Authors' Note:We are so sorry that it took this long to upload the chapter! We both have been really busy with college and stuff, so our time to write and edit has been… Well, we haven't had a lot of time. Believe it or not, it takes twice as long to write a story with another person. We first must find a compromise on where we want the story and chapter to go, how do we achieve that goal, and then once we start writing, it requires a lot of editing in order to look like only one person wrote it. We are sorry it took this long, but here is Chapter 4! We hope to upload Chapter 5 by the end of the year!
Disclaimer: Kuroshitsuji does not belong to us.
Enjoy!
۞
They were laughing at him. The sound was like an alarm, shrill and piercing, cutting through the air and reaching him no matter how hard he pressed his hands over his ears. They were laughing at him. They'd stolen his family, his home, periodically stripped him until there was nothing child left. And they laughed, like he was their jester, like his descent to less than dirt was the funniest joke in all the world. The bars of the cage were narrow, wide enough to fit a single hand. The cuff around his ankle grew bigger on him as he shrunk, but no matter how much smaller he got as starvation ravaged him, only a single hand could fit through the bars of his cage. His nails grew longer, the claws of the animal they treated him like, and his ears bled as he clutched at them, trying to drown out their mocking laughter.
"Ciel..."
He tried shutting his eyes and pretending there was no one there. Once upon a time this trick would have worked. He would picture himself back at home, with Mum and Dad, Aunt Ann and Lizzie, Tanaka and Sebastian, and everything would be fine. But now it didn't work any more. When he closed his eyes and pretended he was not there, all he saw was darkness. They killed him. They killed the child inside of him without ever delivering a fatal blow. They drained him of his happiness, his hope, his everything... Now he could only drown himself in his dark thoughts, and the only consolation was the idea of putting them through this same suffering and humiliation.
"Ciel..."
They opened the door of the cage and dragged him to the table, still wet with another's blood. He felt his eyes widen. He knew what was coming. He had seen countless children, just like him, go to that table. He watched in horror as their throats were slit, their guts ripped apart, and their bodies drained of life. He watched as they turned their eyes to him, the laughter spilling from their lips as he pleaded for help.
It was his turn now.
"Ciel."
Did he even realize when it happened? When that voice came unbidden into his mind, chuckling darkly, and asking for the forbidden promise? Before he thought he would be okay with dying. He thought he wanted to die. Anything to escape this horrible torment. But now he desperately needed to live. Not to be happy nor to be loved. No, he knew there was no chance of getting those things back. He also didn't want forgiveness or anything like that. He wanted to see them suffer. Every single one of them. He wanted to switch places with them and watch them go through that exact same torment he was subjected to. And he was not going to die until that happened.
So when the voice came and extended a blood-drenched olive branch, he clutched at it without hesitation. He kept his eyes open while blood was shed. Throats were cut while the screams were still fresh, skin was torn until there was nothing resembling a human left, lives stolen... He watched it all... But this time he was the one asking for it. His hands weren't the ones dripping with blood, but it was certainly his will that made it happen.
The one who appeared to help him, his saviour, then came to his side and freed him. He held him in his arms, and smiled down at him. A smile that spoke of both pity and contempt. It was the smile, Ciel knew, of the one who would stay by his side, that was bound to him by something stronger than love or compassion.
And when the Young Earl opened his eyes again, he saw a very similar face, staring down at him.
"Sebastian...?" he murmured, voice thick with sleep, only to have the man in front of him frown disappointedly.
"No, Ciel," said the man, "It's me... Your father. We've arrived."
Oh, right. Ciel sat up straight and looked out the window. They were on their way to their London Mansion, and Ciel must have fallen asleep.
Vincent tried his best to hide his sadness. Sebastian... Of course, again it made sense that it was that man whom Ciel would call as soon as he woke up. That man saved him when his life was in danger and had been by his side ever since. He had Ciel's full trust. But he couldn't help the sting he felt in his heart when his young son opened his eye and instead of acknowledging him, he called some other man. It hurt... It hurt so much.
The carriage slowed on the gravel road, pulling to a stop outside the doors of the large townhouse. It was a resplendent building, more attention paid to its appearance than the Manor since the Earl was most likely to receive guests when so close to London.
The carriage door opened, the servant boy they had first met, Snake, helping them down. They hadn't seen him appear, but Sebastian was already at Ciel's side when Vincent looked up. Vincent didn't really have a chance to be bitter about that before a yell stole his attention.
"Ciel!"
Bounding towards them like an over-excited toddler, a dark-skinned man with vivid purple hair let out the cry, grinning all the while. Vincent had only a moment to catch the grimace on his son's face before Ciel was tackled. Or hugged. It was difficult to tell. He half expected Sebastian to pry the man away, but instead he walked around them and greeted the other man following the first.
"Hello, Agni. Apologies for the last minute arrangements. Everything is alright, I trust?"
The other man, Agni, gave a warm smile. "Yes. Everything is just as you left it."
As the two continued to exchange pleasantries, Ciel finally managed to squirm free from his exuberant assaulter.
"Get off – good lord, you're worse than a puppy."
The man didn't even seem to hear Ciel's admonishment, circling him with a hand poised to his chin in mock thought. "Have you gotten shorter? You look shorter."
Ciel flushed a delightful red. "No! You've just gotten taller, you moron."
Rachel almost cracked a smile watching the two. Seeing Ciel getting all embarrassed like that, well, it was the most emotion she'd seen him display since their reunion. At least, it was the most genuine emotion. He wasn't donning a porcelain smile, wasn't putting on airs, wasn't playing the role of Earl. He was a child exchanging banter with a friend – well, more like arguing, but even that was a relief to see. She'd been afraid of his iciness, that detachment that shone through whenever he spoke.
The man seemed to sense he was being watched, looking around and seeing them. His nose scrunched up, a sliver of recognition flashing through his eyes, but confusion quickly following. He leaned close to Ciel conspiratorially, managing to whisper louder than he'd actually been talking.
"Have I met them before?"
Rachel had never seen anyone look quite as exasperated as her son did then. He stared at the purple eyed man as though waiting for the punchline. When one wasn't forthcoming, he slapped a hand to his face, "How am I supposed to know who you've met?"
"They seem familiar," the boy said, ignoring Ciel and still not letting go.
"Will you release me already?" he shook the boy off, and then walked towards Sebastian, straightening his shirt, trying to slip back into his composure, "These are my... parents. Vincent and Rachel Phantomhive."
The two in question did not miss the pause before the word 'parents', and neither did they miss the iciness in his voice. The two, Agni and the other man with purple hair, looked shocked, and turned towards them. Ciel did not say anything else, just waited for the two Indians to take in the information.
"B-But I thought..." the purple haired man turned towards Ciel, his expression shocked.
"Yes, well, so did everyone. But apparently we were wrong." Ciel glanced at his parents once more before turning to the house and walking, "My house better be in one piece."
Sebastian and Snake, ever so the faithful servants, followed Ciel without hesitation. As she watched them walk, Rachel couldn't help but notice, not for the first time, how powerful her son's posture was. He held himself like an adult, a true earl, the top hat, the walking cane, the faithful butler at his side... Everything indicated that this boy had power and was not afraid to use it. It was hard for her to connect the boy walking towards the house to the one who had been tackled just a few seconds ago into a bone crushing hug.
Silently she prayed she could bring that child, the one she had just seen, back to the surface.
"You're...You're Ciel's parents?" the purple hair boy asked, looking between the two of them so quickly it was a wonder he didn't get whiplash.
Vincent smiled politely.
"Yes... It's very nice to meet you, Mister...?"
"This is the twenty-sixth child of the Raja of Bengal, Prince Soma Asman Kadar." said Agni, more than a little pride lacing his words.
"Also known as Ciel's best friend!" the purple haired man, Soma, added with a flourish.
Rachel blinked, twenty-sixth? Presumably there was more than one women there or someone deserved a medal.
"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Prince Kadar. It seems you've been minding the town house. Thank you." Vincent took over the pleasantries, walking alongside Soma as they made their way into the building. He'd already lost sight of Ciel, unfortunately, but he still remembered where his office was. No doubt that was where the boy had flitted off to.
"Haha, no need to be so formal, Ciel's Father. Prince Soma is fine," the man, though 'boy' probably fitted him better, beamed, "We've taken good care of it, of course. It's not as big as the palace back home but it'll do."
Rachel couldn't help a small smile as she entered the foyer. Oh, this was much better. So, so much better. Physically, it didn't differ all that much from the mansion. The same décor, no doubt the same decorator, even the same structure. However, it was warm. Where the mansion had been cold and almost ornamental, this place was cosy. There were slight scuffs on the floor that the rug didn't quite cover. The rooms weren't clinically clean, clutter here and there, the odd shirt slung across the top of a couch. There was a pungent smell on the air, not a particularly bad one but one that was strong enough you could almost taste it in the back of your throat.
This house was so lived in.
۞
"Ugh, what's that smell?" Ciel was more muttering to himself than anything else, but Sebastian heard, of course, and was quick to answer as he shadowed his Master's steps down the hallway.
"I believe that's Biryani Badshahi, a traditional Indian meal. Part of the Mughlai cuisine-"
Ciel had tuned out already. Honestly, that man and his food, it was almost obscene. If he'd realised how many food tangents he'd have to endure, he'd have been a bit more careful with his wording back when he'd made the initial order.
For the first time, he was actually grateful that the Idiot Prince was squatting in his town house. Vincent and Rachel had taken to following him like little lost puppies that he'd thrown a scrap to. While that was aggravating on its own, it was even more so now that he needed to go to see Undertaker, and he was more than a little sure that they'd insist on tagging along.
He was beginning to regret playing nice in the first place. He'd pulled out a sob story and played the fragile little boy because as it were, he didn't know whether he needed the two of them on side or not, and they'd be much more receptive to him if he wasn't too distant.
There was a fine line between not too distant and welcoming, however, and maybe he was toeing it a bit too much. He needed to keep them happy without making them think it was alright to start getting in his way.
Well, Soma had always been very good at being distracting.
No sooner had his bottom touched the seat had he sent Sebastian to fetch Soma. They returned shortly, Soma tilting his head curiously.
"Did you want to play, Ciel? That's all well and good but us adults-"
"Sit down a minute. I... wanted to ask you a favour."
This admission silenced Soma instantly. He gave a quizzical smile, dropping into the chair in front of him. The sun shining in from the window glinted off the large golden necklace he sported, blinding Ciel momentarily.
"You've introduced yourself to your parents, I assume?" He didn't hesitate to call them by that title this time but the word felt unfamiliar on his tongue.
Soma nodded emphatically.
"You look just like your Father, huh? Got your Mother's eyes though. But why are you hiding away up here, Ciel? You should be down there with them!"
Ciel gave a careful frown, eye sliding away to stare at the wall. He was silent so long that it bordered awkward, gaze intent on the wall like he would find the words he wanted upon it. When he did speak, it was in a small voice Soma hadn't heard from him before.
"It... It's been three years. So much has changed... I can't get my head around it," he glanced sheepishly back at his friend, "I have no idea how to talk to them any more, Soma. How to act around them," he paused and shook his head, "I thought I would never see them again... I guess I just need some time... To clear my head."
"I... I guess I never thought of it that way... It must be pretty shocking, I know I would be surprised if I saw someone coming back from the dead..."
"So I need you to do me a favour, Soma," Ciel said, surprising said boy.
"A-A favour?" Ciel chose to ignore the sparkle in the eyes of the his friend, as well as that smile that was often followed by a bone-crushing hug.
"Yes," he nodded, "I need you to keep them company, until I get used to this... Just until dinner will be fine. Do you think you can do that for me?"
"Of course!" Soma exclaimed, hugging his friend again, "Of course Ciel! You can count on me!"
And with that the Indian boy left the room, without looking back. Sebastian closed the door and looked at his Master, not missing his exasperated sigh. Ciel shook his head and turned his chair towards the window, his back facing the door and his faithful butler. He gazed upon the scenery in front of him, pondering upon the situation. He didn't have to look back to know the demon was smirking, probably enjoying his innocent child façade.
"Was that a really a good idea, Young Master?" he asked "I'm not sure we can count on him quite this much."
"He won't do much besides keeping those two busy." Ciel turned his chair again, looking Sebastian in the eye. He rested his chin in his palm, "We need them distracted if we want to question Undertaker without their interference."
"You plan to keep them away from the investigation?"
"Not exactly," he answered, "They can be useful at times, I have no doubt about that. I'll use them as the situation calls for it, they will play the role I choose for them. But they will be more useful for me if certain information is kept in the dark. The key, Sebastian, to defeating your enemy, is not only being more capable than your opponent, but also to have more information than them. I'll need you make sure they don't know anything we don't want them to know." A pause. "I will also need you to make sure they stay truthful themselves. Can you manage that?"
A smirk.
"What would a Phantomhive butler be if he couldn't do such a thing?"
Mimicking his servant, the Earl let his lips curl up.
"Excellent."
۞
Vincent and Rachel didn't notice the carriage drawing away from the house, passing bumpily over the gravel road leading out of the grounds. Their attention had already been stolen by the exuberant Prince playing host.
She liked him, Rachel decided, this Soma. He had spirit to spare, something she was sure her son needed after everything he'd been through. He reminded her of Ann, truth be told, so warm and open.
Ah, Ann. There was a pang in Rachel's chest whenever she thought the name. The last thing she remembered of her sister was insisting she come to Ciel's birthday party. She'd hesitated to extend the invite, worrying that it may only be rubbing salt in the too raw wounds. It would be like saying, "You lost your family, now come celebrate mine." But seeing Ann so... so colourless had broken her down until she had to insist. Ann was always so bright, even if she couldn't see it herself, but after the carriage crash she just seemed to fade to gray.
Oh, god. Had Ann come to the party? Had she been there the day Rachel had – even in her head, she couldn't say the D word. It just didn't seem right. She wasn't dead, after all. She was sitting on this couch, holding a steaming cup of tea, the cup leaving a tingling heat on her palm. Dead people couldn't feel heat – but had Ann come, after losing her husband and child, only to lose her sister as well?
"Rachel?" A firm hand squeezing her knee, the voice sharp with veiled concern. She snapped from her thoughts, only just realising that the conversation that had been filling the air had ceased. Vincent frowned across at her, his hand giving another squeeze as if to say, breathe, we have an audience right now. Soma, sitting cross-legged on the chair across from them, blinked owlishly at her, head tilted to the side.
"Are you okay, Ciel's Mother?" he asked, "It's the tea, isn't it? Agni said you're not supposed to put nutmeg in it, but I thought it couldn't hurt to try."
And like that, she was back, tossing a smile on.
"Sorry, I was miles away then. What were you saying?"
Soma grinned, the grin of the child who'd drawn on the walls and successfully pegged it on his sibling.
"I was asking if you have any embarrassing stories about Ciel. He acts all mature but I just know he was a rascal back in the day."
Rachel chuckled, "And just what would you do with that information?"
"Not blackmail or anything," the boy denied, a little too quickly, "I just really want to know what he was like before. He acts like such an adult but I'm pretty sure no-one needs to do as much product testing as he does."
"Product testing?" Vincent couldn't help but smile, picturing his son with some oversized stuffed animal in his arms, "What are his favourite products then?"
"Oh, the sweets, that's for sure!" the Prince said, laughing, "I've never seen someone who likes sweets as much as him!"
"He always did have a sweet tooth," Rachel replied, smiling fondly. Well, at least there were some things that would never change. She still remembered when she would find Ciel sneaking into the kitchen, searching for whatever sweet he could get his little hands on. She would scold him, like any mother should, but every now and again gave in and turned her back, allowing the small child to have his precious snack. During his birthdays it wasn't so much the presents the boy looked forward to, but Tanaka's amazing cake.
"Tell me about it!" Soma said, laughing, "I think the only reason he keeps Sebastian around is because he's such a good cook!"
"Sebastian is indeed a fantastic cook," Rachel said, remembering the dinner from the day before.
"Yeah, and he can figure out a bunch of cool stuff too," Soma said, nodding his head as if agreeing with himself, "I mean, who would have ever thought of putting chocolate in curry?"
"Chocolate in curry?" This time Vincent spoke up, frowning slightly, "That doesn't sound very... pleasant."
"I thought so as well. But then he did it, and made it into a curry bun and wow!" He raised his arms, like he was telling a big story and it had finally came to the climax. Rachel couldn't help but chuckle at that, and silently wished her own child could be as comfortable with them as the Prince clearly was, "The Funtom company won the competition! And they were up against Agni's right hand! That is pretty amazing, I've never seen anyone going up against Agni win before!"
"Well, Sebastian didn't earn Ciel's trust for nothing," Vincent replied, smiling sadly.
"Yeah..." And then, more to himself he added, "Though I'm surprised he doesn't give Ciel nightmares..."
"What do you mean?" Rachel asked.
"Oh! Nothing! Nothing at all, just talking to myself!" the boy laughed, trying to pretend those words had never escaped his lips... But they had, and Rachel was sure to confront him about it later on.
"Hey! Snake!" Said servant turned towards the Prince, what little colour rested on his cheeks flooding away comically fast, "Come play with us! We can start a fun game with five!"
۞
"Let's just get this over with," Ciel sighed, glancing at the building that it was in front of them. Wedged between two completely unobtrusive shops lay Undertaker's place. It was a wonder the man did business at all with the building so gaudily decorated, but Ciel supposed that was the appeal for the people who would ever need to go there in the first place. A sign almost the entire width of the wall rested above the door – deep purple and framed by gold, there was no doubt left to just who owned the establishment what with the huge UNDERTAKERstamped across the front of the sign. To make it even more blatant to any dunces who hadn't picked up on the whole Gothic thing just yet, a granite skull perched atop the sign. At least, he hoped it was stone. It wouldn't be all that surprising if the eccentric owner had really shoved a human skull there. Two coffins rested against the wall beside the door. Today they were closed, a subtle message to would-be clients that the shop was not open.
Ciel of course ignored that and strolled straight through the door, Sebastian at his heels. The inside of the shop was no better. More coffins than could possibly be necessary cluttered the shop floor, the entire room enshrouded in darkness. This was probably more for the desired dramatic effect than necessity. It was all Ciel could do not to trip over his own feet.
"Undertaker?" he called out to the pitch black room, watching the nearest coffin warily. The man had that infuriating habit of popping up like a goddamn jack-in-a-box and making Ciel jump out of his skin.
That familiar unnerving chuckle slowly seeped into the air. It was the kind of laugh that seemed to never just begin but to have been going on for a while, yet you only start hearing it right then. It was the kind of laugh that seemed to come from all around you. It sent a chill down most people's spines. Ciel and Sebastian had heard it far too often to be remotely bothered by Undertaker's theatrics, though, so just waited impatiently for the man to make his slow entrance.
He didn't pop out of one of his coffins, thankfully. The man swept into the room from a back door, black cloaks swirling around him like smoke, his grey hair set off starkly against the dark surroundings. His teeth were pearly white when he set eyes – supposing he had them, his face so hidden it was difficult to tell – on his guests, lips curling up into his trademark grin.
"Hello, Little Earl. I was expecting you to drop by." His voice somehow managed to be both high-pitched and gruff, the voice of a heavy smoker even though Ciel had never seen the man hold a cigarette in his life. "How's the family?"
Ciel frowned.
"Risen, apparently."
Undertaker gave his smoky chuckle. He busied himself with tea, rinsing out a beaker in lieu of cups. It was just plain, no flavour, but Ciel accepted it anyway. He'd probably choke down a few mouthfuls out of the courtesy deeply instilled in him.
"You shouldn't complain, they were in awful good condition. It could be worse."
"Oh? I'm no expert but after three years I imagine they shouldn't be quite so... fleshy. Have other cases been in less pristine condition, Undertaker?"
"What makes you assume there were other cases, Earl?"
"Don't play with me," Ciel answered, taking a small sip of the tea before resting it on a nearby coffin and crossing his arms and legs, indicating that he was talking business, "The Queen sent me a letter to investigate why the number of graverobbings has increased, and then, just a day later, Vincent and Rachel Phantomhive came back from the dead, after three years of being six feet under."
"Very good... Very good..." A chuckle, and the thirteen year old couldn't help but sigh. This was going to be a long visit, "Yes, more and more clients seemed to have gone missing from my coffins... Though if you want more information than that, you know the price you will need to pay."
"Very well." The boy turned to his butler. "Sebastian, will you..."
"Not so fast," Undertaker interrupted, "You can't have Master Butler always doing everything for you...What would happen if he was suddenly," and those long nails started caressing the young Earl's face, "Snatched away from you?"
"Don't be ridiculous." Ciel said, slapping the hand away, "Sebastian will never leave my side."
"Never, My Lord," Sebastian reassured.
"Hmm... Yes, one never leaves its prey, isn't that correct?" Another husky chuckle, "Even so, today I want something coming from you, Earl... I'm in the mood for something... Different. If you can give it to me, I will tell you everything you wish to know."
"Different?" the boy echoed, "You may enjoy laughter, Undertaker, but I'm in no mood for jokes. What do you want?"
"Well, Earl, what I want from you is..."
Ciel's eyes widened at the answer. He didn't hesitate to stand up and make his way to the front door of the shop, brows turned into a deep frown.
"We're leaving!" he declared, already ready to be greeted by the clouded skies of London. However, before he could step outside Sebastian put his hand on his shoulder, stopping him from going any further. "Sebastian, what are you doing?"
"Please Young Master, be reasonable," the butler said "I know what he asked is rather... outragerous, but keep in mind he is our best lead. Without him, we may not know how our unexpected guests came back to life."
"And you honestly expect me to do... to do that?" Ciel asked, still unable to word what Undertaker had told him.
"I do believe you often said to do whatever it takes to solve the cases the Queen gives you."
A glare... Damn that Demon, he was right. When Ciel took the title of watchdog three years ago he promised to go to any lengths to complete his mission. He would not hesitate, no matter what. He had killed already. Worse yet, he allowed his late Aunt to dress him as girl, squeezing into that torture device women use as a piece of clothing and allowed the idiot Viscount put his hands around his waist... Complying with Undertaker's wish couldn't be nearly as bad.
"You really are enjoying this, aren't you?" he asked. The butler just smiled, and the Earl sighed "Very well. But you are not to speak of this to no one!"
۞
After the laughter had ceased and Undertaker finally caught his breath, he more than willing to help.
"How many other people have risen back from the Underworld?" was the first question Ciel asked.
"Can't say for certain..." Undertaker replied, still chuckling, "I took the Phantomhives in due to the fact they were one of my favourite clients... Before and After the fire. I'd heard about the liveliness of our dearly departed as of late so I've taken to doing my rounds out back," he cocked his head towards the door, no doubt leading to the graveyard, "I was passing by your parents when I heard a little scuttling sound. I thought it better to be safe than sorry, and here we are. So, was it a heart-warming reunion, Earl?"
Ciel's face was a portrait of irritation, "Obviously. So I'm sure you took the liberty of observing them. What can you tell me?"
"Well, you've seen for yourself~ One hundred percent organic."
Ciel frowned.
"Hmm. We've already ascertained that they're the genuine article. Fine, the other cases then. Were any of them your clients?"
Undertaker hummed in thought, swaying tipsily, "Nope! All the returners aren't from our world, as far as I've been able to tell."
"Right. Sebastian," Ciel turned to his butler, "Go collect information on the gravewalkers. I want to know about how they lived their lives, any connection they could possibly have to the occult, their families too."
"Yes, My Lord." Without any hesitation, Sebastian was out the door. Ciel hesitated a moment, as though to ascertain his butler was definitely gone, before turning back to Undertaker.
"There's another matter I'd like to attend to."
۞
The walk was one Ciel had taken only once before, on the day of the funeral. He'd actually intended to come back, every once in a while, with a red rose for her. He liked to think he was much too busy to be running such a fool's errand – she was dead, she wasn't going to notice a flower – but really, it wouldn't have taken all that long. There was just something about seeing her name carved onto that slab of marble, Angelina Durless, that was so... final. Well, that was the point of death, wasn't it? The most final of finales. Still, an unpleasant feeling had washed over him that day, after the red petals had finished twirling on the air and his Aunt had been laid beneath the dirt. A feeling that twisted his stomach and made his head throb. He didn't care to put a name to it, but the thought that standing once more before that grave would bring the feeling back was enough to keep him away.
Sebastian probably would have called that feeling weakness.
He probably wouldn't have been wrong.
Undertaker lead the way down the gravel path, shovel hanging over his shoulder, ash hair whipping about in the wind. Too soon they arrived at the spot and the unbidden feeling came upon him once more. His head suddenly felt too heavy as he stared at the name upon that rock, the tribute so lacklustre for the one it was supposed to be memorialising.
Thankfully, Undertaker didn't speak. He just moved forward and broke the top layer of dirt, hardened by the chill but not yet frozen. He worked silently, desecrating the final resting place of the woman who had not been able to end Ciel's life. Despite his heavy clothing and the laborious work, Undertaker didn't even break a sweat.
A dull thud signalled that the man had reached their target.
For a fleeting moment, Ciel wished he hadn't been so quick to order Sebastian away, that he could turn his back and have his Demon look within the coffin instead.
You are kind. If you weren't, you'd simply be a coward, isn't that right?
That moment passed so quickly it might never have happened. A face of stone, Ciel watched intently as Undertaker pried open the lid of the coffin. A smell permeated the air, rank and eye-watering but tinged with sweetness.
"Satisfied, Earl?" Undertaker asked, that slight undercurrent of laughter still lacing his words as he climbed out of the freshly dug hole, stepping back with a grand gesture as though unveiling something wonderful.
The smell was enough. He didn't need to see what was left in that coffin.
"Yes. Close it up," Ciel ordered, voice choked as he spun around and strode away. That feeling had doubled, was more smothering than the smell of rotting flesh that he couldn't seem to connect with his Aunt. He swallowed it down, though, willing away the rising urge to vomit.
Madame Red was as dead as the day of her funeral. She, at least, was not a part of whatever was going on.