Anime: Black Butler
Requested by: @MintieHeart

(Y/n)'s POV

Tears brimmed my eyes as the demon took my older sister by her arm, holding a knife to her neck. Our parents laid dead amongst the sea of bodies and their sacrificed blood.

Even when my family, my entire household, was murdered before my very eyes, I had helplessly done nothing...nothing at all. Now, it was my sister's turn to die by that demon's hands.

"Go (Y/n), don't ever give up. Save yourself-"

The demon slit her throat, devoid of mercy and heart.

"No! Natasha, no!"
"She's dead. Now hand over the gem or you die too," exclaimed Claude.
"What a contradictory way to put it. I will die either way."
"Hmph, you don't seem to value that pathetic life of yours-"
"No...you're wrong. Even though their lives were no less valuable than mine, they gave it up in order to protect me. I will not let their deaths be in vain. I will continue living, and bear the burden of their will so long as I am alive."
"Your family treasure is a valuable gemstone, capable of changing fate at the cost of some of the user's lifespan. Yet, if someone makes a blood contract with it, no one else will be able to use it. Funny how your family entrusted such a precious stone to a useless girl like you."
"I hold the blood contract within my body. The stone cannot resonate with someone unworthy of its power."
"Then I will merely have to kill you and find a vessel for that stone-"
"Well then, I'm afraid you will never achieve your goal."

Claude and I focused our gazes on the door that led to the mansion's ballroom. The Queen's guard dog stood with his butler, glaring at the demon who had massacred my household.

"I have orders from the Queen to retrieve that girl and protect her family heirloom until further instruction. Letting you kill her would mean my failure to do so," exclaimed the young earl.
"I didn't anticipate this...but unfortunately, my master has asked for that gem so I cannot back down," Claude replied.
"Sebastian, defeat Claude. Don't you dare lose."
"Yes, my lord."

As the two demons fought to gain the upper hand in their vicious fight, Ciel walked towards me and held out a hand for me to take. I looked down at my own bloodied hands, realising that I had been shaking this entire time.

Impatiently grabbing my shaking hand, he quickly led us down the grand staircase and into the foyer. He didn't bother waiting for his demon butler as we hopped onto the carriage waiting outside and left my home...possibly forever.

The earl maintained the same stoic expression as we rode in silence, undoubtedly increasing the tension in which we had unconsciously created. The carriage suddenly felt too small...too cramped.

"Milady, you're shaking terribly so. I have no intention of harming you so you needn't feel so scared," he exclaimed.
"...I'm sorry and thank you, but just (Y/n) is fine."

Staring out at the darkness beyond the far horizon, I recalled the faces of my parents as Claude took their lives. The belief in my sister's eyes that I would survive and live a purposely life...all that was too much to bear...

Dying was such an easy option. Nothing but the thought of being reunited with my family as my last breath left my lips...yet, I had a duty to fulfil.

A silent tear glistened in the moonlight as it slowly made its way down my cheek. Ciel eyed me with what I suspected to be pity but a faint sense of empathy lay hidden beneath his frontier.

"You cannot drown in sorrow. Even if the whole world is against you, even if it seems like nothing will ever go your way, even if...dying is much easier, you cannot give up," he exclaimed softly.
"I..."
"We're here."

Without a doubt, the man known as Sebastian opened the carriage door. After helping Ciel, he held out a hand for me. I thanked him as I hopped off and followed him into the manor.

I was shown to a lavish guest room with midnight blue wallpaper, navy blue curtains and a large bed scented with the fragrance of roses. Finding a change of clothes in the wardrobe, I went to the bathroom and relaxed in a warm bath.

~The next day~

I opened the door to find a maid wearing glasses standing just beyond. She greeted me with a kind smile.

"The young master has asked for you," she said.
"I see...please lead the way."
"Yes milady."

Careful and wary of my surroundings despite being in a safe place, I glanced at the maid walking just slightly in front of me. The hallways and corridors were not as complicated as I had imagined.

She knocked on a door that I assumed led to Ciel's office before we both heard his permission for us to enter. The maid bowed before taking her leave as I pushed open the door.

Ciel sat behind his desk, his chin resting on his hand as he met my gaze. I managed a small curtsy as a greeting. He stood up and gestured towards the armchairs in the room.

"Are you feeling better?" he asked.
"Yes, thank you."
"Unfortunately, Claude escaped before Sebastian had the chance to beat him. I will keep you safe but in order to do that, we will need to keep an eye on you in case...of any unknown dangers."
"I understand."

His gaze never my face, making my face turn a slight shade of red. Looking away from his eye, I immediately focused on my hands instead.

"Ciel..."
"Are you thinking of killing Alois or is it Claude that you want?"
"I want them both dead...but I cannot live my life fuelled solely by revenge and hatred. My sister would never ask that of me."
"...you're stronger than I thought..."

I grabbed his hand, surprising him as I did so, and smiled in gratitude.

"Thank you for your hospitality and kind words. I will repay you some day, so I will not lose hope. If I can have at least one friend, I know I'll pull through so please..."

I forces back the tears as he nodded in reply to my unspoken question. Thank you so much...Ciel.