His Butler, Faithful

A Sound Soul

“What are you doing here?” Ciel demanded.

Grell Sutcliff stepped out of the shadows, grinning toothily (and seductively for Sebastian’s sake). “She isn’t like me, though I think she’d make one hell of a Reaper,” he said, ignoring the brat’s inquiry. “But she has a strong soul, like you, Ciel! Well, maybe even stronger, hmm?” Grell glanced at Sebastian, who remained stoic.

What does that mean?” the boy snapped.

Grell pursed his lips. If Sebastian wouldn’t even pay him a second glance, why should he help them? “I guess it means Sebastian chose the wrong meal, for he missed out on one delicious feast.” The death god stomped away, cackling before disappearing.

“That was pointless,” said Ciel.

Sebastian looked at his master for a moment as if to say something, thought the better of it, and then shrugged. “Indeed,” he said instead. “That one is sure troublesome.”

April set down the newspaper on Ciel’s night table, closing her eyes and letting out a sigh. This boy was very clean for someone of thirteen years, so all she had to do regarding her duty was to make his bed and dust the furniture.

The headline of this newspaper wasn’t all Earl Phantomhive kept. There were clippings of the other killings kept in his desk drawer as well. April didn’t mean to look inside- after all, she wasn’t allowed to peek in on her master’s private life- but the drawer was open, and she couldn’t help it.

Ling Shun, Anna Washington, Charlotte Stewart, and now Arielle Kelley. Those poor girls…

April’s ears perked as she heard the front door. The master and butler were home. She left Ciel’s bedroom and met them at the bottom of the stairs with the rest of the help.

“You're home, young master! Welcome back!” The crew sang. April, whose mouth was still open to merely say “good afternoon,” stopped short right behind Baldo (or Bard. April wasn’t sure which name to call him).

“Yes, yes,” Ciel grumbled, allowing Sebastian to remove his coat, hat, and gloves. “April,” he barked, “I’d like to speak with you.”

“Yes, young master,” she murmured, a bit startled because she wanted to speak with him as well.

“Sebastian,” said the young lord, “let us go to the study.”

“Of course, my lord,” the butler replied.

April followed them upstairs to Ciel’s study, pondering the things her master could possibly have to say to her. She thought she was doing a good job. Or, maybe it wasn’t to fire her. Another story, perhaps? He seemed to enjoy The Little Mermaid last night.

The maid shook her head of the thoughts and focused on just walking. As she looked up, she noticed Sebastian watching her out of the corner of his eye. She kept her expression placid, but looked away quickly.

They arrived to Ciel’s study, and Sebastian made sure to lock the door behind them. April stopped in front of his desk, while the Earl sat down and propped his legs up. “There is something I need to tell you,” he said. His eye flicked to Sebastian, who was now standing next to the girl. “I am the Queen’s watchdog.”

“Does that have anything to do with solving the recent murders?” asked April. “If so, I may have useful information.”

Ciel’s eye widened, and he nodded. “Y-yes, you’re correct. In fact, you beat me to the point, because that is why I asked you here.” He removed his legs from the desk and leaned forward. “You see, it’s about that story you told me last night. The murder today mimicked the girl’s death at the end. And I wanted to know how you knew.”

“Coincidence,” the maid answered. “But I can tell you why I decided to tell you that story.” When the boy raised his eyebrow, she inhaled deeply. “I knew a girl whose life was like that. And The Little Mermaid was her favorite story because she could relate. You see, the most recent murder- that was the girl. And the other three… I knew them too.”

Ciel furrowed his brow. “How exactly did you know them?”

“Well,” she answered. “I think you’d understand better if I gave you more background information. So let me begin with my very own tale.”