A truce was only a truce if both parties behaved themselves. Ciel started to notice that even though he was receiving more letters from the Queen regarding cases he needed to look into, Sebastian was less to be seen. Yes, his butler cleaned and cooked, preparing the manor whenever there were guests, but Ciel noticed his butler was starting to avoid him. It was concerning for several reasons. The young earl sat at his large desk over-looking paperwork he needed to finish when there was a knock at the door. He didn't answer, the person allowed themselves in anyways.

Olivia walked in. She had been the last person he had wanted to see, but she wasn't giving him any reason to shun her out either. Ciel sat up straight as he placed his hands on the desk, "Yes, sister, what is it?"

"I received a letter from a friend of mine from up north," Olivia spoke up.

Ciel narrowed his gaze on Olivia before frowning. If this had anything to do with her own life then it was none of his concern. He was about to tend his paperwork once again when she continued, "She's written to me saying there have been noticeable Phantomhive family crests nearby the city she lives in. I'm going to see what's been transpiring over there."

Ever since he discovered that his sister sold her soul to Satan himself, Ciel was apprehensive about Olivia leaving for too long. He had overheard what Barnaby had called her, 'the Dark Lady'. Something about this title didn't sit right with him or the fact that, before his sister killed him, Barnaby had almost stated he knew something about their parent's death. Ciel looked up from his work to his sister, who looked almost concerned about what the letter had said. He then stated, "You're not going by yourself. I will accompany you."

"That's too dangerous," Olivia countered as she took a step closer to Ciel, "I should be the one to go alone. If I find anything-"

"Our family crest is being used as a way to lure us to this village," Ciel stood up, "Anyone stupid enough to do such a thing is a fool."

Ciel watched as Olivia shifted for a few moments before his sister gave into his whim. During their time of truce, it was almost as if they were the old siblings they used to be. It was strange to have Olivia back in their home, but it certainly wasn't unbearable. Ciel gave a defiant smile as he approached his sister, "Well now, sister, don't look so glum. Consider this a small vacation from the hard work you've been putting in the business."

He had also noticed the rise in money flow in the business since Olivia had taken over. There was much surprise at what she had picked up over the years of being absent. Then again, he always saw her leaving to use the phone or callers coming for her. Whatever she was doing must be something of actual use. As he approached her, Ciel glanced up at her, "Have you seen Sebastian?"

"In the gardens," she answered, but the sound of her words seemed fixed, "Trimming the rose bushes."

Odd. Sebastian barely touched the roses this time of year. Ciel was about to leave the room when he heard Olivia ask, "Ciel, are you in love with him?"

Ciel placed his hand on the door handle before answering, "Now why ask such a question? Am I not but a child?"

"A mind like yours isn't meant to be placed in a child's body," Olivia answered dryly, then walked alongside of Ciel out of his office, "Will you answer my question?"

He remained silent. Sebastian's constant absence was a growing nuisance he wanted to resolve immediately. Ciel followed his sister's answer to the guardians where he did find Sebastian tending to the roses. The young earl made himself visible to the demon before stating, "Sebastian, we're leaving."

"So soon?" Sebastian looked up with a confused expression, "But I've already prepared supper as well as your mid-afternoon tea."

"I also need your assistance," Ciel added as he began to walk back inside the manor.

Ciel noticed Olivia remained standing by the doorway even as he entered. Had she remained there the entire time? As Sebastian followed, Ciel noticed that his butler and sister locked eyes for a moment before retreating away from each other. Ciel felt a sharp pain in his heart. What did that mean? He didn't consider himself a child anymore, but he had no knowledge of what this feeling was nor did he understand what brought it. Whatever it was would have to be dealt with later. Ciel led Sebastian to a private room where he locked the door shut so no one could disturb them.

"What it is, young master," Sebastian gave Ciel a concerned look, "You seem distant."

"You're one to talk," Ciel crossed his arms, "You've been avoiding me. I didn't make a contract with you just for you to ignore me and play around."

"Am I forgetting my other duties?" Sebastian raised a brow to Ciel, "You seemed too much in pain, it was hard to tell if there was consent when-"

"There was bloody consent dammit," Ciel growled, a mad blush erupted on his cheeks before looking away from Sebastian, "I was just...you stopped..."

"I see," Sebastian breathed as he took off his gloves, "I understand, young master."

"Wha-?" Ciel's eyes widened as Sebastian loomed closer to him.

Sebastian picked Ciel up with ease, crushing him against the wall as he tilted his head to the side before caressing Ciel's lips with his own. Ciel tried to turn his head away to protest, but Sebastian only moved his head along with Ciel's. However, this only deepened the kiss. Sebastian gently bit at Ciel's lips before the young earl gave into Sebastian. He opened his mouth slightly to accept further, deeper kisses from his butler. Sebastian's tongue grazed Ciel's, causing Ciel to gasp slightly in the midst of their kiss. The butler slid Ciel to the ground carefully, having his master stradle his waist as he pulled him impossibly closer.

Ciel blushed wildly as he enjoyed the kisses. However, he opened his eyes slightly to look at Sebastian's perfect face when he realized they were in a storage closet. What was he? Some common whore? Ciel was about to protest until he felt something stir within him. Desire. He let out a small moan of pleasure as he felt Sebastian's lips and tongue on his neck. He had missed Sebastian's taste, touch, smell, anything from his butler Ciel had thoroughly missed the last few days. He gripped Sebastian's clothes before bringing his lips back to Sebastian's. As much as he enjoyed having Sebastian taste him, he wanted to taste Sebastian's mouth more. Ciel wrapped his arms around Sebastian's neck as he deepened the kiss. He needed to have his time with him like this. With all the hate and darkness in the world, the times spent with his butler like this made up for all the ugliness in his life. Ciel closed his eyes tightly, imagining they were in his room instead of a storage closet, and had Sebastian lay back on the floor.

This time, he would make Sebastian stay after they made love.

Ciel emitted a long moan of pleasure before feeling his own release. He sat on top of Sebastian, his arms trembling as he felt Sebastian sit up to keep Ciel from falling over from the wave of pleasure. Sebastian held onto Ciel for some time before whispering to his master, "I must tend to packing if we're to leave."

"No, that's an order," Ciel whispered back to Sebastian, "You will never leave me alone again."

There was a moment of silence before Sebastian replied, "Yes, young master."

Ciel wouldn't let either of them leave until he regained his strength and began to dress himself. Sebastian followed suit to dress himself then help his young master. They left the storage closet to see Bard awkwardly preparing side-dishes for the main meal. Ciel didn't think much of it as he, and Sebastian, went up to this room to begin packing. When they reached the entrance hall, they both saw Olivia with all her bags packed and Mei-rin standing nearby with more bags. Olivia smiled at Ciel, "Little brother, there you are. I've been waiting two hours to leave. Are you joining me?"

"I am, Sebastian will be accompanying us as well. Mei-rin, have Bard and Finn join us as well," Ciel looked to the red-head, who nodded obediently and walked off.

Ciel went straight to his room, but noticed Sebastian and Olivia exchanging a few quiet words before Sebastian began walking to Ciel's room. Something was going on. Then, the calming look he received from Sebastian gave comfort to him as he felt the gentle hand caress his cheek. Ciel then looked back down to see Olivia smiling up at him. None of this was making any sense. He returned her smile with a simple wave before hurrying off to his room to see Sebastian finishing the packing already.

"Good, at least you're not getting rusty," Ciel commented, "Let's go, we don't have all day."

Once the two of them were back in the main hall, Olivia glanced towards Sebastian before smiling back at Ciel, "Little brother, are you ready?"

The young earl glance from his sister to the front door. Whatever was to come, he had a feeling that something may change. Barnaby was only the first clue to his parent's death, and Olivia may be able to figure out the second clue due to her knew title. Ciel nodded before pushing on the front door, allowing the fresh air to brush against the group, "It's time to go."

There were two wooden carriages waiting on the dirt path. Ciel hesitated as he recalled telling Sebastian earlier that he only wanted one cart to be used for the others and a normal carriage for himself, Sebastian, and, possibly, Olivia. He was about to ask Sebastian when he felt Olivia's hand on the top of his head. Ciel grimaced before swiping her hand away, "Why is there two? I had told Sebastian-"

"Ciel," Olivia shook her head, a faint smile on her lips, "It's just easier for there to be two wooden carts. I know it's hard to understand, but just trust me on it. Would you like to sit with me and Sebastian?"

It was all he could do to not lash out on his sister. Every fiber of his being told him to yell at her, to cast her out of his home, but their father's eyes looked back at Ciel. Olivia's eyes brought Ciel back to a time and place where everything was peaceful. Giving her the benefit of the doubt once more, Ciel glanced away as he gave a grudging nod. He waited for Sebastian before going to the first wooden cart, having his butler help him inside before he watched as Olivia stepped onto the cart without assistance. Sebastian took hold of the horse's reigns as Bard, Finn, and Mei-rin climbed onto the second cart.

With Olivia's directions and location of the town, Sebastian bed leading the others. Throughout the beginning of the trip, Ciel listened to Olivia explain the tutors she had hired at the town. He listened to her droll on and on about his lack of education and how it was surprising he had continued the business without much experience. At this point, Ciel kept glancing at Sebastian to recall their heated moment in the storage closet. The young earl then looked to his feet. Why would he think about such a...disgraceful act between him and his butler? Wasn't he supposed to be angry with Sebastian for just ignoring him? Ciel took a short breath before sneaking one last glance towards Sebastian. Suppose he'd forget his butler's transgressions this once.

"And on the count of getting you a new butler-"

"What?!" Ciel spat up, his eyes wide with anger and surprise as he turned towards Olivia, "I am not getting a new butler! Sebastian is fine and-"

"You will need a butler who has more experience," Olivia crossed her legs, "Sebastian is very qualified, but having another butler that is just as capable and...well, human..will be a nice change of pace for you. When we return to the Estate I'll start looking for a new one for you."

"Lady Olivia," Sebastian's voice spoke up, Ciel felt his stomach knot at the sound of Sebastian's voice, "I do believe it goes against the pre-arranged contract. In this case, I must fervently decline your advances and ask that you recall the situation you came into."

Ciel, relieved that Sebastian spoke up against the idea as well, returned his gaze back to his sister. The resentful look in her eyes gave Ciel a confused feeling. Something wasn't sitting right with him with Olivia choosing tutors for him, taking all his achievements away from him, and attempting to rid him of Sebastian? Ciel narrowed his deep, blue eyes on Olivia. As a fellow Phantomhive, Olivia had her secrets, motives, and cunning like the rest of the family. Ciel could feel her trying to play with the household like puppets to get something she wanted, but the question was what she wanted. He looked at the back of Sebastian, he didn't believe Olivia's honest motive was to take Sebastian as her lover. She wasn't after just money since she was born and forever live comfortably. Ciel crossed his arms as he decided to sit and think further on this thought process.

"I'm only seeking the best for my little brother," Olivia spoke, "If that means replacing you, then so be it. I do believe I have that capability in the end."

"No."

Ciel watched as Olivia, and even Sebastian, looked to Ciel with slight surprise. He repeated, "No, you do not, Olivia."

Sebastian smirked somewhat before turning his attention back to the fogging road. Olivia, however, remained stoic for a moment before chuckling, "We'll see on that, little Ciel."

The town was full of life when the group finally arrive around the early afternoon hours. They had arrived to a manor partially smaller than the Phantomhive Manor. Olivia was the first to leave the cart to rush to the person who emerged from the brightly colored mansion. Ciel watched as the two females embraced each other before chattering to themselves. The town seemed...too colorful for his liking. Usually that meant that there was something dark hidden somewhere that no one wanted to show. Ciel held onto his cane tightly as he looked to Sebastian, carrying a few of his bags, until Ciel noticed something odd.

"Where is my sister's bags?" Ciel asked directly.

"Lady Olivia did not bring any luggage, sir," Sebastian answered, shrugging off the question before asking, "Shall I unpack your luggage or will you care for a restful period?"

The look on Sebastian's features made Ciel look away in embarrassment. Ciel then glanced up at Sebastian, "It's must too early for that. Go unpack my clothes and look around this place. There's more to this place than my sister is willing to tell."

"Your sister is greatly like you, young master," Sebastian mentioned just above a whisper for Ciel to hear.

Ciel narrowed his eyes on Sebastian and pursed his lips. He watched as Sebastian carried the luggage inside the manor as the two females continue to talk amongst themselves. Olivia may be similar to himself when it comes to reading people and situations, but she was also incomparable. There wasn't a word to describe what Ciel could see in her that made her separate from himself; it was more of an instinct. It was the way she spoke to him and the others, it was the way she planned everything, and it was the air about her.

"Little brother!"

He came out of his thoughts when he saw Olivia waving to him. Unwilling, Ciel trudged over to Olivia and the other family. Olivia placed a hand on his head, causing Ciel to become more aggravated than he already was, "This is my kid brother, Ciel. Isn't he as adorable as I described? It's hard to believe he looks so different now."

"Hello there, Ciel," the other woman bent her knees until she was at eye-level with Ciel, "My name is Chasity Longville, it's very nice to meet such a handsome young man."

Ciel felt a vain ready to pop from how childish they were speaking to him. Olivia's hand on his head felt more like a red, hot poker stabbing him until he could feel a throbbing headache itching to occur until he heard a reassuring voice call out, "Young master, it's time for your tea and snack. Please come inside so that you may rest."

More than pleased, Ciel was just about to leave the two women until he felt as if he was being watched. He turned his head slightly to look back at his sister and her friend when he noticed Olivia had glanced over her shoulder to look at him. An eery feeling passed through him as he turned and began to walk towards Sebastian. The inside of the manor was very old fashioned. There were painted portraits almost on every crevice of the darkened walls and a menacing portrait of the woman, and a man, over a grand fireplace.

"What a distasteful place," Ciel murmured as he followed Sebastian up the staircase, "It's a wonder how this woman could remain here. Are there any other people here?"

"I'm afraid she lives alone. I have yet to come back any useful help or relatives here," Sebastian answered, turning down a corridor before standing in front of a door, "I have taken the liberty to prepare your room, young master. Also, you will find useful documents I came by the other day."

Ciel glanced at Sebastian, what documents? He entered the room, taking note of the personal touches Sebastian had left, and found a few folded pieces of paper laying on the bed. They looked fairly new, almost unread. Ciel sat on his bed as Sebastian entered the room and closed the door behind him. The young earl opened the first document to see it was a letter written by one of the company's representatives in India.

"How can this be?" Ciel whispered to himself, "He says he hasn't received any funds in almost a week after the normal date of arrival. Sebastian.."

"I'm afraid I have been forbidden to calculate the expenses since your sister's arrival and her taking action over the finances. So, I have taken the liberty to access her recent transactions files and prepared a statement for you to look over. As a fellow Phantomhive, you have all rights and access to this knowledge as a co-successor. The will of your late Father is also in the pile of papers on your bed, young master," Sebastian explained, he seemed quite pleased with his work.

Ciel could have swore he felt his jaw drop at all the papers he looked over. Where had these documents been before? He had been searching for them since Olivia came back, but there hadn't been any trace of them. Ciel looked down at the will before gently folding it back up. A memory of Olivia during their childhood flashed in his mind. The constant nostalgia of their happier memories conflicted with what he felt now. He placed the folded documents within his coat pocket as he kept his gaze to the floor, "Olivia was the daughter our mother had always wanted. Where I was the son that gave pride to the family name, Olivia was the jewel that preserved it's power and beauty. Mother had Olivia tutored in all the womanly subjects, playing the piano and harp, and a private tutor for her dance lessons. All the while Olivia studied her books at night on different cultures and religions, Mother never found out."

"I'm afraid I see the relevance, my young master," Sebastian walked over to Ciel.

A small chuckle emerged from Ciel's lips. He took off his eye patch as Sebastian placed the silver platter, with a cup of tea and Ciel's snack, on the bed. Ciel took the cup of tea and replied, "Simply, Olivia wanted nothing more than to be a wife and mother back then. I'm just wondering about the sudden change."

Supper was even worse. Ciel looked down at the mess on the plate in front of him that Chasity had made herself. Though the stench of the mush in front of him was nauseating, Ciel fought through the stink to hear what has been going on around the town. Chasity dabbed around her mouth with her napkin before giving a concerned look to Olivia, "You have no idea what it's been like to live in this dreadful town since...the monsters came."

"Monsters?" Olivia asked, sliding her uneaten food away from her, "Lady Chasity, surely you understand that monsters do not exist."

"Monsters do exist, but only in the shadows," Ciel spoke up, causing both females to turn towards him, "Lady Chasity, my sister explained to me that the problem was that the family seal has been seen around your town. If this is true, I want to know where the locations are so that I may verify this."

Chasity hid her mouth behind her napkin for a moment before placing the napkin on the table, "You are my dear friend's younger sibling, but I do not believe it is appropriate for a child to go snooping in such horrid places."

Ciel felt his spine stiffen in rage. He had had enough of being referred to as a simple child. Anger rushed through him, he was about to yell at the ignorant woman until Olivia slid her chair back, "Lady Chasity, if my brother cannot help me in this then I must decline my offer to help as well. He is a member of the Phantomhive family and I shall see to it that he is treated like one."

This caught him off guard. Ciel decided not to take much heed in it as he calmed down, he would have to wonder about Olivia's actions later and focus on the task at hand. Chasity nodded her head, Olivia slid her chair back to the table as Chasity continued, "I noticed your family seal a month ago, painted in oil in a field before someone set the oil on fire. It wasn't too big that the town noticed, only those who recognized the insignia. Then, just a week after the first one, the second one was etched into the outside wall of a store. It was that same night that the store owner, and his family, were murdered and the store was set on fire."

"How awful..." Olivia gasped low before turning to Ciel, "What do you think? It doesn't sound like anyone serious, but it could get out of hand if not stopped."

Ciel remained silent. There was missing information. When they had entered the town earlier, there had been no sign of distress from anyone besides Chasity. Everyone else didn't even take notice into them actually entering the town. In that case, if anyone else had recognized the seal, wouldn't one of the townspeople actually notice their approach?

"There's not enough information to go by," Ciel concluded, "If this is just some silly hoax to grab attention, then we'll be on our way out tomorrow morning."

"W-what?" Chasity's baby blue eyes widened, "I hadn't even disclosed the locations yet!"

"I'm sorry, but there's not enough information for me to make any certain conclusions," Ciel stood up, he turned to Olivia, "If this is all your friend can tell us then we're wasting our time here."

"Wait!" Chasity quickly stood up, her dark, blonde curls bobbing at the sudden movement.

Both Ciel and Olivia turned their gaze to Chasity, both somewhat annoyed at the disturbance. Chasity lingered silently for a second before twiddling her fingers in front of her, "Those monsters...they're the ones drawing your family's insignia everywhere."

"I've heard enough," Ciel turned, facing Sebastian who stood close to the wall, "I'm ready to retire for the evening."

"Yes, young master," Sebastian bowed, following Ciel up the stairs to his room.

"What a waste of time!" Ciel grimaced as Sebastian buttoned his night shirt, "We gave up time just for Olivia to play 'tea time' with her mental acquaintance."

"I'm sure your sister had some reason to come here," Sebastian commented, folding and placing Ciel's clothes in the closet.

Ciel remained silent, in thought about what he could be doing instead of being stuck in a crazed woman's house. A thought then hit him. He looked up towards Sebastian, "Sebastian, where did you find those documents you gave me earlier?"

Sebastian turned, giving a sly smile, "In a devilishly hidden place."