Hampton Courting

A Letter From the Queen

That damn Queen. Of course she would come back begging for my  help. Without a guard dog, one can feel quite vulnerable. I smile folding my hands together ontop of my desk. Even with the prior...Queen gone now, my name and power is still well-established with this new monarch.

"Do you know what this is Sebastian?" I ask tilting my head slightly to the side and gesturing to the opened letter.

"I do not know, young master," he replies pouring my tea.

I raise an eyebrow. He and I both know he knows. "It's a letter from the Queen. She needs my assistance at Hampton Court. Apparently, many men have died from "unnatural causes". It says there are rumours of ghosts being the cause of their deaths. Not a particularly difficult task, is it?"

I look up expecting a reply from my butler. Nothing comes from that demonic mouth. A frown forms on my own. I stand up and walk across the room, done speaking to a wall. Before I leave, I turn to face my butler.

"We'll leave for London in the morning." And with those simple words I leave him and my tea to head for my bedroom.

The manor is deadly silent besides my footfalls on the marble floor. The life seems to have left. Or perhaps it was always gone, but my new powers have awoken me to the dismal truth. The perfect silence is suddenly broken by the hushed whisper of my servants--chosen solely for my protection. They seem to not be needed now that I am already dead, but they do add some life to the manor. More importantly, they dismiss any of my visitors' thoughts on the peculiarity of this manor. One servant and one master for a huge mansion? Not quite as believable as five servants and one master to care for this large estate. 

Over my own cane tapping against the hard floor, I listen to the words. "The master sure doesn't act the same, does he? Whad'ya think happened to 'im?" "I don't know. Maybe it has something to do with that nice boy they visited. What was his name again?" "Sh! The master's comin'-- yes he is!"

I would never have heard these before...before I became a demon. Being a demon heightens all of your abilities apparently, even your senses. They then proceed to wave at me happily, painting false smiles onto their features. I continue walking, paying those idiots no mind. Indeed, they are idiots, but even as a demon, I cannot help but enjoy their company. I have not the faintest ideas why. Maybe it is their foolish ways or their blind happiness. Perhaps it is their loyalty--a loyalty that requires no contract. I stop walking and smile cruelly at nothing in particular. That is one of the ways those servants are very different from Sebastian. But is it in a good way? They can always betray me at any moment, "but I will never betray you". Those were his words long ago. A lot has changed since then. But he is the one thing that will always be the same. He will always be there. Always. That will be my constant. 

I continue walking to my room until I reach the door. It creaks as I open it, walking inside. I quietly close the door behind me as to not alarm anyone. Now...now I can truly act on my anger. I can let my fury loose on this whole damn situation. I throw my cane against the wall, shattering it into a thousand small splinters of wood. The wall has a large dent where my cane was flung against it--a feat only possible due to my demonic strength. Sebastian will be quite furious. 

A dry laugh escapes. Oh, as if he even cares. As if anyone cares. I am just a fucking demon to them all. To all of those damn fools. Good thing too, for it will make it all the while easier for me to feast on their souls. Oh, their souls. Those delicious, mouth-watering souls! How I just want to rip it out of their flesh and--

"Master, you are demonizing," a distant voice says, snapping back to sanity. I feel a weight on my shoulders. Like a hand. 

"Se-Sebastian?" I turn to find his calm face looking right at me. 

"You left your tea, sire. I personally believe it was too fine a brew to be wasted, don't you?" he says, setting the teacup on the table next to my bed.

I look around at the peeling wallpaper--most likely caused by my demonizing. Really, how foolish of me. "Very well," I whisper. "You can go now."

I hear the shuffle of fabric as he bows. "Of course, young master, but if I may say, it seems to be getting dark out. Perhaps it is time to prepare for bed?"

"Well aren't you a chatty one today?" I look back at him, returning his gaze. "Yes, I believe so," I pause. "Although I will get not a lick of sleep will I?" I move to the bed, sitting on the edge.

He does not respond just smiles slightly, unbuttoning my shirt so that I might change into my sleeping attire. 

I frown, "Do you find this amusing Sebastian?"

He face falls into a real smile, like the ones he used to show. "Forgive me, my lord. But I would never call your body amusing."

I blush slightly. "Oh shut up! You knew fully well what I meant."

He then sobers up, now buttoning my nightgown. "No master, I can assure, I do not find this funny."

After that statement, we both are quiet. "You hate me, yes?" I finally ask, breaking the peaceful quiet.

He is silent. 

"Answer me dammit! That's an order!" I shout into his hellishly beautiful face.

I hear a small sigh, so minuscule my old human body would not have heard a thing. But now I hear it.

He stands up. "No, master. It's the situation I despise." In a quiet voice he then murmurs, "I could never hate you, my lord." 

And then, he is gone.

Well, that's all for this chapter, but there shall be more! Thank you so much for reading. Since I am still a beginner writer, I would love any and all constructive criticism you might have to offer me!