Chapter 23: Meeting a Prince
Hello my lovelies! Here is yet another chapter that I couldn't wait to get up. For some reason my muse for this story is going strong so I'm going to take advantage and write as many chapters as I can before they leave me. I received three new reviews so here is where the magic shall begin.
BarelyRamsey14503: Well hello again my lovely. It's so nice to hear from you again. I just want to thank you for both your review and your continued support on this story.
L0n3W0lf36: Hello again my lovely! Great to hear from you again. As for Angela/Ash sapping Ariel's strength, yes this is a new ability. As for the rest, most will be answered in this chapter.
Mickey-Moo: Ello my lovely! It is so awesome to hear from you again. I humbly accept your review and present to you the next chapter.
Well, will you look at that. Three reviews from people who have sent in ones before. I must be doing something right to have regulars for the story. Anyways, that is everything I want to say so I'll just put up the quote then get on with the story. I have received two new reviews in the process of writing this chapter so I will post them here.
21: Yes, Undertaker is THE Undertaker. Thank you for your review and your encouragement.
Zombiesunshineyura: Thank you so much! I look forward to your next review!
I want to thank these two new reviewers as well as welcome them into my little group of lovelies.
"What's meant to be will always find a way."
-Anonymous
So, without further ado, here come the next installment of An Earthbound Angel!
o0o0o0o0o An Earthbound Angel o0o0o0o0o
When I woke the next morning, I could feel someone running their hands through my hair while emitting a peculiar purring/rumbling sound. A small smile graced my lips at the sensation as I opened my eyes to stare into Malphas's wine colored eyes.
"Good morning Malphas."
"Good morning my mate. How are you feeling this morning?"
"Wonderful," I sighed contentedly against his collarbone and neck.
"I'm glad to hear that," he smirked down at me. We only had about a few more minutes of snuggling in my bed before Ciel called for Malphas. An aggravated sigh left him at his torn feelings. Part of him had to follow my brother's call, but an equal sized part of him wanted to stay with me and take care of me.
"You go on Malphas. I'll be fine," I assured him with a peck to his lips. In response he pressed a kiss to my forehead, just letting his lips rest there for a moment, before he hurriedly dressed then rushed to Ciel's room with his demon speed. I on the other hand let out a lazy yawn and rolled on my back to stretch sluggishly. Alright, it's time to get up and get dressed seeing as though I didn't know when Grell was coming over. With that resolve in mind, I rose from my bed to wobble slightly on my feet. Lucky for me I managed to catch myself on my bed before I fell.
Ariel! Are you alright? Malphas sent me worriedly at the rush of me almost falling.
I'm fine Malphas. Stop worrying. My legs were just asleep. He seemed content with that so he went back to whatever he was doing. I swear that man, I thought with a sigh. This time I stretched out my legs a bit before I tried to stand again, but I ended up finding something odd. I felt satisfyingly sore between my legs. Maybe that's why it's hard to walk, I reasoned as I shakily rose to my feet and stumbled into my bathroom. It took me a little bit longer to wash up, but I got it done none the less then dressed in a silver and white dress which had a silver, form fitting bodice with a sweetheart neckline and bunched up material at my sides, a sheer with silver design material over-skirt to my knees in triangle strips, and a ruffled white white underskirt. As for sleeves, the dress itself was sleeveless but I had separate silver gloves that was slightly loose at the tops of my arms in little triangle strips that was like a second skin down to my wrist where a bit of the glove went over the top of my hands, but left the palms of my hands free, that had a ring to hold it on my middle fingers. My makeup stayed the same with a simple lining of silver powder on my eyelids and I put my hair into a french braid except for my bangs and some fringe that framed my face. With a pair of silver slippers and a spritz of snowberry water on my person, I deemed myself ready for the day.
"Good morning Ciel," I greeted my brother who sat at the head of the table.
"Good morning Ariel," he returned, watching me carefully as I walked over to my spot at the table. "We'll be leaving right after lunch for the townhouse. The Queen has sent me another request that requires me to be in London."
"Alright." As soon as breakfast was over, I slipped into the kitchen to prepare some blackberry/raspberry tea as well as some sandwiches, scones, and little cakes for my little meeting with Grell.
"You look ravishing today, my mate," Malphas purred in my ear as he wrapped his arms around my waist.
"Thank you Malphas."
"I should have stayed with you to make sure you were alright," he sighed into my neck.
"It's alright Malphas," I assured him. "I wish you had too, but Ciel needed you. Anyways, will you help me finish with the scone and cakes then help me take them out to the garden table?"
"Of course." We both worked in relative silence as we brought all of the refreshments out to the garden table. "Is there anything else you need Ariel."
"No, but thank you so much for the help Malphas. I appreciate it." A pleased rumble came from his chest at my gratitude while he wrapped his arms around my waist.
"There is no need to thank me, my mate. It is my job to take care of you and make you happy."
"Then you're doing one hell of a job," I teased him with his own words, glancing up into his wine colored eyes that swirled red for a split second. His rumble intensified as he pulled me closer to him so that he could nip at my neck. While I immensely enjoyed the affection he was showering on me, the thought of having to talk with him about sharing me with Pheobus made me dread the time. But I knew that I had to do it, the sooner the better. Malphas immediately noticed the tenseness in my frame at the thought and made to ask me about it when Grell saved me by dropping in by landing by the garden table.
"Well hello Ariel darling?" he grinned at me when he saw me, showing his sharp teeth.
"Hello Grell," I returned stepping out of Malphas's arms while motioning for him to disappear. "Please take a seat." He carefully sat at the table Malphas and I had set up only minutes before while I moved to pour the both of us tea. "Would you like some cream or sugar?"
"Just a dash of cream and a lump of sugar please." While humming to myself, I fixed his tea but left mine free of any cream or sugar so that I could savor the taste of plain tea. It was when Grell reached for some sandwiches that I ventured to ask him about William.
"So, about your mate...What is his name?" Grell blushed at my question but also looked very uncomfortable. Nobody should have that kind of look when they think of their mate.
"His name is William T. Spears. He is a reaper like me."
"I see. When did you know you two were mates?"
"When we both took our graduation exam together," he began with a far away look on his face as he remembered. "We were given a month to observe a one Thomas Wallace to see if we would reap his soul or if we would allow him to live. I remember that the both of us clashed repeatedly throughout our observation. I once sent him into a wall. But he returned the favor when he beat some sense into me. It was then that I knew." I couldn't help but be shocked at this information.
"How long ago was that?"
"About a century ago or so, I believe."
"And he's still denying you?"
"I'm afraid so." I grumbled unhappily to myself while I angrily bit into a cake, mumbling about how Will needed a much needed self reflection. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Grell smile softly to me.
"Thank you Ariel."
"For what?" I questioned shocked and confused. "I haven't done anything."
"Yes, you did," he assured me. "You have done a lot for me by simply having me for tea." My brows furrowed at his comment which he only waved away. "So, how is Bassy in bed?" His question caused me to spray my tea from my lips in an unladylike manor before I choked on what tea that had went the other way.
"Grell," I protested with a blush. "That is not something you just ask."
"Of course it is," he argued. "Whatever is said will be kept between us two ladies." I was confused at his words but didn't show it on my face. What did he mean- oh. He means himself. It seems like he thinks of himself as a woman. Now that I think about it, he does act feminine despite his male body. Alright, from now on Grell will be a she in my eyes from now on to respect her wish.
"But it's embarrassing to say," I insisted. "Even if I'm talking to another lady." Her eyes lit up at my acknowledging her as a lady before she had a questioning look about herself. "What is it Grell?"
"If Bassy is your mate, how come you haven't completed your bond with him until last night?"
"I have another mate," I answered simply to his shocked face.
"Really? Who?"
"He's a retired reaper, but I'm afraid I can't tell you his name. I don't know who he wants to know about his identity."
"That's alright Ariel. I understand, but how do you have two mates?"
"Well, when God sends angels to the human realm to become earthbound angels, they have the ability to have a shinigami mate or a demon mate. Because of each race not being able to tolerate the other, the angel will settle with one or the other. I on the other hand have met both so they were not so keen on sharing me, but we've cleared that up, at least with my shinigami mate. Sebastian on the other hand is going to be a struggle to tell him."
"Why don't you tell him now?" Grell suggested. "That way you don't have to worry about it anymore." This had me biting my lip.
"Would you stay Grell?"
"Why of course. I wouldn't leave my best friend alone when she needs support." My eyes widened at her words. The only other friend I had was Lizzie, so it was nice to have another.
"Thank you Grell. You're one of my best friends too along with Lizzie."
"You mean that blonde girl we rescued?"
"Yes."
"Then we should invite her to the next garden party we have."
"And we can be the Three Musketeers," I giggled.
"There we go. Now call that sexy butler of a mate of yours." I bit my lip again as I called for him, running my hands over my braid in an attempt to keep calm. Upon seeing my nervousness, Grell placed a hand on my shoulder to comfort me.
"You called for me Ariel?" asked Malphas when he showed up before me.
"Yes, there is something I would lime to speak to you about."
"What is it?"
"Because of last night do you think I chose you over him?" Malphas at once caught on to whom I was referring to.
"Of course. Isn't that why?"
"No," I sighed. "I choose the both of you. I can't stand one of you being miserable and alone when the both of you were destined to be my mate. I belong to you two just as much as you two belong to me." At this point Grell gave my shoulder a squeeze to let me know I was doing good.
"I refuse to share you with that reaper," Malphas hissed in distaste at my words.
"Can't you try to get along with him or even just tolerate him," I pleaded softly. "For me?"
"I don't promise anything," was all he told me before he disappeared back into the mansion. A heavy sigh left me at Malphas's response while Grell moved closer and wrapped an arm around my shoulders.
"I think he took that rather well," Grell remarked.
"But he's still pretty angry," I told her.
"Just give him some time to think it over," she advised. "Maybe he will agree after he's thought about it."
"Yeah, maybe you're right," I semi smiled at her while I turned to face her. "Now why don't we put aside our problems for right now and talk about ourselves? I'm dying to know about the real Grell." At my comment, her eyes seemed to mist behind her glasses, but she quickly blinked to keep them from falling.
"No one has ever told me that before."
"Well they should. You're a very interesting person Grell. Why wouldn't anyone want to get to know you?"
"They mostly get annoyed because of how loud and clingy I am."
"Why would they be annoyed? From what I gather you're a happy person who can't keep their happiness inside." Kind of like my Auntie Anne, I couldn't help but add in my mind. Grell beamed at my words before the both of us began talking while nibbling on snack and sipping our tea.
Sometime later Malphas returned only to tell me that it was time to leave for London.
"I guess that's the end of our party," Grell sighed sadly as she rose to her feet.
"Don't worry Grell, we can always have more. Speaking of that...," as I trailed off I plucked a feather from my wings and handed it to Grell. "If you ever want to talk you can use that to call me. And if I want to call you for another tea party, I can call you. Just remember to keep that on your person."
"Can do darling," she said giving me a hug.
"Don't be a stranger now," I smiled in our hug.
"Honey, I couldn't even if I tried. You're stuck with me."
"I like the sound of that." A chuckle left her as she pulled away.
"Farewell darling Ariel. Until we meet again." With that Grell took off into the air.
"Bye Grell," I called after her disappearing figure. During my good bye with Grell, Malphas had stood quietly to the side.
"Is everyone coming with us?"
"Everyone except for Pluto," he confirmed.
"Alright. I'll go talk to him then I'll be at the carriage shortly." With that I flew over to where I had made my way over to where Pluto was laying down in the yard.
"Pluto," I called out as I came to stand next to him.
"What?" he yawned/howled while stretching out lazily.
"Ciel, Sebastian, and I are going into London for a bit so I was hoping you could watch the mansion for us?"
"Yeah, sure," he sighed sadly. "Just don't be gone too long. I'll get lonely." This earned a small smile as I threw my arms around his neck.
"You're such a sweet person Pluto," I smiled, placing a kiss between his eyes earning a tail thump form him. "I can't thank you enough."
"Leave it to me Ariel. I'll keep the mansion safe for ya." I scratched behind his ears fondly for a few moments before I had to take off for the carriage. When I reached the front of the mansion, I hurriedly hopped into my brother's carriage so that we could head out.
"So Ariel," Ciel began while watching the scenery outside change as we went along. "How did you sleep last night?"
"I slept wonderfully. Thank you for asking."
"Oh? Then how about this morning? I saw your legs shaking slightly when you walked into breakfast this morning." A blush covered my cheeks when I realized what he was trying to get at. He had guessed that Sebastian and I had completed our bond last night and he was right. Apparently he didn't need to ask anymore questions for an angry frown covered his face and his visible eye hardened in annoyance.
"Ariel," he scowled in disapproval at my activities last night before it all washed away in exasperation. "Well, you can't change what has already happened. But I am by no means happy about this."
"It was going to happen sooner or later Ciel," I pointed out now that my blush had died down a bit.
"It still doesn't mean I have to like it," he grumbled testily. At his attitude I couldn't help but smile brightly and launch myself at him to give him a hug. I loved my overprotective older brother.
"I love you big brother."
"I love you too Ariel," he returned as his eyes softened and the corner of his lips lifted up into the ghost of a smile. We stayed in our hug the rest of the way into London but then broke apart when the carriage came to a halt.
"Sebastian, tell the others to go on ahead to the town house while we go investigate the crime scene," Ciel called out to Malphas who had been driving the carriage. There was a slight shift in the carriage as Malphas obeyed before the door to the carriage was opened for the both of us. Ciel stepped out of the carriage while Malphas wrapped his arm around me to bring me out of the carriage. During this little display Malphas took a quick sniff of my scent before he sat em down on the ground.
"Thank you Sebastian."
"Young Mistress," he returned while staring into my eyes. Ciel coughed pointedly which called Malphas's attention from me.
"Let's go see the victims," Ciel ordered Malphas so that we could get moving. Even though Ciel had managed to get Malphas to stop staring at me, Malphas fell into step beside me instead of falling into step behind Ciel.
Within minutes we reached the scene of the crime where numerous men were tied up to a roof while hanging upside down. It also appeared that these men were severely beaten before they were strung up. Those poor men, I thought in horror. Who would do such a thing like this. To try to heal the man's wounds I let out my angelic power that washed over them making them smile. I had learned that one of my powers included healing, but the power itself did not work for my own self. It only worked for others. I was also lucky that no one else but Malphas could see my silver energy coat the men so that they were left with only slight discomfort and some bruises. All the while I did this, Ciel had a discussion with Sir Arthur that ended with the three of us branching off from the crowd that had gathered around the crime scene. What I had come to understand from it was that presumably an Indian person was targeting Englishman who had returned home from India talking about laziness and the like. So to check his theory, Ciel led us to where Indian immigrants were said to have their base. Ciel kept his eyes straight ahead with an occasional glance around while I looked from left to right to see the conditions of this part of London. It looked quite awful to tell the truth. It was sad to know that in this country you either had money or you were left in the slums to try to scrape money together for survival. But of course because I wasn't watching where I was going I ended up bumping into someone with Malphas catching me when I almost fell.
"I'm so sorry," I apologized hurriedly as the Indian man I had bumped into flinched while exclaiming,
"That hurt! That hurt! I've cracked a rib!" After a quick scan with my powers I determined that the man did not in fact have any broken ribs. "I'm done for! I might die!"
"Hey, what's wrong?" asked another Indian man.
"That's awful," commented another. "She needs to compensate you for that!" As this was tossed around many of the Indian men looked at me with hungry eyes that had me shaking a bit. Malphas on the other hand shook with rage that urged him to shoot forward and eliminate any and all threats to me.
"Get rid of them Sebastian," Ciel demanded when he caught the looks the men were giving me.
"With pleasure," Malphas smirked. The main man, before Malphas took a step forward, reached forward and grasped my upper arm in an attempt to drag me by him. Malphas made to jump forward and slaughter the man when I told him to stop just as a new voice called for us to wait. Upon hearing the voice I broke the man's hold on me, stepped back over to my brother, then turned to see a tall Indian man with plum colored hair dressed to the nine in royal attire. Wait, it can't be! It can't be the Prince Soma that I learned about in my history lessons, I thought when I recognized him from the picture.
"I'm looking for someone," he began holding up a very bad drawing of a person. "Have you seen-," As soon as his eyes fell on me, I could see his eyes widen and his mouth stopped talking in shock. I guess I did look odd to the foreigner given that I was pale, had very blue eyes, had white hair, and wore white and silver clothes.
"Who the hell are you?!" questioned the leader of the crowd. "Stay out of this!"
"Are you really saying that to your prince," I challenged after hearing him talk like that. I did not know about in India but I knew in London, if someone were to bad mouth royalty, they were severely punished. Everyone but the group of Indian men looked shocked at my words while the group simply smirked.
"There ain't no way he's our prince," sneered the leader as he once again tried to grab me. Sigh, I guess it's time for plan B. When his hand neared my person, I snatched it and used his weight to flip him onto the ground.
"How dare you!" shouted the other men before they rushed at me. I gave a small sigh as I prepared my body then used my top most speed to take out all of the men as quickly as I could.
"Ariel, are you alright?" Malphas asked when he took hold of my arms, his eyes running over my body for any type of harm.
"I'm fine Sebastian," I assured him before I turned to the prince to curtsy low.
"Hello Prince Soma Ashad Kamar," I greeted him. "My name is Lady Ariel Diana Stella Phantomhive, this is my older brother Lord Ciel Vincent Phantomhive and our butler Sebastian Michaelis. It is an honor to meet you." All through my introduction Ciel looked questioningly at me then the two new additions to our group while Malphas looked at them warily.
"It is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance Lady Ariel," the white haired man behind the prince returned upon the speechlessness of his master. "My name is Agni and I am khansama (butler) to the prince."
"How do you do Agni. What are you two doing so far from home?"
"We are looking for one of the prince's closest friends growing up. We think she was taken."
"Oh no. That's horrible. I hope you find her."
"Thank you Lady Ariel."
"C'mon Ariel. We're done here," Ciel told me as he turned his back to Prince Soma and Agni. I gave another deep curtsy in farewell before I followed after my brother with his fast pace.
"How did you know that he was a prince?" Ciel asked me as his cloak was removed from his shoulders.
"I learned about India and its monarchy in my history lessons," I answered. "Prince Soma is the twenty-sixth prince in line of the throne."
"Is that right?" he pondered when the front door of the town house was opened by none other than Lau.
"My Lord, you really are here!" he exclaimed in surprised happiness upon seeing my brother.
"Hello Lau," I greeted the odd Chinese man.
"Lady Ariel," he returned with a smile.
"You're just dropping in unannounced?!" shouted Ciel. "How often have I told you to at least send a note before you visit?!"
"Ah, I vaguely remember that," Lau admitted airily which had my brother grinding his teeth and me giggling. It was amazing how Lau could make my brother so worked up.
"Ah, we have a guest. Why don't I server tea?" Malphas suggested.
"Might as well," Ciel sighed in exasperation.
"I'd rather have Chai than English tea," a familiar voice piped up.
"Might as well," Ciel repeated in the same tone before his eyes landed on Prince Soma and Agni who stood in the doorway.
"Your Highness! Agni! Welcome!" I smiled to the two newcomers. At my voice a slight blush coated Prince Soma's cheeks.
"Wha- Wha-," was Ciel's only response to their presence.
Malphas, the tea please.
Yes, Ariel.
He then snuck off to go make the tea for all of us.
"Oh, I met them on a street corner," Lau explained to us. "They said they wanted to see Lady Ariel."
"Ahh, well come on in!" I said while motioning for them to enter. "Why don't we all go sit in the parlor?"
"That sounds lovely Lady Ariel," Agni replied in earnest.
"I'd like that," Prince Soma voiced in his alto voice.
"Hey, Ariel!" Ciel protested at once when I began to lead the group into the parlor. "You can't just invite people you've only just met into your home!"
"But we're friends now," I defended. "Right Agni, Your Highness?"
"I am deeply honored to be your friend," Agni told me.
"If we're friends then you can call me Soma," Prince Soma insisted.
"And you can call me Ariel," I returned. "See Ciel." He sighed deeply at my words but he knew that I had made up my mind about this. By the time we entered the parlor, Malphas was already there with the tea and snacks. "Yay! Snacks!" I took my cup of tea from Malphas as well as a raspberry cookie that I nibbled on happily.
"Thank you Sebastian." After finishing said cookie I turned to Prince Soma and Agni. "So who is it that you two are looking for?"
"Her name is Mina," Prince Soma replied. "She was my nursemaid and has been with me for as long as I can remember. I was always alone in the palace except for her. But a British nobleman had an eye on her and kidnapped her and took her here while I was away." This caused a constriction of my heart. There could be two sides of this story. IT could be like how Prince Soma described it or it could be that the woman fell in love and left of her own free will. From my understanding of how India worked, there was a caste system that was built on a hierarchy that no one could escape even if they tried. If Mina was part of a low caste, then she might have wanted to leave for the better life of the wife of an English nobleman. So it was quite possible that she did not wish to return back to her home country.
"Could I see the picture?" I asked softly. Prince Soma was quick to take the paper out of his jacket and hand it over. While it wasn't anything to go by, I would help this man get the closure he needed by seeing this woman again. "How about you, Agni, and I head out tomorrow and look for her?"
"Really?" Prince Soma asked, his eyes sparkling like a little kid which had my eyes softening and a small smile appearing.
"Of course."
"Ariel, I don't want you going out alone," Ciel spoke up.
"I'm not going to be alone," I reminded him. "Prince Soma and Agni will be with me."
"We will protect Lady Ariel," Agni promised with a hand over his heart. A glare from Malphas went unnoticed by everyone else as the decision to go into town tomorrow became final. Once Lau left I showed Prince Soma to his room while Malphas showed Agni to his.
"Ariel," Prince Soma called out before I left his doorway.
"Yes, Prince Soma?"
"I want to thank you for helping me."
"There is no need to thank me Prince Soma. I think it is admirable that you would go so far for a friend." Before I could blink, his arms wrapped around me to pull me into a hug while his face buried itself where my shoulder and my neck met. With a small warmth growing in my heart at his childish act, I returned the hug before I turned to leave.
"Goodnight Prince Soma."
"Goodnight Ariel."
o0o0o0o0o0o An Earthbound Angel o0o0o0o0o
Will you look at that. It seems that our little prince has a crush on Ariel. What will Bassy and Undertaker say to this? Anyways, I just wanted to get this chapter out, so here you lovelies go. Remember, if you have any comments, concerns, or questions, feel free to leave a review. Remember reviews are magic!
-White Wolf