The Little Queen (Black Butler)

The Faustian Contract

People live within their ideals so that they may remain sane, but it makes them lose touch with reality. It seems counterintuitive in a way, but she could understand. One day, everything is going okay. Not a single thought of disaster crept upon her thoughts, because up until that day, her life had been perfect. She'd had the luck of being born into a wealthy family, adored by them all. However, reality laughed in the face of her ideal perfection, because it is dark, and it is scary, and because it lived up to its name. It is real.

Idealism is why she did not expect the events of the following day. Just as the sun began to set, water consumed her vision as she sank farther and farther into the depths of the pond. Each second that passed, she began to lose herself. Gradually, darkness began to seep in from all around her, like an ink monster finally getting to swallow her whole.

No matter how much flailing she tried to do, she couldn't reach the surface. She just continued to sink. At some point during her sinking, she gave up. She just allowed herself to go deeper. She waited for death.

Fear settled within her core, and surely everything she knew would abandon her mind. Pain brought about from the intensity of the water that swam down her throat increased, but the instinct of her body started up again. It fought against the natural course of breathing, but it only took seconds for the process to occur a final time.

Somehow, she felt incredibly embarrassed that she was going out that way. She was angry at the people that caused what was happening to her. She wanted them gone; she wanted them dead. More than anything, however, was her disbelief. Perhaps that was due to her former ignorance of reality, and the time that she spent basking in her years of idealism and obliviousness, but it could have been any number of reasons.

On that day, the day in which she endured the loss of many things, she did not lose her life. No, instead, she was saved. The water became air and raven feathers. She floated, not on the surface of the water, but in air. Instead of soaked clothing, a white sheet covered her naked body. All feelings of desperation, of fear, of hopelessness - it all disappeared. Calmness, a peculiar sense of euphoria and safety, replaced all of the negativity that would burrow itself in her seemingly final moments.

"Where am I?" she thought to herself. No noise reached her ears, nothing in view altered. The consistency soothed her, especially after everything she'd previously endured.

She wasn't sure how much time passed in the foreign area. Minutes, hours, days, months, maybe even years? Was she just hallucinating? No, actually, she might be dead. The thought of being dead cascaded upon her brain like the waves of a waterfall. It became a hurricane, a tornado; it became the epitome of destruction and intensity. It struck like daggers, and there was nothing she could do to stop the pain of that idea.

Suddenly, a voice, soft but deep, cut through her train of thoughts. "Ah, I see you've awakened."

"Wh-Who are you?" she asked the voice, her own trembling. The appearance of it overwhelmed her just as much as the idea of death. She didn't expect the sudden change.

"I am someone who can help you achieve your dreams."

"My dreams?"

"You wanted them gone, didn't you? The people who killed your parents, the people who tried to drown you."

The voice was right. She did want revenge. Their deaths, her home, her parents. No matter what, though, there was nothing that he could do to bring them back.

"You're right. I do want them dead. I want them all dead. I want everything I lost because of them. I want much that I could never have. How could you help me?" The incredulity of her voice, the drop in pitch from desperation, surprised her. She felt weak, incredibly so.

"I have more power than any human could have. I could grant you anything. I could destroy civilizations at the snap of your fingers. Tell me what to do, and I'll do it," he replied calmly. It flowed easily like honey, coated in temptation. His voice held the superiority and strength of victory, the reward of successful conquest and passion. Uncertainty flew in her stomach like newly awakened butterflies, but she felt comfort in his voice.

"You would do that?" Once again, her voice trembled.

"Yes, but only if you come through on your end. In order for me to help you succeed in achieving your significant goals, I need something significant from you - your soul. A measly price to pay, don't you agree? What else do you have to lose when you have nothing left?"

"What are you, a demon?"

"I am. I am allowing you to accept this contract if you so wish. You may reject, if you want, also. Whatever you decide. It is entirely up to you but choose wisely. If you deny, you may not receive this contract again."

"This would be going against God," she whispered. She would be condemned in His eyes, lost, abandoned. He would be upset if she said yes. Up to this point, however, where was He? She squeezed her eyes shut and waited for the other to respond. Would God give her what she lost?

"You're correct."

"I-I see. Very well, then. That is the price to pay, and I shall pay it. I accept your contract, demon."

"Are you sure? You will be going against your god. One day, I will devour your soul and everything you had been. Your soul will be mine, and mine alone. Are you still certain of your decision?" Amusement settled in his voice, but she couldn't bring herself to treat it fearfully.

"Yes," she said with finality. Her voice no longer trembled with unease. For once since the tragedy occurred, she felt like she was in control, and she loved that feeling.

She didn't understand why she went so far, and why it meant so much to her, but her decision was made. She couldn't let the injustice go nor the embarrassment it had brought her. But there was more that lapped at her thoughts.

"But there is more that I want. Are you able to grant one final wish?"

He, the holder of her dreams, remained quiet momentarily. When he finally spoke, his voice grew even more in strength, as if it'd be awarded the sense of seduction itself. It didn't surprise her considering he, after all, was a demon. "What is it that you want?"

"I want to be a queen. I want my own country, even if it is momentarily. I want to be repaid tenfold by this world for the pain that it has caused me, and more so for my soul. Yes, this is my choice, but it prodded and poked me until my back was against the wall. I want my injustice paid with interest."

Much to her surprise, the demon laughed. Heartily and low in sound. "Oh, how greedy you are! I love it. This ought to be amusing. Very well, I accept this part of your contract. Once again, mark your acceptance for finality."

"I accept your contract."

"Then the contract is made. Keep your eyes shut, and I'll take you back home."