His Butler, Faithful

Sebastian's Vow

Early that morning, Sebastian was cleaning the bathroom, but soon got lost in his reflection in the mirror. He could only think of April, and was trying desperately to beat the thoughts out of himself. This was unlike himself, he kept saying. He was a devil; he had no business falling in lo-

“Lo- Luh-” Sebastian groaned, still unable to admit to himself what these feelings were. He refused to think a human girl such as April was able to weaken him that easily. “It isn’t that at all,” he declared through gritted teeth, giving the mirror one more quick shine and skulking off elsewhere. He smirked at the inanity of this thought. “How absurd,” he murmured, “I, a demon butler, in love? Ha!” He had nothing to worry about. He was merely attracted to her because of her soul. He knew deep down that if he wasn’t in a contract with Ciel, he’d go after her. Although, he’d already thought about this before. She’d be a hard soul to catch… He also remembered Grell’s words:

“She’d make one hell of a Reaper!”

“Hmpf,” he scoffed, shaking his head. He checked his pocket watch, nodding at the time. He was to begin preparing that morning’s tea before rousing his master. The others should be rising soon too.

With Elizabeth and the Marchioness no longer staying with them, and with Prince Soma and Agni taking refuge in one the Phantomhive’s townhouses, the manor seemed a lot quieter- just the way Sebastian liked it. As he was reveling in the silence, he made his way to the kitchen to get the water going on the stove. Which china should he use? Ciel’s favorite tended to be the tea set imported from Japan, the white ceramic with the blue trim. He didn’t request a specific tea last night, so maybe a simple Earl Grey with a spot of sugar. April seems to be enjoying that book right there. Maybe a tea cake should be-

Sebastian backtracked a bit and poked his head around the corner of a corridor, narrowing his eyes at the girl sitting against the wall with a large book open in her lap. He suppressed a chuckle as her face contorted into a raging fury, grumbling rude things at the pages.

“My, my,” he clucked, composing himself and rounding the corner to bend down by her side. April looked up at him and blinked twice before realizing he was real.

“Mister Sebastian.”

“There are more comfortable places to read. You usually like the library, no?”

April laughed softly. “The library is on the other side of the manor. I’m afraid if I immersed myself in a book there, I’d never get anything done.”

“Well, there are chairs in the kitchen.”

A slight blush crept across her face. “I-I don’t know. I guess I found it better out here…” She looked out of the window across from her, at the gray light peaking over the horizon. “It’s mornings like these that I sometimes miss America,” she said.

“You and Baldo have something in common then,” he chuckled.

She smiled. “We talk often about it. His uncle lives there, but I don’t think he was ever in New York. It would be very funny if we ever saw each other while he visited his family there.” She sighed. “I miss the sunrises and sunsets. It’s so dreary over here in England. Back in New York, I would often take trips to the countryside, with only the colors of the sky to look forward to every evening and morning.”

Sebastian had a sudden urge to sit next to her on the floor. She looked so content with just watching the sky, that he too wanted to experience that simple pleasure. Checking his watch, he frowned. He really must start his master’s tea…

He fidgeted, straightening his tailcoat and clearing his throat. “Are you on your way to prepare Master’s tea?” April asked, looking up at him. “I could accompany you.”

“That would be most excellent,” he replied, relief flooding through him. “May I help you up?” She nodded, allowing him to take a hand under her upper arm and another under her elbow. He hoisted her from the ground, and found himself approximating the distance between their faces. Three and a half inches, he guessed, sliding his hands slowly down her arms and stopping around the wrists.

“Sebastian, what are you doing?” Her voice snapped him out of a trance he didn’t remember going into. But when he blinked and shook his head, he realized he’d begun to sway forward, about to close the gap between them, if it wasn’t for April taking a step back.

“Oh.” He didn’t know what to say to excuse his behavior. “I must be tired is all.”

He couldn’t tell whether she was suspicious or not, but April nodded. “You should get as much rest as you can before tonight. We have a ball to attend.”

“Correct,” he said, holding out his elbow. “Pardon my most odd behavior, Miss Phillips. Please let me escort you to the kitchen now.”

“Of course,” she replied, taking it.

“Young master has requested you to rouse him this morning,” said Sebastian as they walked. “He says you are gentler than I at dressing him.”

“Well, I am a woman,” said April, blushing slightly. “I am going to be a mother one day.”

“I get the notion that you have always been ‘the mother.’ Judging from you told us of your orphan ship experience.”

She chuckled. “Yes, I suppose you’re right, Sebastian.”

“Once you’ve taken care of the young master, I would like you to take the rest of the day off to prepare yourself for tonight’s events,” he said, giving her a glance to the side.

She tensed a bit, but her expression didn’t change. “Of course,” was her reply. “I shall need practice putting on my dress, since the Earl’s tailor won’t be here.”

“Yes,” said Sebastian, fighting away thoughts of him helping her tie her corset, and what her back muscles would like as she inhaled to make her waist smaller.

“Ouch! Are you alright, Sebastian?”

“Hmm?” He looked down and realized he’d squeezed her arm far too tightly. “Oh, my apologies, April,” he stammered, releasing her arm.

“You’re funny,” she laughed. “First with your behavior, and now not addressing me as Miss.”

“Oh, pardon me-”

“Stop apologizing,” she groaned, rolling her eyes. “It’s quite alright. I think the head servants of the household are able to be a tad more informal with each other. Besides, you never call Mey-Rin Miss Mey-Rin, now do you?”

Sebastian smiled as he opened the kitchen door for her. “No, I suppose I do not,” he answered.

She turned to look at him. With the dim lighting, he could see her emerald eyes more clearly through the thick lenses of her glasses. They were beautiful, much to his dismay. “To be honest,” she said. “I’m a bit nervous. The killer will be there, I can feel it.”

“You have nothing to worry about,” he assured. “I will protect you.”

“Until the ball is over?” She nodded. “Thank you, Sebastian, I feel much better.” She went further into the kitchen and brushed hand against the edge of the countertops.

“No,” he said under his breath, shutting the door behind him. “Not just until the ball is over. I promised to always protect you.”