Chapter 34: Ciel POV

I felt myself become agitated as I moved out of my study. I had a Demon, and now two. I had one who served me because he was Bound to me, and one who seemed to do so because he - no, she - wanted to.

"Bloody Demons," I muttered. I walked down the stairs to the kitchen below, and startled Mey-Rin as she came out of the pantry.

"Oh! Do you need something my Lord?" she asked.

Something stronger than tea, I mused. "No, just needed some tea. Please," I hurried as she bent to place the sack of something down and fetch it for me. "I just need a moment alone. I do know how to make my own cup of tea," I said, pushing past her, and finding the kitchen blissfully empty.

The sounds of the Staff floated about and I heard Bard and Finny coming in and out of a far door, Mey-Rin's high pitched voice bouncing off the stone walls, and the simply different things I never stopped to think about was happening under my feet all day.

Things like hiring a Reaper for a Tutor to help straighten out my son. Things like then having said Reaper save him from death - twice. And ultimately, oh I did burn on this one, how the Tutor was a woman.

I paused mid-sip and studied the gardens, a different view from the ground level. A Governess? A wolf in sheep's clothes? Survival… yes. A woman's position was vastly different than a man's. I looked at the tea cup and wondered what her story was. Did it matter? Did this sudden revelation of her gender changed what I had said - I would give him - her - a place of protection? For the sake of my Demon's comfort? I poured the tea down in the sink.

"I do miss you Tanaka," I said, looking at the lone cup. "You were at least a person I could have peace with. Even if you didn't know what was going truly on."

The flurry of activity outside drew my attention and I watched as the Tutor and Vincent carried some papers and books with them and walked down the path the greenhouse. Vincent was looking up and talking, animated, alive. The Tutor was nodding and slowed his stride to meet my son's when he shifted his books. They looked comfortable. Like the Tutor belonged.

"My Lord?"

"Dear gods, Sebastian!" I yelped as he startled me out of my thoughts. I turned around and saw the puzzled look on his face. "I needed to be alone."

"You have many rooms to choose from," he simply said, gliding over to the tea kettle and lifting it off the stove and opened the burner, stoking the flames. "And this is the one you come to?"

"I can come into any room I wish," I said, feeling as if I was about to be scolded. I turned away and shook my head. "I… I need to know what… she wants. I know we talked about it before…. Things look vastly different now."

"Yes, they are, my Lord." He was quiet and I wanted to box him about the ears, make him talk to me, to tell me everything - every wicked detail in their private affairs. I moved toward him and let my hands ball up, and then relax. Who was I compared to the Demon whose only reason not to consume me already was his code from our Contract. He turned and eyed me. "Shall we continue here, or more privately?"

"Just say it, satisfy my question - what is her intentions now that she has her Powers?"

He poured the water over the tea leaves and lifted his eyes. Bright, clear, red, eyes. Ones I looked to for wisdom and protection, as I grew into the man I was. Ones that suddenly held history and a future - all of which I was not part of but for a speck of time. I shrunk back as he blinked and pushed the tea towards me.

"She doesn't want anything besides me, my Lord. She is perfectly content with teaching your son for the time being, and becoming," he smiled slightly, his eyes shifting into a space far away, "the exquisite Demon that she is."

I looked at him and took up the teacup and sipped at it. It tasted interesting, and I looked down at the cup. I frowned and picked out the remaining leaf. I twisted it in my fingers and examined it. "There is a flower in my tea."

"Ah, yes, there does seem to be a flower in your tea," Sebastian said, taking it from me. He smiled and placed it gently back on the table. "It must have slipped in accidently."

"Do keep your eye out for anymore accidents," I said, placing the tea down and sighing. "I have work to do regarding my company. Don't disturb me until lunch."

"Of course, my Lord."

And I walked out, back up the stairs, and closed the door to the world below, wishing I could contain my Demon in such a manner.