Wow, okay, it's legit almost been 10 months since I last updated this story. Wow me, just… wow. Yes, I admit I've been having a bit of writer's block, as I don't really have an endgame for this story in sight yet, so I'm kinda losing focus on the direction I wanna go with this. That's not to say that I don't know what I'm doing for the next few chapters, it's just… I don't know where I wanna end up.

For those of you still with me, welcome back! For those new, welcome!

So, on a more serious note, I'm sure you're all here because you've likely already read the first story "The Butler and the Maid" and enjoyed it enough that you wanted to keep reading about their adventures and mishaps and whatnot. That said, I've submitted "The Butler and the Maid" into a Fandom (fanfiction) contest on inkitt ~dot~ com and (if you don't mind) was hoping that if you have an account you'd vote for the story. Basically the endgame is to gain more exposure as a writer, but also in a sense it'd be a good push for me to continue writing original work (and eventually get a book published or something).
If you'd like to vote, please go to inkitt ~dot~ com, make an account (if you don't have one already), go to the search bar and search "The Butler and the Maid", click the first selection with the genre of adventure/romance, and at the bottom of the first page you should see something along the lines of "help this story win the Fandom contest by clicking the heart", and click the heart please. 3 You have till midnight of October 21st to vote.
If you do vote (even just at all, doesn't necessarily have to be just for me), I'd like to give you a huge thank you in advance! Us writers are nothing without dedicated readers like you!

Anyway, hope you enjoy this long-awaited chapter!

PLEASE R&R!

Disclaimer: Kuroshitsuji © Yana Toboso

Claimer: everything else © me

Chapter Eighteen: The Holy Relics

A few days passed by, and Anna demonstrated that –despite her blindness, she was still able to perform her duties as the Phantomhive Head Maid without any problems. They lied to the other servants by explaining that Anna's condition was due to a hereditary illness that bestows temporary blindness, and that otherwise she was overall fine. In fact, it seemed like she was even better at her job than usual.

"A-A-A-Ah!" Meylene exclaimed, frantically running through the hall with a towering stack of plates. "A-Ah!"

Clumsily she tripped over her own feet before she suddenly began falling, the plates flying up into the air. But in a quick second, Annabelle Michaelis was there, easily balancing the plates on a hand and knee whilst her other arm had caught the clumsy maid by the waist. She had a piece of white cloth tied around her head covering her eyes.

"Careful there, Meylene," she advised. "You shouldn't be carrying all these plates at once. This is extremely fine china that Sebastian had specially ordered."

"T-T-Thank you, Mrs. Annabelle," Meylene stammered, barely registering that whatever had happened just happened.

After the clumsy maid stood, Anna raised her leg a little such that Meylene could get those plates.

"I'll help you take the rest of these to the cabinets," Anna offered, turning around and heading for the dining room.

Meylene blinked in shock. It was as if Annabelle had never lost her sight. Quickly the maid collected herself before following the angel to the dining room, and Anna set down the plates on the table.

"I'll leave it to you to handle the rest," Anna said, politely taking her leave.

She sighed deeply. Though she had already adjusted to her blindness, she was a bit troubled to find that the rest of the staff remained as clumsy as before. They were trying to work harder so she wouldn't have to work so much, but their efforts seemed to only cause her more grief.

At least their intentions are good, she reasoned optimistically.

"Mommy!" a young voice exclaimed, and Anna turned to greet her son, kneeling down in front of him as he threw his arms around her neck. "Mommy!"

"Haha," Anna chuckled lightly, hugging him. "What are you up to, Tristan? Where's Kylee?"

"Mrrow," a soft voice meowed, and through her sixth sense Anna could sense the black cat running down the hallway towards them.

"Are you two playing a game?" she asked.

"Uh huh!" Tristan replied happily. "We're playing tag! Does Mommy want to join too?"

Annabelle, Sebastian called telepathically. As much fun playing tag is with our son, could you please come to the Young Master's study? We will be expecting a guest soon.

Alright, she responded mentally. Smiling down at her son, she shook her head. "Unfortunately I have to go see Daddy now," she told him, tapping him lightly on the nose. "Don't run around too much, alright? Don't cause trouble for the other servants."

Tristan smiled. "Yes, Mommy!" he exclaimed before he and Kylee dashed off.

Anna headed off towards the study, knocking twice on the door before gaining permission to enter. She pouted at her grinning husband.

"Don't just jump into my head like that," she scolded lightly.

He chuckled, showing her the letter. "Michael will be arriving momentarily to talk about something," he informed.

"Any idea what it could be?" Ciel asked, looking slightly bored.

"No," she answered honestly. Though hopefully it's a way for me to regain my sight, she thought hopefully.

She could sense an incoming presence. "Ah, he's here," she announced.

Not a few seconds later, Michael descended through the ceiling with ease before landing on the ground, folding his wings.

"Why can't you angels just use a door like everyone else?" Ciel scowled.

Michael raised an eyebrow at the rude greeting. "A pleasure as always, Lord Phantomhive," he replied sarcastically.

"Good afternoon," Sebastian greeted with a bow.

"Hey," he responded easily, looking at Anna. "How are you doing, Anna? Adjusting?"

Anna smiled. "I'm alright," she assured. "Though my sight's gone, I can still complete my tasks with ease."

This seemed to relieve the angel. "Well… that's some good news to hear," he sighed. "I'm still working on finding a way for you to redeem yourself from the Sinner's Mark, but that said, I'm afraid I have some even more pressing news for you. One of the Holy Relics have been stolen."

"What?!" Anna exclaimed in horror. "How?! When?!"

"According to the guards, it was stolen by a young human boy with a group of five demons," Michael answered, "One male, one female, and three male triplets."

Dread spread through them as that description could only fit one particular boy and his band of demon servants. Michael frowned deeply at their expressions.

"I take it… you know the ones who stole the Relic?" he guessed.

"Unfortunately yes," Sebastian answered. "The ones you're referring to would likely be Earl Alois Trancy and his demon servants."

His frown deepened. "Are these the same people who brainwashed Annabelle and are responsible for her current state?"

"That is correct," Ciel confirmed. "But before we continue, could someone please explain to me what the hell you are talking about? What are these Holy Relics?"

"They're four holy items that –if united, can alter even life and death itself," Anna answered. "With those items combined, you could easily have power equivalent that of God's. Angels and demons alike would be unable to fend against any attack."

Michael's brow furrowed in confusion. "It's just… what I don't understand is how they would have known the location of the Relic. I mean… only a small portion of angels have been gifted with such knowledge, myself and Anna included."

"Hmmm…" Sebastian placed a thoughtful hand under his chin in consideration. "Could it somehow be… that Annabelle was manipulated during the time she was under the control of Alois Trancy? Would she have told them?"

Anna bit her lip. "Oh dear… would my brainwashing have been that deep?" she asked in concern.

"Well… even though you didn't know better… you did commit adultery," Michael reminded.

"Plus, based on what you're saying," Ciel added, "would there be any other way for them to know the Relic's location?"

Sebastian sighed, "I'm afraid the Young Master is correct."

They immediately sensed Anna's fear grow stronger and stronger.

"I'm… going to be in huge trouble if they succeed at acquiring all four Relics, aren't I…" she guessed, wrapping her arms around her shaking self. "Even the most extreme divine punishment wouldn't be enough…"

Sebastian wrapped an arm around Anna's waist, pulling her to him as he tried to support and comfort his terrified wife.

"But what I don't understand is…" Michael began while folding his arms across his chest, "is why they'd want to acquire the Holy Relics. I mean… what sort of goal are they aiming for that'd require such power?"

Silence filled the air for a few moments as they all tried to generate ideas of what Alois Trancy and his demon servants would try to accomplish with the Holy Relics.

Suddenly Anna felt a small kick in her womb, and dizziness overcame her as she began to collapse, darkness enveloping her world as memories began to resurface…

Whew, Anna's still having it rough eh? I'm sure everything will work out though! In a sense the next chapter will tie in a little of what occurs/occurred in Kuroshitsuji II, so that's a hint on what the Trancys' end goal will be in terms of what they need the Holy Relics for.

Till next time!

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