What happened on the last chapter...
"Why is that?"
"...You soon shall know."
And so it begins...
Your POV
"Uwaaaaahhhh!" I woke up as I fell from the bed. I felt myself sweating and tired from something.
"Was... Was that all a dream?" I felt my forehead and neck. Did I really dream that? I was exploring the manor for a painting then someone was there... But it was all so real...!
I heard someone knocking on my door. I scrambled my way and swung open revealing a surprised Sebastian. I gulped and calmed myself down.
"Panicky today, are we, Lady _?" He avoided my figure and proceeded himself inside with a cart. I turned to him, shocked. Why is that nothing happened for him?!
"Sebastian I-" Suddenly, he glanced at me and smiled.
"Yes, Lady _?" I, out of the blue, forgot what was I about say...
"I- nothing actually..." I turned my head away from him.
"As I was about to say, blahblahblah..." I do wonder why I want to interact with this man so much? Since the very day I saw his gaze, I felt I could be tempted by him and I did... What the hell?
"-So that is why we are returning late. Hm? Are you listening?"
"Wh-what?!" I shook my head as he chuckled. By my surprise, his face went closer.
"The Young Master and I will be attending to some business matter. We might be returning late this evening." He fixed his glove and handed me the tea. But I still refused.
"Why must you even tell me that?" I scoffed. He held my chin to meet with his eyes.
"Because you might come searching for the Young Master for some incredible scoop." Sebastian left the tea for me and proceeded to the door. I could smell the aroma from the tea and also left scones for me? I felt my face heat but I turned away to write in my journal.
[Earl Ciel Phantomhive's Secrets:
-He has a strange mark or brand on his back. I didn't have a clear view of it but I should investigate it more.
-He cannot dance as to prove of him stepping on my bloody feet during the party a few days ago...!
-The room I previously mistaken to enter, He has a bloody room of... Girlish dr-dresses! Whose dresses are it?! Is he the one who wears it or Lady Elizabeth is it?!
Anyhow, I have to keep my eyes and ears open for more for my task.
-Said by the household: He does not usually invite guests only on special occasions and such.]
I closed my journal and went ahead to prepare.
Later...
And so they did left. The household, that crazy demon-like dog outside and I myself were left. It was finally quiet after these past few days of argument! Finnian went to his usual spot in the garden; Mey-Rin is cleaning the study while Bardroy is trying to heat up the stove again. They don't seem to mind that dog or Tanaka either.
"I now don't have to worry about the butler nor the little twit! I can fully and freely explore with ease!" I hummed and skipped cheerfully but I remembered all of a sudden...
"The household are around...! They might suspect me!" But as a reporter, I am pretty charismatic with sane people. Except for the Earl and his butler! I wandered again around for clues and scoops.
Ciel's POV
The wheels of the carriage clacked all the way but leaving me and Sebastian dead silence. I only watched the trees and nature pass as we carried on.
Sebastian was busy arranging the files so pestering him was useless. We were on our way to the Buckingham Palace as the Queen ordered me to as usual.
"Sebastian, did you lock the important rooms to keep that buffoon away?" I glanced at him as he revealed several keys.
"Of course, Young Master; I've also given spare keys to Master Tanaka in case." I nodded but I felt my heart raced as I remembered-
"Did you... Did you also left the sc-scones I told you?" I cleared my throat out of nervousness. I heard him chuckle all of a sudden.
"Yes, my lord."
Your POV
I ended up at the garden where Finnian's spot is. To my surprise, everything looked dead! The greenery turned into browns and yellows! The flowers and trees withered! It is like a graveyard or something!
"Ah! Morning Lady _!" Finnian yelled from afar. It seems he was 'tending' some flowers atop in the arc. Seeing him, I could spill him some beans!
"G-good morning to you too.." I nervously went to his direction to see more of his 'work'. But being raised with love for gardening, I-I couldn't resist reviving the whole place!
"So, Lady _, what can I do for you in this early morning?" He took a withered flower and sniffed it. My brows twitched seeing the petals of it fall.
"Hey, what can you say about the Young Earl?" I had a hint of sarcasm as I rolled it out of my tongue. No matter how I hated him, I must give respect to it when conversing with the household.
"The Young Master? Hmmm," Just as I thought, he couldn't simply know what to say about-
"The Young Master can be strict all the time and be moody when something's not going his way! But he's so kind and mysterious in his own ways!" Finnian flashed the brightest smile his face could form.
Judging by his reaction, it seems talking to him about the little twit makes him more happier.. Is there a side of the Earl that I have to see more?
"He was even so kind enough to keep me..." His smile went weak just reminiscing about it. What did he mean...? That's all I should know for now even if it's something. Pursuing it further will give me suspicious.
"I see. Thank you for your word, Finnian." I was about to go as he jumped down in front of me from the arc.
"I know! I'll give you this rose!" His hand appeared in front of my very eyes. So he was 'tending' some roses after all. I mean, I think it is sweet of him but for his kindness...
"Th-thank you for this.." He was even happier seeing a doubtful smile of mine. "I recommend you use something loamy earth for the roses or something fertile for it." I went off with the 'rose' without glancing.
"Is that so? Alright! Thank you Lady _ for the tip!" He waved as I chuckled. I guess I could keep this rather than throwing it away..
I walked my way to the bedroom until I heard a loud explosion from the kitchen... I come running to it just to find a burnt kitchen as Bardroy coughed with the heaving smoke.
"What happened in here?!" I quickly came inside and helped Bardroy stand to his balance.
"Hm? Lady _! What a surprise! I was about to cook some meal for the afternoon preparations!" Cooking? I thought he couldn't cook! Well, I usually see Sebastian making the preparations..
"Then, why did it exploded?"
"Bard!" The other household came worriedly. Bardroy had a wide smile on his face. Even though he almost put the whole kitchen on fire?!
"Bard, are you alright?" Finnian examined Bardroy's injuries.
"Ooohh! I was about to finish cleaning the study when I heard something exploded!" Mey-Rin playfully punches him. I saw how Finnian and Mey-Rin were worried about Bardroy but he just laughed it off.
The household finished cleaning Bardroy's mess and left. I peeked at the kitchen door how he cooks.
"Well, can't be late for the preparations! Better start the heat!" He, out of the blue, got some explosives and placed them inside the stove and brought out a rocket launcher! I quickly went inside and held his rocket launcher away.
"Lady _! What can I do for you?" He asked as he removed his goggles giving a clear view of his stuffy face. I sighed and took the launcher away.
"H-hey, where do you think you're-"
"Clearly, it might make another disaster if you continue with it..." His brow arched with some doubt and huffed.
"Show me then." I simply smirked and prepared myself and everything needed.
I showed Bardroy simple methods in cooking. Cutting, cubing, slicing, dicing, boiling and so forth.. We both stirred the soups as he tried smelling his pot.
"Wow, Lady _! I didn't knew you could cook!" He flashed a smile at me. I chuckled and glanced over the creamy soup in mine.
"It was nothing. Perhaps you could do simple dishes now, eh?" I cleanse my hands ready to leave the kitchen. He jerked up his thumb with a smile.
"By the way, can you tell me about the Earl?" He thought for a moment, wondering if he could answer like Finnian did..
"Well, let's see... I respect Young Master as dearly as I respected my Commander! I give all my salutations to Young Master!" Commander? Was Bardroy a... Soldier? I shook my head and said my farewell then left.
After having what I and Bardroy prepared, everything went normal once again. Rather a slow and quiet day to be exact. I saw Tanaka walking along the corridors. Wait, is he walking?! I would usually see his strange form but he's walking today! He turned to glance making me jerk up.
"Lady _, quite lovely to see you doing your duties." He had a soft smile before I could reply.
"Du-duties? Ah, you meant my t-task?" He nodded. How did he know about it?! Did he either saw my journal or the little twit told him?!
"Worry not, milady. The Young Master told me so and only me and Mr. Sebastian know about your duties here." I nervously smiled at him as I just decided to leave.
"Th-that's good to know, Mr. Tanaka. We-well, I shall proceed n-now.." I marched to the opposite direction leaving Tanaka chuckling.
As I disappear from his sight, I quickly ran straight to a random room. I shut the door behind me. I panted and found myself sweating.
"U-uwaaaaaah~!" Mey-Rin was about to fall with several books in her hands.
"Mey-Rin!" Instead of catching her with bare hands, the both of us hit the carpet floor on our buttocks. I sat up while rubbing my head.
"M-m-m-milady!" She scrambled her way to me. She was busy yapping and worrying but I glanced at where does she plans to place all this books.
"Mey-Rin," she jolted and scrambled again. "Y-y-ye-yes, La-lad-lady _-_-_?!" I chuckled and got a book.
"We're at the study, correct?" She nervously nodded. I sighed. It was a perfect opportunity to snoop and find clues now but seeing the incident, I cannot simply let Mey-Rin do the entire handful work. I stood up with Mey-Rin and offered a hand. She was hesitant but accepted it.
The day went by with me and Mey-Rin cleaning the manor. The household were troubling at the work but I could give them a hand or few. They seem so sincere and of course, they respect the brat well.
I finished cleaning the Quarter's back just as I wiped my sweaty face. All this hard work reminded myself of my past.. But I quickly shook it when I heard the door open revealing Tanaka with a tray.
"Mr... Tanaka?" He held out a glass with a drink.
"Simply Tanaka is alright, Lady _." I was really thirsty so I accepted it and drank it one shot. I felt so refreshed! After finishing it, I settled the glass down on the tray.
"You seem good with your hands, milady. It was shameful for us, the Phantomhive Servants, to be assisted by you." He bowed in apologies.
"I-it wasn't trouble at all! I just wanted to... Give an extra helping hand... That is all... Please don't tell it to the Earl though..." I shrugged. Surely, if the little twit would know about it, he will give me that annoying laugh of his...! Tanaka chuckled and nodded.
"I made Mey-Rin prepare your bed. Please follow me to cleanse you and have you in bed." We both left the room and I proceeded myself to clean all the dust and dirt.
"Say Tanaka, the manor seemed so quiet. Is it like this all the time for him?" Tanaka turned his view to me.
"Yes. Yes, indeed it is. Everything was at silence for the Phantomhive Manor. Not a sound is heard." I felt I wanted to ask more but I know that would only invade the line for today. Instead, we both continued on.
I crashed on what I would not call 'my' bed. I turned to the side and looked to the window, framing the moon and the stars in this hazy night.
But strange, Finnian, Mey-Rin and Bardroy... I am sure I have seen them in one of the newspaper articles... It is only at the back of my tongue though...
Ciel's POV
I sighed as Sebastian and I entered the manor. The servants greeted us back but strangely, they are more genuinely happy about something.
"Is there something to matter?" I had a serious tone. I arched my brow in bit of irritation. But all of a sudden, Tanaka dismissed them to return. Sebastian took my coat off as I went to have some rest.
"Tanaka, tell me why are they smiling like wankers?" I heard Tanaka chuckle as he just replied,
"Lady _, perhaps?"
What on earth did she do to them?!