The morning sun slowly began its climb into the bright red sky, but Ciel’s mood remained down.
The guards had discovered five of their own killed in this attack, as well as three civilian casualties.
Whether the woman they found had done this all alone or not hardly mattered to Ciel.
He couldn’t face these guards the same way, and asked them to give him space.
They obliged as much as they could, considering the circumstances
The interrogation a few hours ago all but confirmed that Ciel was the target of an unknown group.
They identified him and his father, implying he had been in their sights for over a decade.
But why now?
What changed recently that made them become more active?
They claimed they were saving the world, so why wait so long to do it?
Even with his academy entry happening in less than two days, and all the guards constantly monitoring the estate, he was scared.
Scared of what measures they would take.
They had already tried to kill him twice, and he doubted it would be the last time.
Ciel couldn’t help but think back to that night he got the feeling of wrongness in the alley.
If that was another attempt then…
No, Ciel snapped.
I can’t be getting paranoid.
There were a lot of things Ciel could be afraid of, but worrying without being able to do anything wasn’t a good idea.
They had failed.
Even if they did kill some people, they didn’t complete their goal, which means the protection did its job.
Even if Ciel was revolted at the idea of others dying for his sake, he could do nothing about it.
The sooner he left, the better.
A few hours later, while having breakfast with Leo, Ciel heard the door open.
Leaving his food, he dashed out of the dining room to see Aurore striding in the doorway.
As she saw Ciel coming, a wide smile lit up her face.
She quickly came up to him and pulled him in a tight embrace.
…Maybe a bit too tight, Ciel was finding it difficult to breathe.
As he tried to desperately free himself, Ciel felt her shoulders begin to shake as she said in a breathy voice, “Thank you— thank you for surviving. I’m so sorry Ciel… if I had been quicker, you… you wouldn’t have had that… I’m so— so…rry.”
Ciel stiffened slightly, unsure how to respond.
Eventually, he decided to pat her back gently.
“I’m here because of you. Why are you apologizing?”
Aurore sniffled slightly.
“If anyone could’ve survived, it would be you right?”
Ciel stiffened even more before he repeated, “Why are you apologizing?”
“Because you should’ve never been hurt like that.” Aurore pouted.
“I’m ok now, the police healed me on the spot. See?,” Ciel said as he lifted up his sleeve to show his uninjured arm.
Aurore finally released him from the embrace, and Ciel massaged his poor back. New chapters come out on g.com first.
She continued to stare at him, as if looking for more invisible injuries.
Ciel endured it for a few seconds before asking, “So are there any updates on who’s behind all of this?”
Aurore blinked rapidly before responding slowly, “Still no guarantees, but it’s becoming increasingly clear who it might be…” She glanced up at Ciel with a strange look in her eyes.
“It’s looking worse than we thought.”
Ciel frowned.
What could he possibly have done to deserve this?
“Ciel on that day, the first of the Darkest Nights, those two bodies they found. They were also mercenaries. The same kind as the ones that attacked you before, and the ones that came last night. So far, every attacker was Insighted. That’s no small feat. Gaining Insight outside of the Academy should be practically impossible” Aurore said, her tone laden with dread.
Ciel crossed his arms.
“Three in three days. That’s a lot considering they’re willingly killing all the assassins that get caught, which means they can easily obtain more.”
Aurore looked down slightly, honing in on the details.
“From what this captive said, claiming they took orders from the ‘Lifelord’… It seems highly likely that this is the work of the Order of All Life. They definitely have the resources and manpower to do something like this, and they operate in each sanctuary.”
Seeing the look on Ciel’s face, she hastily added, “B-but this could also be a bait, making us believe they’re a stronger organization.”
“The woman didn’t seem to be lying.She was begging for her life, trying to say the little information she knew,” Ciel defended.
“Still, it all seems theatrical. Why do all this knowing they would die if they failed? Something is off about their reactions.”
“Aurore, I watched her die in front of me. That desperation can’t be faked.”
“I’m sorry, Ciel,” Aurore replied uneasily.
“I won’t say she’s lying, but there’s always other interpretations.”
Ciel’s heart sank.
“I just really don’t wanna see more people die because of me.”
His brush with death had been enough to hesitate wishing it on anyone else.
Speaking of his brush of death, this was the first time he had talked to his ‘savior’ since then.
Ciel had shamelessly forgotten about that, instead prioritizing finding the culprits.
He cleared his throat, slightly embarrassed.
“Thanks again for saving me yesterday. I wouldn’t have lasted more than a few seconds longer. I’m still amazed at how quickly you came…”
Ciel paused looking at Aurore quizzically.
“Why did you come so fast? I was looking for you and you were nowhere to be found… and then suddenly…you were there.”
Aurore looked back at Ciel, her shoulder noticeably tense.
She didn’t answer, which made him even more worried
“Aurore, what are you—”
“Ciel…” she paused, tightening her fists as if coming to a decision.
“Ciel, I think there’s some things you need to know. These things, you might not like them. I know you won’t like them, but… it’s important.”
Her gaze grew intense, her hand landing lightly on his shoulder.
“Ciel I knew. I knew that they were going to try to kill you that day.” She let go of Ciel and inhaled deeply.
“And… I knew that you would be there… because of me.”
Her words began to tumble into each other as she spoke rapidly, “Because of me, you were led to that place. Because of me they… tried to kill you.”
Ciel couldn’t speak.
His mouth opened but he couldn’t find any words to use.
Auorore’s voice grew softer.
She laughed self deprecatingly.
“It’s ridiculous right?
I almost led you to your death to keep you safe?
I wouldn’t blame you if you never believed me again, but… I’m still going to shamelessly ask you to… please.
She looked up at him, her eyes still watery.
“Ciel, I—”
“Explain,” Ciel said flatly.
Aurore flinched, looking back down again as her hand still gripped his shoulder.
“Ciel… I can’t. I can’t do that. Not right now. You’re going to have to believe that this is for your own good. I— I’m doing this for your own good. That’s really all it is. That’s all I know.”
Ciel stared at his sister for a long time.
He was growing sick of this cycle of people protecting him by hiding everything.
He hated it, every single time.
“Aurore.”
She looked up at him, her mouth twitching, “Yes?”
“Coming from you it makes sense.
It matches everything you’ve always done… everything you’ve always stood for.
But it hurts.
It hurts even if it shouldn’t.
I should believe you.
I want to believe you.” Ciel’s voice shook as he asked, “So… why isn’t it enough for me?”
He looked away, his vision blurring.
“I’m a pathetic excuse of a brother, who can’t even take the word of his own family.”
“That’s not true…Ciel this isn’t… it’s my fault,” Aurore argued
Ciel shook his head.
“You always say that, as if I can do no wrong. That’s ridiculous, and even I know it’s wrong but…I really can’t do it.”
Ciel grabbed onto her hand and lightly pried himself away from her grip
“It’s the truth.”
Ciel’s voice thinned.
“My truth.”
He looked at her again for one last time.
“I’m sorry too, Aurore.”
Ciel turned away without another look back.
Aurore stood as still as a statue, shifting between frustration and regret.
20 chapters done now!
Thank you to everyone’s who’s made it to this point, and I’d love to hear any thoughts or opinions that you may have.
Enjoy!