PP12: *throws confetti and streamers everywhere*

PRAISE THE LORD FOR I HAVE FINALLY UPDATED!

That's right, the hiatus is now over and I am now back on track to writing this story! I'm so very sorry for keeping you guys waiting for like, how long has it been now, three months? Possibly more? *kneels apologetically and over dramatically* I'M SORRY MY LOVELIES! I'm such a lazy bum I know...please forgive me...

Okay then! Chapter 8 here we goooooo!

"Oi! What's going on out there, Sebastian?" Ciel's voice called from the dining room. Sebastian hardly flinched, however if he wasn't playing the role of prim and proper butler in front of Elizabeth he would've cursed there and then.

The girl's eyes widened with concern.

"Was that Ciel? He sounds awful," she frowned. Sebastian felt like smiling; perhaps the mischance could be avoided after all.

He bowed respectfully. "Unfortunately I fear the young master is not feeling his best today."

"Oh no…" Elizabeth sounded disappointed. "He is sick, isn't he?"

"I'm afraid that is true, so perhaps you should arrive at a later date-"

"No! I can't do that!" Elizabeth exclaimed. Sebastian blinked.

"Why ever not?"

"I'm his fiancée, so that means I have to take care of him! I want to make him feel better."

Sebastian smiled, successfully hiding his irritation. "I appreciate your concern, Lady Elizabeth," he said, "However you need not worry for I have this all under control."

"Sebastian! Are you going to feed me or will I have to starve?!"

The butler faintly twitched and could nearly feel his instincts wanting to slam the door at Elizabeth's face and rush to his master, lock him up, and spend the remainder of his time playing with his cats. Yes…that would certainly be his type of heaven.

"I can't just stand here and do nothing." Elizabeth sighed and looked to the ground with a frown on her lips. Sebastian was about to say something but he was interrupted again by Ciel's shouts.

"HEY! Are you listening to me?!"

Elizabeth widened her eyes in anxiety and managed to move past Sebastian to enter the mansion. She drew herself near the door to the dining room.

"Ciel is acting so different. Surely I can at least do something to help?"

"I assure you, my Lady, I can handle this," Sebastian answered almost hurriedly, appearing beside her in a flash and escorting Elizabeth to the front door before bowing. "Now please excuse me."

Before the girl could say anything else, Sebastian shut the door and raced to the dining room with his inhuman speed. When he got there, he furrowed his eyebrows as soon as he witnessed his master hunched away from the table, his hand covering his mouth and the other draping his stomach.

The demon butler was beside him in seconds. "Master, is something wrong?"

Ciel loudly groaned and the realisation clicked in Sebastian's mind, and in the next five seconds his master was speedily rushed to the bathroom and he emptied out yesterday's lunch as Sebastian pushed back his navy hair. After he heaved all that was left in his stomach, he shakily lifted himself and wrinkled his nose at the repulsive smell.

"Ugh…I hate this…" Ciel grumbled.

"My Lord, you should get more rest," Sebastian advised, pulling the boy to his feet. Ciel grabbed Sebastian's arm to prevent him from stumbling and wobbled over to the sink. The face staring back at him in the mirror looked horrendous with sickly pale skin and dark bluish bangs under his eyes. He splashed water on his face and rinsed his mouth a couple of times to rid of his soiled breath. His stomach felt like it was on fire, continuing twisting and aching until Ciel felt the urge to heave again.

"Sebastian….bed…room…" Ciel mumbled with frustration burning in his eyes.

The butler bowed. "Yes, sir."

After Ciel was sent to his quarters, Sebastian directed Finnian to gather some herbs in the garden to use as ingredients for an antidote. Though the demon knew it wouldn't entirely cure Ciel's condition, at least it would be enough to calm the earl down. Sebastian headed downstairs into the hall and saw Mey-Rin polishing the railing of the staircase. His crimson eyes followed along it in exasperation; the silly maid was using shoe polish.

"Mey-Rin."

The maid squeaked and timidly faced the butler. "Y-yes sir?"

Sebastian dragged his finger along the railing and looked at the dark smudge on his glove. "What is this?"

Mey-Rin stuttered in confusion. "Uh, i-it's wax. I'm polishing the- AHH!" The maid screamed when she noticed her mistake. "Oh no, oh no, no!" She hurriedly got a cloth and tried to rub the shoe polish off, blubbering apologies. Sebastian sighed and was about to tell her he could handle it until suddenly the doorbell rang again.

The demon grimaced. More company…

Sebastian walked to the door and opened it to see, to his surprise, Elizabeth still standing before him. The look on her face was impatient.

"Yes, Lady Elizabeth?"

"I'm not leaving until I see Ciel." She folded her arms and pouted insistently. "I came here to spend time with him and if that means helping him feel better, that's what I'll do."

The demon could feel his calm façade beginning to crack.

She certainly is persistent, I'll give her that.

"Please, miss-"

"Sebastian, who the bloody hell is at the door?!"

The irritated earl trudged down the staircase with a hand on his forehead, mumbling murderous intent under his breath. Elizabeth gasped and covered her mouth when she saw his horrible state.

"My darling boy, you look awful!" she cried, dashing over to him and startling Ciel with a taut embrace. He managed not to fall over but just steadying himself caused his head to throb even more.

"E-Elizabeth!"

Sebastian sighed and shook his head. "Young Master, you should be resting."

Ciel aimed a penetrating glare at his butler. "You honestly expect me to cat-nap when my head's throbbing like world war?" Ciel spat.

Elizabeth quickly cupped the boy's face and stared concernedly at him. "Don't worry, Ciel. I will take care of you no matter how long it takes!" She turned to Sebastian with a strident twirl. "You prepare some medicine while I take Ciel to his room, got that?" Elizabeth returned her gaze at Ciel and touched his forehead. "Poor thing must be suffering a terrible headache."

Sebastian's face struck with surprise at Elizabeth's determination to look after his lord, however he could guarantee that it would not be successful.

"Lady, I am truly flattered by your generosity, but are you sure you don't wish to leave this to me?" he questioned. "You don't need to trouble yourself-"

"Drop it, Sebastian," Ciel interrupted with a huff, "It's fine."

The demon gazed at his lord with surprised eyes.

"Master…"

"Good, then it's settled!" Elizabeth smiled and took Ciel's hand, leading him up the stairs while Sebastian watched them leave with doubt crossing his mind. Mey-Rin timidly appeared from behind the staircase where she hid during Elizabeth's encounter and immediately straightened herself when Sebastian approached her.

"Mey-Rin," Sebastian informed, "I have a task for you."

The maid lifted her head questionably. "Yes?"

"Keep an eye on Lady Elizabeth and assist her when necessary. In the meantime, I will mix up some medicine for the Young Master."

Mey-Rin saluted and raced up the stairs with a tumble on her way up as Sebastian pulled out his pocket watch and read the time.

"I suppose I should prepare lunch while I'm at it," he said, shutting the lid and then glanced at the top of the staircase. He wouldn't be surprised if chaos was to result in this, in fact waiting for it to erupt he thought would take no time at all.

"Orders are orders..." he said to himself as he headed to the kitchen, "I wonder how long my Lord's tolerance will last."

PP12: Thank you all so much for your supportive reviews that enabled me to get my focus back on this delightful fic. Here's a kiss to you all *mwah~!*

Sorry that the chapter is kinda short and shiz :/