Chapter Four

Butler, Capricious. Bride, A Lady Once More

Travelling through the streets of London in a horse-drawn carriage was a common occurrence when the noble classes wished to travel. Such was the case of the Phantomhive household; Sebastian was in the driver's seat, while Ciel and Marianne were tucked inside the compartment opposite one another. The girl was silent as she watched him stare at the letter in his hand, the crisp white paper with its scarlet seal; she knew who it was from, despite him not saying a word. Why would they be in London for anything less?


They pulled up in front of the Phantomhive town house, the demon assisting the passengers out.

"I hate this…" Ciel moaned. "There's too many people in London."

Sebastian merely smiled as he opened the door for them.

"There's no helping it, My Lord. It's tradition for the nobility to migrate on mass to Town from the country every Season," he explained.

Marianne empathetically nodded her head.

"Be glad you're not navigating through it in the middle of the night. I remember freezing in the back alleys and doorways all over the East End before we met. There was a fair few unsavoury characters around, let me tell you."

Ciel wrinkled his nose at the thought.

"You only had to live like that for a couple of months though. Not exactly an education in people."

"But enough to know the difference between behaviours of people walking at different times of the day. At least during the day, there's a semblance of civility. When the night's booze begins to flow, manners go drown the sewers."

Ciel shook his head.

"Still, the Season though, it's a waste of time if you ask me."

"Yet being away from the manor could be a nice change of pace." Sebastian said.

Marianne arched an eyebrow.

"You mean the absence of disasters and explosions?"

"It's a break from those four at least…" the demon sighed. "We can enjoy some peace and quiet for a time."

The boy didn't agree.

"Some peace and quiet, eh?" he gave a slight smile at the pleasant thought. "That sounds nice."

They opened the door to the parlour, and felt their mouths drop open at the sight before them.

The room was a mess; an array of objects was scattered around the room, drawers were open and furniture overturned. Madame Red was rifling through one of the cupboards, while Lau was sat on the chaise, looking through an empty vase like he expected to find something. Grell was looking behind the chaise.

"Where do they keep the tea in this house?!" Madame Red snapped.

"I can't find it either…" Lau sighed.

She looked at him over her shoulder.

"Don't be silly! Of course it's not in there!"

Marianne leaned over to Sebastian and whispered into his ear.

"I think you spoke too soon…"

This snapped Ciel out of his stupor.

"Madame Red! Lau! What are you doing here?!"

The party looked at him, and his aunt spoke as if there was nothing wrong.

"Ciel, you're early, dear."

Lau smirked.

"Your sudden appearance in Town must mean…"

"The Queen's Guard Dog has a new scent to follow." Madame Red smiled.

The look on Ciel's voice said it all.


They sat down for tea. Sebastian and Marianne brought out the steaming pot and fresh pastries to the table. Ciel took a sip of tea and begun to explain his presence in London.

"He's struck again. Another prostitute was found gruesomely murdered in Whitechapel. These killings are far from normal. The level of violence we're seeing is unprecedented."

"The most recent victim was a woman named Mary-Ann Nichols. It appears that a special type of blade was used on her. She was torn up beyond recognition." Sebastian informed them.

"The murderer's distinctive style of killing has earned him a unique nickname from the press," the boy went on. "Jack the Ripper."

Marianne shuddered, thinking about just how close their names actually were. It was too close for comfort. She returned her thoughts to the conversation at hand.

"A frightening name." Lau acknowledged.

"That's why I'm here earlier than I expected. I hurried into Town to look into the situation myself." Ciel answered.

"But are you sure you will be brave enough to stomach the crime scene?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"The sight of the dismembered body will certainly be horrific." Lau got to his feet and slowly walked towards the Young Master. "And one can only imagine the stench, the blood and gore everywhere. Surely it would be enough to drive some men mad. Are you prepared to see such a thing?"

He touched the boy's cheek.

"You are a young boy after all."

Ciel glared at him.

"I am the head of the Phantomhives, and service to my Queen. Don't ask foolish questions."

Sebastian and Marianne glanced at one another over his head, then looked down at their charge. Lau merely smiled and apologised.

Meanwhile, Madame Red took a sip of her tea. Grell watched on at her shoulder, a nervous sweat seeping from his forehead and down his face.


Whitechapel was full to bursting with people who wanted to see the murder. A police inspector stood at the entrance of the alleyway, and stopped anyone who tried to get in. Wrapped up in a long brown coat and a bowler hat flattening his dark red hair, he examined his notebook with a meticulous nature to be proud of. When he heard footsteps approaching, he looked up to see Ciel and his party, Sebastian and Marianne trailing behind him like shadows. The officer gave a sincere smile.

"Sorry, my boy. A crime scene is no place for a child." He turned back to his notebook. "Now why don't you just run along home?"

"I'm here to see the victim's body." Ciel intoned, his voice giving nothing away.

"The body?!" the man gasped. "Surely you're kidding me!"

Someone called out behind him.

"Aberline!"

From the shadows emerged Sir Randall, eyes glaring from behind his glasses.

"Well, well. If it isn't Lord Phantomhive. What are you doing here?" he asked.

"You know this kid, Sir?" said Aberline, his blue eyes wide.

Ciel smirked, pulling the red sealed envelope out of his coat pocket.

"I'm here to help, Sir Arthur. It seems your investigation is dragging a bit. You know who sent me of course?"

Sir Randall was barely able to contain a gasp. Aberline's eyes went to the size of saucers. Without asking, Ciel took the young inspector's notes and rifled through them, eye scanning through the contents quickly.

"It seems you haven't found any major clues yet," he sighed.

Randall took the notes back.

"We at Scotland Yard are more than capable of handling this case, I assure you. There is no need for you to interfere," he protested firmly.

Ciel merely smiled at him. It was a shit eating smile that Marianne could easily recognise; it seemed he had been taking lessons from Sebastian.

"Splendid. Shall we go, Sebastian, Edward?"

The butler and his apprentice followed behind him.

"Yes Sir."

They joined the others and walked away from the crowd.

"What now, dear?" Madame Red asked.

Ciel stared straight ahead.

"Now we go see someone who may be useful," he replied.

"My Lord!" Lau gasped. "You mean…!"

The boy continued forward.

"Yes, indeed."


Stopping in front of an undertaker's parlour, where a large black coffin lay beside the door, and a sign topped with a skull, the group stared at the building.

"So where are we?" Lau asked.

Anger flooded through Madame Red instantly.

"You don't know?! Then what was all that about earlier?!"

"It's a funeral parlour run by an acquaintance of My Lord's." Sebastian explained, opening the door from everyone.

"The Undertaker…?" Madame Red asked.

"If we're looking for answers, this is the place." Ciel told them.


They entered a dark room, coffins lay shut on the floor and propped up on tables. Bottles lined the shelves, and an anatomical model stood by its side. A sinister chuckle entered the air.

"Welcome. I thought I'd be seeing you before long."

Marianne placed her hands on Ciel's shoulders, the atmosphere choking her with its darkness. A coffin in front of them opened, revealing a pair of glowing green orbs, completely shadowed by a mass of long grey hair. The hand scraped its long black nails against the wood.

"My Lord, it's so lovely to see you."

Madame Red and Lau were blue with shock. Grell was so terrified he had gone to the floor and was on the verge of scrambling away. They were all startled when the man in the long black robes with a grey sash draping over his shoulder and drooping black top hat started to speak in a Cockney accent only befitting of the East End.

"Do I finally have the pleasure of a fitting for you for one of me coffins today?" he asked with a gruesome smile.

His scar was plain on his face, running over the bridge of his nose only visible underneath the shadow of his hair. Ciel sweatdropped at the dramatics.

"No, that's not why I'm here," he sighed. "I wanted to…"

The man placed a finger to his lips.

"No need to say. I'm already aware," he smirked. "Very well aware. One of my recent customers was a bit unusual, shall we say?"

He brought himself upright, just showing off a scar matching the one of his face around his throat.

"I helped though. I made her look beautiful again."

Ciel merely stared at him.

"I would like the details, please."


Lau unexpectedly spoke up.

"Oh I see! The funeral parlour is your cover business. How much is it for information?" he asked.

Undertaker stared at him with wide eyes (even though they couldn't be seen) and leant over him, giving everyone a fright, except Sebastian who watched on, hand lingering but not quite touching Marianne's back.

"I have no need for the Queen's coins!" Undertaker cried. "There's only one thing I want from you!"

He went up close to Ciel's face, who looked more than mildly disturbed.

"Please, my Lord! Give it to me and I'll tell you anything!" he yelled. A drop of saliva slid out of the corner of his mouth at the excitement. "Please give me the most extraordinary gift of laughter!"

Marianne sighed and shook her head. She could never wrap her head around his behaviour. But he was very good at his job.

"Just one joke and all my information is yours!" Undertaker shouted, bringing her out of her thoughts.

The trio looked at one another.

"Lunatic." Ciel muttered.

"At least he's good at what he does…" Marianne tried to compliment.

Lau spoke up.

"Leave it to me, My Lord."

He turned to Undertaker.

"Here's my joke. It's a classic," he explained. "On which side does a tiger have stripes? On the outside!"

It didn't work very well… rather, it didn't work at all.


Madame Red stepped out of the shadows.

"My turn," she smiled. "I just live for gossip, so this story will make you laugh so hard, you will simply curl up and die."

When the story began, Marianne immediately slapped her hands over Ciel's ears, knowing full well that they were not suitable for a child's ears. She was startled when Sebastian's hands covered her ears. Glancing at him over her shoulder, she looked at him questionably. He simply smiled at her.

Thankfully the woman was stopped. Sebastian whispered into Marianne's ear.

"It wouldn't do for a young lady to hear such language."

She appreciated the thought.


Undertaker turned to the trio with a smile.

"Now, My Lord, it looks like you're the only one left. I gave you a special discount last time and I'm not going to do it again. That is if the Little Butler isn't going to pull what he did last time and fall into one of my coffins."

Marianne blushed at the reminder.

"That was an accident. You can't get something like that to happen for a second time. It isn't as funny," she explained.

Ciel pouted in irritation, knowing that plan was foiled. Sebastian sighed as he pulled the edge of one of his black gloves.

"It would seem it can't be helped."

The two of them looked up at the demon in question.

"Sebastian?"

"Everyone, please wait outside." Sebastian told them. "No matter what happens, don't attempt to listen to this."

The dark look on his face was enough to make them all obey.


Outside the shop, they waited patiently, sweatdropping at the silence. An eruption of laughter from the inside sent the sign crashing down from its fixture. Sebastian opened the creaking door and gave them a shit eating smile.

"Please, do come back in now. I believe he will tell us everything we want to know."

They looked round him and saw Undertaker slumped over a table, drool leaking from his mouth in copious amounts.

"Oh my…! I have seen the face of ultimate bliss! The greatest utopia!" he sighed distantly.

Marianne blinked.

"What exactly did you do…?" she asked hesitantly.

Sebastian merely lifted a finger to his lips and winked.


Soon enough, they were gathered around Undertaker, clutching beakers of tea with the tea bags still in them. Marianne sat down beside Ciel, stirring the tea bag between her fingers.

"An interesting pattern I'm seeing these days," said Undertaker. "I often get customers who are incomplete."

He held the anatomical mannequin as though it was a lover.

"Incomplete?" Sebastian inquired.

"The uterus is missing. It is quite odd."

Everyone was shocked at this little piece of information. Marianne pressed her hand to her lower abdomen, where her own uterus lay within her.

"The killer makes a big mess of the body, but that particular part is always precisely excised." Undertaker explained.

"He did it on a road that was public, but not high traffic." Sebastian said with a straight face. "Wouldn't an amateur have a difficult time carrying out such a complicated procedure quickly enough?"

Undertaker smirked.

"You're a clever one, Butler. That is exactly what I was thinking."

He moved over to Marianne, went behind her and placed a hand on her slender throat. Sebastian clenched his fists. He was far too close to her.

"You see," smirked Undertaker. "He first slits her throat with a sharp weapon. Then he rips into her right here."

His hand hovered over her stomach, causing her to bite her lip.

"And then takes her most precious womanly part."

Prodding her cheek with his long black nail, the man chuckled before letting her go.

"There shall be more deaths, I'm certain. Sadistic killers like this one don't stop until someone makes them."

He looked at Ciel.

"Can you stop him?" he asked. "Can you sniff him out like a good little Guard Dog?"

Ciel stared back at him with a cold expression on his face. Marianne stayed behind him, holding her nerve as best she could.

"I am bound by the honour of my family," he replied. "I eliminate any threat the Queen asks me to. By any means I find necessary."


Once everyone was bundled inside the carriage, with Grell at the reins, they trundled along the busy street. In their seats, Sebastian next to Lau and opposite Madame Red and Ciel, with Marianne crammed in the middle.

"His information narrows down our suspects." Ciel said.

Sebastian then began to list off his deductions.

"First of all, we look for those with the necessary skill set, crossing off those who have alibis for the nights of the murders. Removal of the organs would suggest some kind of gruesome ritual. We should concentrate our investigation on those involved with secret societies."

Marianne decided to put in her little piece.

"Maybe someone involved with the black market. Organs have always been pretty popular for the buyers."

Madame Red immediately leapt up.

"That hardly narrows the field! Even I would have the medical skills necessary for this!" she snapped. "Besides which, the Season is ending soon. Any doctors who followed the nobles to the city will be moving back to the country soon. And then what…?"

The demon cut her off with a smirk on his face.

"Then we will have to conclude the investigation quickly."

Lau shook his head.

"Impossible…"

Sebastian placed a hand on his chest, eyes glowing subtly in the light.

"I should be able to do this much at least. Otherwise, what kind of butler would I be?"

He turned to Ciel.

"I shall make up a list of viable suspects and interview them immediately, My Lord."

He opened the door of the carriage and gave them all a shit eating smile. His eyes moved in on Marianne, who stared at him with wide, uncertain eyes.

"Come along, Edward. You shall assist me."

Without her consent, he picked her up in a princess carry. She struggled against him desperately.

"Sebastian, put me down!" she cried.

Sebastian ignored her.

"If you will excuse us."

The two of them disappeared in a flash, Marianne's scream the only remainder of their presence.


With shocked faces, Madame Red and Lau pressed their faces up against the glass.

"He does know we're moving, right?!" she cried. "And what about Edward? What was he thinking, picking up the boy like that?!"

In the street behind them, there wasn't a soul in sight. Ciel simply leaned against the window sill.

"Sebastian will take care of it for now. We can go home and have a cup of tea while we wait," he looked at them for a moment out of his uncovered eye. "And he will make sure Edward is safe. He has orders to make sure no harm comes to him while in his care."


They arrived back at the town house not much later. When they opened the door, they were surprised by the person who answered it. Sebastian stared back at them with a smile as he inclined slightly into a bow.

"Welcome back everyone, I have been awaiting your return," he said. "Edward has prepared your afternoon tea. It is waiting in the drawing room. He has returned to the kitchen and won't be joining us until later."

He took Ciel's top hat and let the Young Master inside.

"Hold on!" Madame Red shrieked. "How are you here?!"

Sebastian smiled.

"I finished that little errand, so I made my way back home to edify."

"You made the suspect list already?!"

"Well, I made a list of everything that we discussed. Then I contacted them all and asked the relevant questions."

Madame Red smirked.

"Come now, Sebastian. That's impossible, even for you."

The demon merely flourished the list and begun to state every person and their corresponding alibi. Ciel was smirking. Lau was nodding his head as though he understood everything perfectly. Grell was looking at Sebastian with unrestrained admiration. And Madame Red was dumbfounded, an idiot hair spouting up from underneath her hat.

When Sebastian finally finished, he gave his final conclusion.

"From this information, I have narrowed down our list to one possible suspect."

Madame Red sweatdropped as she spoke.

"Are you sure you are just a butler? Not a secret military intelligence officer?"

He smirked.

"You see, My Lady, I am simply one hell of a butler."


Nightfall was upon them where they were bundled up in the carriage once again. Sebastian, dressed in an elegant tutor's attire, pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

"The Viscount Druitt, also known as Aleister Chambers. He graduated from medical school, but he has never gone into practice. Lately he has thrown several parties at his home. But behind the scenes at these soirees is a private gathering only his intimates may attend," he explained.

Ciel glared out of the window, his hand gripped firmly on Marianne's. The girl gulped audibly as her back pressed up against the demon's side. She glanced over at Madame Red opposite her as she spoke.

"I heard he's into black magic, all those occult sorts of things."

"So your suspicion is that he's holding these parties to perform ritualistic sacrifices of local prostitutes." Lau concluded.

Ciel waved his free hand and glanced out the window again as they pulled up in front of the large house.

"Tonight is the last party of the Season."

He was assisted out of the carriage by one of the footmen.

"Which means this is our last chance."

Stepping into the light, it was revealed that he was dressed in a pink muslin ball gown, with pigtails matching his hair attached to the sides of his head, shoulder-length black gloves covering his hands, a pink choker trimmed with white ribbons and lace around his neck, and a matching pink and black hat with a white ribbon around the band and pink flowers underneath the brim, perfectly tilted to cover his marked eye.


One by one they descended from the carriage and entered the foyer. Marianne was rubbing her gloved hands together. She was dressed similarly to Ciel, only her dress was a cornflower blue, trimmed with white lace and black ribbons, and paired with a pair of matching black gloves that went to her elbows. Instead of a hat, her uncovered hair was pinned back slightly with a white rose. While they gathered together, her hands rested on Ciel's shoulders, trying to ease the tension out of them.

"Ciel and Edward will be my nieces visiting from the country." Madame Red explained. "And Sebastian will be Ciel's tutor, and Edward's fiancé."

Both Marianne and Edward blushed, but for completely different reasons. The girl glanced at the demon and wondered if he had anything to do with the arrangement. The smile on his face suggested he had orchestrated the whole thing. Her cheeks only became redder at the intense look he gave her.

"Why do I have to act like your niece?!" he demanded.

"Because, my dear, I've always wanted a girl." Madame Red replied blithely.

"That's your reason?! You're kidding me!"

Marianne shook her head with a sigh.

"And you've ended up with two girls. It must be a dream come true."

Madame Red ignored her words and leaned over to whisper into Ciel's ear.

"You don't want them knowing you're a Phantomhive, do you?" she said. A smile then spread across her face. "Besides, I've heard that Lord Druitt has an eye for any pretty little thing in a skirt, and we do want to catch his eye, right?"

Sebastian smirked.

"By any means necessary. You do remember saying those words, do you not, Sir?"

Marianne pursed her lips.

"So we're basically a honey trap for him? Seems to me like his brain resides somewhere further south than it should," she groaned.


The trio walked through the ballroom, people dancing and laughing all around them. Marianne was on Sebastian's arm like the fiancée she was meant to be, smiling prettily in the twinkling chandelier lights.

"First things first, we need to locate this murderous Viscount." Sebastian said as he ran his white gloved hand over the back of Marianne's.

Ciel, who was as despondent as a boy in a dress could be, groaned.

"At least Elizabeth isn't here to see me like this."

Marianne giggled.

"I can just imagine what she would say."

"Oh that dress is so adorable!"

Ciel and Sebastian looked at her in surprise.

"That was actually pretty good," the boy complimented.

She sweatdropped.

"Err… That wasn't me…"

Their heads swivelled round, and they spotted Lizzie in a dark red dress with her back turned to them.

"I adore all the dresses here! They're lovely!" the girl cried.

Ciel was shaking at the sight of her, his words were a jumbled mess.

"M-Master… I mean Mistress, please calm down. We must move quickly." Sebastian urged gently.

Marianne noticed his slip, which showed just how worried he was. She felt the same.

"You in the pink! Oh, your dress is so beautiful!" Elizabeth cried out.


The three of them swiftly ducked underneath a nearby table. They could see the bottom of Lizzie's skirt swirling around on the other side of the cloth covering them. It was a tight squeeze, but they somehow managed to fit. They peeked out cautiously.

"This isn't good, I didn't expect her here," whispered Sebastian.

"If someone was to see the head of my family dressed this way…" Ciel muttered.

"The Phantomhive name would be ruined for generations," the demon concluded.

Those words didn't exactly help the boy.

"Let's go join Madame Red."

Marianne patted his shoulder and pointed towards a spectacle she couldn't tear her eyes away from.

"I don't think you'll have much luck there…" she muttered. "It looks like she's forgotten why we're here."

Ciel and Sebastian saw Madame Red, surrounded by dozens of adoring men with Lau fanning her like an Arabian servant. The boy gritted his teeth angrily.

"Looks like she's having a grand old time."


As they climbed out of their hiding place, Lizzie spotted them. Sebastian grabbed their arms and pulled them in another direction. He stopped briefly in front of a waiter and pointed Lizzie out to him.

"That young lady requires lemonade."

The waiter bowed.

"Yes, Sir."


The three of them managed to make it out to the balcony, where Ciel panted painfully within the confines of his gown. Marianne rubbed his back to try and ease the ache no doubt overtaking his ribs.

"How do these things always happen to me?" he asked them.

Just then, they heard someone inside exclaim the arrival of their target.

"Oh, Viscount Druitt looks as gorgeous as ever tonight!"

They looked inside and saw him, the cries of the women around him consuming any other sounds.

"His hair shines like the sun!"

"His eyes sparkle like amethysts!"

Ciel nodded his head.

"That's the Viscount Druitt. Let's go."

Sebastian agreed.

Music started up as they re-entered the ballroom. Couples danced the waltz with their partners, the smiles on their faces were more than pleased with the closeness. Ciel's brow furrowed in irritation.

"Damn!" he hissed. "I'll never get close to him at this rate."

Marianne glanced at the spaces between the couples. It was possible to move through them, but only if they were dancing… Sebastian clearly had the same thought.

"We have no choice. We will have to dance our way to the Viscount."

She gestured to the floor.

"You two go. I'll find another way across."

The demon smiled, understanding her reasoning as it was Ciel who was meant to catch the man in the act. He pressed a kiss to her gloved hand.

"I shall see you momentarily, My Lady."

And so he led Ciel onto the floor, despite the boy's struggles and protests.


Marianne glanced around at the couples, and searched for Viscount Druitt through the crowd. It was strange to be seen as a girl in front of so many people after so many years. Her corset pinched her sides, but she breathed far easier than Ciel. She not only had the hourglass figure women desired, but she was used to having parts of her body compressed; her bindings had to be very tight to hide her above average breasts. Absentmindedly, she hummed along to the violins, her skirts swishing around her legs as her dainty black heels clicked lightly against the marble floor.

She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't realise she had bumped into someone.

"Oh my!" she gasped. "I am so terribly sorry!"

Marianne glanced up through her eyelashes, and found herself staring into the purple eyes of the Viscount Druitt.

"No need to fret, my beautiful nightingale. I was so lost in your sweet words, I couldn't resist coming so close to such a divine creature."

She felt his hand run over her arm, so she extracted herself fluidly without being rude, and smiled at him.

"I thank you for such a compliment. My fiancé and little sister are currently dancing. She is actually rather looking forward to meeting you."

She hoped it was enough of an opening to get Ciel close to him. And she didn't want to give Sebastian anything to be annoyed about at the moment. He can deal with the man later. Druitt extended his arm to her.

"Why don't we wait for them to finish? I am eager to meet the darling little sister of my bewitching nightingale."

Marianne smiled prettily and accepted him arm.


They found Ciel slumped over after the dance with Sebastian kneeling over him. The demon assisted the young earl to his feet.

"How could you become exhausted so easily, My Lady?" he asked.

Druitt began to clap, allowing Marianne to escape his grasp.

"Your dancing is exquisite, like a lovely little robin. Wouldn't you agree, my dear nightingale?"

She nodded her head.

"Indeed. My sister has always been particularly gifted at dancing. My fiancé is an excellent teacher," she explained and headed over to Sebastian, linking her arm with his.

The three of them looked at one another, acknowledging that their endeavour was about to begin.

"Young Mistress, we shall go and get you something to drink." Sebastian told the Earl.

He led Marianne away, leaving Ciel with the Viscount.


Sebastian gave Marianne a glass of lemonade, and watched her sip it delicately, his hand on her waist as though he was staking his claim.

"You were certainly very affectionate with me earlier. I take it the Viscount Druitt tried his charms on you," he whispered into her ear.

The girl blushed at the closeness, but did her best to remain calm since they were surrounded by many ladies openly admiring Sebastian.

"He seems to like giving women bird nicknames. You heard him call me nightingale. Must have been because I was humming along to the waltz while you and Ciel were dancing," she replied.

The demon was struck with an idea. He placed her empty glass down on a passing tray and took her hand in his.

"I would be honoured if you would join me for a dance."

He pressed his lips to her knuckles. Marianne couldn't breathe. Only one word spilled from her lips.

"Yes…"

He led her through their dance, never once letting her eyes leave him. Sebastian managed to keep them closer than propriety would allow, yet she had no idea how he did that without anyone noticing.


Ciel meanwhile was stuck with Druitt. The only thing he could do was put on the act of a young lady like Marianne had taught him, although she had explained that the flirting knowledge she had was all second hand, having watched many a girl and lady flirt and seduce the opposite sex.

"Good evening, My Lord Druitt," he greeted, curtsying like a lady.

Druitt came forward and took his hand.

"I do hope you are enjoying the party," he kissed his hand. "My dear one."

Ciel sweatdropped.

"Oh yes, Sir. It's a wonderful party…" he paused for a moment before continuing. "But My Lord, I've been waiting to speak with you all evening."

"Oh?" Druitt smirked.

"I'm bored to death of dancing and eating." Ciel proclaimed.

The man brought him close by placing a hand on his waist. Ciel blushed painfully at the proximity.

"What a spoiled little princess you are." Druitt smiled. "Looking for something more… entertaining?"

His hand drifted lower. Ciel was getting worried. He tried to remember what Marianne said about what to do when men get too 'hands-on'.

Endure it, Ciel! He told himself mentally. You have no choice now. After all those horrible, horrible lessons. You can handle it!

He thought back to all the lessons he had to endure under the strict tutelage of Sebastian and Madame Red. The only plus side was that Marianne had to deal with it as well. At least she knew what to expect. He knew he would have nightmares about the corset for days to come.

Ciel quickly turned to look up at the blond man.

"You know of other amusements?" he asked. "I would be most interested."

He tried to give a little flirtatious smile. Druitt tilted his head up with his finger.

"Of course. I'd be happy to show them to you, robin," he replied. "My sweet little thing."

The poor boy was reaching boiling point.

I swear when this is all over, I am going to kill this creep!

"Oh really? Like what?" Ciel asked sweetly.

I have to find out his secret before this dance is over.


He spotted Elizabeth watching him from across the floor. It was only a matter of time before she came over and blew his cover. Ciel quickly turned back to the Viscount as he continued to talk.

"You really want to know?"

"Oh yes! I'm simply dying to, My Lord."

If Elizabeth comes this way, I'm doomed.

"You might be a bit young yet?"

Hurry!

"Don't tease me, My Lord. I'm a lady, not a little girl."

Hurry!

The music stopped and Ciel saw Elizabeth about to try and make her way over. He had no idea what to do. Druitt brought his attention back by tilting his head towards him.

"What has you so distracted, my delightful butterfly?" he asked.

"It's nothing, My Lord!" Ciel stammered.

This is it. My life is over.


Just then, a large cabinet was slammed down in between Elizabeth and Ciel. Sebastian, wearing a white mask decorated with red swirls over his eyes, kneeled before his audience. Marianne sat on top of the cabinet, posed elegantly and seductively after being placed into position by the demon, much to her embarrassment. She was also wearing a black eye mask decorated with white jewels.

"Ladies and gentlemen," greeted Sebastian. "If everyone could please gather round, this evening's magic show will now begin."

Everyone was spellbound. Sebastian turned to Lau.

"Sir, if you would be so kind to assist me?"

The Asian man smiled.

"Why certainly."

Viscount Druitt tilted his head in curiosity.

"I don't remember arranging any parlour tricks this evening."

Ciel clenched his fists and gritted his teeth.

This is my chance!

"My Lord," he said, making an innocent, wide-eyed look with fluttering eyelashes appear on his face. "I've seen more than enough parlour tricks. Can we go, please?"

Oh, this is awful!

Druitt smiled.

"Yes. Anything for you, my sweet."

Ciel glanced away for a moment and stared out at Marianne with a dismayed and disgusted expression on his face. The girl couldn't blame him; she was barely in his company for five minutes and she wanted to run.


The Viscount led Ciel to a dark staircase behind a curtain.

"Right this way, dear," the man smiled.

Ciel clenched his fist and started to walk up the stairs.


Sebastian assisted Marianne off the cabinet, hand gliding down the length of her arm, and turned to his audience.

"A normal cabinet. Once I've climbed inside, shut it tightly and bound it with these chains. Then, simply run it through with the swords."

He climbed inside.

"Then I shall emerge completely unharmed. This is no mere trick or illusion." He smirked. "Prepare for a performance of true magic."

Shutting the door behind him, Marianne bound the cabinet with the chains. When they were done tightly enough, she turned to Lau.

"You may now proceed."

Lau held one of the swords and shrugged his shoulders.

"Well, here goes nothing."

He started by plunging the sword through the top of the cabinet, causing everyone to gasp. Marianne felt a jolt run through the small of her back, a small pain as though someone had just stabbed her with a knife. She felt it again and again with every sword Lau shoved through the cabinet. She couldn't understand where this pain was coming from, even though every stab hurt like a punch in the gut.

Why is this hurting so much…? She thought to herself.


When Lau was finally finished, having finally run out of swords, the chains shattered from all the stab wounds. The swords in the doors dislodged from their places as they swung open. Sebastian emerged with a smile completely unscathed. Marianne breathed a sigh of relief when all the pain seemed to vanish from her body.

"Amazing!"

"True magic!"

"Bravo!"

Madame Red came forward, gushing with delight.

"Sebastian, how incredible!"

"Indeed." Lau agreed. "For a minute there, I thought I'd killed you."

Marianne glared at him.

So you weren't trying to? You are goddamned crazy!

Sebastian rubbed his head slightly.

"It actually hurt more than expected," he said. "I didn't think you would aim straight for my head. Anyone else would have died."

The girl gasped and rushed over to the demon, her hand clutching his sleeve. He glanced down at her and ran his hand over her fingers. The way he looked at her reassured her that he was well. He led her away with her on his arm, tempted to lay more kisses on her gloved hands.

Lau then asked a question.

"So what's the trick to it anyway?"

"You stabbed him that many times without knowing?!" Madame Red asked incredulously.

Sebastian glanced at them over his shoulder.

"Like I said, there were no tricks or illusions. Just magic."

Marianne leaned up to whisper into his ear.

"Demon magic you mean."

He looked at her and pressed a finger to his lips, shushing her as he told her without words she needed to keep a secret. She only blushed under his stare.


Viscount Druitt led Ciel to a darkened parlour.

"We're going somewhere you'll find very amusing. I know I do." Druitt smiled. "Please, come in."

Ciel stepped through. A strange smell entered his nose. It was clawing at the inside of his throat, heavy like his body was becoming. His vision blurred. Purple lights seemed to glow before his eyes, while Druitt's face fell into shadow, only his smirk was visible in the darkness.

"Damn!" Ciel hissed softly.

He slumped against the closed door, and slipped unconscious. The Viscount stared down at him.

"See? Aren't you enjoying yourself, little robin?" he whispered.


Ciel felt pain. He leaned against the doorframe, gasping for breath with his hands trembling as they tried to grip onto something, anything to take his mind off the pain. Sweat dripped from his barely clad form.

"S-Sebastian…!" he rasped.

Sebastian, fully clothed behind him, stared down at his back without expression.

"Please hold on a little longer, Sir. You can do it," he encouraged.

Marianne was sat on the bed watching them, biting her lip and wincing with every movement.

"You can do it, Ciel. You're nearly there," she told him, trying to give him comfort even though she could barely move.

Ciel leaned forward, his cheeks flushed a soft red. He let out a groan as Sebastian pulled the laces of the corset tighter.

"That's it! You're going to kill me!" he cried.

Sebastian merely arched a brow.

"I doubt any woman has managed to die from a corset alone," he said. "Have they, Marianne?"

The girl barely managed to get to her feet, her form constricted by her own corset and the small amount of binding around her breasts.

"They have caused fainting spells in women when they're too tight, but I can't say if they've killed anyone yet," she explained.

Ciel glanced at her over his shoulder.

"How are you even still breathing?! You've got twice as much binding than me, and I feel like I'm suffocating in this thing!" he shouted.

Marianne sweatdropped while shrugging her shoulders guiltily.

"I'm usually fine since I've got the right shape for it. It has been a couple of years since I've worn one though, and it has never been this tight. The only reason I'm struggling for breath is because I've got my bindings underneath this, so it doesn't look like I've got very obvious breasts like I would without them. I'm meant to be a boy disguised as a girl after all."

Sebastian, having finally visited with Ciel's laces, smiled at her.

"Rather amusing, I must say. You are a lady disguised as a man, disguised as a lady. Let's hope no one gets confused by it all."


Ciel's eyes snapped open. His contract mark glowed against his iris. He was completely in darkness; he could feel the black blindfold wrapped around his eyes. His body was bound with ropes around his wrists and arms. Not far from where he was, he could hear Druitt speaking to what seemed to be an audience.

"And now, what you all have been waiting for, tonight's crown jewel."

Ciel felt a light leak through his blindfold, like someone had lifted a curtain. Gathered around him and his cage were ladies and gentlemen wearing masks, while Druitt stood on the stage with a black see-through band over his eyes.

"She would make a lovely decoration," continued Druitt. "Or sweet little pet. You can keep her whole and healthy, or sell her for parts if you'd like to."

He gestured at the boy as the salesman he was.

"Her eyes are two different colours, but to the discerning collector, that would only add to the attraction."

Ciel realised where he was.

A black market auction… Marianne did say to check the people on the black market…

"The bidding shall begin momentarily." Druitt continued.

He takes the prostitutes organs and sells them at his parties…?

Druitt's assistant, dressed like a sensual performer, reached through the bars of the cage and untied the boy's blindfold.

"We shall start at 1000 guineas!"

"2000!"

"3000!"

"3500!"

"5000!"

Ciel opened his eyes.

"Sebastian, come get me now!" he called.


The lights in the room flickered out, submerging everything in darkness. Ciel listened to the grunts and moans of pain as blows were delivered to the buyers. He waited patiently for the arrival of his servants, knowing Sebastian wouldn't leave Marianne alone with the wolves, if the looks he saw her getting were anything to go by.

The candles lit once more. Sebastian stepped out of the shadows, glasses glinting in the light.

"Really Sir," the demon sighed. "Are you really good for nothing except getting yourself captured?"

Marianne emerged from behind him, picking up her heavy skirts and running towards the cage.

"Are you alright, Ciel?" she asked, reaching through the bars and tilting his head up to check him over for any injuries.

"I am fine, Marianne. He wanted me in one piece for his buyers," he told her. He then looked at Sebastian. "As long as the contract remains in place, you will follow me everywhere whether I ask you to or not. Won't you?"

Sebastian stared down at the boy's cold gaze, smirking at the purple pentagram glowing in his eye.

"This type of contract is sealed by a mark a demon places on his prey. The more noticeably placed the mark is, the tighter the demon and prey are bound to one another. The demon serves…" he paused, allowing Ciel to finish for him.

"And in exchange, the prey can never escape."

Marianne moved out of the way, and watched in awe as Sebastian bent the bars of the cage. She blushed at the thought of being held in those strong arms…

Sebastian smirked down at his young prey.

"Yes, I shall be with you everywhere, 'til the end. I shall be at your side no matter what. Even should I perish in this world, I'll still be there. From the very depths of Hell, My Lord. This is how I differ from humans. I do not lie."

He flicked his finger, and the ropes binding Ciel were slashed through. The boy nodded his head.

"Good. You will never lie to me, no matter what. Understood?" he ordered.

Sebastian bowed.

"Yes, My Young Lord."

Marianne touched Ciel's shoulder.

"And I shall be with you to the end as well. You brought me into your lives when you could have left me there. For that, I shall serve until you either reach your end, or I do."

She affectionately pressed a kiss to his forehead.

They then glanced down at the unconscious Viscount.

"I guess this takes care of the Jack the Ripper case. Well, that was easier than I expected." Ciel said.

Marianne arched an eyebrow.

"You call all this easy?" she asked.

Sebastian smirked.

"I imagine Scotland Yard will be here before much longer. We should take our leave."

He gathered Ciel and Marianne up in his arms.

"Well Ladies, are you ready?"

Removing his glasses and giving them to his mate for safekeeping, he dashed off and leapt out of the window into the moonlight.


The sweetness of their victory over the lecherous Viscount was soured by the headline in the paper the next morning…


"'Jack The Ripper Strikes Again?!'" Lau read from the front page.

Madame Red seemed nonplussed as she spoke.

"So the Viscount wasn't our man after all."

Ciel was staring angrily over his desk, his hands slammed down on the surface and clenching the edge, on the verge of ripping it apart. Sebastian watched from afar, Marianne at his side with her hands clutched together. Then she remembered something odd.

Everyone was there last night… Madame Red was surrounded by men… But… where was Grell…?

Sebastian heard every thought, and placed a hand on the small of her back.


The significance of the nightingale, for Marianne's nickname here, is pretty important in its irony. A nightingale's song can represent love and longing, but can also represent a sign or warning of an impending death. It can also be praise for acts of charity or a good omen. The nightingale with its natural ability to sing symbolises a creative individual unearthing his/her potential. It can also refer to someone who has taken up the responsibility to bring about a transformation or reformation. The song can also be seen as a cry for help from someone from purgatory. Marianne is falling in love with Sebastian, while watching Ciel go towards his death, and is unearthing her potential under Sebastian and taken responsibility for her own transformation. She is also going to purgatory for loving a demon. Hope that explains my reasoning.

All this information is online. Type 'meanings of birds' into Google and click the second one on the first page.

Should you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Please read and review!