The One || Sebastian Michaelis x Reader

"Are they ready?" you asked.

"Yes, Ma'am."

"They're ready for transit?" you inquired further.

"Yes."

"You work fast, as usual," you replied.

"Thank you."

You waved the person off. "None of that. There is still much more work to do."

"With whom, may I ask?"

You sat in your chair and propped your feet up on the desk with your hands clasped over your stomach.

"Sebastian Michaelis and Ciel Phantomhive," you revealed.

The person remained stoic. "Any information required?"

"I have all I need for now with Ciel," you answered, "but tell me everything you know about Sebastian Michaelis."

✶✶✶

"I don't know why you insist on designing my clothes in bright colors," you complained with your arms stretched out.

Ruth pinned the shoulders of your jacket. "Because men will not notice you if you continue to wear drab suits."

"What if I'm interested in women?" you tried.

"The same rules apply."

"I don't think this teal blue is the way to go, Ruth. I'm meeting the Earl of Phantomhive for this case in less than an hour and detective work does not need vibrant colors and--ARE THOSE DIAMONDS!?" you shouted.

"They will add some sparkle to your attire," Ruth chastised, attempting to sew a gem onto your vest.

You swatted her away. "No, hell no. You're not doing this to me, Ruth. I don't want to be noticed by men or women or anyone. I want to run my company, help children, and die alone, is that understood!?"

You were breathing heavily as you stepped down from the small podium, which was like the pedestal that others put themselves on and expected you to want as well, but you didn't. You didn't want anything that came with fame or fortune--helping people was what mattered.

Ruth huffed. "Why do you always act like this? Everyone wants someone to hold onto and love, but you think you're too good for anyone, right?" she challenged.

"No," you said lowly, facing her. "My parents were so in love and lucky enough to go out of this world together, but others do not have such luck. Love is for those willing to risk heartbreak and loss, which I am not. I do not intend on subjecting myself to letting someone have the power to tear me apart."

"My husband--"

"No!" you screamed, kicking the edge of the sofa that was in the room because of your frustration with the subject. "I do not want to hear about how in love you were with him or how he sacrificed himself for your sake. It's all in the past and those who speak of the past tend to live there."

A few seconds went by before you heard the door shut, indicating Ruth's departure. You slumped on the couch and threw off the blue jacket, then put on your black one that was draped over the couch. You knew Ruth was probably planning to dispose of it if you somehow liked the teal.

You truly did appreciate the work Ruth put into your clothing and you even had worn a number of dresses she designed, but there were certain events and situations where she would go overboard with how feminine you should look.

Then there was her prying into your nonexistent love life.

You enjoyed the solitude you had come to know, but that didn't mean you didn't have any offers of marriage or dates, except all those men wanted was the title that came from your business. The life of a noble was lonely, you came to know.

Your parents were, again, peasants--your father a farmer and mother a village school teacher--but they found every ounce of happiness they needed in the tiniest cottage that was on the verge of collapsing each passing day. They never needed money or titles to be at peace with the world and they never complained.

Octavious appeared next to you on the couch, sat down, and laid a paw on your thigh with soft purrs resonating from him under that thick, black fur. You scratched his head and you knew he understood what was going through your head. The day the village burned, you couldn't save your parents, but you did save him.

Octavious was the constant companion by your side. He would show up anywhere you went even if you didn't know he was there. He was the only partner you needed on your venture to correct the wrongs of the universe that were presented after you worked harder and persistent more than any other human.

But even the cat knew you were lonely. You spent the long nights as an insomniac wandering the corridors of your estate as if searching for the answers you seeked, but constantly went back to your bedroom empty handed. Sometimes you stared at your ceiling and wondered if there was someone out there for you--perhaps not something as serious as husband, but even a friend. Anyone who would talk and be able to give you the comfort you desperately wanted.

Maybe there was no one like that for you. The trivial matters of fate and destiny never interested you much and you were getting too immersed in your job to care about anything but that. In reality, there was no room for more people. The only reason you let Ruth into your domain was because you were young when buying such a large home and needed someone sharp enough to keep up with you and to help you stay in line.

You let yourself relax only mere moments more before pushing yourself up and snatching your walking stick from its spot leaning against the arm of the sofa. Sentiment wasn't what was important when you were to meet Ciel in only thirty minutes. You surely would be late after the display of vulnerability you allowed yourself.

You climbed into the carriage and set off to London where you would surely come face to face with the demon butler once more as you were positive he wouldn't leave Ciel with a relative stranger, but oddly, you didn't mind one bit.