Tangled Web (A Black Butler Fan Fiction)

Chapter Twenty-Six

Lizzie and I went into London to buy fabric for Ciel's funeral. Lizzie didn't want to be alone anymore. She already thought Ciel died because of her. Or at least she acted like it. I went along with everything because I can't stand the looks my parents gave me.Judging from the looks, I bet they blamed me for the sudden "death" of Ciel. I had nothing to do with it...this time.

"Lizzie, I am going to see you at home. I need to do something alone. I'll be back home before you know it." I looked at her with a soft smile to ease her. I knew I hadn't been acting the same since the news. I was still wondering how Ciel could have died and how I was still alive.

She gave me a worried look.

"Don't worry, I'll be home before you know it," I said as I gave her the reassuring smile she needed to listen to what I was saying.

Lizzie jumped from her seat to me, wrapping her arms around me. She nestled her head on my shoulder. "Please come home soon," she said.

"I will," I promised her. I said it in the same whispered tone she said hers in.

I never knew I could miss her squeals or her laugh or how excited she'd get when she talked about her future after her and Ciel were married.

After we parted, I looked at her. "I'll be home as soon as I can." I gave her another smile.

Lizzie nodded. After quick good-byes, Lizzie sat back down as I closed the carriage doors. I watched at the carriage that brought Lizzie and me into the heart of the city disappear into the crowds of other carriages and people. When I was sure it was gone, I turned to the road ahead of me, thinking about where I was heading: to the Undertaker.

I had to asked how to get to the road a couple times before I made it to the road the Undertaker's shop was on. I stood in front of it unknowing of what to expect. After taking in a deep breath, I opened the door. If anything, I'd die in there and that wretched, red-haired grim reaper can harvest my soul.

I stepped in and saw what a typical funeral parlor would look like. Coffins and caskets were scattered throughout the place. Smelling salts filled the air. Embolming fluids were placed neatly on the shelves behind the desk. So, what was so different about this undertaker Ciel liked?

"Mr. Undertaker?" I called as I stepped further in and closed the door behind me.

"Ah, it's been a while since I've had a child come into my humble shop," the Undertaker said as he appeared from a coffin, scaring the hell out of me. "Welcome, young one."

"You must be the Undertaker Earl Ciel Phantomhive went to for information," I said as I stood in front of him. On the outside, I was fearless and stood tall. The inside was different; I was shaking and scared of this man standing in front of me. At least, if I died, I was in the right place.

"Ah, a shame what happened to the young Earl," he said. "Now, why are you here, Young Miss?"

"I want to know if you received Ciel's body," I said. I just had to know if Ciel was really alive, or if he was dead and Sebastian couldn't harvest his soul.

Undertaker stopped, his covered hands touching his chin. I wondered if he even had hands to begin with; they were all buried under the sleeves of his robes. "No, Miss, I haven't," he said. He looked at me. "You seem familiar somehow."

I closed my eyes and opening them a second later. "Yes, I have a twin, Elizabeth, whCiel had a soft spot for. Perhaps you are thinking of her."

"Aye, perhaps," he said. "Your name is?"

"Selena," I said. To hell with honorifics. It doesn't matter who you were when you're dead.

"Miss Selena, it is a pleasure to meet you before you died. Now, for more information next time, I just require one thing. I did the same for the Young Earl."

I stepped back wondering what kind of sick mind he had. "Yes?"

"Give me the gift of laughter and you can read me like an all-knowing book," he said.

I widedened my eyes. Alright, seems easy enough. I'll have to keep it in mind later.

"Thank you, Undertaker," I said as I stepped away. Knowing that he hasn't seen Ciel's body only meant one thing: Ciel isn't really dead. "His memorial is the day after tomorrow. Since you knew him before he died, I figured you might want to come to pay your respects."

The Undertaker nodded, telling me he understood what I said. "Where is this memorial?" Okay, maybe he knew something was up like I did.

"The same church where Madame Red's funeral was," I said. I thought it was weird how Ciel's memorian would be held in a church, yet the gates of paradise would never open for him and he'd be eaten by a demon named Sebastian. Yes, he'd never get into paradise with the demon part. He'd be going to hell with me, and I was quite alright for that.

I started walking home. I knew my parents wouldn't have cared if I never went back to that dreaded manor again. I was just going back for Lizzie. I couldn't break my promise to her. I knew that would kill her more than finding out about Ciel's death.

I stood in front of the manor gates, staring at the manor like it wasn't even mine and I dreamed of living in a place like that. After a deep sigh, I opened the gates and started down the pathway. I walked into the door, wondering if my parents even knew I didn't come back with Lizzie. It was no secret they blamed me for Ciel's death. They just found out about Alois's death. Hell, they could've blamed me for that cupcake too. After all, I am the troubled daughter of the Midford family and estate.

"Selena, you're back!" Lizzie squealed exictedly as she ran and wrapped her arms around me. I was so realived to hear that again, then I was almost annoyed with it when I heard it. I think that I was more relieved she was excited again.

"Yes, of course," I said as I wrapped my arms around her. "I promised you I would be back before you knew it."

"Mother and Father didn't ask where you were," she whispered. "Paula did though."

At least someone in this house besides Lizzie wonders about me, I thought. I parted from her.

"Lizzie, what would you like to do today?" I asked her.

"Chess."

"Chess?" I chuckled. "Lizzie, you don't know how to play chess. You told me Ciel taught you some but you never learned to play."

"Oh," she said, her excitement taken down a notch. "How about you read to me like you used to when we were younger?"

I used to read to Lizzie a lot when we were younger. It was always the time between tutors and when the weather isn't pleasant. It's usually during winters and rainy days when we are told to be quite in the house.

"Alright, Lizzie," I said as I nodded. "What do you want me to read?"

She didn't answer me. Instead, she half-dragged me to the library we had in the manor and sat me on the couch.

"What would you like to read, Lizzie? You haven't answered me yet," I said.

All she did was smile. I was beginning to think it was the same book she would have me read to her everytime we had one of those days. I looked around the library, watching her pick out a book. I smiled as I watched her look at all the books. She finally grabbed one and skipped merrily back to me.

"I want you to read this one," she said as she handed me the book.

I looked at it as I took it from her and smiled. It was the same book. "Of course I will read this to you, Lizzie."