~The Queen's Butler...Arrogant~ (Charles Grey x Reader)

Chapter 28: The she-butler, struck by memory

A/N: alrighty boys, a longer chapter at last! I randomly got motivation to continue this godforsaken fic, and I'm starting to see an end goal to this story. It won't be for another few chapters as I have other plans, but it's definitely in sight for me. Anyways, thank you for this journey, and thank you for your support. 

Enjoy! <3

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3rd Person POV the whole chapter

A holiday like this, he would've loved to have brought his child, had he not known what could very well happen that very night. It was difficult for Grey to part with Athena, however duty calls, and he had faith in Sophia that she would look after her while he was gone. He'd rather her there than here considering the circumstances. 

Uninterested by the other passengers, he simply looked where he was supposed to - for any sign of trouble, for these 'bizarre dolls' as the resurrected corpses were subsequently named. He took pleasure in nothing but fighting now, it was one of the only things that made him feel any sort of emotion, even if it were miniscule. He still liked to be cheeky, that was just in his nature, but it would all fall cynical for this time in his life. 

Though when he saw a face he half expected to not even show up, a glint of mischief filled his otherwise dull eyes as he and Phipps approached the boy and his jet black butler. 

"Well, just what are you doing here old chap?" Grey interrupted whatever conversation was being held at their table, "I never thought you much for holiday."
"Lord Grey, and Sir Charles Phipps," Lord Phantomhive greeted in a questioning tone, turning slightly to face them, "just what are you two doing here?"
"Her majesty is quite generous in terms of our leisure time," Grey beamed in a bittersweet way, "she insisted we have a holiday for once, so here we are."
"Marquess and Marchioness Midford," Phipps greeted with a single nod, the married nobles returning a polite smile and nod. 

Grey turned to the butler, smiling his faux smile.

"So you're not dead after all," he pointed out.
"So I'm not. It seems I was rather annoyingly brought back to life by someone's incessant kicking to my face," Sebastian explained, placing a hand over his chest as he always did in noble company. 
"Well, we best be thanking that someone then, they brought you back to life after all," Grey murmured, the two sharing a knowing look as Grey turned away from him and back to Lord Phantomhive, "I'm sure I'll be seeing more of you around as this trip progresses. Enjoy, Lord Phantomhive."

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The sudden change in atmosphere within the vessel was uncanny. There was a thick unease in the air, one so hard to ignore that the other otherwise clueless passengers chose to acknowledge as well. At this, he and Phipps shared a knowing look, and stood up to go and investigate. Though, general first class would not be the first target of the fiends hidden within the cargo spaces of the ship...

Even though she had said she didn't mind the downgrade since being let go of the extravagant position of the Queen's butler, she didn't see herself enjoying economy class if it was amongst a group of sickly jolly drunks. She would've much preferred to stay in her room until they had to work, however Ronald insisted she come out and drink with him until duty called. She chose not to drink, but joined him anyways.