The manor cleared out as quickly as water flowed over rock. All that was left was Ciel, Sebastian, the Midfords, and even, surprisingly enough, the Fortuna guests. Elizabeth had dismissed herself immediatly after finding the corpse of the young girl, with Frances at her side as a support of comfort from the shock. The Scotland Yard hounds had rushed over as soon as they had heard news of a murder, as the body was removed and the blood both collected and cleaned up.

Though a dark stain still remained plastered on the tile.

The Fortuna's had said nothing since the discovery, as both Cassandra and Airiana had remained emotionless as authorities scowered the manor from top to bottom, not letting a single shadow escape their sight. They would often glance at each other for a moment, before returning their gaze to the men that bombarded them with useless questions. Cassandra had let her granddaughter answer the questions for her, her mouth in a tight line as she seemed lost in thought.

Hmm. They're awfully quiet... Ciel sighed to himself. He had placed himself on a lone chair that sat across the way from where the Fortuna's sat in a white printed loveseat. Cassandra, with her hands folded neatly, never slouched nor leaned back, her spine as straight as a board. Her expression still remained unknown. Airiana leaned in her seat however, her left limb resting on the arm as her head was placed against the back of her fingers. Her own expression was questioning. She seemed at peace, though in her eyes, from what Ciel could see, was uncertainty.

"How could this happen?" boomed Marquis Midford, pacing at the head of the fireplace that was lit by a small flame.

Edward stood at the side of the empty couch, his arms crossed, only listening.

"Espically in my own home?" Alexis growled.

The sound of heels came from the hall, as Frances revealed herself from the shadows, her face sunk with sorrow, worry, and concern. "Elizabeth has turned in. I would ask that all of you would please leave her at peace, as she is already in a horrid-shocked state..."

Edward glared, his head turned towards the flames of the small bundle of wood. "Of course." was all he had complemented on the subject, which made Ciel gape in surprise. This would probably be the first time Edward Midford had kept his snarky comments to himself. Now that's a surprise.

Frances then turned to Lady Cassandra, who hadn't blinked nor shifted since. "Would you like some tea, Marquis Cassandra? Lady Airiana?"

Cassandra shook her head. "I am quite fine, madam."

"I wouldn't mind a cup, Lady Midford." Airiana smiled polietly.

Frances just nodded, going into another room to inform a house butler or maid.

Edward only sighed, the first thing he had done in hours. "Do we have anything we can follow up on?"

"No," Alexis said. "The Scotland Yard hasn't come up with anything." He sneered. "As usual." he added.

"There must be something."

"Well, there isn't."

"There is a lead." Marquise Cassandra spoke, her voice sharp like a blade, emotionless. "No one has bothered looking into this is all."

Alexis glares at the woman. "If there was, we would know."

Cassandra just stared, her eyes like daggers. "The Yard only look at the basics, never the essentials or the details within. They either make some random, ridiculous assumption or throw up their hands and call it quits." Her eyes cornered to glance at Ciel, as if saying Why do you think your family has been the Majesty's guard dog for so long?

Airiana then spoke, her voice like gentle silk in the tense air. "Well, we can't just stay up all night worrying." she says, a sigh placed in her words. "We might as well wait until morning until then. We'll all meet back here," she then turned to Marquis Midford for his approval. "If you'll have us.."

Alexis stiffened somewhat, his eyes meeting hers for a quick moment before nodding a bit solemly.

Cassandra then stood. "Then it has been decided." her words noted as a dismisal for herself and her relative at her side. Airiana stood, her movement graceful. "Get some rest, all of you." she added, before following her relative out the door.

Frances then came back through, a cup of tea in hand. She looked around from one body to the next. "What did I miss?"