That night after Walter was taken home, Lily and Sebastian rode to the manor. The entire trip, no one had said a word.

Once inside, Sebastian took Lily's coat while Lily went upstairs to her bedroom. A little later, Sebastian knocked on her door. Lily told him to enter.

Lily was sitting up in bed, writing. She looked up at the butler. "My lady, don't you want to have dinner? I will tell Baldroy to make a meal," Sebastian said.

"No," the young lady replied. "I am not hungry."

"Forgive me, mistress, but I strongly suggest you consume at least a little food. You need to keep up your strength."

"I said no!"

Sebastian looked surprised, and an expression of guilt immediately crossed Lily's face. "I'm so sorry, Sebastian. Please accept my apology."

"It is I who should apologize to you," the butler said, bowing. "I shouldn't have been so persistent."

Lily got up and walked toward him. She hugged him. Sebastian simply stood there. "Really, my lady, this is inappropriate, yet you keep doing this."

"Why do you care one way or the other? All you care about is eating my soul."

Sebastian was quiet. Finally, he spoke. "Yes, that is correct."

"Frankly, I don't care. When I need comfort, I will ask for it, though you feel nothing but hunger."

"And I will follow your orders. That is part of the contract." He bowed. "I will serve you until the end, Lady Lillith."

Lily nodded and once again lied down in her bed.

"Shall I again stay with you until you fall asleep?"

"No, you don't have to."

"Very well." Sebastian blew out the candle by her bed and left the room.

If only I had found out where my parents are. If only I could ask them why they left, why they abandoned me. I will die, and my soul will be in a constant state of unrest.

No. I must find out. But it's too late now.

I'd give anything to find them…

Even my soul.

The next morning, Lily woke up at the sound of the door knocking. "My lady, it is time to wake up. Breakfast is ready," she heard Sebastian's voice say.

Lily got dressed, then left the room. The butler was standing in the hall. "Good morning, my lady," he said.

"Good morning."

Lily went to the dining room and sat in her chair. The food was already there.

Baldroy came in. "Mornin', my lady. I hope you enjoy it."

Lily looked at her plate. "Is this some kind of joke?"

"Huh?"

"You served me rotten food! I can forgive your usual muck-ups, but this is unacceptable! There is also mice feces in the food! Haven't you all caught the mouse yet?!"

Mey-Rin and Finny came in. "What's wrong?" they asked.

Baldroy looked confused. "The food looks fine to me."

"Well, it's not, and I don't find your joke funny! Go find the mouse! Sebastian!"

Sebastian walked in. "Yes, my lady?"

"Fix me a meal! These three are going to find the pesky mouse!"

Finny and Mey-Rin also looked confused. Finny said, "Lady Lillith, we're sorry. We've tried finding it."

"We haven't seen a trace of it," said Mey-Rin.

"Keep looking. It's wreaking havoc in the manor."

The three servants looked at each other. "Yes, my lady," they said, and they rushed out of the room.

Sebastian came in from the kitchen with a tray of food. Lily nodded, satisfied. "Allow me to take these." He put the other food on the tray while putting the new food in front of her.

Lily looked annoyed. "Hopefully, Baldroy won't do that again."

"It was all a failed jest. I'm sure he won't do it again."

"I hope not."

Lily ate, quietly. Sebastian began telling her what her schedule for the day was. The young lady didn't acknowledge him.

"My lady, you are very quiet this morning."

"I have a lot on my mind."

"Do you wish to talk to discuss it?"

"It doesn't matter." She finished her food. "When I have time, I want to do some research."

"On what?"

"Where my parents could have gone."

"If you wish."

"That is part of the contract. I want to solve this as soon as possible. If I don't find them before my life ends, it will be too late."

Sebastian bowed. "I understand. I will aid you. You have nothing to do this evening, so we will continue the search then."

That evening, Lily and Sebastian looked over documents that belonged to her parents. Suddenly, Lily put down some papers and said, "The Undertaker knew who my parents were. Perhaps he knows more." She left the room and walked to the front door. Sebastian helped her put her coat on. Then, they left.

They arrived at the Undertaker's. "Undertaker, I need to speak with you," Lily said as soon as they entered.

"Good to see you again, Lady Lillith," he said, coming out of a coffin.

"You know my parents. Do you know where they could have gone?"
"My, my, you get straight to the point, don't you? Well, you won't get any information until you make me laugh."

"I do not know many jokes," Lily said, then looked at Sebastian.

"Allow me, my lady. Please step outside."

Lily went outside, and a minute later, she heard the Undertaker laugh loudly and wildly. Soon, Sebastian opened the door and said, "You may come back in."

Lily entered the building and saw that the Undertaker had a wide grin on his face. "Now, tell me what I want to know," Lily insisted.

"Your butler is a comedic genius. Alright, I will tell you. Ask away."

"First of all, do you know where my parents have gone."

"No."

"Okay. Do you know where they could have gone, anyone they interacted with before they disappeared?"

"I remember that they came here to see a customer. I believe it was a family member, yes, your father's brother."

"My uncle Benjamin died more than a year ago."

"Yes, I remember his name now. Benjamin Athelward. He had a gunshot wound in his chest."

"A gunshot wound?" Lily asked, surprised.

"Indeed. So there were two possibilities: he either offed himself-"

"Or was murdered. That is a ghastly thought."

Sebastian said, "Mistress, perhaps your uncle's death is connected with your parents' disappearance."

"It is possible. Thank you for your help, Undertaker."

"Anytime, as long as you have a good joke."

"Your aunt's home is a day's trip. We should prepare," Sebastian said on the ride home.

"You're right. I don't mind because I at least have a possible lead."

They arrived at the manor, and Lily told the other servants where she was going and to take care of the house while they were gone. They dutifully promised to do that.

Lily went to her bedroom and began packing. Sebastian stood in the doorway and said, "My lady, it would be wise to wait and prepare in the morning."

"Very well," she said, and went to bed. However, she barely slept that night.