A/N: Hello again everyone! Am I late this time? o_o Recently I've been harassed by homework so I've resorted to writing in the middle of the night (so sometimes I end up falling asleep while typing up a chapter and wasting half of my laptop battery life) so I apologise for any shiftiness in the next few chapters ;-; -SeaweedNeko
For the whole morning, Ciel was constantly harassed by Elizabeth's worrying and sniffling. After lunch Paula finally arrived to pick her up, apologising profusely.
"I'm sorry, Ciel! I'll visit again sometime when I can!" Elizabeth waved tearfully as the horse trotted off. Ciel reluctantly waved back. When they were out of sight he nearly fainted, though his sharp butler caught him before his knees touched the ground.
"Young master?" Ciel slowly regained his balance.
"Sorry. I'm just a bit… tired." Sebastian looked at his empty eyes which were casted down on the ground. "That's all." He was still leaning against him. "Bring me to my room and get me some tea."
"Understood."
Sebastian gently picked his master up and jumped onto the balcony above (his bedroom). He set him down on the bed and patted his master's forehead. "I shall return shortly." Ciel nodded slowly and curled up on top of his blankets.
When the door closed, he covered his ears and closed his eyes.
"Tanaka, do you know happen to know anything about young master's recent behaviour?" Sebastian asked quietly on the other side of the door.
"Unfortunately, I do not know anything."
"… I see. Thank you."
"Young Master, tea has been-" Sebastian stopped himself when he saw Ciel fast asleep in the middle of the bed. "Oh dear. Now the tea that I have prepared will now go to waste." He smiled in amusement at his master's sleeping face and sat down on the edge of the bed. "But I guess it's good that he is finally able to sleep more sound-"
"UWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
"…Or not."
He sighed as Ciel violently tossed around in bed, occasionally letting out a cry that could make anyone question if he was asleep or not.
"Someone…" His hand somehow found Sebastian's wrist and grabbed it firmly as he suddenly opened his eyes. "Please… Help me… Anyone…" He coughed.
"I am here, my lord." Using his free hand, he gently tilted Ciel's chin up so that he could look at him in the eye. "What is it that you are afraid of?" Their faces were so close that their lips were nearly brushing. Ciel did not reply.
"Young master, there is no need to act strong when nobody is around." He looked away, holding back tears. Sebastian turned his wrist around so that his hand was on top of Ciel's.
"Sebastian…" A tear escaped from the corner of his eye, but was wiped off by a thumb before it ran down his cheeks. "Everyone I know is all dead. And those people…"
"I am here, my lord." Sebastian repeated. "If it's your wish, I will follow you everywhere. I will always be here until the day you achieve your revenge." He smiled softly. "Because I am your butler." He softly stroked his cheek with his fingertips as he said so.
"You're telling the truth, aren't you?"
"Of course. I do not tell lies. Now, the tea is getting cold." He leaned away and stood up before handing him a cup. "The tea I have prepared today is warm milk accompanied by the sweetest honey." Ciel's mouth turned up slightly at the corners as he took the cup out of Sebastian's hands and took a sip.
"There will be knights that break the rules, and even ones that will betray the king, won't there?" He patted the space beside him, casually inviting Sebastian to sit back down again.
"Even so, I have told you how to coax me into following your orders, have I not?" Sebastian's fingers slid underneath Ciel's eye patch and smoothly lifted it up, revealing the contract.
"… That's right…" Sebastian smiled, then stood up.
"Afternoon snacks will be prepared shortly. Until then, please enjoy your tea. It is well known for its calming effects." He smiled, bowed and left.
"U-um, Sebastian?" Meirin appeared in the hallway carefully carrying a pile of boxes after Sebastian quietly closed the door. "How is the young master?"
"He is making a fast recovery. I believe the coughs will stop by tomorrow morning, if not tonight." Finny walked past carrying a huge stone pillar.
"Ah~ I'm glad! His nightmares have also stopped, haven't they?" Sebastian did not respond. Bard appeared behind Meirin.
"Yosh! I'll make a dish so good that young master will instantly stop coughing!" He said in a determined voice, rolling up his sleeves. Sebastian smiled at his enthusiasm. "And… What is happening between you and him?"
"What do you mean? I have been faithfully serving the young master like I always have." Sebastian felt the danger zone approaching fast.
"You've been spending nights in his room… "
"Get back to work!"
In a distant mansion…
"Claude." A certain young boy demanded, his face against a desk. His butler appeared in front of him.
"What is it that you desire?" His mellow voice asked in a tone that barely concealed his sarcasm.
"That Ciel Phantomhive… I want him. Bring him to me, Claude." The butler glared at him, but the boy did not notice as he was too busy staring at the fine wooden texture of the desk .
"Yes, your Highness." The boy smiled to himself and sat up.
"Ahh… the thought of seeing him again suddenly makes me feel so happy… Right, Hannah?" The maid did not respond. "Tch. Hannah." He glared at her. "Isn't that right?"
"Y-yes."
"Sheesh." The boy turned his chair around and looked out of the window, smirking to himself. "You're going to be mine, Ciel Phantomhive."
"Young Master, A letter has arrived. It is an invitation from the Trancy household. There will be a social gathering tomorrow starting at 6:30pm. Furthermore, butlers are also welcome to attend."
A/N: Huehuehuehue Alois is so eager to have Ciel to himself. Warning: I might take a short break from posting chapters because I feel like my writing quality has seriously gone down to Satan's lair. I'll be re-reading my next few chapters and possibly re-writing them in an attempt to bring back the quality.