Chapter 2
The next morning I awoke again drenched in sweat. As I looked over, the curtains had been drawn and the silhouette of a tall man stood, shading me from direct rays of light from the bright sun. "Time to wake up, Young Master." I rubbed my eyes so they would adjust enough to see Sebastian smiling at me. I simply turned over as a reply. Through the bed sheets that I had so firmly pulled over my head, I could hear Sebastian sigh. "Young Master, please," he said before effortlessly pulling the covers away from me, letting a cold morning air swoop over me. Shivering, I reluctant sly sat up in bed and let Sebastian go through his normal routine of dressing me. I went downstairs today for breakfast, as today I had to do some more work on the assigned case.
For some reason I couldn't focus all throughout the morning. The dream from last night was still bothering me. I tried to not let it show on my face, but I guess I failed when Sebastian started to ask me questions. "Young Master, are you not feeling well?" he started with the first.
"I'm just fine."
"You know your look is a bit like your mind is somewhere else. Are you too tired?"
"No."
"Could it be that boy?"
"No," I said a little more forceful this time.
"Then what are you thinking about?"
"None of your concern!" I shouted probably sure that everyone on the street we were riding that carriage on could hear us. We sat in silence for the rest of the ride because I didn't want to give anything away to Sebastian. He only stared at me the rest of the way home but with a few glares in his direction, he stopped. I doubt it was out of fear but rather out of boredom that he couldn't get any information out of me. When we arrived at the mansion it was already time to start getting ready. Unfortunately, Elizabeth was there. As soon as I stepped in the door, I saw Maylene, Finny, and Bard sitting on the stairs, dressed in all different sorts of colors that did not suit them. This I could have ignored, but the fact that I was pummeled by a screeching girl, covered in pink.
"Ciel!" I heard before I was snatched out of her targeting path and moved slightly backwards toward my butler. The girl just kept going, while apparently not noticing I had been moved, until she ran into one of our pillars. All I could do was sigh and say, "Elizabeth. Why are you here?"
"Ciel, I told you to call me Lizzie! My head hurts now why did you move?"
"I moved because there was an odd girl running at me about to knock me over, and its your own fault that you hit your head." As soon as I finished my sentence, Elizabeth fell do her knees on the marble floor and started to sob. I could never refuse a sobbing girl. Sighing again I said, "Sebastian, please take her one of our guest rooms and tend to her injuries. I will wait for you, in my quarters."
"Yes, my lord." This time Sebastian's tone was slightly strained. I chuckled at the sound of his annoyance. I knew that he hated that little girl more than anyone else did.
When I arrived in my room, I let out my laughter, but quickly covered my mouth and recomposed myself, hoping that no one heard what I had just done. I waited in my room for a long time but then grew impatient. I found the clothes Sebastian had chosen for me to wear to the party tonight. I was always unable to undress and redress as fast as if Sebastian was doing it for me, but getting something done is better than nothing.
Slowly I tried to slip the buttons through the button holes in my coat. Finally after a long struggle of pushing oversized buttons through undersized holes, I got the coat off. Next for my vest, this seemed a bit harder. There was even more buttons. I got through two buttons when my temper took over and I tried to rip the darned thing off. Because I had never taken a liking to sports or any type of physical exercise, unless it be running for my life, I only hurt my arms while trying to rip apart the fabric. I plopped myself down onto the fluffy bed, and stared at the ceiling. My muscles felt relaxed and I was about to fall asleep when I heard a certain someone's shoes tapping inside my room followed by the chastising words from the lowly servant, "Young Master, you did not need to wait. Could you have not done it yourself?" I sat up upon the bed and one look at me sent a smirk to his face and made him rephrase what he had just said, "My, you really are something. How did you manage to get yourself into this mess?"
As I tilted my head to one side he immediately understood that I had not looked at my self or what had become of me after my debacle with the vest. He led me over to the full length mirror and there I saw why Sebastian had looked at me so and said what he did. My blue hair had become a messy ball of what looked to be fur, even if I knew it was still my hair. The vest had actually ripped slightly but only on the shoulder area. Somehow I had managed to pop off the top two buttons of my dress shirt along with the top button of my vest. This hung widely opened as if I had been attacked by someone who wanted to rip off my clothes, and that was what I wanted to do at this very moment.
My appearance angered myself and as I heard the clock downstairs chime to alert everyone that it had now become 4 o'clock. I immediately ordered Sebastian, who was still silently laughing to himself about my clothing, to redress me in the proper garments. After we were done we were about to begin on our way to the Queen's Royal Palace. The carriage ride was long and boring. I didn't want to let Sebastian know what I had been thinking about the whole day, so I only stared out the window as to not let him see my face. The roads out the window reminded me of that dream, or rather I should say nightmare. The sight of the trees rushing past us was enough to put me to sleep during our long journey to the palace. I had the same dream, but only snippets this time.
I awoke to Sebastian hand shaking my consciousness back into me. Being held in another man's arms made me blush endlessly, but I shoved my way out and slowly and gracefully exited the carriage. We had arrived fashionable late and entered to a ball full of light, dancing and music. I had not been there 10 minutes when I heard a familiar voice call from behind me, "Well if it isn't the queen's dog!"
Turning around, I found that the person who had tried to insult me was none other than the boy I had been enraged by on the street only the other day. "Leo Wingsnap. Nice to meet you Earl of Phantomhive." I was slightly stunned that this boy could be no older than me, but stranger things have happened.
"This is your birthday party then is it?" I replied to his belated greeting, "May you have a happy birthday."
"Why don't we talk? There is a lot I want to say to you."
"Sebastian we'll only be a moment," I said so as to alert Sebastian I may want this filthy boy dead soon if he so much as laid a hand on me, but his next line shocked me.
"Ciel, you may keep the demon with you and be so forewarned that my Nicolai will be here as well." Sebastian eyes me dangerously, telling me to consider whether or not I should talk with this one. I quickly turned my head and walk forward, showing that I was not to be taken lightly and would not take commands from my butler. Though no one else could hear it, Sebastian sighed slightly as he began to walk along behind me.
We were escorted out of the party by two members of the Royal Guard, and what really surprised me was that it did not cause a scene. We came to a miniature castle (though I call it miniature it was still a castle) and entered. The walls were pure smooth stone and the floor had been covered by a velvet red carpeting. Not much light shone in and that was exactly how I felt comfortable. We made our way up a grand staircase and into a game room. "Let us have some tea," Leo said as he laid himself down on the couch. I remained standing and moved towards the chessboard.
"Yes sir," Nicolai said as he exited the room. Sebastian quickly walked after him as he would always to help another butler prepare the finest foods. I was not worried. I could call for him at any time. I immersed myself in the chess board. It had ebony and ivory pieces on a board of the same material, but all the pieces felt weightless. It was brilliant!
"Do you like chess?" Leo's voice came from behind me.
I spun around quickly to see his scheming face as I made my reply. "Naturally. It is a game of knowing how to use your possessions properly.
Leo answered me with a slight chuckle. "Well the tea and snacks will be here any minute. Would you like to have a match?"
"No thank you," I answered not sure if there were any strings attached to his game.
"Why not? Are you really as much of a coward as I hear you are?"
"Where have you heard that, may I ask?"
"From the prince. I also hear your demon-I'm sorry I meant-butler always protects you." His words cut through me. Did the queen know of Sebastian and what he truly was? If so then how?
"I am no coward," I replied keeping all tremors out of my voice.
"Then play." Leo sat down on the ebony side of the chess board.
"I need no advantages, but I will gladly accept the one you have given me." I sat down on the ivory side and started to play. I started to play out my favorite gambit. The game lasted for a little before Sebastian and Nicolai returned with our tea and snacks. Leo immediately stopped playing and started quickly gulping down his cake. As usual I only nibbled. I was getting bored. "When could I leave?" was the only thought going through my head. Until Leo started what he really wanted to talk about and it wasn't with me.
"So, Sebastian how are the Earl's eating habits?" Nicolai asked. The question took me by surprise but Sebastian was as calm and composed as always.
"Extremely picky." Sebastian's choice of words angered me as if I were hit with a blunt object. I immediately spun my head around to give him a glare but he wasn't looking at me. When I looked closely at his face he really wasn't calm and composed. He seemed to be angry about something. These questions went on for a while until something changed in Sebastian's attitude. My only complaint is he used me as an excuse. "I'm sorry but our master seems to be tired. We will be heading back now." I followed him as we each moved towards the door. I really was tired though. My mind couldn't focus on anything and I was yawning like crazy. That is my mind locked on to the clicking sound coming from the door.
"Sebastian? What are you doing?"
"Young master," he answered, "It seems out host has locked us in here. Would he kindly let us out?"
"Nope," Leo said while sipping his tea.
"I didn't think so," Sebastian continued, "Young Master, it's rude for one's butler to break through their host's door but would you excuse me this once?"
"Just get on with it," I said. I was getting bored of being here in this mansion in front of Leo, and definitely not in my own bed right now.
"Yes my lord." Sebastian backed away from the door and kicked his foot at the door. While Sebastian did this Leo kept sipping his tea and saying, "It's no use." When the door had been broken completely outwards and I Sebastian had a chance to look at his handiwork we saw it: nothing. On the other side of the door was a pitch black void of nothingness. I wanted to turn around and shout at Leo but my mouth wouldn't open. My body wouldn't move either. I was just shocked. All my senses and feelings had been removed and all I could do was stare at the deep blackness. I wanted to jump into it and see what was at the bottom. I walked over to the door and leaned into the void. Suddenly a pair of long arms wrapped around my waist.
"Master, do you have a death wish?" Sebastian asked. His tone was forceful and not at all calm. "If you do, please let me have your soul so as I can get away from that brat."
"Shut up Sebastian." I turned towards Leo, "What do you want, imbecile! Let us out of here now!"
"Now don't yell. I just wanted to talk. I won't hurt you…this time," Leo answered calmly. After Leo finished his sentence, he got up and Sebastian stepped in front of me. "I said I wasn't going to hurt him now move out of the way."
"No way." Sebastian's reply seemed to be immediate. It seemed almost as if he actually cared.
"Step out of my way demon," Leo stated.
"I cannot let you cause harm to my master," Sebastian countered.
"Sebastian," I croaked, "Turn around and step away." When Sebastian turned around, he saw what he had missed. Nicolai's hand was securely wrapped around my throat. "it seems you're too late," Leo snickered back at him. Sebastian's face was full of shock.
"Good now drop the knives," Leo commanded. Three shimmering silver blades fell to the ground. The hand around my neck tightened and I let out a severely choked yelp of pain.
"Both hands," Nicolai said. Sighing Sebastian let go of five more silver knives that fell to the ground with a clink.
"Good." Nicolai released my neck and my body crumpled to the ground. I felt air push its way back into my deprived lungs.
"How did you do it?" Sebastian demanded.
"Aw. Poor demon that has been all cooped up on little Earth. Satan is finally letting me release my power among these dreadful humans and put them in hell. I am Mammon." Sebastian's face seemed to get even paler than it was originally. His eyes widened and he let his jaw drop before saying. "You're one of the even princes."
"So my name does ring a bell?" Nicolai said as a smile played on the corner of his lips. "Now bow," he ordered. Hesitantly, Sebastian knelt to the ground and bowed his head down to Nicolai.
This action ignited a flame within me called anger. "Sebastian," I said firmly, "You are my butler. Don't do that." I staggered to get up and had to hold the wall as support. Sebastian didn't move. "SO you still had this much energy left. I thought I had chocked it all out of you," Nicolai sneered at me. "Is one meal really worth this?" He asked turning to Sebastian.
"He is my butler," I repeated, "We're now leaving." Sebastian still didn't move but he did lift his head so he would look directly into my eyes. His eyes pleaded for my order. Of course, that was the only way he could release his full power. I had only slightly opened my mouth ready to give the order when a white gloved hand shot out and smacked me across the face which sent me hurling at Leo's feet.
"Don't bother you brat!" Nicolai sneered at me. My body felt very heavy now and ached all over. Slowly I began to lift myself up again. With a kick to my head Leo said, "Is that all you have?"
"Gah!" I yelled as his foot made contact with my stomach twice more. As he was about to deal another blow, I grabbed a candle holder that had dropped to the ground and threw it at him. My aim was terrible, there was barely any strength behind the throw, and it would not have hit him, but it bought me enough time. I used my time to regain my footing so he could not beat his foot on me any longer. Unfortunately this was futile because as I had just regained my footing, a hand grabbed me by the back of the neck and flung me at the wall from whence I had come. Sticky, red blood began to drip down the side of my head. I could feel the consciousness slipping away from me. Off in the distance I could hear the voices of Leo and Nicolai talking.
"Why did you make my touch that trash known as Phantomhive?" Leo demanded at Nicolai.
"I did none of the sort master," he replied obediently.
"Yes you did. Now there is blood on my boot!'
"I'm sorry master; I'll clean it for you."
"Yes you will."
These lines reminded me of someone I felt could help me in my current situation. Who was it? Sebastian! I had remembered. Sebastian could help me. Slowly I tugged at the eye patch until it came off and I opened the eye hidden under it. "Sebastian," I stated firmly "I order you, Get me out of here NOW!" Before losing consciousness, I remember seeing Sebastian's eyes glow a bright crimson red. He wore a sadistic smile on his face as he replied, "Yes, my lord."