" Resort, resort, we're so happy! "

   " Resort, resort, we're so happy! "

The cart behind you contained Bard, Mey-Rin, and Finny cheering as Tanaka drove the cart. They were all lively, seeing as they didn't have to work, and they planned on relaxing. With Sebastian driving, you were sitting in another horse and buggy cart ahead of them. You sat beside Ciel as the coaches moved forward, keeping your eyes on the landscape. You couldn't look at Ciel. You still had a lot to think about and had not yet settled your feelings about the situation. You were asked to go on the trip, and you agreed. You didn't want to be left at the Phantomhive estate alone, with no one there to entertain you.

   " Isn't this wonderful, Mey-Rin? I'm so moved! " Finny said, smiling at the woman across from him. "

   " Yes, yes! I can't believe he's taking us with him to the Queen's health resort! "

   " I guess even the younger master has his good points! " Bard inquired.

   " They are fortunate people. It appears they're grateful to you, my kind young master. " Sebastian said in front of you.

Your eyes glanced at Sebastian before returning to the scene outside of the cart. Nothing looked lively. Everything looked on the verge of death.

   " I don't want to leave them behind by themselves and come back to find the manor destroyed. " Ciel replied.

   " Indeed. "

A sign came into view, and you cringed at how it looked. The sign had pieces torn from the wood. A crow rested on the top of the sign, and hanging on the other side was a dog collar that had spikes. The words carved in the sign said, 'Welcome to Houndsworth,' and it was carved beautifully, but the rest of the sign looked as destroyed as the land around you.

   " This would seem to be the entrance to the village. " Sebastian said, stopping the cart.

You looked up at the tree near the sign and felt your face pale at the sight. There were no leaves on the tree, and the tree looked almost withered away. The wind could blow, and the tree would fall easily. Hanging from the branches were more dog collars and a small scythe used for harvest. Skulls sat on the ground underneath the tree, and you could recognize the skulls as dog skulls upon seeing the sharp canine teeth. Mey-Rin, Bard, and Finny screamed, startling you. You jumped a little, and your side pressed against Ciel's.

   " I forgot to tell you one thing: this is the planned construction site for the resort. "

   " Young master. . ." The three cried.

Ciel placed his left hand on your left shoulder and attempted to comfort you. You looked towards his hand but didn't say anything. Instead, you accepted the gesture and turned your face away from the tree.

   ' What a welcome. '

The cart continued past the sign and down the road. You leaned away from Ciel and looked ahead of the cart.

   " Thank you. " You said to him.

Ciel nodded his head towards you and turned his head to focus forward. Soon a person on the side of the road came into view.

   " Hey, I found the first villager! Stop the carriage, Tanaka! " Finny shouted.

The woman had a baby cart with her, and it looked like she was rocking the coach to get it unstuck, but she wasn't getting the cart any closer to freedom. Finally, the cart stopped, and Sebastian stopped your carriage. You watched as Finny jumped out and walked up to the granny.

   " I'll help you out there, Granny! "

Finny took the cart out of the crevice it was stuck in and set it back down, but due to his strength, he slammed the carriage back onto the ground. You leaned over to check if the baby was okay from your cart but flinched back towards Ciel. There was no baby inside the small cart but a dog skull.

   " This child was eaten by it. " The woman said before moving forward.

The woman started to sing a song on her way down the road, and you felt a little scared. Ciel placed both hands on your shoulders, watching the woman get further away.

   " Apparently there are many villagers missing or violently killed. Part of my job is to find the cause and dispose of it. "

The cart started moving again, and the village came into view, along with a magnificent beach. So far, too, was the only sight that didn't look dead, and you had some hope for the village. Ciel kept his left arm around your shoulder as the cart drove into town. You didn't mind and mentioned nothing to Ciel. The people in the village looked down at your cart with detest, and you spotted some dogs running around. You remembered that Sebastian hated dogs and wondered how he would perform in a place like this. Sebastian stopped the cart in front of a small manor on top of the hill overlooking the town. A maid met the coach outside the estate. Her hair was silver, while her dress was purple. Her apron and hat were white, clashing with the purple color flawlessly. Her face was kind, and her eyes were the same purple color as her dress.

   " The Earl Phantomhive, I presume? "

   " Yes. "

   " Welcome to Barrymore Castle. My master awaits your arrival.

Sebastian continued with the cart and parked it to the side, to be dealt with later. Ciel stepped out of the carriage, taking your hand in his, to help you. You didn't consider the building to be a castle, but more of a small manor. It reminded you of the townhouse you stated a few days ago. The maid escorted you, Sebastian, and Ciel to her master's chambers. Once inside the office, animal heads were all over the walls, with different shields and weapons. But when a small scream was sent through the room, you turned your attention towards the maid being whipped by her master.

   " Who the devil is this Chihuahua!? I told you to go receive the Queen's messenger! Can't you even do a simple thing like that, Angela!? "

   " Hey, stop that! " You screamed, stepping forward.

You held your arm out, and the whip grabbed your arm. Once the whip connected to your arm, you pulled on it. The rest of the rope wrapped around your arm, and you took the whip away from the man. You glared at the man and stood before the maid, who you learned was called Angela.

   " You, little bitch! "

The man raised his hand to slap you, but Sebastian stepped in and grabbed the man's wrist.

   " What are you doing, you filthy Doberman!? Trying to bute my head off, are you!? Let me go! "

   " I ordered him to do it. " Ciel said, looking at the man with a slight glare.

With Ciel stepping into the situation to explain, you turned towards Angela and crouched in front of her.

   " Are you alright? You're not hurt too badly? "

   " No, my lady. I'm perfectly fine, thank you. " She said, smiling up at you.

   " Good, I'm glad. Here, let me help you up. "

You took Angela's hands and helped her stand up. Once standing, she went to grab the tea set from the kitchen while Ciel pulled out a chair for you at the large table. You sat down, and Ciel sat beside you. Sebastian walked to your side and took the whip from your arm. A red whip mark was shown on your skin. There was no blood, but your skin had turned red from the whip.

   " I will apply some medicine and wrap your wound, so your red mark won't be enflamed later. "

Sebastian pulled out some cream, applied it to your arm, and wrapped it in a small bandage. You thanked Sebastian, and he stepped away to stand beside Angela as she pushed the tea cart to the side of the table. Ciel pulled a few papers out of his coat and started reading over them while Lord Henry did the same. Sebastian served the tea while Angela stood to the side, still a bit injured. Ciel handed Lord Henry the papers the Queen had sent him, but Lord Henry read them and slammed them against the table.

   " It's not worth discussing. No matter what the terms, I can't sell this place. "

   " Let me hear your reason. "

   " The curse.

   " What curse? " You asked.

   " This village has lived alongside its dogs since ancient times. Those who interfere with it are cursed by a fearsome scourge. Even Her Majesty cannot change that. Great calamity befalls anyone who goes against the Barrymore family! " Lord Henry said, now standing.

   " Oh, interesting. "

   " What!? "

   " Let's have a nice, close look at this calamity. "

You left the two to discuss the matter while you explored the estate. There wasn't much, and you retired to your room. All was quiet until the sun set. After the sun had disappeared, you heard yelling from outside. You were sitting on a chair, almost finished with your book, while the fireplace sparks with light. When you heard the commotion, you put on your slippers and stepped out of your room. You walked down the stairs of the manor and met everyone outside.

   " What is going on? " You asked, stepping outside.

   " The demon hound has appeared. " Angela said. "

Everyone was outside, except for Lord Henry. The only people not in their pajamas were Ciel, Sebastian, and Angela. 

   " It brings calamity upon the village. Those who defy my master are punished by the demon hound. That is the law of this village. " Angela explained.

   " Angela, please tell Lord Barrymore that the demon hound has come. " A villager said.

A group of villagers came up to the manor with torches lit. You felt stressed, seeing everyone awake so late and learning about the village's law.

   " Who's been punished? " Angela asked.

The villagers all looked at each other before gesturing for your group to follow. Without words being said, everyone followed the villagers to the man who had been punished. While walking, Ciel took off his coat and put the material around your shoulders, blushing slightly.

   " You shouldn't be out here in your night gown. "

The crowd had stopped, and you stopped yourself before you bumped into someone. Ciel walked through the crowd and crouched before the man who was punished. You stepped forward and saw the man lying dead on the ground. He had bite marks all over his body, and his clothes were torn. Ciel went to check for a pulse, but Lord Henry yelled from the crowd.

   " Don't touch! "

All attention was toward him now.

   " So James was the bad dog? "

   " Yes. Apparently, he broke the five-dog rule and kept a sixth dog. " One villager said.

   " I see. Then this was inevitable. "

   " He was killed for having six dogs? That's unlawful! " You shouted towards the Lord.

   " This village has laws I have decreed. Those who break them are punished by the demon hound who protects the Barrymores! "

The villagers started to sing a lullaby, the same lullaby you heard the old woman at the entrance sing. For once, you felt like the outcast in the town, and you knew the others felt this way too. Then, the villagers picked up James and carried him away while singing the lullaby. Lord Henry stayed behind, but the information he would give made you start to detest the man.

   " I was sure the outsiders would be its prey. You've had a narrow escape. "

   ' So he was banking on us dying! '

Lord Henry walked away with Angela by his side. You were thoroughly creeped out and did not wish to stay in the town anymore. However, you looked toward Ciel and saw a face of determination, so you didn't mention anything to him. 

   ' He's the Queen's dog after all. He's going to carry out her orders first before anything else. '

You couldn't sleep in the night, fearing that some nightmare would wake you up or that a demon hound would come and grab you from your bed.