Chapter 2

Angela wasn't the type to take no for an answer, and Sebastian telling her that seeing Pluto at the manor wasn't a good idea didn't change that. Of course, the timing was brilliant, as well. She had arrived in London late at night and had reached the Phantomhive manor on foot by daybreak at a time when Sebastian was preoccupied, Pluto was sleeping, the other servants were busy, and Ciel was alone in his study. Then again, she knew better. Sebastian would sense her presence the moment she set foot on the property and Pluto now always listened to Sebastian, so he'd be running up along side him.

Her reason for being at the manor was also brilliant. She had known all along that Sebastian would eventually find out who was really responsible for the events that took place two years ago, but now she'd found an advantage. It was three weeks ago that the butler had solved this puzzle with a mere feather that had carelessly fallen from one of her wings. However, unbeknownst to her, he hadn't bothered to say anything about it to Ciel.

And now she was going to use this opportunity to expose the fact that Sebastian was hiding things from his precious master. Angry, Ciel could order him to do anything; punish himself, leave, carry out the revenge, or – with any luck – he just might order death onto the butler. An exaggerated thought, but one she loved to play with it in her mind.

Slipping into the mansion, Angela made her way to Ciel's study; following the repeatedly traveled scent of demonic essence leading to and from one door on the second floor. She entered the room and found Ciel sitting at his desk trying to build a house out of playing cards.

"So this is what you do when nobody else is around."

Ciel jumped slightly upon hearing Angela's voice, a move that costed him dearly as his house of cards fell into a massive heap.

"What on earth are you doing here?" He asked, "Even I know Sebastian didn't want you visiting."

Angela laughed, "Do you think that butler of yours tells you everything?"

Ciel crossed his arms, "He's never withheld any information from me before, unless it was something I really didn't need to know."

The statement made Angela laugh louder, "Goodness, then I have a bit of information about your butler that you might not be so pleased to hear."

Ciel cocked his head curiously, "Oh?"

"It involves a little something he found in the ruins of the old manor a couple of weeks ago, something that's vital to solving your parents' murders."

"You are being ridiculous. Sebastian would never hide something like that, not even if his life depended on it. Where are you getting this from, anyway?"

Angela leaned back casually against a wall and smirked.

"I only watched him stash the evidence away into a pocket in this tailcoat. He did plan on telling you, of course, but why he hasn't done so after so long as a mystery even to me."

Ciel held a shocked expression on his face.

"Anyways, it's just a shame to me that the efforts of your attackers were wasted. I'm just so surprised Sebastian was able to rebuild this mansion as an exact replica of the old one. Doesn't it make you wonder why that is; how he was able to do it without knowing the exact layout or appearance of the old mansion?"

The expression on Ciel's face didn't change as he slowly stood from his chair.

"Sebastian. Would never. Do that! He wouldn't attack my family. He wouldn't burn down my home. And he most certainly wouldn't keep vital information like that from me!"

"I never said he did attack your family or burn down the mansion, but believe me when I say he's hiding something from you. Don't you want to do something about it? Maybe punish him?"

Another voice cut hers off there.

"That will be quite enough of that, Angela."

Angela shivered as Sebastian's cold voice sent chills down her spine. She turned to him slowly.

The butler gave her a friendly but sinister smile.

"You're upsetting my master and your presence here is unexpected. I must kindly ask you to leave, or I shall have to escort you out myself."

Angela gave him a wary smile, knowing the meaning behind his potent words, "Of course. I was just about to leave anyway." She quickly turned to Ciel, "Remember what I said. He's hiding things from you, and you will be horribly disappointed when you realize that I'm right."

And with that, the angel turned on her heel and walked away.

Ciel slowly sat back down in this chair with the shock expression still coating his face. He looked up at Sebastian. The demon's gaze was tossed over his shoulder, watching the angel go. Slowly, his gaze turned back to him.

Silence.

"You seemed troubled, my lord," Sebastian eventually said with a concerned look on his face, "Is something the matter?"

Ciel took a few slow breaths, trying to regain his composure.

"No, no, it's nothing ," he said, "I'm just frustrated. She interrupted me when I was very busy. Now I'm even further behind on my paperwork."

Sebastian glanced to Ciel's desk. Indeed there were stacks of paperwork on the surface of it, but they were covered by a layer of playing cards. He couldn't help but smirk.

"Very well, I'll let you get back to your "work" then. Did you need anything?"

Ciel shook his head, "No, I just finished my tea. I'm fine."

Sebastian bowed and casually walked out of the study, almost as if nothing had happened. But he had heard most of Angela's conversation with Ciel. He reached into one of the pockets of his tailcoat and pulled out the crisp white feather he had found a few weeks ago. He only glanced at it briefly before putting it back into his pocket.

He had his own reasons for not telling Ciel. Not selfish, but it would be enough to get him in trouble and Ciel had been known for dealing out brutal punishments.

He knew he'd be hearing about this later.