"Rise, alll of you" the devil said as he stepped down from his throne. The four demons obeyed.
"I admire your willingness to trade places with my son. It shows a very strong loyalty to your masters. I see in each of you three a love for the family."
"Of course we love them majesty, they're good to us, they've offered us a home, a family and a purpose for our lives. Then they left us and we were so sad, all we had were memories, the young master allowed us to keep the home, then mr. Sebastian came for us and said we could have it all again. Only now we have little masters and a little mistress, we're part of a guard for the family as well as having the jobs we did before. They mean a lot to us " Finny said. The devil approached them resting a hand on the gardener.
"Young Finny, I can understand your reasoning, it is a noble request but one I am afraid I cannot accept." They felt their hearts drop.
"But majesty, I'm very strong and Mey-Rin's good with weapons and bard was a soldier and-"
"Finny, you three are experienced in fighting humans, possibly other enemy is much worse. I thank you for coming to me and I wish I could grant your request, you see, it is within our family history spanning from the beginning of our kind that the royals protect their people, and to allow this would end the tradition of-"
"But, Mr. Sebastian has children, little ones, and the young master-" Mey-Rin began in a panic.
"I know. Ciel is a strong demon, an excellent Mother, my son loves him so strongly there is nothing that can separate them."
"If he dies, the young master-"
"Will be alright in time, this place will belong to him should my son fall."
"But majesty, the young master only wants his family, how can you be so cold, and to your own son?"
"Finny!" Mey-Rin and Bard cried in unison.
"You have my final word."
"If we die, we're only servants, we can be replaced, yes we could."
"Sebastian can't be, he's a father, a mate and damn good at both."
"I see working for Ciel has caused you to channel his argumentative nature. I will say no more." He turned to Claude.
"You Claude Faustus, the spider demon, what was it that you wish to ask?"
"Only that I may trade places with Naveen, majesty."
"Naveen is part of this family, he too has a duty to serve in our army."
"Majesty, he is young, only a little older than his mate. They have an eternity, I am grown, I am stronger and willing to sacrifice my life in his place."
"I cannot replace him Claude, but I will offer you this, if you truly feel that strongly, I will allow you to join us, if you come, I will place you very near Naveen, you may act in an emergency, it is the job of our soldiers to look after each other, am I clear?"
"Yes majesty, thank you." The devil nodded.
"You are dismissed." The four demons left without a word. Once in the hallway, Bard placed a hand on Finny's and Mey-Rin's shoulders.
"We failed the young master and Mr. Sebastian." Finny sobbed.
"We tried, yes we did."
"Yeah, can't say we didn't, don't know why he let Claude go." Bard grumbled.
"Because I am capable of changing into a spider, I can fight, and I can spy, have no fear, I will also look after Sebastian if I can."
"That's not very conforting."
"Perhaps not, nevertheless I shall." They parted ways and the servants made their way up to the castle where they were met by Cynna.
"What were you three doing down there?" He asked sternly.
"Failing miserably." Bard answered as they continued to the stairs and up to their rooms. Tomorrow would be a very long, painful day.
Sunrise found Ciel and his children walking with Sebastian down the long hall of his father's castle. Ciel was trying desperately to keep it together for his children. Their servants trailed behind.
"I want all of you to be good to your mother while I am away, no hard time, Rowan, do not fight with your siblings. Rachel my dear, no tears please, Vincent, don't allow Rowan to get to you. Evian, my eldest son, look after your mother and your siblings. Do you remember what I told you?"
"Yes, it is very important that the oldest be very brave and set the example for his brothers and sisters. It's also important to take very good care of mama because he always takes care of us."
"Very good." As they came closer to the throne room, it was harder for Ciel to hold back his tears. Evian took his hand.
"Don't cry Mama, I am here, I know I am not dad but I still love you." He whispered wiping his own tears away.
"I love you too Evian." They found that Alois was already there clinging to his mate.
"Can't we just turn around and go home?" He begged.
"Precious, I would love to, but you know that can't happen. I love you so much, please don't cry, you are so beautiful."
"I don't want you to leave."
"I know. I don't want to leave is something I must do." Naveen kissed his mate.
Sebastian couldn't help but feel bad for them."
"Good morning my family." The devil said in an attempt to ease their nerves.
"You can say that couldn't you, with what you're about to do to us, this morning is far from being good." Behind the devil, Mordred appeared.
"Baby brother, Ciel, children how-"
"Say one more word and I'll kill you right now." Ciel said angrily.
"Oh you mean little thing, I was only- call it off!" Mordred cried hiding behind his father as Ciel let go of Evian's hand and started toward him.
"Ciel, my love, the children are present." Sebastian reminded him.
"Children."
"Yes?" Four sad voices called back.
"Turn around and cover your ears." The children obeyed.
"Ciel, another time." Sebastian said grabbing his mate.
"No time like the present." Ciel growled.
"Mama is very angry, I hope he is better soon." Evian said to his siblings.
"Yes, mum can be scary, but I am not afraid, he is not angry at us. He is upset with Grandfather and the bad man."
"Poor mommy!" The twins said in unison. Sebastian shook his head, his children always found a way to amaze him.
"Ciel, try to calm down, I know you are angry with me but-"
"Don't talk to me. Either one of you, shut up."
"You have some nerve telling the king-" Mordred said from behind the devil.
"Sebastian, let me go." Ciel's eyes flashed crimson.
"I cannot do that Ciel, I know exactly what you will do, I cannot allow you to get yourself into that situation.
"There's no 'situation' if they turn around now and leave."
"Ciel, to do what you are thinking would result in severe punishment you wouldn't even get-"
"But I have a good defense." Ciel said still struggling.
"Which is what?"
"The devil drove me to do it."
"Not good enough I'm afraid." Sebastian managed to pull him closer, in a tight embrace. Ciel relaxed slightly in his arms.
"Isn't this better my dear?"
"It would be my doing if he had his way. By laws set by myself, he would be within his rights to do this. Ciel, I am going to instruct my son to let you go, I would like to see what you can do." The devil moved forward.
"Father, you are insane, do you not recall what happened when last he and I met?" Mordred asked nervously.
"I am bigger and stronger Mordred."
"I cannot allow this." Sebastian said sternly.
"I will not harm Ciel, I just believe it is-"
"You don't understand father, I am more concerned for you and mordred."
"Let him go son."
"Father-"
"It is alright, allow him to be free." Sebastian sighed and released him. Ciel tried not to react to him this time.
"You wanted free, come and show me what you planned to do." The beasts massive feet made a clicking sound on the floor as he moved.
"Don't provoke me."
"Grandfather is going to get hurt, oh poor grandmother, what will she do?" Rachel sobbed.
"Grandfather is in big trouble now, he is making mommy angry."
"Maybe mum will be easy with him so grandmother will not be sad."
"Mama will hurt grandfather if he keeps going, this is not good brothers and sister."
"Poor grandfather!" Four voice cried.
"Not going to-" the devi's eyes widened as Ciel had enough and attacked. The monstrous howls from the king filled the hall and caused Alois and Naveen to stare in shock.
"Call it off Sebastian!" He roared as Ciel grabbed on to his horn and dragged him to the floor.
"I could break it and not give you a second thought." Ciel said coldly holding the beast down.
"Sebastian, get him-"
"No. Leave him be, your father pushed him into this, he can get himself out." Ann said. Ciel held him there a moment longer before releasing him.
"I'm sorry Ann, I shouldn't have let it come to that."
"He asked for it. I do not usually stand for such violent acts but as this one was clearly provoked, you need not apologize." She said embracing him as though nothing happened.
"Are you feeling better Ciel dear?" She asked, though she already knew the answer.
"No. I'm not going to feel better until Sebastian comes home."
"And I will Ciel." Sebastian said gently. Ann released Ciel who immediately held onto his mate.
"I love you so very much Ciel, never forget that. You and our children are very precious to me, nothing in this world could keep me from you."
"Do we really need an army father, can we not just send him?" Mordred whispered.
"Silence." Ann demanded.
"We must go now, the others are already waiting in your mother's garden. Come Sebastian and Naveen, we need to join them. I've already allowed you more time with your families than the others had to do what they needed." The devil growled. Sebastian turned to his children.
"Daddy, please stay here, we love you very much." Rachel sobbed.
"Princess, I cannot stay. Come say goodbye little ones." The children rushed into their father's arms each holding him tight as they cried.
"Dad, please be careful, we want you to come home, do not let the monsters take you away." Vincent sniffled.
"They won't."
"Will the monsters come get us daddy?"
"No Rachel, that is why I must leave you, so that I may keep them away."
"Dad, will you please come home soon?" Rowan asked.
"As soon as possible."
"I will be a good boy and take care of everything." Evian promised.
"You're always a good boy."
"M-Mr. Sebastian, please be careful, we'll miss you." Finny sobbed.
"I will be Finny."
"Mr. Sebastian?"
"Yes Mey-Rin?"
"I hope you get home safely."
"And soon." Bard added. Cynna simply couldn't stand to be there, he and Sebastian said their goodbye the night before as well as Tanaka. The older demon turned suddenly to Alois.
"Since you will be staying with my family, will you please help Ciel with the children when you can, I realize you are going to have a difficult time as well." The boy nodded. Sebastian gave Ciel one last hug and kiss before he and Naveen joined the devil and mordred who had just said goodbye to Ann.
"Be careful my dears" she said hugging each of them. The group waited for them to leave before Ciel gave the order for the servants to remove the children.
"But mommy-" Rachel tried to protest.
"It's okay Rachel, you're just going to go for a little walk." Ann knew what was about to happen and positioned herself closer to the boys. Once they were gone, Ciel could no longer contain his fear and sorrow. Ann held them both tight.
"It will be alright boys. Our loved once will return to us and then everything will be as it was." She said trying to keep her voice even. Alois reached out his free hand and rested it on Ciel's shouldler.
"We'll be alright, and so will they." Ciel said.
"That's right dear." Ann replied hoping that soon the words would be easier to believe.