Black Butler: The Stellar Dove

3.2

  "I see you're awake," a voice coming from beside the bed spoke. I turned to the corner where the butler who had taken me here stood. I sighed with relief seeing a somewhat familiar face. He smiled back at me, holding a silver tray.

"Yes, at last," I smiled, stretching and enjoying the comfort of the warm silk nightgown I had been dressed in. "How long was I out, exactly?"

"Two days, I believe." He set the tray on the nightstand. "I've prepared some hot tea and soup for you. I hope your appetite is better. You need to regain your strength as quickly as possible."

'Yes, more food!' I thought to myself, feeling the aching pain in my stomach. But, instead, I answered with a gracious nod and "Thank you." I tried to hide my desperation to eat as I picked up the tea cup with a slightly shaky hand, taking a second to inhale the sweet aroma before sipping it properly. "I suppose I should apologize for falling asleep on you," I stifled a giggle, hoping to start a conversation. It was followed by the soft sound of a laugh from him.

"It's quite alright. I'm just glad to see you're better now. If you need anything else, just call for me," he told me as he turned to leave. My heart sank a little knowing that he couldn't stay. He was a lovely adornment for the room. "Oh, and my master requests that you come to his study as soon as you're able to. But you don't need to have anxiety about meeting him. He simply wants to know who you are."

I froze at his question, clasping my hands in front of me nervously. I couldn't recall anything—not even my own name. How it happened was beyond me. I frantically turned to ridiculous ideas such as I was in a dream or I had blocked them out because an awful event. Perhaps I killed someone? No, killing sounds wrong. I wouldn't ever be able to do that. I'm a nice person. Someone tried to kill me, then? No, I'm too nice to be murdered.

My head snapped up upon realizing my fearful thoughts were showing on my face. "Alright," I replied with a soft voice, hoping he wouldn't catch on as to why I was so shaken suddenly. I'm not sure if he did, since he left without another word.

I finished eating not but minutes later. I was feeling much better, like I could get up and explore the room, but not quite like running through a wall. Would I do that if I was well? Might be how I got my memories knocked out of my head!

Shaking my head at my thoughts, I faced the widow and slid my legs out from under the covers slowly, letting my feet touch the cool floor a little at a time.

"My goodness, it's nice to see you're having no trouble eating!" I gasped and turned around to see he was back. The butler was holding the tray with a bright smile on his face.

My face turning a little red, I brushed my hair back. I saw a maid come in the room, carrying a peach-pink colored dress with white frills.

"Mr. Sebastian, I brought one of my dresses for her," she told the butler.

I heard them have a short conversation, but I didn't pay much attention. My mind had already wondered off. His name was Sebastian? Sebastian... a fitting name for him. It had an attractive sound to it. I greatly hoped my name had a sound like that—flowing consonants and mixing vowels.

"Do you need help getting dressed?" Sebastian asked me after the maid left, leaving the dress folded neatly on the bed. I was surprised that the sheets had already been pulled up and fixed, like magic had done it in a span of seconds. Or perhaps I still wasn't awake and I watched him do it. Or maybe it was still a dream—I hadn't ruled out that one yet.

"No," I answered after a minute, realizing he had asked me a question. "I can do it myself," I confirmed with a little bit a smile to make sure he didn't think I was rude.

"Alright, I'll come back in a few minutes. My master wishes to speak with you now."

As soon as the door closed, I let out a sigh. What was I going to tell them!? They honestly couldn't do anything to me for not remembering. Maybe I should just tell them my name was Sebastian for now—a terrible idea, but a great backup plan.

I took my sweet time exchanging my nightgown for the dress so I could search for my name. There was a simple way to do it, though tedious—go through the alphabet. Then add familiar sounds. Then hopefully just make up a name from that. Or... perhaps get lucky and have your name simply come to you.

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