Black Demon's Witness (Black butler fanfic)

Chapter 68: Farewell

It had been weeks since we returned Brendon home. I still wondered why he left the first time. As I was thinking, I flipped the pages of the paper that arrived. "Sebastian," I asked, "what was all the commotion about last night?" Sebastian smiled as he poured me a cup of tea. Half of his hair was in a ponytail, and the rest swayed beside his face. "It seems a new holiday has begun in England. 'New Year', as they call it, is now celebrated as a public holiday for the first time."
"So that's it then: a new holiday in 1974." I stared down at the papers and found an envelope underneath. "That," Sebastian walked over, "is the manor's monthly pay of £4,975 and should be paid by January 10." He sat the cup beside my hand, and I glanced up at him. "Call my sister in." I ordered and he bowed, his hand over his chest. "Yes, Madame." Sebastian left the study, and I continued to skim over the papers. I'm huge bold print was the title of the second page:
The 1973 Oil Crisis Returns.
It seems that the crisis' embargo had officially raised the prices in the markets. The situation was very annoying to me, even with the season pulling in after December. The study door swiftly opened, and Maddie entered with her hands held tightly together. "Maddie, you haven't spoken at all since last week." Her eyes were glued to the top my desk where the papers were scattered. "How are you doing?" I asked standing from my seat. Maddie kept her eyes peeled to the desk and nodded, keeping her mouth closed. I walked up to her, "Maddie?"
She glanced up at me finally and sighed. Her eyes looked red, as if she had been crying. "I'm planning on leaving the manor to you."
I didn't exactly understand what she had said. After two years of being here with me, she wants to leave again? "I wish to leave as soon as possible." My heart sunk at her words. I couldn't speak at all. All I could manage was a hurt expression. Maddie stepped away from me and looked down at her yellow dress. Her hands fell to her sides and she turned her back to me. "Maddie." I called but she kept her back facing me. Her hands balled into fists and her shoulders shook. "I'm leaving. There's nothing you can do to change my mind." She quickly left the study room, leaving me. My legs grew weak, and I fell to my knees. Her words were too sudden, and no tears welled in my eyes. I stared down at my hands and tried to process everything.
She was leaving.
The sound of footsteps came from the doorway, and I looked up to find Sebastian standing before me. He gazed down upon me with a worried look on his face. "Madame, you mustn't kneel on the floor." He reached a hand out to me, but I refused and clenched my fists. I was full of anger and frustration as I sat there among the floor. My head was beginning to ache, and I grimaced. Suddenly Sebastian kneeled before me and sighed, "Please do not cry. It shows that you've become weak." I quickly looked at him and shook my head. "That's the problem: I cannot cry. Even if I want to." I stared into his eyes and held my hands together. It's fine that she's leaving, for it's her choice to make. I grabbed a hold of Sebastian's hand and stood up. I hadn't weeped at all, and I hadn't become weak. "Sebastian," I called, "don't look down on me like that ever again.Understand?"
Sebastian's eyes widened in shock at my words. I was surprised myself. Sebastian, clearly following orders, bowed with his right hand over his chest, "Yes, Madame."

Soon enough, my sister was leaving, and the Maidens helped her with her luggage. It was hard to speak without my voice shaking, so I kept my mouth closed. Maddie walked over to me and held my hands in hers, forcing a smile. "Younger sister," She squeezed my hands and looked me in the eye, "I know you will feel alone after I leave, so I want you to stay strong." I looked down as she said the word strong and swallowed back my words. Maddie reached her hands behind her head and pulled off her silver necklace. The small heart that was locked onto the silver chain was light purple, and even though the necklace was beautiful, my expression remained the same. I wouldn't feel alone, for I had the Maidens, Sebastian, Snake and Matilda. Maddie set the necklace over my collarbone and clipped it to the back. She smiled, "There, now you have mother and I beside you at all times." She caressed my cheek lightly as if expecting my tears to fall. As none fell, her smile weakened and she sighed. Without thinking I held her hand that caressed my cheek, "Goodbye Sister."
As if my words were a spell, Maddie's eyes began to fill with tears. Her tears ran down her cheeks like raindrops falling on a glass window. She removed her hand from my face and turned her back towards me. "Goodbye," I could hear her voice in its low tone, and I nodded. She entered the carriage without uttering another word. The Maidens began to sniff away their tears and waved as the carriage drifted off down the way.

I solemnly raised my hand and waved.
"Farewell, Madame Maddie."