Silence

Chapter 23

Adalina was doing her chores, minding her own business, when she was suddenly hit with a throbbing headache. Images flashed before her as she began to recall some of the events from her time at the manor. She remembered having to steal from people in order to survive. She remembered meeting Sebastian and his offer for her to work alongside him. She remembered working with Sebastian to scare off anyone who meant Ciel harm.

She remembered meeting the servants and the young master for the very first time...

Adalina and Sebastian entered through the servants' entrance of the manor.

The butler had taken off his tailcoat and put it around the young woman so as to help her regain a small shred of her modesty.

Adalina followed Sebastian nervously, a part of her still worried that this was all too good to be true and that something terrible was about to happen.

But her fears were never realized, and Sebastian remained the perfect gentleman.

"Miss, I'm afraid that we don't have any clothing available at the moment, so you will have to borrow one of the housemaid's dresses," he explained to her. "I'll see about getting you something more suitable to wear before the day is out."

"Sebastian!" Finnian wailed as he ran to the butler. "I'm so sorry! I know you told me to be careful, but-" He stopped and looked over at the woman. "Who is this?"

Sebastian smiled at the gardener, choosing to ignore his complaints for the time being and take care of them later. "This is our newest servant, Miss..."

Sebastian stopped when he realized that he had never gotten the young woman's name. He quickly retrieved a piece of paper and a pen and handed them to her.

With a shaking hand, Adalina messily wrote out her name.

Sebastian took the paper back from her. "This is Miss Adalina."

Finnian was confused about the exchange between them and why the woman hadn't just said her name, but he chose not to say anything and smiled broadly at her. "It's a pleasure to meet you!"

Adalina made no response, and Finnian wondered for a moment if he had said or done something wrong.

"Where's Mey-Rin?" Sebastian asked. "I am in need of her assistance."

"I'll go find her!" Finnian answered happily.

"Bring Bard with you as well."

Once Finnian had left the room, Sebastian turned to Adalina, sensing how scared and overwhelmed she was.

"Please do not worry," he told her. "It may seem like a bit much now, but you will warm up to them quickly, I assure you. Once we get you into something more appropriate, I will take you to meet the young master."

The other three servants entered the room.

"You needed us, Mr. Sebastian?" Mey-Rin asked excitedly.

Baldroy and Mey-Rin looked over at the young woman much in the same way Finnian had.

"Everyone, this is Adalina, our newest servant," Sebastian announced.

Adalina nervously bit her lip as they all stared at her for a moment.

Baldroy took a step towards her, and she subconsciously took a couple steps back away from him.

Realizing his mistake, Baldroy stopped. "Nice to meet ya."

Sebastian gently put one hand on her shoulder. "Mey-Rin, please help Adalina into one of your dresses until she can get some clothing and uniforms."