Chapter Text
It was time for afternoon tea. Estell sat at the table beneath her parasol. Her chin was propped against her hand, staring blankly at her teacup. Dorion stood in attention from right behind her, and Ciel sat across from her. She let out a tired sigh.
“You’re restless,” Ciel observed.
“I am bored,” Estell admitted. “I need something new to read, or I shall wither from this lack of stimulation.”
She perked up instantly. “Perhaps Dorion and I could visit the town bookstalls? A little venture would be refreshing. Town air is good for the spirit, after all~”
Ciel took a sip from his teacup and placed it down. He let her suggestion hang in the air for a moment.
If those two wander the streets together… and some idiot provokes her, Dorion would snap their spine in half at her word without a moment’s hesitation.
After weighing the risks, he shook his head.
“No. Dorion should go alone.”
The air chilled instantly. Estell’s smile froze and her voice dropped several degrees.
“…Pardon?”
“A servant should be able to carry out errands without being coddled. Or…” Ciel smirked, “Is your servant incapable of even that?”
Her fingers lifted.
“Dorion.”
Ciel’s pulse spiked. For a split second, he was certain she would say Attack. He braced himself. Instead…
“Relax.”
Snap.
Ciel’s tension eased in tandem with Dorion returning to his passive stance.
Estell noticed Ciel’s fear immediately. Her lips curled into a tiny, victorious smirk. A smirk that read:
Good. You are afraid when I raise my hand.
Then she turned to Dorion and asked him, “Well, Dorion? What do you think?”
Surely he will cling to her like a lost puppy, Ciel thought.
“No… He’s right,” Dorion said softly. “I-I should learn to be useful to you even on my own. If I can’t do something as simple as this…”
Ciel was surprised at Dorion’s response.
Well now, I suppose he DOES have a mind of his own…
“There you see?” Ciel said smugly, leaning back in his chair. “Even HE entertains the idea.”
“Is this truly what you want, Dorion?” Estell pressed. “You do not have to win his approval, you know…”
“Yes… This is what I want.”
Estell analyzed him hard, reading his body language for any instance of him lying to her. When she found none, she smiled and softly clapped her hands together.
“Very well! I suppose the experience will be good for you!”
Estell then handed him a pouch of coins.
Dorion bowed repeatedly. “T-thank you! I’ll be back before you know it!”
Before he walked off, she grabbed the cuff of his sleeve.
“Dorion…”
“Y-yes my lady?”
“Please… Return safely. That is my order.”
“You have my word!”
Dorion walked stiffly down the path toward the gate of the manor, each step more nervous than the last. He stopped right at the edge of the gate and glanced back at her. There she was, giving him an encouraging wave. Reassured, he waved back and continued on.
Dorion was far away, so he could not see it, but up close, Ciel could. As she waved, her fingers were trembling.
Alright then, Ciel thought as he folded his hands. Let’s see how he fares alone.