Chapter Eight: His Master, a Servant
"Huh? W-where the hell am I?" Ciel asked angrily, noting that he was now in a girl's room, or at least, if it was a boy's room, the boy had very odd taste. Ciel was placated at least to notice Funtom Company products in the room including some rare toys that went out of production years ago.
"You're Cie'ñæ'dœßéçaïr?" The girl asked in a distinctly unimpressed tone. Ciel couldn't say that he blamed her. He certainly didn't cut an imposing figure for a demon, standing only 158 cm or 5'2" and looking distinctly like a fourteen year old.
However, upon hearing his truename spoken in such a demanding tone, he winced, and a pain that he couldn't quite describe shot through him. He knew now that he was bound to this girl, assuming she consented to the contract.
"Yes." Ciel said confidently. "I am Cie'ñæ'dœßéçaïr. I admit that I am probably not the demon you expected… But I am the one you got. You may dismiss me if you wish."
"No… I guess you'll do. I don't need anything too complicated."
"Then why summon a demon to do it? If it's so simple, you might consider doing it yourself…" Ciel said critically.
"I want revenge… Surely a demon can understand the desire for revenge?" The girl asked, looking slightly frightening. She was a pretty looking girl with long red hair that went down past her waist, and was held back in a ponytail."
"May I ask, Milady, where we are? I was mere miles from London just minutes ago."
"Hey! I didn't hire you for your sharp tongue! You're in the Isle of Man, now! Get used to it!" The girl said sharply.
"Very well. I must warn you before you enter into a contract with me that once you consent to such a Faustian Pact, you can go neither to heaven nor hell. Your soul will become my property for all of eternity."
"Yeah, yeah… I don't believe in God, anyway, so it's a moot point, guy. Just get on with it."
"An impatient young lady, aren't we? Very well. Your contract has been accepted." Ciel said, noting with satisfaction as his contract mark was sealed on the girl's eye."
"Okay… Now, what's your name?" She asked. Ciel laughed. "I suppose I should tell you that you can call me whatever you like me. However, I do have a human name, if Milady would be interested in hearing it?" Ciel asked, kneeling politely to the girl. "In exchange, might I have Milady's name?"
"My name is Lillian Kneale. Now you…"
"My name is Ciel Phantomhive… It is a pleasure to serve, Milady…"
"Wait… The Ciel Phantomhive? The Queen's guard dog?" Lillian asked, hardly able to believe that she was meeting Ciel Phantomhive, assuming he was telling the truth…"
"Yes. That was my job as a human. It's a long story, and I doubt Milady would be interested in this mere servant's petty woes."
"No, not at all! I would love to hear the story!" Lillian said excitedly, light shining in her eyes, now.
"I would be glad to tell you. However, you stated that you wished to attain revenge, correct? On whom would you like revenge?"
"The leader of the Manx Underground, and everyone who works under him. My father is an important person in the Manx Police, and he collared the leader of the Manx Underground. However, the man escaped the charges through bribery, coercion and witness tampering, and he ordered his stupid brutes to kidnap me. I was held captive for a year and was tortured, raped, starved and kept in conditions you wouldn't believe… I wish to make him suffer as I suffered."
"Well… You seem to be mistaken on one point. Most demons don't understand the distinctly human desire for revenge. Demons aren't passionate enough about anything to want revenge. However, as a former human, I understand it all too well.
And you may find it hard to believe, but I do believe the conditions that you may have been kept in. I was treated in a similarly atrocious manner. That is why I employed Sebastian, a demon to attain my revenge. As I said, it's a long story. But if you do not wish to hear it, I will not trouble you."
"I would be happy to hear it."
"It all happened three years ago. But so much has happened in that time that it hardly seems real. When I was eleven, my family was murdered and my mansion burned to the ground. I was kidnapped, and was raped and tortured, much like you.
So I understand your desire for vengeance and respect your willingness to stand back up and fight instead of sitting down and taking this insult to your family name. Anyway, these were demon worshippers put together by a mad angel."
"The demon worshippers summoned Sebastian, but he bowed to me, and I ordered him to serve me as my butler until I got my revenge. We tracked through all the clues we had, and eventually we found the angel, a madwoman named Angela, who was also a man who posed as the Queen's attaché.
However, in truth, he wanted to destroy England and the entire world, which he felt was impure, unclean. I do not argue with that assessment. However I couldn't allow him to get away from my wrath. Sebastian killed him, but lost his arm with the contract seal in the process, and so, he couldn't devour my soul. However, he took it, and stored it in a tealeaf tin, New Moon Drop, if I remember correctly."
"However, it was at that time that a vagabond named Alois Trancy who posed as the former Earl Trancy's long lost son came into the picture. His demon, Claude Faustus stole my soul, and hid it, with plans to alter the taste of Alois' soul. To describe the process would be pointless, as even I don't know what a soul tastes like. I've only been a demon for a year… No more really needs be said."
It was at that moment, that Lillian's father chose to burst in.
"Lillian, dear? I hear a boy's voice. Who is in here?"
"Oh… This is my boyfriend… Aedyn Crowley…" She said, making up a name on the spot.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, sir." Ciel said politely, with a tight smile, bowing in respect, knowing that he was naught but a servant.
"Is that so? Do you have plans to marry him, sweetie?"
"Oh, father… I'm still young. You know that…" Lillian said teasingly, kissing Ciel on the cheek, causing the young demon to stiffen. He knew that he was engaged already, and that any relationship, even with a contractor would be beyond foolish, but downright wrong.
"I know… But you should definitely consider looking for a husband soon. You won't get any younger. I had several meetings arranged for you with young men in the area. But if you have young Aedyn, I can cancel them…"
"Great… Excuse us… I promise nothing is going on in here…" Lillian said with a laugh. Ciel could only laugh along. She was certainly better humored than he was.
"Okay. Well, would you like me to bring you some tea? Aedyn, is there any specific kind you like?"
"Any kind would be fine, sir. Thank you for your hospitality."
"Oh, my. He's such a refined young gentleman. Is he English?"
"Yes, sir. My mother was Irish, though…" Ciel lied with such an easy look that even Lillian was slightly jealous at how well he was able to lie.
"Of course. I'll be right back."
With that, Mr. Kneale walked out, shutting the door. Ciel looked at Lillian, feeling distinctly uncomfortable.
"I hate to be the bearer of bad news, milady, but I am engaged. I cannot act as your…"
"You can do anything I tell you to do!" Lillian snapped. "Whoever your fiancée is, she can deal with it."
"Of course, Milady…" Ciel said with a bow, thinking that Lillian clearly didn't know Lizzie. She wouldn't just 'get over it. Ciel wouldn't be in any danger. He was a demon, after all. But he couldn't guarantee Lillian's safety. Lizzie wasn't generally a jealous woman. But he had never been unfaithful to her, so he had no idea what she could be like if she got truly angry.
"If you don't mind, may I call for some assistance? My butler should be more useful than I would in terms of sheer talent." Ciel stated. Lillian looked at Ciel suspiciously, but nodded.
"I suppose so. Just don't try anything funny… Two demons on one human is kind of unfair. I think you'd agree."
"I wouldn't dream of betraying you, Milady…"
"Just call me 'Lillian.'. You are ostensibly my boyfriend, anyway. We might as well act it. I don't think any boy out there would call his girlfriend 'Milady'."
"Is that an order?"
"Yes." Lillian said, seeing the hesitant look on Ciel's face. Ciel nodded, and bowed. "Of course, Lillian. Now, Sebastian! Wherever you are at the moment, wrap up any affairs you may have and join me at my side immediately.
I have a master, and that means that you do as well." Ciel said in a commanding voice. In his head, Ciel heard Sebastian mentally give his assent.
"What?" Lillian asked, seeing the slightly vexed look on Ciel's face. "Am I not pretty enough for the great Ciel Phantomhive?" She demanded.
"No. Of course that's not the case, Milady. It is merely that I have a fiancée already. I have a picture of her… Somewhere…" Ciel said, digging around in his pocket for his wallet. He didn't carry any money in his wallet, not wanting to be robbed (a vestige of his human days when he was weak even for a human). But he had pictures, and various forms of identification.
"Ah… Here it is… This is Elizabeth. The rather stately looking lady is Elizabeth's mother and my aunt. The man standing next to her is her husband and my uncle, and the tall man at the end is her brother, Edward."
"Wow… That girl is really beautiful… I can see why everyone else would pale in comparison. But why do you look so grumpy. I would think you would be happy being with the woman you're going to marry."
"I'm never happy…" Ciel said flatly. This was only partially true. Lately, he had been finding that he was able to take enjoyment in things more easily than before.
"Pardon me, Milady…" Sebastian said politely, bowing. "I would never presume to give you an order, but I must leave for the Isle of Man. It seems my Young Master has found himself his own master. Naturally, as his dutiful butler for eternity, I am contractually obligated to assist him whenever he requests it. If it please, relay to Maylene, Bard and Finnian that they are free until the Young Master and I return and that they are not to cause a mess."
"Of course, Sebastian… Good luck on your mission…" Lizzie said, planting a friendly kiss on Sebastian's cheek.
"Milady honors me with her exceptional kindness…" Sebastian said, bowing and seeming to disappear into thin air. However, Lizzie did catch a blur as Sebastian ran toward the door, and out the front gate.
Sebastian sighed. He knew the way to the Isle of Man, but he wasn't particularly fond of the ocean, and though he didn't have any particular problem with the sea, he wondered vaguely how he would cross it without using a boat. As a demon, he didn't need to breathe, and so he could just swim the entire way.
But the trip was still 316 miles from London to Douglas, Isle of Man. Sebastian did some calculations in his head, and nodded to himself, steering into less travelled areas of London so that he would be less hampered on his trip. Then, Sebastian smacked his head. He could just appear by Ciel's side using the seal. He was invariably drawn to the seal. It was perfect.
"I would have thought your demon would be here by now. Maybe he's not as omnipotent as you seem to think." Lillian teased.
"Well, I would never dare to claim that I am omnipotent, Milady, but I am more than able enough to get here in a rush.
Good day, Milady. I am Sebastian Michaelis, my Young Master's humble butler."
"You may be my servant, Sebastian. But now you are also her servant. Do you understand?" Ciel asked, taking off his eye patch, revealing the contract mark on his eye.
At that moment, Mr. Kneale walked back in and saw that another new person had entered the room.
"Hello, sir. Please do not mind me. I am simply my young master's butler." Sebastian said politely.
"I see. Well, either way, I'm glad that my daughter has some company. She's been such a recluse since… Well, never mind. Enjoy your tea…" He said, pouring the tea for the threesome and then walking out with a smile.
"Young Master? May I ask what you have decided to call yourself in front of her father? I am sure that you did not use your real name for fear of being recognized." Sebastian said.
"Of course. My name now is Aedyn Crowley… Or at least, that's the name Lillian has given me."
"Aedyn? What a nice name. It suits you, Young Master."
"It is merely the name my young mistress has chosen for me. I must respect her wishes. You must begin to refer to me as Aedyn for now, Sebastian. Milady, if you would be so kind as to inform Sebastian of your intent?"
"Fine. Once more." Lillian said impatiently. "I wish to gain revenge on the Manx mafia, and wanted Ciel's help to do so… They forced me to suffer, and now, they will suffer tenfold at my hands. I want you to make their deaths long, protracted and painful. There are caves down by the sea near where I live that are never used due to the fact that the tide rises up almost to the top. They were once used as an execution area, but they have fallen out of favor…"
"Oh, dear… You would not wish to make it too easy on my young master, would you?"
"Of course not, dimwit! You can figure out how to get the son of a bitch there on your own."
"Of course, Milady… Maybe you could show me around town? I've never actually been to the Isle of Man, so I could certainly use at least a nominal familiarity with Douglas. I am quite certain that Sebastian will be able to learn how to infiltrate the Manx Underground."
"There is no need to worry, Young Master… We must simply use your lovely young lady as bait. We may be able, if we are confident enough, convince them that we have come to bring the Young Mistress back to them.
They will likely deliver us to the leader, and then we may abduct and murder him." Sebastian said with a tight, completely fake smile.
"Wait! You want to what!?" Lillian yelled, appalled at how blasé Sebastian was being about using her as bait.
"Do not worry, Milady… Er, Lillian… Sebastian has never let me down. I see no reason he should start now." Ciel said calmly. "We will have to come up with a convincing reason that we should desire to help them like that…" Ciel said, finding that despite his similar circumstances, he felt little to no sympathy for Lillian. Was this the way Demons were all the time? If this was going to be his life, now, perhaps he would do better to run himself through with Laevatin. Perhaps it would be a more merciful fate for him.
Ciel had accepted that he had long hardened his heart, and that he could kill without feeling an ounce of remorse. However, he had proven time after time that he wasn't completely heartless, and that when circumstances called for it, he could take the humane route and spare lives that didn't need to be lost.
"I see that you are dissatisfied with Sebastian's plan…" Ciel said, his deep blue eyes boring into Lillian's forest green ones almost like he was reading her like a book. It put her distinctly ill at ease.
"Y-yes… I am… Come closer, Aedyn… My father is about to enter the room. Sebastian, you will stand outside…" Lillian said sternly. Sebastian bowed, and walked out. Lillian pulled Ciel in, and kissed him on the lips. It was actually Ciel's first kiss. He was always looking forward to giving his first kiss to Lizzie on their wedding day.
It was one of the few romantic notions he harbored. Ciel could admit that he was calm and calculating, and not at all romantic unless the strategy called for it… And even then, he had trouble displaying any romantic sentiment. It was one of the things that Lizzie frequently found objectionable about him. She loved him deeply, but he was just so stiff and humorless that she felt she had a hard time reaching him.
However, Ciel had no choice. He belonged to this woman for the time being, and as such, he would have to obey her. As she pulled away, she whispered to him.
"Your lips are dry and your skin is ice cold… Do you take baths in ice water?" She asked critically.
"I… Am a Demon. And a young one at that. I don't know much about my body… For lack of a better term."
"Oh! Daddy!" Lillian yelled, pushing Ciel off of her.
"I apologize, sir. I…" Ciel couldn't think of a thing to say.
"No need to apologize… I'm glad to see that Lillian is feeling more comfortable with other people. For a long time, she wouldn't even let her mother and I touch her. I'll let you be alone… Forgive the interruption…" Lillian's father said, stepping out of the room, looking happier than Lillian had seen him in a long time.
"I have told you, Milady, that I am engaged. I am willing to feign a relationship for the sake of appearances… However, I shall not be unfaithful to Elizabeth."
"Your fiancée is a lucky woman. I wish I could meet a man as loyal as you…" Lillian muttered, seeming distressed.
"I won't say that you will. Is revenge really what you want, Lillian?" Ciel asked. "It is not this servant's place to judge. However, you seem far from committed. If I may be so bold as to tell a story… I remember when I first had doubts about whether revenge was really what I wanted.
I was in Paris for the International Festival. I had found the one who betrayed my family and me. I was ready to have Sebastian kill her and her attaché, a deranged angel by the name of Ash. However, we were at the top of the Eiffel Tower, and we were doing extensive damage to the surrounding area. I called off Sebastian, and my enemy escaped.
I finally managed to get my revenge, and Sebastian took my soul… This will lead us to the story of Trancy, and I'll not tell that one again. I had my revenge because I found that the desire for revenge had become my entire identity. Hatred, vindictiveness, anger… Those were the three things that defined my soul, and through those, I hired Sebastian with my soul as the currency with which I would pay him when it ended.
"After I called Sebastian off at the Eiffel Tower, he abandoned me temporarily until I returned to England to renew my desire for revenge, and he found once more my conviction. That conviction does not seem to burn as strongly in you."
"Y-you… H-how dare you? Don't question my motives!" Lillian shouted, slapping Ciel as hard as she could. Ciel looked across at Lillian with an even expression, finding neither anger nor pity nor self-satisfaction in his heart.
He only found nothingness. It seemed to be a sensation that came up a lot more.
"If you truly wish to murder the leader of the Manx Underground, I will accommodate you. However, I would remind you that your soul can never be saved once you gain your all important revenge. Are you certain that this is what you want?"
"I-I can't say I'm certain of anything anymore…" Lillian said nervously, collapsing to her knees. Ciel bent down to one knee and took her hands in his.
"Why did you really take this contract with me? What did you want to prove?
That you are not afraid? Of course you're afraid. It's the human condition to be afraid. Did you want to prove that you were stronger than people gave you credit for? That you weren't just a damaged little girl? Both those things are completely inadequate reasons to make a contract with a demon."
"To make a contract with a demon, you must prove that your desire for what you want is stronger than the will of the demon you summoned, that you are truly willing to give anything and everything to that demon. You seem to possess none of those qualities.
You're frightened You may not be weak, but you feel weak, and that is enough to allow a demon to look down on you. You are a damaged little girl. If you truly wish to continue this contract with me, I will ask no more questions and assist you to the best of my ability…" Ciel said, seeming and feeling all too human and humane in that moment. Secretly, Ciel found that he was disgusted with himself for showing such sympathy for anyone, much less someone who had summoned him as their demon.
"I… I do want this… And if you question my resolve again, I…"
"You'll what? You'll poke me with that knife of yours? Human weapons can do me no significant harm… Know, little girl, that you will be at my mercy as soon as our contract ends. Now come with me. We must make this convincing…"
Ciel took Lillian's hand and led her out of the room, down the stairs and out the door. Sebastian followed them at a respectful distance. Once they were out of the house, Lillian looked around, and pointed out where they were going. Lillian was frightened of going back to that place. But she had committed to this, and she was unwilling to back down in front of this terribly arrogant boy who seemed to think that she was too weak to offer her soul willingly.
The truth was she was terrified. However, she refused to be seen as weak by anyone anymore. She wouldn't allow herself to cry. She wouldn't allow herself to hide. As soon as this was over, she would be gone from this world anyway, and fear and suffering would be things of the past, right?
"Um… C-Ciel… Er… Lord Phant…"
"You needn't be so formal, Milady… I am but a servant who has been summoned to grant your wish." Ciel said, forcing a smile that came out looking slightly frightening. Ciel wasn't used to smiling for real. He knew how to fake a smile when he needed to, but every other time, it came out looking like a terrifying sneer that was more likely to make someone cry to their mothers than comfort them.
Lillian shuddered at his smile and drew away from him out of instinct. He was seeming more and more like a demon by the minute.
"I apologize. It wasn't my intention to frighten you." Ciel said politely. "What did you wish to ask me?"
"A-after you finish our contract… W-when you… T-t-take my soul, w-will it hurt?" Lillian asked, tears forming in her eyes now at the thought that she was going to die. Revenge no longer seemed half so attractive as it had just an hour ago.
"I think we should go to the park." Ciel said with a true smile, now that seemed somehow warmer than she had seen him yet. "Could you be so kind as to lead us there?"
"Hey! Lillian! Yo! Lillian!" Came a voice from behind them. A boy suddenly ran up and stopped abruptly behind Ciel and Lillian. He was a young man about Lillian's own age with sandy brown hair and blue eyes and freckles all over his face. He looked like a commoner first and last, and his clothes were messy and dusty, probably from rolling around in dirt. Ciel looked back at him and gave him his best smile, which wasn't really that good, evidenced by the boy starting in discomfort…"
"S-sorry, Lillian… I-I di'nt know you 'ad a boyfriend…" He said, his commoner's accent even more apparent now.
"Well… I only met him the other day. He's actually just moved from England… So I'm showing him around."
"Pleased to meet you…" Ciel said, bowing politely.
"Blimey! You sure have a highborn accent! Are you sure you're in the right place?"
"Yes… I'm quite sure, sir…"
"Ya gotta go, ain't ya? 'At's fine… Couldja 'least tell me your name?"
"Oh… How rude of me… Aedyn Crowley."
"Right! I'm Jim McCoy! Later then!" Jim said, running off with a laugh. Ciel turned to Lillian.
"He seems to be quite taken with you. Perhaps you do have more of a life here than you like to believe…" Ciel said with fair certainty.
"I told you, Cie'ñæ'dœßéçaïr…" Lillian said, removing the eye patch from her eye, displaying Ciel's contract mark.
"You do not wish me to mention it again. However, I can see the fear in you, smell the fear in you. Sebastian has assured me that fear makes a soul taste better. Now… Please sit down… It would do you well to at least be comfortable. What I must tell you is anything but pleasant." Ciel said, bowing and sitting down next to Lillian.
"Having one's soul torn from their body hurts. I remember it happening to me…" Ciel lied. "It is not pleasant." Sebastian didn't contradict this, but merely stood dutifully to the side. "That being said, your next question will be 'how long does it hurt? That, I cannot answer. Sebastian. Tell her for both our sakes how long it hurts…"
"Well, My Lord, it is hard to say, as the Demon does not experience pain, but only a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction. However, if I had to guess, I would say anywhere between several decades and several centuries— both of which are fleeting amounts of time to a demon— depending on how efficient that particular Demon's digestion is of course.
You see, a Demon's 'digestive system' is unique and unlike that of any other creature. Most creatures eat food and drink water to sustain themselves. Demons need neither. Their food and drink are the souls of those they serve."
"For this reason, as a demon gets older and more powerful, their digestive system becomes more efficient and thus, that demon is able to go longer without devouring a soul. I have proven that I am able to go about a century between souls, though I did become significantly weaker near the end.
As for the Young Master, I could not say. You have the essence of a demon even more powerful than myself inside you. However, your body is young for a demon. Which will take precedence? Your spirit or your flesh? Either way, I would say that she will experience pain for a minimum of ten human years…"
"Thank you, Sebastian. That was a particularly grim foreboding. You know what you have to look forward to… Do…"
"I wonder… Why are you being so cautious with me? Is it because I suffered similar circumstances to you? Is it because I'm about the same age, or because you can smell the doubt in me? Yes, I have doubts about what I want.
You're such a strong willed young man. I doubt there's a person alive your age who can claim to be as strong willed as you. Do you ever doubt anything that you do? Do all your actions suit you, regardless of whether they are right or wrong? Would you have any compunctions about devouring my soul. What is it that causes you to doubt yourself now, Demon?"
"I don't know. But Sebastian seems to find something incredibly funny. Speak up, Sebastian… I like a joke as well as the next person." Ciel said sarcastically.
"No… I merely find it ironic that it took losing your humanity for you to once more find it, my Young Lord."
"What do you mean? Are you questioning my resolve?"
"Of course not, Young Master… I am merely commenting on the paradox inherent in the fact that you were less humane as a human than you are as a demon. As a human, you were ruthless, cutthroat and devious; able to scheme with the best of them; a true tactical genius.
You outwitted the Queen herself and when the time came, you calmly ordered me to murder her despite the fact that she was your revered liege. You ordered your servants to kill the Demon dog, and you ordered me to murder the angel without feeling an ounce of remorse for any of the murders or other atrocities you had committed to that point.
Then, I brought you back and you went right back to your conniving and scheming… Such a master as I have not had since Napoleon Bonaparte. You went on to outsmart two Demons and gain eternal servitude from myself.
"However, now that you are a Demon, you promptly Cull your three servants and offer Culling to your fiancée that she might spend eternity with you. It seems your human sentiments are returning to you."
At this, Ciel laughed with almost a sinister snicker. "I suppose I see your point. It is rather ironic that I would only now come to care for those around me. But that is neither here nor there. Do you still wish to…"
Lillian looked at Ciel and laughed, nodding. "Yes." She said, her face steely with resolve now. Ciel sensed no more doubt in her. Thus, his resolve was hardened as well. He would eat her soul and would feel the delights of devouring it. Whatever that entailed thereafter, he was blameless. He had offered her multiple opportunities to escape the contract. She had taken none of them. He agreed with Sebastian that he was acting very out of character. He wasn't himself anymore.
No. That was wrong. He was himself. He was his new self. And he felt that to remain himself, he would need companions around him that could weather away the centuries and millennia that would pass him by no doubt in the blink of an eye.
"We're at the leader's house… Everyone knows this is his house but nobody dares to try to accost him. He's untouchable by even the police."
"I see. Please forgive me this rough treatment, Milady…" Sebastian said, grabbing her arms and wrapping them tight in ropes. He then looked at her with what would normally be a reassuring smile… Though coming from a demon, it looked even more frightening than normal.
Sebastian took her arms and led her into the side door, announcing to the guards that he was here to talk to the boss. The guards instantly became suspicious, and demanded to know what Sebastian's business was. Sebastian merely grinned and showed Lillian to the guards.