A/N: WARNING! This chapter will leave a lot of unanswered questions, so I know you will all hate me for it, but be patient and all will be revealed in time. I enjoy making you squirm!
Rosalina had left her hair down when she went to the dining room. She took one of the end chairs that had been set. The young demon boy entered shortly after. Ciel was wearing one of the outfits she had picked out earlier that day. She applauded herself in that it seemed to fit perfectly. Of course, she received no "thank you."
She reminded herself that he was only a child and a spoiled one at that. His pride, obviously, would prevent him from showing such a grateful attitude. Sebastian brought in the rabbit stew, which smelled divine. She could smell the rich broth with a hint of garlic.
The silence was only broken every now and then by the soft clank of glass as their drinks were refilled. Rose spoke up, just as her coffee was being poured, "I think it's best to discuss a course of action."
"Won't they just give up after a while?" Ciel asked before putting his own cup of tea to his lips.
"I highly doubt it."
"What's so important that they are putting in so much effort?" The demon butler put a teaspoon filled with honey into her cup before setting it before her.
"Like I've said before, things have changed, Sebastian. In case you aren't aware, the head of our ranks has changed. Vincent was made Horsemen not ten years after I became a butler."
"That still doesn't answer the question. Why me?" Ciel interrupted.
Rose smirked, "You think it's you they're after?" Her left eyebrow lifted in amusement.
"I figured as much," Sebastian sighed, annoyed.
She took a sip from her coffee. "I, honestly, am not sure of their reasoning, but I can tell you that there have been some strange disappearances," she said to the butler.
"Demons?"
"Yes. There have been three demons that have gone missing in the past thirty years or so. It's strange because demons of your age are immortal unless killed by the Demon Blade, which we are told was destroyed many centuries ago."
"That's not true. I came into contact with it only recently."
She let out a frustrated sigh, "That doesn't surprise me. I'm starting to think that they're lying about all sorts of things trying to cover something up. I also find it odd that they would make such a fuss about you. It's not like you're posing a threat."
"So, what can we expect next?" Ciel asked after listening to their exchange.
"Well, Hunters can't leave Hell so they'll likely send someone to find us. I don't know who, but I do know someone who would volunteer his services," she sneered and gave Sebastian a pointed look, which he understood.
"I can handle him," the butler said as-a-matter-of-fact.
"You may, but I can't and he knows it," she said standing. "He revels in the fact," she growled as she strolled past him towards the door.
Sebastian gave a short bow in apology before leaving his master to follow Rose who had nearly reached her room. She had known he would follow; a part of her wanted him to. Standing at her window, she awaited the soft knock.
"Come in," she said softly before his knuckles reached the surface.
"You needn't worry about him. I'll take care of him if he comes."
"That isn't the point," she whispered. "I never wanted to see him again, since he ruined my plans back then, but I did. He, unfortunately, was my instructor while I was becoming a butler. He's the reason it took me another ten years to become a butler. After that, I avoided him as much as possible."
Rosalina had no idea why she was sharing this part of her past with him. She looked towards the door. He stood just inside it, quietly listening. It was just as she remembered him doing when she had needed to get something off her chest.
"Why did you leave me there alone? Don't you dare say that it was because I had ordered you to. We both know that the contract ended before that."
"I thought it best." His answer was short and sweet as always.
"Sebastian, don't act like a butler with me anymore. Tell me why."
He glanced out the window, then returned the gaze. "I have no other reason, Rose. You know that we lose our human emotions after so long. You still have yours; I haven't for many centuries."
She straightened at his answer. She'd never understood demons who'd lost their emotions. She supposed that she would when the day came that she would lose her own. It usually happened around five hundred years unless something tragic happened to speed the process. "Your master," she changed the subject, "should probably learn some sort of self defense." Her advice received no comment. She turned away from the window. "You should probably be waiting on him."
"What did he do to you?"
"Who, your master?"
"No," he paused, "Dragus Verrine."
She cringed at the name. "Things I'd like to forget."
"I'd like to know."
"Why? You don't care," she snapped, catching him off guard.
A few seconds later, he turned to leave after realizing he was getting nowhere with her. "You said that Vincent was made Horseman," he stopped to look at her before leaving. "Who took his place?"
"Asmodeus," she whispered. Rose watched as his eyes widened only slightly in surprise before he closed the door behind him without a word.
Slumping onto her bed, she began the process of unlacing her corset. Fortunately, another perk to being a younger demon was the fact that she could still sleep and dream. Granted, she didn't need it, but, tonight, it seemed like a good idea.
Standing in the study of her good friend, the King's, she listened as he ranted about all the worries he had come to have about his wife, Queen Catherine. Rosalina smiled inside. The fact that she'd helped raise those doubts pleased her. Henry was all too quick to take the hints. Whether proof of it could be found or not, all she'd had to ask was if the Queen had truly been a maid when they'd been married. Now, here they stood, him contemplating the options.
"Henry, it will be alright. Have you spoken to a priest? I'm sure that if you voice your concerns to the church, they will understand and grant an annulment. Tell them how much this realization has affected your very soul."
"Yes, I must." He stopped pacing and faced her. "Thank you." She smiled. Without thinking, he grasped her shoulders and pulled her close. Rosalina gasped when he lips landed upon hers. Her eyes remained wide. She hadn't expected this and was too shocked to pull away. He did after a second or two.
She gazed at herself in the mirror of her vanity, the demon butler at work behind her, slowly brushing her hair. It was a moment she'd come to enjoy. A nightly task he'd taken to seemed to calm her. However, tonight her thoughts raced; all the day's events collided in her mind.
The kiss had confused her. She hadn't thought that Henry would react that way. Rose could tell that her butler knew something was wrong, but, of course, he didn't pry. He would wait until she told him on her own. It was her first kiss. Sure, there'd been a couple pecks on the cheek in her childhood, but never on the lips. She was only seventeen, after all, and had yet to be married.
She had heard that kisses were passionate and loving, but she hadn't felt any of that. Maybe it was the shock. She didn't know what to make of it. It can't always feel like that, right?
"Sebastian?"
"Yes, Miss?" he answered, continuing his ministrations.
"If I asked you to do something, would you without question?"
"I do as you command me, Miss."
She thought about her request for a moment more. "Kiss me."
