Chapter 5 Diamond|Four

The carriage slowly drove through the roads of the opulent capital of Zehan. If Ciel was in a better mood, she would surely be intrigued by the sights outside of the carriage, the golden statues, the jewels adorned roads. Yet, she was not. She was shrouded by a sense of foreboding.

Finally the carriage stopped in front of yet another opulent mansion. She was led into the mansion by the servant. After twisting through several corridors, they stopped in front of a room. She was sure this was not the drawing room or even the study. So Lord Lambert was not even fit to welcome guests in the study?

The servant knocked on the door and then it swung open. It was a bedroom. Lord Lambert was resting on the bed. He looked paler than before. He looked like he could break with just a blow of the wind. When he opened his mouth to greet Ciel, he sounded so soft, almost out of breath.

Ciel's eyes started to feel sore. Lord Lambert was the first person she met in this world. He was her first friend in this world. He helped her through the difficult times she had trying to fit in. Unbeknownst to her, Lord Lambert had become someone very important to her.

"Sorry to greet you in this way, Miss Vincent, " Lord Lambert said softly. "I'm afraid this time we can't draw together." He smiled apologetically.

His words were like a hammer, slowly hammering on her heart, until at last shattering it. She bit back her tears and said with a forced smile, "I won't let you run away with it the next time we meet!"

"Absolutely." Lord Lambert smiled softly and then he started to cough. When he removed the handkerchief he had on his mouth, Ciel noticed that the handkerchief was drained in blood.

The tiny hope that Ciel had in her heart disappeared.

"Lord Lambert, here's the mask for your sister." Ciel, wishing to cheer up the atmosphere a bit, changed the subject. She revealed the mask inside the wooden box she was holding.

Lord Lambert touched the mask gingerly with his hand. "That's beautiful, it's her style." He took the mask out of the box and held it in his hand. "Miss Vincent I have a request, would you be so kind as to do me a favor?"

"Sure, " Ciel answered without thinking.

A smile appeared on Lord Lambert's face. "I really admire your drawing, Miss Vincent. Can you draw a mask for me?"

"A mask?" Ciel was taken aback.

Lord Lambert nodded, with a flick of his finger, servant brought out a desk and drawing materials. "You won't say no to such a simple request, right, Miss Vincent? Just take your time."

"What do you have in mind, my dear employer?"

"I trust you, just be yourself."

So the following few days, Ciel spent her time accompanying Lord Lambert while pouring all her heart and energy into completing her best work to date for Lord Lambert.

As the mask was completing bit by bit, Lord Lambert's health was also deteriorating bit by bit. He slept more often. He became feverish.

She was finishing her mask when Lord Lambert's health became critical. The healers were all shaking their head. Healers who had the power to heal. Ciel suggested in a trembling voice to the old servant serving Lord Lambert that maybe she should leave, maybe Lord Lambert would like to meet his family without an outsider like her.

A look of deep pain appeared in the old servant's eyes and he said, "I'm sure it's Lord Lambert's wish for Miss Vincent to stay by his side. Don't worry."

Ciel returned to her mask, hand trembling. But she forbade herself from ruining the mask for Lord Lambert. Lord Lambert's health was slowly deteriorating, but all these times she had never once seen his family visiting him. Not even the sister he cared so much about. Maybe his sister was married to a place far away from the capital?

The healers whispered to the old servant before they left. Ciel caught their words, they said all they could do was to sedate Lord Lambert's pain so he could leave peacefully. Tears slowly drifted down Ciel's face as she added one finishing stroke to the mask she created for Lord Lambert.

At that moment, Lord Lambert who had been unconscious all these morning, slowly opened his eyes and joked, "Is the artwork you created such a masterpiece that you cried at the sight of it, Miss Vincent?"

Ciel quickly dabbed away the tears overflowing her eyes and said light-heartedly, "Of course. Do admire it, Lord Lambert." She showed off her mask proudly. Both Ciel and Lord Lambert chose to ignore her trembling hands and red eyes.

Lord Lambert slowly took in the mask, at last he said sincerely, "Thank you, Miss Vincent."

He took the mask from Ciel's hand and stroked the mask like it was a masterpiece. "I also have a gift for you, Miss Vincent."

At his words, the servant return with a sleeping kitten on a cushion. It was a very beautiful creature, its fur was of different shades of brown, even hues of emerald green under sunlight. The kitten looked suspiciously like the one Lord Lambert drew.

At the touch of Lord Lambert, the kitten opened its eyes. It had the same eyes as Lord Lambert, deep emerald green that mesmerized anyone who stared into his eyes.

"This is Chase, " Lord Lambert said. The kitten purred under his touch. "You said you would love to have a kitten one day, hope you like this gift."

"Yes, I like it very much. But are you sure..."

"Please take care of Chase for me. You are no longer alone in this world, Miss Vincent." He placed Chase in Ciel's arm. Chase took an immediate liking of Ciel and purred in her arms.

"I'll take good care of Chase, I swear. Come and visit us later." In the deepest part of Ciel's heart, she still hoped that some sort of miracle would happen. See, Lord Lambert looked better than before at the moment.

Lord Lambert smiled noncommittally.

"I have one more favor to ask you." Before she could reply, a mask was gently placed over her face. It was his sister's mask. "It's festival today, go out and play, Miss Vincent." He stroked her hair gently once before pushing her gently in the direction of the door. "Tell me your adventures when you return!"

Before she could say anything, the old servant led her out of the bedroom.

"Wait..." She tried to return to the room, but the old servant kept her from the door.

The servant then said politely, yet, firmly, "It's Lord Lambert's wish that you have a nice day playing in the festival with Chase. He has already prepared a carriage for you. This way please, Miss Vincent. Do tell Lord Lambert your adventures when you return." The servant's voice trembled a bit.

Even the servant did not believe in such words one bit. The kitten in Ciel's arm purred once and then snuggled closer. Ciel looked down and was met with its eyes. Chase's eyes looked mesmerizing, yet calming. Just like Lord Lambert's.

Ciel bit down her tears and stepped into the carriage. She would return and share her adventures with Lord Lambert.

Even if her shattered heart did not believe in his words one bit.