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Sebastian-x- Shy Reader

Her Gentleman, Chess Piece: Part Four

It had been nearly thirty minutes since Lord Michaelis had left to go find (F/n), and Lady Camilla Riverside was more than a little agitated. At first the woman had tried to play her part well, talking small talk with Lord Phantomhive about the weather and other such docile subjects. But as the minutes continually ticked by and her daughter still hadn’t been brought back to the house, Lady Camilla let her calm mask slip.

“Where on Earth are they? I was led to believe that Lord Michaelis knew his way around your grounds, Ciel?”

From his place in the seat across from Lady Camilla in the drawing room- where they had retired after desert had concluded- Ciel sighed in annoyance. Apparently both of their social masks were slipping now, and it was rather liberating- though neither would openly admit to such a thing.

“I am sure that Sebastian will find your daughter soon, Lady Camilla. He is more than capable of walking around my gardens without a guide.”

Camilla frowned slightly. “Well I should hope so. Otherwise I might be fearful for my child’s safety, Lord Phantomhive.”

Ciel’s posture was completely relaxed as he sat proudly in his chair, his singular blue eye shining deviously in the light of the newly lit fire in the grate. He was truly a figure to be reckoned with, and if Camilla hadn’t have been so very much older and experienced than the boy, she might have been intimidated by the expression that currently graced his features. But seeing as she wasn’t easily cowed, Lady Riverside took it in stride.

“Come now, Madame Riverside,” he chastised teasingly. “Isn’t this what you wanted? I thought you and I were here to play match-makers. If we do not give Sebastian and the young Lady Riverside time to connect we are just wasting time.”

“I suppose you are right,” Camilla conceded, albeit grudgingly. “But I don’t like the thought of any man spooning my daughter outside in the dark in a foreign place!”

“I vouch for Sebastian, and I can assure you that he will not spoon anyone, let alone your daughter.”

Camilla felt as if she’d been physically hit by the rude comment and quickly rose to the bait. “Pardon me?”

“I know I spoke plainly, but I suppose I was still being too delicate for you to understand.” Ciel chuckled darkly before he crossed his legs at the ankles, and continued as if he was merely making a friendly statement about the décor or the wine. “Sebastian isn’t interested in you, your daughter, or any good social standing or wealth that either of you may or may not possess.”

“Then what good was all this planning!” Camilla sputtered angrily, her beautiful face transforming into a terrifying mass of frown wrinkles and venom. “Why did we waste our time coming to your estate, if your dastardly friend had no interest in (F/n) or my wealth!?”

“You came here because of the possibility of a marriage contract, Lady Camilla. I never said I could guarantee such a pact. I only gave you hope that there could be one.”

Camilla felt her heart ringing in her ears as her rage came close to its breaking point, but took a great exhale of air instead of letting it loose. She had been in far more heated verbal battles than this, and her opponent was but a boy, making play as a man. So she forced herself to take a moment to resign herself, before she asked the question that she was secretly dreading.

“So what is it exactly that you propose we do, Earl Phantomhive?”

Ciel’s singular eye was full of amusement as he answered, though the line of his mouth showed the entirely opposite emotion.

“Speak with Sebastian yourself: tell him of your convictions to see him court and wed your daughter. He will tell you whether he has an interest, and we can proceed from there.”

Camilla blinked several times before she shook her head in disbelief. “You wish for me to tell him the truth?”

“Yes,” Ciel agreed. “If he wishes to court Lady (F/n) then we can continue our scheming for their benefit. If he doesn’t, you can return to your Manor and we shall part ways cordially. Either way, neither of us has much of a loss. It’s a nearly perfect situation.”

Lady Camilla knew that this was in fact true, but she was still wary. It was a dangerous practice showing your hand to the opposition before the game had concluded. If your cards had one flaw that you hadn’t foreseen, one blemish that your enemy caught wind of before you did, the gamble was a definite waste and you walked away with nothing. Though Ciel was being truthful- no matter what Camilla had the chance of winning something for her trouble- the woman didn’t want to take the chance of such a thing. She had not gotten as far as she had, by leaving her fate up to others. Nor had she lived in comfort so long without getting her hands dirty. So the woman shook her delicately plaited head, and took another sip of her evening wine. She noticed Ciel’s almost immediate frown and internally smiled.

Checkmate, little Phantomhive. I refuse to move, and you have no more pretty bobbles to sell in order to make me. What a wretched shame.

“Do you not wish to even try to win your daughter a husband?”

Camilla raised her deep brown eyes to the young man and smiled slightly, deciding to give the brat one more chance at keeping up with her. Though it was unabashedly a manipulation tactic on her part- not that she felt remorse for such a thing.

“Lord Michaelis does not know me that well, Ciel . . . If I were to come up and openly propose such a venture he would most likely turn me away. My daughter would never get the chance, and all this would ultimately be for nothing. . . Is there truly no other way we can proceed from this point?”

Ciel was quiet for a long, drawn out moment- his youthful face quite unreadable- before a smile slowly crawled to take place on his handsome features. Camilla was surprised to see such eagerness return to the lad, but said nothing aloud to address it, seeing as it looked like things were once more going her way.

“What if I were to talk to Sebastian first?” Ciel posed the query rather nicely, and Camilla had to admit that he wasn’t completely hopeless when it came to bartering.

“What would you say to him?”

“That you are interested in his character and wish for him to officially court your daughter,” Ciel said. “I would present the idea of it to him, and then afterward he would approach you to settle the rest. In the end, it will still be in your most capable hands.”

Camilla noted that the way Ciel said ‘capable hands’ was openly skeptical, but she didn’t mind it. She was getting what she wanted, and Ciel had given it to her without much more than a pleasant upheaval. Things were most certainly looking up.

“Very well. . . I am grateful to you, Earl Phantomhive for doing this. Both (F/n) and I shall be in your debt if all things go according to plan.”

Ciel nodded, and was about to speak in reply, when another voice entered the conversation.

“A plan? To what activity, do my lord and lady speak of?”

Both Ciel and Camilla turned to appraise the parlor doorway, and were met with the sight of their lost party members: (F/n) and Sebastian. From the looks of things, the cold weather and dark trudge back from the garden hadn’t harmed them, but the gentleman’s coat was firmly positioned about the young lady’s shoulders- something that wasn’t ignored by the girl’s mother. And they seemed to be at ease, side by side- another fact that didn’t escape Camilla’s eagle eyes.

Ciel answered Sebastian’s inquiry without batting an eyelash, and Camilla had to silently commend him for his quick thinking and casual delivery.

“Lady Camilla and I were just discussing having a ball sometime during her stay here at the Manor. And we were weighing the benefits of having a Masque instead of a regular socialite party.”

“Oh, I see. . . Well holding a Masque in the honour of our guests is an absolutely grand idea,” Sebastian said placing one of his forefingers up to rest at his chin thoughtfully. “Though why Lady Camilla would be indebted to you for such a trivial thing is rather strange.”

At this forward pointing to such an opening in Ciel’s lie, Camilla felt her heartbeat increase rather painfully. Lord Michaelis had figured it out! Ciel’s plan wouldn’t work and this would all be in vain! . . . But then Sebastian continued to add more to his statement, and the older Lady Riverside could breathe easily again, though the scare had left her feeling a bit faint and she quickly took another sip of wine to calm her nerves.

“My Lady Riverside, surely warrants more than simple Masques when she bestows her company on her peers? I would have thought you’d be used to such affectionate gifts, with how beloved you are in the community.”

Camilla gave a breathy laugh and waved a hand at the comment, playing the part of modest coquette brilliantly. “Lord Michaelis you are too much! I am never one to look upon a gift without giving proper thanks! And this lovely gesture from both you and Lord Phantomhive has been very flattering indeed!”

Camilla was proud by her pretty words, and would have most likely gotten away with them unchallenged, if it hadn’t have been for a small snort that came from (F/n) as soon as the words had left her mother’s mouth. It was loud enough that everyone in the room heard it, and all eyes once more turned to the young woman. Though this time, when they did she didn’t run from the room. And to Camilla’s complete surprise and utter disbelief, (F/n) spoke aloud after her noisy outburst.

“Mother I believe that everyone here knows that you are quite used to such flattery, and that a Masque is indeed commonplace for you. You needn’t lie. We are all aware of your standing in society, and the dues that you get paid because of it.”

This rather blunt comment was followed by a long silence from all, before Camilla was able to find the proper words to defend herself. Though she was so flustered by her daughter’s rare speech, that she didn’t see Lord Michaelis and her daughter share a meaningful glance, or that Sebastian smiled at (F/n) in approval after she had spoken.

“(F/n) . . . darling, I have not lied,” Camilla stated primly. “And my standing in society has absolutely nothing to do with Lord Phantomhive’s offer to hold a Masque Ball in our honor.”

(F/n)’s face was its usual expressionless presentation, but for once her (e/c) eyes shone with fire and emotion. Camilla had never seen her child so near to communicating in a group of people, and it was truly something that left her bewildered. What in heaven’s name had Lord Michaelis said to (F/n) out in that infernal garden? What had he done to her precious child to make her say something so rude to her own mother!?

For a moment it looked like (F/n) was going to argue about it some more, but then she visibly stopped herself. Though the rest of her words were commonplace, it was far from polite the way she said it, and Camilla was angry and ashamed by the unladylike delivery.

“If you say so, mother. . . I am tired. I will retire now. . . Thank you, Earl for dinner and the use of your home. After the day of travel, the prospect of sleep is really welcoming.”

Ciel nodded to her, accepting the blunt thanks. “But of course, Lady (F/n). My maid will escort you to your rooms and help you settle in for the night.”

(F/n) nodded back to him and without another word walked back out of the drawing room, and disappeared from view when the maid waiting in the entry hall offered a simple ‘this way ma’am’. Camilla watched her child go with absolute revulsion, and lifted her almost full glass of wine up to her mouth. Letting her lady façade slip briefly, she emptied her glass of all its liquid and stood meaningfully from her chair.

“I believe I will retire as well, my lords. It has been an exciting and busy day, and if you plan to surprise us with a Masque, we must be rested enough to enjoy it.”

Ciel gave the older woman a smile that was far from friendly. “Indeed. I’m sure that my maid and your daughter aren’t too far away. If you hurry I’m sure you can catch up with them without getting lost.”

Camilla frowned, but dipped into a formal curtsy. “Thank you. Goodnight Lord Phantomhive, Lord Michaelis. I shall see you tomorrow.”

Ciel didn’t reply, but Sebastian inclined his head respectfully to her. “Goodnight, Lady Riverside.”

Then, without further preamble, Lady Camilla Riverside exited the room in search of the maid and her child, leaving the gentleman to their own devices. For several long moments, Sebastian and Ciel were silent, making sure that their guests weren’t within earshot, before Ciel’s false cordiality faded and his blue eye raged with the inferno that had been building up all evening. This was a bloody mess, and Ciel wanted answers from his Butler. And if he didn’t receive them, there would most definitely be hell to pay.

“Explain yourself, Sebastian. Now.”

Sebastian’s lips unturned into a tightlipped smile as he moved further into the room and came to stand fully before Ciel.

“What is it that you wish for me to explain, young master?”

“Don’t play cute with me, demon,” Ciel said sharply, though his voice level remained quiet so as not to draw attention. “I felt your demonic energy at dinner tonight and your overenthusiasm when it came to Camilla’s brat. You seemed happy, and you were far too eager to go after the girl. So tell me what the bloody hell is going on; that’s an order.”

Sebastian regarded his master mirthfully. “My, my . . . is my Master jealous of Lady (F/n)? Does he not wish to have me share my attentions?”

Ciel’s temper flared dangerously at the taunt, and his voice became liquid ice. “Sebastian, do you wish to dissolve our contract?”

“No, Master.”

“Then I command you: Tell me what’s going on with the young Lady Riverside.”

Sebastian was silent for a moment, his wine colored eyes shining eerily in the fire’s glow, before a soft sigh escaped him. “I fear you wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

“Try me.”

“. . . You will have to transform your strategy completely Master . . . for the game itself has changed.”

“What is that supposed to mean, Sebastian?”

For a long second it seemed as if Sebastian wasn’t going to answer, but then he closed his eyes blissfully and let his tongue glide deftly over his lips. To a member of the opposite sex it would have been attractive, but to the young Earl Phantomhive it was rather disturbing to witness.

“The Lady (F/n) Riverside is nothing as we had expected. . . We had supposed her to be but a pawn, but in truth is could destroy us all.”

Ciel’s brow furrowed and he leaned forward in his chair, his attention completely captured. Sebastian never lied, and if such an absurd thing was to be believed, the young man knew they were in trouble.

“How? What does she have that makes her so formidable?”

Here the blissful expression returned to Sebastian’s face and he sighed again in complete euphoria. “You are asking the wrong questions, master. The important detail is what she doesn’t have.”

“Social skills and any personal backbone?”

“No, my young lord. . . A soul.”

Ciel froze. “. . . What?”

Sebastian’s face showed utter pleasure as he repeated, “Lady (F/n) Riverside doesn’t have a soul.”

Description

Sebastian-x- Shy Reader

Her Gentleman, Chess Piece: Part Four

It had been nearly thirty minutes since Lord Michaelis had left to go find (F/n), and Lady Camilla Riverside was more than a little agitated. At first the woman had tried to play her part well, talking small talk with Lord Phantomhive about the weather and other such docile subjects. But as the minutes continually ticked by and her daughter still hadn’t been brought back to the house, Lady Camilla let her calm mask slip.

“Where on Earth are they? I was led to believe that Lord Michaelis knew his way around your grounds, Ciel?”

From his place in the seat across from Lady Camilla in the drawing room- where they had retired after desert had concluded- Ciel sighed in annoyance. Apparently both of their social masks were slipping now, and it was rather liberating- though neither would openly admit to such a thing.

“I am sure that Sebastian will find your daughter soon, Lady Camilla. He is more than capable of walking around my gardens without a guide.”

Camilla frowned slightly. “Well I should hope so. Otherwise I might be fearful for my child’s safety, Lord Phantomhive.”

Ciel’s posture was completely relaxed as he sat proudly in his chair, his singular blue eye shining deviously in the light of the newly lit fire in the grate. He was truly a figure to be reckoned with, and if Camilla hadn’t have been so very much older and experienced than the boy, she might have been intimidated by the expression that currently graced his features. But seeing as she wasn’t easily cowed, Lady Riverside took it in stride.

“Come now, Madame Riverside,” he chastised teasingly. “Isn’t this what you wanted? I thought you and I were here to play match-makers. If we do not give Sebastian and the young Lady Riverside time to connect we are just wasting time.”

“I suppose you are right,” Camilla conceded, albeit grudgingly. “But I don’t like the thought of any man spooning my daughter outside in the dark in a foreign place!”

“I vouch for Sebastian, and I can assure you that he will not spoon anyone, let alone your daughter.”

Camilla felt as if she’d been physically hit by the rude comment and quickly rose to the bait. “Pardon me?”

“I know I spoke plainly, but I suppose I was still being too delicate for you to understand.” Ciel chuckled darkly before he crossed his legs at the ankles, and continued as if he was merely making a friendly statement about the décor or the wine. “Sebastian isn’t interested in you, your daughter, or any good social standing or wealth that either of you may or may not possess.”

“Then what good was all this planning!” Camilla sputtered angrily, her beautiful face transforming into a terrifying mass of frown wrinkles and venom. “Why did we waste our time coming to your estate, if your dastardly friend had no interest in (F/n) or my wealth!?”

“You came here because of the possibility of a marriage contract, Lady Camilla. I never said I could guarantee such a pact. I only gave you hope that there could be one.”

Camilla felt her heart ringing in her ears as her rage came close to its breaking point, but took a great exhale of air instead of letting it loose. She had been in far more heated verbal battles than this, and her opponent was but a boy, making play as a man. So she forced herself to take a moment to resign herself, before she asked the question that she was secretly dreading.

“So what is it exactly that you propose we do, Earl Phantomhive?”

Ciel’s singular eye was full of amusement as he answered, though the line of his mouth showed the entirely opposite emotion.

“Speak with Sebastian yourself: tell him of your convictions to see him court and wed your daughter. He will tell you whether he has an interest, and we can proceed from there.”

Camilla blinked several times before she shook her head in disbelief. “You wish for me to tell him the truth?”

“Yes,” Ciel agreed. “If he wishes to court Lady (F/n) then we can continue our scheming for their benefit. If he doesn’t, you can return to your Manor and we shall part ways cordially. Either way, neither of us has much of a loss. It’s a nearly perfect situation.”

Lady Camilla knew that this was in fact true, but she was still wary. It was a dangerous practice showing your hand to the opposition before the game had concluded. If your cards had one flaw that you hadn’t foreseen, one blemish that your enemy caught wind of before you did, the gamble was a definite waste and you walked away with nothing. Though Ciel was being truthful- no matter what Camilla had the chance of winning something for her trouble- the woman didn’t want to take the chance of such a thing. She had not gotten as far as she had, by leaving her fate up to others. Nor had she lived in comfort so long without getting her hands dirty. So the woman shook her delicately plaited head, and took another sip of her evening wine. She noticed Ciel’s almost immediate frown and internally smiled.

Checkmate, little Phantomhive. I refuse to move, and you have no more pretty bobbles to sell in order to make me. What a wretched shame.

“Do you not wish to even try to win your daughter a husband?”

Camilla raised her deep brown eyes to the young man and smiled slightly, deciding to give the brat one more chance at keeping up with her. Though it was unabashedly a manipulation tactic on her part- not that she felt remorse for such a thing.

“Lord Michaelis does not know me that well, Ciel . . . If I were to come up and openly propose such a venture he would most likely turn me away. My daughter would never get the chance, and all this would ultimately be for nothing. . . Is there truly no other way we can proceed from this point?”

Ciel was quiet for a long, drawn out moment- his youthful face quite unreadable- before a smile slowly crawled to take place on his handsome features. Camilla was surprised to see such eagerness return to the lad, but said nothing aloud to address it, seeing as it looked like things were once more going her way.

“What if I were to talk to Sebastian first?” Ciel posed the query rather nicely, and Camilla had to admit that he wasn’t completely hopeless when it came to bartering.

“What would you say to him?”

“That you are interested in his character and wish for him to officially court your daughter,” Ciel said. “I would present the idea of it to him, and then afterward he would approach you to settle the rest. In the end, it will still be in your most capable hands.”

Camilla noted that the way Ciel said ‘capable hands’ was openly skeptical, but she didn’t mind it. She was getting what she wanted, and Ciel had given it to her without much more than a pleasant upheaval. Things were most certainly looking up.

“Very well. . . I am grateful to you, Earl Phantomhive for doing this. Both (F/n) and I shall be in your debt if all things go according to plan.”

Ciel nodded, and was about to speak in reply, when another voice entered the conversation.

“A plan? To what activity, do my lord and lady speak of?”

Both Ciel and Camilla turned to appraise the parlor doorway, and were met with the sight of their lost party members: (F/n) and Sebastian. From the looks of things, the cold weather and dark trudge back from the garden hadn’t harmed them, but the gentleman’s coat was firmly positioned about the young lady’s shoulders- something that wasn’t ignored by the girl’s mother. And they seemed to be at ease, side by side- another fact that didn’t escape Camilla’s eagle eyes.

Ciel answered Sebastian’s inquiry without batting an eyelash, and Camilla had to silently commend him for his quick thinking and casual delivery.

“Lady Camilla and I were just discussing having a ball sometime during her stay here at the Manor. And we were weighing the benefits of having a Masque instead of a regular socialite party.”

“Oh, I see. . . Well holding a Masque in the honour of our guests is an absolutely grand idea,” Sebastian said placing one of his forefingers up to rest at his chin thoughtfully. “Though why Lady Camilla would be indebted to you for such a trivial thing is rather strange.”

At this forward pointing to such an opening in Ciel’s lie, Camilla felt her heartbeat increase rather painfully. Lord Michaelis had figured it out! Ciel’s plan wouldn’t work and this would all be in vain! . . . But then Sebastian continued to add more to his statement, and the older Lady Riverside could breathe easily again, though the scare had left her feeling a bit faint and she quickly took another sip of wine to calm her nerves.

“My Lady Riverside, surely warrants more than simple Masques when she bestows her company on her peers? I would have thought you’d be used to such affectionate gifts, with how beloved you are in the community.”

Camilla gave a breathy laugh and waved a hand at the comment, playing the part of modest coquette brilliantly. “Lord Michaelis you are too much! I am never one to look upon a gift without giving proper thanks! And this lovely gesture from both you and Lord Phantomhive has been very flattering indeed!”

Camilla was proud by her pretty words, and would have most likely gotten away with them unchallenged, if it hadn’t have been for a small snort that came from (F/n) as soon as the words had left her mother’s mouth. It was loud enough that everyone in the room heard it, and all eyes once more turned to the young woman. Though this time, when they did she didn’t run from the room. And to Camilla’s complete surprise and utter disbelief, (F/n) spoke aloud after her noisy outburst.

“Mother I believe that everyone here knows that you are quite used to such flattery, and that a Masque is indeed commonplace for you. You needn’t lie. We are all aware of your standing in society, and the dues that you get paid because of it.”

This rather blunt comment was followed by a long silence from all, before Camilla was able to find the proper words to defend herself. Though she was so flustered by her daughter’s rare speech, that she didn’t see Lord Michaelis and her daughter share a meaningful glance, or that Sebastian smiled at (F/n) in approval after she had spoken.

“(F/n) . . . darling, I have not lied,” Camilla stated primly. “And my standing in society has absolutely nothing to do with Lord Phantomhive’s offer to hold a Masque Ball in our honor.”

(F/n)’s face was its usual expressionless presentation, but for once her (e/c) eyes shone with fire and emotion. Camilla had never seen her child so near to communicating in a group of people, and it was truly something that left her bewildered. What in heaven’s name had Lord Michaelis said to (F/n) out in that infernal garden? What had he done to her precious child to make her say something so rude to her own mother!?

For a moment it looked like (F/n) was going to argue about it some more, but then she visibly stopped herself. Though the rest of her words were commonplace, it was far from polite the way she said it, and Camilla was angry and ashamed by the unladylike delivery.

“If you say so, mother. . . I am tired. I will retire now. . . Thank you, Earl for dinner and the use of your home. After the day of travel, the prospect of sleep is really welcoming.”

Ciel nodded to her, accepting the blunt thanks. “But of course, Lady (F/n). My maid will escort you to your rooms and help you settle in for the night.”

(F/n) nodded back to him and without another word walked back out of the drawing room, and disappeared from view when the maid waiting in the entry hall offered a simple ‘this way ma’am’. Camilla watched her child go with absolute revulsion, and lifted her almost full glass of wine up to her mouth. Letting her lady façade slip briefly, she emptied her glass of all its liquid and stood meaningfully from her chair.

“I believe I will retire as well, my lords. It has been an exciting and busy day, and if you plan to surprise us with a Masque, we must be rested enough to enjoy it.”

Ciel gave the older woman a smile that was far from friendly. “Indeed. I’m sure that my maid and your daughter aren’t too far away. If you hurry I’m sure you can catch up with them without getting lost.”

Camilla frowned, but dipped into a formal curtsy. “Thank you. Goodnight Lord Phantomhive, Lord Michaelis. I shall see you tomorrow.”

Ciel didn’t reply, but Sebastian inclined his head respectfully to her. “Goodnight, Lady Riverside.”

Then, without further preamble, Lady Camilla Riverside exited the room in search of the maid and her child, leaving the gentleman to their own devices. For several long moments, Sebastian and Ciel were silent, making sure that their guests weren’t within earshot, before Ciel’s false cordiality faded and his blue eye raged with the inferno that had been building up all evening. This was a bloody mess, and Ciel wanted answers from his Butler. And if he didn’t receive them, there would most definitely be hell to pay.

“Explain yourself, Sebastian. Now.”

Sebastian’s lips unturned into a tightlipped smile as he moved further into the room and came to stand fully before Ciel.

“What is it that you wish for me to explain, young master?”

“Don’t play cute with me, demon,” Ciel said sharply, though his voice level remained quiet so as not to draw attention. “I felt your demonic energy at dinner tonight and your overenthusiasm when it came to Camilla’s brat. You seemed happy, and you were far too eager to go after the girl. So tell me what the bloody hell is going on; that’s an order.”

Sebastian regarded his master mirthfully. “My, my . . . is my Master jealous of Lady (F/n)? Does he not wish to have me share my attentions?”

Ciel’s temper flared dangerously at the taunt, and his voice became liquid ice. “Sebastian, do you wish to dissolve our contract?”

“No, Master.”

“Then I command you: Tell me what’s going on with the young Lady Riverside.”

Sebastian was silent for a moment, his wine colored eyes shining eerily in the fire’s glow, before a soft sigh escaped him. “I fear you wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

“Try me.”

“. . . You will have to transform your strategy completely Master . . . for the game itself has changed.”

“What is that supposed to mean, Sebastian?”

For a long second it seemed as if Sebastian wasn’t going to answer, but then he closed his eyes blissfully and let his tongue glide deftly over his lips. To a member of the opposite sex it would have been attractive, but to the young Earl Phantomhive it was rather disturbing to witness.

“The Lady (F/n) Riverside is nothing as we had expected. . . We had supposed her to be but a pawn, but in truth is could destroy us all.”

Ciel’s brow furrowed and he leaned forward in his chair, his attention completely captured. Sebastian never lied, and if such an absurd thing was to be believed, the young man knew they were in trouble.

“How? What does she have that makes her so formidable?”

Here the blissful expression returned to Sebastian’s face and he sighed again in complete euphoria. “You are asking the wrong questions, master. The important detail is what she doesn’t have.”

“Social skills and any personal backbone?”

“No, my young lord. . . A soul.”

Ciel froze. “. . . What?”

Sebastian’s face showed utter pleasure as he repeated, “Lady (F/n) Riverside doesn’t have a soul.”