I'm not consistent at all.. I've decided to update whenever I'm in the mood to. I mean holy shit, maintaining a story is harder than I thought! Like I'll finish typing up and entire chapter, but then I'll read it and decide that I freaking hate it, so then I'm forced to delete the whole thing and start over. It's depressing, maaan.
"This is so messed up," Natasha muttered. "Why couldn't I go in there? Ciel's a kid and he was the first one inside!" She glared at the large sign from inside the carriage, it read UNDERTAKER and had a faded skull decorated on top. "Grell wasn't even allowed to come today," she sighed. "I hope he's breaking everything in that stupid mansion."
She decided enough was enough and left her post. She stood outside the door, almost opening it when suddenly a hand touched her shoulder. Her eyes widened, she immediately brushed it off and turned around, coming face to face with a man clad in white. He smiled, "Hello, young one. What are you doing outside this shop?"
"My mother always told me to never talk to strangers," she replied, analyzing him wearily. "But if you must know, I'm waiting for someone."
He smiled, "Your mother is a smart woman. I know the owner of this carriage and these horses, though. Is Earl Phantomhive in there?"
Natasha's eyes narrowed a fraction of an inch, her mouth set in a slight frown, "What's it to you? Hold on, who are you even?"
He bowed lowly and as strands of his silver hair fell into his violet-colored eyes, he said "My apologies, miss. I am Ash Landers, Queen Victoria's royal butler." Then he dove a long, slender hand into his white jacket and pulled out letter, "I have a message for the earl from my mistress."
She immediately grabbed the pristine envelope from him and grinned, "I'm Natasha Michaelis and coincidentally, I'm Ciel's new messenger. Thank you very much for delivering this, Mister Landers."
"It's my pleasure, Miss Natasha," He laughed. "Well, I should be on my way. The queen will be happy that I won't have to leave her side anymore, thanks to you," he smiled, as he mounted onto his white stallion. "Have a pleasant evening," he called from over his shoulder.
Natasha waved at him, smiling. "Thank you!"
"What are you doing outside the carriage?" her father asked, not sounding very happy. "Didn't I tell you specifically, to stay inside where you could be safe?" Sebastian was sporting an unhappy frown.
She rolled her eyes, "You worry too much, Daddy. Nobody tried to hurt me and besides, you were taking too long!"
"Had to stretch your legs, right?" Lau asked, poking his head towards her and into their conversation.
"Exactly! Besides, I was working, too! See here," She handed him Ash's letter. "The queen wants to tell Ciel something."
Madam Red nudged Ciel, "See? She's perfect! Already doing her job." He grimaced at his aunt and stepped forward to take the letter. Ciel opened it, the others watched as his eyes quickly scanned the contents and then he sighed shaking his head. He handed the letter to Sebastian and said, "The queen is distraught over the anguish concerning the recent victims of Jack The Ripper."
"It's a good thing we managed to receive information from the Undertaker," Madam Red said thoughtfully. "We we will be going to London, then?"
"Yes," Ciel nodded. "We'll be attending Viscount Druitt's ball and successfully prove him to be the culprit behind the murders."
Natasha was appalled, "That's not fair! Did you come up with the entire plan without me?" She couldn't believe it. "I wanted to help!" She continued to say. The adults and Ciel smirked at her crestfallen facade. "You're discriminating against me," she pouted.
Lau chuckled, "You'll get your revenge soon enough after you learn the details." He smiled pointedly at the earl, "Especially the plans concerning him."
Ciel glowered hatefully at him, "Shut up, you bastard."
"Don't be angry with me! You could have opposed the idea, but then again.. There's no other option is there? Personally, I think what you're going to do take a lot of character," the Chinese man defended.
"Anyways," Sebastian interrupted, "Master, it will soon be time for tea. Shall we return to the mansion and make preparations to stay at your London home?"
xx
They arrived the next day. The butler was serving his master and the guests, which now included his daughter, as they spoke of the events to come. "What will I have to do?" Natasha asked, sipping her father's tea. "This is so yummy, Dad."
He smiled lovingly at her, "Thank you, my darling." A hand caressing his bum ruined his tender moment and Sebastian found himself engulfed by shudders. "Natasha, you are so lucky to have such a healthy father," Madam Red chuckled, happily running her hand up and down his backside.
"Madam Red," Ciel said sternly, casting her an annoyed sneer. "You'll make him drop the pot."
She blinked at him, "Sorry, sorry. Force of habit."
"Habit?" Natasha asked innocently, "Do you touch his butt all the time?"
"No, of course not.. But sometimes, I can't help myself," Madam Red giggled. "I am a doctor, sweetheart. Checking people's health is my job and I must do everything in my power to keep them healthy."
Natasha smiled at her, "In that case, can you check him everyday? I don't want my daddy to ever be sick!" Sebastian blanched and looked helpless at his daughter, Is she doing this on purpose? Natasha batted her eyelashes at him sweetly, "You're not fun when you're sick." She is!
"Well, if you insist!" Madam Red grinned.
"I'm curious," Lau asked. "How old is Sebastian exactly to have an eleven year old child?" Ran-Mao nodded silently, while straddling his lap.
Natasha and Ciel froze, not sure how to answer the sudden question. They looked at Sebastian to explain and he took it as his chance to get back at his daughter's earlier stunt.
"Her mother was an older woman I met in my early teen years," he began. "Her name is Charlotte and she was quite persistent in seducing me. She enchanted me thoroughly and that is how we came to have a child."
"Was she a beautiful lady?" Lau continued to ask, trying to picture Natasha's mother in his head and joked, "Your daughter's good looks couldn't have all possibly come from you."
"Yes, Charlotte was and continues to be the most gorgeous woman I have ever laid my eyes on. It's been years since I've last seen her, but I'm sure she is still as lovely last time I saw her. I'm glad she was so obsessed with me, because now I have Natasha," he finished smiling pleasantly.
Natasha stared at him, unconvinced. "That's not true! Mother said that you would always bother her!"
He covered her mouth to keep her from speaking, "Now, now. Fibbing is a quality unsuited for a young girl, Natasha. Once I remove my hand, you have to promise to be good, okay?"
She glared daggers at him, but nodded. When he lifted his hands form her lips, "I'm telling," she immediately stated and began to sip her tea again.
"You two are adorable!" Madam Red chuckled. "You remind me how of my father and I were, when I was younger. We were really close, just like both of you." She grinned whimsically, her eyes looking faraway into the ceiling, "I miss him."
"Grandfather died over a decade ago," Ciel explained, after seeing Lau, Ran-Mao and Natasha's questioning gazes.
Madam Red sighed regretfully, "He did." Then she stared at her nephew's face affectionately, "I know Daddy would have adored you, Ciel. You've turned out to be such a respectable young gentleman. Everyone would have been very proud of you. Rachel and Vincent, especially."
"Master," Sebastian interrupted, "It's about time we start to prepare you for the Viscount's celebration."
Ciel stood up and agreed, silently leading the way towards his bedroom. "Who are Rachel and Vincent?" Natasha asked, watching them leave. She had noticed his eyes had hardened at the mention of these two people.
"Rachel was my sister and Vincent was my brother-in-law," Madam Red answered somberly, "They were his parents."
"Oh," she replied, silently. "What did you mean by 'were'?"
"They died years ago from a fire at the mansion," the older woman continued. "They loved him so much and he loved them, too."
Natasha's face softened. "It must've been hard on him. I don't know what I would do without both of my parents, let alone one. I miss my mother so much, but it's nothing compared to that. And I have my father doting on me in the meantime, too." She smiled at Madam Red, "I admire your strength. Your's and his."
"How about we talk about happier things?" Lau suggested, "My parents are long-gone, too, but it's better to think of the precious moments we did have, than to dwell on the moments lost."
Mad Red's eyes lit up and she laughed, "Of course! The future is for the better!"
"Speaking of the future," Natasha grinned slyly, "Why did my father have to start getting Ciel ready two hours before the actual ball?"
The two adults chortled with each other loudly, Ran-Mao had an amused smirk gracing her otherwise emotionless face. The man patted her on the head, "That's a surprise, my dear."
And that's it. Thanks for reading By the way, I didn't bother to proofread this one today. In California, it is currently 12:02 a.m. and I need sleep.