That Butler: Caring?

Chapter 26.

With a solemn expression, Ciel stepped into the waiting carriage while Sebastian stood by the door, giving instructions to the other servants.
"You are to guard the manor with your lives until the Master and I return. I do not want to come back to chaos and destruction, am I understood?"
"Yes, Sebastian!"
The confirmation came flying immediately from three sets of lips, and the demon nodded.
"Good."
With that final word he entered the carriage with his master, and the trio waved them off with enthusiasm. None of them knew where the pair were off to nor when they would return, but they knew better than to pry.

*****

The carriage stopped along a small, winding country lane bordered by tall hedgerows and fields of wheat and barley as far as the eye could see. There was seemingly no end to the road, but Sebastian said otherwise.
“Come. We are almost there, but I am afraid we must walk for the last part of the journey."
Sebastian took the Earl's hand as he exited the carriage, and Ciel didn't even bother to protest. He simply followed his faithful butler as he led him through a gap in the hedge and off along the edge of a field.
"You've been awfully quiet, Ciel..."
Murmured the demon, but the teenage Earl merely kept his gaze level with a blank expression. Their hands were still in contact, but Ciel's simply rested loosely on the raven haired male's slender fingers. He gave the boy's hand a gentle squeeze in an attempt to comfort him.
"Come. It will be done soon."
After that Sebastian fell silent, unable to get anything out of his master. The pair walked without talking for some time before a forest became visible up ahead.

*****

Stepping under the twisted and ancient branches, Ciel barely blinked as the bright spring sunshine became dappled and painted pale green by the new leaves. He tried his best not to drag his feet, and simply walked a step or two behind Sebastian with his eyes glazed and staring into the middle distance. Anyone who didn't know him would have said he looked depressed, but his butler knew better. The boy, mature though he was, couldn't help the growing feeling of apprehension seated deep within the pit of his stomach. Every now and again he would begin to wonder if he had indeed made the right decision in agreeing to this, but he would quickly push those thoughts back and carry on walking. Every now and again, the raven-haired male would glance down at his master to see if he was alright, but the Earl's expression didn't change.

*****

The sound of trickling water started to float towards the pair, mingling with the sweet birdsong and rustling of the leaves.
"We're almost there." murmured Sebastian, keeping his eye on the trail ahead. Ciel declined to say anything even at this point, and his butler was beginning to grow a little concerned.

After a few more minutes at a slow pace, they reached a gurgling brook that wove up through a thicket.
"Come. The trail is thinner here and I don't want your clothes to snag." Ciel didn't protest as Sebastian scooped him up off of his feet, and just sat limp in the tall demon's arms while he was carried up a low embankment.

Atop the knoll and at the end of the stream there lay a pool. It was deep and clear as crystal, with white foam at one end where a small waterfall filled it with fresh water. Walking around the outside of the pool, Sebastian set his master down on a dry boulder that jutted out from the earth. It was smooth and warm to the touch and looked older than the forest itself.

"You haven't said a word since In woke you this morning." the demon said quietly, placing a gentle hand on the sixteen year old Earl's shoulder. When he didn't respond Sebastian sighed softly. "I don't want to force you into this, Ciel. It's not too late to change your mind." his voice dropped to almost a whisper, but even then the boy remained silent and blank as a grey winter sky.

"Ciel... I can't really offer any words of comfort as I don't know what this will be like for you... I hope you can forgive me should I cause you any pain."
With an almost pleading expression Sebastian knelt down to meet Ciel's distant gaze, hoping to drag at least a few words of confirmation out of him.

Instead of opening his mouth Ciel merely nodded once, not allowing his eyes to shift for a moment. Knowing that was all he could hope for Sebastian reached up and gently removed the eyepatch that covered the boy's right eye, uncovering that beautiful violet orb that bore the mark of their contract. As Sebastian leant forwards Ciel thought he saw the last three years of his life rush past him in the blink of an eye, and he dropped his head as his eyelids grew heavy and drifted closed.