Intimate Interlude (Black Butler//SebaGrell)

Chapter Five

Song for this chapter is 'Last Night On Earth' by Green Day, provided on the side. Dedicated to @lawliets for being so kind and leaving so many votes. Enjoy~

"My Lord, we have arrived." Sebastian announced, his voice muffled. The carriage door opened, revealing the said butler and the dark night scene outside. Although the nobles had left London in the early evening, the late night had fallen over the city, as well as the Phantomhive Manor.

Sebastian provided Madam Red and Grell assistance in exiting the carriage, as Ciel followed after the two. Grell squinted her eyes tight, peering around in the darkness. Trying to confirm her surroundings had proven impossible in the night, no matter how hard she focused on one area or object.

"Lady Grell, aren't you coming inside?" Sebastian asked, the sudden appearance of his voice grabbing Grell's attention. She turned to where she believed his voice came from, only to find him standing next to Madam Red and Ciel at the main door, holding a candle in one of his gloved hands. Where he had found the candle, she didn't know, but the burning wax cylinder gave off a faint yellow glow, leading them through the darkness. "It's rather cold this evening, it would be quite worrisome if you were to catch a cold."

Grell nodded her head, picking up her skirt and walking over to her group. She followed up to the front steps, taking place behind her mother. As Sebastian opened one of the doors, they were overwhelmed by the brightness from inside, spilling into the black of the night. Grell's hands flew up, shielding her face enough so the light wouldn't hurt, yet so that she was still able to see.

After a few blinks of the eye, Grell's vision had adjusted and she stepped inside. Before her, Ciel removed his large overcoat and handed it to Sebastian, who took the clothing article immediately. "Sebastian, I think it's high time that I retire for the night. Madam Red, I'm quite sorry I missed out on this afternoon's meeting with the Spears. I do hope you can forgive me." The dark haired boy strode up the main staircase and disappearing into the winding hallway in silence.

"Excuse me, my ladies," Sebastian started, bowing at his waist to Madam Red and Grell. "But I must help the Young Master prepare for tonight's rest. I will be back momentarily, and do not hesitate to call for me if either of you are in need of anything." The black-clad butler followed his master up the staircase, giving a small wave of his hand as he did so.

Madam Red sighed, smiling until Sebastian had exited from their view. Once she was positive that he was out of both earshot and eyeshot, she turned her anger onto Grell. "You and I need to talk, now." she snarled, taking Grell by the sleeve and dragging her into the open drawing room. Madam Red forced her daughter into an empty armchair, shooting daggers with her eyes down at Grell below. "Grell... I want you to explain."

"Explain?" Grell asked. She tried her hardest to keep her composure, but her fear showed through. "What is there to explain?"

"Oh, I don't know, the entire ordeal you put on this afternoon?" Madam Red stated sarcastically, throwing her hands out in exasperation. "First of all, what on earth makes you think you get just get up in the middle of a social event and just leave? Especially with a bachelor?"

Grell shrunk back into her chair, attempting to hide away in the plush velvet. "It wasn't even my idea, W-William suggested it." she mumbled, facing down at her lap.

Madam Red scoffed, shaking her head in disappointment. "Even if it was William who brought the idea up, why would you go along with it? You know better than that. An unwed woman is not to be seen with an unwed man in public without a chaperone, unless those two are engaged." She scolded. 

"I-I'm sorry..." Grell whispered, still refusing to look at her mother.

"Grell, darling, sorry can't change the past." Madam Red sighed. "Another thing that William had brought up tonight... According to him, you were indicating that you two should be engaged soon, when he was not quite ready for that." Madam Red continued on, ignoring Grell as she tried to protest. "I told you that he was a suitor, but that doesn't always mean that they-"