Isabel may seem similar to Ciel as they both have experienced tragic pasts and wish for payment from such fates.
However, I am determined for Isabel to walk her own name so just you wait and see!
Hope you enjoy!
"Might I ask about this additional baggage?" Cain asked while lifting the blood stained woman from the carriage. The two had finally arrived home after many hours of traveling and Isabel found that she could barely tolerate walking, let alone the demon's questions.
"Because" Isabel stated, her tone flat. "I chose to."
The demon's eyebrow lifted, clearly expecting a better answer. "If that is all, then why must we feed another mouth? We have plenty of staff already employed, another is not required; not to mention that the ones we do hold on retainer are for the sole purpose of creating an image as to not arouse suspicion." Cain stared at the back of his lady's head, considering her "unless you have another purpose for her?"
Isabel sighed in exasperation "I figured she was the only living witness, so perhaps she may have seen the cloaked man. If she didn't, then we shall fire another as I have completely gained loyalty over that girl. Rather than the many we hired during our haste, where they all simply stay in hopes that you will take them to their beds." Isabel was almost growling at the end of her rant, and she glared back at him. "Why does it matter? Drilling your Mistress like so." Isabel continued to vent as the two walked the distance from the stables to the house with the unconscious woman thrown over the demon's shoulder.
She's hiding her true purpose, but I suppose I understand. Cain knew Isabel well enough that he could tell that she was becoming defensive. She normally would have no problem explaining her methods; rather she prided herself in her schemes, so the fact that she was growing angry with him and making excuses pretty much proved his hunch. Cain narrowed his eyes, annoyed she wasn't speaking the whole truth. If it were any other female, he would simply take the women's chin and make her tell him. It would take but seconds upon looking into the demon's eyes and any woman would submit themselves in the false hope of sinful bliss. Isabel was special in the most frustrating of ways, as seduction held no effect upon his Mistress. In most cases, such methods would only make the problem worse.
He watched as Isabel glided up the small stairs to the front door and went to open it, moving her body against it once ajar. Cain accelerated his step as well as to not having his lady holding the door any longer then she must. Once both inside, Isabel turned to the girl in his arms and narrowed her eyes at her. After a few seconds Isabel reached up and pinched the woman's nose. The girl began to twitch in slight discomfort, but then moments later her eyes began to flutter open. She made a soft noise and brought her hands up to rub at her eyes, but jumped when she felt Isabel's hand on her nose.
"Wake up, Kaile. We have arrived." Isabel said, removing her hand when she saw the woman focus on her. She watched as the girl weakly took in her surroundings and then noticed Cain carrying her. Her eyes widened in surprise and then her features switched to that of embarrassment due to her lack of clothing. Her eyes continued to gaze up at the white haired Casanova with eyes full of curiosity and the demon gave her a curt smile.
"Don't mind, Cain. He is one of my servants as well." Isabel looked up at the man in question and wore an annoyed expression "you may ogle each other later in your private time, but as of now we must clean her up. She smells absolutely dreadful."
The crimson orbs of the demon flicked up suddenly to examine his Mistress. Had that been spite he had heard? Interesting… Understanding the underlying order, Cain gently put Kaile down on her feet and bowed to both women before disappearing down the hallway.
"Here, at least put this on." Isabel walked over to a coat tree and withdrew a dark cowl hung upon the top rung. She brought it over to the girl and went about draping around her. "I shall show you to the bath house."
The two walked down the hallway and soon found themselves in a comfortable silence. Isabel enjoyed the soft hum you only heard during such times, but then the gentle voice of Kaile broke it.
"Why did you save me?" The girl's voice was almost a whisper.
Isabel paused for a moment before answering, considering this question for the second time this evening. She wanted to believe it was only because she may hold valuable information, but what use was it to lie to herself.
"I saw myself… I am curious if you can recover with such a small act of kindness when you have experienced a hell unlike any other." Isabel's tone was light, sounding almost gentle. "How long were you there?"
"At that residence, a few weeks… Prior to that, I have been enslaved for a couple years." Kaile answered purely out of question, but that was hardly her focus. "You saw yourself…?"
Isabel turned to face the girl abruptly and the intensity of her features were embellished under the harsh moonlight that shined from a nearby window. "I don't make a habit in repeating myself." The violet of her eyes grew dark with expectation "live and serve me faithfully and we shall create a new era." She turned yet again and her hair flew restlessly, flowing upon a wind completely her own.
The girl with wide eyes watched the woman walk down the hall. Her throat became dry as she felt overwhelmed by her new Mistress's pride and confidence. The distance felt impossible to obtain, whilst her legs lagged in the past, but when Isabel glanced over her shoulder with an amused smiled Kaile felt her body move. She wanted to be able to walk in this woman's shadow, she wanted to catch up with her, and she wanted to live.
"A man in a cowl?" Kaile asked, while scrubbing herself thoroughly in front of her Mistress. Well, she shouldn't say in front of her, because they were both bathing.
"Yes, a man completely shrouded in a dark black cowl. His mouth might have been the only feature you would have seen as everything else was completely hidden." Isabel said, tossing her hair over her head to tie it up with a very fascinating clip.
"No… I don't recall a man fitting such a description. It does not sound like any of my previous clientele." Kaile found it was hard not to glance over at the woman as she washed herself, and it didn't help she wasn't the least bit considered with the girl looking at her. Though the woman's beauty caught her attention that was not the sole reason why Kaile found herself constantly looking at her.
Scars littered the woman, starting from her shoulders and weaving down all the way to the tops of her feet. They varied in depth and color and she found her Mistress wore them confidently, not ashamed or shy of the past brutality she had suffered.
"How long do you intend to stare?"
Kaile blushed, as she was caught. She immediately looked anywhere, but at the woman. "My apologies… The marks are compelling." She then busied herself with finishing her personal cleaning. She was so focused upon completing this task she did not sense the woman until she felt arms wrap themselves around her form.
"M-m-mistress?" Kaile squeaked, trying to look back at the woman behind her hugging her.
"I envy your soft skin, Kaile." Isabel's hands ventured from Kaile's smooth belly and then snaked around her sides. Immediately Kaile screamed out in laughter, causing the woman to pause in her exploration. Isabel removed her hands and leaned over the girl to look at her curiously, awaiting an explanation.
"I am… ticklish." Kaile said her face a complete mess. She didn't know how to act around this odd woman.
Isabel blinked several times, considering this new information. She then smiled wickedly "I see, how amusing…"
Laughter erupted from the walls of the small wash house, causing the demon waiting outside to sigh.
Cain glared at the door that separated him from what he believed to be a most entertaining show. However, he could not enter as he had been specifically ordered not to by his annoying Mistress's lips. Regardless of how the demon fought saying Isabel should not bathe in such quarters, she had simply followed the girl by the name of Kaile saying she had much to speak with her about. The demon may not have been able to see, but he could hear their conversation in complete clarity. He was fully aware of Kaile witnessing his lady and he didn't much care for it. Perhaps he had made mental enemies with the wrong sex…
After almost an hour, the ladies emerged from the bath house. Isabel was first, her hair slightly frizzy as it typically was after a bath. She grinned to Cain "I trust you remained outside the entire time?"
"As ordered, yes" Cain replied in a flat tone.
"Splendid. I will be retiring for the night, be a dear and show Kaile to her quarters." Isabel waved at the demon and quickly traveled down the length of the hallway to vanish in its faint darkness.
Cain watched her go until he couldn't see her any longer and then turned to face the girl in question. His expression and voice was harsher then he intended. "Don't dawdle and follow me." He faced forward once more and began to escort the girl.
Kaile followed the man in silence, wondering the two's relationship. She didn't believe Cain was a butler or footman, as he felt much higher in class. He stood tall and walked with confidence, his position confusing her. She hadn't realized how long she had been considering this until Cain stopped and gestured to a door.
"This shall serve as your quarters for as long as you remain our Mistress's tenant. Try and get some sleep, as our work day starts very early. Tomorrow I will have you shadowing some of the other ladies and you will learn your duties from them. Good evening, Miss Kaile." Cain nodded to her, and then turned on his heel to go.
"Cain… what is your title?" Kaile asked her voice timid.
He glanced back, his eyes glowing in their demonic way "currently I am honored to serve as my Mistress's shadow." Then as if engulfed in darkness, Cain vanished.
"What do you mean he hasn't returned?!" Isabel growled at the useless man that stood before her.
"Um… well, Lady Crane, Winston left early last week and has yet to return…" The man reported, seeming very uncomfortable. His terror rose as Isabel's eyes darkened in rage and she rose to walk towards him.
It had been nearly a month since Isabel had established a trading route which mimicked the deceased Botly's. She had sent out three and each were under the supervision of the man standing before her who was sweating as if he was standing before the sun itself.
"I entrusted you with this route, Lance, because I felt you capable, but I suppose I was wrong." She kept walking towards him until she was in his face. "At least you can provide me with an idea of all the stops your man was supposed to do?"
Lance gulped and quickly grabbed his satchel to retrieve a piece of parchment. "Yes! Of course my lady! I have documented all markets he was supposed to travel to in his route…"
After a couple hours the boy by the name of Lance could be seen quickly galloping off on his horse in fright from his meeting with Isabel Crane.
"Useless! Cain, come here if you will." Isabel said as she fell back into her chair.
Cain simply materialized in front of her with a whisk of shadows "what do you wish of me, Mistress?"
"We are going on a trip. Please make preparations that account for our absence for several days as we will be investigating where my trader has disappeared." She raked her hair away from her face with her contracted hand and the symbol beneath glowed to reflect her commanding tone.
The demon nodded "I will summon a servant of mine to watch over the estate in our absence, how soon would you like to leave?"
Isabel fought her curiosity to answer Cain "immediately as I do not know where my supply rests as of currently. What servant?"
Cain grinned then as he brought his head back up "Shall I introduce you?"
To be continued!
From those of you who read Atonement, who do you think Cain will introduce her to?
See you all next chapter! Look forward to your answers :3