Hello everyone! Welcome to the conclusion of the "Honeymoon Arc" as I call this part of the story š! But, we are nowhere near the end of the story as a whole. As you see from the chapter's title, answers to some very important questions have to be given... but in the meantime, we have more adventures following!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Kuroshitsuji or its characters. I entirely own only my OCs, arcs and ideas/themes not mentioned in any form of the franchise (manga, anime, games, movies or musicals).
Chapter 24: The Tutor, In Search for Answers
"Let us summarise the St. Ives case and put facts in an order." The serious young Earl said, sitting deep in his armchair in his playroom, since he was playing a board game with Miranda when Sebastian and Selina arrived. His loyal butler standing straight beside him and Miranda sitting in the opposite chair with Selina perched on the arm, next to her cousin.
"Yes, my lord." Butler and tutor answered in unison.
"Mrs. Bates was left by her husband to raise their son and run the resort on her own. Ostensibly, she did both, but in reality, she was a tyrannical mother and jealous woman using her secret gift of magic to control her son ā under the pretence of teaching him ā and to take revenge for her pain by torturing innocents. Her insanity had convinced her that all men lie to women. After her death, her son preserved her body and created a second personality, that of his mother. The mother, and later the son, were capturing newly-wed couples in love, tortured the men to death and forced the women to watch, driving them insane, so that when they finally were killed their souls could not go on; the Bates' continued manipulating them and bound them to other probably already dead bodies of old women in order to keep themā¦ locked, let us say, when not needed. Therefore, the screams and the ghosts that were heard at nights were indeed the ghosts of the dead, crazy women. However, when the souls were reaching a point where Bates could not control them, sealed them to magically enhanced jars." Butler and tutor again nodded in agreement. "All right, what about the ghost of the old woman?"
"We believe it was Bates himself in his mother's attire." Sebastian explained.
The boy nodded as he was of the same idea. "So, will that be my report to Her Majesty? Unfortunately, I will be forced to explain once again why the culprit has not been brought to justiceā¦ to lawful justice that is." He sighed really troubled.
"Actuallyā¦ my lord." Selina was heard hesitating until the boy turned his gaze on her. "I have to plead to you to not refer to anything magical during your report to the Queen. I meanā¦ I know that I am just a pawn in your plans, butā¦ I would like to think that I can prove myself useful to you in the future too, soā¦ I hope you would not like to see me burned at the stake."
"Miss Selina, we are not in the Medieval ages." Ciel said ironically. "I know how difficult will be for her to believe magic exists, that is why I have not spoken about Undertaker's true nature but... Perhaps, I can convince her that you just have some extraordinary abilities and since you are on our sideā¦"
"That would be divine, my lord, but let's be realistic. Humans never welcome what they do not know or understand or can be stronger than them. Miranda and I come from the 21st centuryā¦ Witches, natural born or not, still live hiding their nature and I can guarantee you that were you also living in our time, you would still try to hide the truth about your butler. The only difference would be that he would not be forced to wear gloves all the time; he would easily pass that he just fancies painting his nails black and the contract seal would be considered as a strange tattoo with no special meaning behind it."
"And that goes for me too, of course." Miranda agreed waving her gloved fingers.
The boy's eye moved from one supernatural to the other, as he remained silent for a while, deep in thoughts he obviously did not want to share. Then he nodded. "Right. I see your reasoning. I will think of something to avoid the involvement of magic from both sidesā¦ and of admitting the reapers' existence of course, but the Queen will need explanations on how Bates' chose their victims, since not all newly-weds staying in the suite were killed." Now he looked both butler and tutor waiting for an explanation.
Man and woman stayed silent and Miranda could easily see the smug look on the demon's face, while looking at the furiously blushing witch next to her. Selina had focused on the hem of her skirt and her fingers were playing with the fabric obviously nervous, Sebastian's smirk got wider seeing that. Miranda tilted her head towards Selina and actually sniffed at the woman; her emerald eyes turned to green fires when she gazed again at the demon, she was not very pleased with what she realized.
The young Earl called to his butler and the tall man cleared his throat collecting himself. "My lord, I believe that... if you say to Her Majesty that Bates was stalking the couples in their private moments and chose the ones that were really in love and quite passionate about itā¦ she will be satisfied."
Ciel remained silent for a while, trying to decipher Sebastian's strange words, but his still innocent on this matter mind could not, so he sighed giving up and admitting that would be the best explanation he could give her.
"All right, I think that concludes this case. The Bates, mother and son, were absolutely insane and killed innocent people in the most brutal way. That is the most important."
Miranda chuckled lightly. "Batesā¦ something is really wrong with this name; I just hope the mother's name was not Henra or something like that."
Selina also chuckled having recovered from her previous uncontrollable blush. "Umā¦ in our time there is a fictional story about a serial killer and his mother, which is a lot like our case, minus the magic and soul stuff. The mother was Norma and the son Normanā¦ Batesā¦" She explained seeing the curious looks from the other side.
Both demon and child looked impressed, not missing the irony, and Sebastian smirked amused. "I am right to believe your time is really intriguing."
The two women shrugged their shoulders with a modest look on their faces and Ciel sighed indifferent and then yawned, stating the discussion was over and he should withdraw.
{~}
"Hey, wait. You have some explanation to give, young lady." Miranda almost hissed, grabbing Selina's wrist as they entered her room and closed the door behind them.
"Excuse me?" Selina gazed at her cousin in a not so friendly manner. "First of all, I have stopped being a 'young lady' a decade now. Secondly, you are not that older to have that tone with me. And finally, what is it that I should explain?"
"The fact that the demon's scent is all over you and quite strong, stronger than it should be even if you spent all these days together, side by side, twenty-four hours a day. This is like it has sipped in your skin." Miranda's look was that of true concern.
"And my scent will be on him, if you manage to get close and sniff at him." Selina admitted with her eyes looking the other way; a light blush painting her cheeks.
"So, you did itā¦ you had sex with him." Miranda sighed watching her cousin turn to scarlet, even though pretending to be cool. She rubbed her forehead. "Although I do not think it is his techniqueā¦ Did he force you, did he rape you?" Fear obvious in her voice.
"What? No! No way! He didn't do anything like that. Don't worry. You know that if something like that had happened, only one of us would come back." She rubbed reassuringly her cousin's shoulders.
"So, he seduced you and gave yourself to him willinglyā¦ How did that happen? I meanā¦ dozens of demons have tried the same trick, but you never fall for their false charm!"
"Wellā¦ he is a demon, seducing humans is what he does forā¦ a living let's say, butā¦ it was not exactly like that. He did seduce meā¦ already knowing he did not need to try too hard. Do you remember what you told me the night before we leave? That he is my type?" She asked as she watched her cousin's eyes widening in surprise.
"Oh God!" Miranda cried after half an hour, in which Selina narrated every phase of the demon's games, that led both of them giving in to the lust they felt for each other. "The only family I have left, my cousin, who was the Demon Reaper, in a relationship with a demon!" She said sitting on the bed with her head in her hands.
"Eh? Whoa, whoa, hold on. Who said about a relationship? Do you honestly believe Sebastian could have a romantic relationship with anyone, especially a human, even if I am witch? No way! What we have is clearly carnal and it might end as suddenly as it started. Perhaps it is a whim of his, I don't know, because he is bored."
"If he was bored he would have sex with humans often just for the fun of itā¦ like so many other demons we have come across; but he chose you, so I do not believe it is just carnal from his side, and of course he is not in love with youā¦ he is a demon, after all. He cannot love! But he definitely wants something from you; I can't just accept you simply awakened sexual desire in him, as he claims."
Selina sat heavily beside her. "I know, I have made the same thoughts over and over again, but I just can't find any logical explanation. He could aim on devouring my soul and gaining my magic, but we both know a demon of his caliber does not need that, plus he would have stopped when he found out about the Blue Flame. It is totally useless to him since he can manipulate souls either way, and prefers eating them rather than destroying them. And I'm pretty sure he would enjoy more killing angels and other demons in some brutal, demon way than just burning their spiritual core... Butā¦ learning about it didn't seem to faze him at all; he actually put everything in motion after finding out. And he gets that look when he is with meā¦ like he is drunk and drugged on me. And his voice is so..." Selina blushed again and that made clear to Miranda what the demon's look and voice did to her cousin.
Miranda sighed really troubled. "I really hope it is as you say and he will stop playing with you before youā¦" She left her words hanging in the air.
"Thereā¦ there is no way for that to happen. I have chosen death in that matter and I am sure that a demon, unable to feel like that, would not be able to breathe new life in my heart." Selina said squeezing her cousin's hand reassuringly. "Now, let's get to sleep, the trip was long and sleeping in a moving train is never comfortable enough, no matter how soft the pillow is."
They got up and started getting ready for bed. "What was your pillow?" Miranda asked at some point.
"Oh, umā¦ Sebastian allowed me to lean on his shoulder." Selina answered absentmindedly.
Miranda simply nodded. The blond witch failed to see the soft, satisfied look in the red-haired angel's eyes.
{~}
It was a little after midnight when Miranda slipped out of the soundly sleeping Selina's embrace, out of bed and out of the room. Swiftly and lightly found her way to the back yard of the manor, where the black clad demon waited for her, sitting on a bench stroking the fluffy cat on his lap.
"And I was beginning to worry your love and worry for your cousin were not that strong to overcome your fear of confronting me." He smiled at her with a mouth full of sharp teeth and eyes red with maliciousness.
"Do not underestimate me, demon. I might be a young and still weak angel, but I can be very strong and vicious when it comes to protecting what is precious to me." Miranda said gazing him darkly as she approached him in a safe distance, but close enough to sniff at him and confirm what Selina told her, and then sat at the opposite bench pulling up her bare feet in a cross-legged position, while mumbling something about 'rabbits' and glaring at the demon.
"How lovely, we are alike in that matter." He maliciously leered at her.
"Wellā¦ we are the two sides of the same coin; it is only natural to be alike in some aspects. But the things you find precious are very different from the ones I find. You will do anything to protect your master, in order to be able to devour him in the future, while I will do anything to protect Selina without having anything to gain ever; I will do it because I love her and want her to be safe and happyā¦ Notions you cannot possibly grasp with your dark mind. Therefore, do not compare us and tell me what you want from my cousin." She said what she wanted without being fazed by the even darker and murderous looks the demon was giving her too, his smile turned to a scowl.
The cat suddenly meowed displeased and jumped out of the demon's lap, since the black nails that were combing her fur were doing it a little harder than they should, and walked away ignoring the soft apologies Sebastian was whispering, as soon as he realized what he was doing. Now the raven-haired demon butler sighed, dusted his clothes from cat hair and turned his attention fully on the angel, who locked her gaze to his.
She would try something for the first time on a higher rank demon; she would listen to everything his mouth would say and would also 'listen' to everything his spirit would tell her. It was an innate angelic power, not really known outside their ranks ā and certainly not known to demons ā that could help them distinguish truth from false. Miranda had heard lies quite a few times, since, as a kind, demons were really prone to lying; now she hoped, for Selina's sake, to also hear truth.
Sebastian started talking, his face void of any emotion. "I am afraid I cannot answer your question of what I want from Selina, sinceā¦ I do not know it myself."
"Come again? How is this possible? You're telling me you tricked her in having sex with you and you do not know why? You have no reason? You always have one for everything you do." Miranda obviously did not believe him.
Sebastian looked at her in understanding, he already deducted that this weak angel had been informed by Selina about the strange course their "professional" relationship took after the days and- even more - nights they spend while investigating the Bates case.
"Well... I do always have a reason for everything I doand we both know it. What I originally wanted from her was to make sure she would keep her nose out of my contract with the young master and luckily for her, she did."
"Then? What else could you possibly want from her, to the point of tricking her in to having sex with you?" Miranda asked clearly confused because it was evident the demon was honest.
Sebastian's expression softened, his eyes and teeth went back to normal "Ever since she dropped the shy tutor act and revealed to me and my master her sword fighting abilities, I could sense her aura being stronger than a simple human's. It made me feel a tingling on my skin and essence, not at all unpleasant. She never seemed confused by my methods and abilities, only admiringly impressed, andā¦ I admit I really liked that. When I was wounded by the Undertaker, she made obvious she knew of my nature, and I soon found that being close to her felt like my wound was pulling her aura inside and made me feel much better, more relaxed. At first, I thought it was because, obviously, she too was a supernatural creature; not an angel, demon or reaper but something I had not met before. However, the day I was ordered to rest, she spent some time with me at night having me tell her stories about the three imbeciles. She seemed to enjoy them very much and her aura was like flowing over me, showering and embracing me, making me feel soā¦ light. That went on every time she was happy about something and suddenly, I realised that watching her smile or observing her body as she moved around, made me feel... aroused." He finished his sentence and his face had turned in to a blank mask devoid of any emotions.
Miranda's expression, however, was one of total shock "So are you saying that you are actually... like... actually attracted to her? No tricks or anything? Just... desire? Is that even possible for a demon?"
"Of course, it is! Selina told me she has executed quite a few demons; she must have witnessed the seductive tricks they would do to save themselves." Sebastian's eyebrow twitched for a moment, irritated or offended by Miranda's impression of demons being unable to fully function sexually.
"Well yes, but she always killed them before they pressed theirā¦ thing on her."
Sebastian sighed and crossed his arms. "Anyway, we can get sexually aroused if we will our body to react like that. The problem is that with Selina that certain part of my body was reacting on its own, I never had the intention to seduce her or to be aroused while she was around me for any reason but, it happened, in more than one occasions, or when I was alone and I was free to..." A squeak sound cut him off; he could not help but smirk viciously.
"God no! I really don't need details; I totally get it." Miranda was waving her hands with a disgusted look on her face, but still did not take her gaze off the demon's. "Jesus! You are honestā¦ you do not pretend to the least!"
Sebastian's cold mask slipped off his face for a second and looked offended again. "You thought I was lying, pretending to be drawn to her? Does Selina still think that?"
"Can you blame me? You are the first demon, that we know of, exhibiting such a behavior. As for what Selina actually thinks, you have to have this conversation with her. I just want to make sure you won't hurt her in any way and if what you have between you is only carnal, as I believe it."
"Oh yesā¦ I would totally agree with you, butā¦ the events prove that theory wrong. You see my attraction to her was constantly getting stronger, even when I found out what she is and who sent her here. It was like I could not only hear but also sense the truth in her words and thus, know she was no threat to me and my contract. Needless to say, I managed to keep my perfect faƧade in front of everyone else during the day, since I am one hell of a butler and could not allow myself to do otherwise." He pretended not to see Miranda lifting her eyebrows ironically upon hearing his catchphrase. "But at nightsā¦ when in one way or another I was alone with her, it was really difficult to not... want to be... intimate with her, despite having nothing to gain of the act itself, as I would usually do." He looked quite baffled himself.
"So you had no apparent reason to have sexual intercourse with her, you didn't have any specific reason to use sex in order to manipulate her." Miranda said thoughtfully, sensing no lying or deception from the demon's part, which made her even more confused.
Why the hell a demon wanted to have sex with a human with nothing to gain and most importantly how did this happen? According to what Selina told her already about Sebastian, he didn't even like to have sex with humans in the first place!
"That is true, but we both know that Selina is drawn to me and seems to have... taken a liking to me." Sebastian's voice brought Miranda out of her thoughts and back to the present. "Although, I did not play a part on her attraction towards me... willingly at least." He added.
Annoyance was visible on the angel's face, deriving simply by the fact that Selina was involved, even just sexually, with someone the likes of him. It was more than obvious that the girls would do everything to help and protect each other and that gave him the advantage to this situation; extract information and make his next move, if the need arises...
"You see even if I did not plan any of these, I found out that situation very pleasant in a way I have never experienced before, and is needless to say about how much experience I have on this field." He said with a very playful but dark tone in his voice. "But in Selina's case the pleasure was not only in the carnal part."
"What do you mean? There is more than that?" Miranda asked, quite concerned about the fact that the demon might somehow benefit from this unpredicted situation at Selina's expense.
"It appears that every time I have sexual intercourse with her I feel soā¦ refreshed, so satiated in my hunger for lust and for souls that... I caught myself having momentarily forgotten my master's existence; it is like Selina's aura feeds me but in a non harmful way for her."
If the situation was different, if her hands were not tied, Miranda would forget the huge difference in their power and attempt to attack and kill the demon right then and there, protect Selina from this creature literally leeching on her... But she knew that again for Selina's sake and good, she should not give in to her instincts. That is why she took a deep breath to calm herself and simply asked.
"Why are you telling me this? What are you hoping to achieve besides making me even more worried about Selina's safety and happiness?" Miranda's voice and expression a mixture of worry and furry.
"Because, little angel, I know you have answers or a way to find the ones I need, for Selina's sake and happiness. Selina can... or has already confirmed to you how enjoyable our days as a couple were in St. Ives, when we were alone in our room, and I do intent to continue our physical activities, as I... no... both of us enjoy them immensely." He said with a sinister smile.
Miranda sighed in defeat, not believing that a demon would have ever been that honest but then again, the situation was indeed peculiar and worth investigating and since the demon seemed to have no ill will towards Selina, she agreed to help him.
"I have no right to ask you to stop, either way. You are a demon and there is no way you would listen and follow an angel's order or anything, butā¦ as Miranda ā not as angel ā I will ask you to be careful. Not to make Selina fall in love with you and then discard her as a damaged object, when you grow tired of her or have drained her aura, magic, soul or whatever it is you get nurture from her. That is why I would advise you to restrain yourself a little from intimate contact with Selinaā¦ at least until I find some answers on the case you two present."
Sebastian obviously did not like that prospect. "How long will it take?" He asked seeing Miranda getting up; their discussion was drawing to an end.
"Wellā¦ I'll try to be as fast as I can, but I need time. Such information are very hard to find, since situations like yours are rare; rare like... never heard of it before." She said casually.
Sebastian smirked amused. "Of course, a weakling angel of the lowest level like yourself would not be able to get access to information without a superior's permission. The ever-orderly angels and their hierarchy." He mocked and chuckled at her angry glare, as he joined her in going back to the house. "I really hope it is not a game of yours to keep me away from Selina. I will not be pleased if something like that happens. I can be very resourceful when it comes to making people tell me what I need to know." He finally gave word to his threats while looking at the red headed angel meaningfully.
Miranda's eyes were daggers, but she ignored the threat and tried hard to swallow his teasing. "Excuse us for not liking the demonic chaos and disorder or your never-ending fight for powerā¦ even if you personally are not that interested in more power." She finished seeing the indifferent look in the demon's eyes. "You really are a strange demon."
"I have enough power, why would I need more? Not that I will not accept it, if it crosses my path, but I find it boring to keep pursuing only to be pursued afterwards."
Miranda nodded impressed by the demon's logic. She was certain he was honest ā she had indeed sensed the truth in Sebastian's words ā and her mind was already working in analysing everything she heard from both demon and witch, and started shaping a vague idea of what might be going on between these two. However, she kept her thoughts to herself and went back to her cousin's side.
She found Selina's cheeks a little damp from tears and instantly took her in her arms, in an effort to chase away the horrible memories turned to nightmares that never left her tormented soul.
{~}
Next morning, Miranda had to depart the Phantomhive estate, since her "master would be back in a day or two and she needed to tend to his manor". The servants were sad to see her leaving, the butler could not be happier, the master quite indifferent and Selina could not bring herself to release the angel from her arms.
"I will visit again, as soon as I can." Miranda said returning the tight embrace.
"Yes, yes! Please visit us again!" The four servants sang in a perfect choral manner and Mr. Tanaka accompanied them with his usual soft "Ho, ho!"
"Sure! We will have to celebrate Selina's birthday soon, although next year, at her thirty will be an even bigger celebration!" She started turning towards the waiting carriage that would take her to London, when she let out a sudden cry and turned to Sebastian. "What day is today?" She looked frantic.
"It is the 13th of July." The butler said calmly while Selina murmured a pained "No!".
"Oh my God, I missed the dates!" Miranda cried and threw herself once again in Selina's arms singing "Happy Birthday" while squeezing her and kissing her cheeks quite soundly. "I had to remember it yesterday, I am so sorry!" She squealed.
Mey-Rin and Finny did the same, while asking if Selina had her birthday on the 12th of July, only to get a positive answer from Miranda and a threateningly "You have already forgotten that information!" from Selina.
"Oh! I am so sorry that I forgot, and I must leave now. I wanted to celebrate!"
"I myself have stopped celebrating quite a few years ago, you know, and yes you must leave now." Selina said practically pushing her cousin to the carriage.
"Don't worry, girl, chef Bard will see to it. I'll make one of my specialities in birthday cakes." Bard said only to receive a terrified lookā¦ by absolutely everyoneā¦ even Emily and Goethe wrapped around Snake's shoulders stared at him quite scared.
Miranda giggled at the scene, waved and blew kisses as the carriage started driving away. Once it was out of sight, Selina took a deep breath and turned to the five servants.
"You will instantly forget the 12th of July and youā¦" She pointed to Bard. "...will absolutely forget the birthday cake idea, or else I will not protect you if Sebastian ever desires to test a flamethrower on you."
Bard shook his head dismissing Selina's order.
"Mr. Sebastian would never do something like that!" Finny chirped happily and Mey-Rin agreed.
"Please, refrain from making assumptions on my behalf." The cold voice of the butler was heard as he pulled his gloves quite demonstratively, and threw them a dark glance making them gulp and then run in the manor, stubbornly singing "Happy Birthday, dear Selina!" and laughing happily.
A sudden chuckle cut short by a fake cough was heard from the so serious young Earl. "I believe that at least a simple wish is called for, as it is the appropriate thing to do." The boy said and stretched a hand in a handshake towards the speechless tutor, who hesitantly took it.
"Thank you very much, my lord. But honestly, it is not that important. I have years that I don't feel like celebrating."
"I know the feeling, Miss Selina, and I respect your wish. I will order them to stop any foolishness they plan on doing. Howeverā¦ Happy Birthday, my lady, I wish you every happiness." The wish sounded a little empty as it left the young lips, and that was expected; what was not expected was that the boy bowed to the servant, and these very same lips lightly touched the tutor's hand in a chaste, respectful kiss.
"A perfect gentleman! Well done, young master." Sebastian presented his usual fake complimentary smile to his master, who glared at him before returning to his study.
The butler and the tutor were the only ones left standing at the manor's door. Selina seemed so dumbfounded by the boy's gesture and effort to express positive feelings, that did not sense quickly enough Sebastian gently turning her face to him.
"I believe a gift is in order, even if it is one day late or smallā¦ for now at least." He said with his most charming, silky voice and smile, while his eyes were so seductive that made Selina's insides quiver. He leaned down and captured her lips in a so soft kiss that Selina thought the petals of a flower touched her. "Happy Birthday, my dear!" He whispered in between kisses slowly turning to more fiery ones.
Suddenly, Selina gently pulled away, thanked him with her eyes cast on the ground and then excused herself, leaving him frozen in place and confused at the sudden change of the woman and at the bitter taste, masking the usual honey flavour her lips had; as if she wanted to kiss him senseless if she could, but something prevented her. Something Sebastian did not know and certainly did not like.
Hmm... it seems not everything is light and joy in the realm of Selina's and Sebastian's affair! What do you think it is and what is the meaning of all these strange feelings and sensations Sebastian admitted to Miranda regarding Selina's presence? I would love to read your guesses, dear readers!
Also, the referrence Miranda and Selina did regarding Bates, as a name... I really hope there is no reason for me to actually explain the origin of it, but... in the rare (hopefully) case some of the younger readers do not know... it's from Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece Psycho! Really, if any of you haven't watched it, or any Hitchcock movie, I cannot recommend it enough! The atmosphere alone in his movies is... awesomely creepy!
Next week we move on to... my second favorite manga arc, the Emerald Witch (my first is the Circus Arc, made me fell in love with the series, no doubt)! I really enjoyed writing about the cutest little imp, namely Sieglinde š!
So, that's all from me! 'Till next time! Bye!