Chapter 18: Nearer Tomorrow

The smooth wisp of the pen against the formal stationary was rushed, but fine and legible. He was nearing the end of the paper, h is long cursive words gliding over the letter. He stopped, nearing the end and held the paper to his eyes. The blue irises went back and forth looking for any errors or statements that would misinform Her Majesty or cause ceaseless nagging. The content of the letter was certainly not intended for public eyes. He laid the letter on the glass coffee table and pushed it towards the other side. Following certain events and weighing options, Ciel had decided it was best and most sensible for Elizabeth to live in the townhouse. It was much to the gossiping of old ladies, and newspapers though.

"Will that suffice Elizabeth?" Elizabeth slowly sipped the tea and set the glass on the table. The sunlight graced the new addition of the Phantomhive townhouse in London. Even though the townhouse was a little fuller with all the servants there, plus Elizabeth the rearrangements worked out well. Because the backyard was considerably large, he had added on a small sunroom at Elizabeth's request. The construction of the new Phantomhive manor would take several years to complete, but Elizabeth was content with that. The burning down of the prestigious Phantomhive estate made front pages for several weeks, along with chitchats that it was a crime of passion…of course those were just guileless rumors. The former Baroness Kelvin…had been…disposed along with Dr. Henry who had assisted her. He had had an interesting time responding to Scotland Yard, as well as speaking with the Royal London Hospital. However, all that mattered was that Her Majesty's heart and mind had been put to rest. Elizabeth's slender fingers slid over the paper, never missing a line. Elizabeth leaned back in the white wicker chair, her blonde curls framing her rosy face. She laid the letter on the coffee table and smiled.

"Your cursive has improved considerably, Earl Phantomhive, though it still lacks the smoothness of someone of your stature." Elizabeth smiled and brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. Ciel shrugged, folding his hands together under his chin.

"That's as good as I can do it, Elizabeth. If you want to be so picky about it, write the letter yourself. I don't have time for this…" Ciel rubbed his forehead and stood.

"Where are you going?" Elizabeth asked, her brows rising at his sudden desire to leave.

"Come on." Ciel took Elizabeth's hand, tugging her to get up. Elizabeth reluctantly left her seat, a questioning expression on her face. She frowned at Ciel's sudden change of attitude.

"What is it?"

"I want to show you something."

The carriage cajoled down the brick road, past small green hills and flat land. Elizabeth sat across from Ciel, closely watching his face for any hint of where he was taking her. He had urged her to change from her afternoon attire into something less bright. He had also asked her to wear her riding boots; since those were the only boots she owned other than her winter boots. Ciel had not spoken a word to her since they entered the carriage, and his face gave her no clue as to what he had planned. Instead, he had calmly urged her to pick wild flowers from the field and bring them along with her…yellow wild flowers. The yellow wild flowers reminded Elizabeth of St. Josephina Augusta School…the wide fields that covered the land and tall green prairie grass that reached up to her chest. How her friends had loved wild flowers! How she had loved the sweet beams that crossed their tanned faces…how she missed that sweetness that had been snatched from her like a child from her mother…

Then something foreign to her, dripped down her cheek, it was hot and wet. Elizabeth hurriedly pulled out her small purse and snatched a handkerchief, bringing it to her eyes. Suddenly, her chest was rising and falling rapidly, and in her mind she recalled those bittersweet memories of years past. Memories of those dear girls…that…she had…

"Elizabeth, we're here." The carriage rolled to a stop in front of a field with a stone walk way. Ciel got out of the carriage first, and then held Elizabeth's hand as she climbed out. A small breeze blew past them, sending small flower petals through the air and the scent of them warmed Elizabeth's heart. Ciel clasped Elizabeth's hand gently, ushering her to follow him through the churchyard. It was a quiet place, as most churchyards are, but there was something about this that caused Elizabeth to choke up inside. She had seen death before, of course. Death was nothing new to young woman born into a world of beauty and jewels. Instead death had become something of an unwanted companion, steadily extending its welcome for longer than she had ever wished for. The solemn couple walked through the churchyard, the green grass dewy beneath their feet.

Ciel held onto Elizabeth's hand, not glancing at her only looking forward. Elizabeth's chest tightened and she became uneasy. Ciel was so quite…and his seemingly serious expression was unsettling her. She looked around, the churchyard was one that she was not familiar with, and it was not the one that her Aunt Angelina was laid to rest in. The tombstones were cracked and uneven; the grass was over grown. This was not a churchyard that housed nobles and those born of higher status. They walked several more yards and stopped below a weeping willow. There, near the stump of the large tree stood two small tombstones.

Running Fawn

White Owl

Ciel watched Elizabeth break into sobs, her eyes filling with hot tears that he hated to see on her. Her cries filled the churchyard and echoed for miles as she slid against the tree to the ground. There was nothing he could do for her. There was nothing in this material world that could satisfy the sorrow that spread into her heart. He had tried it before, filling that black hole. Ciel allowed her to weep while watching her small body tremor from the wailing coming from within. She was going to experience loss to such an extent…Ciel understood that he had to immune her of such feelings now. Acting as the Queen's Watch Dog he had put friend and family in the grave with his own hand, all for the glory of Her Majesty.

Aunt Angelina…

Ciel watched the sky, the clouds grew darker and the wind blew stronger. He leaned down on the grass and slipped his hand around Elizabeth's waist.

"My dear, the weather has taken a turn for the worse. You can come back tomorrow if you please." Elizabeth nodded. Ciel wiped her tears with a handkerchief and hand in hand they walked back to the carriage. Ciel helped her into the carriage and then climbed in after her. Elizabeth wept during the whole ride back to the estate, with Ciel at her side. Ciel softly brushed her locks from her red face, and whispered words of calm and love in her ears. There was only so much he could do to ease her pain…the rest Elizabeth must come to terms with herself…

Elizabeth knows what she is knee deep in. My darkness and vile desires will no doubt offend her innocent spirit. I will drag her down to the depths of hell itself…this is what I spoke to her about and what I warned her of. This evil self of mine…this dirty and soiled name that she has affialted herself with. There is no turning back now, my Lady Elizabeth Phantomhive.