Chapter 26: A Bittersweet Reunion
Hello again my lovelies! So sorry it took so long to get this chapter out. I have way too many stories that I work on to divide my time up evenly plus my school work. Anyways, I have nothing left to say so let's get on with the magic.
nannas-onepiece-adventure: Thank you for your feedback! And welcome to the family new lovely!
le petite fleur: Well hello new lovely! And I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your praise. I try my hardest to make my story as accurate as possible for all of you to enjoy, so hearing you enjoy it makes me happy.
Now that the magic has been delivered, on with the quote!
"God puts rainbows in the clouds so that each of us- in the dreariest and most dreaded moments- can see a possibility of hope."
-Maya Angelou
Thoughts
Foreign language translated into English (Not promising detail accurate translations. My native language is English and I'm learning Japanese. If I mess up I would love some help form anybody who is willing)
Alright, everything looks to be in order, so on with the story!
o0o0o0o0o0o0o An Earthbound Angel o0o0o0o0o0o
The next morning I awoke feeling very peaceful and content with my mate sleeping on my stomach. I began to hum a soft melody as I ran my fingers through Malphas's hair . A low, pleased rumble came from his chest at the feeling while his arms squeezed around my waist just slightly.
"Good morning Malphas," I whispered.
"Good morning my mate," he returned peacefully. "How did you sleep?"
"I slept quite well. What time is it?"
"Seven thirty a.m."
"Then we have to get up," I sighed softly. Malphas gave a soft growl in rejection of the idea, but he still let me sit up and scoot to the edge of the bed. Behind me I could feel Malphas move until he had his chest pushed up against my back.
"Why don't we take the morning bath together?" he suggested lowly in my ear. "This gives me time to make up for the unfortunate way I had to leave you our first morning together."
"That sounds wonderful."
No other words needed to be spoken as Malphas scooped me up with my back still to his chest and carried me into my bathroom. The tub was quickly filled which we then sank into the warm water. A sigh of contentment left my lips while Malphas began his purr that vibrated his chest against my back. With a smile still touching my lips, I reached for the scented soap on the table beside the tub, but Malphas quickly shut me down.
"I will be the one to wash you," he insisted, taking the bar in hand with a washcloth to lather it up. Deciding not to push him on it, I let him run the soft washcloth against my skin to wash away the dirt from my skin. After that he busied himself with my hair and put it up into a bun when he was finished. He made to wash himself, but I stopped him.
"Yes, my mate?" he questioned with a raised eyebrow at my actions. A healthy blush settled onto my cheeks at my thoughts but I soldiered on and voiced them.
"Could I wash you?"
A huge smirk grew on Malphas's face at my question while he handed over the soap happily.
"I would love that."
My hands shook as I began running the cloth along his body, but after a few minutes, my hands grew steady. Malphas's rumbling/purring grew louder when my hands wandered from his body to his hair. My smile grew while I scrubbed his scalp.
Once I made sure he was free of soap suds and he did the same to me, we both left the tub. Almost as soon as my feet touched the ground I was wrapped up in a fluffy towel and dried off.
"Thank you," I managed to get out through the thick material. Malphas also took my hair out from the bun he put it in to dry it until it was slightly damp. From there I was ushered out into my room where my hair was once again bound up so that I could get dressed.
"Your brother believes that the Queen will be coming to the curry contest," he explained when he laid out a chemise along with drawers, petticoats, and a cage crinoline. "So he has asked me to dress you in clothes that would be fitting for an audience with the queen."
"Alright," I sighed sadly at the undergarments besides the chemise. "At least I don't have to wear a corset."
"We both know that you are slim enough not to need a corset," Malphas told me, fastening my drawers, petticoats, and cage crinoline before my chemise slid on over it. I gave a sheepish look as a beautiful pink dress was slipped over my head. The bodice was white linen lined with silver ribbon at the top with a cross between a straight across and a scoop neckline. On the sides of the bodice and on a v to my hips was cerise pink satin lined with silver lace and silver satin ribbon criss-crossing under my breasts down to the end of the v. As for my sleeves, they went down to my wrist of the cerise pink satin lined with silver lace while ruffled white linen was in two layers down to the middle of my hand. From my hips down to the floor was the rest of the cerise pink satin with a silver satin bustle at my butt. For accessories, a silver choker was placed around my neck that had a white diamond in the middle with a diamond shaped white diamond hanging down then had a tear drop shaped white diamond under the other. My hair was then parted in the middle in the front with a lock of hair framing my face on each side while a cluster of hair at each side of my head was swept back to be fastened with white camellia flower combs and the rest of my hair was to fall down my back in gentle waves. The final touch I needed was to slip on silver slippers, swipe some silver dust on my eyelids, and spritz on some camellia water. Malphas on the other hand was dressed in a flash.
"I have to help your brother dress for the day. Why don't you head down to the dining room first?"
"Alright Malphas," I smiled warmly with a peck to his cheek. "I'll see you downstairs."
I easily slipped past him to breeze down the stairs down to the foyer.
"Suprabhaat (Good morning)," Prince Soma greeted me from his place at the breakfast table.
"Namaste Raj Kumar Soma (Good morning Prince Soma)," I returned easily. "Aap achchhee tarah se so kiya (Did you sleep well)?"
"Main tumhen mujhe Soma kol karane ke lie kaha tha (I told you to call me Soma)," he pouted cutely before he brightened. "Main achchhee tarah se soya. Apane sapane sukhad the (I slept well. Were your dreams pleasant)?"
"Haan, ve the (Yes, they were)," I answered easily just as Ciel and Malphas entered the room. "Good morning Ciel. Good morning Sebastian."
"Good morning Ariel," Ciel returned with a half smile at my attire. "I see that Sebastian passed on the news of the Queen."
"Good morning Young Mistress," Malphas nodded towards me. When Ciel sat down at the table, breakfast was immediately brought out for the three of us. We ate quickly in relative silence so that we could set out for the contest along with Mei, Finni, and Bard.
"So Ariel," Ciel began while the two of us made up the front of the group. "I heard an interesting noise last night."
I could feel a blush try to work itself onto my cheeks, but I kept it down.
"I don't know what you mean Ciel."
"Sure you don't," he rolled his eyes. "Next time, can you keep Sebastian a little bit quieter next time. He was so loud he could have woken the dead."
From the other side of our bond, I could feel the smirk appearing on Malphas's face.
Oh hush Malphas.
I have no idea what you are talking about, my mate.
I only grumbled good naturedly in my mind that had Malphas chuckling through our bond.
The walk was very short considering that we were staying in the townhouse which left us all in the throng of numerous people.
"Ah, Young Earl," came Lau's voice to our side.
"Lau," Ciel said in surprise at the Chinese man. "What are you doing here?"
"Well, your butler is entering the contest so I thought I should come and see," he told us, wrapping an arm around Ran Mau. As if one cue, Malphas bowed to us.
"Well then, I have preparations to make, so I'll excuse myself."
"See you later!" Bard called after him.
"Get the job done! Heh, heh!" Finni cheered.
"Show them you can do it!" I added in for good measure. He was pleased at my cheer which put him in a good mood as he strode away. This in turn made me smile until I saw Prince Soma run off from the group. Without even thinking I ran after him to make sure he would be safe. Because of my training and abilities, I was able to catch up with him. I made to ask him what he was doing when he stopped and looked to his right to see the back of the woman who met his description.
"Mina!"
She immediately stopped in her tracks and turned around while saying Prince Soma's name.
"Mina!" Prince Soma exclaimed in joy while his arms wrapped around the woman. "Bhagavaan ka shukr hai! Agni aap vaapas mil gaya! (Thank goodness! Agni got you back!)"
I could sense the ill feelings rolling off of Mina when Prince Soma pulled away to hold her at arm's length.
"Tum ab chinta karane kee jaroorat nahin. Chalo vaapas mahal karane ke lie ek saath jao! (You don't need to worry now. Let's go back to the palace together!)"
"Mahaashay? (Your Highness?)" Mina questioned up into Prince Soma's earnest golden hazel eyes before her features twisted up into a ugly, mean expression.
"Kya aapako, bevakooph hain? (What are you, stupid?)" Mina nastily commented which shocked the poor prince. "Tumhaare saath ghar jaana hai? Mujhe hansee mat karo! (Go home with you? Don't make me laugh!)"
She then knock off Prince Soma's hold on her shoulders.
"Kyon shaitaan main vaapas vahaan jaana chaahie? (Why the devil should I go back there?) Main bhaarat se bachane ke lie sabhee is pareshaanee ke maadhyam se chala gaya. (I went through all this trouble to escape India.) Kuchh log poore din khelate hain aur sirph ve royal paida hue the, kyonki kabhee nahin kaam kar sakate hain. Lekin main jab tak main meree jaati ke kaaran mar ek naukar banana hai! Main jaati vyavastha dvaara janjeer mere poore jeevan jeena nahin chaahata! (Some people can play all day and never work just because they were born royal. But I have to be a servant until I die because of my caste! I don't want to live my whole life chained by the caste system!)"
"Main bhaarat se bachane ke lie sabhee is pareshaanee ke maadhyam se chala gaya. Kuchh log poore din khelate hain aur sirph ve royal paida hue the, kyonki kabhee nahin kaam kar sakate hain. Lekin main jab tak main meree jaati ke kaaran mar ek naukar banana hai! main jaati vyavastha dvaara mera poora jeevan jeena nahin chaahata (I went through all this trouble to escape India. Some people can play all day and never work just because they were born royal. But I have to be a servant until I die because of my caste! I don't want to live my whole life by the caste system!)"
"Usake baad aap.. pashchimee deshon ke saath jaana chaahate the? (Then you...wanted to go with West...?)
This is where I could tell that the situation was going to go south and quickly for Prince Soma. To try to save him from the heartache that Mina was undoubtedly going to bestow on him, I spoke up.
"Mina," I tried only to be ignored by the both of them.
"Haan! (Yes!)," Mina snapped whipping around to face the very shell shocked prince. "Ek neech naukar ya ek ameer aadamee kee patnee?! Yahaan tak ki ek bachcha jo ek behatar hai pata hoga! (A lowly servant or a rich man's wife?! Even a child would know which one is better!)"
"Mina," I said again except this time a little louder. I was still ignored.
"Aur main aap kee dekhabhaal lene ke lie paryaapt tha hai, bavva kharaab kar diya! Main tum, lekin apana chehara dekh nahin bata vaada kiya... Tum sachchaee ka pata karane ke lie kaaphee puraanee hain. (And I've had enough of taking care of you, you spoiled brat! I promised not to tell you, but seeing your face...You're old enough to know the truth.)"
And with that Mina stormed off leaving me alone with a speechless Prince Soma.
"Raj Kumar Soma (Prince Soma)," I tried to see how he was faring.
"Meena mujhe chhod diya...(Mina left me...)," he managed to get out through choked back tears. "Vah chhod diya...(She left...)"
"Soma," I breathed out at his pain, my motherly instincts kicking in as my arms spread out wide for him. Without any need for encouragement, Prince Soma threw himself into my arms. People began to stare at us due to his crying so I ushered us into a secluded place where he could cry in peace without worrying about all the prying eyes. Just like last night he clung to me like a child would his mother as he let out all of his feelings through his tears.
"Yah hai ki Soma (That's it Soma)," I encouraged him in a soft voice. "Yah sab baahar jaane (Let it all out)."
After minutes of him bawling, he finally relented and sniffed while he sat up.
"Ab aap angrejee bol sakate hain? (Can you speak English now?)," I asked softly.
"Yes," he sniffed, looking at me with red, puffy eyes. "I think I have gotten it all out."
"That's good," I smiled as I raised my sleeve and wiped his tears away with the soft linen. "Are you ready to talk over it?"
"Yes."
"Good. what is the first thing that bothers you?"
"Why didn't Mina tell me that she felt like this before? Was I really that selfish that I couldn't understand or did I not want to."
"From what I know of your caste system back home," I mused. "No one can escape from their caste. She probably felt like she was trapped with no where to go. Then when a place to leave was offered to her, she took it without hesitation. She may have been selfish, but what would you have done in her shoes?"
He grew quiet at my words while he thought about it.
"I probably would have done the same thing," he admitted sadly.
"I know it hurts Prince Soma, but in time everything will be right as rain."
"Thank you Ariel. I don't know what I would have done without you."
"Oh, there you are luv," came Pheobus's name from behind us. "The contest is starting."
"Thank you Undertaker," I beamed up at him. "C'mon Prince Soma. You should be there to cheer Agni on."
With new found determination and strength, Prince Soma stood from the ground and Pheobus helped me up from the ground.
When we arrived at the contest, all of the contestants were lined up.
"Go cheer on Agni Prince Soma," I encouraged him. "You may not wish to speak with him right now, but he still adores you. You two can talk about what happened when you two get home."
He gave me a nod before he slid over towards the side of the stage where Agni could see him at all times.
"What was that about luv?" Pheobus questioned in my ear.
Instead of telling him, I showed him all of my memories of the current situation.
"Ah, quite a little drama you have there."
I made to answer but music played all around us which took my mind from the conversation. What is going on? Everybody turned at almost the same time to see the silhouette of the queen along with who looked to be a butler. As they got closer, I could see the face of the butler clearly. It was Ash. When I notice recognized the gender swapping angel, my body began involuntarily shake.
Ariel, what is wrong? came both Malphas's and Pheobus's voices in my head at my fear.
Ash is here.
Where?! They both demanded, their blood thirst growing for the known to them angel.
He's the Queen's butler.
All three of us stared at the supernatural butler as "God Save the Queen" was sung until the Queen and Ash reached the throne.
"The Queen bids me to tell you, 'I apologize for my inability to appear before you for so long. However, I am now in such perfect health that I may even enjoy curry again. My late husband Albert was very fond of curry as well. I look forward to examining the fruits of your labors."
At the end of his little speech, I could feel Ash's eyes on me. Instead of focusing on the judging for the curry, I leaned into Pheobus's side to try to get the encounter I had with Ash out of my mind. What made it worse was that because I was of the Phantomhive family that I had to stand close to both Her Majesty and Ash. Out of the corner of his eye, Ciel sent me worried looks at my shaking and burrowing int o Pheobus's side. The question 'Are you okay' was plainly clear in his visible blue eye that had me shakily nodding my head to try to avoid making a scene. Pheobus couldn't take my shaking anymore so he wrapped an arm around my waist to try to calm me down the best he could as well as himself. I bet if it was only Ash and him, he would have pulled out his death scythe and tear my fellow angel apart. My inner monologue was then cut short to shouts of protest coming from the judges table at Malpahs's creation. I looked up on stage to see raw dough balls that he was dipping into bubbling oil to cook. Lo and behold when he pulled it out, the curry he had worked on earlier was in the middle to which Malphas dubbed "the curry bun". Two judges gave him high praise but Viscount Druitt just made it weird. I ended up leaning more into Pheobus at the strange noises coming from him. By the way he was speaking of a swan, I knew he was talking about me. Through my bond with Malphas I could feel his irritation while both Malphas and Pheobus could feel my disgust and horror at it. Then came the time for the judges to talk over their choice for the winner while all of the citizens were able to try any curry we wished. The first curry I sampled was Agni's, which had a very round flavor, before I settled with one of the curry buns. As soon as the flavor touched my tongue, I felt a large smile cross my face and a giggle bubble up from my throat.
"Is it that good?" Pheobus asked me from his position of leaning his chin on top of my head.
"Mmm hmm," I agreed without opening my mouth so that food wouldn't fall out. I then offered it up to him in a gesture of telling him to try it. His chin lifted up from my head to bite the delicious treat, then chew and swallow before he rested his head back on my head.
"It is good luv," he chuckled. "I hate to compliment him, but sure can cook."
"I agree," Prince Soma piped up from my right after he had picked up one of the curry buns. "They taste so kind."
"Lady Ariel," came a voice I did not wish to hear from behind me. "Her Majesty wishes to speak with you." I could faintly hear Pheobus growl as I turned to face Ash.
"Thank you," I managed to get out through my fear. Pheobus took his chin from my head again to let an hand settle at the small of my back to lead me to her Majesty when Ash spoke.
"She prefers you to come alone."
Another low growl came from Pheobus as he let me walk forward without him.
Damn fallen angel, Pheobus grumbled through our bond.
I'll be fine Pheobus, I assured him even though I myself was unsure. None the less I stepped forward and took the offered elbow Ash had to escort me to Her Majesty.
"Ariel Phantomhive," Her Majesty greeted me in a childlike voice. What? "It's such a pleasure to meet another angel. No wonder you were always so radiant when I saw you."
My body immediately tensed at the mention of me being an angel. No one was supposed to know unless there was no other choice, so how did she know? My eyes snapped up to Ash to see that he was smirking at me.
"Is it true that you and Ash are going to be wed?"
This new question made me start in surprise. What did she mean?
"I beg your pardon," I questioned.
"Ash said that you were going to be his queen so I assumed that you two were going to marry. If that's the case, allow me to throw you two a beautiful wedding."
Her Majesty then went on to gush about how she was going to plan the ceremony. While she did that, I looked kept my shocked eyes on the fallen angel who was dictating how my life was going to go.
"Here is the curry bun that Her Majesty requested," Malphas interrupted while holding out a tray with the curry bun. Her Majesty cut of mid rant to accept the curry bun from Ash and take a bite. During this exchange I curtsied to Her Majesty to make a hasty exit.
"If you will excuse me Your Majesty, I have to speak with my brother."
I didn't wait for a reply before I hurried over to Ciel who was standing next to Pheobus. It was then that Ash gave a speech on Her Majesty's behalf that was interrupted by Mina who had a dark purple aura surrounding her.
"How you flatter yourselves!" she exclaimed harshly. "Equality? The future? The queen of a wealthy country like this who's never done any hard work has no place saying that!"
She then proceeded to smack dishes off the table which prompted her husband to run over to her to get her to stop. That didn't work for she was able to send him flying while Scotland Yard stepped in to try to restrain her. She easily managed to beat them down while going on about how curry should be spicy. Slowly everyone else began to be effected by whatever Mina was as they began to glow the dark purple color. Pheobus was quick to pull me into his chest and scoot us back from the fray to make sure I wouldn't get hurt.
Pheobus, I'm fine. I can hold my own in a fight.
Your aura doesn't say so, he argued back easily. I made to make a retort but I was cut off my Ciel being surrounded by the mindless zombies. There were no thoughts passing through my mind at the sight as my body launched itself into action against Pheobus's wishes.
"Ariel!" he called out after me. In three seconds flat I was by the ring of zombies to punch, kick, and throw them away from my brother who looked at me with pride in his eyes.
"Thanks Ariel."
"No problem Ciel."
That was when Malphas appeared beside me to receive Ciel's order to stop Mina from hurting the queen. I kept close to my brother while Pheobus made it back to my side while giving me s disproving look.
"Ariel...,"
"I'm fine," I insisted sternly. "I am not a weak, defenseless woman who needs to be coddled."
There were no words after that as we kept a protective stance around my brother. Out of the corner of my eye to my left, I could see Prince Soma and Agni making up making a small smile grow on my lips.
In what seemed like a whirlwind of activity the rampaging people were able to be calmed by Malphas's curry buns. Wow, who would have thought that? In the end we were given the Royal Warrant and the victims of the evil spice were being taken care of.
"Lord Phantomhive, Lady Ariel," Ash said as he joined our little group. "I would like to congratulate the both of you on obtaining the Royal Warrant. Her Majesty has expressed her gratitude."
He went on to say more but he words drowned out when his eyes met mine and I had the shaking start up again. Thankfully he left before long which had me giving a sigh of relief.
"Ariel," came Prince Soma's voice from my right.
"Yes?"
"I never had the chance to thank you. Without your guidance I never would have been able to mature past being a selfish spoiled brat. From now on I will learn many things and travel so that I can become a man second to none."
Agni and Malphas then had their little heart to heart which I found endearing. I twas always nice to have new friends. My thoughts were then interrupted by Prince Soma sniffling beside me.
"Prince Soma?" I asked him upon hearing and seeing his tears.
"Mina!" he cried while holding onto my waist again so that we slid to the ground and his head lay in my lap again. "Mina! Mina!"
"My, oh my," I sighed like mother comforting her child while I ran my hand though his long hair.
o0o0o0o0o0o0o An Earthbound Angel o0o0o0o0o0o
Phew, here is another chapter for ya'll. Sorry it took so long but I tried to match everything up nicely with merging the anime and the Book of Circus Ark together. Anyways, do any of you have any idea why Undertaker was treating Ariel that way? And what was with his comment? Leave a review with your thoughts and I will include them with the next chapter. If you have any further questions, comments, or concerns with the story, please either review or pm me so that I can keep this train a goin'. Remember, spread the magic!
-White Wolf