A/N
A good portion of the dialogue for this chapter is taken from Season 2 Episode 5 Beacon Butler with my own flair thrown in there for the rest of it. I wanted to be faithful to much of the timeline of the series before I started to veer off completely.
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In the early morning, Claude kissed Lydia before he told her that he'd see her later that day, and then he was off. Lydia still wondered how everything would turn out. Sebastian, probably sensing this, wrapped his arms around her and said, "I do not doubt that everything will work out love."
"I'm sure it will, Sebastian, but that doesn't stop me from worrying," Lydia said.
Sebastian nodded before kissing her, "Shall we get started?"
"Yes. I guess so. We have a long day ahead," Lydia agreed.
They got up and checked everything around the manor. Then they went to the kitchen and started breakfast for Ciel. As Ciel ate Sebastian left. Lydia knew exactly what he was doing. She would be meeting many of the other supporting characters today and Sebastian told them about Ciel's lost memory. She sighed softly as Ciel ate silently. Once Ciel was done Lydia cleaned everything up and found that Sebastian was back. Ciel got ready and all the servants, except Tanaka, were gathered. Mey-rin, Finnian, and Bardroy sat at the front to drive. Sebastian, Lydia, and Ciel sat inside. Lydia could hear the other servants outside but barely paid any attention. She couldn't. Her mind was solely on where they were going and what would happen when they got there. "Alois Trancy, eh?" Ciel asked as he looked at both of them. "And the previous Earl Trancy, you said he died questionable three years ago. Is that right?"
"Yes," Sebastian said in a low voice.
"Three years ago," Ciel echoed, his face taking on a haunted visage. "Alois' mother committed suicide. He was kidnapped when he was very young, but then he returned home shortly before his father passed away along with a mysterious new butler. Is that the whole of it?"
"Yes. His story seems familiar somehow," Sebastian said.
"Indeed. It's a common one," Ciel said, turning to face away.
They didn't speak again until they arrived at Trancy Manor. Lydia had to admit that the manor was grand and beautiful. When they got out of the carriage in front of the manor Bardroy said, "Right. We servants gotta go come in through the back entrance."
"See you this evening, Master!" Mey-rin said as she waved.
"We've got some brilliant costumes. Wait till you see 'em, sir!" Finny exclaimed.
The three of them walked to the front door. As Sebastian was about to knock the door appeared to open as if on its own. Claude stood in the opened doorway. "The Right Honorable Earl Ciel Phantomhive. We've been expecting you. Claude Faustus, the butler of this estate. Please come in," Claude said in a monotone voice as he bowed his head.
The voice was such a departure from what Lydia heard when Claude spoke to her. They started to walk in as Claude held open the door. Both Sebastian and Lydia felt something as they walked. They looked up and a spider was in the corner of the doorway. Lydia couldn't be afraid though. "What's that?" Ciel asked.
Claude looked up to where the three of them were looking and said, "Ah, yes. The Trancy coat of arms bears a spider, so out of respect, we preserve their lives."
"But of course," Lydia said with a smile.
"Do come in," Claude said.
They came in but didn't make it far before Ciel stopped. Lydia knew what was happening to him, but stood back and watched. Ciel steeped back into Sebastian who asked, "Are you alright, Master? What is it?"
"It's nothing. Might my maid and butler come with me?" Ciel asked.
"Certainly, sir," Claude said.
"Let's go," Ciel said.
"Yes, quite," Sebastian said.
"As you wish, my lord," Lydia said.
"Do forgive me, though," Claude said. "I'm afraid my master is currently away on business. He shall return in time for the ball."
"Very well," Ciel said.
"I've laid out tea and refreshments for you in the drawing room. Everyone else has already arrived, sir," Claude informed Ciel.
"Who is everyone?" Ciel asked.
They were shown to the drawing room to which Sebastian opened the door to. No sooner had Ciel stepped through the doorway that Lydia heard a shrieking girl, "Ciel!"
That could only be one person. Lydia walked through the door and saw that sure enough, it was Elizabeth that was running toward Ciel. "Elizabeth!" Ciel grunted as Elizabeth hugged him.
"Ciel, it's just Lizzie," Elizabeth said as she pulled away.
"We'd expected you sooner, my lord," Lau said.
"Lau. So you two were invited to the ball as well? Then surely she's here," Ciel said as he looked around.
"Who do you mean?" Elizabeth asked.
"Madam Red. I wouldn't think she'd miss it for the world, but I don't see her. It's quite odd for her to miss a costume ball. This is precisely the sort of thing she enjoys," Ciel said.
It made Lydia want to cry, and she was sure Lizzy too. She hated that Ciel didn't have his memories. "Yes, about that--," Lau began.
Lizzy began to wail and shake her arms. "Please, Lady Elizabeth, do try to calm yourself," Sebastian said.
"Ciel!" someone shouted.
Lydia turned and saw Prince Soma. He came and enveloped Ciel in a hug and began to cry. "My," Lau said.
"It is so good to see you, Ciel," Soma said.
"What the blazes are you doing? Who are you?" Ciel asked, getting upset.
"Who am I? So it is true! Poor Ciel!" Soma said, all the while tears streaming down his cheeks.
"Huh?" Ciel said. "Are you mad? Unhand me!"
"Oh, dear! Is that who I think it is?" Elizabeth asked in a low voice.
"Yes, Lady. It's Prince Soma," Sebastian leaned over and whispered.
"He'll ruin everything!" Elizabeth exclaimed.
"Oh, there's no need to worry. The prince has a very capable butler to help him," Sebastian placated.
"Highness, you mustn't," Agni said, running in.
"No! Do not take me away from Ciel!" Soma whined.
"Who is this lunatic?" Ciel asked.
"Apologies, my lord. Please meet my master, the 26th child of the King of Bengal. This is Prince Soma Asman Kadar," Agni explained.
"Why did this prince begin blubbering the moment he saw me?" Ciel asked.
"Ah, Ciel!" Soma exclaimed. "It is so, so overwhelming."
"His Highness is deeply moved to meet the founder of the Funtom company Where we come from the toys your company produces are considered precious," Agni explained.
"No matter what, I will always have my memories!" Soma exclaimed.
"Uh, as the Prince said, those toys are very deeply tied to important memories," Agni continued.
"The world may change, but our friendship will never fail!" Some interrupted again.
"Memories regarding a certain friend who was dear to the prince in his childhood. But this friend--- It's too awful. I'm sorry! My prince!" Agni now lost it and hugged Soma and began to cry as well.
"Agni!" Soma cried as well.
Lydia just shook her head at the two of them. "I fear there's nothing we can do for them now," Sebastian sighed. "Young master, I suggest we retire. We need to prepare ourselves for the ball. Come along now," Sebastian said as he maneuvered Ciel out of the drawing room.
Now the triplets showed them to their quarters. The three of them looked basically identical. Lydia, Sebastian, and Ciel walked behind them. "What a strange pair," Ciel commented.
"Foreigners' traditions can be baffling indeed, sir," Sebastian agreed.
"Sebastian, search this mansion from top to bottom. Understood?" Ciel said.
"My lord," Sebastian said.
Once they got to their room Sebastian went to do as he had been instructed. Lydia stayed behind and got Ciel ready for the ball. She would also stay by his side this evening, at least until she got an opportunity to speak with Hannah. Lydia knew she needed to speak to Hannah hastily and then get to Claude so that he could speak to her as well before the confrontation later that evening. She accompanied Ciel down to the ball in his costume, watching Elizabeth put a feather in it so that they could 'match'. Lydia knew that Alois was somewhere in this room waiting to steal Ciel away. She also knew that the Phantomhive servants were going to cause trouble. She walked up to them and stuck her finger in their faces, "We are in someone else's home. Don't make a scene, do you hear me?!"
"Blimey, what's gotten into you?" Bardroy asked.
Lydia gave him a hard stare. "Okay, alright. We hear you," he said.
She crossed her arms and looked at the other two. "We'll stay out of trouble. We promise," Finnian said.
"That's right, it is," Mey-rin nodded.
"You better, otherwise both Sebastian and I are going to be on your case," Lydia promised.
She started to walk away when she heard one of them say, "She's right scary she is."
Lydia began to race through the house, not quite as fast as she could run, searching in every room. Then she found Hannah. The demoness looked so down. Lydia knocked on the door to get Hannah's attention. "Who are you?" Hannah asked her guard up.
Lydia put her hands up as she walked further into the room, "I'm not here to hurt you."
Hannah's eyebrows lifted, "Y-you're like me?"
Lydia nodded," I am. I'm still pretty new to all this but my mates have been helping me out."
Hannah had a tiny smile on her face, "You are a lucky one then. All I want is the wish that my previous master made to come true."
"Did you grow that close to your previous master then?"
Hannah nodded her smile growing wider, "I did."
"Do you think that that wish will ever come true?"
Hannah's smile faded so quickly that Lydia wasn't sure that it'd ever been there, "At this rate, no. I believe that the person hates me."
"I'm sure it will all work out."
Hannah looked up at Lydia, "How could you in any way know?"
"I suppose I don't, but who says that demons can't have faith," Lydia said with a smile of her own.
"I suppose," Hannah said in a soft voice.
"I must get back to my employer. I shall see you later," Lydia said before leaving the room.
Lydia ran to find Claude. Funnily enough, she found Claude and Sebastian in the same room. "What's going on here?" she asked.
"His highness asked me to walk around the grounds," Claude said.
"And of course, you know that the young master ordered me to search the manor from top to bottom," Sebastian said.
"So you just happened to run into each other," Lydia said skeptically.
"No, of course not," Sebastian said.
"We're demons. You'll see as you get older. You will be able to sense other demons," Claude explained.
"Well, I've spoken to Hannah, so whenever you're ready to go speak to her yourself Claude, she's ready," Lydia said.
"What did you say to her, love," Sebastian asked as he embraced her.
Lydia broke down the conversation for both of them. "That was very well done, dearest. I shall go to her now," Claude embraced her before leaving.
After he left and Sebastian and Lydia were left alone she said, "We should leave as well. Ciel will be left with Alois soon."
"Don't worry, love. I'll know when he calls me, as will you," Sebastian said as he gave her a kiss.
It wasn't long before Lydia felt a slight burn on the hand that held her mark. "Let's go!" Sebastian exclaimed before running.
They both ran out of the manor and into a forest, scarcely making any noise as they ran. They stopped behind a tree and Lydia listened. "Stop this farce, Alois Trancy," Ciel was saying.
"So you figured it out. What a bore," Alois chuckled.
"I figured if you got me alone, you'd make a move," Ciel observed.
"That's why you followed me? Really?" Alois asked.
Lydia could hear some rustling and footsteps. She knew it was Claude coming to stand behind Alois. Then there were the triplets that jumped down from the trees. "Well, I can't allow you to underestimate me," Ciel said.
"My young master is quite right," Sebastian said as he came out from behind the tree and Lydia joined him.
"We only wanted to chat someplace quieter," Alois said.
"Must be important to do all this. You're dressed up like a woman What could you possibly want so badly?," Ciel said.
"Simple. I want you. And now that I see her, that lady as well," Alois said as he pointed at Lydia.
Lydia knew Alois was shallow, but she couldn't believe him. He said that in front of her mates. "What's that mean, you want me?" Ciel sighed.
Lydia was so glad that her mates were being so professional and not reacting to Alois. "It means precisely what I said. I want you. You're mine, Ciel Phantomhive, and if you refuse, everyone in the manor will be killed," Alois said, not batting an eye. "I've arranged a small performance. If that performance begins, then they will die, every last one of them. What will it be?"
"You may do as you wish," Ciel said.
"You're sure about that?" Alois gasped.
"Yes. You can try, of course. Now there's something that I would like to ask of you," Ciel said.
"Is there? I will be happy to oblige right after you bend down and kiss my ass, that is," Alois said.
"I don't think it'll be your ass that will be kissed," Ciel said.
"Very confident, aren't we? Getting cocky because your butler has a little talent, that's a mistake. I have my Claude here. You're not alone," Alois said as he stuck out his tongue.
Clear as day on his tongue was a contract seal. Claude had stayed perfectly still and stone-faced the entire time as had Sebastian. Lydia, on the other hand, couldn't help but worry. "Yes, I expected as much," Ciel said. "You will abide by our contract, Sebastian. You will serve me. You will protect me. You will see that I stay alive until I have achieved my ultimate goal."
Lydia's mark began to burn after those words. It took all her willpower not to drop down right then and say, "Yes, Master." or something like it.
"Of course. I have been your loyal servant since the day our pact was made, Master. I will do anything you ask, and grant any wish you make until the day our contract is fulfilled," Sebastian said.
"An excellent answer," Ciel observed.
"Hoheo taralna rondero tarel. Now, Claude, you will get Ciel for me," Alois said as he looked at Claude.
"Sebastian, this is an order. You must do whatever it takes to protect me. Do not fail," Ciel said.
"Yes, my lord," Sebastian said with a smirk, not that Ciel was looking at him.
"I'm sorry, your highness, but I no longer take orders from you," Claude said.
"Wh-what?" Alois said in confusion.
"I saw the seal myself," Ciel said quietly.
Alois' eyes got wide as he held onto Claude's jacket, "But, Claude. You promised you'd never leave me!"
Claude took Alois' hands off his jacket, "The contract still stands, just not with me. I have found another that I desire."
"I-I don't understand," Alois said, tears prickling in his vision.
Claude tipped his head to the side, "Ah here we are. The new demon that holds your contract."
Hannah walked into the clearing. Alois looked pissed and sad all at the same time. "You can't do this to me, Claude!"
Claude bowed, "It's already done. I must go and find my new interest. I'm sure that you will find Hannah all too eager to help you."
Claude raced into the forest around them and disappeared. Lydia finally got a good look at Hannah. Gone was the patch around her eye. She was back to looking like her beautiful self. The contract seal was in her left eye. Lydia was glad that it wasn't like that on her, but on Hannah, it looked cool. Hannah knelt down in front of Alois. "No! Get away from me!" Alois screamed at her.
"I will do whatever you ask of me, your highness. I will be with you until the end. I will never leave your side. I will love you when no one else does," Hannah spoke very faintly to Alois.
"What the devil is going on?" Ciel nearly shouted.
"Just give it some time, my lord," Lydia suggested.
Alois looked at Hannah, "You're not just saying this so that you can get my soul?"
"Never," Hannah said, then leaned closer to him and whispered in his ear. With her enhanced hearing, Lydia could hear.
It brought tears to her eyes. Lydia wiped them. Sebastian bent over and asked, "Are you alright, dear?"
"My emotions seem all over the place," Lydia said, sniffling.
"Hmm," Sebastian hummed as he stood back up straight.
Hannah pulled back from Alois. "Is it true?" Alois asked.
"Every word," Hannah assured him.
Alois wiped his eyes, "I'm sorry Ciel. It seems I was wrong."
"You thank that you can just say sorry and all will be forgiven," Ciel sounded livid.
Lydia put a hand on his shoulder. When he looked at her, she just shook her head with a disappointed look on her face. Ciel's face went through several emotions, "Well, that is to say, I'm not sure I can forgive you yet, but we will see where our paths will cross in the future and what those interactions will bring."
"I think that is fair to say," Alois said.
They went back to the ball where everything went on and everyone seemed to have fun. It was amazing to see the almost instant change in Alois' personality. All too soon it was time to leave. After getting Ciel in bed and making sure everything was ready for the next day. Sebastian and Lydia went on to their room. Waiting inside was Claude. "I'm so glad that I am no longer under contract with him," Claude said.
"So am I," Lydia said. "I think we have dodged so many terrible plot lines in the future."
"Now I can be here with my love," he said.
"I hope that is not all you plan to do," Sebastian said.
"Of course not. I will help when and where I am needed," Claude promised.