{Sapphire's P.O.V}

Me. Yes! I'm going to be the one to tell him. This is what I've been waiting for, and now, I'm going to finally have the opportunity to tell Ciel what I've kept hidden for so long. Finally, we can have a chance at being happy. If only it weren't for one thing...

"Young master-"

Him. I hate him. I hate him. I hate him. I hate him! Ciel knows what I do, but he doesn't seem at all troubled by it. After what I've witnessed, I still find it hard to bear. The cost of what he's giving up to find out what went wrong is far worse than anything I could think of, and I've been partial to some truly horrific stories concerning people like me. I'm almost too late, but maybe I can change something now. He hasn't given up yet, and he hasn't gotten what he really wants. All his efforts, all that he seems to care about is finding who took his family away. Those people, they deserve death, punishment, but sometimes, the price to pay for safety, for justice, may not be worth the outcome. It's not always fair.

I would know. "What is it, Sebastian?" Ciel replies with the same sense of apathy upon being addressed he's expressed countless times before.

"When exactly do you want to be informed about this woman's identity? Shall we wait until we arrive back home, to ensure no one will overhear us? I believe those in our company here will have no qualms with eavesdropping." He's acting as though I'm not even here.

Ciel looks around and sighs. "Fine. Once we arrive, however, I want her to tell me as soon as she can. Whatever she's hiding, it better be worth the additional effort. I don't want to lose any time on this case. I'm already irritated enough that we have to depart early for trivial reasons." He doesn't want to admit that he's ill.  It's like he thinks it's weak to be sick. He coughs, fittingly, wiping his nose on the ragged sleeve of his poor man's disguise.

"Yes, my Lord. That will function perfectly." He turns to me and I swear he's gloating. He knows that I'm worried. He's such an unbelievably sinister thing. I have to keep calm, especially if I'm going to do this right.

"Shall we go, then?" Ciel continues.

"I'll see to it." Sebastian bows and before long I'm reluctantly forced to follow his lead and we're heading back to the manor, one I know more about than I've let on. It doesn't take long before we arrive.

This is it. This is really happening. I hope it works out. I only have one shot at this. I can't afford any errors. Please...

I'd bow my head to pray if I didn't think it would offend Ciel. I'd even do it just to spite Sebastian, but I can see Ciel's lost hope with those he'd once believed in. I gave up on God at one time too, but now, I don't have many places to turn. Irreligious we may be or not, there's definitely something out there I don't understand, and part of that has to be good, if there's anything to be said about how much I know of what parts are evil.

"Now-" Ciel gets out before I do, and I follow him inside. "We can bypass the introductions to the other servants if we head immediately into my study, so stay close and come this way." He leads me quickly into another room, and Sebastian closes the door behind us. We're sealed in, and entirely alone.

"Very good, my Lord." Sebastian replies. "You've become quite skilled at avoiding social interaction entirely. That's quite a feat for someone as well-liked and admired as you."

"Oh, shut up. You're being even more catty than usual. There's no need to put on an additional show for our guest. She is a performer, after all." He turns to look at me as does Sebastian. I guess that's my cue. "Speaking of which-" he leans forward. "What did you have to say to me, Sapphire, was it? I must say that's a clever stage name. I'm sure it's not your real one. Am I correct in that assumption?"

I bow my head. "Yes. You are." I don't look back up. "Do you want me to start with just my name, or would you like me to explain the story behind it first?" I hope he picks the second choice. It'd really work out in my favour.

"What do you think, Sebastian?" Ciel turns to address his servant. Why? Why ask him now? He's not going to say anything that'd help me! Why does he get an advantage when I need the upper hand most of all?

He smiles and glances at me. "If I'm to answer honestly-" he pauses. It's like he knows he's not capable of sincerity. Dishonesty is clearly something he's familiar with, though, Ciel seems to trust him. Maybe one of his orders is not to lie. Sure. That's easy to follow. The truth can be so subjective when it comes down to it. "I believe a brief anecdote concerning her personal history would be beneficial."

"Understood." He turns to me again. "If your name truly carries as much weight as you think it does, your story better be worth it. As I've said, I'm running behind schedule here." I have to work hard not to tremble, anxious as I am. Sebastian actually helped me, and I don't know why. Surely he knows I wanted a chance to explain myself better, it would help me more than him. So why assist me at all? Unless it was to set me up for greater disappointment later, I can't see what he'd do that for. Was he mocking me?

I turn to look at him before turning back to Ciel, and his expression has softened. What was with him? Why was he so confusing all of a sudden? I don't worry much more. Whatever he did what he did for, I can't prioritise it now.

"You may start any time." Ciel leans back again, waiting for me to continue.

"Okay." I inhale deeply, remembering to focus on my breathing, doing my best to calm myself down. "What can you remember about this place before everything happened?"

"What do you mean by that?" Ciel retorts, slightly annoyed already. I try to keep up despite my initial worry he won't like what I have to say next.

"I mean," I search for an angle, a way to make what I have to say easier on him. "Is there anything happy you can recall? Before the fire, maybe with Lizzie-"

"Elizabeth?" Ciel cuts me off at the informal way I referred to his fiancé. Damn. I should've phrased that differently. He's definitely angry now. "What about her? How do you know so much about my family?" Again, I do my best to remain cool under the pressure I knew was inevitable. I have to be strong. He needs me to be here for him even if he doesn't know it yet.

"I know her myself, personally! I know her, and Angelina or- Madame Red- as she's called now, and Rachel, and Vincent. I know this family, everyone in this home! I know you! I've been-"

"Did you have something to do with what happened to my parents?" He stands as his anger forces him ahead again. He almost leaps from where he's seated. "Were you somehow involved in their murder? Is that why you concealed your name? Is that why you're taking so long to come out and say who you are to me?" He's breathing hard. I don't want his affliction to worsen. I decide to skip ahead after pausing for a minute, but he's so angry, he can't wait for me to decide. "Answer me! Tell me who you are, or I'll see to it-"

"My Lord!" Sebastian interjects. "You ordered her to explain herself. A few inquires are hardly enough to constitute an appropriate backstory. Have patience. I'm aware you're tired, but-"

"Fine!" Ciel holds up a hand to cut Sebastian off. Why was he helping me? I don't understand! "Keep at it, but make it quick."

"I've been here before, but it was a long time ago. I asked if you had any pleasant memories because I wanted to know how far back you can remember. You probably have done your best to cope, and I don't expect you to recall much, especially me. It's not like I was here for long."

I glance around. Nothing's really changed, but I only ever came for short periods of time after being moved to where I was. I was young, but I remember Ciel. He was so small back then, so helpless and innocent, compared to how he is now. He's been through Hell and back, more so than I ever have. I never wanted to leave. I couldn't stand being taken away, but I had no choice in the matter. It was best for all of us. It was for my own protection, as well as theirs.

"I was a-" I almost choke as I struggle to continue speaking. "I was a relative disgrace to my family name. Father told me that the best place for me was away from home, where I'd be safe, protected, were anything to happen, I couldn't be near it. I was too weak mentally. I know he loved me, but I wasn't sane. I still don't want to believe I'm as mad as some people say. Most people don't know the full story of half of what they say themselves. I'm not-"

"Who are you?" Ciel interjects, standing behind his desk, not moving an inch as he rests his hands against it for support. He's not angry, rather, it's as though he's stunned. He'd never say it out loud, but I know he's aware that I look so much like him, and it's apparent he's trying to ignore it, even here, as I'm staring him in the face. His eyes are open as wide as they can be, he's looking at the floor rather than at me, trying to focus, waiting for me to reveal what he has asked me for so long to do. Now seems like the right time.

"My name is Victoria. I've had to change my surname before, more than once, for the sake of discretion, but it's not because I'm ashamed of who I really am." He doesn't say anything else. My last chance to stall is gone. It's now or never.

"I was born Victoria Jane Phantomhive. I am the eldest child, and the only daughter of Rachel and Vincent Phantomhive." I don't have the chance to elaborate before I'm cut off from speaking entirely.

"Get out." He commands, lowering is voice rather than raising it, still not looking at me. Why can't he see that I'm telling nothing but the truth? How could it be any clearer? He even made that joke about me knowing Sebastian, too- what he really was! What's changed now? Didn't he remember what just happened? What set him off?

"Ciel-" I reach out a hand but I take it back after I see his expression. He's long past being angry as he finally raises his head. He's looking at me like there's no one on earth he hates more. It crushes nearly all the strength I have left.

"How dare you further desecrate the Phantomhive name!" "He shouts before he turns to address his butler, who responds immediately. "Sebastian!" He turns his face away from mine. "See to it that she never sets foot in this household again."

"Yes, my Lord."