Black Butler: The Stellar Dove

Chapter 1: Warmth

  The stars faintly glittered in the sky through the misty clouds. No moon shone—only the flickering of streetlamps. A powerful, chilling wind whipped through the air. It was not a good night for a person to be wandering about outside. And it truly wasn't good if that person were lost.

I slowly made my way down the streets, pulling the shabby coat tighter against my body in a feeble attempt to maintain my dwindling warmth. Underneath, my dress was nothing but rags. My hair wove about itself wildly, but was luckily long and heavy enough to shield my neck from the cold.

I began coughing, clasping my hand over my mouth. When the spell finally ended, I looked down to see specks blood on my palm. I groaned and wiped water from my eyes, caused by the wind that was beginning to sting. Though I had told myself I was going to find my way eventually, I was still drifting aimlessly.

What I was doing out there, I had no vague idea. Was I moving towards or away from something? Could the weather have made me become this ill this quickly? When and where did I begin walking? My ability to remember anything was fading, as was my strength. Just when I was about to give up and collapse into a heap, I ran into someone.

I gasped and stumbled back, nearly being knocked off my feet.

"Sorry, miss, are you—" The stranger stopped as he met my eyes. "...alright?" he finished, gently placing an arm on my shoulder to keep me from falling over.

My first thought of him was that he was an angel, but I quickly came to realize it was simply the presence of another settling my loneliness. He was at least eight inches taller than me—a slender figure was dressed in a long, black cloak. His skin was pale—not quite as pale as mine at that moment—and was contrasted with chin-length, hair as black as a raven's feathers. His eyes were dark and a bright, warm color of brown. They very sound of his voice made me feel as if a blanket had been wrapped around me, the feel of his hand on my shoulder adding to the intoxicating comfort.

"I—I'm..." I began to stutter with a cracked voice, forgetting how to speak.

"My dear," he spoke softly. "You look as pale as a ghost. That thin cloak of yours isn't going to keep you warm in this brutal weather." While keeping me steady, he managed to slip his coat off. Before I could move, he wrapped it around my shoulders. His reddish eyes sparkled as he gave me a warm smile.

Under the winter coat, I found he wore a deep black tailcoat with long tails that whipped about in the breeze. Though concealing, it certainly didn't look suitable for this weather.

"Th—Thank you," I tried to return the smile, but my cracked lips wouldn't stop quivering. "B—but won't you be cold?"

A little silver pin on the collar of the coat drew my hazy thoughts away from the question. That symbol was so familiar. I squinted as I tried to identify the inscription written on it.

"I am a butler at the Phantomhive estate," he explained, answering my unspoken assumption. "And what kind of butler would I be to leave a maiden in the cold like this?"

"Phantomhive?" I mumbled under my breath. "Even... as that, you're... going to be cold. It's brutal out here."

"Don't worry about me." His warm smile curved into a smirk. His eyes, once again, sparkled mysteriously. "Will you allow me to show you to the manor where I work? We have medicine, and food. You appear to be in need of it."

I looked down to think. Most would not go home with a stranger they had only just met, and taking food from a stranger wasn't exactly the brightest idea anyone had ever come up with, but this was an entirely different situation than most. And if he was kind enough to lend me his coat, I assumed I could trust him enough to allow him to lead me to the estate.

"That would be very kind of you," I said, straightening my posture to express my gratitude. He seemed to sense I was uneasy, which I was in more than one way. He gently took my hand into his white gloved one, continuing to wear his comforting smile. I did not mind the gesture, and if I did, I was too tried to care.

I followed him down the street, my legs slowly becoming stiffer as walking began to hurt. My vision blurred. I began to lose my sense of balance. I suddenly tripped. Before I even began to anticipate hitting the ground, something caught me. I was pulled up into the air, then, the next thing I knew, I was being carried in his arms.

For a moment, I grasped his shoulder, fearing he would drop me, but I quickly realized I was safe... and what exactly I was doing—blushing. Disregarding my pride, I simply laid my head against him, closed my eyes, and let my weariness take over.

I felt so safe for the first time that night, and I was greatly thankful for it. More so, I was overcome with joy knowing that I was warm for the night, at last, even if sickness had already taken me. I believed that by going with the butler, perhaps I would die a less cold death.

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