Okay, final chapter for today to make up for my missing update dates over the break. A lot of students going back to school, me being one of them. :( Please enjoy chapter 11, Death of the Lake of Swans.
"'Käsien of The Train', is it? Quite an odd name." asked the blue haired earl to himself. He took a sip from his tea as he read the morning newspaper. 'Apparently there have been killings on the trains. No doubt her majesty would send me to hunt down this killer.' The young Phantomhive thought to himself.
"I believe the word 'Käsien' is Finnish for 'hand'. It seems quite appropriate taking in the fact that this killer cuts off his victims' hands." The black clad butler chimed in as he took his master's empty cup. It all seemed quite familiar to him. 'Just like the Jack the Ripper case.' He thought to himself as he began to dress his master for the day. 'I just hope we don't bump into that red reaper once more.'
"Hm…the recent victims were performers under Cecilia's company. I wonder if she has heard about this yet." Ciel thought, mainly to himself. Sebastian gave a sly smirk knowing of his master's crush on the Spanish girl.
"It seems you two made a connection at the ball last night. I'm surprised you actually asked her to dance considering your lack of coordination in that category." The butler feigned astonishment as he tied his master's eye patch over his right eye. Ciel glared at the butler before a thought crossed his mind.
"By the way, you seemed to have known that butler of hers…is he…" the boy didn't have to finish for the demon knew what he was hinting at. After lacing up Ciel's boots, the butler stood up and began to maneuver the cart out of the room with a slight smirk. Ciel clicked his tongue over the fact that the demon completely ignored him.
"Well, at least I won't have to deal with the Trancy brat anymore." He said to himself as he stood up from his bed and made his way downstairs to eat breakfast. As he was half way down the stairs he heard a loud boom coming from the kitchen, though unfazed he simply let out a sigh knowing exactly what caused the loud noise at such an early time. 'At least they were able to behave for the ball last night.' Ciel thought with a sigh of relief finally making his way to the dining area, where he was met with his morning meal, three servants covered in soot and dust with three throbbing bumps on each of their heads, Tanaka, and an annoyed, but serious Sebastian.
"Good morning, young master!" the three greeted happily, despite their condition, followed Tanaka's usual greeting.
"Good morning." The earl responded boredly as he took his seat.
After breakfast Ciel headed to his study to work; thirty minutes into his work Sebastian came knocking at the door. The earl order for him to enter and Sebastian handed a letter to the earl. Ciel knew right away whom it was from. He opened the wax seal and skimmed through the letter. He was right. The Queen's Watch Dog has a new target; he was going to hunt down Käsien of the Train.
After Fransisco and I had retrieved the dancers from the train station, we brought them back to the manor to question them. Fransisco served all of them tea and asked who knew the three dead ladies personally. Only two had reported to know the three victims. I then requested for Jupita, Juno, and Junee to take the rest of the dancers and begin rehearsing for the upcoming performance. Even with the situation, the show must go on.
"It was Annabelle, Madeline, and Gabriella," one of the two French girls sobbed as she recalled her close friends and former colleagues; "They were with us since before we can remember." The blonde blew her nose as her friend rubbed her back to calm her. I was currently in the library with the two ballet dancers as they told me what had happened.
"We were with them at the small pub the train had. We drank a bit and we went to our rooms. All five of us were sharing a room, but we noticed that Gabriella was not with us. We thought she ran off with some man she met at the bar. That was the last we saw her." The blonde's friend, a red head, informed. She seemed a more calm than her friend. I looked at Fransisco out of the corner of my eye as he served the crying blonde a cup of tea.
"Do you happen to remember what the man looked like?" I asked hoping she had at least an image, but alas she gave nothing but a small shrug, though the blonde, after sipping her tea and stopping her sobs and hicks, answered.
"He was tall, if I remember correctly, and had these large, wrinkly hands. I remember when he handed me a drink I noticed that. I never really saw his face because he wore a trench coat with the collar popped up and a hat that shadowed most of his face, but I did notice he had a goatee and a bad looking scar on his upper lip. He was very close to Gabby after I turned him down for a drink." The blonde described. I wrote this down in a small notepad, taking every detail. She was quite descriptive. I also took note at the astonished look the red head gave her friend, even she seemed surprised.
"What happened after you noticed Madam Gabriella was missing?" I pushed more.
"As we thought she ran off with that man, the four of us decided to just rest for the night. Though Ann said she needed to freshen up before going to bed. I fell asleep before she ever got back and in the morning, when I saw she still wasn't there, I thought that she must have woken up earlier." The blonde explained as she wiped a falling tear from her face. I nodded as I wrote this down. 'Suddenly, 'Caperucita Roja' isn't saying a word.' I thought to myself as I eyed the now silent friend.
"During breakfast the next morning we didn't see Maddy. It was just Annette and I. we got really worried and before we knew it, we arrived at the train station. After looking everywhere and asking around if they've seen the three, the Yard arrived after a train attendant discovered their bodies." The blonde finished as she broke into another fits of sobs. Her friend hugged her and patted her back. After finishing the notes and questioning, the two were sent rehearse with the others.
"How am I supposed to do my part if Ann, Gabby and Maddy aren't here?" the blonde asked with tear stained eyes as she changed into her ballet outfit. I looked at the three maids that helped her dress. They nodded at me before turning to the sad woman with warm and reassuring smiles.
"Do not fret, ma dame, we will fill in for the trios cygnes. Se il vous plait, nous permettent de danser avec vous." The three French maids said in unison as the curtsied to the now astound maiden. The French ballet dancer nodded and hugged the three maids with a happy sob. I nodded in approval and proceeded out of the changing room to meet Fransisco.
"My lady, The Earl Phantomhive has come for a visit." He said with a bow. I nodded and followed him as he took me to my study to meet with the Earl. Fransisco bowed as he opened the dark wooden door to reveal the blue haired earl sitting in front of my desk and his black clad butler standing by his side.
"Lord Phantomhive, a qué debo este placer?" I asked as I made my way around and sat in my desk, Fransisco staying at my side. Ciel sat up properly at the sound of my voice, which brought a smirk to my face, but it quickly faded.
"Ahem, I said before you may address me as Ciel. Anyway, I am here on her majesty's orders. I'm sure you've heard of the recent murders," he announced gesturing to the newspaper on my desk. I nodded beckoning him to continue, "As the Queen's Guard Dog, I must take on this case and find the killer. I am going to have to question some of your dancers," He said his voice fading towards the end, "if you will allow me, that is." He finished a little more confidant.
I nodded in silence. 'The 'Queen's Guard Dog', what could that possibly mean?' I asked myself. I took out the note pad after a moment of complete silence and handed it to the earl. He took it with slight confusion.
"I have taken the liberty of questioning the girls myself. Only two knew the victims personally. Here is what they've told me and the description of the possible killer. I hope you have good luck with Käsien, but as of now my girls are busy with rehearsal. Might I suggest heading to the train station to find some clues on the killer or even examine the corpses. I will send Fransisco to retrieve you once practice is over so that you may properly question them." I suggested. Ciel looked at me quite shocked at my short explanation. After he seemed to register what I said he stood from the chair and with an awkward bow he thanked me and began to follow Fransisco and head out of my manor.
Fransisco smirked at me when he returned and I returned the gaze with a sly smile, "Very well done, mi princesa." He praised.
Translations:
Ma dame- My lady
Caperucita roja- Red ridding hood
Trios cygnes- Three swans
Se il vous plait, nous permettent de danser avec vous- Please allow us to dance with you
A que debo este placer- To what do I owe this pleasure
kasien- Hands
Anyway, hope you enjoyed and sorry once again for not updating on time. I hope you all enjoyed winter break depending where you are and I hope you guys enjoyed your holidays and had a Happy New Year! Please favorite, follow, and if you want review. I'll take any criticism. Feel free to correct any grammar mistakes I missed, as well! :)
~Tomiko Hinamori