The Earl sat quietly in his study, reading over his reports with a bored look on his face. His eye begins to wander around the room as he waits for his butler to bring his afternoon tea. He looks over his shoulder to the window, seeing the back porch of his manor and the greenhouse that lied beyond it, he can just make out the gardener, Finnie, cleaning up after his ridiculous mess concerning the roses and the weedkiller.
"That gardener is ridiculous, why did I even consider the idea of hiring him tolerable.." He huffed and Sebastian walked in with the cart, placing it in front of Ciel's desk as he prepared the tea. "You're late." The boy scoffed.
"I apologize young master, but I'm afraid I became a bit preoccupied with a few more tasks than I'd like to admit.." The butler sighed while pouring his master's tea before handing him it with a delectable dessert. "Today your afternoon sweet is an apple cheesecake with a caramel drizzle and toasted nuts on the side with a sweetened strawberry tea." Ciel picked up the teacup, studying the tea's pink shade.
"Strawberry tea?" He questioned as he sipped the tea lightly.
"Lady Elizabeth brought over quite a few boxes from her visit into the town. She seems to have grown quite fond of it, is it not to your liking sir?"
The boy set the cup down, closing his eye. "It's fine, but I expect something less sweet next time."
"Yes sir," The butler bowed to his lord before walking to his side and holding out a silver platter to him. On it was a white envelope with a red, wax stamp in the symbol of the royal brand. Ciel stared in surprise before he took the envelope, rubbing his thumb against the wax stamp. "It seems the queen has something new in store for you my young lord." The butler gave a smirk as he stood straight and stared at the Earl's face.
The Phantomhive grew an amused look. "It seems she has, I can't wait to see what kind of game it will be." The butler handed him a knife, which Ciel used to open the envelope. He took the letter out and tossed the envelope aside on his desk as he began to read.
Sebastian cleaned up the dishes as Ciel did so, unaware of the fate that lied ahead. What secrets were in store for this next new game?