Sebastian was waiting for Eleanora in the evening, after all of the servants and the young Master had retired. She was slogging down the stairs, looking mostly dead than alive. Maybe she truly was ill. Perhaps she had eaten something she shouldn't have. That fish he served for dinner did look a bit suspicious, but he figured it would be worth serving just to see the young Master vomit. He adored that look of suffering on such a little brat…
But never mind that; he had to talk to Eleanora. He took a step forward as she entered, but she didn't even look at him.
"I'm tired," she mumbled, heading for the servants' upstairs. "I'm going to bed. Goodnight."
"Miss Black, please wait; I must speak to you," Sebastian said after getting over his initial surprise. They normally prepared for the next day together. They had a cup of tea. They would talk. Occasionally they would laugh. It wasn't like her to blow him off like this. In fact, she hadn't been behaving like herself throughout the whole day.
Eleanora shuddered at the foot of the stairs. She thought that she could get away with it. But of course she couldn't have; she was just a stupid human; she was no match for a demon's strength and intellect…
She hesitantly entered the kitchen, staying by the door that would lead to the upstairs, ready to run if necessary. But the demon didn't look in a violent or lustful mood. He just looked confused—confused and offended. Had she offended him? Oh god, she was definitely going to die…
Eleanora's legs trembled; her eyes rolled back in her head and she almost collapsed; she looked as if she had just resisted a faint. Sebastian wondered if he should call a doctor.
"Miss Black," he said, "I couldn't help but notice that you've been acting a bit strangely today. Are you feeling alright?"
"F-Fine," she squeaked.
He frowned at her. Ohhh, she was going to die the worst death anyone could ever have…
"Really? Are you sure? Because—pardon my saying so—you don't look well at all."
He began approaching her, still frowning. The tortures at the church would be nothing compared to the pain that he was going to inflict on her right now…
"You look a bit feverish. Perhaps you had better lie down?"
He gently touched her forehead to feel her temperature. Eleanora made a very un-Eleanora-like whimper; her eyes rolled back; and she fainted dead into his arms.