Chapter Thirty-Nine
Solo Butler. Motherly Bride
Ciel lay face up in a boat, floating down a crystal blue stream. Light shone through the trees.
I can hear water running. He thought to himself. The light hits my eyelids. I can feel it. Summer sunshine.
He felt a warm hand brushing against his hair.
Where is this? Am I dreaming it?
He was being rowed along by Sebastian, who chuckled as he spoke to him through their connection.
The reflection you see is no dream. It's the next chapter; a golden afternoon.
Ciel's brow furrowed.
And if I opened my eyes? What would I see when I woke up?
The demon smiled.
It's time, my child. Open your eyes.
Ciel's eyes opened.
"Sebastian?" he called out.
He glanced behind him and saw Marianne sat there. The boy blushed when he realised he had been resting his head in her lap, in Elizabeth's presence no less.
"You were sleeping very soundly," said Sebastian.
Ciel sat up and looked to Lizzie. She smiled back at him from under her pink parasol. He moved his gaze to the side, and saw Bard, Finny and MeyRin pull up in a boat beside them.
"Well, Master, we're very nearly arrived." Marianne told him, brushing a long strand of hair away from her face.
She wore a pale blue day dress with cap-sleeves and white lace gloves up to her wrists. On her feet were white button boots, while her choker and ring were on full display. Her brown hair had been styled into a half-up-do, softly curling at the ends, and pinned in place with a white barrette. A small pale blue hat sat on top of her head, trimmed with white lace. Sebastian smiled back at her.
"There is much work to be done," he said.
They were in a distant part of the estate, standing on a bridge. Marianne watched from the crowd, shaded by her white parasol.
"This area has been plagued by floods for many years." Ciel said to the crowd. "It is my hope that the new addition of flood gates will restore Phantomhive lands to peace and safety. Additionally, I would like to thank you all for your continued support in this grand endeavour. I shall commit myself to the task of flood prevention as my family has for generations before me, in the hopes of bettering all our lives."
He bowed and his audience gave him a round of applause. Marianne walked over to join them when they began talking to the members of the public. She noticed a carriage pull up not far from the party, but kept her eyes on the conversation.
Meanwhile, a group of nobles observed Ciel and his butler and governess.
"Hmm, if you ask me, the Earl's speech was positively shameless," the first man said.
"Oh yes, and from what I've been hearing, that company of his is making more money than he knows what to do with," replied another. "They're saying that…"
He whispered the amount into the woman's ear.
"Oh my, that much?" she asked. "How indecent!"
"I certainly hope the child doesn't allow his vanity to get him into too much trouble," the man said.
"I'd wager there is a man to whom may differ to the young lord."
A voice then rang out.
"Oh? Do tell, who might that be?"
The three nobles turned around and saw Ciel smiling back at them, Sebastian and Marianne standing by his side.
"I'd appreciate any wisdom you can offer from your vast experience." Ciel said.
The woman chuckled painfully.
"Not at all! I'm sure there is nothing we could possibly hope to teach you!"
"Heavens no!"
The man who mocked Ciel then spoke up.
"By the way, My Lord, I've recently caught wind of a grand opportunity."
Sebastian bowed to them.
"If you will pardon us, I'm afraid my Master has another engagement," he said.
The small family then walked away.
Ciel sighed heavily.
"What tiresome people."
Marianne shrugged.
"Unfortunately, those people are the ones we have to deal with," she said.
They then heard Elizabeth's familiar screaming.
"CCCCCIIIIIEEEEELLLLLL!"
The girl embraced Ciel with a squeal. He caught her and set her on her feet.
"Elizabeth!"
"I'm so excited! Look at this, Ciel!" she cried, pushing a newspaper into his face.
The boy did his best to try and put some distance between them.
"Whatever it is, I can't see it like this!"
She drew away and pointed to the picture on the front page.
"It's a deer!"
"A deer?" he asked.
"There's an elusive deer living on a hill near here," she explained. "It's ever so rare."
All that came to his memory was the image of Sebastian wearing a deer head at West's townhouse. Marianne must have been thinking the same thing, because she was barely holding in her giggles.
"Oh, is it now?" Ciel drawled.
Elizabeth handed him the newspaper.
"A cute white stag that makes people happy!"
Ciel shook his head.
"Never heard of such a thing."
Sebastian smirked before he spoke up.
"There is a legend," he explained. "The elusive white stag of which you speak is traditionally considered a messanger of the Netherworld. Those who receive his message are supposedly blessed with good fortune and happiness."
Elizabeth's eyes sparkled.
"Exactly! You know everything, don't you?" she complimented.
The demon bowed.
"Why, thank you, My Lady."
Ciel huffed.
"It's nothing but a stupid fairy tale."
"No! I know it's true. There are witnesses and everything!" Lizzie protested. "Please, Ciel, let's go look for it!"
He shook his head and handed back the newspaper.
"Not today. I'm too busy for this."
He stopped when he saw her eyes watering. He sweatdropped at the sight.
"Not fair…" she whimpered.
As she was about to burst into tears, Marianne immediately clapped her hand over the girl's mouth before she could start bawling.
"Ciel, you know it's terrible manners to make your fiancée cry, especially in public. The nobles will question your devotion to one another. And the matchmaking matrons can smell fresh blood when it enters the waters, and will do anything to further a match with their families. Do you really want to be under that sort of scrutiny?" she asked.
Ciel tried to soothe the vein throbbing on his forehead. Already he could feel a headache building up behind his eyes.
"Sebastian, prepare a boat to sail," he ordered.
"Of course." Sebastian replied.
The boy turned back to Lizzie, who Marianne had managed to stop from crying.
"Lady Elizabeth, there is another floodgate downstream I'd like to inspect. Perhaps you would favour me with your gracious company? I am told that a legendary white stag lives in this part of the country. Have you heard tell of it?"
His offer was so eloquent, it put a brilliant smile onto Elizabeth's face.
"Yes," she replied, taking his hand. "I have. I'd like to come with you very much."
The crowd around them applauded as she took him by the arm and started to lead them away. Marianne followed close behind them.
Watching from the carriage window, Lau smiled.
At the docks, many people were looking through the stalls set up on the waterfront. Elizabeth was with MeyRin and Marianne looking at the beautiful dresses on display.
"Have you decided on one, Milady?" asked the vendor.
"Well, a simplistic style would be best for boating…" Lizzie said before pointing to another dress. "But that one's just adorable! And I do love those frills!"
She pointed to another one.
"It's not fair! I don't want to choose! I wish I could wear them all at once!" she screamed.
The vendor smiled while MeyRin collected the dresses for Elizabeth.
"Please, Lady, take all the time you like to decide."
Marianne shook her head and walked out of the tent, where she saw Sebastian adjusting Ciel's ribbon around his neck. She walked up to them and smiled.
"I thought you'd planned to head home, Ciel?" Sebastian asked.
"Plans do change." Ciel replied. "What? This is my duty and I shall see to it. Managing the river, participating in dull socialising, and keeping my betrothed happy. It is all my duty as the head of House Phantomhive."
The woman looked around, saw MeyRin admiring Elizabeth in her new blue dress, and watched Bard and Finny prepare the boats for their travels. She twirled her parasol as Ciel continued.
"Besides which, I can't let these nobles underestimate me."
Sebastian glanced at his mate out of the corner of his eye. He gestured to the boy with his eyes, and she nodded her head.
"I shall see to the boat, Ciel," he said before walking away.
Marianne stood beside Ciel, and placed her hand on his shoulder.
"Are you alright, Ciel?" she asked.
Ciel sighed.
"My head… My memories are a jumbled mess… I probably wouldn't have remembered a thing if you hadn't been there to tell our story. I could have gone on thinking Father was only my butler… That I hadn't gained a family again. The memories are still a mess in my head, but I am piecing them together as best I can."
She pressed her lips to the crown of his deerstalker covered head.
"You will get there, my sweet boy."
Later, Ciel led Elizabeth down the steps to the boats. He assisted the girl into the boat and they sat down. Sebastian, Marianne and the servant trio stood on the river bank; Sebastian was going over his list.
"Oi, Sebastian!" Bard called out. "How come they're all gawking over there? It's not like it's a bloody circus."
"Ah, they're trying to find fault with our Young Master. He does have an impressive number of social enemies." Sebastian explained, his eyes never leaving the notebook.
"Enemies?" Finny asked.
"But why?" MeyRin inquired.
Marianne looked around Sebastian's shoulder and joined him in reading through the notebook.
"Many of them are looking for personal gain. Like if his engagement should end…" she said.
The trio shrieked.
"A break-up?!"
Sebastian looked at them, his features stern and imposing.
"Now, all of you behave yourselves. Try not to come up with any crack-pot strategies," he told them, taking Marianne by the arm.
"Sir, yes Sir!" they cried out in unison.
Sebastian led Marianne into Ciel and Elizabeth's boat. He assisted her into her seat behind the couple, and then took his place at the rudder.
The servant trio then turned to one another.
"They mustn't break up!" MeyRin cried. "Lady Elizabeth is the only one for the Master!"
Finny nodded in agreement.
"So, we've got to help him hold onto her!"
"Right, let's take care of it." Bard said. "We'll do anything we can. Agreed?"
They made a pact before climbing into their boat.
Sebastian rowed the boat along the river. Elizabeth looked along the riverbank through a pair of opera glasses.
"Look! I saw something over there!" she shouted.
Sebastian manoeuvred them to the direction she pointed in. Marianne looked over her shoulder and saw the servant trio jump into the water. She turned her head back when she heard Lizzie speak.
"Drat! I was certain the stag would be somewhere in this direction."
Bard then emerged from the water, holding three white swans.
"I've found the stag!" he yelled.
MeyRin came running down the river bank with her arms filled with white rabbits.
"Look, I've got it!" she cried.
Finny stood on the hill overlooking the river.
"Here we go!"
Above his head, he had lifted a large white horse.
Marianne stared at them all and sweatdropped. Ciel pinched the furrow forming between his brows.
"Surely you're joking?" he asked. "Those look like deer to you lot?"
"We've got swans, rabbits and a horse. Shall we expect a full menagerie to appear before lunch?" Marianne said.
Elizabeth laughed at the servant trio's antics.
Watching from the carriage window, Lau smoked his hookah, stroking his hand down Ran Mao's back.
"Enjoy your brief peace here," he said. "For it is a transient thing that once lost, one can never hope to regain."
He blew out a swirl of smoke.
"Ciel Phantomhive, your dye has been cast. So, where will you place your bet?"
Stepping out of the carriage, he smiled brightly at the crowd assembled.
"The current odds? It's six-to-one that Lady Elizabeth will find what she seeks. Four-to-one that the search will fail. Place your bets, ladies and gentlemen!"
Ran Mao, sat on top of the carriage, crossed her legs, causing her ankle bells to jingle.
"You heard him," she said.
The crowd immediately ran forward and started waving their money.
"That's it." Lau smiled. "Step up and take a risk. One hundred and eight-to-one for the engagement ending. So, come on right up and place your bets!"
Ciel observed him from across the river.
"What is he doing?" he asked. "Idiot."
Marianne arched a brow.
"It looks like he's set up a betting booth. I'd rather not think about what the bets are on though."
Elizabeth then sat down in front of them.
"And I'd so hoped we'd be able to find the stag by lunchtime," she sighed.
Marianne got to her feet and moved to help Sebastian with the picnic baskets while Ciel spoke to Lizzie.
"If it wasn't hard to find, it wouldn't be elusive, would it?"
"Yes, I suppose you're right about that." Elizabeth smiled. "Well, I guess we will have to eat lunch and get back to searching!"
She looked up at the demon and his mate setting up the basket on a small table they had set up.
"What do we have on the menu today, Sebastian?" she asked.
Sebastian looked at the girl as he opened the basket.
"We have a delightful picnic luncheon prepared. There will be a shrimp salad, as well as a salmon pie. And Cheshire cheese sandwiches to round out the meal," he explained.
Marianne's eyes widened when she saw what was inside. She tugged on Sebastian's sleeve.
You may want to look inside, dear. She said to him mentally. There seems to be a pig in the picnic basket.
Sebastian looked down and saw the pig in question curled up in the blanket inside the basket. It grunted in response, and the demon slammed the lid shut. Elizabeth tilted her head curiously.
"Say, did anyone else hear a strange noise?" she asked.
"Not at all!" Marianne said quickly.
Sebastian bowed.
"Sincerest apologies," he said. "There seems to have been an ever so slight mistake."
"What is it, Sebastian?" Elizabeth asked. "That isn't like you."
He opened another basket, and out flew a flock of pigeons. The demon caught them in a flash and put them back inside before slamming the lid shut on them. Ciel sighed.
"Honestly, what blasted game are you playing?"
Sebastian gave a shit-eating smile as he held one of the baskets under his arm.
"One moment more please, My Lord."
Lau continued to collect bets, while Ran Mao updated the odds on the board.
"Things become even more interesting when the butler makes an unprecedented mistake. Will their engagement be broken? Will passion fade? Sixty-to-one! Place your bets now!"
The servant trio were gathered around their lunch, hidden behind some bushes on the river bank.
"You see, first off, the ingredients have got to be fresh." Bard explained. "Catch it, trim it, and eat it. A pre-made pie is inexcusable."
MeyRin nodded her head.
"And the pigeons I caught? We'll be able to use them too, right?" she asked.
"Oh, we will," he said. He picked up a portable flamethrower. "We'll just lightly roast them with this beauty, and the little lady should be all smiles."
Finny and MeyRin turned blue from shock. Looming over Bard's shoulder was Sebastian, wearing a dark smile that promised ruthless punishment would rain down upon them. Sebastian punched Bard on the head with a shit-eating smile. Then proceeded to do the same to the gardener and maid, before going back a second time to knock the cook onto his front. Marianne watched the whole thing, wincing slightly at the noise.
That has got to hurt…
"Good gracious! How many times do I have to remind you?" he asked.
As he spoke, he prepared the pigeons for eating.
"I specifically said, that you were to behave."
A flurry of other ingredients were added to the mix.
"Do I make myself perfectly clear?"
A towering buffet of lobster, shrimp, meat, eggs and other savoury treats stood waiting to be served.
Bard folded his arms with a smile.
"Oi, down right impressive," he complimented. "As ever."
Sebastian scowled.
"If I couldn't make a simple dish such as this, well, what kind of butler would I be?"
He turned to Marianne.
"If you could take this to the Young Master and Lady Elizabeth, please?" he asked.
She accepted the plates.
"Of course."
She and the demon went back to the two nobles and served them.
"May I present fish and lobster soufflé with roast pigeon in the style of the Pirenese." Sebastian said.
Elizabeth squealed in delight.
"It's so lovely!"
She then thought for a moment and realised something.
"Wait, one moment though. Isn't this different from the menu you listed before?"
Sebastian bowed and gave a shit-eating smile.
"I made some alterations to showcase the local ingredients, My Lady."
Lizzie shook her head and smiled.
"It's so cute!"
The observing nobles gave a round of applause, while Lau continued to make changes to the betting booth.
"Indeed, well done!" Lau cheered. "Quite a feat! Cheers! Any young lady would be delighted. Step on up and place those bets before it's too late!"
The breaking of the engagement was now listed at eighty-to-one.
"A parfait with fresh raspberries." Sebastian said as he handed the couple some glasses overflowing with the sweet dessert.
Elizabeth immediately took a bite and moaned with pleasure.
"It's delicious!" she proclaimed.
The demon smiled.
"The cream came straight from a Jersey cow, My Lady. Thus, it possesses a simple, elegant, yet incompablely light taste."
Behind the table, Marianne was waving away the cow in question. Ciel smirked as he took a spoonful of parfait.
"I expect a lot from you, but I never would have thought dairy farmer," he said. "The image alone is enough to make me smile."
"Quite so, Lord. It is rather unusual. There are few masters who would ask their butlers to do such a thing." Sebastian retorted with a sly smile.
Marianne shook her head.
"And yet, you dragged me along with you. But I can't complain. It was quite funny to see you milk a cow."
The demon smirked at her.
"Anything to make you smile, my dear."
Lizzie clapped her hands together, giggling gleefully.
"The three of you make simply adorable friends!" she said.
"He's not my-!" Ciel tried to protest, but then stopped when he saw the glowing smile on the girl's face.
He blushed and looked away. Sebastian glanced at Marianne out of the corner of his eye and winked. Marianne hid her smile behind her hand and blushed prettily under his red stare.
The group continued their search along the river. Marianne sat between Ciel and Lizzie while Sebastian rowed them along, in his place as the gondolier. Elizabeth looked all over the banks.
"The stag is nowhere to be found," she complained. "How positively bothersome!"
"Turn back?" Ciel asked.
"No, not yet!"
"Alright…"
Marianne twirled her parasol and stared up at the sky. Ciel lay down in his seat and joined her.
It's so peaceful. He thought. Green. Quiet. So, why am I unsettled?
The woman looked down at him and saw his furrowed brow.
"What's the matter, Ciel?" she asked.
Ciel shook his head.
"Nothing at all," he replied.
Lizzie turned to look at him.
"Are you certain?" she asked.
Ciel didn't answer. Elizabeth turned her head towards and stared down the river in determination.
"A bit further," she ordered. "We'll find it."
As the day drew onwards, rain began to fall from the heavens. People quickly packed up their things and ran off in search of shelter. Lau stared up at the sky.
"The clouds grow heavy with rain," he commented. "The skies part. It looks as though Lady Elizabeth will not find what she seeks here today. The betrothal seems uncertain indeed."
He turned to his betting board.
"Our current odds are…" He saw Ran Mao making changes to the board. "Well, Ran Mao, aren't you bold today?"
She had put the odds of finding the stag at three-to-one, while them failing was at ten-to-one. Ran Mao then walked up to Lau and rested her head against his thigh.
"You really believe they'll find the mythical stag, do you?" he asked. "Ah well, I do love an exciting game."
She had written the odds of the engagement breaking at two-to-one.
Lizzie walked down the bank, her body wringed wet from the rain. Ciel, Marianne and Sebastian followed after her.
"Elizabeth, you really ought to wait!" Ciel cried out, hurrying after the girl.
Lizzie shook her head.
"I just saw it, over there in the woods," she said.
Ciel grabbed her arm and turned her to face him.
"Even the stag will seek shelter. Let's just go back."
"No! I'm going to find it, Ciel!" she cried.
Ciel stared at her curiously.
"Aren't you being a bit unreasonable? We can look for the stag whenever we like," he assured her. She smiled at him until he said his next sentence. "Or better yet, we can hire people and offer a reward. But for now…"
Lizzie bowed her head sadly.
"Do you know, you're a complete…" she slapped his hands away. "A complete idiot!"
Ciel gasped and stepped away.
"That-That's really what you think?" he asked.
"What does it matter what I think?" Elizabeth retorted. "You wouldn't understand what I'm feeling anyway. Never mind!"
Tears trickled down her cheeks as she ran away.
"Elizabeth!" Ciel called after her, but she didn't turn back.
"Aw, you've gone and made the Lady angry. Does this mean it's over?" Lau asked.
The trio quickly turned around and saw him and Ran Mao standing behind them.
"Lau." Marianne bowed her head in greeting.
"And here I bet on you finding that white stag. Do you insist on disappointing me?" he asked.
Ciel scowled and turned away.
"And why should I care about you?" he said.
Lau smirked.
"A true gentleman is charged with pleasing his lady. Yes? Being an English nobleman must be such a bother."
"I was born one. It doesn't bother me in the least." Ciel touched his blue ring. "But still, my past… I was born into a disgraced family. I have a duty."
Sebastian's eyes glowed at those words, while Marianne's flickered brightly.
Lau shrugged his shoulders and smiled.
"Alright then! I've collected all my money. We'll be going now."
As they walked away, Ciel turned to Sebastian and Marianne.
"We're going after Elizabeth, Father, Mother," he said.
Just then, Finny came running towards them, screaming for Sebastian. The demon arched a brow.
"Yes, what is it now?" he asked.
Finny panted heavily before he could speak.
"Lady Elizabeth's in trouble! We have to help her!"
Marianne stared up the river, watching the current grow stronger with the downpour.
Upriver, water was leaking through the floodgate. Elizabeth was in a boat tethered to the river bank, getting brutally battered by the crashing water.
"Lady Elizabeth!" MeyRin yelled out.
Bard grabbed onto the rope and tried to pull it in.
"Hold on tight, Milady!" he told her.
The maid shook her head.
"No! You can't do that! Pull too hard, she'll capsize, she will!"
Ciel, Sebastian and Marianne ran up to the edge of the river bank, Lau and Ran Mao following close behind them.
"Elizabeth!" Ciel cried.
Lizzie looked up from her fetal position and stared at him wih tears in her eyes.
"You came for me…" she whispered.
She used the oar to stand herself upright.
"I saw the stag… on the other side of the…!"
Her words were interrupted by a loud creaking. It caused her to topple back into the boat.
"Careful!" Ciel yelled. "Please, just don't let go!"
Elizabeth shook her head and tightened her grip on the wooden boat.
"I'm going to find it. I am!"
She tried to stand up again.
"I will find the stag…"
Ciel sighed.
"Oh Elizabeth, why must you?" he asked.
Lizzie crawled up the boat slowly, and reached for the rope tying her boat to the bank.
"Whatever I have to do, you will find happiness!"
Ciel's eye widened. Happiness? All of this, just for his happiness?
"Master, what should we do?" Sebastian asked firmly.
"She won't last long like that." Lau agreed. "Just look there."
He pointed up the river towards the floodgate. Even more water was gushing through.
"An old-fashioned floodgate. One that my Master fully intended to begin rebuilding next month." Sebastian explained.
"It must have sprung a leak, and the water became too much because of the storm. When it breaks, the water it's barely holding back now will flow upstream." Marianne realised. "This whole area will be washed away because of it."
The boy pondered the situation for a moment and bowed his head.
"Sebastian." He touched his eye patch. "This is an order: stop it from flooding!"
"And Lady Elizabeth?" Sebastian asked. "What would you have me do about her?"
Ciel removed his coat and tossed it aside.
"Do I need to repeat myself? I will protect Elizabeth," he said, removing his hat. "That is my duty to do."
Sebastian smirked and bowed to him.
"Yes, my Young Lord."
He leapt away, and Ciel entered the water, holding onto the rope. The boy turned to Marianne.
"Hold the rope as firmly as you can," he ordered.
Marianne held onto it tightly, and watched as Ciel pulled himself along the rope.
Sebastian ran through the trees. He bounded forward and jumped up to perch at the top of a tree. Looking over his shoulder, he saw Ciel pulling himself through the water. A small smile crept across his face. He leapt down to the floodgate, and removed his right glove with his teeth. As he cracked his fingers, the knuckles popped loudly. Without preamble, he slammed his fist into the stone. A spider web of cracks exploded throughout the structure. Water came out as a torrent once it broke.
Marianne gasped when she saw Sebastian break the floodgate, but kept her grip on the rope. Ciel continued to drag himself along the rope until he reached the boat. He stopped when he felt the water current get stronger. Turning towards the floodgate, he saw the water surging towards him.
"Father, wh-what are you doing?" he asked.
He, Lizzie and the boat were soon submerged.
Under the water, Ciel reached out and grabbed onto Elizabeth.
I will protect you, no matter what. He thought, holding his breath. I have you!
It wasn't long before he was unable to hold his breath any longer. He opened his mouth, and air bubbles streamed out as he sank further and further beneath the surface.
There was darkness, but Ciel heard Sebastian's voice speaking to him.
"Master."
The boy opened his eye and saw Sebastian and Marianne staring down at him with smiles on their faces. The demon was dripping wet.
"It's good to see you're with us, My Lord."
Elizabeth then entered his periphery, wrapped her arms around him, and sobbed into his chest.
"Ciel!"
Ciel looked around him, and saw the servant trio cheering. Marianne had laced her fingers through Sebastian's.
"I'm so sorry I did that!" Lizzie cried.
He sighed.
"Please, look at me."
She moved away and did as he asked. Ciel stroked her cheek and smiled.
"I'm glad you're alright."
"And you as well." Sebastian said. "I am glad to see you are alright."
Remembering what the demon had done, Ciel wrestled out of his grasp and grabbed his front.
"Sebastian!" he snapped. "Why the Hell did you open the gate?! I ordered you to stop the damn flood, did I not?!"
Sebastian gave him a shit-eating smile.
"Yes, you did. And I followed your order," he responded.
"Are you joking?" Ciel asked, arching a brow.
"I doubt we have to worry ourselves about a flood here now," the demon explained. "Or in the future. In order to restore the proper flow of the river, the dammed-up water had to be released. I guarded the current as necessary, with a bit of help from the others. Together, we were able to alter the river's course. We showed it its way, its rightful form."
Marianne remembered what they had to do. Upon Sebastian's orders, Finny carried rocks and threw them into the water, and Ran Mao knocked down trees with her chui. It took some time, but the water was eventually drained away…
"Rightful form?" Ciel asked.
Sebastian smiled.
"Yes, how it flowed thousands of years ago. When the white stags could still be found here."
The boy turned away.
"Really? But we didn't find a stag now, did we?" he retorted.
Elizabeth smiled.
"Don't worry, I'm sure we'll find it someday."
Marianne looked off into the distance, and brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"If you're still looking for it, it's right over there," she said.
Soon, they were all running up the hill. They stopped at the top of it and stared at the image before them.
"Is that it?" Ciel asked.
On the other hill was a large white hill figure.
"A white stag!" Lizzie cried.
"It's a hill figure." Sebastian explained.
"What's that then?" Bard asked.
"An ancient geoglyph carved into the chalky rock of a hill. The torrent earlier washed away the surface of that hill, revealing the art hidden underneath."
Marianne looped her arm through her husband's, and rested her head against his shoulder.
"They say that all legends have a grain of truth in them. This is the actuality behind this one."
Elizabeth looked over her shoulder at the couple.
"It's amazing, Sebastian, Marianne."
The demon bowed.
"If I couldn't find the legendary stag, what kind of a butler would I-?"
He was interrupted by Tanaka, who had emerged in his normal form.
"The river does not change, yet you can't step in the same river twice, for it is always flowing, so it is with the dwellings of man."
The servant trio jumped in shock.
"Tanaka?!" Finny cried.
"It's been so long. Where were you?!" MeyRin complained.
"Don't tell me…" Bard gasped.
The three of them looked at the empty picnic basket.
"You were in there?!"
Tanaka continued to speak as though they hadn't said anything.
"With no one tending it, the glyph became unimportant. It withered, and eventually, it was forgotten as the years passed."
Elizabeth took Ciel by the hand.
"And now, we found it. There it is, back again. How can I ever thank you, Ciel?" she said.
Ciel looked at her in confusion.
"Thank me? But, you were the one searching for it."
"One more thing, tell me, was… it fun?" she asked. "I had fun. It was a bit scary, but it was a wonderful day, because I spent it with you. It's just, when you work, you're always running off to do something or other for Her Majesty. And then, when you come back, you always look so upset. And that's why…"
She turned to look at him.
"They saw people who've seen white stags are granted happiness for the rest of their lives. I want that for you."
"Lizzie…" Ciel sighed.
She giggled.
"At last, you called me that."
They stared out at the glyph.
"I want you to remember this sight for the rest of your life."
He smiled.
"Thank you, Lizzie."
The servants cheered. Tanaka, having shrunk down to his chibi form, was happily sipping a cup of green tea. Sebastian's arms wrapped around Marianne's waist, and he held her to his chest. Lau was crying loudly, holding Ran Mao tightly to him.
"Congratulations! Oh, congrats! Yes, congrats, and thank you!"
Lying in a black bag behind him was enormous amount of bank notes.
As she watched the others celebrate, Marianne felt her husband's breath against her ear. She looked at him out of the corner of her eye.
"What are you thinking about, Sebastian?" she asked.
He hummed into her ear.
"I shall tell you when we get back to the manor. I would rather keep our conversation away from prying ears."
Before she could protest, he pressed his lips to her cheek.
Some days later, Ciel stood in his study, looking out the window. There was a knock at the door. Sebastian stepped inside with a newspaper under his arm, and a silver tray in his hand. Marianne followed in behind him. He approached the desk and placed the tray down. A collection of letters was neatly laid out on top of it. Ciel saw this and shook his head.
"Not this again," he complained.
Marianne smiled.
"That's not all, Ciel. There are invitations and interviews. You're quite popular," she said.
Sebastian bowed.
"Indeed. It appears that the social crowd can't get enough of you since your day at the river," he explained.
Ciel groaned and dropped his chin into his hand.
"What a bother…"
The demon smirked.
"It is a regrettable necessity that you treat these people well and build connections, Ciel," he said. "It will be a novel experience for our private customers. You could parley this opportunity to expand into the travel business if you like."
He placed the newspaper on the desk. The boy shook his head and waved his hand dismissively.
"Whatever."
Sebastian looped his arm through Marianne's and left the room with her. When they left, Ciel picked up the newspaper and leafed through it. He stopped when he caught sight of a photo of Lizzie. She was smiling brightly back at him.
"Her rightful form, eh?" he said to himself. "Yes."
The couple entered their joined quarters. Marianne ran her fingers through her loose hair and stood in front of the vanity.
"Are you going to tell me what you were thinking about at the river?" she asked.
Sebastian walked towards her, removed his gloves with his teeth, and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. He placed his uncovered palm against her stomach, his contract seal glowing black against the paleness of his skin.
"My darling mate, how do you feel about… expanding our family?" he asked.
She stood still for a moment.
"You mean… having a baby?"
Sebastian nodded against her hair.
"It's just… something I have been thinking about as of late. Giving Ciel a younger sibling. Seeing you swell with our child. I have to admit, I find myself craving the sight."
Marianne spun around in his arms and kissed him.
"Sebastian, my love, I am happy to have our baby."
She blushed when she saw the smirk on his face. He picked her up in a bridal carry and tossed her onto the bed…
To answer the unspoken question, yes, Ciel does have his memories, but that is because Marianne was there to help him put the pieces together. She would have been heartbroken if he had forgotten that she had become his mother, I couldn't break her heart after making her watch his empty body. So, here is the reasoning behind it. Sebastian would no doubt be masking her presence from other demons, being the protective and possessive demon that he is. By her being absent from Sebastian's retrieval mission, Claude is unaware of her, so hadn't made any contingences against her.
Marianne is essentially an unknown entity to them, which will play in her favour later. I won't be revealing any more than that. You will just have to keep reading.
Should you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.
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