"We will be having a guest for dinner tonight, Verena," my brother says. 

I sigh. "Will it be Elizabeth this time? You have been stalling for two weeks, dear brother. Elizabeth grows impatient by the day. You know what will happen if you do not send word for her soon. I fear to see the berating our cousin would bestow upon you." 

The tips of Ciel's ears turn red from his embarrassment. "Though I know what you speak is true, Elizabeth's arrival will have to wait. Our guest tonight is Damian, the man who runs our factory in India. We have economic matters to discuss." 

My foot taps the floor impatiently. "Very well. I will see you tonight for dinner. If you need me, I shall be in the library reading." 

I roll my eyes as I exit the study. To hell with waiting. If my own brother did not want to see his fiancee, then I would have to take matters into my own hands.

I head out through the kitchen's back door and make my way to the stables. I hear the whinnying of the horses as I approach. One of the horses sticks its head out and gently blows air on my hair. I laugh and pat the horse on the head, to which it neighs contentedly. This horse will have to do, I think to myself.

I grab a saddle from one of the wall hooks and place it upon the horse. "Since I do not know your name, I suppose I shall have to give you a nickname for now. How about Mischief? I think that works, considering we are about to get into trouble." 

"Why ever would you be getting into trouble? I should hope you are not up to anything distasteful. Anything so would surely tarnish your name." 

Startled, I turn around and see the mysterious butler. "Ah, Sebastian. I did not hear you enter. Does this mean you are spying on me?" 

"Forgive me, Lady Verena. It is my duty as a butler to ensure your safety and security at all times," he says. 

"I see. No apologies needed. I will only be in trouble if my late father bestows a heavenly scolding upon me, considering the fact that I plan to take a side saddle stroll around the estate. I never was the best at riding side saddle," I chuckle. 

The butler bows. "Then forgive my intrusion, milady. I shall take my leave now. Supper will be ready within the hour. Our esteemed guest will be arriving soon." 

He exits the stable, leaving me alone with the horse. The horse neighs happily as I hoist myself to the saddle. As soon as the butler is out of sight, I urge the horse into a light trot. Once we happen upon the entrance to the manor, we break into a sprint. I turn around to make sure no one witnesses my rebellious act. 

Unfortunately for me, the butler stands at the front door, watching as I take off in the dusk.

|     |     |     |

The sun has completely gone down by the time I arrive at the Midford Estate. I lead the horse to the stables, and quickly enter the manor. I walk into the dining room. Paula notices me and abruptly stops serving Elizabeth her food. 

"Oh, Lady Verena! How wonderful to see you again. Please, situate yourself and I will fetch your supper," Paula says. 

"Thank you, Paula," I reply as she heads to the kitchen. I turn my focus to my cousin. "Lizzie... he's alive. My brother is alive." 

Elizabeth looks at me with tears threatening to escape her eyes. "Ciel truly is alive? This... this is not a cruel joke, is it?"

I shake my head, "No, dear Lizzie, I promise I do not jest. Ciel is alive and doing well. He is healthy as ever."

Elizabeth gasps in relief. "Thank goodness! I thought that I -- that we lost him forever. Oh dear, I feel I might faint from happiness! We must set out to the Phantomhive Estate as soon as supper is finished. I will have Paula prepare the carriage in the meantime." 

We carry on eating our supper in comfortable silence. Though Elizabeth did her best to hide it, she was absolutely devastated when I bore the news that my brother was dead. Though she loves me very much as a sister, Ciel would always hold a special place in her heart.

As soon as we are finished eating, Paula whisks us away to where the carriage was waiting. The horse I rode over was hooked to the carriage, as well as another horse that belonged to the Midfords. Just as supper, Elizabeth and I ride in silence as the coachman guides us to the Phantomhive Estate. 

I look out the window and admire the bright stars above. When we were younger, Ciel and I would sneak up onto the roof of the manor and gaze at the stars. On one occasion, our father caught us. Instead of chastising us, he invited Mother to join us. We sat there, holding one another as we had admired the beautiful sky above us. 

Yet as much as I loved to reminisce, those days were over. Much to my disbelief, Ciel is in the now. Once thought to be dead, my brother is certainly alive. Right now besides me was his anxious fiancee waiting to reunite with him once more.

"Verena, do you believe Ciel will still have me be his? Even after all this time we have spent apart?" Elizabeth asks me. 

"Though he may not always show it, Ciel cares for you deeply. I know within my own heart he would have you as his own. What man would be foolish enough to not have you as their wife? Certainly not my brother. Worry not, Lizzie, Ciel holds you in his heart, no matter how it may seem," I comfort her. 

We arrive at the manor soon later. Greeting us is the face of Ciel's devious butler at the front of the door. A shudder runs down my spine. Just what was this butler up to? 

The coachman helps me and Elizabeth down from the carriage. Sebastian opens the door, and Elizabeth runs inside, immediately seeking Ciel. I chuckle to myself, admiring the devotion and love she has for my brother. 

Suddenly, I am brought back to reality as the door clicks shut. My body turns cold, aware of the butler behind me. 

"May I have a word with you, Lady Verena?" The butler whispers in my ear. 

My eyes widen, but I fight to maintain my composure. "I am afraid there is no time for an exchange of words between us, Sebastian. I am rather tired from my journey, and I fear I shall pass out this very instant if I do not hurry to retire to my room. Have a good night, butler."

After saying my piece, I immediately hurry up the stairs and down the corridor to my room. I lock the door behind me after entering my bedroom. I sigh at the sight of my bed, feeling a wave of relief come over me. The door is locked now. The butler should not be able to enter my room. 

Right? 

"This is where you are wrong, Lady Verena. Though it may have been posed as a question, there is no denying my conversation. " 

He is right behind me, towering over my shorter stature. I can feel his breath right next to my ear.

"H-How did you get in?" I mentally curse myself. Damn my stutter. 

Sebastian places his hand under my chin and tilts my head up. A breath hitches in my throat as his mouth becomes dangerously close to my neck.

"I have my ways, Verena," he replies. 

The mention of my name without my proper title causes my veins to boil. "You have no right to address me simply by my name, you-" 

Before I can register it, Sebastian slams me against the wall and restrains me by my wrists with his hands. "I am the one in charge right now, Verena. You lied to me and caused me to disobey orders, Verena. As a Phantomhive butler, I must inflict punishment upon you in order to restore my honor as a noble butler of this household. I do so detest liars. Liars face punishment, punishment that I shall bestow upon you right now." 

Sebastian bites my neck harshly, causing me to let out a yelp. I feel the blood trickle down my collarbone. Horror sets in when I realize he licks the side of my neck, tasting my blood. He moves his mouth up, kissing along my jawline. I feel ashamed at the mix of pain and pleasure swirling inside me. 

Suddenly, the sound of fabric ripping fills the air. The damned butler has ripped apart my corset! In anger, I manage to break free of Sebastian's hold and slam him against the wall. He chuckles at my furious state. 

"Well, you certainly are much stronger than you look," he says with a smirk. 

"How did I..." Realizing my indecency, I pick up what is left of my corset and cover myself. "How dare you rip apart my corset! And how dare you sneak into my room and pull this little stunt! Leave my room at once, butler!" 

Sebastian smirks and fixes his own coat. He leaves my room without a word. As soon as he is gone, I rush to my mirror to see the mess he has made of my neck. Of course, there is blood drying on my collarbone. 

Yet, there is no evidence of any bite mark. I run my hand against my neck, feeling my skin for any bumps or scratches. There is nothing. 

"How can this be?"

--- 

ANOTHER. CHAPTER. PUBLISHED. 

Holy crap, I actually managed to write this chapter in one sitting. Who am I?

Things are clearly heating up between Verena and Sebastian. And what could possibly be going on with Verena?

Stay safe, loves. 

-krystallic