Black Demon's Witness (Black butler fanfic)

Chapter 54: Twenty First Birthday

I quietly stepped out of bed at the break of Dawn and grabbed a few books from the library. It was the day that I feigned to forget, and I believed that if I hid, it would be forgotten. I tiptoed into the dining hall and opened the basement door that was behind my Father's painting. As I stepped through the door, a voice made me stop completely. "Madame?"

It was Sebastian.

"What ever are you doing?"

I turned around to him and bit my lip like a child whose been discovered doing a sin. I stared down at the floor and held the books in my shaking hands. "I'm just going to read." I replied and looked up at him. I had been caught, and Sebastian was the last person I wanted to see me hide. Sebastian examined my lace gown and messy long hair and frowned. "Why so early?" He asked. I thought I saw his eye twitch angrily, so I tried to ignore his question. "I'm just reading in silence like I always do."

"You always do this?"

"Well," I began and held the three books with my right hand and scratched my eyebrow with my other, "not always but only when I feel like it."

Sebastian looked at the door closely and sighed. "Why is the painting covering the door?" He asked and gestured me out of the doorway into the dining hall. "It's always like that." I lied and bit the inside of my jaw trying to keep calm. The steady beat of my heart made my body move unsteadily, and I rocked back and forth. Sebastian gave me a worried expression and grabbed the books out of my hand. He sat the three books in the nearest green leathered love-seat and stepped towards me. "Madame are you feeling all right?" He placed a hand over my forehead, and his soft white glove cooled my head. "I'm fine, Sebastian. I just want to read for today." I shook my head, making him pull his hand back. I grabbed my books again and stepped into the doorway. "Please, let me be for today. Be a good butler and follow your order." I held my books with one hand and used the other to close the door. Instead of closing the door completely, I left a small opening large enough for my eye to see and peeked through.

"Mistress's orders, I must follow them." Sebastian said. He turned away from the door and walked out of the dining hall into the kitchen.

'I'm sorry Sebastian, but I want to be alone for today.'

I stepped down the hard stone staircase and followed the regular path. The walls would always be dimly lit with small lanterns and I'd soon come upon a small room down below. I've been coming here for years, so I decided to decorate the room to feel comfortable. The walls were covered in gold ribbons, and I had placed a cabinet where I keep hidden sweets in the corner, next to my soft pillow. As I sat down and read my book, something crossed my mind. I always do this on this day. The Maidens would always search for me and worry. Maybe hiding was a bit dramatic to do? But I can't have everyone saying that memory hauling word. It may be a celebration of my birth, but that was also the day I prayed with all my might to God that my Father would see me become a young lady. Two days later he died; God had stolen my prayer and crushed it. He had stolen the one thing precious to me. Everything that is taken can never be returned again. Sebastian showed me that.

I gave him my soul in exchange for revenge. In the midst of it all, I was overcome by anger and hatred. I wasn't desperate to give my soul away, but I just wanted to have enough power to retaliate my Father. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I sat the book to my side. "Daddy," I called and held my knees to my chest, "Why did he take you so quickly? I need you by my side." I wiped my eyes and sniffed, trying to hold my voice down. "I will find who did it. I promise." I covered my face as another wave of heavy tears fell from my eyes. The room seemed so lonely to me now.

Sebastian POV:

At the break of Dawn, everything must be set in place according to the Mistress's wishes. The kitchen should be clean and blemish-free, so the room can be shimmering silver and gold from top to bottom. The Halls should be completely neat and the dining hall, study room, and master bedroom must be set in perfect condition. The Maidens shall attend the garden and finish up the laundry. As for me, I shall prepare her morning breakfast. Starting off withy a cafe au lait, a warmly toasted brioche brought from Italy, and a neat bowl freshly picked and washed strawberries.

"Sebastian." Maiden Rose walked into the kitchen, and I turned to her. Her eyes were filled with worry, and her hands shook as if she was nervous. This may be the first time in four years she has ever spoken to me. "Yes, Maiden Rose?" I replied, and she stared down at the floor. Her eyes fell upon the white tiled floor, and I sighed. Was she that nervous to speak to me? "Have you seen Madame Jae?" She finally asked.

"Madame Jae?"

"Madame Jallerie."

"Not for a minute, why?"

Maiden Rose sighed and closed the kitchen door, as if trying to make sure no one could hear. She turned to me and raised her hand by her mouth. "It is her twenty-first birthday, but we can't find her. It's the same day every year she disappears." She whispered delicately, and I frowned. Is that why she wanted to hide in the basement? And neither of her Maidens knew about where she went. How odd. "I shall find her, until then, please follow your daily routine." I stated and Maiden Rose bowed politely. "Yes sir." She left the kitchen in a hurry, and I grabbed the silver tray that held the food I had prepared. I should talk to Madame Jallerie at once.

-

My body shook as I hid in the corner of the room, crying like a little puppy who lost its Mother. Tears stained the soft white pillow as I held it closed to my chest. I heard footsteps approach closer and closer, making me wipe my wet face. I looked up and saw Sebastian standing there with a tray in his hands. "I have brought you breakfast, Madame." He smiled as he sat the tray on the counter next to me. I watched him set the tray in place in silence. He didn't see me crying did he? I looked down into the wet pillow and tried to keep from crying again. "Madame, you didn't tell the Maidens where you were?" Sebastian asked. I shook my head and kept my lips sealed shut. Just looking at him made my heart go insane and body shake uncontrollably. "All right," Sebastian bowed on one knee, "would you like anymore books?"

I looked up at him and frowned. Was that all he would ask?

"You're not going to ask me anything else?"

"Would you like to share anything?"

I hid my face in the pillow. "No." I replied harshly, and he sighed.

"Then I shall not ask." Sebastian continued to set up my food. My hand suddenly grabbed his pant leg and my heart pounded as he looked down at me. "Yes?" He called, and I released him. "Am I acting like a child?" I asked. Sebastian looked down at me with a frown, and his black hair gently covered the right side of his face. He was thinking about an answer, probably to keep from hurting my feelings. "I know I am." I answered before he could speak. "Hiding here is just a kiddy move. I'm twenty one for heavens sake. I might as well act like it, but.." I stopped talking and looked down at my lap. "I can't stop thinking of that day. My prayer was taken and crushed.." I held my tears back and tied blinking them away. Sebastian grabbed my hand and helped me off the floor. "Madame, staying here in the basement will not make things better. You must understand that this basement is why you remember so much of what happened."

Sebastian released my hands as I stood, and he smiled at me. His eyelashes were long and dark, and his lips were thinly curved into a smile. My heart was now racing at the sight of him. I felt as if I were being suffocated by his adoring face. He was right. If I kept hiding then I will always remember. I needed to stop running from the past and keep my head up.

"Okay," I replied, "I won't hide anymore."

Sebastian's smile disappeared, and I now had a big smile on my face. I felt as if someone had lifted a huge burden from my shoulders, and I was now standing tall. I sighed happily and looked around at the basement. "Looks like I'll have to take all this stuff down." I said. Sebastian nodded in agreement and smiled once again.

Later, I was in the study room reading a book, when Sebastian stepped inside. "Good evening, Madame." He called, and I smiled. "Good evening, Sebastian." I placed a ribbon in the book to hold my place as I closed it. Sebastian came forward with a silver tray in his hands. I saw my reflection on the hood and frowned. "Whats this?" I asked. It was quite early for him to be serving me before dinner time. I suddenly heard the door open again and all the Maidens came in with excitement. Sebastian sat the shiny tray and removed the hood, uncovering a chocolate cake with vanilla icing on top. A hat was set on the side made completely by chocolate, and I blushed as I read the icing captions. "Happy birthday!" The Maidens exclaimed and applauded. They had made a cake for me! Tears fell from my eyes instantly, and I smiled through my tears. My heart felt as if it were being wrapped in lace. I stood up in excitement as the tears drenched my face. Maiden Rose hugged me tightly, rubbing my back. "Thank you! Thank you so much!" I cried.