"Thank you," I said drying my face.

"You are a very sweet girl, Darling," he said with exceptional affection. Darling's purring got louder. I swallowed the lump that had suddenly formed in my throat. My emotions were no longer complying; I fought back rising grief that was filling my throat. I stared at the moon with a clenched jaw. Do. Not. Cry. I told myself this even as the tears reduced my vision to watery splotches of color. I didn't dare blink, though my eyes burned from deprivation of the action. I'm sure in my current state i looked as though I was being tortured. Sebastian proved me right.

Sebastian POV

I took my attention away from the adorable kitten comforting the young lady. I gazed upon Lillian. She looked pain, her eyes seem to not gaze at the moon but at gallows destined for her. Her posture was rigid, jaw clenched, tears filling her eyes. This girl would not be hard to figure out, she was grieving those emotins of anger and sadness were easy to manipulate in order to gain trust. Lillian made the mistake of blinking, large tears rolled down her face. I moved a her dark brown hair out of her face, a gesture that sent most human women in a frenzy.

"Are you alright?" i asked. I made my voice soft and tender, rather tentative and open, as if I truly cared how she felt. Perhaps I did Lillian did not seem like the type to openly show such emotions. I let my gloved hand touch her cheek softly. Her breath hitched and she sobbed her small body shaking. I put my arm around her shoulders pulling her to me. I pressed my face into her wavy hair, getting what i wanted would be simplistic.

Lillian POV

I lost itl the moment he asked was i alright. It was as though i had been holdimg my breath without knowing and when held me i took that first envigorating breath. My body shook with grief and despite my wishes I cried years worth of anguish in the arma of a man I barely knew. Darling hopped off of my lap in pursuit of a firefly. Sebastian held me tightly; I could feel his lips on the back of my head. Part of me had been yearning for this, for contact, to be held, to be comforted.

" Someone to Protect the Protector," Sarah's voice whispered in my head.

I cried even harder. There was no one assigned to to protect the protector, no one helped the protector pick up the broken pieces after she failed. No one cared. Sebastian held me part of me was disgusted, here i am showing vulnerability to someone i didn't even know. What if he was using me, my emotions to manipulate me. This moment could back fire, badly. With that thought, I sobered myself. i used the borrowed handkercheif to dry the tears, and a bit of my snot, off of my face. I sat up slowly and looked at Sebastian. thing were a bit awkard for me; i cleared my throat and looked up at him.

" I'm not sure if you want this back,'' I said looking at the soaked handkercheif.

" Keep it," he laughed lightly, I smiled.

" Thank you," i said staring into those peculiar ruby eyes. "it is just a handkercheif, there is no thanks needed."

"No. Thanks for letting me completely soak you with my tears." i laughed a bit as i looked down at the drenched fabric of his tailcoat.

" It is fine, really," he said as he tucked a starnd of my hair behind my ear. It was sealed then, he wanted something. I stood and began to walk away.

" Good night, Sebastian." I said

" Good night, Lillian," he said back.

I went to my room and bathed, my body was in turmoil. With a sigh I realized that i didnt regret a thing that had just happened. i also didnt care that Sebastian obviously wanted something from. That butler had become a source of fascination, that wasn't at all good for my health.

Sebastian POV

Just be nice and give affection, provide a shoulder to cry on, that is how you entrap a grieving woman. This was really too easy; I did expect her to speak to me a bit more. she left sooner than i thought she woukd. I smirked at the easy manipulation of emotion. I glanced at my pocket watch 3 AM, perhaps a wake up call woul be in order for the young lady.

Lili POV

I had just stepped out of the tub and put on my undergarments and a black mid thigh lenghth robe, when i heard a very loud explosion, knocks immediately hit my door. i wrenched open the door.

"Lily!"

"Finny what's the matter?!" i siad, He grabbbed My hand And began towing me down the hall.

"Something happened in the kitchen! Bard is in there, Lily and the doors won't open! You have to help him!"

My heart dropped, that damned foolish Chef. i could have sworn i told him explosives were not suitable for cooking! Now he's gone and put him self in danger. If he died...I'd...kill him!

CLIFF HANGER ! I know I am cruel sorry it took so long to update, thank you so much for the reviews they really motivate me big timem i promise I'll try to update sooner.

-EmpressLily