Coco: Hello, everyone, here's the new chapter! I had completely rewritten it from my first version of it as I felt like the flirtation between Sebastian and Lavender was too strong. Well, Sebastian was flirting while Lavender was getting flustered. It just felt too rushed for me. Yes, they've known each other for two years at this point, but I felt like I was pushing their relationship too fast. So, I toned down the flirting in this chapter XD
I still hope you enjoy it though!
Lavender frowned looking around in confusion when she saw herself in an unfamiliar alley. It was dark out and rain poured, which resulted in her being soaked to the bone. The cold was setting in as she tried to figure out just where she was. As she was about to turn the corner to find the main street, a scream pierced the air.
Lavender instinctively ran towards the sound, which took her even farther into the back alleys. She made it to the building where the scream had come from, and without hesitation she threw the door open. Her eyes widened at the sight that greeted her.
A woman was laying mangled on the floor with her blood quickly pooling out on the floor around her. Her limbs were turned at old angles and her torso down past her waist was completely mutilated as if some kind of wild animal had ripped her apart.
"What the hell?" Lavender questioned as she took a small step back.
As the woman's lifeless eyes stared up at Lavender, movement in the back corner of the room caught Lavender's attention. Her eyes snapped up to see a flash of red and sharp teeth before she felt a searing pain in her abdomen. She slowly looked down to see a knife being shoved deeply into her gut. Her blood started to stain her clothes as she tried to make sense of what was happening.
"You should have stayed away, Lavender." A voice Lavender vaguely recognized spoke. "Then perhaps things would have ended differently."
Lavender groaned rolling over in her bed as her eyes slowly opened. She let out a huff as she stared dully at the wall across from her. Another night of sleep ruined by one of those weird dreams.
'I thought those dreams had ended once I died or fell through time or whatever,' Lavender thought irritably.
For a while they hadn't returned to her. However, these last two months they had started up again, but these dreams have been entirely different than her last. Lavender sighed supposing it was time to start back her caffeine addiction. Not that she ever truly stopped.
'What a pain,' she thought.
She then sat up in her bed and pushed her blankets off her legs. She stepped onto the floor with her nightgown falling slightly past her knees. She moved to her window and pulled back the drapes to let the grey light of the early morning stream into her room. She opened the window and looked out at the Phantomhive Estate.
It's been two years since she found herself in the past and a lot has happened since then. She was no longer Lavender Phantomhive. She had retaken her birthname Lavender March and she had become a servant to the Phantomhive Family. Something Ciel hadn't been pleased to accept when she had suggested it.
—FLASHBACK—
"You want to work as my maid?" Ciel questioned looking a bit surprised. "But you are a Phantomhive. Blood relation or not, you were chosen by Her Majesty to carry the family name."
Lavender glanced at Ciel as she was serving him his breakfast. Apparently, he was wary of eating whatever Sebastian, who wasn't accustomed to making food, made as last night's dinner hadn't been the most appealing. Said demon also needed a break from Ciel, which is why he didn't fuss when Lavender offered to make breakfast. It wasn't anything extravagant, but it was enough to not offend Ciel's tastebuds, which meant the boy could finally eat a decent meal.
"Yes, and I've always carried the name with pride and strived to do everything I could not to tarnish it," Lavender said. "However, I can't exactly use that name here. People, who know your family—your relatives especially—will know I am not a Phantomhive and question why I carry the name. What will you tell them?"
Ciel frowned though Lavender could tell that he reluctantly agreed with her. There was no lie they could tell that would make people believe she was related to him or the Phantomhive Family. He mentioned his Aunt Francis last night and how she and her children were the only ones besides him who carry blood ties to the Phantomhive family. While his cousins might believe Lavender is a distant relative, Lavender was certain that Ciel's Aunt Francis would not be fooled.
"Re-taking my birth family's name—March—and becoming your maid is easier all around," Lavender said. "Besides, am I right to assume that you will be taking your father's place as Earl of Phantomhive and Her Majesty's Watchdog?"
Ciel gave her a look that questioned why she would ask a question with such an obvious answer. Lavender chuckled at his expression.
"Then it's settled," Lavender said. "There is no need for two Watchdogs and as I cannot carry the Phantomhive name, I shall become Lavender March once more. And become a faithful maid to you, Young Master."
—END OF FLASHBACK—
It had been a struggle at first since Lavender had had no idea how to do maid work. Nor did she properly know how to act like a lady. At least not to the standards of this time period. There was a lot of trial and error, but after being the victim of a certain demon's stern teachings, she learned quickly. And as they gained more members to the staff, Lavender went from being a maid to the housekeeper. It gave her the highest authority in the house after Ciel and gave her certain perks. Her favorite perks being her own room and bathroom. She believed it was Ciel's way of holding onto the fact that she had once carried the same name as himself. That she had once been Lady Phantomhive.
Though even with the authority she was given, Sebastian mostly ran the house and kept the other servants in line. Speaking of said demon, she better get ready for the day before he comes to collect her. After getting dressed, she still needed to wake the others as Sebastian prepared breakfast for Ciel who would be the last to be woken. With that in mind, Lavender moved towards her bathroom to prepare for the day.
"Good morning, Miss Lavi~"
Lavender, who was going to wake the boys after getting Mey-Rin out of bed, paused to see Finnian was out in the hall. He was already dressed for the day with a broad smile on his face. Lavender offered the chipper boy a small smile of her own.
"Good morning, Finni." Lavender returned his greeting.
Finnian was one out of the four other servants employed to Ciel. All of which who had their own unique specialties/circumstances that made them perfect fits to work for the Queen's Watchdog. Finni had been a victim of human experimentation, which resulted in the boy having superhuman strength and durability. He was a kind soul, however, who had taken a real shine to Lavender. And as Lavender always had a weak spot for children, she tended to dote on Finni much to the annoyance of Sebastian and a certain chef who claimed Lavender was showing favoritism. Speaking of the chef…
"Bardroy." Lavender greeted the blonde coolly as he stepped out of the men's quarters.
Bardroy narrowed his eyes at Lavender in return as he was placing a cigarette between his lips.
"Lavender." Bardroy grunted at her.
Finni looked between the two nervously as tension settled over the hallway. Lavender might have grown use to working with others. It was something she knew she had to accept the moment Ciel mentioned hiring more staff, and for the most part, she wasn't unhappy with the additions to the household. Bardroy was a different story, however. Ever since first meeting the man, Lavender has kept him at arm's length. And while he never understood why she was standoffish with him, Bardroy did the same in return.
'He looks too much like him,' Lavender thought in annoyance before taking a deep breath.
Now wasn't the time to dwell on such things, however. There was work to be assigned and she had her own chores to see to.
"Is Tanaka awake?" Lavender questioned.
Bardroy silently stepped out of the doorway to the men's quarters to reveal the small, elderly man in question. Lavender smiled at Tanaka as the man chuckled quietly while offering her a kind greeting.
"It is good to see you as well this morning, Tanaka." Lavender said. "Now, we only need to wait for Mey-Rin."
As if summoned by her words, Mey-Rin came running down the hall towards the group.
"I'm here, I am!" She called smiling.
She then gasped as she stripped on her untied shoelace thus sending her tumbling towards Lavender. The slightly shorter woman managed to catch Mey-Rin with practiced ease, which saved them from falling to the ground.
"Please, no running in the house, Mey-Rin." Lavender reminded the redhead, who was apologizing profusely, for the umpteenth time. "Now, it's time to divvy out the chores for today."
"Yes, ma'am!" Mey-Rin, who lined up beside the men, and Finni said as they saluted.
Once the chores were given out to the group, Lavender went to greet Ciel who Sebastian should have already woken. Reaching his door, Lavender knocked.
"Young Master," she called through the door. "It's Lavender. May I come in?"
Ciel called back a moment later that she could enter, so Lavender opened the door and stepped inside. It seemed she came just as Sebastian finished helping the young boy dress for the day. All that was left was to place the boy's shoes upon his feet.
"Good morning, Young Master." Lavender greeted as Sebastian was fetching Ciel's footwear. "I hope you slept well."
Ciel glanced up from his tea to take in Lavender's appearance. As always, nothing seemed out of place. Lavender's hair, which has grown longer since coming here, was pulled into the side bun she seems to favor with a familiar black ribbon holding it into place. Her bangs were swept to the same side as the bun and pinned in place behind her ear. Her uniform, which was slightly different than Mey-Rin's had not a wrinkle in sight. However, even looking as pristine as always, she could not hide the darkening circles under her eyes.
"I slept well enough," Ciel replied. "It seems the same cannot be said for you, however."
Lavender chuckled at Ciel's keen observation. Sebastian, who was placing Ciel's shoes on his feet, had noticed the same.
"Are you still having nightmares, Lavender?" The butler questioned as he stood to his full height.
Lavender nearly scoffed at his words as she absently picked up Ciel's nightclothes to place with the rest of the young boy's clothes that needed to be laundered.
"I would hardly call them nightmares." Lavender replied. "They're merely…odd dreams."
She said this with an indifferent shrug. Though in reality she was a bit concerned. After all, the last time she had the same reoccurring dream in a row…well, it had come true. Maybe not in the exact way she had dreamed it but close enough.
"But enough about that," Lavender said moving the conversation along. "I believe you have a full day ahead of you, Young Master. Best to get started as soon as possible, yes?"
Ciel frowned at the reminder as he narrowed his visible eye at Lavender whose eyes shown amusement. The brunette had once told him that she didn't have to worry about half as much work as he did when she carried the name Phantomhive. There were no lessons to be had except for those given to her by her caretaker, and they were typically lessons she had enjoyed. No parties to be hosted. No company to be ran. No house to maintain. All she mostly had to worry about were missions from Her Majesty.
"She is right, my lord." Sebastian added. "There's much to do before lunch. We have a guest arriving at that time, do we not?"
Ciel's brow quirked in confusion for a moment before he remembered the kenpo master he requested to come to the manor would be arriving today. Ciel grinned slightly.
"Perhaps today shall be the day, I see you bested, Sebastian." Ciel said. "Wouldn't that be a sight to see, Lavender?"
He glanced at the brunette who hummed in agreement. Though she had a feeling that wouldn't be the case. Even she didn't hold out long against Sebastian as ashamed as she is to admit it. She barely lasted five minutes, and she believes that was only because Sebastian enjoyed toying with her.
'Damn butler,' she thought in annoyance.
As if he could read her thoughts, Sebastian sent her a shit-eating grin. One that caused her eyebrow to twitch. She then stepped out of the way for Ciel to pass by. As the young Earl left the room, Sebastian stopped in front of Lavender. She looked up at him curiously before stiffening when he reached out to cup her cheek. His thumb brushed gently under her eye.
"Though I don't agree with your habit of using caffeine to substitute for rest, shall I make you your favorite tea to help you through the day, my lady?" Sebastian questioned with a mischievous spark in his eyes.
Lavender frowned at the raven-haired male as she pushed his hand away from her face.
"I've asked you to stop calling me that," Lavender reminded him.
After all, she wasn't Lady Phantomhive anymore. Ciel might treat her different from the other servants and hold her in a higher regard, but that didn't change the facts.
"Of course, my apologies." Sebastian chuckled. "Shall we?"
He gave a slight bow as he gestured for her to take the lead. Lavender gave him one final look before she left Ciel's room to catch up with the earl. Sebastian followed her while shutting the door behind him with a soft clack. His eyes followed Lavender as she spoke softly with Ciel.
'My little mate,' he thought with a fondness he didn't think a demon like himself could possess.
Of course, he never thought he'd meet his mate either after living such a long life. And the fact she was human had been a tad surprising. However, it mattered not to him whether she was a demon or not. Though humans do expire rather quickly as she was to be mated to him, she would soon stop aging. Though that wouldn't happen until they were bonded.
However, he would have to wait on such things as Lavender wasn't ready. She especially had not been ready on the first night they met. Though she had taken the situation she had been thrown into rather well, considering she ended up over a hundred years in the past and had to come to terms with the fact that she could never return to her time. She had taken it almost too well. Something he had commented on after the two of them and Ciel were settling inside the manor for the first time.
—FLASHBACK—
"You are taking this all rather well," Sebastian commented as he watched Lavender curiously.
Said woman was sitting near the fireplace. Wearing a long gown and a robe after she had bathed. While Ciel had retired for the night, she opted to stay awake a bit longer.
"Probably because it hasn't really sunk in yet," Lavender replied as she kept her eyes on the fire. "After all, I really haven't had the time to sit around and think about it yet."
Sebastian tilted his head supposing that was true. First, she showed up during that ritual where he was summoned. A hostile environment wouldn't have been an ideal place for her to panic or cry about what happened. After that, she busied herself with taking care of Ciel. Sebastian didn't know if she did that to purposely avoid thinking about her own tragedy, or if she had just been compelled to take care of the boy. Right now, at this late hour, she finally had time to sit and be with her thoughts.
"I'll have a break down before the night is up, I'm sure." Lavender said with a dry chuckle. "And once I cry it out and get it out of my system, I'll put it behind me. It doesn't do well to dwell on such things."
—END OF FLASHBACK—
And she had cried that night just like she said she would. After she had retired to her room, she had finally broken down. Sebastian had heard her when he was walking the halls of the manor. She had sobbed for what felt like hours, but the next day, it was as if everything was fine. And he's never heard or seen her cry since as she took on her new role as servant to Ciel Phantomhive.
'I expect nothing less from her,' Sebastian thought as he followed the pair, so to begin their busy day.
As lunch ended, all members of the Phantomhive Estate went outside to watch the match between Sebastian and the Kenpo Master Ciel had hired to fight him. Ciel sat at the small table brought out by Tanaka who had also prepared a refreshing pitcher of lemonade for the boy. The old man was now standing next to Lavender who opened her mouth to address the two fighters.
"Are both fighters ready?" Lavender questioned from her position next to the gong.
Sebastian looked at Lavender with his signature smirk. The one that makes her brow twitch.
"Ready," Sebastian told her.
His opponent also confirmed that he was prepared to fight, so Lavender struck the gong to signal for them to begin. At first neither man moved until the Master began waving his arms as if gearing up to strike.
"Take this! Ougi!" He shouted. "Beauties of Nature! Fist of Flowers Blooming in Profusion!"
Lavender sweat-dropped at the long name as the man rushed forward. The only moved Sebastian made in return was to tighten his glove over his hand. He kept perfectly still until the Master was right on top of him. In one elegant swoop, Sebastian struck the man who dropped to the ground. He coughed with blood spewing from his mouth after just one hit.
"This technique is my school's last secret!" The Master gasped. "Fierce Tiger, Dragons Roar. Fist of 10,000 Honorable Deaths! Who the hell are you?!"
Once again, a bead of sweat rolled down the side of Lavender's face as she wondered just who came up with these ridiculous names.
"I am the Phantomhive Butler." Sebastian replied to the man. "What good would I be if I couldn't use a technique of this level?"
Lavender rolled her eyes while not surprised with how things ended. Though she was a bit disappointed. Like Ciel, she wouldn't mind seeing Sebastian on the losing end for once.
"In other words, Young Master, because I won, please, review what you learned today and prepare for tomorrow," Sebastian said to the annoyed Earl.
Ciel grumbled unhappily with his lips turning down, which had Lavender chuckling at Ciel's petulant pout. The young Eart shot her a look, but it didn't deter the grin of amusement from spreading across her face.
"That was great, Sebastian!" Finni said in awe. "That makes it 50 wins in a row!"
"As expected of Sebastian," Mey-Rin said with a deep blush on her face.
"Our butler is amazing." Bardroy agreed.
Tanaka, chuckled at their excitement, as Ciel let out another big huff between his teeth.
"His ego is already unmanageable as is," Lavender said with a sigh. "Please, do not make it worse."
Sebastian smirked at Lavender in reply, which had her wanting to smack the smirk right off his face. However, she refrained from doing so as she clasped her hands tightly in front of her.
"A master of kenpo came all the way here," Ciel said. "I thought today would be the day I saw you beaten."
"That's unfortunate," Sebastian said with his smirk growing.
Ciel, how quite suddenly had a change in mood, smirked back at the butler then picked up the lemonade that was sitting at his table.
"It was difficult for you, Sebastian, wasn't it?" Ciel said as he offered the lemonade to Sebastian. "Here drink this. In one go, okay?"
As Sebastian took the offered drink with a thank you, Lavender's brow quirked. She glanced at Ciel, who smiled innocently at her questioning gaze, wondering what he was up to as Sebastian gulped down the drink as ordered. Once Sebastian was done, he sat the drink down then turned towards the other servants who were celebrating his victory.
"By the way," he began making them freeze during mid-celebration. "What are you lot doing here? I'm sure Lavender has assigned you all tasks to complete."
He narrowed his eyes at them, which caused the three of them to break out into a nervous sweat.
"Finni, have you finished weeding the garden? Mey-Rin, what about washing the sheets? Bard, you've made preparations for dinner, haven't you?" He questioned them only to be met with sheepish looks of guilt, which had Sebastian sighing. "If you have time for loafing around here, then do your work!"
They all scattered quickly to avoid Sebastian's wrath. Lavender chuckled and shook her head at the troublemaking trio.
"Lavender," Sebastian turned and addressed her once the others were out of sight. "And what of your chores? Have you begun doing them?"
He looked sternly at her as she resisted the urge to snort at him as it was unladylike. Something Declan taught her when she was a child and something Sebastian painfully reiterated during her lessons.
"Everything has already been taken care of," Lavender told them. "I've done inventory and made a detailed list of things that will be needed for the following month. I have gone through the Young Master's mail and sorted it properly. I have spoken with his instructors and finished scheduling his lessons next week to fit his busy schedule. I also had time to balance the books for last month's expenses, which takes something off your to-do list, Butler."
She said all this with a smirk that rivaled the demon's shit-eating grin. Ciel shook his head from beside her as Sebastian chuckled wryly.
"I see," he said. "Very well done, Housekeeper."
"If you are done flirting, we have other work to discuss," Ciel deadpanned.
Lavender frowned at Ciel's choice of words as Sebastian's smirk grew even wider. She was not flirting with the demon butler.
"Apologies, my lord." Sebastian said with a slight bow.
Lavender merely hmphed in response as she turned her head away from the smug demon.
"We received a phone call from Chlaus in Italy." Ciel told them.
"Lord Chlaus?" Sebastian questioned.
Lavender, who put aside her annoyance towards Ciel, blinked at the mention of Chlaus. The man was pleasant enough. However, she never liked having to prepare for guests. Not in her life before and not now.
"I want to talk to you about that," Ciel said as he stood after Sebastian pulled out his chair. "Come with me, now. You as well, Lavi."
"Very well/Of course," Sebastian, who gave Ciel his walking stick, and Lavender replied.
Lavender stood next to Sebastian in Ciel's study as the young earl leaned back in his chair reading the latest newspaper.
"So, Lord Chlaus is coming to England in person?" Sebastian questioned to continue their conversation.
"Yes, he contacted me to tell me that he found the goods." Ciel replied. "It seems he went through quite a lot of trouble this time. He'll arrive at 6pm. The negotiations will take place here. You understand what that means?"
He gave his servants a grin and meaningful glance, which Sebastian responded with his own grin.
"I understand," Sebastian said as he placed his hand over his heart while bowing his head. "I will make sure Lord Chlaus receives the best hospitality."
Lavender gave the butler a small frown as he left her out of that statement. Ciel obviously meant for them both to prepare for Chlaus. Otherwise, why would she be here in first place?
"By the way, Young Master," Sebastian began while suddenly looking as if he was in pain. "What was in that lemonade from earlier? My chest won't stop hurting."
Lavender's brow quirked curiously when seeing the demon in actual pain.
"It's Tanaka's special blend of lemonade mixed with salt." Ciel told Sebastian. "He probably mistook it for sugar. It's white. I stopped drinking after just one sip."
Lavender let out a small 'ah' as she now realized why Ciel had been grinning so mischievously when he offered the lemonade to the demon.
"Ahem," Sebastian cleared his throat as his brow twitched in annoyance.
If he was less of a nuisance, Lavender might have actually felt bad for the raven-haired man. However, seeing as he tended to tease her and cause her irritation, she felt no empathy for him in that moment.
"I suppose we should get to the preparations then," Lavender said as she took a step back.
However, she didn't get far as Sebastian reached out to grasp the back of her uniform. She tilted her head back to see Sebastian grinning down at her.
"Your help is unnecessary, Lavender." Sebastian told the young woman. "The Young Master wishes for Lord Chlaus to experience the Phantomhive hospitality after all, which means there can be no mistakes."
Lavender didn't like how Sebastian was insinuating that she'd somehow mess up the preparations for Chlaus' visit.
"Why don't you remain here with the Young Master as I handle things?" Sebastian suggested.
Before Lavender could even reply, the demon was walking out the door, which shut quietly behind him. She blinked a few times before turning to Ciel.
"I must ask, Ciel," Lavender spoke casually to the boy. "Why was I made housekeeper if that demon is allowed order me around?"
Ciel smirked as he brought what looked like a boardgame out of one of the drawers in his desk.
"I wouldn't concern yourself too much with it," Ciel said. "Come on, play a few games with me."
Lavender sighed though decided to indulge the boy even if she knew he had lessons to review for tomorrow. She'd take this time to relax she supposed, but if Sebastian thought she was going to help him later, he was sorely mistaken. He'd realize his mistake eventually. The trouble trio would catch on quickly that a guest was coming and decide to lend a 'helping hand' behind Sebastian's back. That would lead to a disaster no matter how pure their intentions are.
'Let's just hope Sebastian's near perfectness will be able to salvage things in the end,' Lavender thought with a smirk. 'Whether he saves the day or not, I believe I will get the last laugh.'