Truth and Hope or Lies and Despair

Chapter Three "Suspicion"

~* Venus's POV *~

"Why are you coming along?" I asked Liam who was grinning at me. His cheery attitude was seriously getting on my nerves.

"I wanted to meet the Earl," he stated. I nodded before I noticed blood trickle down his face. My eyes followed the blood. It formed a pool under his feet.

"Venus!" he shouted while shaking me. I snapped out of daze and looked at a worried Liam. "I'm fine," I said while shoving his arms off.

He sighed. "You're hallucinating again?" he asked worriedly. I ignored him and looked out the carriage window. That's right. I get hallucinations here and there. When I was six, my parents were murdered and I was taken hostage by the man that killed them. He tortured me 24/7. He dumped my body in the forest, thinking I was dead. I somehow recovered but not without a price. I get hallucinations of what he did to me during those three days.

The carriage stopped signaling that we were at the Phantomhive manor. The carriage door opened to reveal a butler. He looks familiar. I looked him in the eye and tried to find any type of emotion. I do this to every person I meet. I saw absolutely no emotion. That's odd.

The butler held out his hand for me to take. "Welcome to the Phantomhive manor. I'm the Earl's butler, Sebastian," he stated with a smile. His smile didn't reach his eyes. I nodded before placing my hand in his. I felt his hand under mine. I grew suspicious when I couldn't feel a pulse. I use this special technique to feel the pulsing under my finger. There's a specific spot on your hand where a pulse should be. I got off the carriage before slipping my hand out of his. Liam came out of the carriage as well.

"Would you like me to direct you to your room or would you like to speak to the Earl?" Sebastian asked.

"Room."

He nodded before guiding me to my room. "Liam, you should go with Sebastian. After all, you wanted to meet the Earl," I said, wanting to get rid of him. I saw him nod before I shut the door.

I reached inside my bag and grabbed a sugar cube. I placed it in my mouth. I finally looked up, analyzing the room. The room was painted a dark shade of red, thankfully no pink in sight. My eyes fell upon the fireplace. Perfect spot to hide a weapon. I pulled my shirt up to retrieve a small knife that I kept with me. I ducked my head in the fireplace. My fingers skimmed along the brick wall, trying to find an opening. I felt my fingers dip. Found it. I placed my knife in the opening.

A knock came from the door. I ducked my head out of the fireplace before walking towards the door. I opened it only to reveal the butler. "My young master is requesting you," he stated. I nodded before following him. We walked along the strange corridor. My eyes scanned the place as we walked, trying to find anything suspicious.

Sebastian briefly knocked on a door. "Young master, it's our guest."

"Come in," I heard a voice from inside. Sebastian opened the door and guided me inside. The young Earl was sitting on his desk and was looking through some papers. I noticed that he wore an eye patch. He finally looked up, making eye contact. I could see his emotions. Hatred and loss. He's been through a lot. But what was more interesting is that I could tell he was a liar. He lies a lot, he has that glint in his eyes. He's either hiding something or his life is based on lies.

He looked up at me shocked. "You're Lady Venus?" he asked in disbelief.

"Judging me by my age? That's hardly fair," I stated. His eyes widened from my bold assumption. "Of course not. I just wasn't informed of your age," he stated. He probably expected a middle aged woman.

"Well, you're about my age, correct?" I asked. He nodded. "Now, let's get straight to business," I professionally said, walking up to his desk.

"I need all the paper work we have on the Dark Knights or the Forgotton Ones or whatever they call themselves," I said while sitting in a chair. He nodded before handing my some papers. I became engrossed in reading, trying to find any clues. I couldn't help but glance at Sebastian who was making tea in the corner. Why do I get this feeling I've seen him before?