"Aiko, are you ready for bed?" Alex looks into Aiko's room. He had found her with Ciel and, after Sebastian had returned and the two were informed of their masters plan, he took Aiko home. Now its late, and Aiko is in her nightgown.
"Yes, yes, I'm ready." Aiko sighs and walks over to her bed. "you're so pushy today."
"After you took off like that, i have a right to be."
"No, you don't." Aiko lies down in her bed. "Alex, i..." Alex walks over. Aiko shuts her eyes. "are you wearing a cologne or something?"
"Yes. It seems one of the new servants couldn't help herself. She sprayed some on me and was hoping i'd like it so she could give it to me as a gift for the job."
"It smells horrible. I actually prefer your normal, disgusting smell."
"I understand. I'll get rid of it." He goes to leave.
"Wait. I..."
"What is it?" Aiko sits up, then looks down at her hands.
"Y-you see... I-I'm a bit nervous, knowing that other demon is back. w-would... um..." she sighs. "W-would you stay in here? At least, until I fall asleep." He smiles and walks back over. He tucks Aiko in, then leans close.
"Of course my dear." Aiko smirks.
"Alex, I have an order for you."
"What is it?" he frowns.
"Alex, I order you to get this imposter away from me!" Alex frowns. He's suddenly kicks into a wall, and in his place stands the real Alex.
"Did he touch you my lady?" Alex looks at Aiko. She shakes her head.
"He came far too close to touching me though."
"I am sorry. I was waiting for your orders." Alex bows. The imposter starts laughing. As he laughs he returns to his true demonic form.
"Of course you realized. Then again..." He smirks at Alex, then looks at Aiko. "My dear, why such a harsh reunion? Haven't you missed our time together?"
"No." Aiko growls. "Why are you here? you should leave me alone!"
"I am sorry. But I couldn't leave you alone. Not after all the time we spent together."
"Perhaps we can help." Ciel opens the door to Aiko's room, Sebastian behind him. "Sebastian."
"Alex."
"This is an order."
"I order you."
"Get rid of this demon!" They say in unison. Alex and Sebastian smirk. As they start to fight Aiko quickly leaves her room, then starts walking down the hall.
"Aiko, where are you going?"
"Away. I don't want to see that demon again."
"Why not? Don't you want to see him die?"
"Ciel..." Aiko stops, then turns away. "You are such a fool. I don't want to see him die. I don't want to have anything to do with him. He's been nothing but a sore for me."
"Then where are you going?"
"I'm tired. I want to go to bed." Aiko leaves...
"I can't believe she just disappeared again." Alex sighs as he walks into his room, and is surprised to see Aiko sitting on his bed, knees hugged to her chest. "Aiko?"
"Is he dead?"
"No, I'm afraid he got away. Sebastian got in my way." Alex sets his bloody gloves on a paper on his desk. "What are you doing in here my lady?"
"Its the only place that felt safe."
"Well, now perhaps we should find you a room to sleep in, seeing as yours has some damage..."
"No."
"Aiko?"
"Alex, i..." She looks down, then looks at him. He was covered in blood. Some his own, some Sebastians, some the other demons. "I want to stay in here tonight, with you. please." He sighs, then smiles.
"Of course my lady." He grabs some new clothes and leaves to change. When he returns he has pillows and a big blanket. He walks over to his bed and tucks Aiko in. She curls up under the blanket. Alex sits down to do some work. But after a few minutes Aiko gets out of the bed. She walks over and taps Alex on the shoulder. "What is it?" He looks at Aiko. She blushes, then moves his arm out of her way. She sits on his lap and cuddles up to him. "Aiko?"
"Shut up. I'm tired." She mumbles. He sighs, then smiles.
"You're such a pathetic little child."
"Shut up." He wraps an arm around Aiko, and she soon falls asleep.
"You really are pathetic." He runs his fingers through her hair. "I can't help but wonder how you can be so strong and yet so weak..."
In the morning Aiko's eyes flutter open. She expects to be in a bed, but realizes she's still in Alex's arms. She looks up at him and sees he's reading a paper.
"Morning." He stops reading and looks at Aiko.
"H-how come you didn't just put me in the bed?"
"I considered it. But I didn't want to wake you." Aiko shuts her eyes and rests her head on Alex's shoulder.
"I hate you Alex." He smiles.
"I know." Aiko sighs, then gets off of Alex's lap. She stretches, then sighs again. "My lady, when you get dressed remember we have a meeting with the queen."
"yes, I know." Aiko walks out, heading to her room. She walks in and sighs. The bed is completely destroyed, her mirror broken, and a few other things seem to be done with, but her dressors and closet seem to be intact. She goes to the closet and looks at her dresses, then sighs. "I don't want any of these..."
"How about this one?" Alex walks in holding a light blue dress, the bottom only a slight poof, and blue flowers along the single shoulder strap.
"I guess its nice." She walks over and grabs the dress, looking it over. "Alex, you're an irritant."
"I realize you believe this." Aiko looks at Alex.
"Well, get out." He smiles and bows, then walks out, closing the door behind him. Aiko pulls out the underclothes Alex had put inside the dress and puts them on, then puts the dress on. She sighs when she's almost done. "Alright, get back in here you brat." Alex walks in.
"I'm the brat?" Aiko pulls her hair over her shoulder, revealing the back, which is lace that needs to be tied at the top. Alex chuckles and walks over. He tightens the lace, then ties it up.
"Of course you're the brat. You are an annoying brat."
"If you say so."
"Remind me, what does the queen want?"
"She wanted to congradulate you on yours and Jaz's work, and then she had a private message she wished to only disclose in person. And of course her letter said she missed you, and felt you are very dear to her. We're also supposed to bring a few orders of white roses, and an order of lilies."
"Alright. Do you have these orders ready?"
"I got them ready last night, after the fight. and I set them in my own mixture to keep them from wilting."
"So long as they are in perfect condition. Go check on them while I finish."
"Yes my lady." He bows, then leaves. Aiko puts on her jewelery, then sighs, unsure what to do with her hair.
"You look so beautiful." Aiko frowns. The voice belonged to Jaz, but... "How cruel can you be, my dear?"
"What are you doing here?" Aiko spins around and growls. The demon walks over and grips her chin.
"I just can't stay away. Of course you shouldn't be so surprised to see me. You've spent so much time with me, before you ran away."
"What? I didn't..."
"Don't you recognize my voice Aiko? How I love you my dear. And then you break my heart." he strokes her cheek. Aiko growls.
"Quit impersonating him." She slaps his hand away.
"Impersonate? I suppose its understandable. You were never told that your father had to beg me to pretend to be a young boy for you because he was too slow to keep the boy from behind killed by me. And then of course Alex never told you that he had a deal with me. That I was to play the part of your desperate little fiancee before killing myself. That way he could trick you into making a deal with him."
"Shut up! You're lying!"
"Am I?"
"You smell disgusting. All demons do."
"If I can change my looks, my voice, do you really think I can't change one more thing?" He strokes her cheek again. "My dear Aiko, you are such a fool. You fell for everything."
"What did you get?"
"what?"
"What did you get?" She growls. "What did you get for selling me out to Alex?"
"I could never get you to make a deal with me." He smiles. "But in helping him, I got plenty of souls to enjoy. then i could just leave, no problems. Didn't you wonder why you never saw Jaz? During three years of torment you saw many others come and go, yet never him. and when you were younger, don't you remember? Back when you were four. The first time you saw a child killed."
"I..." Aiko did remember it, at least, she thought she remembered it. "Th-that was a little boy, just some stranger."
"Stranger? That was Jaz. He had come over to play, his parents already inside. He snuck up on you, and you two started to play. But then I came and..." He runs his nails over Aiko's throat. "No more Jazz. You didn't know what to do. In fact, you just stood there. After a few moments you started to cry. I had never seen you up close before. You facinated me. So I picked you up and brought you back inside. Your father, and Jaz's parents, all of them were enraged. Then your father begged me to pretend to be Jaz, so you wouldn't remember. You were so young he thought it would work. And of course it did. Jaz's parents hated the thought, they didn't even know about me before. They were so disgusted with your father. So I rid them of their memories at his request. From then on I've played your little friend."
"I..." Aiko is horrified. She thinks of all the intimate moments she had with Jaz. All the secrets she told him, no, not him, that thing.
"You really should have taken the chance to run." Aiko looks at her door to see Alex. "Really, to have come back, and then to tell her everything." He sighs.
"Alex..." Aiko feels like her heart was being shattered. Then she growls. "Alexander you irritating..."
"Are you that surprised?" Alex sighs. "I wasn't planning on telling you until your time was up. Then I could see that anger, that hate you have now, but intensified." He smiles. "I always loved that passionate look. That intense anger."
"Alex!"
"Yes, my lady?" Aiko looks from Alex to the demon in front of her, then shuts her eyes.
"Alex, I order you, either kill this demon, or break out contract." He's surprised, then smiles and bows.
"Yes, my lady." Aiko steps back, pressing herself against her dresser. Alex grabs the other demon, and the two go out the window. She then puts on her shoes and walks out of the room, heading to a bathroom with a mirror where she finishes getting ready. when she walks out Alex is waiting for her, blood dripping from his clothes, much like last night.
"He's dead?"
"Yes."
"Go change... Oh, and before you bring the carriage up I want you to understand. When I speak with the Queen i must report that Jaz killed himself. He burned himself in his room, and left a note explaining he couldn't live with his memories. He tried, but everything is ruined. He's sorry for the trouble, and he hopes I find someone who can take care of me."
"I understand." He goes to leave.
"Alex, you are NEVER to lie to me. Thats an order." Alex stops, then smiles.
"Yes, my lady." He leaves. Aiko sighs, then slowly makes her way downstairs, then out front. when she gets there Alex is already waiting for her. She starts to get in the carriage, then stops.
"Alex, i need a black veil."
"Yes my lady." Aiko gets in, and a few moments later Alex reaches in and hands her a veil. She puts it on, and the two ride away, their deliveries behind them, as they head to their meeting with queen Victoria...
"Aiko!" Queen Victoria smiles as Aiko, with Alex right behind her, is brought in. There are several groups of people there as well. "I'm so glad to see you my dear. You see, I have some gifts for you. Come here my dear." Aiko approaches, and she's suddenly swarmed by gifts.
"M-my! Th-this is too much." Aiko smiles shyly at the Queen. "What could these be for? I've done nothing to deserve this."
"Of course you have! After all, you've brought your families garden back to life! And then you and dear Jaz... Where is Jaz?" Aiko looks away, a pained look on her face.
"I... I'm sorry to say my lady... But, m-my butler, he went to see if Jaz was ready for the trip, and..." She hides her face in her hands, starting to cry.
"What is it?"
"I'm sorry my Queen." Alex bows. He places a hand on Aiko's shoulder. "It's alright my lady. I will explain."
"Th-thank you." Aiko sniffles. One of the queens butlers quickly comes over with some tissues. Aiko dabs her eyes and gently rubs her nose as Alex speaks.
"My queen, when I went to find Jaz, what I found was very disheartening. My lady would not have come to this visit if it were with anyone but your majesty once she was told what I found. You see... Master Jazmik, he had become very depressed. And in this state he locked himself away and he... burned himself."
"My!" The queen looks shocked.
"I am sorry we must report this." Alex bows.
"Aiko, you must be so heart broken. Your fiancee... What did the note say?"
"It said that he regrets not being stronger, like Aiko. And that the years of torment he went through have scarred his mind. He could not live the way he was, because it would lead to a disastrous sin should he continue in his depression. So he chose to keep himself from following that path in the only way he was capable. As well, he wished the Queen health and a happy life, and sends his deepest regrets he couldn't see either your Majesty or my lady one last time."
"I see. Jaz was always such a wonderful boy." She sighs. "I was worried by that black veil. Now I know why you wear it. My deepest condolences my dear."
"Thank you, your majesty." Aiko sighs sadly.
"I feel this visit was destined for this time! To rid you of your sadness for a short while at least! For I have a great gift for you, not one that can be wrapped. Come here my dear." Aiko nods, then walks up to the queen, accompanied by the queens butler. Alex stays back. Queen Victoria stands and pulls Aiko into a hug. "My dear, I am giving you, because you are now head of your family, head of your families company, and head of Jaz's company, and because you are a dear family member of mine, the honor of being a Duchess..."
"M-My Queen."
"I have been watching you grow Aiko. You have a strong heart, a strong will, and you are what probably kept Jaz alive for as long as he was. You've pulled through a lot, and I am very proud of what you've done, and what you've become. Even now, with the death of your fiancee, i know you will do all of your duties, and likely exceed them. You are a wonderful young lady, and I would have been proud should you have been my daughter."
"Thank you. I will wear this title with pride." Aiko curtsies.
"My dear, now that this is over with, I would like to speak with you, and earl phantomhive, in private. But I will give you a few minuites to speak with the others here first. After all, they are here to witness this success for you."
"Thank you so much my Queen." Queen Victoria stands and curtsies back, then leaves to another room. Aiko is quickly swarmed by those that are there to congradulate her.
"Aiko!"
"Wonderful!"
"The queen must be very impressed to bestow that high of an honor upon you!"
"And when you're so young!"
"Aiko!" Aiko turns to look at the every annoying blond viscount, Aleister Chamber. "My dear you are so beautiful and so strong! like a magestic horse you ride on through the pain, never losing your pride, never losing your beauty!" He grabs her hands. "And now you are all alone! How sorrowful! I would take you into my own house and protect you!"
"Uh..." Aiko fights back a twitch and a scream. "Th-thank you, but..."
"But she desires for me to take care of her now!" Edward Midford grabs Aiko's hands away from Aleister, and then looks into her eyes. "My dear Aiko, you are a true beauty, and I want to protect you in place of Jazmik."
"Th-thanks, but I..." Aiko can't fight the twitch this time.
"Aiko!" Aiko looks over at Ciel. "The Queen is waiting. We should go now."
"Yes." Aiko quickly escapes, Alex following behind her, and follows Ciel and Sebastian. "Thank you so much." She sighs with relief.
"I was getting tired of waiting. and besides, annoying those two dulces is always a pleasure. Now, I'm curious..." The two stop in a hallway. "What really happened to Jaz?" Aiko glares up at Alex, then shakes her head.
"That story is for another day. But, I can tell you that your murderer is gone."
"Really?" Sebastian looks at Alex, who smirks.
"Yes." Aiko continues walking. "Now lets get this meeting over with. I have to go home and morn the death of my fiancee." The group heads to a back room where Queen Victoria's butlers are waiting.
"I'm glad you two are here." Charles Grey smiles. "The queen wanted to stay and speak with you, but she felt ill so she had to return to her room."
"What could she possibly have wanted that would require the earl and myself?"
"A few things. All of which are in these." He holds up two letters with the queens seal. He hands one to Aiko and one to Ciel. "In addition to that, the queen has a request for you Aiko." He hands Aiko another envelope. "Everything you two need to know are in those letters. Her majesty requested you two go somewhere private and open the letters, then discuss where you will more on from there."
"I understand." Aiko sighs.
"Come on then." Ciel walks out, and Aiko follows...
Aiko and Ciel as back at Ciel's mansion, in his study, reading their letters. the letters read like this:
Aiko, Ciel, I have a problem that I would like the two of you to work on together. There has been a sudden jump in the deaths of children. Ciel, this is unusual. The children disappear for two days, then suddenly appear back in their beds, their mouths sown shut, and their hearts stabbed. This is troublesome. To have our children taken away like that. But the reason I ask Aiko to help is because there is an unusual trend with plants. Once the children are buried a boquet of strange flowers are found on their graves the next day, and no one sees the person leaving the flowers. Together you two should be able to solve this crime, and relieve me of my worries for our dear little ones.
"Strange flowers?" Aiko frowns. "I'd like to see these flowers."
"and I would like to see the children, and see if we can get more information." Ciel stands. "but we can't go out today. Tomorrow we'll go."
"Why can't we go now?" Aiko frowns.
"For one, you don't look ready to investigate murders." Aiko looks down at her dress, then sighs.
"Yes, of course."
"Two, you're supposed to be in mourning, aren't you?"
"Yes."
"Then you should return home for now. Tomorrow after lunch Sebastian and I will come and pick you up. Then we'll go see the Undertaker."
"Alright." Aiko stands. "I will see you tomorrow Ciel." Aiko walks out, then heads down to the waiting carriage. As Alex drives away she takes out her second letter and opens it. "Dear Aiko, I'm glad you have recieved this. I hope you finish your other task quickly, because I have a rather important request of you. Your family has been known for throwing some of the most elegant, and most memerable parties. I would like for you, in two weeks, to throw a party, and properly reintroduce yourself to the upperclass world. You've been sadly distant from your family, so please open up and allow yourself to represent the title that has been bestowed on you. You've done even more than your parents, and I have been told of your secret donations to charities. You've earned this title my dear, do not hide from it." Aiko sighs. "Of course, but what a troublesome request. I never was good at parties. But if her majesty asks this of me, then I suppose that I can't refuse." She shakes her head, then sighs again...
"My lady, time to wake up. I've prepared some..."
"I don't care." Alex blinks, surprised. Aiko sits up, running her fingers through her hair. "I don't really care what kind of tea. Just give me a cup."
"Yes, my lady." He pours a cup of tea for Aiko and hands it over. She takes a sip, then hands it back.
"It's disgusting." She stands, then walks to her dresser to pull out some clothes. Alex watches her then sighs.
"Aiko, is something wrong?"
"What do you think? You disgusting irritant." She growls. "Just leave. I want as little contact with you as possible."
"As you wish." Alex walks out. Aiko gets dressed, then looks at the tea that was left for her. Alex knew Aiko liked that particular tea, but she was stubborn. Aiko walks over, then opens her window. She takes the entire cart of items and throws it out her window. She watches it fall to the ground with a crash, then shuts her window.
"I hate demons..." Aiko brushes her hair, then heads downstairs. She doesn't bother going to the dinningroom for breakfast, she wasn't hungry. Instead she heads to the main hall. Alex walks up to her.
"My lady, aren't you going to eat?"
"No. I want to see the servants you found."
"Of course." Alex leaves for a few minutes, but then returns with three people trailing behind him. The first follower is a young man, he looks to be in his early twenties, with medium length red hair tied back in a ponytail. The second is a taller man, probably in his late twenties, with messy short black hair and a strong build. The finally person is a young woman who looks to be the same age as the first guy. She is asain, though Aiko isn't sure from which country, and has long black hair in a braid.
"Hello Mistress!" The three say in unison. Aiko stares at them without any emotion for a few moments, then smiles.
"Hello! I'm Ma... Duchess Aiko Setrous. Now, I would like for each of you to say what your title will be, and why you are qualified to be my servant."
"I suppose I'll start." The younger man smiles. He has a soft voice. "My name is Mark, and I'll be your gardener from now on. I've been hired for my knowledge and capability with chemistry."
"Chemistry?"
"Yes!" He smiles. "I love chemistry, and I love plants. I've always dreamed of having a lab outside." He smiles, a daydream coming into view in his mind. "To have some explosives hidden away in one place, some chemicals in another, and while I trim a bush I can be watching one of my mixtures as it changes colors."
"So you just mix chemicals?"
"No! I know exactly how to use them! I've even managed to enhance the abilities and take control over dangerous animals."
"Oh?" Aiko frowns, thinking about the scientists who experimented on her. Alex brings out two cages. Inside one, a white tiger. Inside the other, a wolf.
"Watch this." He opens the tigers cage. "Come out my dear!" The tiger does. It walks out of the cage, then circles Mark. "They each have been given a pill that has enhanced their ability to recognize and understand commands. And of course a few injections that increase their strength and agility. Wonderful these two in particular are." He opens the wolf cage, and the wolf comes. It sits next to Mark, and allows Mark to pet it.
"How did you go about your experiments?"
"ahh, yes, well..." He smiles. "You see, I actually performed the experiments on myself."
"R-really?"
"Well of course! I may be a scientist, but I have a heart! I couldn't experiment on the animals themselves. and I would need enhanced abilities to work with these animals anyways. so it only seemed logical to me."
"Alright." Aiko walks over and reaches out to pet the tiger.
"Careful!" She scratches behind the tigers ear, and it purrs. She smiles.
"I always had a way with animals." She then gets down to eye level with the animals. The wolf stares at Aiko, and she stares back. After about a minute the wolf breaks eye contact. Aiko smiles and reaches over, petting the animal. "Such a good boy." She then stands and is about to talk with the next new staff member when a tiny growl makes her turn back to one of the cages. Out of it runs a white tiger cub. Aiko smiles and picks up the playful feline. "Awww! So cute!" She nuzzles the cub, then scratches behind its ear. "she's so adorable! I love her!"
"Ahh, yes, the baby. I had forgotten about her. She's very young. I couldn't work on the mother for quite some time because of her. Can't work on her either, too young."
"She's adorable." Aiko sets the cub back down, and she runs to her mother. She then coughs and turns to the next servant. "Alright, your turn."
"The names Jeramy. I'll be your cook."
"Can you cook."
"Of course! my father owned a restaurant when i was young, so i learned to cook back then. But when i grew up he died. So I went into service. I became a specialist at weapon design and strategy planning. I love designing, creating, testing, and remaking weapons, or any machinery. As well, when i gave orders we always won our fights, and few to no soldiers ever died under my guidence."
"Sounds good. How about you?" Aiko turns to the girl.
"My name is Rina, and I will be your made. I am from Japan, and my father there was a skilled ninja, and taught me everything he knew. But as he grew older he found himself slowing slightly. In his slowness he made a mistake. To repent for his mistake those of his ninja clan, the one I was to join, were going to kill my mother and myself. So he sent me away. I fled to China, and from there I fled here, to England, where i've been a ninja for hire."
"I see." Aiko looks over her new servants, then thinks about Ciel's servants. They all felt indebted to him, and they cared greatly for him. Ciel and Sebastian had pulled them out of the darkness they were in to a new darkness, one they actually enjoyed because for them it seemed a little bit lighter. "Tell me, why will you three be loyal? Is it just for the money? could you be bought?"
"No!" Jeramy frowns. "I know we didn't mention it, but all three of us owe you and Alex here a great deal."
"Really? What did we do for you?"
"Well, I was to be put to death." Mark sighs. "It seems I was deemed dangerous because some fools wandered into my home and were killed. But Mr. Alex here, he somehow got me out of that. I will forever be greatful."
"And I was being accused of treason. A commander didn't listen to what I had to say and got himself and his entire platoon killed, and I was blamed. They said I gave them bad advice, and it was treason. But Alex here somehow talked them out of that thought of mind, and offered me a job here, protecting you."
"I, like my father, made a mistake." Rina looks down. "I was caught by a fellow ninja who was hired to catch me. And, as I waited to be killed, Alex-sempai came and saved me, and my honor. He avenged my mistake by destroying those who were to destroy me, and said as payment I could come and honor him by serving you."
"So you see, we all have some reason to be loyal to you." Jeramy smiles. "We'll serve you even if it means dying! cause we'd be dead without you and Alex here!" Aiko smiles, the nods.
"Well then, I am very glad. I hope that death will not be necessary, but to know you care so much is of a great comfort to me. Alex."
"Yes my lady?"
"I see they don't have any proper outfits for their new jobs. Who is it that Ciel hires?"
"Nina Hopkins. She's fairly popular."
"Alright. Call her and ask her to come tomorrow."
"Yes, my lady." Alex bows. Aiko then grabs the tiger cub and hugs it.
"So cute!"
"Mistress..." Mark smiles. "I think you'll love my collection. These two just happen to be my favorites, but i have many other animals."
"So long as they won't harm guests, or my home, I'd love for them to be allowed to roam freely."
"Really?" Mark smiles more. "I'll set them free right away!" He runs down a hall, heading to his room. Aiko smiles, then looks at her other two servants.
"Well, are you two settled in alright?"
"Yes ma'am."
"That's good." The cub curls up in Aiko's arms. She giggles. "Well, when I return tonight I think i'd like something sweet for dessert."
"Already thinking about dessert ma'am? You should think about lunch for now." Aiko smiles.
"I know, but i'm still young, and i still love sweets."
"Well, i'll make something special for dinner and dessert tonight! don't you worry!"
"Thank you." Aiko heads outside and sits out there for a while, playing with the cub. Come lunch time Alex has some potato and macaroni salads ready with a fish fillet. Aiko eats her salads, but only half the fish fillet. When Alex isn't looking she takes the rest of the fish and runs outside where she left the cub.
"Aiko!" Aiko laughs as she sets her plate down. The cub happily eats the fish. "You are such a problem child." Alex sighs. Aiko smiles and pets the cub.
"Why? Because I wanted to share my food with this little baby?"
"Because you snuck off with your food to give it to an animal."
"I suppose thats what you will have to deal with." The cub, once it finishes eating, tackles Aiko. She falls back and laughs.
"Aiko..." Sebastian walks up to them. "I'm..." He stops when he realizes it's a tiger cub licking Aiko's face. "I-is that..."
"Hello Sebastian." Aiko smiles. Sebastian runs over, then picks up the cub. Aiko frowns. "Hey! Thats mine!"
"So soft." Sebastian sighs happily. Aiko shakes her head, then snatches the cub away from Sebastian. "H-hey!"
"Alright baby girl, go back to your mama." Aiko sets the cub down. It purrs, then runs inside. She smiles, then looks at Sebastian. "I'm ready to go."
"Ahh, right." Sebastian sighs, then heads to the carriage. They get inside where Ciel is waiting. Sebastian sits next to Ciel, Aiko across from him.
"First we'll go see the Undertaker."
"I'm sure he'll have the flowers for me." Aiko sighs. When they arrive and walk in Undertaker smiles.
"Back so soon Earl? and Duchess." Undertaker smiles. Aiko walks over and hugs him.
"Just Aiko please. You have no need to call me by that title."
"As you wish. Ahh, I have some gifts for you." He pulls out some flowers, ones Ciel had never seen before, and hands them to Aiko. Since you're with the Earl I believed I knew what you wanted."
"Thank you." Aiko begins examining the flowers.
"As for you Earl..." Undertaker smiles. "Do you have payment for me?"
"What? She gets what she wants free? but i dont?"
"Of course. With a pretty face like mine, and our history, I get what I want." Aiko smirks. "Not that I don't make him laugh from time to time to make up for things like this."
"Fine." Ciel sighs angrily, then frowns, unsure what to do. Aiko shakes her head. She tugs on Undertakers sleeve. He leens down, since he's taller than Aiko, and she whispers something into his ear. Undertaker bursts out laughing.
"Oh! I haven't heard one like that in a while!"
"What did you say?" Ciel twitches slightly in annoyance. Aiko smiles and returns to examining her flowers.
"Alright, alright, ask whatever you'd like."
"I want to see any bodies you have."
"I do have one. It's going to be burried today." Ciel and Sebastian walk over to a coffin and examine the body, talking amongst themselves. Aiko pulls out one flower in particular and snaps the stem.
"What is that flower my lady?"
"This isn't anything special actually."
"Really?"
"Yes, look at it. The flower looks similar to a lily, doesn't it?"
"Yes, but the colors..."
"Yes, the colors are what make these appear so exotic." Aiko shakes her head. "It's a cheap trick, thats all. Placing a color in with the water the plants are given, for example the small amount of red thats on this flower, can make it change colors. And to give a flower multiple colors merely slice the bottom of the stem and feed different colors to different slices. Of course, the flower wont last very long sliced up, not compared to how long it would have lasted, but its enough time. If you treat a flower just right you can get many different results from the exact same thing. This person knew that. They also are likely a person with some money to be able to house and care for all these plants like this."
"So we'll eliminate anyone without a comfy income."
"We'll also eliminate anyone who is living with a large amount of people." Ciel walks over. "But they won't be living alone either."
"What makes you say that?"
"The childrens mouthes seem to have been sown shut before they died, liekly when they were first taken. Thats probably to keep someone from hearing the child scream or shout for help."
"But to keep a child so long requires either a very ignorant household, or a small one." Aiko smlies, then frowns. "But why children."
"They all are about the same age you know? Ten, some nine or eleven, but always around ten."
"Perhaps the other person in the house is a kid of the killers, or at least one they're taking care of." Aiko says. Ciel frowns at her.
"And why would you think that?"
"All of the children are a specific age. Whoever this is likely is doing well for themself. However something has set them off. It likely isn't money issues. If my theory is right, its a recent loss of someone, likely someone who took care of a child. Now the child is in the killers possession, and likely driving him to the point of breaking. He can't harm the child though, its all he has left of the person who is gone. So instead he kills these other children."
"He leaves the flowers because after the killing he feels remorse because of his own child." Aiko nods at Ciel.
"Exactly. And it would make sense why he would be so extreme with the flowers. Kids like new, colorful, strange things. In all likelihood the killers child will wear the most vibrant colors possible, and always have their outfit decorated with flowers."
"Sebastian, I want a list of suspects, and interviews done to narrow down the possibilities."
"Yes, my lord."
"Alex, help Sebastian."
"Yes, my lady." Sebastian and Alex leave. Ciel sighs.
"Well, now we wait for them to return..." Aiko smiles, then turns to Undertaker. "Do you have any stories for me today Undertaker?"
"Of course!" Undertaker laughs. "The young lady always loves my stories." Aiko smiles and sits on a chair. Undertaker stands in front of her and begins telling her one of his stories from when he was young. Ciel sighs and sits down, then rests his chin on his hand. He shuts his eyes, then begins to drift off to sleep while he waits for Sebastian and Alex to return...