Nyxie

Ok, so Sebastian would probably try to get along with both members of the household, and would definitely notice the age gap between the young woman and the old husband. And since Sebastian appears to be a handsome young fellow, the husband, whom I'm going to call John because I fucking hate that name, would 'vent' about his wife to our beloved demon butler.

Even though John has nothing to vent about because he's an old abusive rich white man with a lovely young wife. And Sebastian cannot stand him for this reason. The 'venting' would just be John being misogynistic about his wife and comfortably saying some repulsive drivel, assuming Sebastian would agree with him. Which, to keep up the butler facade, he does.

Sure, Sebastian is a sadistic demonic murderer, but he definitely recognises that this old prune's wife has done absolutely nothing to warrant this verbal animosity from him.

Any man would be delighted to have such a gorgeous wife, especially one as curvaceous as you. You're the sweetest woman, even to a bloodthirsty demon butler like Sebastian. One might mistake you for a maid due to your love for baking.

But it helps. It's something to distract you from the cruel, chauvinistic nature of the man you're supposed to call your husband. The new butler helps, too.

He's a handsome man, despite his eerie and mysterious nature, he is kind to you and even helps out with baking, whereas your husband used to just stand in the doorway and watch you, before leaving you alone to do whatever interested him in that moment.

The butler, you've come to know his name to be Sebastian, is quite the saviour as well.

One night, when John was being particularly rough - ripping your garters down and slapping your hand away when you tried to shove him off you, a miraculous knock on the bedroom door saved you from the greedy hands of what could've been the start of a horrific night.

You don't know what the reason was exactly for Sebastian requiring the assistance of your husband, you're just grateful for the timing. What nor you or John know, is that Sebastian saw the incident through a crack in the door.

He was just passing by, only to be stopped by the rough sound of ripping fabric and the familiar squeal of a frightened woman. Of course, he'd never heard the latter sound in this context.

He had peered through the door, left forgettably ajar, and caught the tail end of what he recognised as a revolting, rotting old dog destroying a gift bestowed upon a radiant, rightfully spoiled cat.

His blood ran cold. Either he intervened, pretending to be blissfully unaware of just how filthy that man was, or he murdered your husband right infront of you.

He'd rather not terrify you so early on, since he quite enjoyed your presence, not just the physical aspect. So he settled for a knock.

Clean. Simple. Didn't insinuate he knew anything. Loud enough to hear, but quiet enough not to suggest he knew something was going on on the other side.

You were thankful for it, even though it was probably just because your husband needed to oversee a few things and not because the butler knew what he almost did to you.

He saw you, too. Hand to your chest, breathing deep gasps of relief, eyes closed. He noted your torn garters, red marks on the insides of your thighs. Hm.

He admires your cat, too. Specifically yours, because your husband couldn't stand to look at the sweet thing. All the more reason to kill him, was what Sebastian thought on the matter.

The cat is another of the few things that help you cope with the unfair union.

The cat, which is currently sat on the kitchen floor tiles, with a light dusting of flour powdered on her back, gazing up at you with a look you couldn't quite decipher.

It was late, and storming outside. The kitchen window was open, the scent of petrichor pouring in through the gap.

You didn't have anything to do, and couldn't sleep, so emptying the kitchen cupboards was a wonderful idea.

The fact that you were only in your nightgown was of no relevance. Not to you, at least.

To Sebastian, it was wonderful.

A beautiful woman, busying herself with baking whatever she liked while her feline companion rubbed up against her shins was the very picture of domesticity. Something his master didn't deserve.

Another thing that dog didn't deserve was your body. The sheer silhouette of you was already enough to have the demon knelt before you, add the loose nightgown and he would do whatever you asked him to.

He could, he would worship your body in a way that would make churches look like garden sheds.

But for now, he would do his job, interrupting at times it was convenient for you and infuriatingly inconvenient for your husband.

It was only when he picked up on the scent of blood that he stepped out of line.

The blood was stale, like it was already dried even before the person died. He followed the scent, all the way.... to... the master bedroom.

The door was closed, like a precaution. Like the murder was planned.

It didn't click to him that it might not be your husband who was dead. That thought was unwelcome in his mind. It made him turn the handle.

The scent of blood immediately got stronger, obvious to the point he wanted to open a window just so his senses could be freed from the overwhelming urge to taste.

He was instantly met with the sight of you, standing at the foot of the bed, one hand holding onto a bloodied candelabra, the other clutching the bedpost like you were trying to rip it off.

He was flooded with relief, and a sick sense of schadenfreude at the less than pleasing sight of, what was once his master, your husband's corpse.

You had bludgeoned him, likely in a fit of rage, with the candelabra he had previously noticed you kept on your bedside.

You took a step backwards, bumping into his front and almost jumping out of your skin.

You almost dropped the murder weapon, but Sebastian's quick reflexes saved it from falling.

Clearly, you were in some state of shock, even though you had done nothing wrong. You were just cleaning up a bit.

He gently pried the object out of your hand, snaking an arm around your waist, dragging you out of the room.

"We mustn't touch."

He muttered into your ear, taking you down the hall and into the living room to lay down on the settee, ignoring the bloodspatter that had managed to drip onto your nightgown and onto your cleavage. Well, he could lick it up later.

No other demon had even bat an eye and the divine which were to embrace her didn't send aid as they wouldn't interfere and had ignored her past calls, unbending on their rules.

Sebastian had answered and accepted her request one fateful night.

At first he simply meant to corrupt her soul entirely, abandon god and twist her into a delightful meal for his existence but this contract turned out different- for both of them.

The first days he learned to care for her physically and the needs her sickness demanded. She was patient and kind while she taught him everything about the disease and the tasks he would be doing.

Sebastian had almost started to regret to have taken on such a bland contract. Her kindness was off-putting to him and the assignments he had were no challenge.

Washing her, feeding her, changing her. Day in day out the same routine. One sided conversations didn't help pass his time as she was confined to the house and had been for a while now.

A bothersome nuisance to endure or end.

─── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ───

One particular night his view began to slightly shift.

Sebastian had already taken notice that her condition got worse quick and she deteriorated every day a bit more. That night is became even more evident.

She was coughing up blood relentless as she trembled violently.

Her body was pale and sweaty from the distress and refused to keep down food or even water. Everything he gave her was bound to come back up and rob her of energy.

But that wasn't what enthralled him so much. He had seen his fair share of demise and death. This process of dying was surely more unsightly in human terms but yet it didn't make a difference to the demon.

And why else would he care? It was his way out of this. Wasn't it?

"Care for me and stay by my side until death comes for me."

That was the condition she set for him to fulfill so he could take her soul. A flimsy wording he could have easily twisted to his advantage as he was the death that awaited her.

But he hadn't- with the intention to make her suffer more and deepen the flavour of her soul for him with the pain of her own disease.

Now she was before him. Suffering tremendously. Yet she smiled whenever she could, thanked him for his help and showed him endless gratitude that he didn't judge.

Even hoping for her soul to remain and suffer a bit longer to satisfy his desire and hunger. In centuries Sebastian Michaelis was left speechless for once at her selfless behaviour.

That night she could have given up and found eternal rest.

With her deeds she would made it to heaven. The taste of her soul spoiled and rotten to him with a vile sweetness of kindness and compassion tightly woven into it.

She didn't give up. Just for him.

─── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ───

Months passed and she remained alive.

Her soul a complex palate- no longer able to be enjoyed by any demon to feast on but she didn't know that. Sebastian stayed and continued as if everything was in order.

He didn't even understand it himself. There was nothing pleasant to gain from this arrangement anymore for him, yet he just fulfilled his duties to her.

Intrigued he watched her fight for him to be satisfied while she was fading to nothing but pain and torment.

Sebastian persisted by her side day and night. He started to tell her stories from his eternal life while she listened in fascination without judgement.

A new dark intention formed inside to keep her with him.

It was a like symptom of a feeling -to his kind a sickness- unknown to him. Possession and obsession covered up and over something deeper that grew and spread within him.

The demon knew she was heaven-bound with him unable to consume her soul. He would be left with nothing. No meal or entertainment for him to relish.

Worst of all she would be unreachable to him in heaven as access was denied to Sebastian for all eternity. No redemption or death would change that.

She would leave him. Forever.

─── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ───

"Sebastian? Tell me what's wrong."

Her eyes searched his unaltered face with worry as her soft broken voice resounded within the room. The words hung heavy in the air.

She had seen right through him. His subtle change in demeanor to let his demonic charisma and sweet word play, hadn't lasted a single conversation.

Sebastian's attempt to initiate corruption in a different way to turn her on the path to hell, was taken down by her unfaltering good heart and unique ability to observe.

"I want you to stay with me."

The truth hung heavy between them as the demon decided to tell her even if it meant giving up on his plans and therefore his change to keep her to himself.

Her lips parted slightly but nothing came out for a while. Her eyes displayed her emotions like a mirror of her soul, making a decision herself.

"I would like that, Sebastian. I think I fell in love with you."

A confession that broke anything to exist between them to this point. Her tears were the sweetest poison to him just like the devotion she had said these damning words with.

She had achieved something nobody had done before. A demon had fallen in love with a fragile human being and now she offered him everything while she was dying right in front of him.

─── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ───

As blood trickled down from the corner of her mouth and Sebastian could hear her heartbeat falter and fade after it had just leaped out of her chest moments ago, he knew these were her last breathes.

Her bittersweet scent slowly turned to decay and the bright light in her eyes threatened to go out. The smile on her face was taken away by a coughing fit and her breath became laboured and shallow.

Calmly the demon rose from the chair beside her bed as she stepped closer, his crimson eyes fixed on her with intensity.

There was one thing he could do. One last excruciating way for them to be together. With no time for him to explain what this would entail and what she would have to endure, he asked her.

"Are you willing to become a demon for me?"

Sebastian was left stunned yet again at her reaction. Without a second of doubt, she nodded. A sparkle in her eyes return and her lips curled into a distorted smile.

Love and hope mingled in her face as her body was on the threshold of passing over to the other side. It was all he needed to see.

He leaned forward over the stained bed and bloodied sheets, cupping her chin up to look at him. Crimson eyes bored into hers as he spoke. The world around her started to blur, his words barely reaching her.

"Surrender your faith to me, turn away from god and the light. Embrace the darkness as I love you in life and in death."

Lips formed silent words as her first life ended and Sebastian guide her into her next. A vow and an eternal confession sealed her fate bound to the depth of hell.

I love you, Sebastian Michaelis.

─── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ───

Time passed.

When she opened her eyes all pain was gone. It had been a companion all her life and as demonic essence had coursed through her veins it had reached now heights.

She was broken and rebuild in agony and misery. It felt like it would never end but she didn't falter, didn't surrender as she clung to the thought of Sebastian.

The demon didn't leave her side even if he couldn't help her through it. If he still had a heart it would have stopped for a moment when she eyes fluttered open.

Yet again this unique woman had exceeded all he could have imagined. All he knew came to nothing with her and left him mesmerised. He couldn't take his crimson eyes off of her and what she had become.

Heaven had rewarded her with the lack of need for souls.

For all she had endured and suffered through in her time of life on earth. It was a last blessing from the light as she stepped into an eternal life in the darkness.

Hell's gift was immortality.

Her disease no longer a curse on her body as the curse of an existence in darkness for all time bound her and erased pain and aches within her peculiar new body.

Half human, half demon.

"You are a wondrous mystery bestowed upon my once solitary life, my beloved lady."

Her smile returned. It had only been a blink of an eye to his long life since he last saw it but he had feared to never see it again.

Her eyes were as warm and bright as before. Now full of life that the sickness was gone. They beamed with emotions that made him shiver as her gaze fell on him.

Her body and skin were no longer pale and meager from the affliction. Rosy complexions and curves graced her figure instead. A beautiful young lady.

"Sebastian..."

Her lips voiced his name. The sound tore down all of his means to let her wake slowly and get used to her new existence.

Sebastian pulled her into his arms and held her close in a tight embrace. He never wanted to let go when she wrapped her arms around him.

He cupped her face with his hand to tilt her head up to him, stroking over her cheek with his thumb gently. Warmth spread in his cold chest as they eyes locked and she intertwined her fingers with his.

"Kiss me, Sebastian."

Words that almost brought him to his knees as they reached his ears. She left him stunned as he hesitated for a few seconds and she took the initiative.

Lips pressed against his. The world stood still for them as they sealed their eternal life together.

Fate had them united in love forever.

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

Thank you, Anon, for your request!

This was inspiring and so much fun to write that I immediately got to it! I hope I could fulfill your wish. Feel free to text or send in a request if anything is amiss.

❈────────•✦•────────❈

Sebastian Michaelis.

A name that suited a man representing perfection in everything he did and was- at least that's what most people surely saw in him.

When he found you circumstances already seemed to fit and fall too perfectly. So perfect in fact it was too obvious and yet not at all.

A devious demonstration of power and wit.

You knew the loss of your previous job was connected to him and his master but you couldn't prove it or change it. So when we stood in front of you with an offer, you saw that slight sparkle of superiority in his eyes.

An invitation not only for a job but a dare hidden beneath his polite and considerate words.

He knew exactly what he did and what was going on inside of you. Anger yet helplessness mingled into acceptance. Or so he thought.

"I'll gladly accept your master's offer, Mr. Michaelis." You had calmly answered with a gallant smile.

A reaction that had broken through his modest mask for a split second before he covered it with equal cultivated manners again. All this charade had done was peak curiosity. The kind you hadn't experienced before.

A dark interest. Inside both of you.

❈────────•✦•────────❈

The first few days of training seemed rather usual. Demanding, certainly, but that was to be expected when you worked for nobility. And not just any noble at that as well.

Lord Ciel Phantomhive.

A young but proper elite and the Queen's guard dog for the underworld. You weren't fooled or sweet talked about it. It was clearly communicated what this position potentially brought to daily life.

Yet you stayed and worked through these days as if it was just another job and it did make the appearance to be just that for these days. You got along with the staff and worked diligently to be an asset to the team.

They were a strange bunch, you couldn't deny it but it just added to the whole mystery of this place. Characters clashed and synced at the same time causing predictable chaos at every corner. Still there was some profound trust that made it match.

❈────────•✦•────────❈

It all came to make more sense when your true test started. Some guests were announced for the weekend.

The first to arrive was Lord Evans.

A man displaying that just about anyone with the right ties could call himself a noble. A loud and hardly mannered character with the 'exquisite' addition of inappropriate humor. A man who would call himself charming while he trampled into conversation like a wild boar.

The second guest, Lady Bennet, was no less unique.

An older noble lady with an obsession for the occult. She was polite and docile mostly but it was clear that something in this household had her rattled right from the start. Like a frightened dear she looked around as if she waited for someone or something to pounce.

A set of guests you would never find together at just any other tea party. Sebastian had assigned you to join and serve alongside of him.

His request to do so came with the usual polite tone but today there was something lingering inside his eyes again. The slightest mischievous sparkle you had already seen as you first met him.

⊱ What you didn't see was his faint sly smirk as he turned to prepare for the arrivals. He had noticed your observant nature and was impressed that you had spotted his hint. Amusement bordering on dark excitement grew within him for the event. ⊰

❈────────•✦•────────❈

As Lord Phantomhive and his guests sat down in the saloon, Sebastian entered with a small cart to serve tea. A task he prefered to do himself so you stood by with respectful distance, watching his meticulous movements.

Mrs. Bennett's eyes nervously glanced around the room, peticularly often stopping at a showcase which held plates with intricate arts and fine patterns.

You remembered Sebastian and also the young Lord having forbidden anyone in the household to open the display, not even for cleaning. It had made you curious but they left no room for further questions.

The Lady's eyes met yours after you glanced over to the plates and back to the table. She ever so slightly shook her head as if she wanted to warn you not to get curious. Her eyes wide with fear and worry.

"Lady Bennet?" She winced as Lord Phantomhive refereed to her, quickly putting on a smile that didn't reach her eyes as she turned her head to him.

"Are you quite alright?" The young Lord looked at her with a face devoid of any actual worry that his question would have implied.

Swiftly the older Lady nodded and excused her minds absence, returning to the conversation but still occasionally glancing to the showcase. Mr. Evan demeanor ever slightly changed as well. His eyes almost darkening in some kind of anticipation.

The conversation went on for a while and Mrs. Bennet became more and more agitated by the minute. Her head snapped around to look behind her from time to time as if she heard someone or something.

Paranoid she glances around the room or at the people like she searched their faces for some reaction. Lord Phantomhive turned to her to address it again after some time. Differently than you would have expected though.

"You hear them whisper again, Mrs. Bennet, don't you?" His voice was calm and ominous. It felt out of place for you but the Lady began to tremble in her seat. "You hear the plates whisper their deadly song."

A loud gasp echoed through the room. Lady Bennet seemed to struggle to breath after those words. She was pale and her skin clammy, starring at the young Lord in terror.

"I need fresh air." She managed to choke out to him before she looked at you standing by the door with a silent plea in her eyes.

You glanced to Sebastian checking if it would be best to let her step out for a bit. When he nodded Mrs. Bennet almost jumped up at the opportunity and Sebastian gestured to you, telling her to follow your guidance to the garden.

You retrieved her coat and helped her put it on before you led her outside. Mr. Evan had watched the unusual conversation with dark amusement and his eyes followed Mrs. Bennet all the way until the door closed between them.

Once outside some colour finally returned to Mrs. Bennet's face. She took a few deep breathes and hurried to gain some distance between herself and the mansion. You followed at a respectful length.

"Did you hear them, too?" The Lady suddenly whispered frightened as she turned to you. "Did you hear their song?"

"I didn't hear anything besides the normal conversation, I'm afraid." You answered politely. Before curiosity could urge you to inquire some more, Mrs. Bennet went on.

"So they chose me. I'm doomed to die." Her voice was shaking and tears threatened to fall from her watery eyes. "Anyone who gets to hear their song is next to fall victim to them."

"What are you talking about, my Lady?" The question escaped you before you could stop yourself.

"These plates are ancient and evil!" Panic threaded into the Ladies fearful tone as she starred at you. "Sinister tormented souls are imprisoned in them! And they sing their song to their victims which they claim to devour at night!"

She was frantically pacing now. "They are coming for me!" Her voice shrill, the terror undeniable. She seemed to actually believe she was doomed to die.

The cogs in your head turned. You didn't believe in the supernatural and especially in the Phantomhive manor everything seemed to be too deliberate and intended at all time.

"Who told you of this tale, Lady Bennet? If I may ask. Was it Lord Phantomhive?" You asked her lost in thoughts.

"He showed them to me when I last visited and I warned him about their origin!"

"So the young Lord just showed them to you but without any tale of the occult before you gave him this piece of information and that they might be dangerous?" You asked further as a picture began to shape.

"Yes..." Mrs. Bennet also seemed to sense that you were hinting at something. "Why do you ask?"

"You believe in the paranormal Mrs. Bennet and one might get the idea that they created an illusion for you as you are susceptible to such stories. Nobody but you seems phased by it otherwise-"

"NO! The last maid-" The old Lady suddenly burst out at you. "The last maid when I was here, she heard them sing too and in the night we could all hear her scream after a loud shattering sound!"

You looked at her in surprise. Nobody had told you about a death or accident at the mansion but before you could ask, Sebastian appeared in the door behind you.

"Mrs. Bennet, your presence is required in the dinning room if you would follow me back inside, please." He demanded politely, making both of you flinch caught off guard in this improper level of conversation.

You stepped aside for Mrs. Bennet to make her way inside first, averting your eyes again as you resumed your servant role. Sebastian held open the door before guiding the Lady to the dining room with you in tow.

⊱ Sebastian had waited for the right moment to intervene. His crimson eyes glistened in the dim light that fell through the door gap as had listened in. A devious grin danced on his lips at your sharp observation and suspicion. He was mildly impressed. ⊰

❈────────•✦•────────❈

Inside Lord Phantomhive and his guests all gathered and got seated in the dinning room. With Mrs. Bennet relieved that she didn't have to remain in the same room as these whispering plates, the mood was a little eased.

That changed as Sebastian made you serve the first course of today's meal. A dark red soup was placed in front of each person. The butler explained and announced the dish but you could see Mrs. Bennet wasn't listening.

She starred in disgust and terror at plate in front of her. Her mind had already gotten lost in the events again and the soup resembled blood more than anything else to her.

You could see how she forced herself to smile and not look at the spoon whenever she took a bite. Her eyes fixed on the host or Mr. Evan, who didn't miss out on making the situation worse, talking about a hunting trip very descriptively with much success on his spoils.

The struggle to breath, listen and hold herself from gagging took all her attention. An inattentive behaviour that ended in a high-pitched scream of terror as she dropped the spoon.

The plate shattered in the middle where to spoon hit it. You rushed over to help her as she had stumbled to her feet, almost falling backwards over her chair.

As you caught her, your eyes fell on the table and it became clear why she had reacted that way. Beneath the last remanentes of soup the design of the plate had become visible.

"Y-you served me... you... it's on of these evil-" Lady Bennet stuttered and stumbled over the words until her mind and body gave out and she fell unconscious in your arms.

Sebastian gracefully swooped in and lifted her up to lay her on a nearby ornamented small couch. He ordered you to stay with her as he led his master and Mr. Evan out of the room for some privacy.

You glanced over and saw Mr. Evans eyes lingering on Mrs. Bennet. His pupils dilated in some twisted excitement, they appeared to be black only. In the next moment your attention was redirected by a soft groan.

Kneeling down beside the slowly waking Lady, you held a glass of water. You offered it to her as she sat up but Mrs. Bennet just starred at the glass with her mind absent.

"I will perish soon. The plates have found me." She murmured like she was in a trance.

She was ripped out of this state as the table behind you began to shake violently, causing the already broken plate to slip and shattered into tiny pieces on the floor.

A bloodcurdling scream erupted and before you could react, Mrs. Bennet jumped to her feet and ran. As you tried to follow her Sebastian stepped in your way at the door and blocked you from doing so.

A look up at him confirmed your suspicion even before you heard the tablecloth rustling and Finny emerging from under the table. A wicked smirk curled Sebastian's lips slightly with that mischievous sparkle in his eyes.

"You already knew when you saw the table rattle, didn't you?" He asked you amused. "I wonder how much you already figured out."

After a moment of contemplating on the events, you looked up at him.

"Mr. Evans is the real victim or target in this game, isn't he?"

Your question didn't remain unanswered for long as Ciel Phantomhive appeared behind Sebastian in the door with a dark chuckle echoing through the hallway and diningroom.

"Sebastian's instinct about your keen sense of observation was on point it seems. You are absolutely right. Go ahead, Miss." He invited her to further deduct on everything.

"Mrs. Bennet is used as bait... no... as prey, isn't she? Mr. Evans watched her like a hunter... a predatory who stalks his kill. You created this act to scare her and show her vulnerable with fright to trigger him."

After your elaboration Sebastian and Ciel looked at each other with impressed glances. "Perfectly concluded, Miss." Sebastian admired and confirmed.

Finny left the room with a nod to the young Lord to stride off. You watched their swift interaction.

"And now? You let Mr. Evans actually hunt her out in the woods around the mansion as she fled in her panic? Or will the hunter become the hunted?" Your eyes roaming between Sebastian and the young Master.

Sebastian's smirk becomes more defined. "Sharp and diligent to the last detail. Impressive, young Lady." He bowed to the Lord and turned to step away. His steps fading down the dark hallway.

"Mr. Evans is a former soldier. After he returned from the war he married a wealthy woman but his trauma slowly turned him into a monster." Ciel calmly explained.

"The nobles paraded around with their fake power and he thirsted to show them real power. Make them crumble and shake in fear when he lured them out with invitations to hunt to turn them into helpless prey."

⊱ It had become night and a true predator left the Phantomhive mansion. One far more dangerous than Mr. Evans or any primitive animal. Sebastian vanished into the darkness. The scream that ripped through the silence told the end to this tale but hardly touched the nature of it. ⊰

"Sebastian Michaelis isn't human... is he?"

A question that slipped past your lips. A question that sealed your fate.

"No, Miss." Ciel Phantomhive answered as he turned to walk away.

An answer that gave no clarification, yet you knew enough. Too much.