The Earl's Kitten

Chapter XIII

"Who is it that has summoned me?"

I opened my eyes and sat up, noticing that I was lying in a field of pure white snow. I frowned slightly, looking up to the sky. It was black – there were no stars, no moon. It was then that the words registered in my head. I was in the presence of a demon. I needed to be authoritative.

"I did." I stood from the snow, dusting the dress free of the white flakes. I crossed my arms and closed my eyes. Silence greeted me.

"How may I be of service, young one?" I heard the crunching of snow, as something large padded forward to greet me. I opened my eyes, only to be greeted with glowing blue eyes in the dark. I blinked in surprise, tilting my head.

"Oh, I, uhm..." My cheeks turned pink as I blushed, and the demon chuckled.

"You?" It prompted. I growled at it, building the courage to speak to the creature.

"I want you to be my back up and protection until I have completed all the tasks that my Master, the Earl Ciel Phantomhive, has given me. You will also look after me outside of my work, around my home and in other places. Not only will you be my Butler..." I hesitated, "But you will also be my friend. In return, you shall have my soul, Demon." I made sure to state the specifics of the contract.

"Are you sure? Once you have entered into a contract with me, you cannot break it. You will never know heaven; you shall be dragged into the depths of hell with me." I frowned slightly.

"... I have a request, before we form this contract."

"Oh?" The creature padded about me. I kept my stance rigid, since I was the master here. "And what would that be, young one?" I wasn't sure if it was just a trick in my mind, but it sounded like whenever the Demon called me 'young one', its voice softened. Shaking the voice from my head, I spoke my final request.

"I would like for the contract symbol to look simple. A tulip, if you please."

"Very well. You have resigned your soul to me in return for my help, as long as your master gives you tasks. Now it is time to wake... My Lady."

 

July 2nd 1887, 1 AM

 

I groaned as I came to consciousness, aware of a presence beside me. I began to panic, my heart rate rising rapidly, becoming more erratic as fear pulsed through my veins. Was that person my father? Was he waiting for me to wake before he continued his torture? What did he-

"My Lady, calm yourself." A hand rested gently over mine, "It is quite alright, you are safe now. You may open your eyes." My pulse began to calm down, and any worries left me... Almost as though I'd been charmed...

Charming is a magical technique that demons have the ability to perform on humans. When I was younger, especially aged six and seven, I used to have such frightful nightmares about my father. Jackson often found that mere comforting wouldn't do the trick, and he'd charm me – a little bit of magic in his words as he spoke, calming me. He had never used his charm on me for any other reason besides calming me down.

I'd been charmed, I knew it, but it didn't bother me. I slowly opened my eyes, seeing the blue ones from my dream. I slowly took in his face, his hair, his features, his butler's uniform. A small smile crept onto his face as he sat beside me.

"It is good to see that you are finally awake, M'lady. You passed out after summoning me. Perhaps I shouldn't have kept you talking for so long." Those soft, silky tones of voice... "Are you going to give me a name, M'lady?" I shook my head slightly.