Aftermath

 It’s been a week and that damn demon still won’t let me see Astre and Cecilia...Kei, we have to kill him.” 

“C-Ciel, wait! We don’t even know if demons can even die i mean don’t you think-”

“Why do you insist on going against me? Are you siding with that thing?” 

“O-O-Of course not! I-It’s just that he’s my sister’s husband so i feel bad-” 

“I understand your feelings, Kei, but know that he probably has your sister under his control too. We’ve got to get rid of him to protect your sister and my brother.” 

“Y-Yes....Understood...”

“It looks like we’ll have to sneak into Astre and Cecilia’s room while he’s distracted. Hm.....I think Astre is in mother and father’s room now and Cecilia is where our room used to be...”

-MEANWHILE-

“Has Ast-I mean Ciel, really been in bed for a week?”

“Yes. Unfortunately, the shock of knowing his twin was alive has sent his body into a sickly state and his asthma has returned again.” 

“What about Cecilia?”

“The shock has left her very emotionally fragile at the moment so master and i both agreed she should stay in bed and relax her mind.”

“I just still can’t believe that the Ciel we’ve known this entire time isn’t even named Ciel AND has a twin brother....Should i be worried? This kid did say he wants to kill you and all.” 

“Stella, my dear, i can assure you that nothing bad is going to happen. Besides, plenty of people wish to kill me and i am still here and most of your sisters hate me already.”

“Yeah....Maybe I’m just being silly...”

“I am sorry, my dear, but i must tend to master right now.” 

“Alright, i should go pick up Violet from school anyway. 

“This is our chance, Kei! Distract Stella so she won’t go tell that demon I’m going to try to check on Astre.” 

“Yes sir.” 

“O-Oh, h-hey Stella!”

“What the hell do you want, Kei?” 

“Oh um....S-Still mad about everything...?” 

“Yeah, pretty damn pissed.” 

“I get that everyone except Skylar, Helen and Karen hate my husband but you didn’t have to pretend to be nice to him then vow to help kill him.” 

“It’s not that at all! I do like Sebastian, he’s really nice and completely perfect for you!”

“It’s just....I love Ciel as if he were my own son. You told me once that you’d do anything for Violet, Mason or Noir right?”

“I wouldn’t kill my sister’s husband for them!! That’s a completely different thing, Kei!” 

“Whatever....I’ve gotta go pick up Violet.” 

“S-Stella! Wait!”

“Talk to me again when it’s the next century, so i can forget about you.”

-MEANWHILE-

“Sebastian, are u sure that my brother was really dead on that day?” I mean....He wasn’t moving and he looked like he stopped breathing.” 

“Yes, sir. I felt his essence slipping away and I did not feel a pulse coming from him. Though...it could be very possible that perhaps he did die in that moment but fought so hard to stay alive that he jumped his body back to life after we left that room.” 

*sighs* “I’m happy that Ciel’s alive but....What the hell am i gonna do? Will all the work I’ve done since we made our contract just disappear?” 

“Sir, i would not worry about it. As your butler, it is my duty to protect you and help keep your position of power by any means.” 

“We have dealt with much worse anyway. Angels, the Trancy family, demons, witches, reapers - all this pales in comparison to your brother’s return. I told you that even though our contract is completed, i will serve you until the end.” 

“He wants to kill you though. This isn’t like Alois or Claude who want to kill you but can’t because they’re stupid idiots, this is Ciel. I know he wants to take all this power away from me because he thinks I’m not strong enough to have it.” 

“I assure you, sir, every device that could kill a demon has been destroyed over thousands of years. The only known device to kill a demon is the demon sword. As you know, Alois’ maid is the only person allowed to to carry the sword and she disappeared centuries ago along with the sword.” 

“Any idea why? Isn’t she the one who loved Alois or something because his brother’s soul corrupted her?” 

“Yes. It is presumed that Alois’ rejection over all these years has caused her to end herself or just put herself in a eternal sleep. Since that is the case, the sword is also lost forever.” 

“Good. I can’t have you dying on me, you aren’t allowed to die. I guess for now we’ll just try to think of a way to deal with Ciel and keep my title.” 

“Yes, master.”

“That disgusting demon how dare he continue to corrupt my brother-” 

“Sir, we’ve got to get out of this room now!” 

“No, let me go! I could’ve killed him there!”

-LATER- 

“I could’ve killed him there. I mean, i heard that it appears only certain items can kill a demon, but I’m guessing i could since he’s in a human form right?” 

“Sir, you said yourself that your father was against revenge right? I mean, maybe Astre sees him as a father! You view me as a mother, right?” 

“My only mother was Rachel Phantomhive and she’s dead.” 

“O-Oh...”

“You’re saying to me that you don’t think it’s weird that Astre randomly decided to be me and think he has what it takes to be the head of Phantomhive?” 

“I-I-I mean-! People change all the time! I know Skylar changed a lot since when we first met and-” 

“No....You don’t get it, Astre and i promised each other that we would do everything together. Even as kids we promised to be together-”

“Someday i want to be strong like you and father, Ciel! That’s why i want to open a toy shop in London.” 

“Y-You a-already make me feel proud and stuff...W-Why do you want to leave me all alone?” *sniffles, crying*

“I was reborn that day, i became strong and confident like you are! I named myself Ciel that day because I knew that was the name of the strongest person i know, and guess what? I AM Ciel Phantomhive! I pulled myself together and pushed myself to become better than you and father!”

“No. Astre isn’t strong enough to be Earl of Phantomhive and he knows this. He’d never...” 

“I didn’t wanna mention this, sir, but.....Astre’s contract with Sebastian ended over a hundred years ago.” 

“I overheard them. Why the hell hasn’t he eaten him yet!? Demons eat the very minute you mention food.” 

“I....I don’t know. Maybe he cares for Astre!” 

“Don’t be ridiculous, Kei. Demons don’t care for humans. Me and Astre would’ve had our innocence spared if someone who cared knew what was happening to us.”

“Something is going on here, and i don’t knew what...We’ll have to remain nice and continue our research.” 

TO BE CONTINUED