+Ciel's POV+
"Sir, a letter arrived today", Sebastian said as he swiftly made his way into my office. I sighed and directed my gaze at him, away from the book that I am re-reading, "Alice in Wonderland".
He held out the letter and I took it from his hands. I looked at the envelope and there was nothing written on it. I opened it and what it contained was a folded piece of parchment.
Written on it was these few words:
"Thank you. I'm coming for her soon."
"No sender." I said as I put the letter inside the book.
"Oh, nooooooooooo!" A scream suddenly came from the courtyard.
"Sebastian", I conmmanded
"Yes, my lord" He responded. He quickly carried me and rushed me to the courtyard. When we got there, he put me down, I saw Maylene, the source of the scream.
"Mademoiselle! please come down! You might get hurt!" She screamed repeatedly as she looked up at the apple tree.
I looked up and saw a red-head dressed in brown sitting on one of the tree's branches. I stood there thinking of a way to get her down.
"Etoile! I'd appreciate it if you'll get down from there!" I called out to her as loud as I can. She looked down and waved. She smiled the most cheerful smile I've seen from her.
She then held her skirt as if it was a basket and carefully climbed down the tree. Sebastian reached up to her and eventually held her hand as she made her way down.
"Etoile..." I stared at her red hair as I tried to hold back my anger. All she did was look down as she walked up to me. She stopped right infront of me.
"I'm very sorry..." She looked up at me with a sad look on her face.
"What did you do there, anyway?" I asked, feeling a little guilty for getting mad.
She just smiled and showed me a bunch of white flowers in her improvised basket.
"I was planning on making bouquets for everyone using these." She just stood there, quiet. I sighed put my hand on her shoulder.
"We all appreciate your intentions but, I don't know what I'd do if you get hurt." I told her nicely. She brightened up and smiled.
"Next time, ask help from the servants, okay?" I said, she nodded and grabbed Maylene by the hand. They went off somewhere as I looked at Sebastian coughing with a smirk on his face.
"Your being awfully kind to her, young master." He followed me as I walked back to my office.
"Shut it. Good thing it was just a false alarm." I said annoyed at the same time relieved. I reached my office and sat there repeating the same question over and over in my head: "Why 'Thank you'?"
Sebastian stood there near my table and suddenly asked, "would you like some tea, sire?"
"Earl Grey." I replied, lost in thought. thinking of possible reasons for an assasin to thank me. I looked into space and thought for God knows how long.
"Ehem." Sebastian entered serving me tea. "Sebastian?" I called to him.
"Yes, sir?" He replied after putting down the teapot.
"If another demon was out to get my soul, then this demon thanks you, why do you think would he do that?" I asked.
"Well sir... If I was in that demon's place, and the soul was very, very rare and splendid, like yours. I would thank it's protector for keeping it safe for me before I snatch it away from him." He said with a smile plastered on his face.
"Oh, really then... I accept." I said.
+Sebastian's POV+
"What exactly do you accept, Sire?" I asked sceptically.
"This is basically, a challenge, A game, it seems." He said smiling slyly then sipping some tea.
"What do you intend to do sire?" I asked, picking up the tray.
"I intend to win, of course. And you will be one of my pawns." He said putting down the empty cup. I pick up the cup and smiled at him.
"There is no other role that I would desire, my lord." I said as I cleaned up his table.
"Good. Not like your desires matter anyway. Call me when dinner is ready." He replied proudly.
"Yes sir." I replied as I left the office, leaving the proud little man to himself. His soul will be most splendid, indeed.
+Ciel's POV+
I heard the door open. I looked and saw Etoile with a smile on her face. She ran to my table and laid out a bouquet of different flowers from the garden. In the middle was the sprig of white flowers from the apple tree.
"Ciel, I really am sorry." She said still looking a little sad. I just looked at her and smiled myself.
"They're beautiful." I said casually touching the flowers.
"Thank you." She softly said to me.
"You've been very kind to me." She said blushing a little.
"And we intend to be that kind to you for a longer period of time, Etoile." I replied trying to assure her safety.
"But, He's coming for me soon..." She said nearly weeping. I was rattled. How could she know?
"What? Who? tell me." I asked.
"I don't know... He said he was coming for me bacause I've been a bad girl... I knew this would happen sooner or later." She was crying. She was holding back throughout the entire day.
"Who told you this?" I asked, How could this happen? An intruder maybe?
"I don't know... I only he-heard his voice from outside the window in m-my room..." She said, still crying.
"Look at me, Etoile." I told her firmly. She looked at me with eyes filled with tears.
"I will not let anyone hurt you. The queen ordered me to keep you safe. I will obey those orders even if I die." I said reaching out for her hand. I held her hand and looked at her.
"Everything will be alright. Do you believe me?" I asked, still holding her hand. She nodded.
"You must be tired. Please do rest. I'll get Sebastian to send dinner to your room." She just nodded and gave out a smile before leaving. She then left the room, closing the door behind her.
"Sebastian" I called him out, instantly, he appeared from the shadows.
"Yes, my lord." He asked with a devilish smile.
"Order the servants to keep watch from tonight onwards. I want every inch of this place monitored. And, I want you to personally keep an eye on our guest and use any means necessary to ensure her safety and to keep her within the vicinity of the Phantomhive home. Also, Our guest is very tired. Send dinner to her room." I ordered Him.
"Yes, my lord." He said as he swiftly carry out my orders, maintaining a smile on his face.
I opened the book and take out the letter once again and I stuff it in my robe's pocket.
"So, the game begins" I whispered to myself, making my way to the dining room for dinner.