Christmas had come and gone.
After receiving their gifts, Isabelle earned endless thanks from the servants as they usually paraded around with their new goods.
Finny had received a new pair of gardening gloves, adorned with a creme colored base and red lining, much resembling the ones he had that now bore holes. He wore the warm garments every day for work and washed them clean every night.
Mey Rin now bore a case for her glasses, silken handkerchief, and a special cleaning solution shipped in from America. It was a remarkable solution that cleaned the lens with ease and made doing her chores that much easier, given she could now see more clearly.
Bardroy now made use of a special set of classic and rare herbs and spices to make use of in Ciel's meals. Ranging from rosemary, to basil, and parsley, to thyme. Isabelle had hoped they would be of some use with his dishes and he had used them graciously. There wasn't ever a night where there dinner wasn't garnished with marjoram. He may have been going a little overboard, but it was the thought that truly counted.
However, it was Ciel that most treasured his present.
A brand new, custom, black suit: crafted from the finest cloth with accents of deep purple satin. It's elegant yet mysterious design could catch the attention of anyone. An intriguing piece with a matching under vest, pants, and even accessories. Now Ciel needed only an occasion to wear it.
He had long considered taking her to a restaurant, however, after the incidents at The Edison, he disregarded that idea. Maybe something like a date- no he thought, stopping himself. Or maybe yes?
Sebastian surely didn't agree. A strange presence had arrived along with the Duchess and it unsettled him. Not only the butler in black had sensed it, Enobria had also taken an interest. Ever since Isabelle had returned to the manor an unsettling air had set over.
It was most definitely a cause for concern but they did not know what it was or how to deal with it. That, obviously was the problem.
Sebastian was aware that, without some sort of proof, his master would simply dismiss it. That would not do if a time of emergency came to pass. And there was only one way to convince both earls of the looming problem.
Working together.
The butler and maid met in the kitchen on a cool, January morning before the day of work had begun. A strategy was tediously formed and followed to the very letter. They decided to seek out assistance from sources not yet known by their masters, however, a thorough sweep of the manor was executed first. Though it was relatively simple, it was also very difficult. Especially so when Sebastian requested his master's attention, and was denied.
"Young Master…" he breathed in surprise as Ciel stood from his desk.
"Fetch my suit Sebastian- I'm going to be entertaining… a guest. And I cannot have my butler and that maid running a muck in the manor while I am doing so." he muttered, hiding a heated blush.
"A guest? You mean Lady Isabelle?"
Ciel grunted with a huff, looking away. He knew he didn't have to entertain Sebastian with an answer but, at the same time, his butler was correct as always.
"Just fetch my new suit. I want to look presentable."
"... yes, My Lord." Sebastian cooed, hand over his heart as he bowed with his red eyes narrowed. Ciel left the room with a hmph and his butler heaved a sigh.
"What am I to do now…" he mumbled, rubbing his jaw in thought before removing his glove. He took a quick glance at the decorative pentagram adorning his pale skin and gave a quick hum.
"You make things so difficult, My Lord."
… … … … … … … … … … … … …. …. … …. …. …. …. … … … … … … … … … … …
Isabelle gave a gasp as her corset tightened.
She gritted her teeth and breathed a shaky whimper, a plea, "E-Enobria" she muttered through her clenched jaw.
"Just a little longer…" Enobria whispered, leaning low against Isabelle's petite body. Her maid's warm breath caressed the back of her ear and her skin tingled in response.
A small smirk stretched across her face as she pulled the laces tighter with one hand, the other gripping Isabelle's hip for support. Isabelle groaned through her teeth and shivered.
"Just a little tighter."
Ciel opened the door and blinked. "Ah Isabelle, my apologies."
"I-It's f-fine." Isabelle stuttered, gripping the bed post as she dropped her head, exhaling when Enobria instructed.
"Perfect." Enobria said, dusting of her hands before adjusting the skirt of Isabelle's dress. Isabelle's petite body was adorned with a faded red, winter dress. It was decorated with a tulle shining a soft gold, adding to the dress's grandeur.
Ciel blinked in surprise and, suddenly, his cheeks shone a similar red. The sight caused Isabelle to giggle as she joined him in the doorway, instructing Enobria to leave them be. With that, Ciel gave her a smirk as the flush settled and he took her hand, rubbing his thumb gently against her soft skin. He lowered his voice before speaking.
"Isabelle… I was curious as to whether you would like to accompany me today."
"Where to…?" she asked, tilting her head to the side a fraction.
"Just to relax… staying home seems ideal- particularly with the cold don't you think?"
"Yes… that sounds… very nice…"
Ciel nodded, glancing at her hand before leading her down the hall, "I've instructed Sebastian to leave us alone for a while- so we won't be interrupted."
She gave a quick nod and went ahead, stopping at the stairwell to meet his gaze. The windows lining the hall below shone a bright light, illuminating the duchess before him. Her sweet smile, however, displayed far more radiance.
No.
Ciel stopped himself with a quick clearing of the throat and joined her. He could feel his heart, slow and steady, but pounding away in his chest with a slow and powerful drone.
He stretched his fingers with a twitch as their hands made a brief contact.
This tension… he thought will surely be the death of me.
… … … … … … … … … … … … …. …. … …. Later that Day …. …. …. … … … … … … … … … … …
For the entirety of the afternoon, Ciel treated Isabelle to a quiet and comfortable evening. It was non-eventful with the exception of a few vain chess games and the occasional servings of red velvet cupcakes and tea.
It was peaceful. It was something both earls could appreciate in solace. However, it was far too short lived for the night had crept across the manor in what felt like minutes. And with the night, came bedtime.
"I apologize for wasting your time today, Earl Phantomhive…" she mumbled as he escorted her to her room.
"No, not at all. It was… no waste of time I assure you, Lady Isabelle." he said, voice raised some.
Isabelle gave a quick giggle at the tone and, in response, Ciel blushed with an irritated groan. But it was all in good fun.
They both stopped before the door to Isabelle's room and stood before each other in silence. Moments ticked by like days. The quiet that had once been peaceful was now suffocating. The tension, surely, would come crashing down any second.
Ciel, once again flexed his fingers and clenched his fists, scavenging his mind for the right words to not say goodbye. But it was then that Isabelle was already speaking, wishing him a goodnight as she retreated into her room before closing the door behind her. Ciel gazed at the door with widened eyes before heaving a sigh.
He set his hand against the door, eyes narrowed, "... yes… goodnight to you as well… Lady Isabelle…"
… … … … … … … … … … … … …. …. … …. …. …. …. … … … … … … … … … … …
Isabelle's lip gave a small quiver before her jaw clenched and she ignored it. Her eyes stayed close for but a fraction before she opened them. Gazing into the dark room, she tensed at a figure seated on her bed.
A woman dressed in white sat stroking the covers of the made bed, seemingly not noticing Isabelle at the door.
With haste, Isabelle's hand flew to the door as she blindly felt for the doorknob. She attempted to mutter Enobria's name, but no sound left her lips. Her chest tightened when the woman's head turned to meet Isabelle's frantic and wide eyes.
She gave a small smirk and tilted her head, allowing hair of a snow white color to drape over her shoulders and cascade onto her back. Her dress was elegant but of a low quality. Simple, white silk adorned with purple details.
The duchess had abandoned feeling for the doorknob as the mysterious figure loomed before her, taking silent steps toward her. Isabelle could hear quick footsteps hurry toward the door, to her rescue.
But it was no use. A sort of euphoria took over.
The woman wrapped her arms tight around Isabelle's weakening body. She slumped as a mouth invaded her own and used her hands to push her away, but to no avail. She could feel her knees and eyes weaken. They shook. They slipped shut.
The foreign hotness invaded her, but not only her mouth. Her whole body felt like it was on fire. It consumed her in an unbearable wave until the mouth released her, only a saliva string keeping them connected. But her eyes were already closed. Her energy had been sucked from her very being in only a moment and she had fallen into a deep unconsciousness.
She was gone before Ciel burst through the door and Enobria stormed inside. She had disappeared before Enobria could curse the intruder.
She was gone before Enobria could curse the angel who took her.
… … … … … … … … … … … … …. …. … …. …. …. …. … … … … … … … … … … …
Isabelle's heavy eyes opened, but with some effort. She felt the surface below her. Uneven, but smooth. Grass.
The familiar sensation prickled her skin and she lifted her hand to see. She was still corporeal, thankfully. She rubbed her thumb across her opposite palm and glanced around. The blazing sun above blurred her already unfocused vision and she struggled to move, let alone sit up. It was as if she was waking from a sort of paralysis as her nerves, limbs and appendages twitched and stung as they came back to life.
It was then that she realized she was home. Not with the Tonnerre family. But with the Cavanaugh family.
Her real family.
The smell of fresh baked bread wafted outside an open window and voices emanated inside. Voices she recognized and had also longed to hear for years. The soft voice of her mother. The course yet gentle tone of her father. The high pitched squeals of her two older sisters.
Her lip quivered and she found herself on her feet one moment and running toward the house the next. Her heart pounded was a steady, quick rhythm along with the strides of her body. But when she opened the door, no one was inside.
Her smile dropped into a betrayed scowl.
The house was consumed in an unbelievable amount of dust. Silverware was scattered before the tipped table, the white tablecloth now a shade of parlin. The vase her mother had made was in pieces on the floor and, wilted inside, were the bluebells picked from the field to the east.
Isabelle's vision blurred as involuntary tears invaded her eyes before spilling out onto her cheeks.
Everything is gone.
"Quite the sight isn't it?"
Isabelle tensed at the unfamiliar voice and spun on her heels to meet its owner.
"You." she growled, taking a step back wearily. The woman in white stood before her, bearing a soft smile.
"You lost them all a long time ago- yes I'm very aware Isabelle Cavanaugh."
Well Isabelle got her own corset scene and Ciel got to experience what looks like love?! What a rollercoaster of a chapter. Ciel's affection, a looming threat, and Isabelle's true identity have all been revealed and now you can only imagine just what will unfold. Anyways I hope you all enjoyed this chapter!
Stay creative my friends~