His Maid, Disguised (Episode 1, Part 9) [End]

            “Danielle?”

            The feline-maid’s eyes jerked open and she gave a sharp gasp in terror as she turned to look behind her. There in the doorway, Sebastian stood, staring at her in what could only have been horror. Her hands instantly flew to her cat hears on the top on her head and she flattened them to her hair as she scrambled to her feet. Her large eyes began to fill with tears.

            “S-S-Sebastian…” She whimpered. “No…”

            “Danielle…” He trailed off, eying the nervous way her tail was twitching.

            She stumbled forward several steps until she was beside the bed and began to cry openly.

            “S-Sebastian! You mustn’t tell! P-Please! Please don’t say anyth-”

            Her words ended with a startled yelp as Sebastian practically pounced on her, the force nearly sending the two of them toppling over. But Sebastian held onto her waist securely with one hand to keep her upright and he held his other hand securely over her mouth.

            More tears dripped out of her eyes as she thought in fear and panic that Sebastian was taking advantage of her, but a few moments proved otherwise. He did nothing as he held her, but stared into her large, teary, blue eyes with his red ones, waiting for her to calm down.

            “Don’t wake the others with your tears, Danielle,” he told her. “No one need know about this but us.”

            She nodded silently, her black ears twitching.

            Slowly, he took his hand from her mouth and led her over to sit on the edge of her bed. He gave her a moment as she climbed up onto the mattress and pulled her knees to her chest. She looked like a terrified child after a nightmare. Her frightened eyes never left his.

            “Tell me,” he urged her.

            She took a deep but shaky breath, then opened her mouth to speak.

            “I’m cursed as being human/cat hybrid,” she stated, letting several more tears run down her face. “And I am an orphan; I have been for five years now. I’ve been jumping around from place to place in fear of those who would persecute me for the way I was born.” She paused and fiddled with the hem of her nightgown as she searched for the words she wanted to say. “Those who are cursed are universally considered to be inhuman creatures with low intelligence and precious little dignity. We are used as public scapegoats and personal slaves! We are cursed to live a life without comfort. I was a fortunate one that my biology didn't effect my face. It allowed me to conceal my true nature a bit easier. Others are not so fortunate. That’s why I had to hide the truth from you!” She turned those eyes towards him again, those big, teary, innocent, scared eyes, and he felt his heart melt a little. “I-I’m so sorry, Sebastian! I didn’t mean to deceive you! I was just so scared! I needed the money for food and I couldn’t afford to be cast out onto the streets like a… a…” Her eyes filled to the brim with tears. “A common stray!”

            Burying her face in her hands, Danielle began to weep softly, her thin shoulders and cat ears shaking with each sob.

            Before, Sebastian might’ve told her to pull herself together and that weeping was useless, but now, as he looked at her, she reminded him of a little lost kitten that he had once found in an alley. It had been a thin thing, dirty and soaking wet, not so unlike Danielle the first time he had ever seen her. He couldn’t just let this little kitten cry.

            So reaching out to her, he grasped her by her arms and pulled her into him, wrapping his arms around her while she wept. He reached up and gently lay a stroking hand on her head and ears, stroking her in a calming manner.

            It all made sense now, her nervousness about the new dress and the cloak had been because she didn't want her tail to be revealed, her gracefulness and agility, even the idle habit of licking the back of her hand.

            As she was held against his chest, she turned her wide, surprised, and nervous eyes up towards his face.

            “Sebastian,” she whispered. “Are you going to tell the master?”

            He paused as he gazed into her eyes. Would he?

            He loved cats and he liked Danielle a great deal. Besides, the young master had never let him have a cat of his own; Danielle could be his pet. Otherwise, she might be useful in the future and she was definitely an excellent servant. The only catch was that the master had told him to notify him if he discovered anything about her.

            Pulling her head back down to his chest, he continued petting her hair.

            “Perhaps, kitten,” he spoke softly. “But not unless the master asks directly. There is no need for it.”

            She purred in relief. “Thank you, Sebastian. Thank you. And I’m… I’m sorry I lied.”

            “You were not lying as much as you were concealing the truth,” he stated. “And I understand now.”

            “No, I lied about my references to Lord Phantomhive. I have had several serving jobs before now, but none of them ended well. People kept finding out what I was and I knew that if I told him that I had served before, he would look up my past references and he would see why I was dismissed.”

            He chuckled. “I suspected that you had served before.” She blinked up at him in surprise. “You are too accomplished as a maid to merely be talented. Anything else that you should tell me?”

            She paused for a moment. “My parents used to be renowned swordfighters and they taught me to handle a blade. But I don’t use that skill much anymore.”

            “Interesting. Would you employ that skill in the service of the young master and, by extension, the queen?”

            “What would I have to do?”

            “Protect the young master and the estate.”

            She considered this. “If I do, will you keep my true nature a secret?”

            “From everyone but the master.” She turned rather pale at this. He chuckled and rested her head on his chest again, feeling her soft, sleek fur under his fingertips. “But do not concern yourself, you will remain employed here, even if he finds out. I believe I can… make him understand.”

            “Thank you, Sebastian,” she purred closing her eyes to the feeling of his fingers stroking her ears.

            She had wondered why he was being so kind and gentle to her now that he knew her secret, but then she remembered his love of cats and she understood. Snuggling closer to him, she sighed, glad to finally have someone who knew what she was but did not shy away. Other than her parents, Sebastian was the first one to accept her as she was. She felt the safest she had ever felt in his arms, but she also realized that she was no longer crying and Sebastian did not seem to want to let her go.

            “Er… Sebastian, sir?”

            “Yes, kitten?”

            “You are still holding me…”

            He smiled. “Yes, I am.”

            “Why?”

            “Because your secret is mine now and I will keep you safe. Besides,” he bent his head down and placed his fine lips next to her large ears, “I told you how much I adore cats, my little pet.”