Chapter Forty-Five

Deathly Butler. Armed Bride

A crisp morning in the summer was started by the daily newspaper. Ciel was reading it in his study as Sebastian stood beside him, reciting his schedule for the day.

"At noon, you have the company's regular meeting. And at two 'o' clock, your dance lesson with Mrs Hyde begins. Followed by your Political Studies lesson with Professor McMillan. That's all you have for the day, Ciel."

Marianne assisted Sebastian with the food trolley, smoothing her grey day dress as she stood up from her seat. Ciel didn't look up from his paper.

"Fine," he said.

The woman nodded to the silver tray still sat on the trolley.

"One more thing," said Sebastian, picking up the tray and placing it down before the boy. On top of it was an white envelope with a dark red seal. "We received this."

Ciel peered over the top of his paper. The Trancy seal glared back at him, the spider's eight legs disappearing into the furls of wax.

He picked up a letter opener, and sliced through the seal. Marianne turned to Sebastian and moved the lapels of his tailcoat, staring emotionlessly at the black rose in his breast pocket. The demon stroked her back without a word. Ciel pulled the letter out of the envelope and began to read.

On behalf of the Count Alois Trancy, I write to Lord Ciel Phantomhive this day to apologise for my master's discourtesy at the ball the other day and request your most honoured presence at the ball to be held here at the Trancy mansion tomorrow afternoon at four 'o' clock…

He ripped the paper in half, and then into quarters before he dropped the pieces on his desk. His eye glared coldly out in front of him, as though the blond boy stood in the very room.

"Alois Trancy, I will kill you."


One time, while exploring the archives of Scotland Yard, Sebastian was reading through a collection of casefiles.


"Incidents in the English Underworld that most greatly offend the Queen are judged in darkness by the Phantomhive family; The Queen's Guard Dogs." Sebastian explained. "They are then erased in darkness by the Trancy family; the Queen's Spiders."


The trio were sat upon a train, taking them deep into the country.


"Both houses had the Queen's trust as her villainous nobles." Ciel said. "However, that distinction wasn't enough for Alois Trancy."


They stood on a grassy hill, talking to a farmer for information.


"Not only that, but now the two heads of house have demons in their employ. A rivalry would have immediately sparked, at least in Alois's mind, especially with that Claude Faustus whispering things in his ear." Marianne muttered. "What are the chances that he is using that boy to meet his own goals? Taking your memories and openly challenging us for a chance at another revenge? He has set Alois up as the perfect target for you, making him out as the one who caused your parents' deaths and for burning the mansion to the ground the first time."


They moved past a small village. A man was chopping wood outside, and he stared in horror as they arrived.


"The Spider either erased their pasts, or replaced them with false ones."


"Yes, I received my orders from Lord Trancy. He told me to burn down the Phantomhive manor, and that I should sell off the surviving child," the man said. "Spare my life, I beg you!"

Ciel pressed his gun against the man's forehead.

"Your memory has been shattered beyond repair. You have been fed lie after lie until you believed them to be truth. Only death can save you from your eternal torment."

He pulled the trigger. Blood splattered against the wood.


Ciel sighed and opened his eye.

"Alois. You gave the order to ruin my final transition. You stopped me from joining my family. For what you have done, I will kill you too. This time, you will dance to my tune."

His fingers rubbed against the Hope Diamond on his thumb.

"The Danse Macabre."

Sebastian smiled as he placed down a cup of steaming tea.

"The Dance of Death, indeed," he said. "Well, at least they have spared us the trouble of inviting them here."

Marianne sweatdropped at his words.

"That's really all you care about, isn't it? The convenience."

Ciel smirked.

"Let's prepare ourselves, Mother, Father. It's time to duel."

Sebastian bowed his head.

"Very good, my child." He lifted his head. "In that case, allow me to adjust the schedule slightly. We shall attend the company meeting as per usual. I shall have your lessons with Mrs Hyde and Professor McMillan rescheduled for tomorrow at the earliest. Today at four 'o' clock, we will attend the ball."

The demon opened his eyes and smiled widely.

"And we shall dance to the death with the House of Trancy."


That afternoon, the trio arrived at Trancy mansion. Ciel stepped out of his carriage, assisted by Sebastian.

"Ciel!" Alois cried out. "I'm so glad you came! Welcome!"

He was waving from the front door, his servants surrounding him. Ciel greeted him stoically.

"Good afternoon, Lord Trancy."

Claude bowed his head in greeting.

"It's most excellent to see you, My Lord."

Sebastian then helped Marianne out of the carriage. She was dressed in a dark blue day dress with elbow length sleeves, trimmed with black lace. Her hair was pulled around to flow over one shoulder and pinned into a ponytail. Her ring and choker gleamed in the sunlight. As her boot-covered feet touched the ground, Alois smiled at her.

"And Miss Marianne, how delightful to see you again!"

She gave a polite curtsy.

"Lord Trancy."

The boy gestured them to follow him.

"Come with me. We're holding a special party in your honour."


They stood before a giant chessboard. Large statues loomed over it like gargoyles upon a cathedral.

"What's this?" Ciel asked.

"It appears to be a duelling arena." Sebastian answered.

Marianne arched a brow and shook her head.

"Why did I get the feeling that he wants to make this a show?"

Alois then called out to them.

"Here's an idea, Ciel," he said. "Let's have our butlers do the work. They can dance in our places. Whoever can keep dancing the longest will be declared the winner. The loser will have to follow any orders given by the victor."

The boy clapped his hands together.

"So, what do you say, Ciel? Do we have a deal then?"

The couple looked at one another and leant down to whisper in Ciel's ears.

"We weren't alone in our thinking, my child. It seems they planned a death match as well," said the demon.

"I have to wonder if he will follow his own rules though." Marianne muttered.

A smirk spread across Ciel's face.

"This sounds like exactly like the sort of party I had in mind. I much prefer it to dressing up in silly costumes anyway."

The woman smiled.

"I don't know. I thought you made a rather dashing pirate."

Sebastian held back a snigger as Ciel pouted.


A bell tolled loudly. Without preamble, Ciel tore off his eye patch and opened his eyes.

"Sebastian, this is an order: win and bring Alois Trancy to stand before me! But don't kill him, I will take care of that matter personally."

Sebastian went down on one knee and smiled. His eyes glowed magenta as the pupils became slits.

"Of course. Yes, my child."

Claude's eyes narrowed as he stared at the trio.

"Your Highness," he said to Alois. "What are your orders?"

Alois looked a bit puzzled for a moment before he composed himself.

"Ah, yes. I want you to make Ciel Phantomhive all mine." He stuck out his tongue, the orange seal glowing against the pink muscle. "And I want Sebastian Michaelis to experience exquisite agony. You can see to that, can't you, Claude?"

Claude went down on his knee and bowed his head.

"Oh yes, Your Highness."

His eyes shone demonically behind his glasses.


The trio of butlers drew their weapons; a sword, an axe, and a crossbow. Hannah was armed with twin daggers. All of them stood poised for the attack. Sebastian pulled out his silverware and smirked. Alois, Ciel and Marianne were seated silently watching the display from above. Marianne watched Alois snort out of the corner of her eye.

A little overbalanced, I think. She thought to herself.

Claude adjusted his glasses.

"We dance."


Just as the Trancy household was about to attack, Viscount Druitt popped onto the scene, with what looked to be a blue lobster on top of his head.

"Be still my beating heart! C'est tres fantastique!" he cried.

The Lords stared at him in disbelief. Marianne facepalmed as a sweatdrop rolled down.

"It's unbelievable! An ancient duelling arena where legendary heroes fought to the death!" Druitt exclaimed. "Oh! This is tonight's ball? I'm honoured! Never in my life have I felt such excitement to receive a party invitation!"

Claude and the three butlers calmly interceded.

"Pardon Sir, might I enquire what brings you to the mansion today?" the head butler asked.

"Oh yes!" Druitt gushed. "I am pleased to be attending the Trancy costume ball. I am Aleister Chambers, the Viscount Druitt."

There was a pause before Claude spoke up.

"I'm afraid the costume ball was last week, Sir. This afternoon's soiree is a private affair, for Earl Phantomhive alone."

Marianne shook her head.

What an idiot.


The Viscount fell to his knees in dismay.

"Oh good heavens, how could I have mixed up the dates?" he sighed as he got to his feet. "I suppose I'll go home then… But how did no one remark upon my absence last week? Being a criminal really does lower one's station in society."

He looked over his shoulder, and saw Hannah standing stoically behind Claude. His eyes widened in delight.

"A visage as clear as a lake's surface!" he cried. "If you held but a steely grey knife, you could be one of Valhalla's Valkyries. But no, your dusky elegance of the bandages covering your face are better suited to a beautiful demoness?"

As he knelt before Hannah, Sebastian watched with a smirk on his face.

"How satisfying you've proven yourself to be every bit as clever as you look," he said.

Marianne arched a brow.

"How is it that one person can hit the nail on the head so easily, yet be completely oblivious to everything but pretty young ladies?" she asked.

Druitt gazed at the weapon in Hannah's hand.

"A dagger?" he asked.

"It's part of the entertainment for the ball." Claude explained.

"Goodness! A party filled with bloodlust, and fraught with danger. How exquisite."

The Viscount removed his lobster hat and sat down on one of the chaise loungers set up to watch the battle.

"I, Druitt, have ever served the Goddess of Beauty. I insist on observing this afternoon's events for myself!"


Sebastian stood on one side of the chessboard, siding with the white pieces, while Claude and his underlings stood beside the black pieces.

"Finally," said Claude. "The stage is set for our dance."

Sebastian smirked, lifting his knives.

"So begins the Danse Macabre."

Claude immediately began shouting out orders.

"Group attack! Enjoy the Bloody Washtub!"

The triplets surged forward and attacked. Sebastian dodged out of the path of one, caught the blade of another with his knives, and leant back to avoid the shot of a crossbow…


"A three-pronged attack with a dagger, a long-range weapon, and a projectile weapon! Oh my!" Druitt gasped.


Sebastian landed on his hands and spun a series of kicks out at the triple butlers. They backed away unscathed, but their weapons had been completely snapped in half.

"Group attack! Transition from Bloody Washtub to Cursed Vanity Mirror!" Claude ordered.

They attacked Sebastian with long spears, but he batted them away with his silverware, using one of the spears to propel himself up into the air, only supported by the knife and fork embedded in the wood of the spear.

"Your battle moves are as well aligned as your faces," he commented with a shit-eating smile.

His words only got the butlers fuming, as they tossed him away, merged the spears together into one large spear. And in complete sync, they swung it down. Sebastian caught the spear with ease, spun and swung it like a baton, and dropped it with a heel kick to pick it up again. The butlers stared at him in awe as a dark smile spread across his face.

"Here you go."

With a mighty throw, the spear hit its target with an explosion of blood. The spear head pierced through the butlers' heads and pinned them to the large statue of the god overlooking the arena.

"Now you can be together forever."


Druitt gasped at the display.

"Oh my! Good show!"

"Good show." Alois agreed with a wolf whistle.

Marianne arched a brow at the hanging trio.

I think there's a part of him that would have liked to have done that to the servants back home, if only to give himself less of a headache…

Her eyes trailed over the battlefield to catch sight of Hannah surging towards Sebastian.


Hannah threw her daggers at him. Sebastian moved into a defensive stance and dodged them, but the sharp edges caught the sleeve of his tailcoat.

"Bother," he cursed. "I suppose I will have to go to the trouble of mending this."

The maid smirked, producing a pair of small handguns from her corset, ripping through the top of her dress as she did so.

"No need for that. You'll be full of holes soon enough!"

She fired several bullets at him, but Sebastian dodged them with ease, even as his hands worked meticulously on sewing the holes in his tailcoat. Biting through the thread with his teeth, his smile widened at his good work. Hannah tossed her guns aside and reached beneath her skirt. She pulled out a fully-loaded machine gun and set about firing.


"So much power!" Druitt cried.

Marianne rested her chin in her hand.

"It's simply amazing how many weapons a woman can conceal in her dress, isn't there?" she said.

Ciel chuckled.

"Speaking from experience, are you?"

"Of course. I must always be prepared."


Sebastian evaded the bullets while he slipped his tailcoat back on.

"I see what you mean. It certainly seems to be a very holey opportunity," he said, spinning around behind one of the enormous chess pieces. "I shall make every effort to repay you in kind. For every last bullet."

He drew out his silverware and leapt into the air. The bullets seemed to move around him as he threw down a rain of knives upon his prey.

Hannah let out a cry. She was completely pinned to the ground, without a single scratch upon her. Sebastian landed at her head, smiled down at her, and produced more knives. As he released his torrent, one of the chess pieces moved to block his path. The knives were completely embedded in the stone. Sebastian looked to the side, and saw Claude with his foot raised in the air.


The bell tolled loudly over the silence. Claude lowered his foot and adjusted his glasses.

"That will do for now," he said. "It's time for our tea."

Sebastian smiled.

"My goodness! Has it already gotten so late?" he asked.

"As I'm sure you understand, I must attend to my master's refreshments. We will suspend the match for now."

"Of course. May I make use of your kitchen as well?"


As they spoke, the chess piece filled with knives crumbled to pieces. Hannah stared at the remains with wide eyes, and breathed a sigh of relief.


A small kitchen was set up outside. Claude poured three egg yolks into a bowl.

Desirable souls… He thought to himself.

The triplets, having been removed from the statue, were assisting Claude with his culinary masterpiece. An impressive feat, considering they were still skewered on the spear. He poured vanilla cream in with the whisked eggs.

Luscious souls…

He continued to mix the ingredients together as he looked up at Ciel and Marianne as they sat watching from the viewing platform.

If souls do vary in taste, then one obsessively pursued by a demon. A soul like that of Ciel Phantomhive…

A splatter of mixing batter slammed against his glasses.

"Oh, do excuse me." Sebastian apologised. "It's just the way you were looking at my master was beginning to concern me. I had the strangest feeling you were assessing the flavour of his soul. Marianne certainly wouldn't take kindly to that."

Claude retaliated by throwing some baking mix towards his opponent, who dodged and responded in kind. They continued to flick food at one another.

Observing eyes watched the blows back and forth like they were at a tennis match. Sebastian then spoke up.

"Make other dinner plans. You won't lay a finger on my… Master's soul." His gaze hardened. "Or give him any lip."

Claude threw his whisk down into the bowl. On opposite sides, two sculptures stood proudly. From Claude's mixture, Sebastian had created a young woman was trapped in the coils of a serpent. Claude used Sebastian's batter to take the form of a warrior woman slaying the serpent. The females looked eerily like Marianne.


"Oh bravo!" Druitt cheered.

Marianne tilted her head curiously when she saw the women in the sculptures.

"While I don't approve of them fighting with their food like young children, I can't deny they make incredible artwork. Although why they chose me as the model is another matter…" she muttered.


Claude licked the batter off his glasses. Sebastian decorated his sculpture with cherries.


Ciel shook his head and sighed.

"Well, that was just a whole lot of pointless."

Marianne smiled at him.

"At least we get something to eat now."


"This afternoon, we have puits d'amour; crème patisserie with a raspberry jam in a pastry made of pie dough." Claude explained as he placed a plate down before Alois. "To accompany, we have a delicately brewed Mariage Freres Arrow's Tea."

Alois opened his mouth and let his butler feed him. He savoured the morsel on his tongue, and then swallowed. Druitt dropped his fork with a loud clatter.

"This… This is amazing!" he cried. "The puits d'amour pairs rich cream with the tartness of raspberry in a sultry ensemble so rare, it seems like water in the desert. I thirst for more! Without another taste, I shall be forever banished to the dusty Sahara of the palate!"

He turned to Claude.

"I beg you, my intrepid desert guide, show me the path to the oasis!"

Sebastian then presented his dessert to Ciel and Marianne.

"Here we have a foret noire. This treat is comprised of layers of chocolate sponge cake and cherry compote, finished with a dressing of white cream," he said as he poured tea. "And with it, we have a pot of Super Fine Keymoon Tea, shipped in from the Ching Empire."

Ciel nodded his head.

"Fine."

Marianne smiled.

"It looks lovely. Thank you, Sebastian."

They were about to dig in when the Viscount interrupted them.

"Tres bien! This foret noire combined the rich aroma of chocolate with the tart scent of cherry. The flavours surge forward like ocean waves, landing on your tongue with an overwhelming splash. I would follow this taste around the globe!" he exclaimed. "I would happily circum-navigate the entire world just to explore its every exquisite nuance!"

He looked towards Sebastian.

"My vast connoisseur of afternoon tea, please show me the righteous course!" he cried. The poor man was stuck in a state of indecision. "Such a dilemma! How can I choose which is better?! I can't do it! I can't do it…"

He got to his feet and twirled away.

"I… must… go… powder my nose…"

Claude pointed in the direction of the mansion.

"The water closet is that way."


Marianne and Ciel looked at one another.

"That man is certifiable," he said.

"While his money is able to keep him out of jail, I don't think he'd be able to escape the asylum." Marianne responded.

The boy arched a brow.

"Should I be concerned that you actually considered that option?"

"Have you heard of the Trial of Lunatics Act?" she asked.

"Where the criminal is mentally ill, and cannot be held responsible for their actions?"

"They would be declared as guilty, but insane. The criminal would still be in custody, but as a lunatic. But I'm not sure if that's actually worse."

They were silent after that.


Soon, the sky turned a shade of dark rose, smattered with dark purple clouds. The Danse Macabre was soon ready to recommence. Claude and Hannah stood on one side of the board while Sebastian stood on the other.

"Now then," said Claude. "Let us resume."

Sebastian smirked, pulled his feet together and extended his hand.

"Indeed. Shall we dance?"

Claude removed his glasses.

"Dance, we shall," he replied. "But first…"

He pulled Hannah close to him, and removed his right glove with his teeth. Placing his black-nailed hand on the demoness's chin, Claude tilted her head up. Hannah looked up at him with one eye.

"Are you certain?" she asked. He didn't hesitate to move his fingers to her jaw. "Alright."

She opened her mouth, and Claude pressed two fingers inside before moving his whole hand down her throat.


Marianne clapped her hand over her mouth. The urge to vomit threatened vehemently in her mind. She was barely able to swallow back the bile that had pooled in the back of her throat.

Oh damned God…

Her free hand pressed against her abdomen.


Claude's hand reached down inside of Hannah. It gripped onto what he was searching for, and with extreme force, he began to pull it out. As his hand came out of her mouth, it revealed what he was holding. A long blade emerged, teal blue in colour and margined with yellow. From its hilt, the blade branched off and outwards before they met again at the tip. It was coated in Hannah's saliva.


"Ugh!" Alois groused.

"What is he doing?" Ciel asked.

Marianne gulped.

"I believe he is getting the appropriate weapon for this Dance of Death."


Claude finally removed the sword from its demon sheath. Sebastian gasped at the sight of it.

"Goodness! Look at that," he said. "The ancient sword, Lævateinn and its curse of eternal darkness. I would never have dreamed you had such a fine odd."

Claude held the sword as though preparing for battle.

"Naturally, I thought your invitation to dance deserved a suitably grand response." His eyes flashed. "And now, the Danse Macabre!"

Sebastian lifted his finger.

"One moment. It is only right that I have a weapon of my own."

He turned to Marianne.

"Darling, would you be so kind?" he asked.

Marianne smiled and got to her feet. Without hesitation, she leapt down from the viewing platform and walked into the arena. She stood before her husband and lifted her skirt, revealing her creamy white thigh and the holster hidden upon it. Drawing out her dagger, she sliced it across her palm, tainting the blade with her blood. It transformed into the Demon Sword. Sebastian licked the wound on her hand until it was healed and smirked.

"This is called Vængrbani. The Wings of Death. This blade slayed an angel. Shall we see if it will do the same to a demon?"

Marianne made her way back to her seat. Claude and Sebastian charged at one another. Their blades crossed with loud clangs. Sebastian dodged out of the way of one of the blows, and Lævateinn sliced through one of the stone chess pieces as though it was paper.


Ciel watched them intensely. Marianne sat beside him and rested her hands in her lap. He took her hands in one of his and squeezed them gently. Alois came over and sat down beside them.

"What do you think of Claude's sword?" he asked. "Impressive, eh?"

Ciel didn't look at him as he answered.

"I'll admit it does seem to be a fine weapon," he allowed. "But I have seen Marianne fight opponents with our sword when it was but a dagger. Sebastian can easily hold his own."

He glanced at Marianne, who saw the intent in his eyes. She nodded her head and released his hand.

"Perhaps you could give us a little tour of the Trancy Manor?" he asked. "If it isn't any trouble."

Alois looked at him with wide eyes.

"Do you need the loo as well?" he asked. "I'll show you the way."

He got to his feet and led them away; Ciel and Marianne glanced at one another before following him.


Sebastian looked up at their departure and smirked.

"Well, Master, I'm disappointed in you for running off and leaving the fight to your butler like this. And taking Marianne as well? How cruel of you."

Claude snarled as he continued to swing his sword, only for it to clash with Sebastian's.

"I'm disappointed in you for letting your eyes wander."

They paused for a moment. Claude rested his sword upon his shoulder.

"You know, your obsession with that human's soul is getting you into trouble," he said. "I think it's beginning to dull your demon instincts."

Out of nowhere, a spider's thread shot past Sebastian's cheek. Drops of red blood tinged the silk. Sebastian scowled.

"Oh dear. However did that happen?"

He was unable to move, surrounded by razor sharp spider threads as he was.


Inside the mansion, Ciel, Marianne and Alois were in the library. The room was dark. The only light came from the setting sun streaking through the windows.

"Ciel?" Alois called out. "What is this? Where are you going?"

Ciel kept his back turned to him and removed one of his gloves.

"I've had enough of their silly performance," he said.

He threw the glove down at Alois's feet.

"Alois, Earl Trancy, you have crossed a line. You have robbed me of my pride, and have disgraced and demeaned me. I cannot accept this." Ciel glared at him. "Thus, here and now, I challenge you to a duel."

Alois was shocked for a moment before a sneer spread across his face.

"Aww. So you didn't just want me here to come and piss with you?"

Marianne arched a brow.

Has he forgotten that there's a woman present, or does he not care?


Claude leapt up onto the threads and walked along them.

"These are the spider threads of Trancy House. They can cut through steel. One careless movement and…" He made a swiping motion with his hand. "Off with your head."

Sebastian smirked.

"Just what I would expect of a spider."


Viscount Druitt wandered through the mansion's corridors.

"That's much better," he said to himself, wiping his hands. "I feel quite marvellously refreshed."

He caught sight of an open door, and spotted Ciel and Alois holding swords. Marianne stood between them. Alois examined his blade.

"I've never actually had the opportunity to duel before," he said contemplatively. "How do we proceed? You'll have to tell me."

Ciel explained.

"We stand back to back and then begin walking at the call of 'Allez'. We pivot on the tenth step and the duel begins."

Alois smiled.

"Simple enough. Sounds like fun. Let's duel."


They moved back to back. Ciel immediately stood to attention. Marianne watched them both.

"On my word… Allez!" she cried.

The two boys began counting. They both made to turn around before they finished, but Marianne moved between them.

"No. There will not be any cheating here. But it is clear that you both want to get started. When I move out of the way, you may begin."

She stepped gracefully out of the way, and watched as the blades clashed for the first time.


Claude swung Lævateinn across the threads, making them vibrate. Sebastian had to move to dodge his slashes, but doing so caused the threads to cut deeply into him.


Marianne watched as the duel moved to the upper level of the library. Ciel was on the attack, but Alois was dodging him as though they were playing a game.

"You always lose your temper so quickly!" Alois laughed while running away from him. "Come! Let's enjoy our dance!"

Ciel's temper spiked.


Claude aimed the sword at Sebastian's face.

"Here we are, Sebastian Michaelis."

He leapt into the air, and prepared to plunge the blade down…


Swords clashed in a sea of sparks. Alois smirked at Ciel as he blocked the blow.


Everything stopped outside… Sebastian heard the swords crashing against one another. He turned his head towards the mansion.

"My… Young Master!" he cried.


Alois seemed to gain the upper hand. He was laughing as his attacks pinned Ciel to the railing surrounding the upper level.

"That's it! One, two, three! One, two, three!"

As Ciel blocked him, Alois grabbed a hold of his throat.

"Down you go!"

Ciel tipped over the side and was plummeting to the floor. Marianne barely managed to catch him before lowering him to the floor. Ciel gasped for air as the wind was knocked out of him. Alois leapt down after him. He walked over and tapped the tip of his blade against Ciel's cheek.

"Here we are, Ciel," he said. "You'll finally be mine."

The boy pinned his opponent down, straggling him while he held the sword horizontally against his throat.

"Sebastian wants so very badly to devour your soul. But he won't get you, because you see, I'm going to tear your soul to shreds and feed it to the spiders of my mansion." His smirk widened grotesquely. "Poor thing, I know it's going to irritate him terribly."

He laughed loudly while Ciel held back a snarl.

"This is going to be a lot of fun."

Ciel composed himself and stared coldly up at Alois.

"The soul of the Queen's Guard Dog isn't cheap. A trifling little spider like you could never afford a taste." A smile touched his lips. "But if you don't mind having your legs ripped off, then by all means, give it a try."

Alois lifted himself upright, and then raised the sword.

"I see you still have enough energy to be cheeky. It's useless to keep struggling!" he laughed. "Just give up and submit to me!"

He plunged the blade down.


Ciel caught the tip with his bare hand. He didn't stir as his flesh was torn, and his blood spilled freely over the steel.

"Submit?" he taunted. "I'm the one who has you!"


The doors of the library burst open, and Sebastian and Claude came running in, Viscount Druitt lagging behind them.

"Master!" Sebastian yelled.

Alois stared down at himself in horror. Ciel had pierced his side with his sword. Marianne stood beside him, having pushed the sword back within his reach. Blood bloomed on the whiteness of Alois's shirt. Ciel kicked him off the blade, and watched quietly as the crimson fluid flooded rapidly out of the wound.

"How horrific!" Druitt gasped before fainting.

Ciel counted his breaths slowly. Marianne's hands rested on his shoulders and rubbed small circles into them. They stared at Alois as he cried out and rolled about on the floor. Alois screamed out.

"Please, help me, Claude!" he cried, tears streaming from his eyes. "Help me, I'm dying!"

Claude stepped forward.

"Yes, Your Highness."


Ciel then cried out.

"Halt, Fa-Sebastian!"

It caused both butlers to stop in their tracks.

"Until I've killed him, stay back!"

Claude gasped at those words. Sebastian smiled and bowed his head.

"Very good, My Young Lord."


Marianne assisted Ciel to his feet. Ciel pointed his sword down at Alois while the woman checked over his wounded left hand and tied her handkerchief around it to staunch the blood.

"Die, Alois Trancy," he said.

"Wait, please!" Alois begged. "I don't want to die…"

He pulled himself along the floor like a worm; snot and saliva ran down his face in slimy trails.

"It hurts… Please spare me, Ciel!"

Marianne glanced down at the wounded boy, tilted her head to the side, and shook her head.

"You should not beg for life, nor should you beg for death. You must take what happens to you with dignity. You must accept your choices, and their consequences. You tried to play a game you weren't prepared for, and you lost. You need to accept that."

Ciel nodded his head in agreement.

"You expect me to spare you, when you attempted to interfere with my life, with my contract, with those closest to me? Why should I spare you when you refused to let me have what I had earned?"

"Wait, please, you don't understand! You're being tricked by a demon… I'm telling you, believe me!" Alois cried. He clambered hold of Ciel's jacket. "My parents was killed too, you know. My family was burned to death, along with the whole village. Someone stole them from me! Can't you see that we're basically the same?"

Tears streamed down his face as he continued.

"I promise I won't bother you anymore. I apologise for everything. But please, Ciel, please spare me… Please let me live!"


Marianne and Ciel looked at one another, then down at Trancy's pathetic form. The boy raised the sword to study the blood that stained it.

"Through your actions, you have damaged my pride. And now, you'll atone with your death!"

He prepared to plunge it down. Alois continued to plead.

"Please hurry, Claude! Help me!"


Claude suddenly appeared from behind them. He grabbed the sword before it could touch Alois. Ciel struggled against him.

"Let go, bastard!" he bellowed.

Sebastian cried out.

"C-Young Master!"


Marianne attempted to intervene, but her skirmish only caused her to cut her hands on the blade. Ciel managed to slap the demon's cheek with his bandaged hand. Three bloody marks were swiped across Claude's cheek. Sebastian pulled Ciel and Marianne away from Claude, and gathered them into his arms. He glared at the other demon over his shoulder.

Ciel's blood trickled down Claude's face. He licked away a drop of it from the corner of his mouth, and gasped euphorically. His eyes flashed magenta for a moment. Sebastian tightened his grip on his wife and child. Ciel tried to get past him.

"It's not over! I'll kill you!" he shouted.

Sebastian glared down at him as the boy slowly grew weaker.

"Given the current circumstances, I'm afraid I can't allow this dance to continue," he said firmly. "Terribly sorry, but I believe we'll have to excuse ourselves for the remainder of the day."

Claude was in the process of bringing the sword tinged with Marianne's blood up to his mouth.

"Do you hear me, Claude?" Sebastian demanded.

Claude licked a small drop of the blade and shuddered, as though he had just entered eternal bliss. He didn't answer for a moment, but he eventually composed himself.

"Oh yes… Of course. I understand. Another time then?"

Sebastian gathered Ciel up in his arms, and assisted Marianne to her feet. He licked the blood from her hand and healed her wounds with his saliva. She pulled herself close to him, and reached around to stroke Ciel's tousled hair.

"Master, Marianne, I suggest we be on our way." Sebastian said with a sigh. "First, you run off. Then you get yourself hurt. I'm positively at my wit's end with you, my… Lord. Are you really as adverse to dancing as all that?"

Ciel tried to push himself out of the demon's arms, slapping and scratching at everything that was in reach.

"Put me down, Sebastian!" he cried.

"Honestly now Sir, how can you possibly have the energy to throw a temper tantrum like this after losing all that blood?" Sebastian asked, taking the blows without faltering.

Marianne smiled and led them into a small dance.

"It's the day of a ball after all," she laughed. "So, why don't we dance our way into the sunset? Certainly sounds much more fun."

The couple ran out of there with their child as quickly as they could. The whole time, Claude's eyes followed them with deep intensity.


What happens when a soul is so obsessively pursued by a demon? Claude asked himself as he stared at the small family leave.

Alois, bleeding heavily and crying wretched tears, reached out to his butler.

"Claude, what are you looking at…?" he cried. "Come on, do something! Can't you see I've been stabbed? Quickly! Help me, please?"

Claude ignored him, touched his bare fingers to Ciel's blood on his cheek.

He traded his soul for a demon's power. His revenge only means something if he wins it with his own hands.

He looked down at his red fingers.

He knows blood and death and darkness, but still, his soul is pure, untainted, immaculate…

Claude looked down at his other hand, which had the remains of Marianne's blood that he had wiped from the sword.

And her… How did I not realise it sooner? A demon's mate… His mate. A soul completely unblemished, despite being bathed in blood, corruption and the darkest of deaths. To be so coveted, so cherished… so wanted.

Alois continued to weep.

"What is it, Claude…?" he asked.

Claude licked Ciel's blood off his fingers first, then followed it with Marianne's.

Day into night. Pleasure into pain. This chance encounter… into ecstasy.

"Hoheo Taralna. Rondero Tarel." Alois pleaded, his fluids leeching into the floor. "Hoheo Taralna! Rondero Tarel! Hoheo Taralna-!"

He coughed up an explosion of blood, and smiled messily when Claude finally looked at him with emotionless eyes.

"You look like you're staring at maggots swarming on a b…"

He fell silent as he slipped away into blissful darkness.


The translation for Vængrbani in Old Norse is made up of two words, wing and death. Literally, it is the wings of death. I looked up a translator and found that Lævateinn had similar origins, so it felt necessary to give Marianne's sword a name. So, wings for Sebastian as a raven, and death, because it delivers death to whatever stands in its way. I thought it would be fitting. Certainly better than what Lævateinn actually means English. Why would someone call a sword 'damage twig'?

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

Please read and review!