Roxanne was in the car, heading back to the Sebastien mansion.
There should have been a form of relief for her, going back to her husband's mansion.
But she felt hollow.
Her earlier confrontation with Evelyn was still fresh in her mind. Her cruel words are heavy on her chest.
"You chose wealth over your family."
The guilt was coming to her mind, regardless of how she tried to keep it off.
Then the car stopped at the mansion's entrance.
A butler came forward to open the door, but Roxanne was quick to do that, stepping out on time.
She walked briskly inside the mansion, her steps heavy.
She needs time to think.
And to breathe.
To…
"You were quick"
A deep voice jolted her to consciousness of her environment.
She turned to see Ciel standing in the doorway, his silver blue eyes looking at her with deep scrutiny.
His expression was neutral.
She hesitated, trying to assess him.
She had no idea if he was mocking her or just curious.
Because she was not in the mood for either.
"Yes," she replied, trying to walk past him.
She expected him to let her be, to ignore her like he always did.
Instead, she could feel him walk behind her as she entered the mansion.
He was not trying to stop her.
He was not trying to question her.
He was just watching her move.
And it unsettled her.
She started walking upstairs, but she could not hold herself together.
She took a deep breath halfway through the stairs.
She was tired, emotionally, and physically.
All the bone on her body was aching from the tension from earlier.
"Something seems to be bothering you."
Ciel said, his voice softer this time.
It was a simple remark after an observation.
Roxanne laughed bitterly. "How cute."
He was quiet.
He stood, his eyes locked on hers.
"What it is that you hope I should give you, I am not going to give you." He said.
"Never mind, I was not expecting anything like that from you."
She started walking up the stairs when she heard it.
He sighed.
And when she turned, she saw him walking away from her.
"Come with me," he told her, not bothering if she actually followed or not.
Blinking, Roxanne said. "What?"
He didn't say anything else.
She was confused for a second before walking after him, curious and tired.
He went into a part of the estate she had not gone to yet. It was a big room with warm lighting, and drinks.
The feel of the room seems like a change from that of the mansion.
It feels more human and less intimidating.
Ciel walked to the bar cart and poured two glasses of wine, extending one towards her across the counter.
"What's this?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Drink up," he said.
She looked at him warily, but collected the glass. The wine warmed her insides as she gulped it in.
Neither of them spoke for a while.
Ciel just leaned back against the counter, watching her.
"You went to see them," he said finally.
Roxanne was a bit surprised.
But she did not ask how he knew.
He has eyes everywhere. He's expected to know.
"What happened?' he asked.
Roxanne took a deep breath. "Evelyn won't let me see Finn, my brother. She's using him to manipulate me."
"And will you allow that?" He asked.
She put down her glass on the table with heavy force. "No, no."
His words hit her hard.
"If you ask me, I would say you are too sentimental." He said
"And that is a weakness."
"Caring about my brother is not a weakness."
"Probably, but Evelyn will use it against you." He said.
Roxanne looked away, hating the fact that he was right.
"So let me guess, you do not have a weakness, do you?" She asked bitterly.
"Oh, I have them. I do not just let anyone see them." He chuckled slightly.
Roxanne didn't like the way he said it.
She wondered what it would take to actually shake her husband.
Or whether it was even possible.
Elsewhere in the city, Reina was in a club, with a glass of champagne, listening to a conversation in front of her.
Across from her was a man dressed in an expensive suit.
He was one of Ciel's rivals. And had been eager to find some leverage against the Sebastien family.
And Reina was giving him what he needed.
"Are you sure about this?" The man asked again.
"Would I be here if I was not?" Reina smirked as she sipped her drink.
"What do you want for this?"
Reina only smiled.
"Oh, nothing much. Just a little change in power." She said,
"You look more dangerous than the innocent face you put on," the Man said after a long moment.
"Compliment accepted" She said, lifting her glass.
As she sipped her drink, the man looked at her with satisfaction.
Roxanne may have married into power, but she was about to take it for herself.
At the Sebastien estate, Roxanne was still in the lounge, after Ciel had left.
The wine was warm, but her mind was not.
Not because of Evelyn's manipulation, nor Finn.
But because of Ciel.
For the first time, he had shown that he was at least concerned about her.
Through his actions.
And it felt dangerous.
Because, if she was not careful, she might start relying on him.
And she does not know what might happen.