[Friends only in Tragedy]
Charles was a little torn about the idea of using Sebastian so quickly. For once he was so used to doing the legwork on his own, he considered it a badge of pride that he would go out into the darkest corners of London and indeed England as a whole to hunt down and kill those who would threaten the Queen. Though this was different of course. He had the legendary Ciel Phantomhive and his butler in black at his side.
No one knew anything about Sebastian, no one. The Queen’s butlers, all three of them in fact, had been tasked with finding out who he was, what his motivations may well be to be working for a child. And yet not one of them could pull up a single idea on where he came from. He had the training of a Queen’s Butler, the cooking skills of any French chef, the language talent, the charm, the strength… but no record of him ever training under any famous tutors. His name appeared no where in Europe or history for that matter.
Which was why Charles had put forward a revolutionary idea to Phipps one dark night. Sebastian was not human. Whether he be demonic, vampiric, a spirit or something else he didn’t know but certainly he had no soul, no humanity within him.
Charles however was between a rock and a hard place. Lizzy’s soul was on the line… he could not afford to be picky. “Go ahead then. While he does that we should investigate the crime scene itself.”
If Charles had vocalized that, ‘having the legendary Ciel Phantomhive’ by his side, he would’ve had far too much fun rubbing that in his fellow Earl’s face, despite both of them calling a temporary truce for the sake of working together to locate Elizabeth. Nothing said that some of their usual banter couldn’t happen in the meantime, they both knew to be serious enough when it truly mattered, but during medial times like this when they were simply traveling and waiting to be able to make progress, there was nothing more they could do than slip back into their old habits if for nothing else but the sake of entertainment.
To the rest of the world, Sebastian was simply a common butler who worked for his master under the guise of a hefty paycheck and the prestige of saying he was employed by one of London’s highest standing families. To most other nobles, that was always enough to not question it, unless you were one of the few families closer to the Phantomhives and you saw Sebastian on a much more regular basis to make closer observations and realize that something about the black clad butler was…..abnormal. If one was in possession of knowledge that the Phantomhive butler somehow acquired all those skills with no professional training, then one would surely have more reason to have such a vested interest in the butler, which Charles did.
Hearing the word from the older Earl to send his servant out to begin an investigation, Ciel turned on his heel and did so.
Sebastian, you’ve heard the entire conversation thus far. I want you to go into the city and cross examine anyone who fits the criteria of motive, opportunity, and skills to do so. I want a detailed list as soon as it’s compiled and you return to me as soon as it is.
Certainly my Lord. I shall see to it at once.
A single nod, and Ciel continued on his way behind Charles, walking out the opened door in silence. As soon as he was out into the fresh air again, a quick glance over his shoulder was met with nothing but Charles’ own servant shutting the door and no one else. Sebastian was on his way while they were on theirs.
Fifteen minutes and one tense carriage ride later, both Earls ushered out of the carriage and wasted no time hurrying up the front steps to the Midford manor, where both Frances and Alexis were waiting just inside. Naturally Frances had a straight face on, proud and determined as ever despite the shock of the kidnapping, but the Midford matriarch was never one to show weakness, even when it was a mother’s worst fear to lose her daughter. Alexis on the other hand was quite a bit more emotional, no crying occurring but still laced with visible worry, though still as strong as the leader of the Queen’s army would be. Stopping in front of both of his in-laws to be, Ciel pulled out the letter that he’d received this morning.
I was told to report to Earl Grey’s manor first, then to come here. Sebastian is currently working on our own investigation while Charles and I will be going into the city to look for her ourselves. Has there been any updates from the Yard regarding their own investigation?
Frances’s face was one of strong, almost literally. She looked cold, grey and with eyes that were so focused and still that she could have turned her gaze to either of the young earls and cut them in two. Alexis however was a picture of worry and concern. His hand was constantly moving from his side to his mouth and back again. If he hadn’t been standing, waiting for the Earls than surely he would have been pacing the hall.
However he stiffened along with his wife when he saw Charles at Ciel’s side. “B-Both of you are working on this case?”
Charles knew this was going to get awkward. “Alexis, Frances.” He bowed his head to each one.
Frances was still for a moment before she suddenly snapped forward and grabbed Charles’s jacket, yanking him up and growling. “WHY ARE YOU HERE? YOU ARE THE LAST THING OUR DAUGHTER NEEDS.”
“Frances!” Alexis darted forward and pulled his wife from Charles. “He’s here to help! He’s a Queen’s Butler and I’m sure his intentions are for her safety and nothing more.” Alexis’s turned to give Charles a harsh look. “Correct?”
“Oh absolutely.” Charles put his hands up, as if showing his innocence. “Ciel and I are a team, despite our difference. There is no greater urgency than retrieving Lizzy.”
Alexis seem to weigh his words for a moment before looking to Ciel slowly. “The Yard has had little success. There-there was no sign of a struggle of any kind. They believe he came through the window but they don’t know how he climbed up the side of the house.”
Ciel held back an amused grin as Frances yanked at Charles’ jacket and all but screamed in his face. Truce or no truce it was funny to see his mother-in-law to be all but ordering him from the property. Thankfully the Midford patriarch was a bit more levelheaded than his wife at the moment, and tense calm was regained around all of them.
It didn’t surprise Ciel that the Yard had had about as much success as his brainstorming with Charles had gone, the case in itself had giant gaps in it that didn’t add up any way they looked at it. Ciel listened to what Alexis reported back to them, nodding when appropriate.
That is what has been bothering me the most about this situation. Not necessarily the ‘why’, we can easily speculate reasons why Elizabeth was targeted, but it’s the 'how’ she was. Not to say that we thought that Elizabeth would need protection of a higher degree than normal, but this isn’t a manor you can simply walk into, whether you use the door or the window. It just isn’t done under normal circumstances. The only conclusion I can come to is these people either have more than enough experience with kidnapping, or they had some sort of extra assistance. What that assistance is, I’m not sure, but that’s the most logical reasoning I can come up with.
Easing Frances’ mind that Charles’ intentions regarding this mission were impure, the shorter Earl motioned between him and Charles to indicate they were both included in what he was about to say.
The both of us are heading into London as soon as possible to begin searching the city. Sebastian is working on a suspect list as we speak, and the Yard can continue what they’d doing. Did either of you plan on going somewhere during all this or are you staying here in case some news comes in?