Sabrina Luthferd

I silently stared at the camera in front of me.. I am currently seated inside the kitchen with a camera on the table. The space in the kitchen is small which I really prefer rather than the big rooms around this mansion.

"Hmm." I hummed, a frown covering my features.

I found this camera while trying to memorize the manor's interior and exterior. It appears to be one of the old designs and I extremely got curious with it.

"Young mistress."

"Yes?" I asked, still focused with the camera.

"Would you like some tea?" he continued.

I nodded. "If it will not cause you any problem. Please."

I gently traced the camera's lens as Sebastian placed a cup beside me.

"What are you doing, looking at this old camera?"

"... I find it intriguing. Don't you agree?" I asked.

"Hmm, I guess so?"

"Old and mysterious..." I mumbled.

"Uwah, I'm hungry! Sebastian-san, what's for lun----!? Mistress Juliana!" Oh, it is Finnian.

"Good morning, Finnian! Oh and please. Sabrina will do."

"Hmm! Okay! What are you doing Mistress Sabrina?"

I mentally planted my hands on my forehead.

"Sebastian and I are discussing about this camera."

"Oh!!!! That camera! Man, I remember the hardships we faced because of that! It really is interesting! But you know, I suggest you not to play with it. Young master got annoyed with that and asked us to keep it locked in a vacant room.. Which appears to be your room right now."

"Hmm. I will keep it in my room then." I said.

"I can keep it if you would like to, Young mistress." Sebastian said, smiling gently at me.

I nodded. "If it will not cause you any disturbance.. Then please."

Sebastian nodded before picking up the camera and walking out the room.

I turned to Finnian and casted a smile.

"How about we chat a little bit while you work?" I asked, smiling.

Finnian smiled. "Sure!"

I soon discovered that he is currently tending to the roses in the spacious garden of this manor. He began to trim here and there, humming in the process.

I quietly watched him do his chore, trying to memorize the pattern he is making. That is when I noticed what he is doing... This is the tenth bag of fertilizers he have been putting in that certain part of the garden.

"FINNIAN!"

"Yes!???" He shouted, standing up stiffly.

"You are putting too much fertilizer in that plant!" I scolded.

He faced me, pouting. "But, mistress, these roses are wilting! I cannot let them die!"

I sighed. "Still, that is too extreme."

I slightly pushed my sleeves up before walking towards him.

Indeed, the roses seem sad. I am no professional with these things...

"Let us just water it and wait until what happens." I said before picking up the water can on the ground.

"AH, Mistress! I will be the one doing that! You should just sit!"

"Finnian, I grew up doing these things. I have a small garden on my house back in town. I have some red roses that really brightens my day." I smiled.

He looked away, scratching his cheeks.

"If it fine with you, mistress."

"And just call me Sabrina."

"I can't do that!"

I slightly frowned. I do not like being called such noble-like terms.

"If you really don't want to..." I muttered... "Hey, what kind of person is my brother when he was ten years old?"

"He rarely smiles. But he is so kind! He likes to play chess and such. Hmmm, all I can really say is that he is so so kind! He is the one who gave me the opportunity to see the clear, blue sky."

That is so nice of him, I guess.

"We are all happy that he has found you, Mistress. His eyes show glints of life and happiness which he lack for the past years."

Brother was sad... Just like me, huh?

"I am happy too, Finnian. I am." I muttered.

The morning passed by with me spending my time with Finnian. He is very enthusiastic about life. I cannot help but feel enthusiastic about life too.

It was past the time 10 a.m when Finnian and I decided to enter the mansion. We went through the backdoor, leading to the kitchen where Bardroy is about to light up a dynamite.

......A DYNAMITE!?? I quickly ran towards him and grabbed the dynamite away from him.

"Hey!!-- Mistress!? Why did you get the source of fire that I will use for lunch?" He asked, eyes wide open.

"You will not only burn the food, Bardroy! You will burn the whole kitchen!" I said.

"Huh?! It will be faster this way, Mistress!"

"No!" I exclaimed.

We both stared at each other while I am taking deep breaths.

Finnian was just watching us, tilting his head.

I sighed before putting it down the ground and kicking it off in a corner of the room. "I shall cook with you."

"Huh!??---"

"No complaints!" I growled.

"...Yes, ma'am."

We cooked a simple dish which I learned from a friend- Chicken Curry, Japanese style.

It's simple and the ingredients of this recipe is fairly cheap. I would always cook this whenever my budget's tight.

Finnian and Bardroy helped in cutting some vegetables while I take care of the pan. Within an hour, the dish is done. My clothes are full of sauce stains since I did not bother to put on anything that can protect it from harm.

"I will be leaving you two." I slightly bowed before walking out the room.

"UWAHH!" followed by a loud sound of glasses breaking.. That voice must belong to Meyrin.

I ran towards the direction of the sound.

I soon reached a hallway filled with paintings. Meyrin was sprawled on the ground, clumsily picking up the remnants of a vase. I ran to her and picked up some of the fragments.

"Mistress...? You should not pick these up! Y-you might cut your ha-- Ouch!"

I chuckled. "Back to you, Ms. Meyrin."

She blushed as blood dripped down her hand.

"I'll finish this up. Please go and have your wound cleaned up." I said, smiling.

"It's alright, Mistress. I can manage."

I frowned before playfully slapping her hands away from the mess.

"Please."

Flushed, she stood up and ran out. I smiled to myself, shooking my head before getting back to what I was doing...

"Mistress. What are you doing?"

I stopped, stood up, and faced my back to be met by Sebastian's face, inches away from me. My eyes went wide as I took a step back, avoiding the shards as much as possible. He was bending a little bit to meet my height since I am smaller than him by inches.

"I- I was picking these up, Sebastian." I smiled. "Good afternoon!"

He smiled back. "Good morning, mistress. Oh my, your dress is untidy."

...! I flushed a little bit. I forgot that I was indeed unappealing. I softly scratched my cheek while laughing a bit. "I will clean up after I pick this broken vase."

He kept his smile on as he took his pocket watch and checked the time.

"Ah, We are running late. Preparation for lunch has not yet been made. " He frowned a little bit and put his watch back to its place.

"The lu-"

"Please have your clothes changed, Mistress. I will clean this up instead."

I bowed a little bit before running away. That was embarrassing.

-------

Brother and I had our lunch in silence. He has his face formed into a grimace and it is as if he was deep in thought. I cannot intervene with his trance - Brother is a busy person and I understand that.

I find my chicken curry to be delicious but I think Brother cannot really make a comment about it right now. After all, he's too busy frowning.

But seriously, noble life is too boring. I cannot really take leisurely walk out to the town because I need a carriage to reach it. I cannot just simply walk! It will take time and energy. I have all the time in the world but I only have a miniscule amount of energy. Physical activities have not been my forte. It is tiring and my body will be sore the next day. I can just survive without exercise.

My days inside the manor aren't really ordinary. There is Finnian who can lift off a 3-meter tall statue. There is this Bardroy who uses dynamite for fire. Meyrin who keeps on breaking anything that well, breaks. Lastly, Sebastian Michaelis. He is a mystery to me.

As he states, he is one hell of a butler. He is too perfect for a butler. He has this gentle face yet he also has an intimidating aura. I cannot determine if it's good or bad but I am fine with it. He has his own charm points after all.

Sebastian had settled the dessert in front of me which is a strawberry parfait. My eyes widen in delight as I observe the palatable dish in front of me.

I took my first bite to be welcome by a sweet, delicious taste. This is great. I feel like flying.

Thinking while eating won't allow me to enjoy this delicious parfait! I must finish all of this first!

I enjoyed my parfait in silence, smiling in delight every now and then...

"Thank you for the meal!~" I smiled to Sebastian after I finished the food, which he returned.

"I'll be returning to my study room. Sebastian, bring me my tea." he did not even gave me a quick glance. He just simply stood up and walked away as if I do not exist.

"Yes, young master."

....Cold. Is my brother really this cold?

I also excused myself from the table and decided to have a sit on the library.

Julia!

....I will never forget Brother's smile and the way he calls me. That smile really resembles brother Ciel's smile that is why I never doubted the fact that we are siblings. Just because of that smile.

But why? Why did it change? It happened a day after the ball. He would just spend his day stuck in his study room. He just gets out that room when he will have his lunch and dinner and whenever he will leave the house. Also, his face grew stoic. He would just acknowledge my presence with a look- more of a glare. How even.

Maybe he is just having mood swings. Or he is stressed. Or he is... I don't really know.

December blues?

I groaned. "WHAT THE HELL."

"Oh my, oh my. Language that do not fit a noble lady." A voice said.

...Sebastian.

"This is a free world, Sebastian."

I am getting stingy. It really happens when I am getting annoyed or irritated.

"Is it?"

"Yes."

"Why do you say so, Mistress?"

"Because I said so."

He went to my front and looked at me straight in the eyes. I could have swear I was wearing a small frown.

My frown loosened and I laughed a little. He also released a small chuckle. "Mistress, would you like a cup of tea?"

"Sure. Thanks.... Sebby."

He raised his eyebrow as he pour tea on a cup. I laughed at his reaction.

"What, Sebby?" I asked, innocently.

"That."

"Sebby?" I grinned.

He settled the cup of tea on the table beside my chair.

He gave my cheeks a soft pinch. "I did not know that our mistress is so playful."

I stuck my tongue out. "Only when I feel like it... Sebby."

I laughed a little before turning serious once again. I need to ask Sebastian this question.

"Is something wrong with Brother?" I asked.

"No, nothing is wrong with Young Master. But his birthday is today, if I may mention."

"Oh, great. Nothing is wrong with--- Birthday!??"

Oh my, oh my, oh my. December 14, 1905!

"I did not know..." I muttered. "But I doubt that he would like a party considering he is so grumpy today."

I thought hard.. I need to give him a gift that is not extravagant yet memorable.

I turned to Sebastian. "Sebastian, will you help me make a dessert for him?"

-----

"Young Master, I brought snacks for you. Foret Noire. Chocolate sponge cake centered with cherry in syrup garnished with white cream." I quoted before tilting my head. "Did I get your voice right, Sebastian?"

He smiled. "Yes, Mistress."

I adjusted my tie and straightened the butler outfit I am wearing. It is pretty much loose and has the strong scent of Sebastian but nevertheless, it's comfortable.

"Are you sure about this, young mistress?"

"Of course! And I'm not 'mistress'! I am one hell of a butler!" I grinned.

He appeared stunned for a second before grinning. "Well then, show time, Mr. 'Butler'. "

I poked Sebastian's cheek for goodluck before knocking on Brother's study room.

"Come in." He answered.

I opened the door and pushed the tray towards his study table. He was writing on a paper with stacks of sheets beside him piled.

"Young Master, I brought snacks for you. Foret Noire. Chocolate sponge cake centered with cherry in syrup garnished with white cream." I said, mimicking Sebastian's voice.

I settled a plate on his table.

"And a here is a cup of Williamson Mayor Darjeeling to match!" I said using my voice.

He appears startled for a mere moment and then faced me.

I winked. "I am your one hell of a butler, Sabristian Luthferd."

He stared at me in shock for a few minutes.

"Just eat the cake already, young master!" I urged, getting impatient.

He hesitated before taking the fork and cutting a small slice from the cake. He took a bite.

"It was personally made by yours truly." I said, closing my eyes while brimming with pride.

"Thank you, 'Sabristian'."

"With pleasure."

"What is this?"

Oh, he found it! He lifted the paper I had placed beside the cake and read it..

With that, he bursted to laughter. He laughed out loud. It was a pleasant music to my ears. He appeared carefree and young.

I have heard this laughter before. I also have seen this happy face before...

Julienne!

...What? I quickly shook my head. What is up with that strange name?

I refocused my eyes on Brother who is wiping his tear away while still giggling.

"You did this... Just for that?" He smiled. "I am not angry with you, Julia. Goodness. Haha. But thank you."

He widened his smile and closed his eyes. "This is the best birthday I have experienced." he mumbled something which I did not hear. I was too delighted, I confess.

I smiled back as I feel my cheeks heating up while my heart had skipped a beat. What is this strange... Sensation?

....Maybe it's because of the cold temperature.

"You are welcome!.. Happy Birthday, my beloved brother."

"CIEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLL!!!!!"

"Oh god."

I giggled as I hear fast footsteps approaching. She's here.

My brother is still sweet even he is cold.

'I am sorry if I did not know your birthday, brother! I forgot. I may be the reason you are extremely grumpy today!

But here I am! I made this fancy dessert.

Happy Birthday, Brother!

Love,
Juliana'

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(Bakamono: Another chapter done, oh yeah! Am I pumped up or pumped up? XDDD)