Chapter Thirty-Two

Butler, Escaping. Bride, Warrior

Sat in the cabin of a large junk, Lau smoked a pipe of black wood and embossed gold, a dragon twisted down towards the end. He blew a swirl of smoke into the air, his arm wrapped around Ran Mao, who was huddled into his side.

"One night, Zhuang Zhou dreamt he was a butterfly. He was a happily fluttering butterfly. It was so much fun. He could fly wherever he wanted, and he had no thought of being Zhou."


Lau was a young boy as he chased a butterfly with black and blue wings around a field of flowers. He had a little girl by the hand, and they laughed and played as they chased the butterfly. When the butterfly landed on a flower, Lau reached out, but the butterfly burst into flames. He cried out and looked to the hand he was holding. There was no girl attached to it, nothing but a hand and a bloodstained sleeve.


"But suddenly, he woke up, and was startled to find that he was human."


Men with blank white faces and no features approached him, dressed in black suits and top hats.


"He couldn't decide. Was he Zhou, who just dreamt he was a butterfly, or a butterfly, who was now dreaming he was Zhou?"


He was beaten to the ground, and whimpered when the butterfly landed on his nose. Lau tried to reach out for the creature as it flew away into the white light of the sun.


"Surely, there must be some distinction between Zhou and the butterfly."

Lau only stared up at the ceiling as he told this story. His hand ran up and down the length of Ran Mao's back.

"This is called the transformation of things."

Ran Mao moved upright to look at his face. He chuckled quietly.

"Just ignore me," he said, bringing her head down to his shoulder again.

She rested there quietly, and listened to the sizzle of burning smoke.


RRRRIIIIPPPPP!

Sebastian's shirt was torn down the front and exposed the pale expanse of his chest. His torturer, a short, portly man with a bald head and only three teeth smirked at him.

"He, he, he! Pretty!"

Randall stood to the side, the demon glanced at him with narrowed eyes.

"You're going to confess to your crimes eventually, you know. So, you might as well do it soon, Sebastian."

Sebastian chuckled under his breath, a smirk slowly crawled over his lips.

"Very well then," he said. "I confess. It was I who was responsible for the outbreak of the Black Death in Europe."

"What?!" Randall snapped.

"As I recall, it was during the reign of Edward III."

"You think this is a joke?! That was over five hundred years ago!"

Randall gritted his teeth and turned away.

"Give him as much pain as you like!" he snarled.

He left the room after that.

The torturer pondered over his instruments. Sebastian watched his hands hover over each of them.

"Goodie! If you confess, I don't get to have my fun, you see."

The man approached the demon with a sickening smile.

"Oh, look at those perfect eyes! Should I poke them, do you think? Or should I just cut them out of your pretty head instead?"

He shook his head.

"No. Save the best for last."

Taking up a pair of pincers, he went to Sebastian again.

"First, how about we get a nice scream?"


At the mansion, Marianne let out a gasp. She closed her eyes and clutched a hand to her chest. It felt like her heart was being squeezed inside her chest. Daggers poked through her skin, burning hot as they burrowed beneath her flesh. Heaving breaths rattled inside her throat.

Oh Sebastian… What are they doing to you?

Marianne sighed when the pain left her only a second later.

Is this only what a mortal can inflict upon you? Clearly something has gone wrong. You still haven't returned. I hope you and Ciel are alright…

She straightened her shoulders and continued going about her day. Ciel had given her the task of being the Lady of the House until his return, and she was determined to make sure she did it well.

If there is trouble for you elsewhere, I shall make sure our House and our family remains strong. We shall not let it fall.


Ciel sat at a desk in his apartments. The Tower of London loomed outside his window. A letter he was writing sat before him, addressed to Marianne. He wondered how he was going to send it though…

"Your tea, Sir."

Ciel glanced up and thought for the briefest moment that Sebastian was at his side. But then he remembered the demon would call him by name, as he had since their return from Preston. He blinked, and the image of Sebastian faded to reveal Aberline standing before him.

"Are you alright?" Aberline asked as he set the cup of tea down on the desk.

Ciel picked it up and took a sip. He was surprised when it actually tasted right, so he took another sip. Aberline merely smiled at him.

"Is it any good?" he asked. "You know, I used to do a lot of work down around the tea ships down at the dock."

Ciel arched a brow.

"I thought you were an Inspector?"

The man nodded and took a sip of his own tea.

"Yes, but I was raised in the East End. No parents or siblings to rely on, so I did whatever work came my way to survive."

"In that case, you've certainly done well for yourself."

Aberline shook his head as he sat down.

"Tell me the truth, Ciel. You really don't have anything to do with the drugs, do you? Or with the Queen's letter?" he said.

"Finally beginning your interrogation?" Ciel retorted.

"Not really." Aberline shrugged. "The Commissioner's instruction was just to confine you here."

Ciel scowled.

"Then I recommend you don't try to get involved. This game is between me and whoever is pulling the strings. So, why don't you just sit there and follow orders like the good little pawn you are?"

He was quiet as he sipped at his tea before he spoke again.

"That's the secret to long life and a quick promotion."

"Yes… I know." Aberline sighed.

Ciel considered him for a moment, then took up his pen again to write his letter. When he finished, he slid the folded paper into an envelope, sealed it, and wrote a name on the outside. His finger ran over the black ink as he looked at Aberline, and felt an instinct to trust him with the letter burning inside him. The name was M. Michaelis.


Meanwhile, at another mafia district, there was a meeting going on inside.

"Eh, if you want to give up your territory to the Ferro family, we'd be happy to accept it from you. There's no doubt about that."

The man who spoke was pale with black hair and a moustache, dressed in a dark grey suit. His lip curled slightly as he continued.

"But I thought you worked for the Queen's Dog? And I heard he just got himself captured."

Sitting opposite him, Lau smiled. Ran Mao sat curled into his side.

"You're sure you want to just desert him?"

The Asian man tilted his head as his grip became tighter on the woman.

"A butterfly drinks from the flower, just as the flower spreads its pollen by attracting the butterfly. Should the bloom be plucked for its beauty, ending this beautiful cycle of life? Would the butterfly mourn the flower?" he inquired cryptically.

The man smirked.

"I suppose the butterfly would find a new flower. Yes?"

Lau nodded.

"Thankfully, this world is full of flowerbeds. And don't forget, this was your doing."

"Just as Stanley was your doing. Let's not throw stones."

"Yes, you're quite right, Senor Kuraro."

Kuraro smiled.

"I wish you a safe journey, Mr Lau."


As their carriage rode along the docks, Lau spoke to Ran Mao.

"Do you know what, Ran Mao?" he asked.

She looked up at him, her amber eyes almost glowing with curiosity.

"I couldn't be happier to be leaving here. I find these peaceful days to be dreadfully boring."

She pursed her lips, her eyes narrowed.

"Liar."


While they were driving past, they didn't notice Aberline standing on the docks. His brow was furrowed as his memories drifted to a room completely stained with blood, and how his throat became raw from his cries. He watched men hauling heavy sacks onto one of the ships.

"So, it's a tea ship again," he sighed as he thought of his time doing the same thing in his youth. "Opium, the Chinese, and the tea ship. What a sad coincidence. It's the Opium Wars all over again."

He walked past the ship without another word, and touched a hand to his breast pocket. Ciel's letter lay inside it.

Aberline was uncertain why Ciel would ask him to deliver such a thing, but it was harmless enough, simply a letter to his household. Although he did wonder about the name.


Taking a carriage up was easy enough, and so he stood in front of the Phantomhive manor. It was a great, imposing thing; it reminded him a little bit of Ciel. He took a breath before he knocked on the front door. It opened just a crack, not enough for him to see who opened it.

"Yes? May I ask who is calling?" they asked.

"Inspector Aberline, Sir. I have been tasked with delivering a letter for Ciel." Aberline responded.

"Who is the letter addressed to?"

He read the name off the envelope.

"M. Michaelis."

There was a beat of silence. The person on the other side then spoke.

"Tanaka shall lead you to the parlour. You may meet with them there."

The door opened fully, but Aberline found himself staring at an empty doorway. Cautiously, he walked inside. Tanaka appeared before him and led the way. While Aberline's back was turned, Marianne emerged from behind the door. She watched him go with determined eyes, blazing dark blue.


Once he was shown into the parlour, Aberline sat down on one of the sofas. He pulled the letter out of his pocket and turned it over in his hands. The sound of the door opening pulled him out of his thoughts. He looked up and saw a woman enter the room. She wore a dove grey dress with white lace and netting detail, her hair hung around her shoulders, and her eyes were a piercing dark blue. Her black button boots clicked against the floor, and a glowing red jewel sat in a choker at her throat.

"Inspector Aberline. I would say it is nice to see you again, but this isn't a social visit, is it?" Marianne said as she took a seat on the sofa opposite him.

"Are you M. Michaelis?" he asked.

She smiled slightly.

"I am, but at the same time, I am not. Ciel started giving me the name Mrs Michaelis when I was out of the manor dressed like this," she explained. "Most of the time, I follow Ciel and Sebastian wherever they go. Edward Montague is another name I go by, but as you can see, neither of them are accurate."

Aberline stared at her.

"Who are you then?"

"My name is Marianne Blackmore, apprentice butler to House Phantomhive, and current caretaker of this household. And I would like to know why you are here."

Shakily, Aberline handed the letter to her. Marianne opened it without a word and read it. She let out a sound of understanding.

"So, Lau has decided he wants to become a bigger player and betrayed Ciel. Sebastian is in the Tower of London undergoing torture, and Ciel is under house arrest. They really are in a spot of bother, aren't they?" she said. "There seem to be more things at play here though. Strings are being pulled from particularly high places. Inspector, if you would so kind as to wait a few minutes while I get my coat and hat?"

She got up, tucked the letter into her pocket and made to walk out the room. Aberline immediately leapt to his feet.

"Wait just a minute! You have been declared legally dead for over two years! How are you alive and standing there as though nothing is amiss?"

Marianne smiled at him.

"A simple matter of swapping myself with a consumption victim, making sure they were completely unrecognisable, and leaving my cut hair for them to find. Everyone simply assumed I had died in the blazes." Her eyes then darkened. "I have a better life here than I would have had if I stayed and let my family have their way. And there is nothing I wouldn't do for the family I have made here."

She stepped towards him.

"You are going to take me to the Tower of London so I can see Sebastian, and then you are going to take me where they are keeping Ciel. I can tell you want to help him as much as I do, so we need to work together."

Aberline nodded his head.

"Very well then, Miss."


Clicking heels tapped against the stone. The grating of the metal door being pulled open rang against the silence. Sebastian hung from his shackles, red slashes splayed across his abdomen. The torturer was asleep in a corner of the room, surrounded by empty glass bottles. Dressed in leather and lace, Angela smiled at the prisoner and spoke.

"You make quite a picture, Sebastian."

Sebastian lifted his head, revealing the cuts that had been made to his face.

"So, this is how far you'll go? To be loyal to the master who put you here?"

He smirked.

"Between his young Lordship and myself. Such are the terms of our contract."

Angela drew out her whip and cracked it against the floor. A sneer stretched across her face.


Ciel eyed his cloak in the darkness, waited for just the right moment to pick it up and put it on. He slipped his top hat onto his head, and walked out the room. As he walked, he stepped out onto the viaduct. Glancing up at the Tower, he wondered about Sebastian.

"Ciel!"

He heard a voice call out to him. Ciel turned and saw it was Aberline.

"Where are you going?" Aberline asked.

The boy sighed.

"I'm simply tired of this confinement. I thought I'd take a little walk," he replied. "Did you deliver my letter?"

"I did, and I met Miss Blackmore as well. Do you make her disguise herself, or does she choose to do that?"

Ciel chuckled.

"She chooses to do that. Frankly, I think it's because she prefers trousers for moving about in. I would never dictate her choices. She faked her death to escape all that."

Aberline shook his head and pressed onward.

"What is it you think you can accomplish on your own?" he asked.

"Don't underestimate the Phantomhives." Ciel sneered. "Do you have any idea how many years of my family have held sway in the Underworld? I still have all of the pawns I need."

Aberline shrugged his shoulders.

"Yet with the others, you have sent letters and they haven't responded. They've left you all alone. And do you consider Miss Blackmore a pawn? She is the only one you asked to come directly, and she came within minutes of reading your letter," he said. "Am I wrong, Ciel?"


Angela pointed the handle of her weapon at Sebastian.

"The boy must be gnashing his teeth right now, don't you think?" she asked, tilting the demon's head up. "Having been shown his own powerlessness?"

Sebastian smiled.

"Yes, I'd imagine you're right."


Marianne walked through the corridors of the Tower of London, searching for the torture chamber. Her dove grey coat covered her dress, her hands were covered with black leather gloves, and she had a grey hat with a black veil on top of her head.

"I'll be there soon, Sebastian."


Ciel stared at Aberline.

"Fear and profit," said Aberline. "Those are the only ties that bind in the Underworld. And I'm afraid you can provide neither of them at the moment."

The boy scowled.

"That won't hold me back for long."

"Even if all of his pawns are taken away from him, forever…" said Sebastian.

"Even if the only piece left to me, the only player still under my control is the king…" Ciel continued.


Beaten and bloody, the demon only smiled, a sense of pride filling him.

"He will never pull out of the game. That's my Master's nature. You should know that."

Angela smiled back at him.

"Why not just admit your own nature, and start acting on your own desires?" she asked. "This is harder on you than you're saying. How long has it been, Sebastian? Since you last devoured the soul of a human? And now, you're injured as well!"

Her violet eyes glinted in the light.

"You must be beyond ravenous by now."

Her lips curled into a smirk.

"Shall we make a deal then?" she asked, drawing her whip up his sternum. "The true Doomsday will arrive in due time. When it does, you can have as many souls as you like…"

She pressed the end deep into his chin.

"All you have to do is give me that boy."

Sebastian merely smiled.

"I believe I'll decline," he said. "You see, my pallet goes weary of simple, unclean souls. I crave ambrosia. My Young Master is the only one I want. I desire no other soul."

He twisted his words carefully. To him, ambrosia came from Marianne's lips when they were joined with his own. And Ciel, he was the only human he would ever consider as his child. No other soul had such strength and determination.

Angela scowled and turned away.

"Well, it seems our negotiations have broken down then. Such a shame."

She struck him with the tail of her whip, and continued to do so again and again.

"Ye unclean! Ye unnecessary! Ye unwanted!"

More bloody gashes erupted on the demon's abdomen.

"Ye shall be cleansed! The pain you feel is God's purifying fire!"

Sebastian sighed to himself.

This pain shall be the spice I use.

"Offer up your blood for your sin!" Angela shouted.

My blood but the sauce.

"Your soul must be purged with flame!"

Her laughter was manic, but he didn't stir from his thoughts.

To flavour that solitary, fiery soul… Bless my boy.


Angela finally stopped her torturing and left the chamber, her high heeled boots clicking loudly against the stone. She twirled her whip in her hand, her fingers came away red with Sebastian's blood…


Marianne caught a scent most familiar to her.

Sebastian's blood!

She quickened her pace, slowly growing more desperate to find him. As she turned a corner, the girl saw the angel approaching. Marianne smoothed the veil hanging in front of her face, and proceeded to walk past her, head held high. She felt Angela's eyes on her for a moment as they breezed past one another. But she refused to falter.


When she could no longer hear clicking heels, she hurried down the corridor until she saw a large metal gate. Marianne pushed it open as quietly as she could and slipped inside. As she looked around, she saw Sebastian, dripping blood onto the floor.

"Oh Sebastian…"

Running over, she cupped her hands to his cheeks. Sebastian blinked his red eyes at her.

"Hello darling."

She pressed her lips to his.

"What have they been doing to you?" she whispered.

The demon chuckled.

"Nothing out of the ordinary. You would be surprised at some of the things that have happened with my previous contracts."

Her fingers traced over the bleeding lines.

"Is there anything I can do to make this better?" she asked. "You've offered me blood before to help me heal. Would the same thing work with you?"

Sebastian pondered her question for a moment.

"Perhaps. It may accelerate my healing."

Without hesitation, she unbuttoned the collar of her dress and offered him the creamy expanse of her neck. When her arms were securely around him, he bit down.


Ciel glared at Aberline.

"If I can no longer rely on anyone's help, so be it," he said. "I was born to end up alone. It's the fate delivered to me by the cursed House of Phantomhive. You wouldn't understand, Aberline."

The man tucked his hands into his pockets and bowed his head.

"I know you're talking about your parents' murder." Aberline said. Ciel gasped, but Aberline continued. "I read your file, and Randall told me the rest. I know everything. I know you're the Queen's Guard Dog, and that you run the criminal Underworld."

"Well then." Ciel smirked. "There's nothing more to say, is there?"

"Why do you insist on doing this alone?" Aberline snapped. "Why won't you ask anyone for help?"

"I don't need anyone on my side!" Ciel bellowed. "I'm the one playing the game. All I need are my pawns."

He moved to walk away again.

"I'll be on your side!"

Ciel stopped and turned towards him again. Aberline smiled at him.

"Me. I'll be on your side, Ciel. I will."

The boy blinked at him.

"Why are you doing this…?"


Marianne then stepped out onto the viaduct. She walked up to Ciel and brushed her hands over his shoulders.

"All ready to go?" she asked.

"Yes. We are." Ciel answered.

He caught sight of her unbuttoned collar, and the bruise peeking out over the top. Blushing slightly, he pointed it out to her.

"Went to see Sebastian, I see?"

She flushed red and rebuttoned her collar.

"I thought he needed a little… help."

"And then some."

Marianne poked his cheek.

"Nothing but blood and kisses, sweet boy. Blood and kisses."


The next day, the three of them walked through the streets near the docks.

"You're a fool!" Ciel protested. "If anyone finds out about this, you'll lose more than just your job."

Ciel was dressed in his street boy's attire, brown trousers and waistcoat with a matching hat and white medical patch. Marianne wore her Edward persona and old street clothes, covered up with her brown coat.

"I'm getting married, you know." Aberline responded.

"Congratulations." Marianne smiled.

Ciel furrowed his brow.

"What does that have to do with anything?" he asked.

"Not long after that, I am to be a father as well." Aberline said. "That's why I want to make this country better, safer for everyone who lives in it. My child deserves a peaceful country with no need for a Guard Dog."

He shook his head and continued.

"It's not just the tea ships that have outlived their day. We need to change with the times, Ciel."

Ciel snorted.

"You're serious, aren't you?"

"Of course, I am. What will change it is faith. Faith in tomorrow. Faith that we can make it better, that's how society evolves."

Marianne arched a brow.

"You're quite the philosopher. And it's a good thing to follow."

"Just who are you?" Ciel inquired.

"Fred Aberline. Detective."


Just then, the old woman from the shop ran towards them.

"Aby, my boy!" she called.

"What is it, ma'am?" Aberline asked.

"I found someone. Someone who says he's witnessed the murder down at the docks," she explained.


They went to her shop and spoke to the witness, the young boy.

"A Chinese girl?" Aberline asked.

The boy nodded his head, his hand gripping the handle of his teacup.

"Aye, and she was a lovely one, she was!" he said. "I thought she was the Cutty Sark come back from the dead."

Marianne and Ciel looked at one another, sharing the same thought.

A Chinese girl. What a coincidence.

"Did you tell anyone else about this?" Aberline asked.

"I told Havick about it when I'd seen it, and the other fellow in white," the boy answered. "He really was quite a dapper gentleman, he was! When I told him about the girl I saw, he said I was a good boy with a pure heart! And then he gave me this!"

He pulled a pink-wrapped candy out of his pocket.


Just then, they were approached by a man, he was swaying left and right as though he had been drinking.

"Give it to me!" he demanded. "You work for the Ferros, don't you?! I-I'll get you your money soon, I swear!"

He tried to grab onto the boy, but Marianne leapt out of her seat and pulled the boy away.

"Get away from him, you addict!" she snapped.

Aberline immediately grabbed the man by the back of his collar and hoisted him up into the air.

"Let's have a little chat."


Gazing out at a view of the docks as one of the ships sailed away, Ferro smiled to himself in the sanctuary of his carriage.

"So, now the entire East End territory belongs to me."


But then, a commotion was heard outside and his carriage was driven away. His henchmen having been left behind. Aberline, having taken the driver's seat, snapped the reins. Marianne sat perfectly composed opposite Ferro, while Ciel was beside him, the barrel of his gun pressed against Ferro's cheek.

"Kuraro, are you the bastard who replaced the product in my warehouse with opium disguised as sweets?" the boy demanded, keeping his voice level.

Ferro smiled.

"I haven't the faintest idea what you-!"

Ciel jammed the gun into his mouth.

"Children can be very impatient."

Marianne smiled as she ran a finger over the sharp edge of her dagger.

"And we don't want to make a mess of your lovely interior. Blood is so difficult to get out."

Ferro looked between them and sighed.

"Alright, it was me."

"And were you responsible for John Stanley as well?" Ciel asked.

"No, that was Lau. I swear it wasn't me!" Ferro cried. "Stanley was one of our suppliers. We both bought his products. But the idiot tried to blackmail Lau, and got himself killed by Lau's little tigress for his trouble."

There was a pause.

"Come to think of it, Lau told me you were in some trouble of your own, and that's why he was running. I hear he got something valuable off of Stanley before he left though."

Ciel gritted his teeth at the revelation.

So, it was Lau…


Aberline brought the carriage to an abrupt halt. Ferro's henchmen were now a blockade in the middle of the street.

"Ciel! M-Edward!" he called out.

Ferro merely relaxed into his seat.

"Heh, how strange. I heard the Phantomhives stopped at nothing to get their way. Is this the best you can do?" he laughed.

Ciel smirked back at him.

"Yes, that is true. This isn't like me, not at all, actually."


Aberline called down to them from the carriage.

"Ciel, what now?"


The boy's smile grew wider.

"I forgot. There are no fast rules in this world, or if there are, I'm the one who makes them."

He lifted a hand to his medical patch.

"Edward, if you would be so kind as to begin the proceedings?"

Marianne bowed her head with a smile.

"Of course. It would be my pleasure."

Without another word, she climbed out of the carriage and drew her dagger.


The henchmen aimed their guns at her. She walked slowly forward…


"In my name, and that of my defiled family, I command you. Come, Sebastian!"

Ciel's pentagram glowed brightly as he uncovered his eye.


Sebastian's eye cracked open.

"At last."

His words rang out against the silent darkness. His torturer backed away slightly, the burning hot iron limp in his hand. Demonic chuckling filled the room as Sebastian tore his shackles from the stone wall. His wounds healed at blinding speed. With his eyes glowing magenta, and his pupils becoming narrow slits, he sliced through the Tower's torturer as though he was but a shadow.


"Finish them off!" Ferro ordered.

Marianne remained where she stood, letting the bullets sail past her. Aberline ducked behind the driver's seat, while Ciel remained quiet as he sat inside, cartridges ricocheting all around him. Marianne watched Sebastian's arrival with glowing happiness, smiled as he took down each and every one of their attackers. Ciel stepped out of the carriage.

"You're late," he chastised.

Sebastian smiled.

"Yes, Ciel, and I've been waiting quite a while as well. At least I had Marianne's visit to pass the time."

The boy walked towards him, and bent his head forward, burying his face into the demon's chest.

"I let that soft-hearted fool get under my skin and affect me." Ciel sighed. "It won't happen again."

Marianne approached them with a smile, and ran her fingers through Sebastian's hair. Ciel looked up at them both.

"We need to go after Lau. What use are pawns who defy those who wield them?" he said.

"Are you certain about this, Ciel?" Sebastian asked. "Think carefully. You will not be able to take back this order."

"I will not suffer those who stand in my way. Not even friends or family. Is that understood?"

The demon bowed with a smile.

"Yes, my Lord."


Aberline, having emerged from his hiding place, called out to them.

"Ciel!"

Ciel turned to look at him.

"You should keep your distance from me, if you want to live."

The inspector gasped at his words.

"My place is in the shadows." Ciel continued. "Yours in the light. We walk opposite paths, Aberline. It's best you remember that."

Marianne shook her head and pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Ciel, I wouldn't be too hasty in saying that…" she sighed.

Ciel arched a brow at her in response.


As one of the tea ships sailed into the docks, a sailor caught sight of something glinting on the horizon.

"What's that?" he cried out.


Ciel stood at the top of the Tower with Sebastian and Marianne at his side. He was once again in his noble attire, and his arms were folded across his chest.

"Cannon!" he ordered.

The Tower's cannons went off at once, aiming directly at the ship. Plumes of smoke burst into the air as the large black balls hurtled towards their target. Many landed in the water, but was proved to be a direct hit, and smashed into the ship's deck.


Inside the ship's cabin, Lau smiled.

"Ah, you've come at last, have you?" he said. "That's why I'm so fond of you, my dear Earl. You do play your part."


Ciel climbed onto Sebastian's back while the demon carried Marianne in his arms.

"Let's go, Father," he said.

"Indeed." Sebastian agreed.

Leaping off the Tower at the moment another cannon went off, Sebastian landed on the ball, and used it to travel across the water to the ship. Once there, he jumped off and ran up the mast and onto the deck.

Suddenly, Ran Mao attacked with her chui, smashing them into the wood. The demon evaded her quickly. He helped Ciel off his back and placed Marianne on the ground.

"Go on, I'll take her," he said.

"Very well." Ciel replied.

"Take care." Marianne whispered.

She and Ciel backed away slowly. Ran Mao glared at the butler.

"You're my master's enemy. You die."

Her words were cold and calm, barely an emotion to them. Sebastian smirked devilishly.

"We'll have to see about that."


Watching the battle from the docks, Aberline rode on horseback towards a collection of small fishing boats. A look of determination was apparent on his face.


As Ciel and Marianne moved through the flames licking the ship's deck, they made their way to the door leading below deck. The girl kicked the door down with a loud bang. Ciel drew his gun, and together, they walked inside.

The foul smell of opium enveloped them. Marianne held her breath, and weighed her dagger in her hand. Through the smoke, Lau smiled at them.

"I see you have finally found your way to this humble place, my dear Earl. It feels strange that we should meet under such questionable circumstances. And inevitable, don't you think? Like we always knew someday it might come to this," he said.

Ciel aimed his gun.

"Perhaps you're right about that, Lau."

The Asian man wasn't fazed.

"By the way, what you're looking for is right over there."

He gestured to a chest on his desk. Inside was a rolled-up letter with a brilliant red seal.

"What do you suppose it is?" Lau asked. "It's actually quite a fascinating document. It's a diplomatic treaty proposing a military alliance with Germany and Italy."

Ciel picked up the document in question and gasped.

"Yes, it would appear that your beloved Queen is trying to plunge Europe, not to mention the rest of the world into full-scale war. I suppose she'll trigger it by attacking France through the opium trade with this new drug, Lady Blanc." Lau explained. "Just as your country invaded my own and inundating it with opium so long ago, leading to the Opium Wars."

The boy let out a growl as Marianne pried the document out of his hands. Lau smirked.

"Do you think you'll still be her little Guard Dog when the guns start firing, My Lord?"

"Is that why you betrayed me?" Ciel asked. "You're a pacifist?"

Marianne shook her head.

"I don't think that's the reason."

Lau chuckled.

"And your little butler is right again."

"Then why?" Ciel demanded.

Lau got to his feet.

"I was just your pawn, remember? The only tie that ever bound us was profit, my little Lord. And you see, lately, I've been a bit bored."

He tapped some ash out of his pipe.

"I was bored being just a pawn. So, I decided it was time to be a new player in a new game."

He opened his eyes, and revealed his fathomless black orbs.

"A game with both our lives on the line."


Ciel gasped and fired a bullet. Lau pulled a dao from his sash and used the blade to deflect the cartridge. Marianne pulled the boy behind her and drew her dagger…


Ran Mao landed on the deck with a thud. A ribbon of red leaked from the corner of her mouth. She stared up at Sebastian through wilting eyes, and watched as he tugged the edges of his gloves.

"Your small body houses magnificent reserves of power. However, in the end, you're still human." Sebastian said with a smirk. "If you would prefer, we can call an end to this now?"

Ran Mao shook her head.

"No… No end…" she rasped.


Just then, Ciel and Marianne came running out of the captain's cabin through the smoke.

"Sebastian!" Marianne called out.

Lau emerged soon afterwards.

"I never thought I'd see Ran Mao's strength pushed this far. It just proves what I've always suspected. You're not truly human, are you, butler?" he said.

Sebastian gave a wan smile.

"You may believe what you like. I am simply one Hell of a butler."

The Asian man chuckled.

"Interesting. Very interesting indeed, My Lord," he said. "But can a world so interesting be reality?"

As rain began to fall from the sky, Lau smiled.

"Sometimes I find myself wondering if I have in fact been living nothing but a dream ever since that fateful day."

He remembered all the fire and blood that surrounded him.

"He couldn't decide. Was he Zhou, who dreamt he was a butterfly?"

Charging forward, he surged towards Ciel.

"Or a butterfly who was now dreaming he was Zhou?"


Ciel screamed for Sebastian. But the demon was stopped in his intervention by Ran Mao.

"I won't let you get away!"

She swung her chui at his head. He ducked underneath it.


Marianne threw herself in front of Ciel, felt the dao pierce through her chest, and explode out of her back, dripping with her blood. Ciel could only watch with his mouth agape. Aberline, having managed to get to the junk, had pushed the boy out of the way and to the floor. They started at Marianne as she stood with the large blade sticking out of her slender body. She licked a drop of blood from the corner of her mouth and shakily reached around to grip the hilt. Slowly, she pulled out the blade, and let it clatter to the floor. Lau smirked at her.

"You're in my way, Little Butler."

Marianne smiled, feeling the red threads started pulling her gaping wound closed. They all watched the skin knit itself back together, her bindings lay in shreds at her sides. Holding her dagger between them, she went for him.


Lau picked up his dao and their blades clashed. Marianne assumed she had to thank Sebastian's blood for increasing her strength. Using a dagger against a very large sword would have made a very easy battle without it.

"I will not let you hurt Ciel!"

She drove her fist into his jaw. Lau spat blood out of his mouth and sneered.

"All pieces end up being sacrificed. You are simply proving you are more stubborn than most."


Sebastian stood by, impressed with the skill his mate displayed. But then, he saw Lau try to strike a low blow. He sliced through the air with his hand, and jabbed the Asian man in the stomach. Lau was slammed into the side of the junk, red blooming from his abdomen.

"Magnificent, My Lord," he said. "You win by virtue of your vice."

"Why Lau? Tell me!" Ciel demanded.

"The match is over. You've won quite handsomely, as expected."

Ran Mao knelt by her master's side.

"I never had what it takes to play the game, I suppose."

Lau watched a butterfly flutter past, and let Ran Mao help him to his feet.

"Come, Ran Mao. If the world is but a butterfly's dream, then at least let me take this final moment to admire its beauty."

Before their eyes, they saw dancing butterflies.


With a splash, they fell into the water. Sebastian looked over the side with an impassive expression on his face. Marianne sheathed her dagger and came up to his side.

"Are you well, my dear?" he asked.

She smiled softly.

"It's not the first time I've been stabbed through the chest," she replied.

"That doesn't answer my question."

"I am alright. It just takes a while to get used to the feeling again."

He leant down and pressed his lips to her forehead.


"Miss Blackmore!" Aberline called out to her.

They turned towards him, Ciel following the inspector close behind.

"How are you alive?!" he demanded.

Marianne bit her lip and looked away. Her hands threaded themselves together.

"There are things in this world you cannot begin to imagine. Beings who walk through our streets as humans, but are far more than that," she said. "Our souls are precious to us, and the beings who walk among us govern what happens to them. There are those who collect them, those who devour them, and those who are meant to protect them. Reapers, Angels and Demons. They decide where we go after we have left this world. Not everything is as it seems though."

She sighed heavily.

"I honestly don't know why I'm still alive. It could be because he," she pointed up to the sky. "Won't let me die because he has a plan for me, which I have no intention of letting him carry out. It could be because I am in love with, and eternally tied to a Demon. I don't know. All I know is that no matter how hard I've tried, I can't die."

Aberline trembled slightly at her words, but somehow, he kept his composure.

"I see," he said. He looked at Ciel and Marianne. "You know, I was just like you two once. I lost my loved ones and I thought I would never get my family back. I thought nothing would ever be the same. But I was so wrong. You can have your family."

Ciel let Marianne bring him into her arms. Sebastian placed a hand on the boy's shoulder. Aberline smiled.

"You do have a chance, Ciel. To move forward, and build a brand-new future for yourself. And you've started it, by building yourself a new family. Don't ever forget you can build a better future. Promise, you won't."

Ciel removed his eye patch and showed the pentagram emblazed in his eye.

"I once believed there was nothing for me, because I gave my future away."

Aberline bowed his head and walked away.

"I have a feeling we shall see each other again soon. I wish you all well. And your secrets shall remain as they are, secrets."


Sebastian then interrupted.

"Ciel…"

Ciel's hand whipped up and slapped Sebastian across the face.

"Ciel!" Marianne gasped. "Why did you do that?"

"You didn't hold up your end of the bargain!" Ciel snapped. "My life was in serious danger, and Mother stood between me and Lau to take the blow! Either one of us could have been killed! You disobeyed the rules of the contract!"

The demon smiled demonically.

"Because you were perfectly safe, dear boy," he answered. "You didn't get hurt, did you? And Marianne is completely healed, as she always is after what should be a fatal blow. Of course, I didn't protect you, because in that moment, I knew my darling would use her own body to shield you…"

Ciel slapped his other cheek.

"Don't speak of it so candidly!"

Marianne clasped the boy's hand before he could strike the butler again.

"That's enough of that!" she said.

"You allow him to say those things as though they were nothing?!" Ciel cried.

She sighed.

"Of course, they weren't nothing. But he knew I would be okay. He trusted me to protect you when he would be unable to. And I would do the same thing if it meant I was able to protect you."

Ciel buried his face into her chest, and let her wrap her arms around him and stroke his hair.

"You foolish girl… Damn you…"


Sebastian curled an arm around his mate's shoulders as she held their child. His eyes blazed brightly as he glared at Aberline's retreating back.

It is you who are the fool, Inspector Aberline. I shall not let you taint the darkness growing in my child.


I am cutting this very finely indeed. I only finished writing this a few minutes ago. Time has not been on my side this fortnight. I hope everyone is happy about Aberline getting to live. I always thought he could be a useful ally had he stayed alive long enough.

Marianne became something of a femme fatale this time, I wanted her to have that bad-ass attitude while being a lady at the same time. She seemed to get a mind of her own though when she decided to fight Lau though… That wasn't in the plan… But I think it came out rather well.

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

Please read and review!