Truth and Hope or Lies and Despair

Chapter Twenty One "Milk and Honey"

~* Venus's POV *~

I woke up, having to blink to adjust to the sudden lighting. Looking around, I notice how I am in the Earl's bedroom, lying on his cushions. Surprisingly, I didn't have that many injuries from practically being blow up. The only evident wound I had was burnt marks wrapping itself around my arm. My head felt a little woozy and blank, not really remembering what had happened. All I remembered was a bomb.

My eyes widened as I noticed someone was holding my hand. It was Ciel. He held my hand tightly but was asleep, snoring softly. He sat in a chair, his head leaning on the bed, resting. His injuries looked way more severe than mine. I could see white bandages wrapped around his torso, disappearing into his shirt. His burnt marks looked more horrific than mine.

But I couldn't help but to stare at his hand, holding mine. It felt nice... like I was being guarded and protected. I shook my head, trying to erase these thoughts. I slipped my hand from his tight grip, making him stir slightly before waking up.

"Eh, I fell asleep? Huh, that was the best rest I had in awhile. No nightmares, how odd," the Earl muttered to himself, not yet seeing that I had woken.

"Good morning," I greeted, making him jump slightly in surprise.

"How are you feeling?" he asked in concern.

"Amazing," I said sarcastically, propping myself up into a sitting position, wincing from the slight pain for my burnt marks.

"Do you remember what happened? The doctor said you have a concussion."

As soon as he said that, memories started to rush in at once. Liam escaping... my brother... the bomb... Chrissy...

"Get out," I whispered, wanting to be alone. My brother, he's alive! After all these years... I still remembered his horrible death, the death of my family... and that vile demon. Demons, every last one of them should be wiped out. All of them. I glanced at the Earl, my eyes narrowing.

"Pardon?"

"I said, get out!" I screamed, my eyes filling with tears. His eyes widened at my outburst and the tears that leaked my eyes. He sighed and got up, leaving without another word.

Was Liam telling the truth? He had no reason to lie... So, my brother is out there? The true leader of the dark knights. What the hell is he thinking? Idiot. Why hasn't he come to see me? I felt betrayal and hurt wedge into my cold heart once again.

I laid down, curling up into the ball. I hate this case. I hate everything about it. I just want to quit. I want it to be over. I shouldn't have accepted it in the first place. This mission brought the worst emotions out of me. First Liam betraying me then my brother.

Sadness... betrayal... grief... abandonment... despair... I just want it all to stop.

I embraced my pillow tighter, remembering my brother's kindness. He would never become a leader of such violence. It can't be.

My vision blurred, the familiar feeling washing over me. I cursed. Out of all the times, I start to hallucinate now!?

"Wow, you've grown quite a bit."

His familiar kind voice reached my ears, making me freeze. I turned around and gasped. My brother sat beside me, twirling strands of my hair. His gentle smile brought more tears in my eyes.

"Chrissy..?"

He grinned, "the one and only."

I leaped into his welcoming arms, burying my face into his chest. He stroked my head as I sobbed, crying like a baby. In the first time in a very long time, I cried. But happy tears flowed from my cheeks, knowing my brother was there.

You're hallucinating.

My eyes widened, coming back to my sense. Is this really a hallucination? Nothing but a figment of my imagination? But.. it felt so real.

I pulled away and my heart broke, realizing I was hugging my pillow this whole time, only imagining my brother was there. He was never here...

I screamed out in anger and threw the pillow in frustration. I am such a fool to believe such fantasy. Even if my brother was alive, according to Liam, he is in charge of the group I am ordered to hunt down and annihilate.

A knock came from the door. I frowned and hid under the covers, wanting to be alone.

"Lady Venus? It is I," Sebastian's voice was heard behind the door. I kept quiet, not saying a word.

I whimpered at the empty feeling in my heart, finally realizing I was truly alone in this world. No one cares for me. No one loves me. It's just me and me alone.

The door opening was heard, Sebastian letting himself in. I could hear a tea cart being rolled into the room, but I just lay still, crying to myself silently... pathetically.

"I have brought refreshments."

I heard the clinking of a spoon being stirred in a cup. I just hugged myself tighter, waiting for him to leave.

"The young Lord has ordered me to make sure you were alright. He seemed quite worried after you kicked him out."

Shut up.. Shut up... leave me alone... I am always alone.

"Once the bomb had gone off, I of course tried to keep my master from the blast. But before I could get to him, he had jumped in front of you, shielding you from the pain."

I froze at his words. Ciel, tried to protect me? Even if he got terribly hurt, why would he do such a thing?

"Humans are always driven by their emotions. The Earl always is cold and stoic, almost emotionless. But that day he saved you, I have been sensing a new found emotion in his heart. This feeling is especially active when he's around you."

Emotion? Towards me? Could it be...

"I am afraid it is time for me to go, for I have a job as the Phantomhive butler. I have left milk and honey for you. This always cheered the young master when he is more angry than usual. Enjoy."

The door closed. Sebastian had left. Pulling the covers off me, I spotted the a cup on the nightstand beside me. Gently, picking it up, I gazed at the white liquid, a little gold tinted in the drink. I brought the cup up to my lips, sipping it softly.

It was warm... and sweet. No wonder the Earl was fond of this drink. It made me relaxed.

Ciel had protected me? Why? And the emotions Sebastian was speaking about.. Could it be what I thought it was?

The feeling of being protected engulfed me like a blanket. It has been a while since I felt so safe. And it was all because of the Earl... a weird emotion ignited in my heart at the thought of him.

A smile overcame my frown, suddenly feeling like I was no longer alone in this world.

~*~

"Sometimes, the strongest people are the most broken inside."

~*~

A/N: Anyone remember how in the manga, little Ciel asks for milk and honey with that adorable expression? Kawaii!!

Vote, Comment, Fan :)