Chapter 3
The next morning, I wake up to Molly shaking me gently, "Miss Emma, you must get up... Lord Phantomhive wants to see you in his study..."She seems rather.. panicked? Anxious? Something along those lines. Nothing unusual, but why do bloody early? I yawn and rub my eyes, "What for? It can't be any later than four in the morning... what couldn't wait for morning?" I frown.
She looks at me with sad eyes and hands me my robe. Memories of the previous night flood into my mind and, suddenly awake, I snatch the robe almost rudely, causing Molly to flinch, throwing it over my shoulders and following her out of the room as I tie it shut. We rush to Lord Phantomhives study where Sebastian lets us in and Ciel is standing, in his own night clothes, in the middle of the room.
"Lady Jardel, I received a letter moments ago.. I feel you should read it." he says, handing me an opened envelope. I take it and open it slowly, my hands shaking. Please don't be what I fear... Please. I pull out a letter and another, smaller, envelope. The letter reads –
"Lord Phantomhive,
It has come to our attention that Lady Emma Rose Jardel is residing with you temporarily. We ask you give her this letter from her father, written for her to receive should Lord Markus James Jardel meet an early grave due to his line of work.
Lord Jardel was found late last night, deceased. His remains will be returned after an inspection and autopsy are completed.
Please give Lady Jardel our deepest condolences.
Signed,
Sparrow"
At some point during reading, I found myself on the ground. How did I end up on the ground? The world seems.. wrong. I hear sobbing.. Is that me? It must be.. Who else would be crying? I feel someone embrace me, and turn to see Molly holding me, humming the song she sings when I can't sleep and stroking my hair as she does when I cry. This must be some kind of trick.. a joke... a sick, twisted joke. This can't be real... I just saw Papa last night, he can't be gone.
I look up at Ciel, pleading with my eyes. His one eye closes, "Im sorry, Lady Jardel... You and your maid are welcome to stay with us while you grieve." His words show no sign of play, this isnt a joke. I crumble into Molly, sobbing relentlessly as Ciel passes me to leave the study. He pauses at the door, Sebastian at his side, and looks back at Molly and I, "Rest assured, we shall find out what happened to your father." Just before he turns to leave again, I glance at him. The image of Ciel and his unnerving butler in that moment was terrifying. They were not ones to be trifled with... I could only nod through my tears.
After a few moments, Molly helps me up and guides me to my room, setting me on my bed. "Miss Emma... this was also in the envelope earlier..." she hands me the smaller envelope that reads "For my little rose" on the front and is sealed with papas crest. Molly goes about getting my clothes for the day set out and prepares my morning bath, leaving me in peace to read my fathers last letter to me. Taking in a shaky, hiccuping breath, I break the seal and unfold the letter.
"My little rose,
If you are receiving this, then I must be gone. And for that, I am truly, deeply sorry. I know that you are scared and confused, but I will do my best to explain what I can. The line of duty that I always so carefully reconciled from you is a complicated matter. It it essentially the Jardel Family Business, but there is so much more to it. Before I continue, however, I must ask that you guard this letter carefully. It must not get into the wrong hands.
You see, you come from a very long lineage of demon hunters. All those stories I told you as a little girl were true. Stories to prepare you for what is to come. As the new Head of the Jardel line, you must take up the mantle and become a hunter yourself. I have no doubt that the society will try to contact you as soon as you have had time to grieve.
Demons are dark creatures. These creatures vary in strength and discretion. Demons feed on the essence of humans. Weaker demons drink the blood of humans to sustain themselves, and are the most obvious of their kind. It is easy to spot and track these low leveled demons. Then there are the demons who feed on the souls of humans. These are the powerful demons. These are the ones who are difficult to locate. These demons influence their prey to make a spiritual contract with them. They stay by their "masters" side until their end of the contract is completed, then they devour the soul of their prey.
The society is almost as dangerous as the demons themselves. You are a woman, and they will try to use that against you to take hold of our lineage and our information. Guard these things carefully.
In our home, you will find a secret corridor that leads to all the books, tools, and information you will need to delve deeper into this, as I cannot tell you much more than I already have.
There is a philosophy among very few hunters that, while they are all dark creatures, not all demons are killers. Your mother and I were believers in giving everyone a chance. No doubt the society will fill your head with nonsense about demons being evil and cruel and always out to kill a human. Don't let them get to you.
I know you have gotten quite close to the maid, Molly. Perhaps ask her about the night she came to us. She can be your greatest ally and asset.
I am sorry I can tell you so little. My sweet little rose, you are about to enter a world of fear and bloodshed and darkness. Hold on to your friends. Don't judge to swiftly. And always be aware of your surroundings.
I'm sorry to leave you alone in such a world, but I know you can conquer it. I am quite proud of the young woman you have become. I will always look out for you from the other side.
Be strong.
Love,
Papa"
As I read, the tears flow freely again. I read the letter over and over again, trying to process everything. Not only have I lost my father, but now I must come to terms with something such at this? After a moment, I call to Molly.
She comes from the bathing room and glances at me and her face unreadable. "Can.. Can I talk to you for a minute? I-Its important." she nods "Of course, Miss Emma..." She sits on the floor in front of me, her hands folded in her lap.
I hand her the letter from papa, letting her take the time to read it before asking, "What happened the night papa took you in... " I ask her, trying not to cry again. She frowns, looking anxious, before looking up, seeming almost afraid. "Please... I need to know..."
She gulps and nods, "Y-yes Miss Emma... You see... Well.. Its difficult to explain... Please don't panic when I tell you, okay?" I nod in agreement, it's not like much else could phase me at this point.
She takes a deep breath and closes her eyes, "It started when I was very small... I lived somewhere dark and hot and uncomfortable. My mother lived somewhere else, somewhere my father said we couldnt go unless we were called... I wanted more than anything to see this Other Place, the place we were in was to much for me and the others always shoved me around for being to soft. But a call never came…
"And then one day, it did come, and father was called. And he took my hand and we were suddenly not in the dark, hot place anymore. And we lived with some angry lady but we had the sky and the breeze and all these lovely things... It wasnt until Lord Jardel came that I understood what happened... You see, my father was a demon... and my mother is a human, though I don't know where she is…
"My father had made a contract with this woman who wanted revenge for the death of her family. He was put on the demon hunter society's 'list' of those to be killed and the society sent Lord Jardel to carry out the order. When Lord Jardel showed up, my father was crazed. He had gone insane... Lord Jardel had to put him down... I don't blame him, I'm not angry. He came up to me, and asked me who I was. When I answered, instead of killing me like he was suppose to, he took me in... He told the society I was an orphaned maids daughter and brought me here... And I have been here ever since.. "
She looks at me sadly, "I wanted to tell you, but I was so afraid... And Lord Jardel said I shouldnt... He said you werent ready... I don't see how telling you while stricken with grief is better, but Im glad I can tell you now..."
I look at her and nods, "Honestly, at this point, Im not surprised... I think Im just numb... Itll probably sink in later. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if Lord Phantomhives butler was a demon at this point." I smirk and chuckle quietly. Molly smiles at my attempted cheerfulness.
That evening, after dinner, I step into Ciels study following Sebastian. "Lord Phantomhive, Id like go home tomorrow for a brief visit. I need more clothes than what I have and theres something I must find." Ciel, barely glancing up from his work when the door opened, nods "Of course. Sebastian will take you first thing." I nod and smile, "Thank you" and turn to leave, not noticing Sebastians cautious, knowing eyes watching my retreating form.
A/N: SOOOO Sorry about that wait... Hurricane Matthew made posting a tad difficult. BUT IM BACK!
Please let me know how this chapter went! Reviews are always welcome~ Until next time ^.^
A/N 2: So its been a long time coming, but the first three chapters are officially REVISED! And updated are coming back! Thank you for all the support! Sorry for the delay!
