Note: 3 Chapters in two days; wow, I'm already getting ahead of myself with this ^^; Don't get used to it, I'm sticking to the chapter every week thing but nothing really happens until this chapter. I won't usually put author's notes here, either, by the way. So I guess that's all...

Sebastian closed the office door softly behind himself. Ciel leaned against his desk, which wasn't as messy as usual since Sebastian had had to reorganize it the night before. He uncrumpled the paper slowly, examining it silently. The blotted ink script was illegible.

"It seems," Sebastian said, "that the killer has no pattern. The only consistent thing about the murders other than the victims is the notes he leaves. None have been legible and what can be made out doesn't add up to much."

"Even you found nothing Sebastian?"

"Nothing at all, my lord."

Ciel frowned, glancing up from the creased note to look at Sebastian. He set the paper aside, bored. "If there was nothing left to be found then what took you so long?" he asked sourly.

"I was just being sure to pay attention to detail," Sebastian said lightly. "Also, the Yard member who had been escorting me to see the bodies was quite slow."

Ciel scoffed, looking away so he didn't have to face Sebastian's all-knowing grin. "You're starting to slack, Sebastian. Your work is becoming sloppy and I'm sick of it!"

Sebastian tilted his head. "Oh…?" He chuckled softly. "If you feel the need to punish me, my lord, there are much better ways to do so than a half-hearted scolding. In fact, the fire tending tools in the corner there would be quite effective…"

The corner of Ciel's mouth twitched, threatening to deepen his frown, if it were possible.

"Or could it be you're going soft?" Sebastian strode gracefully to stand directly in front of Ciel. He softly pulled the boy's face toward his. "Is something the matter, my lord?"

Ciel slapped his hand away. "Shut up!" he hissed.

"Does my touch bother you?" Sebastian leaned forward a bit, his hand lingering near Ciel's.

Ciel pulled back from Sebastian, pressing himself against his desk. When tried to look away he found that the only place to look was the demon's burning eyes. There was an uncomfortable knotting in his stomach, and he couldn't tell if it was from fear or excitement.

"If there's ever anything you want or need, all I require is an order," Sebastian whispered, his breath soft against Ciel's skin.

Ciel was frozen in place for what seemed like forever before he found the sense to reply. "What is it that you think I want so badly?" he asked sharply. "Tell me the truth exactly as you see it. That is an order."

Their faces were almost touching now. Sebastian peered at Ciel from heavily lidded eyes, thick lashes obstructing the view of the crimson orbs. "You wish I loved you."

Ciel's stomach did a painful flip and he shoved Sebastian away from him. "Get out!" he growled. "Go do some long, tedious task and make sure it lasts until morning. I don't want to see you until then – that's an order!"

Sebastian's smile was unwavering. He bowed respectfully. "Yes, my lord." He was out the door in seconds.

Ciel was only able to stare after him in disbelief. He wanted to collapse and throw a tantrum and call Sebastian back, but was too proud for such a display. He glanced at the clock. The Midfords would be back in the drawing room by now, probably waiting for Ciel. On his way to bed he might as well pay them a visit.

.

Elizabeth sat across from her father on one of the soft cushioned chairs in the drawing room. The marquis had found himself a book and had become immersed in it; his wife sat and stared out the window, stiff as a board. It was completely silent save for the pounding of rain on the windows. Elizabeth nearly jumped out of her skin when the door swung open to reveal Ciel's fragile form.

He looked a bit… distressed. His eyes were distant and his face was pale. There was one strand of hair that had decided to poke up at a strange angle, which Elizabeth found absolutely adorable.

"I'm going to retire early tonight," Ciel said. "I'm sorry we can't talk about the wedding tonight… I'm just too tired."

Alexis glanced up. "Well then, goodnight, Ciel. Sleep well." He was gone in an instant, back to reading.

Elizabeth stood. "That sounds like a good idea," she said. "Would you mind if I came with you?"

Ciel shook his head. "Of course not."

Frances didn't even look up. They were gone and in the hallway in seconds.

"Where's Sebastian now?" Elizabeth asked.

"Busy. Catching up on a day's worth of missed work."

"Oh, I see…" She paused, silently pondering her next words. "You wouldn't mind if I helped you prepare for bed tonight, would you? Since I'll be your wife soon it'll be my job, anyway."

Ciel nodded distantly.

When they entered his room Elizabeth was careful to leave the door just slightly cracked. Ciel sat on the foot of the bed, already having removed his coat. Elizabeth came and started to unbuckle his shoes. "At the wedding," she said, "you should wear white instead of black, so it's less dismal."

"But black is traditional," Ciel said.

"I suppose… but we can at least try for white, can't we?"

"We can try."

Elizabeth smiled and stood, starting to untie Ciel's bow. "I'm not sure where to put these," she said.

"I know where they go. Don't worry about it."

She nodded and started on his shirt buttons, her fingers shaking slightly. She slightly hoped Ciel would notice, but he was being oddly aloof tonight. She was just starting to slip the shirt off his shoulders when she noticed something.

"Ciel, what's this…?" she asked softly, her eyes falling on the brand that adorned his side. It had faded over the years and was a mere scar now, but was there nonetheless.

Ciel glanced down, cursing under his breath. He stood abruptly, trying to pull his shirt closed to hide it. "It's nothing… Elizabeth-"

Elizabeth frowned. "Ciel… What is that? Can't you tell me? How long has it been there?"

"I… It's from when… after the house was burned…" His cheeks were turning a pale pink; it wouldn't have been noticeable to many others besides Elizabeth, who comfortingly grabbed his hands.

"Please tell me… I just want to help you, you know! I love you, Ciel, and-"

Ciel winced at the word. It wasn't as if she hadn't said it before, though. Something was obviously wrong with him, tonight.

"I… Lizzie…"

"Please, Ciel."

"It's… a brand…"

"How? From where?" Elizabeth was desperately trying to contain her shock and horror, but feared she wasn't doing very well.

Ciel drew back his hands. "I'll tell you, I promise, Elizabeth. But only if this stays secret."

Elizabeth wanted desperately to keep pressing for information, but instead agreed.

"I think you should go, Elizabeth. I'll see you in the morning – goodnight."

She smiled sweetly, nodding. "I'm sorry, Ciel." She leaned forward and pressed her lips softly against his cheek. "Goodnight."

.

Mey Rin stood hunched over, her ear practically pressed against Ciel's bedroom door as she strained desperately to hear his exchange with Elizabeth. She felt bad eavesdropping, but when Ciel had mentioned that time after the house had been burned… Though she and the other servants hadn't known him until after the incident, it was still forbidden and fascinating information.

She couldn't hear much, but was desperate to try nonetheless. When she heard something about a brand she stored it away quickly – it was sure to be useful information.

She was unable to hear anything else after that, so prepared to open the door, when Elizabeth emerged.

Mey Rin startled, leaping nearly a foot in the air and drawing back quickly. "L-Lady Elizabeth…! I was just going to check on the master while Sebastian is busy… what are you doing…?"

"Oh, Mey Rin! I'm sorry – did I scare you?"

Mey Rin, despite her trembling, shook her head. "Ah… N-no, Lady Elizabeth. Don't worry about me!" She laughed shakily.

"Ah… Well, I'm off to bed. Please make sure Ciel is okay, will you?"

Mey Rin nodded. "Of course, Lady Elizabeth."

Elizabeth smiled. "Thank you," she said softly, before turning and walking toward her room.

.

When Frances entered her bedroom she was surprised to find a dark figure kneeling over the fire place. At the sound of the door he looked up, his face illuminated by the firelight.

"Ah, good evening," Sebastian said, smiling. "I wasn't expecting you to return so swiftly." He set aside the fire poker and straightened up. "Is there anything you need or may I go?"

Frances shifted her feet – an uncharacteristic fidgeting – as she watched Sebastian. "Actually," she said, "I was wondering about what was so important that you had to leave Ciel for a whole day. Since you practically run the household I couldn't imagine why you would think to leave it – with guests over, no less."

"The master gave me an order. There were errands to run and while my lord was busy he told me to do it."

Frances frowned. "Ah… Well, speaking of Ciel, he seems a bit… carless. As if he has no interest in the wedding at all. Do you have any knowledge of how he feels about it all?"

"Well, I'm sure you know how marriage is. And an arranged one, at that. I know he cares for Lady Elizabeth, but is just a bit nervous, I'm sure." There was a slight pain in his left hand. It wasn't a lie, per say, but it wasn't a perfect truth, either. He smiled inwardly.

"Mh… But there's nothing else going on? How has his health been?"

"Fine. His asthma hasn't been acting up in quite some time and he hasn't suffered from any colds this season."

Frances looked down at her feet. Sebastian couldn't help but notice how she was being far shyer than usual.

"And you, Sebastian… how do you feel about the wedding? How will you go about adjusting to having Lady Elizabeth here as well?"

Sebastian chuckled softly. "I'm a humble servant. My opinion doesn't matter. And, as butler to the Phantomhives, I will of course treat Lady Elizabeth just as I treat Ciel, seeing as she herself will be a Phantomhive."

Frances flinched at the word, and Sebastian's smile widened. She stayed silent for a moment, but then looked up quickly, looking intensely into his crimson eyes.

"Do you intend to hire a nursemaid?"

"Pardon, but why would I need to do that?"

"Well, it's to be expected that Ciel and Elizabeth will have children one day, is it not? And it will be required that there is someone to care for them while-"

Sebastian's smile faltered. "I don't think that will be necessary," he said politely. "If things reach that point then I will be the one to care for them."

The door swung open at that moment, Alexis entering, waving a book for Frances to see. He didn't seem to notice Sebastian's presence. "This is absolutely astounding!" he exclaimed. "I cannot believe how well planned out this has been!"

Sebastian glanced at the title. It wasn't one he'd read or even Ciel had, as far as he knew. "Ah… Well, if that will be all, then I'll be excusing myself." He bowed respectively before slipping out the room, almost unnoticed.

As he wove through the hallways he pondered what Frances had said. The thought that Ciel might actually have children with Elizabeth was comical, in a way. However, anything was possible.

He smiled to himself. He'd have to bring up the subject with the master tomorrow.