Arthur returned home, feeling heavy and apprehended. He stepped away from the Phantomhive manor, feeling Dante not far behind with his order still fresh in his ears. The order was for him to discover the sender behind the marigolds and to bring him forth to Arthur immediately.

However, Dante's expression twitched when the order was placed upon him. Arthur noticed. Nonetheless Dante bowed his head and agreed to carry it out for his master whom he had been bound to with more than just an oath. Arthur stopped in his tracks, looking at the muted colors of the grass at his feet.

Something told him, some little voice in his mind, that he should turn back and talk things through with Sebastian and Ciel. He had forgotten his agreement, at any rate. He stepped behind a tree and squatted at its hefty trunk, peering around and watching for Dante to exit.

Dante did so, wearing a trench coat and a grim expression. His eyes were blank, insinuating an inner debate toiling inside his brain. In moments the man had strode the entire length of the grounds and exited out of sight. Relaxing, Arthur stood and went quickly back to the mansion, cursing Ciel for having forgotten to tell him what to do. Though, Sebastian had hinted that the boy was feeling distempered.

At the steps he stopped, seeing something distinct on the ground before the doors. A drop of liquid had fallen, glistening faintly in what little sun shone through. He crouched before it and ran his gloved forefinger along the substance, finding that it had only half-way dried. Its scent was acidic and gave Arthur an instantaneous spinning head ache. He shook his hand to dislodge what remained of it. His face paling, he leaned against the wall, trying to soothe his sudden onslaught of pain.

It faded away, slowly but surely, and disintegrated into nothing but a throbbing memory. Arthur knocked on the door twice—for on the third knock it was pulled open by Sebastian who looked anxious to see Arthur, surprising the poor man.

"There's something there that has given me a damned headache." Arthur said, pointing towards the faint trace of the substance still on the ground.

"I know," Sebastian gestured for Arthur to come in. "I don't see how I didn't see it, but it has given my master a deathly color."

Arthur entered and hung up his coat. "May I see to him?"

"Yes," Sebastian led him towards where Ciel had retired, relaxing visibly. He had little emotions to begin with, and what he did have told him to feel endangered by the strange material. Not only this, but Dante's appearance had unsettled him, however little it could to his rock-hard persona.

In the living room, Ciel lay with his head raised on a mound of pillows. He had not the energy to raise himself from that position and go to his room for a more proper location. He refused that Sebastian carry him, at all costs. A half-filled cup of tea sat at a table near him. Dark rings circled his eyes and his chapped lips were parted. Annoyance still lingered, however.

"Hello, Master Phantomhive," Arthur said.

"Hello, Mr. Kirkland," Ciel replied, scowling. His voice was hoarse.

"Bly me, you've been struck silly by that ridiculous poison," Arthur said, pulling off his gloves and placing his fingertips on Ciel's forehead. "You're burning up!"

"Poison…?" Ciel muttered, his eyes widening.

"Yes, some bloke must have wanted to off you and not seem victim. By doing that he had to slip you some poison that would make you very ill and so all blame would be directed to nature and not him. If only he had fully capped whatever container he had, it would not have fallen onto your front porch. Now, we better find you an antidote and quick." Arthur said, half to himself.

Ciel tried to rise but Sebastian placed his hand on the bony shoulder.

"Who would poison me?" He asked.

"I haven't the faintest… Who was here in the past month or so? This couldn't have happened over night and it had to have come in close contact with you. I stood right over it and I didn't feel a thing until I put my nose right up against it." Arthur sat on the ottoman across from Ciel, furrowing his brows.

"No one but you, that other demon, and Rockwell."

"Rockwell…?" Arthur said, the name ring a dim bell somewhere in the back of his mind.

"Yes. Show him the letter, Sebastian." Ciel ordered.

Sebastian left the two briefly, returning with a torn envelope. Arthur examined it, tracing his hand over the stamp. "Curious…"

"Why would Rockwell want to murder me? He was a blubbering idiot. Albeit, that could have been an act to catch us off guard… But why? We gave him what he wanted and he would have no use in killing us, unless he feared we would meddle with his line of work and that oh so precious doctor of his." Ciel rubbed the ring at his fingers and looked at Arthur. "What do you think?"

"I think that we should investigate the matter," Arthur said, "This is the same envelope that sent me those flowers."

Ciel turned to Sebastian, nostrils flared. "This is an order, Sebastian, let us find that boy and get every piece of information out of him."

"Yes, my lord."