Woot! Another chapter! So, of the people that guessed... no one was right! (But they were all good ideas) In the next chapter the horrible truth of what will happen to Elizabeth will be revealed! DUN DUN DUN!

Grell spied on the Phantomhive estate, perched in a tree. He was hoping, from the bottom of his heart, that Sebastian was still somewhere around. Grell had not been prepared for Ciel's death. William, the bastard, hadn't told Grell that Ciel would die. The little shit was the only thing standing between Sebastian and himself. Grell hadn't been able to catch Sebastian before he'd disappeared completely. Grell's heart sank, as he saw his wonderful, beautiful Sebby nowhere. After so many years of pursuing him, Sebastian had just up and left. How could he just leave Grell there, alone? How long had it been? How long had Grell waited for Sebastian? Almost twenty years! Death Gods and Demons didn't age, but the world did.

"You okay?" William landed on the tree opposite the one Grell was seated on. Grell looked away.

"Why do you care?" Grell snapped, glaring at William from the corner of his eye. William grunted and stood straight on his branch. He pushed his glassed to the bridge of his nose.

"You are a fellow Death God and a member of my team. I need to know if you are up for your next job or not." William always emotionally distanced himself from everyone. It enraged Grell, who was so open with his emotions.

"I'm fine!" Grell growled, jumping to his feet and glaring at William.

"We've notified all of his friends and business partners, Miss." Bard stepped up to Elizabeth, solemn-faced.

"Yes, thank you," Elizabeth stood, and realized she was still in her robe. She didn't even have the strength to blush in modesty. She looked to Maylene, who jumped to the rescue, and motioned Elizabeth out of the room. She was whisked away and dressed in a sort of haze. She barely understood anything. When she was presentable, she came back to the hall, to find a few people already there for the wake. Ciel's body was in another room, the Undertaker taking care of him-it. Nicholas was nowhere in sight.

The servants were handling everything well. It was odd. They were usually such mess-ups. They never really changed much from the time Elizabeth first met them. Maylene still had horrible vision and balance. Finny was still a horrible gardener. Bard still burnt meals and exploded the kitchen on a regular bases. The only thing that had really changed was their age, over the years. They'd toned down their rowdiness, thankfully. Maylene no longer had a crush on Sebastian. Bard had become more English in his speech and actions. Finny looked and acted more mature. A romantic relationship had grown between Finny and Maylene. Barely noticeable, but it was there. Bard had a girl in town. He'd been seeing her for years.

Elizabeth realized she was distracting herself from her pain, and smiled ruefully to herself.

"Elizabeth! It's horrible!" Soma popped into Elizabeth's vision, and threw his arms around her. He sobbed onto her shoulder. She rubbed his back reassuringly, though she craved for reassurance herself. "Ciel!" Soma cried. Elizabeth could feel his tears soaking into her black dress. The Indian prince was the same as he'd always been. Rowdy and energetic even with age. He had become more mature though. He rarely cried, and never got into his funks where he was all 'Wo is me, I'm a lonely prince, who's gotten everything I've wanted but this one thing.'

Agni walked over, grim-faced, and pulled Soma off of Elizabeth. "My apologies, Miss Elizabeth." Agni bowed, and looked worriedly down at her. "Are you well after your husband's passing?" he asked, as Soma sobbed on his shoulder. He ignored the prince.

"Yes. Well, as well as any woman can be, I suppose." Elizabeth had always liked Agni. He was kind and gentle. Agni was getting on in years, nearing forty, as was Soma. They were both showing their years for once, what with their grave faces pulled tight. The wrinkles danced across their faces in their grief. Agni was a good butler, much like Sebastian. At the thought of Sebastian, her chest heaved, thinking of how he could leave them in such a horrible time.

"Miss?" Agni asked, noticing her movement. He placed a hand to her arm, in case she fainted.

"Nothing, nothing. I'm alright," she said weakly. Lau strolled up to the three of them. He looked down at Elizabeth, and sighed. Ranmao was at his side.

"Are you well, Lady Phantomhive?" he asked, cocking his head to the side. She smiled weakly at him.

"Yes, I'm well." She'd never really liked the Asian. He seemed like, well, a pompous bastard. He always pretended to know what was going on, though he rarely did. Whenever she was near him, she could smell the opium emanating from his person. It sickened her. And his women. They made Elizabeth's skin crawl. How could anyone be so attracted to such-such whores! And he was nearly fifty! Ranmao was the worst of them. She was Lau's favorite, and she was ageing as he was. Maybe he truly loved her? But she was still a whore. They weren't married. And her personality! She had no personality what so ever! How could he be attracted to her? Lau now had a head of white hair, and had grown a matching beard and moustache. He had wrinkles around his eyes, and his cheeks were stretched taunt across his face. Ranmao was faring no better. Her hair was still ebony black, but her face was just as wrinkled as Lau's. She could no longer pull off the short skirts and low necklines.

Elizabeth was gland of thier ageing. Although she was afraid one day she would be old and decrepit like them. She had no idea what was about to happen in just a few moments, and what it would mean for her and Nicholas.