The Queen's Dove (Black Butler)

Chapter Five: Nightmares

Isabella

The sky is draped in a crimson red. The blood moon shines down onto the river. I stand there, watching the bodies float in the water.

Ciel.
Sebastian.
Claude.
Alexander.

Then he walks over to me. His face is emotionless and unable to read. His icy blue eyes scan the different bodies.

"We did this," He says as he begins to laugh. I look at my hands and the proof is there, they're covered in blood. "We did this!" He repeats excitedly.

He stretches his arms out wide, running about laughing, his blonde hair flowing. I place my hands to my sides. He stops running and stands next to me, he looks at my empty hand and takes it into his but my hand remains straight. Soon though I feel my fingers curling around his.

"We're free, Isabella," He says.

"We're free."

I wake up screaming. It is early in the morning, probably around 6:00am. But, I hear pounding footsteps and the door slamming open as Alex enters my room.

"I'm fine, Alex," I say, once my breath is reduced from panting, "I'm fine." His face doesn't withdraw from his concerned look however.

"My princess, these nightmares are happening every night," He says, "I think you need to see a doctor."

"I'm fine!" I shout at him, he sadly nods his head and bows to me. Then, he quietly leaves me to fall back asleep again.

Alois

Claude walks into the study, he pushes a tea trolley in front of him. I roll my eyes and toss the card onto the desk.

"Another ball invitation?" He asks as he pours a cup of tea.

"These bloody invitations," I spit, "I don't want to go to any of them." Claude places the cup of tea on my desk with a soft chink. I smell the sweet aroma as I cast my eyes towards the faint blood stain on the wall beside the study door.

"I wonder," I say between sips of tea, "if she ever thinks of me." Claude doesn't reply. Instead, he hands me yet another envelope.

"Young master," He says as I'm about to tear it to shreds, "I do believe you'd want to read this one," I flip the envelope over and notice the leaf design on the red wax seal. I smile as I open the letter and draw the card out.

Dear Earl Trancy,
The young Lord of the manor would like to invite you to his 10th birthday party ball on 22nd June from 6pm - 10pm. We hope you can come.
From,
Alexander Sinnit, butler of the Ashdown manor

"Well," I smirk, thinking of how wonderful it would be to see Isabella, "how could I ever turn this down?"

Isabella

George's birthday party is tomorrow. The manor will be decorated in his favorite colours: blue and green. The ballroom will have a massive birthday cake and balloons on either side. His friends will be there, dancing and singing. Of course, though, family will be there and Ladies and Lords.

I hope my father will be able to come, we haven't seem him in two months. He's been away, on business, in India and I've had to stay here, with George, to look after the family business in London. Our family runs a chocolatier business. It's not as tasty as you think, most of the time I just have to go through paperwork and sign contracts.

My mother, she died when she gave birth to George. The doctors left her with George in her arms when she was lying in bed, then when they returned a few minutes later she was dead and George was crying. They said it was blood loss.