The Demon's Little Angel [Black Butler Fanfic]

Ch. 13 Kidnapped

The moon hung high over Phantomhive Manor as the carriage returned, wheels crunching gently on the gravel path. Baldroy and Finny halted the horses, and the great doors creaked open. Ciel and Sebastian stood in the entryway, waiting.

Sebastian descended the stone steps and opened the carriage door with a graceful bow.

"Evening, ladies. How was your time in town?" he asked, offering his hand.

Mey-Rin stepped out, Vladimir cradled in her arms, and Elaine followed, eyes still bright from their adventure.

"We had so much fun!" Elaine beamed. "We ate lots of yummy food and bought so many pretty clothes." She held her small hands behind her back and grinned. "And I got you and Ciel something too!"

"That is sweet of you," Sebastian smiled, his gaze softening.

Elaine's eyes lit up as she spotted her brother. She ran up the stairs, arms outstretched. "Ciel!"

Ciel easily caught her, his expression relaxing as she hugged him tightly.

"Hello, Elaine. I'm glad you made it home safely," he said, embracing her back.

Elaine looked up at him. "I told Sebastian I got you a gift!"

"I look forward to seeing it," Ciel replied faintly.

Behind them, Tanaka began handing down bags. Finny and Sebastian efficiently carried them, but Baldroy grunted and staggered, clearly regretting every dress Elaine and Mey-Rin had bought.

"Did you buy the entire town?" Ciel teased.

"Nooo!" Elaine shook her head. "Some are mine, some are Mey-Rin's, and some are for you and Sebastian!"

"I see," he said dryly. "You must be hungry. Sebastian has prepared a feast."

Elaine's eyes sparkled. "Yay!"

She grabbed Ciel's hand, and together, they entered the Manor, with Mey-Rin, Vladimir, and Tanaka following close behind.

In the dining room, Ciel pulled out a chair for Elaine.

"Such a gentleman," she giggled as he helped her sit.

Ciel took his place at the head of the table. Elaine kicked her legs beneath the seat, humming.

"How was your meeting?"

"Tolerable," Ciel responded. "Aunt Angelina visited earlier."

Elaine gasped. "And you didn't tell her to stay?! I miss her!" She pouted adorably.

"I asked her. She said she was busy. But she told me to say hello—and that she misses you too." He reached across the table and patted her head gently.

Elaine's pout faded into a warm smile. Footsteps echoed, and the servants entered with steaming trays. A familiar purring sound reached Ciel's ears as plates were set before them.

His eye twitched.

"Shoo," he muttered, nudging Vladimir with his foot.

The cat flopped onto his belly and pawed at Ciel's foot stubbornly.

Sebastian chuckled softly. "Dinner is served."

Elaine clapped. "Thank you!" she dug in happily.

Everyone joined, laughter and chatter filling the room like a comforting melody.

Half an hour later, with stomachs full and eyes drooping, Elaine yawned, rubbing her eyes.

"Looks like someone's ready for bed," Mey-Rin smiled and picked her up.

Elaine waved sleepily. "Night, night."

"Good night, Elaine," Ciel said gently, watching her disappear upstairs with Mey-Rin and Vladimir trotting after them.

In the bedroom, Vladimir jumped onto the bed and curled up in the blankets. Mey-Rin helped Elaine out of her clothes and into her lavender nightgown.

"Arms up!" she grinned, slipping the gown over Elaine's head.

Elaine giggled. "Can you read to us?"

"Of course." Mey-Rin fetched a storybook while Elaine climbed into bed and tucked the mirror Aiden had given her under the pillow.

"Here!" she handed the book to Mey-Rin. "Heidi!"

"Adorable choice," Mey-Rin said, sitting beside her.

As the soft cadence of Mey-Rin's voice filled the room, Elaine yawned and drifted off, Vladimir snoozing at her side.

Mey-Rin kissed her forehead and whispered, "Sweet dreams, my Lady," before leaving quietly.

Unbeknownst to them, shadowed figures approached the Manor's walls.

A group of masked men had been given a singular order: capture Ciel Phantomhive.

Two figures crept along the east wing. One hurled a grappling hook onto the roof's edge. The rope caught, and the men climbed swiftly, slipping through a second-story window.

Inside the room, Vladimir's eyes snapped open.

He hissed.

"Shit. A cat."

"Deal with it. We can't have it waking the target," one whispered.

One crept to the bed and placed tape over Elaine's mouth.

Her eyes snapped open in terror.

Vladimir leaped with a violent hiss, claws unsheathed—but a hand caught him midair.

"Little bastard—" the intruder slapped tape over Vladimir's mouth and shoved him into a sack.

Elaine kicked and thrashed, muffled screams vibrating through the room.

"He's fighting—hurry!"

Another sack was opened. Elaine was shoved in beside Vladimir.

"Let's go."

The man slung the sack over his shoulder and climbed out the window. His partner followed and caught the sack below.

Inside the Manor, Ciel stood at the parlor dartboard, taking calm aim. Sebastian stood nearby, watching.

Thud. Bullseye.

"You've improved," Sebastian noted.

Ciel smirked. "As expected."

But his eye narrowed slightly.

Something... felt off.

Outside, the masked men ran toward their getaway carriage with the sack—unaware they had taken the wrong Phantomhive.

They hadn't kidnapped the Head to the estate...

They had taken his sister.

And once the storm hit, they would come to regret it.