Nightshade Valet And His Nobel Mistress

Chapter 9: An Intimate Night

After two weeks of the garden party, everything had calmed down in the Phantomhive manor. During moments when no one was paying attention, Sebastain and Madeline would steal a quick kiss.

But their stolen moments of affection were becoming more frequent, and more difficult to conceal. Ciel had begun to notice Sebastian's distraction during their chess matches, the butler's normally impeccable service now marred by occasional lapses.

One afternoon, Madeline was in the library reading, she felt a presence behind her.

Turning, she found Sebastian mere inches away, his crimson eyes gleaming with mischief.

"We must be more careful," she whispered, even as she leaned into his touch.

"Perhaps," he murmured, brushing his lips against her ear, "or perhaps it's time we stopped hiding."

Madeline's heart raced at Sebastian's words. The thought of no longer concealing their relationship was both thrilling and terrifying.

"But what about Ciel?" she asked, her voice barely audible. "How would he react?"

Sebastian's fingers trailed along her jawline, his touch feather-light. "The young master is more perceptive than we give him credit for. I suspect he already knows, or at least suspects."

Madeline bit her lip, considering. "And the other servants?"

A low chuckle rumbled in Sebastian's chest. "They are far less observant. Though I daresay Mey-Rin would be quite devastated."

Just then, they heard footsteps approaching the library. Sebastian smoothly stepped back, adopting his usual butler's posture as the door swung open.

Ciel entered, his single visible eye narrow with suspicion. He glanced between Sebastian and Madeline, taking in their slightly flushed faces and the tension in the air.

"Sebastian," he said coolly, "I require tea in my study. And bring those reports I asked for earlier."

"Yes, my lord," Sebastian replied with a bow, his face a mask of perfect servitude. As he turned to leave, his eyes met Madeline's for a brief, charged moment.

Once Sebastian had gone, Ciel turned his attention to Madeline. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything important," he said, his tone deceptively casual.

Madeline felt her cheeks grow warm. "Not at all, Ciel."

Ciel's piercing gaze lingered on Madeline for a moment longer before he nodded, seemingly satisfied. "Very well. I trust you're finding the library to your liking?"

"Oh, yes," Madeline replied, grateful for the change in subject. "Your collection is quite impressive."

"Indeed," Ciel said, his eyes scanning the shelves. "Though I must admit, I've noticed certain books seem to change position more frequently than others. I wonder if you might know anything about that?"

Madeline's breath caught in her throat. She and Sebastian had been using the library as a meeting place, often leaving books slightly out of place in their haste. "I... I'm not sure what you mean," she stammered.

A ghost of a smile played on Ciel's lips. "No? How curious. Well, I'm sure it's nothing to worry about. Enjoy your reading, Madeline."

With that, Ciel turned and left the library, closing the door behind him with a soft click. Madeline let out a shaky breath, her mind racing. It was clear that Ciel knew more than he was letting on. The question now was, what would he do with that knowledge?

Later that evening, as Madeline prepared for bed, she heard a soft knock at her door. Her heart leapt, knowing it could only be Sebastian. She opened the door, pulling him inside quickly.