwhile, Mey-Rin, who had been peaking around the corner at Sebastian, turned and walked away in a fit of jealousy. What's so special about her? I know you, Sebastian. I've worked with you for years and she's won you over in a matter of days, yes she has! It's not fair, no it's not!
Lizzie, who was expected at one-thirty, arrived at the estate fifteen minutes early.
"Ciel!" She shrieked, throwing herself at her fiancé.
Ciel grunted as Lizzie ran into him. "Hello, Lizzie," he said, his face reddening in the cheeks. "It's good to see you."
"Oh, I missed you so much!" She exclaimed, squeezing his cheeks. "You're always working, I never get to see you!"
Ciel sighed. "Yes, I am afraid there is much to do today," He said.
"That's not fair!" Lizzie exclaimed. "I came all the way here to see you!"
"I have a guest, Angeline," Ciel began. "She is surely very bored here. Would you and Paula mind terribly taking her shopping? I promise I will be done in time for dinner and dancing."
"Dancing?" Lizzie's voice went up an octave, excited.
Ciel despised dancing, but if it would make Lizzie happy he would endure it.
"You won't mind if I leave you here?" Lizzie asked.
"Not at all, I will see you tonight," Ciel confirmed.
"Alright," Lizzie agreed.
Sebastian knocked on the door, opening it at Ciel's command. "Angeline is here."
"Send her in," Ciel replied.
Angeline stepped into the room. "You look much better," Ciel commented. "Lizzie will spend the afternoon with you, if you don't mind."
"Not at all," Angeline said.
"It will be fun, Angeline!" Lizzie said. "I'm Elizabeth, by the way, it's nice to meet you! You can call me Lizzie."
Angeline smiled at the young girl who could not have been older than thirteen. At twenty-two, Angeline guessed she had to be more than five years older than Lizzie, a similar age difference she'd had with her older sister. A pang ripped through her chest, but she swallowed it down as she followed Lizzie to her carriage, Sebastian in tow at Ciel's request.
"Oh, that dress is just lovely!" Lizzie exclaimed, looking into the window of a shop. "I have so many already, but it would look amazing on you, Angeline!"
"It is certainly eye-catching," Angeline agreed.
"You must buy it! I'm sure you need new clothes at the manor," Lizzie said.
Angeline did not take her eyes off the dress. She had nothing but the clothes she arrived to the manor in and no funds for anything, especially new clothes. Used to decent wealth, Angeline was too embarrassed to admit how dismal her life had become.
"Oh, you think you forgot your money!" Lizzie said. "Sebastian remembered and brought it with us, don't worry! I'm sure it's enough for a few dresses."
My money? Angeline wondered. She had no money, but sure enough, Sebastian was holding a small satchel full of coin toward Angeline.
"Oh," Angeline said. "I would lose my own head if it weren't attached to my neck. Thank you, Sebastian."
Though this saved her from the embarrassment of her abysmal funds, she would have to inquire later about how Sebastian expected her to pay him back.
"Thank you for keeping my company, I get so bored when Ciel is busy!" Lizzie said when they returned from town, Lizzie and Angeline both holding bags of new clothes and Sebastian following behind with stacks of boxes.
"Of course, it was such a fun time!" Angeline replied. Lizzie bid Angeline goodbye before walking in the direction of her fiancé's study while Sebastian took Angeline's things to her room.
With nothing else to do, Angeline wandered through the halls of the exquisite mansion, taking in the craftsmanship of it. Eventually she stumbled upon the kitchen where Sebastian was preparing dinner.
"You didn't pay for my things with your own funds, did you?" Angeline asked.
"The Earl pays me a handsome salary along with the room and board, but I have no need for so much coin. The excess is useful in situations like this," Sebastian replied easily as he chopped vegetables on a wooden board.
"Situations like this?" Angeline asked. "How many kidnapped girls do you house here?" She joked.
Sebastian cracked a subtle smile. "You would be the first."
"I'll pay you back somehow," Angeline assured him.
"No need," he insisted. "Like I said, I have no use for the excess wages. You have been through enough, the least I can do is make life easier for you where I can."
"At the very least, can I help you in here?" Angeline asked.
"Angeline, you are our guest," Sebastian sighed.
"I'd like to help, please."
It took a moment, but Sebastian reluctantly agreed. He set up Angeline at a station to peel potatoes and she happily worked in silence alongside the butler, though she was unsure if she was completing her task correctly. She had never tried to cook before. She was about halfway through the job when one of the potatoes slipped out of her hands and the peeling knife nicked her palm. "Ouch," She murmured.
Sebastian, who had been across the kitchen, was beside Angeline before she could blink. He caught the dropped potato before it hit the ground and put it on the chopping board, then took her hand so he could inspect the damage.
"How did you move so fast?" Angeline asked while Sebastian tended to her cut.
His gaze flicked to her face for only a moment before he continued dressing her wound. "I am simply one Hell of a butler," he said.
Helpful, Angeline thought sarcastically. Sebastian sent her off to ready herself to eat with Ciel and Lizzie.
As she left, Angeline looked back at Sebastian as he worked. Something's odd about that butler...