I am dreadfully sorry about the month delay on Chapter 13. First, I wanted to come up with a more defined plot, these characters have a mind of their own. Secondly, my significant other has recently returned from a six month mission he had so I have spent some much needed time with him. Now that he has returned back to work, I am right back to focusing on my other love, Monsieur Sebby:) I hope you will continue enjoying Tainting the Light, as I will endeavor to keep my story going until the bitter end. Happy readings, my lovelies!

So lost in thought, Catherine almost knocked over the china dish she was wiping. Obviously, there was no way to get the demon butler to see her as more than an inconsequential and pathetic human. She, herself, didn't understand why her heart had taken to him, of all people, or beings for that matter. And now that they were pretending to be engaged it was going to be even harder to deny her feelings. She could lie to the ton, to the people closest to her even, but could she lie to herself? The more he became intertwined within her existence the more she started to desire the most sinful of temptations. In the end, it made no sense, he had no redeeming qualities, for they were all an act. But within his eyes, she saw the pull he had on her soul and knew she was hopelessly damned to a life of unrequited love.

"Cat….Cat, hello, are you okay?", Mey-rin asked concerned, waving a hand in front of Catherine's face. "Oh, I'm sorry Mey, did you say something?", Catherine said finally acknowledging her surroundings. "Look at you, so in a daze. You must be excited over your engagement with Mr. Sebastian.", Mey-rin continued, "We were all in a state of shock, we were. No one had noticed how close Sebastian and you had gotten.". Catherine gave her friend a nervous smile, "I assure you, I was just as taken aback by Sebastian's declaration of love. I always thought that he was annoyed with my presence in the Phantomhive manor, but all along it was just the fact that he didn't know how to express his developing feelings.". "Well, I'm very happy for the both of you, I am.", Mey-rin said smiling as the two continued wiping down the fine china.

"There you are, my dear, please leave the rest to Mey-rin, we have some important business we must attend to.", Sebastian spoke, coming into the dining room. Catherine's heart skipped a beat at the sound of the butler's voice, but she did what she could to feign indifference, "Of which "important business" do you speak of, dear Sebastian?". "We shall discuss it in the carriage, please make haste and tidy yourself up before we leave.", he said placing his gloved hand on the young woman's back and nudged her to the stairs. Catherine turned her head toward the demon and gave him a questioning look, but decided to just follow along with his instructions for now.

Sebastian watched as the redhead disappeared up the stairs and then went to see that the carriage was ready. The poor human had no clue that her parents were now in the sights of the Queen's watchdog. Earlier that morning the young lord had ordered him to obtain as much information on the Sweets as he could. During Catherine's background check, the master couldn't find one record linking the woman with her parents. Finding it odd that Charles and Helena Sweet wouldn't have their only daughter accompany them to social gatherings and barely introduced her to the ton, he decided to find out more about them. In the process of doing so a most peculiar fact emerged, Helena Sweet had been assaulted years ago which left her unable to conceive a child. It was now his duty to uncover exactly what the Sweets were hiding. His counterfeit commitment to Catherine was already going to aid the young Earl, ironically with her own parents. Perhaps he wouldn't need to do much more to darken the girl's spirit if this endeavor proved to be fruitful. His lips curling into a wicked grin as he thought about humans and their self-destructive behaviors.

Catherine eyed Sebastian as they sat across from each other in the carriage. "Would you care to explain to me exactly where it is we are going, Sebastian?", she asked, peering into the demon's ruby eyes. The butler returned her gaze briefly before he turned to peer out of the window, "We are going to ask your parents for their blessings, my dear.". Catherine let her mind be amused by the thought of a devil asking for blessings and had to suppress a chuckle. But once the hilarity passed, she couldn't help but feel a tad bit on the weary side. "But it's a bit soon to go and pay them a visit, don't you think?", she questioned. "On the contrary, according to social propriety, I have already made a faux pas by not seeking out your father for your hand in marriage first. I have yet to even meet your parents, let alone discuss the terms of our future contract.", Sebastian answered calmly. The young woman couldn't help but feel as though there was more to this sudden want to meet her parents and it had her slightly on edge. Deciding it was best to quell the rising fear emanating from the redhead, Sebastian grasped Catherine's cold, shivering hands. "No matter what happens, my dear, you shall leave by my side.", he said as he rubbed the top of her hands with his thumbs. "Can you tell, I'm a bit nervous.", Catherine smiled hesitantly. "There is nothing to fret over, Catherine, just follow my lead, play the part that you must and above all, remember that you belong to the Phantomhive household now.", Sebastian replied, the hint of a warning hidden beneath his words. The young woman nodded in response, knowing that even if she had wanted to she couldn't escape from the truths she was now privy to.

"In the meantime, why don't you enlighten me about your parents, my dear?", Sebastian asked. "What would you like to know about them?", Catherine answered removing her hands from beneath the butler's. "Whatever will help me to know them better. Anything that you are willing to share with me.", Sebastian smiled trying to put the girl at ease. "Um, well, they were both very kind but strict parents in my growing up years. I wanted for nothing, any toy, any candy, any dress, I wanted was always presented to me. But as I have stated before, I also led a very sheltered life. My parents did not want me to stray too far from our estate and rarely allowed me to partake in balls or festivities. They had a habit of treating me like a china doll, but I know they only meant well.", Catherine said smiling. Sebastian took in any detail that could potentially be of use to the young lord, "What does your father do for a living?". "I actually don't really know, I was taught that proper young ladies shouldn't get involved in the business affairs of men. The most I know is that my father tended to work long hours and sometimes wouldn't come home until the wee hours of the morning.", Catherine replied. The demon started to see a pattern to this naïve, unworldly human woman. She was too trusting, too complacent, too dense for her own good. One thing he knew for sure, whatever secrets the Sweets had, Catherine was oblivious to it all. "Where were you born?", Sebastian continued questioning her. The woman hesitated for a moment before answering, "Well, in all honesty I don't really know.". Sebastian stared at her with curiosity playing across his features, "What do you mean you don't really know? How do you not know your origin of birth?". Catherine looked down as she spoke, "Seven years ago I lost all my memories, everything that was my life prior to then has been told to me by my parents. Please Sebastian, let's not discuss this any further. Let's just say as far as I am concerned, the child I was before then died and from that moment ever after I was reborn. It is how I have coped with losing such precious memories.". The demon was becoming more intrigued by this peculiar woman now that he knew there was more to her then the light she emitted and the smile she kept plastered on her face. And yet it couldn't be an illusion she tried to fake, because her purity came from the core of her soul. "If you don't mind me asking, my dear, exactly how did you come to lose your memories?", he asked seeking more pieces to the mystery. Catherine gave the butler a pleading look but deep sighed and answered, "Just like the memories of my childhood, the source of what caused my infliction, has also been snatched away from me. I have no recollection of what took place during that time. I just remember waking up in my bed and seeing my parents faces filled with concern and worry. Please, leave it be now, Sebastian." The redhead closed her eyes and slowly drifted into a light slumber, as the fascinated demon watched her. What exactly was this woman's mind hiding from her consciousness? What memories had been locked away? And what implications would they cause should they so happen to be obtainable?

Stepping out of the carriage, Sebastian had already sensed a very strange energy coming from within the Sweet estate. It was a very faint aura, one even his heightened senses had a tough time detecting, but it was most certainly there. Catherine knocked on the door and waited for someone to answer. A stout middle aged man opened the door and looked upon both of them. Catherine flung her arms around him, pulling him into a hug, "Papa, I've missed you so much. How has mother been? Is she still pestering you about smoking your pipe outside?". "I've missed you too, darling, but now is not the time for standing about blabbering on about your mother's grievances towards me. She is in the parlor waiting to have a talk with you and she isn't too thrilled, so best be on your guard.", he answered in a gruff voice turning towards Sebastian. "Good afternoon, sir, I am Sebastian Michaelis. It is a pleasure to be able to finally meet you.", Sebastian spoke gentlemanly and bowed. The balding man scrutinized the demon butler from head to toe and then chuckled, "Come now, I won't be having any of that bowing, you will soon be family. Come in, come in.". Charles Sweet wrapped his arm around Sebastian's back and pulled him in, "Besides it isn't me, you have to fear. It's the Missus that will chew your head off.". Sebastian gave a polite smile, "Then I will have to make it my upmost priority to win her over, now won't I."

Sebastian followed Catherine into the parlor, trying to take in as many details as possible before sitting down across from her mother. Mrs. Sweet was a buxom blonde with some signs of aging around her eyes. She sat there looking perplexed as she sipped her afternoon tea. "So, you are the Phantomhive butler who managed to win my daughter's affections.", she finally said letting her eyes roam all over the demon, "Can't say I don't see the appeal. You are quite a sight for sore eyes.". "Mother!", Catherine shouted feeling the color rise in her cheeks. "What? Trust me, my love, they don't stay fresh and prime forever.", her mother smirked, taking another sip of tea. Sebastian rose, bowed deeply and placed a kiss on the older woman's hand, "I am Sebastian Michaelis, my lady. It is a pleasure to meet you. I can see where Catherine gets her lovely looks.". "Oh, dear boy, please don't try buttering me up now. I must say I am quite upset at you despite your…..assets.", Helena Sweet continued, "Have you no sense of etiquette. Surely you must know that you should have come here first to get approval before getting on one knee before my daughter.". Sebastian smiled the most charming smile he could, fully aware of the busty woman's attraction to him, "Alas, you are absolutely correct, I have managed to unintentionally commit a social injustice. But, my lady, when I laid my eyes on your daughter, her beauty captivated me. I tried to do my best to act with restraint but her soul called to me, entrancing me, and eventually my feelings were too unbearable to wait a moment longer. I humbly ask that you find it in your heart to forgive me.".

"Ugh, you have quite the way with words, as well, I see. My poor Catherine didn't stand a chance with you. But, as I sit here and look at my daughter's hand I don't see the proof of such a promise of commitment.", Helena said, eyeing the ring finger of her daughter's left hand. "But of course, I had wanted to share this special moment with the two people whom I will have the pleasure of calling my family.", Sebastian spoke and reached into his tailcoat, pulling out a silver trinket box with the Phantomhive crest on top. Catherine's heart hitched in her chest. Sebastian got down on one knee in front of the shocked redhead, "Will you do me the honors of becoming Mrs. Michaelis, my dear Catherine?". Blue cornflower eyes brimmed with tears as the demon opened the small box. Inside was a white opal ring encircled by small black diamonds. "Yes, of course I will!", Catherine sobbed as Sebastian slowly moved the ring onto her delicate soft finger. Mrs. Sweet was almost as taken with the handsome man as Catherine, "Oh my, you two will certainly make the loveliest couple. You have impeccable taste, and I don't just mean that about the ring, my boy.". "Congratulations to you both. My little girl is growing up so fast.", Mr. Sweet said as he joined in the happy moment and hugged his daughter tightly. "I shall go see to some more refreshments. Catherine why don't you go see Arella, she will be most thrilled at your splendid news.", Helena smiled picking up the tray and starting towards the kitchen. "Allow me to assist you, my lady.", Sebastian said leaving the redhead's side, hoping to start questioning the woman of the house. "Yes, I shall see my sweet Arella. It's been far too long.", Catherine said her face beaming from ear to ear.

The butler made his way into the kitchen behind the blonde and wasted no time starting what he came here to do, "If you don't mind me asking, my lady, who is this Arella that my betrothed is close to?". Helena started to pour some champagne into glasses but Sebastian took over. "Arella is Catherine's nursemaid and her closest confidante. Catherine has never been one to care much for social statuses, which is why I am not surprised that she fell in love with a butler.", Helena smiled. "If Catherine is that friendly with her she should have been part of this happy moment in my lady's life. Why hasn't she made her presence known?", Sebastian questioned. "Well, I believe she might be suffering from a bout of allergies, so she is laying down right now.", Helena stated. "Perhaps I should go introduce myself to her, she is Catherine's friend after all.", Sebastian said and started for the door. "No, no, my boy, let us leave Catherine and Arella to catch up. I'm sure you can meet each other when she is feeling a bit better.", Helena said stepping in front of the door, "Besides I could really use some help now and I would much enjoy your company.". Sebastian felt the uneasiness coming off of the older woman, but refrained from attempting to seek out the nursemaid.

Back in the parlor, the raven-haired demon chatted calmly with the two jovial parents. He tried to keep it to small talk for as long as was necessary but knew he only had so much time to get the information he needed. "So, Catherine was telling me about her lack of memories before the age of eleven. Whatever happened to cause her to forget about her youth?", he asked nonchalantly. Charles and Helena's eyes grew wide and they looked at each other briefly before looking back at the inquisitive man. Charles cleared his throat and tried to speak in an even voice, "We don't like to discuss such a wretched time for our precious daughter. It was just a storm that entered into our ray of sunshine's life, but left as quickly as it came.". "I understand it is a matter that is difficult to converse about. But with all due respect, Mr. Sweet, it is a storm that may have left quickly but took away eleven years of my love's life. I think it needs to be broached.", Sebastian said. "My dear boy, we don't talk about that day because of the sadness it would bring our Catherine. It's best for her sanity if that box remains sealed shut. She is content with not knowing, so we are as well.", Helena said smiling, trying to get the butler to understand. "But although it's blissful to remain unaware and unaffected, isn't it living a lie nonetheless.", Sebastian continued, "I would much rather know about nightmares she may come across should the past come back to haunt her. Please allow me to know about my future wife, all of her.". Charles deep sighed and resigned himself to speak about the subject briefly, "All I am willing to say is that seven years ago there was a blaze inside our old house and Catherine got trapped inside. We searched and searched for her but to no avail, we thought she had perished, engulfed by the flames. We stood outside, watching our house burning to the ground. We thought we had lost everything that night, but somehow Arella managed to get our daughter out of there and alive to boot. It was nothing short of a miracle that night. We owe everything to that woman. When Catherine came to, she didn't remember anything. It was as if her whole life prior to the fire had been wiped clean. We thought it might be best for things to remain this way. It was a blessing for her, I can't imagine the trauma and fear that would have consumed her had she kept the memories of that dark night.". "Yes, it most certainly would be a life-changing moment for one so young and innocent. Had Catherine's memories stayed intact she may be walking a completely different path right now.", the demon mused aloud. He had absorbed the words the stout old man spoke and knew there was more to this story, to Catherine.