The Assassin (Black Butler/Sebastian Love Story)

Chapter 9

It didn't take too long before we reached the library. "I'll do half of the library while you do the other half," Sebastian decided as we walked in.

I nodded, "Very well."

"I'll do the front and you'll do the back," he told me and handed me a duster. I walked over to the farthest bookshelf and began dusting. I couldn't help but get the oddest feeling that I was being watched.

I tried to work as fast and efficiently as I could. I took a particularly dirty book off the shelf and a blue eye took its place. I jumped back and the eye disappeared. I cleared the other books off the shelf and gasped, "Finni!" I removed the books from the shelves under and above it. Sure enough, Mey-Rin and Bard were there with the camera. "What are you doing here?"

"We're trying to take a picture of Mr. Sebastian, but he has to be still for ten seconds in order for him to come out right!" Mey-Rin whispered.

"He's too fast!" Bard told me.

I said, "Well, you'll never catch him here. Not while he's cleaning."

Finni told me, "Don't tell him! Please, put the books back!" I sighed but did as he asked. My gaze shifted to the other side of the room where Sebastian. My mouth fell open. His side was sparkling clean! Sebastian quickly scanned over it and then turned to me, smiling.

I asked in amazement as I walked over to him, "How did you manage to get this done so quickly?"

He winked, "I'm simply one hell of a butler." I frowned. He could have cleaned the library much faster by himself. Why did he bother inviting me to help? What did he want? "Well, I must tend to the other rooms in the Manor. Please, finish your duties here and then go to the kitchen to help with dinner."

I nodded, "Of course."

He began to walk out when he stopped next to the flower vase. He looked at the flowers like he was contemplating something. I noticed that there was a red rose among the white flowers. It stood out oddly. "Hm... it seems I forgot something," he said, though it sounded like he was saying it to himself.

I asked, "What's wrong?" He took the rose by the stem and walked over to me.

Sebastian explained, "I put this is the vase so it wouldn't dry out, but forgot about it for a moment. Please, accept this as a token of my gratitude for choosing to help me in cleaning the library." He placed it in my hair, tucking the stem behind my ear so it wouldn't fall out so easily.

I blushed, looking away, "It was no trouble, really. There is no need for this."

He smiled, "I am grateful all the same. Now, I will be taking my leave." With that, he walked out and shut the doors behind him. The other three came into sight. I jumped, startled. I had completely forgotten they were there!

Bard cursed, "Damn! We could have easily taken the picture then!"

Finni sighed, "But we were too busy watching."

I told them, "I don't ever want to speak about what just happened."

Mey-Rin said, "You should consider yourself lucky. He would never act that way around us." She looked upset, giving me fleeting glares while I was not looking at her. I did not understand why.

I dismissed, "It is probably because I'm still new here. There is nothing to fret over. You all might want to hurry if you want to get that picture taken." They nodded and ran out quickly, hoping to catch up to Sebastian.

I sighed and turned back to my half of the room. I had much work to do. That was when I saw it. Sitting on top of a desk was a telephone. Who would have thought that a library, which was supposed to be quiet, would have a telephone in there? I should have looked earlier!

I couldn't use it right then. There was a great chance someone would walk in on my conversation. I would have to wait until nightfall. That brought up a question, though. Had Sebastian took me there so I would see the phone? Had he known what I was looking for all along? Was it just a coincidence?

Sebastian seemed like he invited me into the library for a reason, though. What was it?