Summary; It was a little obvious to the Phantomhive staff (especially Mey-Rin) that Sebastian and Aurora were having an affair of sorts. / Mey-Rin feels intimidated by Aurora's presence at first, but slowly befriends the other maid after a series of events.
Set; Season 2 (Before/After Book of Angels )- Book of Atlantic
Isn't It Obvious? / Competition
Finny had seen it one night. He'd gotten up for a glass of water, only to spot Sebastian and Aurora hand in hand on the back porch overlooking the garden. He'd stayed long enough to see them share a quick kiss, and see the loving look on the butler's face. He'd then spun on his heel to return to his own room before being spotted. By morning, he had convinced himself it was a dream. But he was not oblivious to the shared glances between the two during the day. When Aurora came out in her free time to help him in the garden, Sebastian came not long after to retrieve her, and had affectionately mentioned how a flower crown she had made looked lovely on her.
Aurora had giggled and blushed a bright red, a sharp contrast the the white roses. Sebastian had smiled flirtatiously at her before helping her to her feet. Aurora skipped off after him, and Finny glanced at them out of the corner of his eye to spot them link hands and Sebastian smile lovingly at her. Finny turned quickly back to his work, acting as if he hadn't seen anything. Even to him, it was blatantly obvious there was something going on.
Bardroy had noticed it almost immediately. Sebastian had been preparing dinner when Aurora poked her head in, soap covering her from head to toe. "Sebastian!" Sebastian's eyes were on her immediately. When Bardroy saw the blonde in suds, he expected Sebastian to glare at her and scold her like he would Mey-Rin. But instead, he was shocked to see the butler's lips turn upwards in a small smirk. "My. Haven't you gotten into some trouble. What happened this time, Aurora?" Bard's jaw dropped. The butler said it so- so casually! Almost as if he were amused by it! Bard's jaw would have fallen to the floor if it weren't attached to his skull when Aurora blushed a bit, walking into the room and wringing her hair out over the sink- Sebastian stopped what he was doing and moved instantly to help her pluck the suds from her hair.
Bard was even more surprised when he heard the butler chuckle, "Honestly, Aurora- how did you manage to get all this in your hair?" Aurora giggled, silver blue eyes shining with glee, "Mey-Rin might've accidentally used thirty cups of detergent again." Sebastian hummed, "And why didn't you stop her?" Aurora smirked, "Maybe I don't mind having you help me get soap out of my hair, Sebastian. And maybe I just like you doing the laundry more than Mey-Rin and I." Bard stared at them, awestruck. Had they just- forgotten he was right there?! Sebastian returned her smirk, and Bard could have sworn he saw the butler's eyes flash- though, maybe it was a trick of the light. Aurora took Sebastian by the hand with a sweet smile, Bard almost stopped to look at her. Aurora was a good looking lady- he wouldn't lie there, but she was already so close with Sebastian, especially after her amnesia had been mended. Bard sighed, watching them leave and shook his head. "They think we're all blind to the fact they're doin' it behind our backs?" He muttered quietly to himself.
Mey-Rin noticed when the group of them came back from the hospital after Pluto, the demon hound, had been killed. The Phantomhive staff had just returned after the creatures death, and were greeted by the butler practically swooning over the blonde maid.
Mey-Rin had just walked in with Finny and Bardroy, "Young master! Sebastian, Aurora! We're back!" They called. They heard a laugh and followed the sound to the back of the manor where they found Sebastian and Aurora playing with cats and having a picnic. But what was most shocking to them was the closeness of the two. Neither seemed to notice them, and Aurora was giggling like mad. And instead of the pair dressed in their usual butler and maid attire, they were dressed more casually. For low ranked nobles. Finny, Bard and Mey-Rin stared in shock.
Aurora looked up at Sebastian, a bright smile on her face. "We must do this more often, Sebastian." Sebastian smirked, "Do you not recall, mon ange? We did this all the time in our youth." Aurora leaned over and hummed, "My memory is still a little foggy, mon amie. But I am just grateful I am able to remember enough." Sebastian held her hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze. A smile graced his features as he looked at her with loving crimson red eyes. "I am glad your memory returned intact... Had it not... I am unsure what I would have done." His face fell in slight grief at the memory. Aurora frowned, and cupped his face. "I'm sorry." Sebastian shook his head, "It was not your fault. Do not blame yourself, Aurora." Aurora moved closer to him, a small black kitten climbing into her lap as she scooted over. "I caused you pain, mon cher. And I- I-" Sebastian cut her off, "You being captured and brainwashed was out of either of our controls. If anything, I should have fought harder to look for you."
Aurora sighed, caressing his face, "Sebastian... mon amie... you thought I was dead. I do not blame you for believing me long gone." She leaned forward to kiss him, only to have him put a finger up to her lips with a small smile and chuckle. His eyes shut in amusement as he chuckled quietly, "I fear if we do anymore right now my dear we might jeopardize ourselves." Aurora looked confused, "Huh?" Sebastian looked at her through lidded red eyes, "We have company." Aurora glanced out of the corner of her eye and noticed the Phantomhive staff. She jumped to her feet, holding the black kitten in her arms. "Oh! You've all returned!" The servants stared in shock, "Wha....?!?!" Sebastian smiled and stood, "Do forgive us for the scene," he said, wrapping an arm around Aurora. "You see- Aurora was suffering from an amnesia of sorts from her carriage accident-" Bardroy cut him off, "What's that got anythin' ta do with you both bein' all chummy?!" A tick mark appeared on Sebastian forehead as he narrowed his eyes at the chef, "I was getting to that." He said coldly. Aurora shook her head and smiled, linking her hand with Sebastian's. "Sebastian and I are childhood friends," she explained. "We grew up in the French countryside. His family was neighbor to mine before my father relocated us to Germany."
The staff looked confused, as did Sebastian himself for a brief moment before his lover elbowed him in the side. He nodded, "Yes, quite. I had suspected it was her from the very beginning, and I had intended to find her some way to bring her memory back, however-" He chuckled, "Aurora's clumsiness already saw to that." Aurora gasped and shoved him playfully, "I am not clumsy!" Sebastian smirked, "Oh you most certainly are." Aurora laughed, "Oh really? Who was the one who-" Sebastian cut her off and beginning ticking things off on his fingers, "Fell into the river, fell into the lake, tripped over her own shoe laces, knotted her hair so badly I was forced to cut it five inches, tripped into a boat, stumbled over her own feet while dancing the Viennese, and-" Aurora suddenly tackled him to the ground, "Shut up!" Sebastian let out a soft oof as she tackled him to the ground. Aurora looked down at him, her blonde tresses a cloak around their faces. Sebastian smirked up at her and murmured quietly so the servants couldn't hear, "You are certainly incorrigible, my angel." Aurora hummed and touched her nose to his briefly, "Yes, and you love it."
She sat back on her knees, now seated on the butler's lap. The demon reached out to ruffle her hair playfully, "I see with your memory your childlike persona has returned as well, darling." Aurora giggled, "And you've become a stick in the mud, Bastian!" She tapped him on the nose, "What happened to the boy who wanted nothing more than to play games by the river separating the properties every morning at dawn?" She smirked, "I clearly remember you sneaking over to my window and throwing pebbles, begging me to wake up and play games with you." Sebastian's cheeks reddened a bit and the servants snickered. Aurora smiled and pecked him on the nose when the servants weren't looking, "Je t'aime Sebastian." She muttered. Sebastian smiled and started to stand, taking Aurora with him. He looked back to the servants, "Well?" He said coolly, "Don't you all have work to do?" The three stooges immediately dashed off to their positions.
(From here takes place after Book of Angels)
Mey-Rin had gritted her teeth for a while. She would notice the couple share laughs, and on occasion witness a brief flirtatious moment between the two. She wasn't too thrilled initially, she loved Sebastian herself. And now Aurora was putting a damper on her future dream. Mey-Rin had been a bit cold to Aurora, jealousy becoming her ally for a while. Then there was the late nights. Mey-Rin had stayed up late one night, reading. She climbed out of bed and made her way to the kitchen, reading her book as she did. She heard voices in Sebastian's room and paused to listen. She could easily pick out the butler's voice, and then Aurora's. She heard the woman giggle and say something in French, Sebastian responded. When she spoke again in French, Sebastian sighed and spoke in English.
"You need to perfect English, Aurora. For you it cannot be that hard." Aurora hummed, "Must I, my love? I am perfectly tranquil with having you translate for me or merely copying your speech." Sebastian smiled, "While I do love translating for you, ma chérie, we cannot do that for everything." Aurora curled closer to the demon and looked up at him, "Why ever not? It keeps me near your side, and you near mine." She pouted then, "I don't want to be separated from you again. I don't even want to be ten feet away!"
Sebastian sighed and pulled her close, "Hush, mon ange, it will be fine. You can be away from me and if there is danger or you need it I will come to you. You know that." Aurora sighed, "But I'd much prefer to be near you." She looked up at him with somewhat sad eyes, "I spent several centuries away from you, Malphas. I don't want to be away from you for even a minute. Why else do you think I insist on spending the nights with you?" Sebastian sighed, "Angelica, love, I know your frightened, and very likely a bit traumatized from our time apart, but you need to adjust. You can't keep coming to me like I am a comfort blanket of sorts."
At the look of hurt in her eyes, he frowned. "Now you know I don't mean it like that. I just want you to get used to things." He took her by the shoulders. "You know we won't always be together, Aurora. The young master will-" Aurora cut him off, "But I am bound to Ciel just as much as you are! I am bound by oath as you are by contract!" Sebastian nodded, "Yes, but that doesn't mean he won't order me to do one thing and you another." He sighed, "Darling- I'm just worried about you. You understand that, don't you? I want you to feel safe on your own. I can't always be around you. Especially during contracts." Aurora sniffed, burying herself into his arms. "W-What will happen after this one? You'll be a free demon until you hunger again. Then what? I don't want to go back to the Silver City. I have nothing but bad memories there! And I can't return there! Even if my name for father's murder is cleared- I can't go back there I just can't." Sebastian held her close. "Hush, we'll find a way. Besides, we don't even know how long this contract will last. It could last a human lifetime, it could end tomorrow. Who's to say we don't have a few years to figure things out?" He kissed her, "Just let it rest, love. Do not worry about the matter until it truly matters. We'll find a way to make things work. You have my word."
Mey-Rin hadn't heard everything, but she'd heard bits and pieces. She felt a bit bad for Aurora, the poor girl stayed near her childhood friend out of fear. The maid quickly rushed back to her room, her hunger forgotten and went straight to sleep.
The next day, Mey-Rin spotted the pair outside, Aurora feeding the horses while Sebastian groomed the steeds. Aurora was humming a sweet melody and Sebastian glanced over at her, a loving look in his crimson red brown hues. The purple haired maid tensed. She liked Aurora, she did- but she was her competition. Mey-Rin had been attracted to the butler for some time. And now- his childhood friend- no, lover- appeared out of no where. Mey-Rin could easily see the couple was more than just friends. Either they currently were, or at least once were more than friends. She knew enough to know they were not affianced, no, she could clearly see there was a forbidden romance between them- if not now, at some point in the past.
She startled a bit when she saw the butler move towards the blonde and tug his arm around her waist. Aurora looked back at him with a small smile. Mey-Rin held her breath, watching as they gazed lovingly into each other's eyes. Aurora's silver blue eyes seemed to have a bright glow of sorts to them as she looked up at the butler. Sebastian pushed her hair back behind her ear before he murmured something. Aurora's eyes briefly widened but she nodded and flashed him a smile before leaving the stables. Mey-Rin went immediately back to her work.
It was the same night, Mey-Rin was walking through the halls after finishing up her work late when she heard soft laughter from the lounge. She poked her head in and saw the couple side by side on the love seat in the room. Aurora was curled into Sebastian's side as the butler held a glass of wine in one hand. Mey-Rin stared at them. The two were watching the fire, and murmuring quietly to each other.
Not to long before Mey-Rin had begun eavesdropping, the demon had marched into the lounge and collapsed into a chair with a disgruntled sigh. He put his head in his hand and massaged his temples to soothe his nerves. Aurora had walked over with a wine glass and offered it to him. He frowned, looking at her. She sat across from him, a matching glass at hand, except the liquid in her glass was white. "Here. You need this." Sebastian took the offered glass and held it to his nose and smirked at the scent,
"Morning Star Brand?"
Aurora nodded and took a sip of her own glass. Sebastian grinned, "How did you get this?" Aurora smirked, "My father may have been an arch, but because mother was a Fallen, she tended to stockpile some of her own liquor." Sebastian hummed, "Your father had good taste." Aurora smirked, "In women or liquor?" Sebastian smirked, "Judging on how you turned out? I'd wager both." Aurora smiled and took a sip of her own. She noticed him watching her and smiled, offering him the drink, "Want to try?" Sebastian shrugged, "Why not? What is it?" Aurora smiled as they traded wine. "Angeles Blanc. Father's favorite." Sebastian tasted it and shrugged, "Not bad. A little to pure for me." Aurora rolled her eyes playfully, "Too pure?" She shook her head and tried the blood red wine. Sebastian watched with crimson eyes as the dark red liquid disappeared behind his angel's lips. "Well?" Aurora rolled the flavor around in her mouth. "Not bad," she handed him back the wine as he gave her back her own white wine. "A little too... sinful." They shared a laugh and sat back. Sebastian flicked a hand towards the dying fire and used his demonic powers to reignite it, restoring it to it's ember coloured flaming glory. He smiled seductively at his angel and held out his free hand, taking hers in it. "I'm afraid our travel the world plans will have to be put on hold. Again." Aurora smiled sweetly at him, "Relax, Malphas. It's fine. I don't mind putting off our plans for a little longer." Sebastian frowned, "Darling, I've waited centuries to do this with you." Aurora smiled and squeezed his hand. "As have I, I'm sure we can still manage to work things out, after your contract expires."
Sebastian stood and set down his now empty wine glass. "Angel, the contract is complicated, at this point- especially with his memory issues now, I am not sure how long it will take." Aurora frowned and walked over to him, and took his hands. They stood before the fire, the flames flickering in the reflections of their eyes. "That may be so," she said, "But one day he'll die just like all humans and release you from your ties." Sebastian rested his forehead against hers. "Angelica," he groaned, "That won't be for at least a few years. And I don't want to wait that long to go on our trip." Aurora leaned into him and looked up as she leaned against his chest. "Then we work together. You are bound by the contract as I am by oath. Either way, we'll have all eternity together." Sebastian smiled and pulled his arms around her waist, tugging her to his chest. "Angelica, my love, have I ever told how brilliant you can be?" Aurora smirked, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him down towards her. "You could show me instead." The demon kissed her and backed her into the chaise in the room, gently pushing her down onto it and was just starting to undo his shirt when he heard the soft footfalls. He growled and glanced up to see Mey-Rin, staring at them with a look of utter shock.
The purple haired maid had leaned forward to listen, only to have her foot creak against the floor. Both the butler and the other maid's eyes shot up to look at her. Sebastian looked annoyed, maybe even pissed off, and Aurora looked embarrassed and was blushing several shades of red. Aurora sat up, distancing herself from Sebastian. Sebastian narrowed his eyes at Mey-Rin, who was shaking with nervousness. He needed only one look at her to know the maid had seen and heard possibly everything. Aurora would need to alter her memory. Sebastian glanced at the angel. "Aurora." Aurora looked at him, the knowing and commanding glare he gave her made her gulp. "Sebastian, I can't just-" Mey-Rin cut her off and spun on her heel. "My lips are sealed, yes they are! I saw nothing!" The couple stared after her in shock as she left. Sebastian growled then, "I didn't sense her presence." Aurora shook her head, "Neither did I..." Sebastian hissed, "Why- how does this happen every time I am around you?" He narrowed his eyes at the angel, "You aren't using some angelic magic on me to dull my senses are you?!" Aurora recoiled as though she'd been slapped. "What?! No! Of course not! You know I would never-" Sebastian stood then, glaring at her, "You did, didn't you?" Aurora stood and grabbed his arm, "Sebastian stop it! I would never do anything to hurt you!" Sebastian glared down at her, and Aurora held onto him tightly, looking hopeful. "Sebastian... Malphas... mon amie... mon cher, I would never ever hurt you. I am not doing anything to dull your senses." She smiled and cupped his face, her fingers cool pressed against his hot skin. "I swear to you. If I ever did such a thing purposefully, I would not be me." She stood on her toes to kiss his cheek. "You know that... Don't you?" Sebastian stared down at her, his jaw slightly open. He didn't know how to respond. She was a brilliant liar. He loved her, dearly. He had given her attention, had tried to shrug off the betrayal in the Silver City, but he could not handle it anymore. He had to let her go. He stepped away from her. "No." He said coldly, watching as her eyes widened in horror. "No I do not." She watched him turn his back on her and leave the room. As he did, he felt his demonic aspects shifting within him. He felt the despair of the angel he left behind, and he almost felt a little guilty about it, but he did not. He could almost hear his now ex lover's heart break behind him. He had tried, he truly had. Perhaps she would confess to her betrayal and beg for his forgiveness, then he could have forgiven her for her deceit. But this, on top her locking lips with that other angel- he could not forgive. His demonic powers strengthened the further he got from the angel wallowing in despair. He smiled, feeling the darkness of his powers engulf him like a warm cloak, wrapping him within it's depths. He heard Aurora's faint cries as he returned to his room. He sat at his desk, and relaxed. Waiting for the dawn.
When the day came that Sebastian and Aurora left with Ciel for the town house for another case, Mey-Rin was not at all blind to the sadness in the blonde woman's eyes. Silver blue darkening to a dark, bleak, gray. Aurora had stopped Sebastian briefly, and the three servants overheard the followed argument.
"What is your problem, Sebastian?" Aurora demanded, following the butler as he packed the young master's belongings and brought them to the carriage. Sebastian hummed, "I am not sure what you mean, Miss Magné." Aurora snarled, "You know that's a lie! Why do you lie!" Sebastian sighed, "Honestly, you are most incorrigible." Aurora huffed, "You used to think that wasn't such a bad thing." Sebastian sighed, "On the contrary, Aurora, I think it needs to be eliminated if you are to continue working here." There was a gasp from the eavesdropping servants. Sebastian's burgundy brown gaze snapped to them. "What are the lot of you doing?" He asked coldly, "Get to work!"
Mey-Rin wasn't sure if she was happy or upset. Yes, Sebastian and Aurora being in a fight meant Sebastian might be hers under the right circumstances, but at the same time she pitied the blonde who looked absolutely and utterly heartbroken. When the three finally returned, she was a bit dismayed- even worried when she saw them exit the carriage. The young master climbed out, a worried look on his face. That worried look made Bardroy, Finnian, and Mey-Rin stop in their tracks. Sebastian stepped out of the carriage with a sleeping- or rather, unconscious Aurora in his arms. The butler had his tailcoat draped around her shoulders. The butler had a worried look on his face, and he walked briskly into the mansion to lay the blonde to sleep. "What's happened to Miss Aurora?" Finny asked worriedly. Ciel glanced over, a flicker of sorrow in his cold blue eye. "She is unwell. She came down with something while we were working. I would advise not going near her until she is well. We don't know if it's contagious."
The young master walked up the stairs, presumably to his bed chambers, while the three servants stood in silence for a bit before retiring to their own rooms. Mey-Rin stayed awake. She was contemplating. She had seen the way Sebastian looked at Aurora, worry in his eyes- most would pass that off as concern for his childhood friend, but Mey-Rin knew better. That was a look of grief for a lost lover. The purple haired maiden had read many, many books- despite her terrible eyesight. She knew that within his dark heart, the butler was worried. Very, very worried. She sighed, leaning back against her pillow. Sebastian Michaelis was a very, very, handsome man. He reminded her of the man in one of her favorite books, The Mysteries of Verbena House. The novel had been published about maybe ten years ago, but Mey-Rin adored it all the same. She heard the sound of something breaking and she grabbed one of her trusty guns and started outside her room. Her brown eyes went from one end of the hall to the other as she moved slowly forward. She turned the corner to the kitchen, only to find Sebastian Michaelis, glaring at a fallen pot of stew. His crimson gaze moved to the purple haired maid as he heard her gun's safety click. As her gaze settled on him, she holstered her weapon immediate and wiped her eyes.
"Sebastian? What are you doing up at this hour?"
The butler did not answer, and instead pretended he hadn't heard her- actually, Mey-Rin wasn't even sure if he had heard her as he turned back to preparing some sort of food. Mey-Rin sighed and grabbed the mop, setting to clean the mess on the floor. When she had finished, the butler was leaning over the sink, apron tied messily around his waist and his head hung low. He was shaking a bit, Mey-Rin noticed. She walked over, slowly, in order to not alarm him. "Sebastian? Are you alright?" The butler- in an out of character moment, held back a loud sob. He felt the shame rising in him as he broke down in front of this human. "I- She-" He tried to fight it- but the angelic side of him that understood emotions got the better of him, and he succumbed to the guilt burning in his body. "If I had not... She would be..." He gritted his teeth. Damn it, Malphas, he thought, you're a demon- not an angel, not a reaper, not a human. You feel nothing. You feel no emotion, you know no emotion- so why are you crying now? Sebastian felt the tears running down his face, burning his skin. Mey-Rin rubbed his shoulder comfortingly, Sebastian wanted so badly to rip her to shreds- his demonic instincts prompting him to do so, but the will of the contract overpowering the instinct. He knew the human adored him- in a way far to similar to the way his angel loved him. His angel... Would she even be his anymore? He closed his eyes, forcing his body to relax. He knew well what had happened now. She was Falling. And a half breed angel like her.... He feared she might not make it. He feared if she did, it would change her so drastically he wouldn't be able to recognize her. He feared the change she went through would turn her into a Demon Angel like creature that would try and harm the young master, which would leave him no choice but to... He didn't even want to think about it.
Mey-Rin stood beside him, trying to console him through his silent breakdown. His body hiccupped almost, but no sound escaped him. The maid took a deep breath before she hugged him, making his hiccups stop in surprise. He hadn't expected her to embrace him. Mey-Rin's feelings for him did not leave her in that moment. But they did change. She would always, always love the demon butler of the Phantomhive house hold, but she would be there now, as a friend and confidant. There for him to call upon whenever he needed her. Whilst Sebastian himself may have been thousands of years older than her, Mey-Rin would become almost of a sister to him. Even if he never dared to admit it.
A few days passed. Aurora finally woke up. Mey-Rin heard her coughing and opened the door. Sebastian came in shortly after her, having just arrived back from the workhouse where he and Ciel went. Mey-Rin watched his eyes widen with delight, and he rushed forward. "Aurora!" The blonde glanced at Mey-Rin, barely acknowledging the butler. "Mey-Rin... would you leave us alone... Please?" Mey-Rin nodded and left, shutting the door behind her.
"Why did you do it?" Aurora asked coldly. "You know what happens when-" Sebastian cut her off. "I'm sorry." Aurora gasped then sniffed, "your sorry? Sorry? Sebastian- sorry doesn't cut it! You've ruined my life! You've ruined everything!" The angel glared at him. "You know I wanted to be nothing like my mother- I wanted to stay an angel! I wasn't ready to fall yet! You knew that!" Tears streamed down her face and she hastily wiped them away. "You lied to me, Malphas." Sebastian flinched, "It wasn't my intention to turn you into a Fallen. If you have someone to blame then blame Ciel. When he gives the order I cannot disobey." Aurora suddenly chucked a tea cup on the bedside table at him, the cup shattered at his feet. "If your going to pin the blame on someone else then just go away!" The angel snapped. Aurora sniffed and curled back into her bed. "Angelica..." Sebastian tried, starting towards her. "No." Aurora said softly, "Just- just go and- go and die or something. I don't care what you do. I don't want to see you anymore." Sebastian felt the feelings of regret and guilt stirring within him, and something else. He felt like his little black heart had been shattered, and the angel who had done so merely stomped on the remains, grinding them to a fine dust. Sebastian heard her soft cries, and slowly bent down, cleaned the broken tea cup, and left the room without another word.
Mey-Rin came running back as she heard the tea cup shatter. She paused as she watched Sebastian stalk past her without a word. When he turned the corner, Mey-Rin walked over and knocked on the door. She heard the strained and tear filled voice of Aurora on the other side.
"Go away, Sebastian..."
Mey-Rin slowly opened the door, "It's just me, Aurora." The purple haired maid watched the other slowly sat up, wiping her eyes. Mey-Rin walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. "Do you want to talk about it?" She asked with a kind smile. Aurora sniffled, averting her gaze. "You... You wouldn't understand." Mey-Rin hummed, "Maybe, maybe not. But I can always listen." Aurora smiled and nodded, "Alright..."
Mey-Rin befriended the blonde rather quickly, and her jealousy ceased as well. When it came to Sebastian's apparent death, she had gone into Aurora's room with her and cried with her. The blonde's sobs lasted all through the night, and didn't cease until the early hours of morning.
"I never got to tell him how sorry I was!"
The blonde cried, tears streaming down her face and her eyes a dark and dull grey. Mey-Rin held her close, and hushed her. Tears spilled from her own eyes, Sebastian was dead. Gone. He was never coming back.
The following day, Mey-Rin remained in Aurora's company. The blonde woman was disheveled to say the least, and her only reason for living now was the safety of the young master. Mey-Rin saw that clearly. The purple haired woman saw the way the blonde looked at the young earl. Like he was her own son. Since Aurora had joined the ranks of the Phantomhive staff (er rather family as the three servants had dubbed it), the young master had taken on a bit more of a childlike persona, acting more his age, rather than that of an adult at times. Even now, with the death of his beloved butler, he maintained the duo personas, of an Earl and a child.
When Jeremy Rathbourne arrived, Mey-Rin had her suspicions. The man looked quite similar to Sebastian- if the butler were much older and had a deeper, more raspy voice. Aurora however, was too lost in her own grief to notice the similarities. Aurora wasn't even able to finish the evenings dinner, bursting into tears midway and sobbing about her lost lover. Mey-Rin had gently ushered her away, and she noticed Jeremy glance over in slight concern or question. Bardroy explained the situation of her grief, and then went straight back to work. Mey-Rin's suspicions of the Vigor were near confirmed when she saw the longing look he gave the grieving blonde maid.
A couple days later, Aurora seemed to brighten up, then- as if she had to be reminded of Sebastian's death, would wallow in depression. She would retire to her room earlier than usual, and Mey-Rin was walking over to console her only to hear the bed springs bouncing and then Sebastian himself on the other side of the door. She had of course, blushed and turned the other way. But this only confirmed her theory that Sebastian was indeed alive. Nevertheless, she acted surprised when he sat up in his grave. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Aurora walk over and offered a hand out to the butler, murmuring something about being happy to see him alive, when he suddenly grasped her hand and pulled her into the coffin with him, sending asphodels all around them. Mey-Rin knew in that moment, these two were indeed made for each other. The feeling of competition, faded once more.
When the couple accompanied the young master, Sebastian's arm had pulled around the blonde's waist, helping her up to the boat, a smile on the butler's face as he held her in one arm. When she went back to the manor with the other servants, Bard mentioned how Sebastian had bought something on his day off a few days prior. The butler had seemed rather happy, and the cook mentioned the unspoken declaration of love he had seen in the hall when the butler arrived back. Aurora had playfully scolded him about walking in all wet, and had taken his coat. Not long after, Sebastian had been in the kitchen when he suddenly cursed to himself and rushed off to fetch his coat from Aurora. Bard hadn't seen him for the rest of the night. The three of them now took bets while Tanaka chuckled in the background. "Ho, ho, ho..."
The day they all returned, Mey-Rin was incredibly worried to see Sebastian looking helpless as Aurora helped him up the stairs to the mansion and to a guest bed room. it had shocked her a bit when the master requested she and Tanaka move some of the couple's things into the bedroom. That was when Mey-Rin saw the blue diamond on Aurora's ring finger. He had proposed.
The day of the wedding, Mey-Rin smiled as she watched Aurora walk down the aisle. The blonde woman looked at peace, happy, and the love for the butler shone in her eyes brightly. The butler himself, looked happier than anyone had ever seen him. And as the couple sealed their vows, Mey-Rin's thoughts of competition completely faded away into nothingness. She accepted that Sebastian would never be hers, but he now belonged to a close friend of hers, someone who she might even call her little sister. And that was enough to keep Mey-Rin satisfied.
Translations;
mon ange / my angel
mon amie / my friend
ma chérie / my darling