Love Is Not a Choice

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-One:The Day (Y/N) Found Out Mr. Michaelis Is Unbelievably Fast

It didn't take long to arrive back at the Phantomhive's townhouse in London, and when the carriage was parked neatly in front of the house, Mr. Sutcliff stepped down from his driver's seat, dusting himself off before he opened the door. He held out a hand and helped each of you down, starting with Master Ciel and ending with you. You thanked you with a polite smile and bow before following the two nobles.

As you walked up to the front door, followed by Mr. Sutcliff, you couldn't help but wonder about Mr. Michaelis. He seemed so...well, off today. You didn't know how or why, but you could sense something was odd, for instance, wherever you walked, you felt eyes on you. All the time. Maybe it was just your imagination, but it felt too real to be... Suddenly you felt yourself bump into someone, and stumbling backwards a little, you felt the surprisingly-strong arms of Mr. Sutcliff catch you. Looking up, you blushed and thanked him again with an apologetic smile.

You stood up with the help of the butler, and as you did so, you turned to face the direction of the person you'd bumped into - Madame Red - to apologise. Just then the door opened, preventing you from apologising, and to your surprise, there bowed the lanky figure of Mr. Michaelis, one hand over his hand, the other crossed behind his back. All except Master Ciel stared at him with surprise and confusion. How did he get there so quickly, and hadn't he jumped out of a moving carriage? Surely he should have been injured, not just standing there, as if he had walked here.

He stood back up again, his lips soothing out a little to form a calm expression, with just the hint of a smile. "Welcome back," He began, "I have been awaiting your arrival." He looked at the three guests, his master and then...you. Something seemed to flicker across his eyes, and when they fell downwards, you couldn't help but follow. Instantly you took note of Mr. Sutcliff's arm still wrapped around you, having not let go of you in surprise of seeing the other butler there already. You blushed, and for some reason, you felt the urge to back away, throw off that arm and just turn away.

You didn't though. Why would you? This was just an innocent gesture, made to prevent your face from making contact with the hard ground. There was no reason to back off, even if there may have been the slightest narrowing of Mr. Michaelis' eyes (though you weren't sure if that was just your imagination or not, since when you looked up, he wasn't even looking at you). He moved out of the way to let the rest of you in, Master Ciel having already walked in. Madame Red finally spoke up, "You... Why are you here?"

Mr. Michaelis turned to face her with a slight smile and explained, "I finished the business I was attending to, so I returned ahead of you." Madame Red, wide-eyed and mouth gaping, exclaimed, "You already drew up the list?" Madame Red almost seemed...startled, and the closer you inspected the look, the more you realised it wasn't the good kind of startled, more like she's just found out some horrible news. But why would being closer to closing this case be a bad thing? This list could prevent the deaths of many other girls.

"No." Mr. Michaelis suddenly interrupted, and did Madame Red just relax a little or were you seeing things...again? "I made a list of the potential suspects we were addressing earlier." Oh, and there was the barely-visible tense shoulders again. You felt the sudden urge to comfort you, wrap your arms around her and calm her strange nerves. "-Then I went and directly questioned them all." He carried on, showing a few rolled scrolls you were sure he hadn't been holding seconds before. Were on earth did he hide them?

Though you did have to admit, that explanation did seem to be a little weird. For one, how could he have gotten all that information so fast? And also, how could he, a mere servant (and this made you hate how the world worked just a little bit more), get information from nobles when they hardly listen to those level in status with them? Madame Red seemed to think so too, if her deadpan voice was anything to go by. "Sebastian, that's a little too far-fetched for anyone to-."

Suddenly Mr. Michaelis was rolling out the scrolls, exclaiming in an exaggerated voice, "Earl Baily's doctor, Richard Oswald, was with friends at the Whitehouse pub. He has an alibi, and no sect connections. The surgeon of the Royal London Central Hospital." You noticed Master Ciel had paused on the steps, a smug smirk forming his lips as Mr. Michaelis carried on, seemingly unaware of the effects he had on these people, "Madame Haywhite was talking to Boey at Steep Line, and thus has an alibi." Lau smiled knowingly, though what he seemed to know you weren't sure. You noticed also Mr. Sutcliff's grip at tightened just a little bit, and you looked up. You could've sworn you saw hearts in his eyes, he seemed to have fallen in love. "No connections to any sects."

Madame Red seemed to be the only one effected negatively (because although you hated to admit it, even you stared a little longer in awe and appreciation; he was surely one hell of a butler). Her eyes, wide, seemed to hold this emotion you weren't sure of; was it shock, surprise...fear? But why would she be fearful? Her grin, wide as well, seemed to hold a bit of crazy to it, and her hat slipped sideways a little but didn't fall off. You felt the urge to back off suddenly, you didn't though (though that may have something to do with the grip Mr. Sutcliff had on you). "The personal doctor of the Chambers household, William Samset, and attended the Howard family party and therefore has an alibi." Madame Red's hat slipped sideways a little, but luckily didn't fall off. Finally Mr. Michaelis was finished, letting the scrolls flutter carelessly to the ground. "No connection to any sects. That concludes my research. I have narrowed those who fit the conditions down to a single person." Madame Red chuckled lightly and said, "Are you really just a simple butler? Not of Military Intelligence or something?" Mr. Michaelis' lips quirked ever-so-slightly at the corners, before he uttered simply, "No, I am just one hell of a butler."

You smiled in awe and little bit of amusement at how proud he seemed of himself. Well, he had every right to be. He's found all of that useful information out in such a short space of time. I'd be incredibly proud of myself if I were in his shoes.

Finally, you all walked in, Mr. Michaelis staying behind to close the door. As you passed the tall butler, you could suddenly feel eyes on you, and yet when you looked, there was nobody watching you. "Grell!" Madame Red suddenly called out to Mr. Sutcliff, and he let you go, reminding you that you had been in the arms of Mr. Sutcliff. You flushed and opened your mouth to apologise but he was gone before you could do so.

You still felt like you were being watched as you walked to the dining area, but you ignored it. I'm just going crazy, you thought, sighing quietly through your nose as you bit your bottom lip. Mr. Michaelis suddenly came up beside you, looking down at you, and he smiled. You smiled back up at him, despite feeling a little nervous. He was so close all of a sudden, and this unexpected close proximity was overwhelming. Luckily the door to the dining area was in sight, and you coughed, speeding up a little. Upon nearing the door, you were about to open it when a larger hand appeared, twisting the knob and opening the door for you. "Uh, thank you." You muttered and he bowed as you walked in, him following closely - maybe a little too closely in fact - behind.

You felt incredibly nervous all of a sudden, and immediately sought out the redness of Madame Red's dress, walking over to sit beside her the second you saw her. Mr. Michaelis walked off as if he hadn't been trying to be your shadow and pulled the tea trolley over, making the tea for the guests. You spoke quietly to Madame Red, politely waving away the cup when he offered it to you. You weren't really thirsty.

"Oh!" Madame Red suddenly exclaimed, gulping down the bit of tea she'd drunk before placing it beside her. She turned to you with a gleam in her eye, and you suddenly feared for your life. "We need a dress for you!" Wait, what? You stared down at the dress you wore; a simple white blouse and a black dress with black boots. Suitable and professional, easily blends in. Perfect for a governess really. So why did you need another dress? These were the only dresses you had anyway, and you honestly did not have the money to pay a far more fancier dress.

Madame Red clasped hold your hands, and as she stood up, she dragged you up as well. She walked off, ignoring Master Ciel's alarmed protests and demands that she 'come back with his governess'. You couldn't help but chuckle, and straightened yourself, easily matching Madame Red's hurried, excited footsteps. You weren't looking forward to getting squashed and fitted with dresses, but hey, it's more time spent with Madame Red, who you felt was quickly becoming like an older sister to you. That must count for something, right?