Black Butler: The Stellar Dove

Chapter 4.1: The Manor

  I continued to rest in the guest room for a while, hoping that my memories would slowly begin coming back to me. Unfortunately, something told me regaining them would be harder than I thought.

I had asked myself every question I could think of. "Who are my parents?" "Where do I live?" "Where did I grow up?" "Who are my friends?" "What are my hobbies?" "What's my favorite color?" "What's my eye color?" "What does my face look like?"

The last two were easy to answer with the help of a mirror, but as for the other ones, I was lost. I sighed as I sat back on the bed heavily. "Two down, a million to go..." Judging by the sun outside the window, it was nearing evening. I decided to not torture myself with wracking my brain for memories any longer and do something else.

A walk sounded refreshing, so I slipped out of the room and stepped into the hall. I couldn't help but remind myself how rude it would be to just walk around someone else's house without permission, so I just stood timidly in the doorway, hoping someone would round the corner so I could ask. I looked up and down the hall, stepped back in, paced, looked out again, took a step out, felt guilty, went back in... until finally when I was about to go off on my own anyway, I stepped out only to meet face-to-face with the butler. In fact, I nearly bumped into him. I blushed when I saw his cold expression.

"It seems we have a bit of a habit of running into each other." Sebastian's frown melted. He spoke in a teasing tone as if I were a small child. "What has you peeking in and out into the hallway like a nervous kitten? Do you need something?"

"No, I just wanted to stretch my legs," I replied sheepishly as I bowed my head, a strand of golden-white hair falling over my shoulder. "Sorry. I knew it was rude to just walk around like I owned the place so I was debating and then I didn't see you there..."

"It's perfectly fine. I assume you're still feeling better?" Before I could even answer, he gently placed the back of his hand up against my head. He smiled a little. My blush grew even deeper. Was he just trying to make it worse!?

"Y-yes, I feel much better, actually." I looked away slightly as he pulled his hand back. "Oh, um, I want to thank you... for everything you've done for me, and what you continue to do. I know you're only acting on your master's order, but I appreciate it greatly. I'm pretty sure I would have been dead by now if it weren't for you. I feel like I owe you my life, really."

Surprise flickered in his dark reddish eyes. "It's no problem at all, my dear."

There was a slight awkward silence between us. I was scraping my mind for words, but I couldn't find anything to say to him. I just wanted to know him better. I wanted to spend time with him. I felt as if he was wearing some kind of a mask, and I was dying to know what could lie beneath it.

"Anyway, I see no problem with letting you explore the mansion for a bit, if you feel up to it. Of course, it is a rather large place. I'd feel better if you had an escort."

Just as my heart began to quicken again with hope, he turned his head down the hall towards a servant who happened to be approaching us.

"Finny," Sebastian called. The boy looked up and excitedly ran towards us. "I'd like for you to accompany Lady Estella and show her around the mansion."

"Uh, alright," he said with a halt and an eager nod. He wore light colored clothing along with a straw hat. My guess was the he was an outside worker or some sort.

"Thank you. I'd love to be the one to go with you, but I'm afraid I have to get to the kitchen to supervise Bard before he starts anything. I hope to see you again later." With that, Sebastian turned and continued down the hall. The last line was hard to read. Was he being sarcastic about it, or was that lingering annoyance in his tone from the comment he made about the cook? Nevertheless, I couldn't help but stare for a minute as I watched him leave.

"Hello, there!" the boy greeted me with a bright smile, his large blue eyes sparkling. "I'm so glad you're feeling better! We were all worried about you! Especially with how terrible you looked when you came here—uh, I mean, you looked pretty! Just... sick... I didn't mean—" His face was growing redder with every word.

I giggled. "It's fine. I'm sure I looked a mess."

After a quick awkward moment of looking down and scratching his head, he continued. "Anyway, my name's Finny! I take care of the gardens at the manor. And don't worry, I know this place by heart, so I won't get you lost!"

I couldn't help but return his bright smile and giggle. "It's very nice to meet you, Finny. My name's Estella. But I suppose you already knew that..." It was my turn to look down, placing a hand on my head. Finny laughed. "My mind seems be a bit scrambled by the fever, I guess. But, thanks to the Phantomhive household, I'm getting better."

"So, where do you wanna go first?" He asked, taking my hand playfully and pulling me down the hallway. "There's the gardens, the ballroom, oh! And we have this massive library!"

"The garden sounds nice," I replied as I was almost drug down the hall. "I've too much of a headache to read, and I'm too tired to dance, but I'd love some fresh air!"

"Great, that's my favorite place!"

He led me down some halls, passing doors and paintings, and more large rooms. The place was so massive, it was overwhelming, but he looked sure about where he was going. Finally, he led me down a staircase and out the back door to the courtyard.

"Here it is!" he exclaimed, letting me go at last.

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