Chapter 17: Arriving at the Beginning of the End
"Yes…you were the one who burned down Baron Kelvin's mansion…all those years ago…you were the one who started all of this…"
At that moment, Ciel realized the meaning of Helen's words. He had started all of this chaos, agony and pain, hadn't he? Several years ago…he had burned Baron Kelvin's mansion down, along with the hundreds of innocent children that had been held captive. Ciel held Elizabeth tighter; her face had become gray from the loss of blood where Baroness Kelvin had stabbed her. Her blonde hair lay wild around her pretty face, and her lips were a strange blue hue. This was not the Elizabeth Ciel knew…certainly this face was not the face of his beloved cousin and fiancée.
No…Elizabeth's face was bright, rosy and full of life…she smiled had every day for him…
Before…I…no…Elizabeth...
He stared longing at her, wishing with all his might that he might go back in time and do everything over again. No…Ciel had burned down the godforsaken mansion for a purpose! Those children, forced to endure the same tortures he did…forced to eat like dogs and animals! The horrors that the walls had seen and heard…the sickly foul smells that scented the corridors filled with nothing but death. He had granted those children grace…By damned he would do it again!
Ciel laid his dusty hand on Elizabeth's chest, feeling the very slight rise and fall of her chest. Sounds of battle resonated through the destroyed hall, and Ciel could hear the clash of metal. He laid Elizabeth's stiff form on the ground, gently lowering her head on the floor. At that moment, he reached up and pulled the sword mantel down. He swished it around, listening to sharp sound of it cutting through the air.
"Yes, you're right Helen. I did kill those children and I did burn Baron Kelvin's mansion. As the Queen's Watchdog I did what was right in my own eyes." Helen laughed loudly, scarcely believing that Ciel would fight her.
"How arrogant of you Earl! You're vainity never ceases does it?" However, as her eyes met Ciel's, her laughter died and instead she became stiff.
"Fight me? You wish to fight me a demon? I could kill you in a se-Ah!" Helen gasped and stumbled forward…as if something from behind had struck her. A large black form, sharp and pointed thrusted through her chest. Suddenly, a dark apparition loomed over her as if swallowing her whole. Helen screamed clawing at the form, trying to get away from the darkness that began covering her.
"Sebastian!" Ciel yelled. The shadow loomed over Ciel, its menacing razor edges glazed over the young man's body just barely touching him. The personification of evil itself was at his beck and call.
"I want to see it."
"Yes, young master." Suddenly a loud cracking noise was heard, like twigs breaking underfoot. Helen screamed as her body began to tear, and blood splattered the floor.
"Aah! Aaaaaaaah! Ah! Ah! Ah!" Ciel watched…he watched as the black demon tore Helen apart and rendered her body to shreds. The bloodbath continued, Helen's shrieks steadily transitioning to small whimpers and finally silence. Ciel wiped a red splatter from his cheek, flicking it on the soak floor. He boots slished across the drenched carpet, over to wear Elizabeth lay. He bent down, and gently lifted Elizabeth in his arms.
"Baroness Kelvin?"
"Eradicated."
"What of Vincent Tudor?"
"Safe, young master."
"The servants?"
"Finished." Ciel nodded.
"Burn everything." He began walked down the corridor.
"Everything, young master?" Ciel turned to the monster, the cursed demon he had sold his soul to.
"That's what I said, isn't it?"
"But Lady Elizabeth's memories-,"
"Didn't you hear what I said? I said burn everything to the damned ground." The tone in Ciel's voice caused the demon to stiffen. The butler returned to his human form, the dark arms forcing themselves back into his fleshy body. Sebastian tightened his stained gloves, shaking his head.
"Even faced with a situation like this…the young master will resort to eradicating instead of facing his troubles." Sebastian clicked his fingers, igniting a blaze that swallowed the corridor around him.
"My young master…is still a child."
London Times
First Page, Great Phantomhive Mansion Burns!
The prestigious Phantomhive Estate burned to the ground on July 17, 1894. It was known that the Earl had now held a surprise party for his noble guests who bought stocks from his business partners. Several men and women suffered from minor burns and bruises, though none perished in the blazing fire. Earl Ciel Phantomhive, owner of the toy and candy company Funtom Co. and his fiancée, Lady Elizabeth Middleford made it out safely without harm. The Phantomhive servants also were safe. The cause of the fire is unknown, but some experts say that it started in the kitchen, possibly from a gas leak. Earl Phantomhive will now reside in his London townhouse residence once the construction of his mansion is completed in the country. It has been known that Earl and his fiancée have been at odds with each other ever since her return to England. The rumor is that the Earl Phantomhive proposed to Lady Elizabeth Middleford on the night of the fire, and held a grandeur party. Rumor has it that Lady Elizabeth Middleford accepted only to admit that she loved another man whose name has not been disclosed at the moment.
Page 2
Mystery of Circus Deaths and Illegal Indian Trafficking Come to an End!
Scotland Yard was able to put an end to the illegal Indian trafficking from the Americas to England a week ago, with the help of an unnamed assistant. Hundreds of Indians were being shipped from the Americas to England to be sold for illegal distribution and even illegal medical purposes. Doctor Henry, a prominent doctor and bachelor has been detained by the police for illegally conducting medical practices…
The newspaper was tossed on the desk rather carelessly without a second glance. The butler clad in black smiled, rather pleased with the story that the newspaper had produced. Such rumors and folly had no place in his young master's mind; however making the burning down of his great mansion seem like a love quarrel was good enough for him. Ciel shook his head, swinging in his chair to face the window.
"Why are they so interested in my love life?" Sebastian grinned and poured hot tea into the glittering tea cups Lady Elizabeth had bought for the townhouse.
"Perhaps because they have nothing better to do, young master." A soft knocked sounded on the door, Ciel glanced at Sebastian. He knew who it was; he had asked her to come. Ciel wanted to know everything about what happened during those several years…Elizabeth was in America.
I know this will be difficult for her…but there is no way I can possibly get the information from anyone else. Elizabeth knows what went on in St. Josephina Augusta School better than I guess. She might have to recall bitter memories…
"Lady Elizabeth, if you would please sit. I have Oolong tea prepared with blueberry tarts covered in a sweet lemon sauce. I hope that you enjoy it."
"Thank you, Sebastian." Ciel felt a small shiver go through his body as the soft, almost sorrowful words came from the young woman's lips. He listened to her soft footsteps on the carpet until they stopped right behind him at his desk.
"Elizabeth."
"Ciel." The silence that followed was one that Elizabeth hated dearly. Silence was her worst enemy, the very object of her disdain. Even in her youth, Elizabeth hated silence. It suffocated her like thick black smog, clouding her throat and thoughts. The stuffiness of the room made her feel isolated and heated, even though the window was open and fresh air circulated through the room.
Ciel turned around to face her, Elizabeth Middleford. He tried to hide his surprised expression at her black attire. Elizabeth was clothed in black; from head to toe…Ciel leaned back in his chair, concerned but curious.
"Please sit down, Elizabeth."
"Thank you, Ciel." The emotion in her voice caused him to shiver. Elizabeth gazed at Ciel, her green eyes glazed over as if she were in a dream. Ciel's heart leapt slightly at her cold and blank gaze.
"Elizabeth…"
"I know everything, Ciel…"
"What?"
"I know about Sebastian…" Ciel gripped the edge of his chair…impossible!
There's no way….no way she could know what Sebastian truly is! There's no way she saw his true form!
"I know that he…slipped a pill in my food…that made me forget about that night…in the mansion." Elizabeth clutched the small hand bag that sat in her lap.
"W-why…why weren't you truthful? You would think…that I am a woman, Earl. I can handle myself very well…I'm no longer a child. What do you take me for?" Ciel leaned against his desk, his eyes on Elizabeth. She stared straight into his eyes, her gaze never unwavering. She was determined; steady…Ciel could see it. He grinned, knowing that Elizabeth was no longer a child…she had proven herself so many times. It was time he started treating her as one. Ciel leaned back in the chair, bringing his hands under his chin and thinking deeply. He had wanted to protect her from this…from the underworld he was a part of. He wanted to protect her from everything…was it all in vain? His lies…perhaps they were.
Elizabeth's gloved hand reached Ciel's and she held it to her heart. Ciel's expression was confusing to Elizabeth. He did not smile or try to draw his hand away. Instead, it was a look of defeat…weariness. It was a look she had never seen on him before and one that she would never see again.
"Ciel…when you proposed to me…I said yes. I said I would be your wife. I've known…ever since the Campania sinking…what kind of man you would become. Not once have I ever regretted my choice. You are an ugly man, aren't you?" Elizabeth said her voice soft.
"Yes."
"You have the blood of innocents on your hands…"
"Yes I do."
"You have lied, cheated, murdered and plundered…"
"Yes I have."
"And you will continue to do this until your breath your very last, Ciel."
"Yes I will, Elizabeth."
"After you marry me?"
"Yes."
"I see…then," Elizabeth released Ciel's hand, "I will follow you to the ends of the earth." Ciel's thoughts stopped and he felt that he had not heard Elizabeth's words correctly. Then little by little…his hands began to tremble. The realization could not come clear enough. In his mind he knew what Elizabeth was committing to…what she was diving head first into…Ciel gazed into Elizabeth's eyes and he knew at that moment Elizabeth…
"Even if you should stumble, if the world should turn against you and even if you should go down the darkest road…I will be with you…" Ciel stood, slowly tracing Elizabeth's cheek.
"Even down to the depths of hell, you'll follow me, Elizabeth?"
"Yes."
"Even if you must become dirtied and your blind innocence shattered like a thousand glass windows? Will you still follow me?" Elizabeth nodded. Ciel placed his hand behind Elizabeth's blonde locks, bringing her lips to his. He kissed her softly.
"Lady Phantomhive, I welcome you to hell."
Hello! I sincerely apologize for this late chapter! The college semester is finally over but I'm still busy! My fiancee and I have been out of state to visit his family for Memorial Day! We've been gone for a week, and let me tell you I have been having a blast! Anyway, I hope you have been enjoying this story...it is almost at its end. I loved writing this story, and I love fanfiction! Just a quick update, over the summer I will not be posting any new stories. I'll be working at camp and then I'll be getting married...so I won't be writing for awhile! :) Thank you for your support and reviews and favorites and subscription alerts!