HIS BUTLER, JEALOUS.

Phantomhive Manor, the night following a ball given by the Viscount Druitt.

The pendulum clock of the library strikes three in the morning as I'm wandering like a lost soul among the bookshelves, running my fingers on the edge of the books. I can't chase away the images of you dancing along with Lady Elizabeth, repeating the steps I had taught you. I just couldn't stand it. I felt like an invisible hand was crushing my heart. I had never felt that way before. Could it be... No, I don't know... I have no idea what it feels like... Whatever!

I think about Elizabeth and my mouth curls in disgust. She looked gross in that dress. Not to mention green really doesn't suit her complexion.

Alright. Bad faith. She was stunning, and all eyes were on her. Except mine. I just couldn't tear my eyes away from you. That black velvet suit was made for you. It makes you look like a perfect gentleman. Oh, I so wished I was the one dancing with you! Our fingers intertwined, we would have have been swept away in the whirlpool of an endless waltz...

The notes of An der shönen blauen Donau still echo in my head as my fingers stop on what I was looking for.

I take the huge book off the shelf and place it on the table, blowing the dust off the cover. I take a deep breath and leaf through it by candlelight until I find the word I was looking up.

Jealous, adj. Fearful or wary of being supplanted; apprehensive of losing affection or position.

I bit my lower lip. That's what I feared...

"Sebastian!"

I nearly jump out of my skin. You are standing in front of me and I just have time to close the book. How come I haven't heard you coming? I should definitely not allow emotions to overwhelm me like that. I stare at you. You look absolutely gorgeous, despite your tousled hair and your sloppy night clothes.

"What is the Young Master doing here in the dead of the night?" I ask, trying to hide my nervousness.

"Couldn't sleep. Thought I'd find you here," you mumble, taking a seat in front of me and resting your chin on your elbow. "And what are you doing with..." You glance at the book. "A dictionary?"

"I often read it by night, I always learn new words I had never heard about," I lie.

You give me a suspicious look.

"Strange nocturnal activity, if you want my opinion," you say, yawning.

I shrug and smile.

"You look anxious, Sebastian. Is there something wrong?"

You know me better than I thought.

"Not at all," I reply, forcing another smile to my lips. "Would you like some herbal tea, my Lord?"

I was hoping you would say 'yes', that would have allowed me some time to collect my wits, but you shake your head.

"No, thank you," you slur, playing with the quill I had brought with me.

"Then let me take you back to bed," I propose.

You shake your head again.

"Not before you tell me what's wrong."

I let out a sigh of exasperation but I can't help but smile.

"I've never seen someone as stubborn as you!" I gently mock you.

You frown.

"Don't even try to change the subject, Sebastian. Spill it. This is an order!"

I freeze. The contract... I have no choice. I can't lie...

"You're right, Young Master. I am quite upset," I admit.

You place the quill back on the table and raise an eyebrow, giving me your full attention.

"About what?" You ask, a look of concern on your face.

"When you were dancing with Lady Elizabeth earlier... I think I was... jealous..."

Damn it!

"Jealous?" You repeat, slowly.

I nod, trying to avoid your incredulous gaze. A few seconds pass by but it looks like an eternity.

"Wow...," you finally let out. "I... I never knew you had something for Lizzie..."

I nearly choke on those words. In other circumstances, having you thinking I could be in love with such an exuberant and annoying girl would have been enough to make me burst into laugh, but right now, it only destabilizes me even more.

"Oh, no! You don't get it, my Lord... I mean, jealous as in...," my voice trails off.

This doesn't sound like me at all. I just hate losing control that way... When I finally dare to look at you straight in the eye, yours are focused intently on me.

"As in?" You ask, a look of determination in your eyes.

I usually love that look. Your determination is what I admire the most about you, but right now, I just wish you would give up and go back to bed.

"As in... I'd like to keep you all for myself."

As soon as the words leave my mouth, i hate myself for having revealing myself to you that much.

Your eyes widen, but then your features relax and a little laugh escapes your throat.

"Sebastian, you already have me all to yourself! You're the one I sold my soul to, remember? So I have no choice than to stick to you...," you pause, "... till death do us part," you scoff.

I roll my eyes. I'd rather not think about that for now.

"You don't understand..." I reply, fondly, "I really mean that I was jealous of Elizabeth..."

You blink in surprise.

"And why would you be jealous?"

I look at you straight in the eye, and smirk.

"Isn't it obvious?"

Your turn to feel embarrassed. You look away, a faint flush on your cheeks. I stand up and lift your chin up in my hand.

"Tell me you're mine, Young Master."

You look panic-stricken this time, even though you try your best to hide it.

"Sebastian... I..."

For a short instant, you look completely confused and lost, but suddenly, you furrow your brow and seem to be struck with a flash of lucidity.

"Remember that I am the one who gives orders here. Anyway, I'm off to bed. See you tomorrow, Sebastian," you say, coldly as you stand up and push me away.

I gasp and I feel like I'm going to suffocate. It... hurts. It truly hurts. But what else could I expect, anyway? I watch you make your way to the door in silence. I feel like my heart is going to break into a million pieces. This is such an unpleasant feeling, I hate it.

"Sebastian!" You call when you reach the door knob.

I wince.

"Yes, my Lord?"

"If it's any consolation, I've never been in love with Lizzie," you sneer, giving me an almost devilish smile before disappearing.

Those words send a tingle up my spine, and before I even realise, my mouth also curls into a devilish smile...

Thanks for reading! And thanks for your kind reviews too! I can't update as much as I'd like, because my work, my son, my husband, my house... keep me busy all the time! Lol. Not to mention there are fics I don't want to give up in other fandoms, but hey, I try my best! :)

By the way, in case you wouldn't know, An der shönen blauen Donau (The blue Danube) is a waltz by the Austrian Johann Strauss II.

Published on November.8 2010