(For anyone who doesn't know, I entered Yes, My Lady in the @BlackButlerWA and would appreciate it if you would go vote. Thank you, and I hope you enjoy the chapter.)

I woke up as Sebastian lay me in my bed, but refused to open my eyes. He would leave in a moment and I would go right back to sleep. There was no need for me to acknowledge him.

There was a moment where I felt the mattress give a little as one of his hands pressed against the bed. My heartbeat quickened. What was he doing?

I heard him chuckle softly. Great, he knew I was awake. I ignored it, pretending to be asleep, hoping he would get the message to leave me alone.

Then his lips softly brushed mine. He kissed me for a long moment, then pulled away. The mattress lifted again as he removed his hand, and my heartbeat finally slowed again.

I felt his gloved hand lightly touch my skin as he moved some stray hairs out of my face. "Sleep well, My Love," he whispered, then placed one last kiss on my forehead before leaving the room, leaving me smiling as I drifted off to sleep.

*

I woke up again to a loud commotion in my house. I sat up slowly, rubbing the sleep from my eyes as my body began to ache again, making sure to remind me of the events of the day before. My left hand still hurt to move. I held it against me as I stood on weak legs and made my way over to the door.

It creaked as I slowly opened it, and outside I found Maia, Sarah, and Sebastian, all arguing about something. I sighed in relief. I had been worried something bad was happening.

They all looked to me at the same time, and I just stared at them blankly. "What's going on?" I asked, holding back a yawn.

Sebastian stepped between Sarah and Maia, then turned me and led me back to bed, his hand on the small of my back. "Sarah wanted to change your bandages, and Maia wanted to see if you were hungry. I was trying to tell them to let you rest, but neither of them wanted to listen, I'm afraid."

I crawled back into bed, Sebastian laying the covers over me. "That's a relief. I was scared something was happening again."

Sebastian gave me his signature, innocent smile. "No, Chrystal. Nothing has happened since last night."

"Good," I sighed. Either the police were doing their job, the men hadn't been back yet, or Sebastian was getting rid of them before the cops ever saw them. And out of any of the options, I didn't really care what was happening. As long as my family was safe, I was happy.

"Since you're awake..." Maia chimed in.

I glanced over to her. "I'm not hungry, Maia, but thank you."

Sarah glanced between us. "Your bandages..."

Sebastian answered for me. "You may come take care of her cheek, Sarah. You can check on any other injuries once she's ready to get up." He glanced down at me, smiling softly. "It is still very early in the morning. You should probably get some more rest."

I nodded, and he smiled at me one more time before leaving the room, Maia following behind him.

Sarah ran over with a first aid kit I hadn't realized she was holding. "I'll only be a minute."

I nodded to her, then let her pull the bandage from my face, clean the cut, then place a clean bandage over it.

"It isn't bleeding anymore, it seems," she said as she put her things back into the small kit, "but I want to keep it covered for just a little bit longer to keep any germs out."

"Thanks, Sarah," I called out softly as she was turning to leave.

She turned back to me with a smile. "It is my pleasure, Chrystal. Sleep well," and with that, she left the room, letting the door creak closed behind her.

I lay there in silence for a moment, thinking about last night. People were coming forward saying they were the people behind the hit and run that killed my parents over four years ago. A group of people attacked my house and tried to kill me. It didn't feel like it could be possible. What would anyone gain by killing me?

I rolled over onto my side, groaning as my body ached. Someone was out there planning their next attack on me.

My body began to shake as the reality of the situation grabbed a hold of me. I knew deep down that nothing would happen to me. I had Sebastian to protect me. It was impossible for someone to kill me when he was there to keep me safe.

I thought back to the day I decided to make a contract with him. I'd been helping Sarah pack my things to get ready to move into the orphanage in town. We'd both been crying. Neither of us wanted this. My servants had all claimed to be able to care for me, but I was being forced away anyway. Maia and Thomas were the oldest, and they'd both barely been old enough to live on their own.

When Sarah had left the room for the night, I did it. I summoned a demon, and Sebastian came forth. We struck our deal, and he showed up the next morning claiming to be a butler who was looking for a job. We all welcomed him in, and since he was older, the court let me stay with him. It was the light at the end of that dark time in my life, and I was finally able to smile again. I'd needed him more than I'd known.

But what if I hadn't summoned him? I'd be in an orphanage, yes, but I'm sure the people who were after me would still have been. I'd have endangered so many children...

I was still quivering in fear, and the thought of all of those children that could have been hurt in the process made it a thousand times worse.

"Sebastian," I whispered, my voice shaking. I waited a beat, knowing he would quickly and silently enter. "I'm scared."

I felt him sit behind me on the bed. "Of course you are," he said gently. "You have every right to be."

I rolled over to face him, ignoring my body's protests. He was giving me his soft smile that I loved so much.

"I'm here to protect you," he continued. "No one will hurt you, Chrystal. I'll make sure of it."

I nodded, tears beginning to flow from my eyes. No matter how much I trusted him and believed his words, it didn't cause the fear to release its hold on me.

Sebastian moved. He sat back against the pillows, and I lay against him. He held me, smoothing my hair, and I felt safe in his arms. I gradually stopped trembling, and was finally able to stop thinking about the what ifs and fall asleep.