A/N A huge thanks to all those who have reviewed this story! It makes me more determined to upload chapters faster! Hope everyone is enjoying it so far, and I should get another chapter up tomorrow.

After finishing her meal, which was as always delicious, Penelope made her way to the living room wondering what odd explanation she would be subjected to. But of course, if you live with a demon, life isn't exactly going to be normal. She rubbed her eyes, still feeling tired from the events last night and opened the living room door to find no one there.

The room, which her family had probably spent most of their time in, had dark blue walls with bluebells printed at either side of the wall in the centre. The furniture was a much lighter shade of blue and an assortment of cream colours. Together, the colours actually worked and Penelope was very happy with the way it looked, although it was obvious that her mother had chosen the design, for her father used to complain about wanting a different living room altogether. Shaking her head, she made her way to her favourite chair, which was a large overstuffed cream coloured seat, and bounced happily, in an attempt to make herself comfortable. Yet, her corset which was tied extra tightly for some reason, prevented her from getting to comfy. Considering running upstairs and attempting to throw the blasted thing off and put something much more comfortable on, she was stopped by a black clad figure entering the room.

"Apologies for the wait, Penelope, it seems the maid needed a bit of encouragement to go on her way". Claude, as he spoke, had gracefully walked in the room, and taken a seat directly opposite herself. Feeling an odd emotion wash over her, Penelope wondered what he meant by encouragement. Not holding back she began to speak.

"And what, pray tell, did your encouragement actually consist of?" She had unfolded her arms and instead gave him a narrowed eyed glare.

"Just some persuasion of sorts. I was, however, under the assumption that you had things you wanted to discuss without the maid knowing, so if I had known how interested you were in her whereabouts, I would have invited her to join". Claude retorted in a calm tone, although she detected the annoyance behind it.

"So where should I begin?" She began with a sigh. "Perhaps you could kindly explain to me why Lucy, who died two years ago just for the record, just so happened to, I don't know, wander in the house AND NEARLY KILL US BOTH!?" She shouted the last part and stood up angrily. She disliked the tone he had used and the realisation to how close she came to being kidnapped and possibly killed, unfortunately didn't make her feel any better.

He in return just leaned back in the chair and pushed up his glasses slowly. 'I swear he is being annoying on purpose' she thought. She began to fidget under his sharp stare and wondered where the friend who had hugged her whilst she slept last night had disappeared.

"Perhaps... You should calm down and act like a proper lady and take a seat". His voice filled the silent room and she gawked at him. Feeling hurt that he implied she wasn't a proper lady, Penelope glared at him before making her way out of the room. 'Fine, if he thinks I'm acting un-lady like now, I will show him how un-lady like I can be' she thought angrily. She had just gone to open the door, when a white covered hand slammed it shut, making her jump in surprise. She guessed that he might have tried to stop her, but didn't account on his reaction. Turning around, ready to give him a piece of her mind, she was suddenly pushed up against the door and her green eyes focused on the golden ones that had flashed red. Never had she seen him angry at her before, and although she disliked it, it was rather interesting seeing his normally calm posture, so tense.

"I really would sit down Penelope" he growled quietly and she considered slapping him for ordering her about. However, her curiosity about Lucy overpowered the urge and she placed her hands on his chest and effectively pushed him away. Sitting back down the both of them glared at the other, that was until Claude finally spoke.

"When I first joined the household, I had been suspicious of your nanny and spent some time investigating her. She is a demon, as I suspected yet she seemed to be more uncontrolled than most. Anyway, I very quickly found out she had formed a contract with another and decided for your safety it was easier to dispose of her". He paused making sure she was listening, in reply she nodded although her eyes were lowered and she was wringing her hands.

"However, I did not expect her to return. It was only when your uncle came that night, not that long after her 'death', that I noticed the contract mark on his neck. Realising Lucy was under his control, I believed that after I killed her, she would simply disappear and find a new soul".

"My uncle?" She exclaimed. 'Why that horrible, sick..' She stopped her thoughts there not wanting to get carried away.

"Yes, he seemed to have been determined to get your family's wealth and had enrolled the help of a demon" was his simple reply. Continuing, he said "I had not, however, accounted on Lucy wanting your soul, but it is obvious why she would want it". He was interrupted when Penelope's voice echoed slightly.

"Why? Why is it obvious she would want my soul? For revenge?" She asked, confused to why she was special enough for a demon to fight for her soul. He seemed to regret his words and took some time before replying.

"You have a very innocent soul Penelope, and for demons that is extremely appealing". She furrowed her brows at this and almost laughed at how absurd it sounded. Had she not have seen Claude as the monster he was, she would have thought him joking. But knowing the situation was in fact real she shyly asked the next question, wondering how he would reply.

"So, do you find my soul appealing, or is Lucy the only one?"

"Lucy is not worthy of your soul" was his cold reply and she rolled her eyes at him.

"You avoided the question Claude". She nearly flew out of her seat when he was suddenly kneeling down in front of her.

"And neither am I as worthy. But yes, I do find your soul appealing, but would never attempt to take it from you".

Penelope was taken back by his soft words and stopped herself from asking if he was ok. Only ten minutes ago had he technically pinned her up against the door making her sit down, and now he was back to being a humble butler and a caring friend. Her thoughts were broken when he took her hands in his own.

"Penelope, what I'm going to tell you will most likely upset you and I apologise for not telling you sooner. I have hesitated in telling you the truth in fear that you would react irrationally. So, before I tell you, you must promise, which will be extremely difficult, to not do anything stupid". A feeling of dread filled her and she narrowed her eyes at him. She didn't exactly want to make a promise that she wasn't going to keep, but it all depends on what he had to tell her. Suddenly different scenarios flashed through her head, things like him turning around and confessing he is going to kill her and that he was in fact working with Lucy all clouded her mind.

"Before I promise, what reaction are you expecting? And what reaction is more acceptable?"

"I will not be surprised if you cried" was all that he said. He was about to start speaking again when she interrupted him.

"Wait! You aren't going to kill me are you?" She whimpered and pulled her hands back, realising that he hadn't let go earlier. In response to her question, he looked at her as though she had gone mad.

"What on earth gave you that idea?" He snapped, but she could clearly see the concern in his eyes.

"Well you said that I might act irrationally, and I assumed that it meant I would run away or something like that-" she was stopped when he suddenly lifted her off her feet, causing her to squeak and then sat down where she had been sitting. Realising that he had placed her on his lap, she couldn't stop the blush from heating up her face.

"Claude?" She questioned quietly.

"Friends don't tend to kill friends Penelope, and furthermore, I would be a very poor protector to do so. Never think such things again" he answered and placed his arms around her waist pulling her closer. She was going to complain about how the lack of air going to her lungs because of the stupid corset and now his arms there, were making her feel quite faint, but decided against it as he began to speak.

"Are you ready?" He asked. Not really having a choice but to be ready, she wiggled ever so slightly in his lap to try and get comfortable, and took a deep breath, hoping that the air would make her lighted headedness go away.

"Yes"

"Your father's death was not by natural causes. Your uncle, who had been jealous of your father's success had made a contract with Lucy to get what he wanted. When I originally attempted to get rid of her, she boasted about poisoning you father slowly over a long period of time to make it look less suspicious. I regret to say that I had not been aware of this happening". He paused and squeezed her waist in a comforting gesture and carried on. "It is with more regret that I only realised afterwards that Lucy had been responsible for the train crash resulting in your mother's death also. She didn't waste time in bragging about that either. I had found when I joined your estate that it was odd for a child of a wealthy family to not be betrothed, and found out later on, by Lucy that you had in fact been originally intended to marry your cousin, the son of your uncle. However, your mother opposed this greatly, resulting in a disagreement between your uncle and your parents. That is why you had only seen him a few times as he was not welcome here. Lucy had planned it alongside your uncle, but they failed to consider the possibility of you having a demon also. Let's just say, Lucy isn't the cleverest of demons and allows her hunger to drive her rather than her head. In fact, she was surprised when she learnt I was a demon, only confirming my belief that she is on par with vermin". By the end he had ended up ranting, unintentionally tightening his grip on Penelope already entrapped waist.

Penelope, who was slowly beginning to watch the world disappear, was in shock from what she had just heard. However, she couldn't decide properly if the darkness that was now surrounding her was from the lack of oxygen or from the news she had just received.