I cannot stop thinking about what happened that night. Sebastian seemed to notice something off about me, but it is like I no longer know myself. A part of me has become fearful of what I probably am. I feel myself hanging on the edge of a cliff. One wrong move, and I may fall towards disaster. Nothing can comfort be besides the silk gloves that hide my hands. They keep me from looking at the mark, the one thing that may cause my future demise.
Currently, I sit on a plush, velvet chair in our billiards room. The lights are dimmed, only illuminating the large billiards table in the center of the room. Ciel is in here, accompanied by a few guests. Our aunt, Madame Red, and her butler Grelle among them.
"May I ask what you intend to do regarding the rat infestation?" Sir Randall asks.
Arthur Randall is the police commissioner for Scotland Yard. He, among other guests, are here to discuss the so-called rat infestation. He is a man of older age, marked by his grey sideburns. His square glasses constantly rise due to the deep furrowing of his brows. He is stern, and has always rather despised us Phantomhives.
"There is no need to worry about the rats. I have the key that leads to the warehouse. The cheese has already been placed on the trap. It is only a matter of time until they bite. Just make sure you have the reward ready when I am done," Ciel explains rather ominously.
This much is expected of my brother, ever since he has inherited our father's title of Aristocrat of Evil. He is the Queen's Watchdog. Anyone who does anything to oppose Queen Victoria is certain to meet their end by my brother's leading hand.
To be the Queen's Watchdog is to be cunning and manipulative. Our father had a way of charming his guests and manipulating them once they were drawn in. Such is the way of the Phantomhives.
Madame Red points a gloved hand towards the billiard table. "I believe it is your turn, Lord Phantomhive. What will your move be?"
Ciel sits down on a vacant chair. "There is no point in playing my turn if there is nothing in it for me. I will wait."
Ciel skips his turn. Another Aristocrat, known as Azzurro Vanel, hits the cue ball, causing it to land in the basket. He takes a long drag of his cigar and exhales deeply. I grimace at the heavy smell of the cigar smoke. I despise the smell of tobacco. It takes a lot of restraint in order to not slap the cigar out of Azzurro's hand. The man takes notice of this, plastering a sly smirk on his face as he takes another drag of the damned cigar.
"Is there a problem, Lady Verena? You've been looking at me with a glare," Vanel says.
"I am simply concerned for your health is all. Every time you take a drag of your cigar, I can feel ten years being taken off of your lifespan. One more puff, and you will be going through your midlife crisis rather soon," I snakily reply.
Vanel's forehead vein becomes prominent at my insult. Another aristocrat, Lau, chuckles quietly at my remark. The woman on his lap stares at me and almost gives a small smile. I watch as my own brother fights to maintain composure and stop himself from smiling.
I peel the cue stick away from Vanel's hands, and walk towards the billiards table. A little less than half of the billiard balls are still on the table.
"I guess it is time to end this foolish game," I announce to the guests.
Arthur Randall's eyes widen at my statement. "Do you really expect to knock all of the balls into the baskets? I daresay that would be impossible to accomplish. Careful, Lady Verena. Your greed can be your undoing if you become too reckless.."
I hit the white cue ball with the wooden stick. One by one, each of the remaining balls fall into the basket with a satisfying clunk. I place the cue stick against the table and open the door to leave. Before I exit, I turn to Arthur.
"Am I undone then?"
| | | |
"What fools men are," I mutter to myself. I walk through the corridor alone with my thoughts.
Ciel emerges from the room and catches up to me. "That was quite a show you put on, Verena. You need to keep your temper in check, dear sister. A rat may be among us this very moment."
The only person he can be referring to is Azzurro Vanel. Something about him screamed trouble, and not the fun kind of trouble. He seemed like a sleazy man who would do just about anything to get his way.
Even if I do find him repulsive, he would not be the first vile man I have dealt with. When our father was still Earl of Phantomhive, I frequently joined the meetings he would hold. At first, Father was rather dismayed and wanted to keep me out of harm's way. It took quite a large amount of convincing for him to agree.
The men I have killed were worthless as humans. Even though I was merely a young teenager, I knew many of the men of the Underground were nothing more than the dirt beneath my feet. The things they had done, the people they had killed... These men no longer deserved to breathe.
And I made sure they would not breathe anymore.
Even now, at the age of twenty-one, I have probably brought more men to justice than Scotland Yard has in the past year.
By now, Ciel and I enter his study. Sebastian arrives soon thereafter.
"For this afternoon's tea, I shall bring you an apricot amaretto blend, along with a blackberry pie. I shall bring it to you momentarily," Sebastian says.
"Very well," Ciel replies, "You are dismissed."
Sebastian bows and exits the room swiftly. Ciel turns to me and takes a deep sigh.
"Brother, you know I can take care of the infestation. I can stage something if you would allow me. Perhaps a carriage accident or robbery? The possibilities are endless," I suggest.
Ciel freezes for a second, "Verena, I had not a clue you were rather... vicious. Where is this coming from."
"Oh, my dear brother, deep down you already know. I did not attend all those meetings with Father for the fun of it. Why else would I offer my assistance? These men - the vile creatures - we extinguish are not deserving of their lives. Even if you refuse to accept it, I can and I will crush the rat infestation," I urge.
"I see," Ciel sighs, "I have no choice then allow you to dispose of the rats. Sebastian can assist you in making it look like a carriage accident. It must be done today."
I raise my eyebrows at the mention of Sebastian. "How could he possibly assist me? Is he not simply a butler?"
"He is not just a butler, Verena. Sebastian is-"
The sound of glass shattering fills the room. A man attempts to grab Ciel. Instinctively, I grab a nearby vase and slam it against the man's head. He stumbles and harshly falls to the ground. Unfortunately, three more men appear through the window. I rush towards them in order to protect Ciel. One of them grabs a cloth and smothers me in the face with it.
I start going limp and fall to the ground. I struggle to stay awake. My body refuses to move as I lay immobile. The men grab Ciel and hold the rag to his face too. Once Ciel is unconscious, one of the men walks towards me, about to put the rag in my face again too.
"Nighty night," he says.
The world begins to turn black as I go limp.
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Take a shot every time I said "balls" in this chapter.
I finally got my new laptop so I could continue writing. I meant to upload this chapter like a week ago but I've been too busy playing video games instead of updating, lmao. It's currently 1:42 in the morning where I am, and for some reason I got the urge to update right now.
Stay safe and healthy, loves.
-krystallic
YOU ARE READING
Entwined | Sebastian Michaelis
FanfictionTHIS IS THE NEW AND EDITED VERSION OF MY STORY, A HELL-LIKE LOVE. "It's quite amusing how two people as insane as us managed to cross paths. Though, monsters always manage to find each other, do they not?"
