The next morning, Ciel had slept in somewhat. It felt nice to rest in after he returned from such a late hour. He could feel the sun on his face, like a gentle feel of warmth, which was what he enjoyed most when he awoke. His eyes opened instantly as someone played with the door handle and the swing of the wood on the hinges.
"Good morning, young master." Sebastian greeted, his mood unshaken. Ciel didn't even blink at the thought of this.
The Earl sighed. "Must I wake now?"
"Yes. After all, we have to look into the murder at the Midford manor. Now get up, you have a busy schedual waiting and I suggest you prepare for it now."
Ciel groaned but did as he was told. Funny how he was taking orders from a demon when it was clearly meant to be the other way around. At this, the young Phantomhive smirked.
Soon after his wash and deciding which attire he wished to dress in, Ciel, at the company of his butler, headed down to the dining hall to await his breakfast. During which he was greeted by the clumsy maid Mey-rin, who had dropped his favorite china by tripping over her clumsy feet; Finnian, who had decided to remaster the garden, in which the rose bushes had been squished and bruised; Bardroy, who had exploded the kitchen once again, and finally Tanaka, who said little with his own cup of tea.
To Ciel, it was the same thing, different day. But he never complained about it, not that he ever would anyway.
Upon Earl Phantomhive's dramatic arrival, Elizabeth had been the first to greet him as he entered her home. Her 'hello' was a small wave and a solem smile. She looked as if she hadn't gotten out of her night gown, making Ciel almost faint in surprise. Elizabeth had never been humble about anything. He then noticed the bags under her eyes, behind her makeup. She's still pretty shaken up about last night. Ciel thought, a twinge of guilt burrowing in his heart.
Before Ciel could ask how she was coping, the rest of the Midford house gathered into the entrance hall. Alexis still aqquired his formal attire, as he always did; Frances wore in a green dress that went well with her emerald necklace placed around her neck; and Edward had dressed, surprisingly, loosely today. Her wore a loose white shirt, black pants, and boots that stretched to his knees. Strange.
"Have the Fortuna's arrived yet?"
Before anyone could answer, the doors opened.
"I apoligize for being late," a gentle voice cut in. "Believe me, it won't happen again."
Ciel turned. Airiana stood in the doorway, her footsteps as silent as if she were a ghost. She wore a thin dress with laced with golden and white thread that seemed to hug her figure, her hair gathered to one side as it fell almost past her chest. Her face was still serene, seeming unshaken. Out of the corner of Ciel's eye, Sebastian, who had just recently appeared, eyed the girl curiously. Behind him, Edward stiffened.
"Lady Fortuna.." Alexis stampered, seeming to have lost his train of thought.
The new Head chuckled. "Oh, come on," she smiled brightly. "My entrance wasn't that bad, was it?"
Ciel smiled-only a little bit.
"Where is Marquise Fortuna?" Frances asked.
"She wished to stay at home for the time being. She believes I have the potential to take her place in this case. Heh. Whatever that means."
Alexis, Ciel, Sebastian, Edward, Frances, and Airiana had gathered in Marquis Midford's study. Lizzy had tried to sum up the courage to join them but declined afterward, retiring to her own santuary-which was her room. Alexis in the chair, Frances at his side, with Edward standing at the window, Ciel in a comfortable chair with Sebastian at his own side, and Airiana, who had taken a spot on the loveseat across the way.
"So, what do we have?" Ciel asked, interutping the silence that weighed heavy in the air before.
No one said a word. Until-"The victim was Miss Miranda Adamson, the daughter of the popular carpenter, Liam Adamson. Rumor has it that she was popular among the boys, a worthy woman to wed." Airiana informed. "But she apparently had a thing for someone in particular."
"And that is?" Alexis asked quickly, speaking for eveyone else.
Airiana then closes her mouth, her head turning slowly and her eyes shifting to the young man at the window. Edward's brow raised, as well as his eyes widened. Everyone else did the same.
"She was given an invitation to your bachelor announcement party, hoping to win you over with her charm and beauty." Airiana says, her voice unchanging. From what Ciel could see, there was no blame or anger in her eyes as she began to turn back to Marquis Midford. "This is no surprising fact. But your killer was there last night. Possibly an invitee who wanted Lady Adamson for themselves and loved too her much..."
"That means we'll have to check the arrival list and see who attended." Ciel cut in as he rested his chin in his palm, his elbow placed on the arm of the chair. Sebastian had kept quiet to himself, as he always did. Though this time, he seemed elsewhere, his eyes fixated on Lady Fortuna than on the occuring conversation. Ciel raised a brow at his butler. He's never taken interest in a human. What's it about her, I wonder.
"That will take days!" Frances objected, her eyes wild, flashing Ciel away from his thoughts.
"It doesn't matter," Alexis harumphed. "A murder such as this will not go unpunished. Those accountable will be very lucky if the Yard gets them before I do."
Edward shifted his gaze to the window, possibly eyeing the gardens of his own backyard in silence.
Hmmm... Ciel thought.
Airiana simply blinked. "The last thing we need is more blood spilled. Once we catch whoever did this, they will be severly punished. Believe me." There was no threat or warning in her words, which made Ciel shift uncomfortably all the more, but never let it cross over his blank expression.
"Then it's settled. We'll go over records, connections, anything that will link two and two together." Airiana sighed.