He can hear her screaming. It drives him mad, even from his study on the opposite side of the manor. The pen in his hand is shaking, making it frustratingly impossible to write, and he finally gives up and throws it down with an exasperated sigh.
"Sebastian," Ciel says, knowing the demon can hear him from wherever he is, even over the screaming. Not five seconds later, there is a polite knock on the door and the butler enters, looking as serene as ever.
"Yes, my Lord?" He says, approaching the desk.
"How is she?" Ciel asks, staring down at his paperwork.
"I'm afraid I can't answer that, Master. The midwife is quite adamant that I'm not allowed in." Sebastian frowns. "Though, I do imagine she's in a great deal of pain."
Ciel's eye twitches at his observation, and he looks up from under sapphire hair at his butler.
"Send Mey Rin in there. I want to know how she's faring." Ciel's voice wavers a bit on the last word. "And for God's sake, make some noise. I can't concentrate with her racket."
"Yes, my Lord." Sebastian steps into the hall for a moment, then returns with a case in his hand. He then proceeds to play every note of Mozart he can think of on his violin, hoping to distract Ciel from the circumstances at hand.
"That's enough." Ciel says finally, holding up his hand. Sebastian obeys, and the room falls silent, the last sweet note dissolving into the air. They're both still for a moment, listening intently.
"It must be over," Ciel says, rising from his chair. He proceeds to the door, nearly being knocked flat on the floor by it. Mey Rin bursts in, her chest heaving from running.
""What the-" Ciel begins, stopping mid-sentence when he sees who it is. "How is she?"
Mey Rin is silent for a moment, an almost unreadable expression on her face as she pants.
"Mey Rin, how is Lizzy?"
"You'd better come quick, sir. She's askin' for you."
Ciel's breath catches in his throat, and he doesn't waste a second pushing past her and running out into the hall. He sprints the entire length of the upper hallway, really not caring how proper it may be, and makes it to the door within a minute. He raps on the door, catching his breath as he waits.
The door opens slowly, and he barges in, pushing the past Paula and rushing straight for the bed. Elizabeth is laying back, her eyes closed and lips a frightening shade of purple. Ciel gasps, taking her hand as he kneels at the bedside.
"Lizzy, how are you feeling?" He asks, brushing the hair from her sweat-soaked forehead. "Please, tell me."
"Ciel." She whispers, opening her eyes only a fraction. Something like a smile spreads across her pale face, and she turns her head to look at him. They stare at one another for the briefest of moments before she her eyelids slip shut once more. "Take care of him."
"What do you mean? You act as if you won't be there with me!" He squeezes her hand, but receives no response from his wife. "Lizzy!"
Elizabeth is silent and still.
"Please, Elizabeth, you can't." Ciel pleads, pressing her hand in his to his lips. The tears well up, but he vehemently refuses to let them loose. "You mustn't."
There's a minute of silence before he screams out, sweeping everything off of the nearby bed stand with one motion. It occurs to him then.
"My son, where is he?" He looks to a weeping Paula, then to the midwife. She looks disheartened. "Tell me!"
"I'm afraid...my Lord, that the child was stillborn."
Ciel can only look at her, somewhat not comprehending her words. When it hits him, a blind rage takes over and he flees the room.
Running. Always running.