"Lizzy is this really such a good idea?"
"It'll be fine Lilly, trust me."
Lizzy, Sebastian and I are headed toward my uncles Estate and thanks to Hannah's help, I look like a completely different person.
My hair is now black and placed atop my head in a half bun with a blue hairpin holding it in place, allowing the rest of my hair to hang down to my lower back. I'm wearing a Kimono so elegant that I could really pass as the cousin of the princes and Sebastian is supposed to act as my escort, showing me around the various places of Japan. Lizzy and I are to pass as acquaintances who met when she was visiting the palace, and she invited me to meet the rest of her family.
The plan is that Sebastian and I keep my uncle and cousin Alois distracted while Claude and Ciel sneak into the Estate and search for the documents needed to prove my innocence.
As we near the house I become nervous and grip the fabric of my Kimono. Seeing this both Sebastian and Lizzy grab my hands, telling me everything will be fine. I am grateful for their kindness and slowly my tension disappears. Then Lizzy leads us inside the Estate, playing her part of showing me around her home perfectly.
"And this is the living area, and over there is the servant quarter, and up there is our rooms."
I nod and look around at each area she points out, pretending to take it all in.
"Elizabeth, is that you?!"
"Yes father it's me!"
Aleister comes down the stairs then stops once he sees me.
Oh no, does he recognize me? I'm panicking on the inside but steel my nerves and look back at him.
"Oh my, you didn't tell me we were having a guest."
As he says this he comes to stand in front of my and lifts my hand to his lips.
"Who might this beautiful flower be?"
With that he kisses the back of my hand.
UGH! A shiver of disgust runs up my spine at the lust in his eyes.
"This is Yuki, she's the cousin of Prince Claude and Ciel." Explains Lizzy.
I bow my head in respect towards him.
"Konnichiwa." (Hello)
"Ah, even your voice is like the sound of bells ringing gently in my ears! So beautiful and graceful!"
He blushes and spins around as he says this in dramatic flare. I am not only repulsed by this, but I am taken aback as well.
"Please come in and make yourself at home."
Saying this he takes my hand and seats me next to him on the floor. I do my best to stay composed but the way he's staring at me and the close proximity between us is starting to give me the chills.
Sebastian clears his throat, bringing my uncles attention to him.
"Where is young master, Alois this evening?"
"Oh yes. Alois we have company!"
He calls out, his head lifted up and over his shoulder slightly before turning his attention back to me.
"I'm coming, I'm coming. Sheesh I was in the middle of filling out docume-"
He says as he comes down the stairs and walks towards us, but stops short when his eyes meet mine.
"And who's this?"
"This is, Yuki. Cousin of Prince Claude and Ciel."
My uncle states while gently running the back of his finger up and down along my arm.
Note to self: TAKE A BATH AND SCRUB HARD WHEN GETTING BACK TO THE RETREAT!
"A pleasure, Lady Yuki." With that Alois takes my hand and also kisses the back of it.
"Konnichiwa, Alois." I say with my best accent.
He blushes as well and sits on the other side of me as he leans in close to my face.
"What beautiful eyes. I have never seen a Japanese woman with blue eyes before."
UH OH!
I look to the side, feigning a blushing damsel. And it seems to work as Alois sits back down and just stares at me with an amused smile.
"Father, brother. Give her some space will you?! She's new to meeting Englishmen."
"Forgive us." They both say in unison before moving away from me slightly.
I sigh inwardly with relief and send a smile of gratitude over at Lizzy. She smiles back and begins discussing various things with me as if this is our first time talking to one another.
"Oh you simply must see our garden! It's not as grand as the one at the palace but it's so pretty!"
As she says this she stands up and I go to do the same when two hands shoot out on either side of me and take hold of my hands.
"We'll show her. Come this way, Lady Yuki."
Says my uncle and I am lead out into the garden by both him and Alois, Lizzy and Sebastian following close behind.
As we step outside I look around in 'awe' at the sight of an English garden as Lizzy 'explains' what the various flowers bedded in the garden are.
After several minutes my uncle and cousin seem to send one another glares, as if saying he will be the one to escort me around more as my hands are tugged slightly from side to side.
God this is getting out of hand. I sigh softly so they can't hear me when another hand shoots out and pulls me away from the two of them. Startled I look up and see Sebastian standing there with a smile plastered onto his face.
"Forgive me gentlemen but Lady Yuki seems to be tired. Might we go back inside for a rest?"
They nods and head inside first, mumbling to themselves as we follow behind them.
"Miss Lilly, they have found the documents." Sebastian whispers so only Lizzy and I can hear.
"How do you know?"
He simply motions his eyes to the side and I follow his line of sight to see two shadows leaping over the back wall, documents in hand.
Lizzy and I sigh in relief and nod our heads, we are then shown inside and have some tea with my uncle and cousin. When Mey-Rin serves us the tea she recognizes me and I wink at her while placing a finger to my lips. She nods and says nothing.
After tea we say our goodbyes and head back toward the retreat.
"Ugh, that was mortifying." I say as we step inside the house.
"You were a big hit as always, 'Lady Yuki'."
I send a glare towards Sebastian but he merely smiles in amusement. I sigh and take off my wig.
"This thing was driving me crazy as well. So itchy."
I say while combing out the wig. Hannah comes and takes it from me before helping me take off the cap that held my hair down under the wig.
"I must say though, the black hair with your baby blues looked absolutely stunning Lilly."
States Hannah as she smiles at me warmly.
"Thanks."
"So, we got all the documents we could find pertaining to Aleister's dealings."
Says an exhausted Claude.
"Hopefully it'll lead us to the solid evidence we need."
Says Ciel as he sits next to Lizzy.
We all go over the documents together and nod in satisfaction. This should be enough to at least get the police investigating the case further.
I sigh and stand up.
"I'm going to go bathe. I can still feel Aleister's and Alois's touch and eyes on me." *Shiver*
Claude gives me a questioning look and I shake my head.
"I'll explain later."
With that I go to leave and take a bath before someone's hand stops me. Surprised I turn around and see Claude standing there holding my wrist.
"Can it wait for a while? I would like to speak with you in private."
I'm confused but nod as he takes my hand and leads me into his room.
I sit down near the table in the center of his room and he takes a seat next to me.
"First of all, here. I found this while going through your uncles things, it had your name on it."
With that he pulls a book out from inside his Kimono and hands it to me.
"Oh..." I gasp softly and take the book from him. It's the book my father loved and left behind for me.
"Thank you, Claude." I say while smiling up at him slightly teary eyed.
He nods and smiles back at me before his face adopts a more serious look.
"What I'm about to tell you will be shocking so, if you feel the need to cry go ahead and do so. Know that my shoulder will be here for you to cry upon."
I nod and wait for him to tell me what it is. He sighs and opens his mouth to speak.
"It's about your father. Lilly, he's still alive."
I gasp and cover my mouth with both hands while they tremble slightly.
"You mean...?"
"Yes, we have documentation stating that he's still alive. But he has amnesia and it's taking a while for all his memories to come back. Because of this they have him under strict observation in one of the British Institutes. It seems they sent your uncle reports on his progress throughout the years, but he hid them from you. I'm so sorry Lilly."
By now tears are streaming down my face but I smile through them and shake my head.
"No...he's still alive. That's more than enough for me."
He looks surprised for a moment before giving me his most gentle smile and stroking my hair.
"You truly are strong. I fall more in love with you with each passing day, if that's even possible."
I giggle as he says this, then he brings his face close to mine and whispers.
"Would you allow me to court you, My Lady?"
My eyes go wide as a light blush takes hold of my cheeks. But I'm so happy right now I nod and smile brightly as more tears of joy run down my cheeks.
"Yes Claude, a thousand times yes."
With that he smiles before his lips take mine in a deep, passionate kiss and that night we fall asleep in each others arms.