The curtains were pulled aside, the morning sunshine trickling in through the window. Ciel groaned and blinked up at the shadow looming over his bed.
"Good morning, my lord." Sebastian smiled softly and poured the tea. Ciel sighed and rubbed his sleepy eye.
"What time is it?"
"It is around noon, my lord." Sebastian sat the pot down and handed the cup to his master.
"Why the hell did you wake me so late?" Ciel demanded, snatching the tea cup from Sebastian's hand. "I had an urgent meeting this morning!"
"I cancelled your activities for the day, master," Sebastian explained. "You deserved a well needed sleep."
"What I deserve is a decent butler who will wake me on time!" Ciel snapped. "Do you realize how difficult it was to arrange a meeting with the director of Funtom Corperations? Even I, head of the company, could barely find an opening in his busy schedual!"
"Sir Maymore is certain he is free next Thursday, my lord. You may meet with him then."
"I told you that I was to make the decisions, Sebastian!" Ciel flung his tea cup at the wall. "How dare you, a mere butler, go against my wishes - "
"Forgive me for my kind gesture," Sebastian cut in rudely. "But my orders were to run this manor with dignity and respect. It would have not been wise for the Earl of Phantomhive to hold a meeting under such stress. Sir Maymore is not a fool, he would have noticed your lack of work ethic and used it against you to gain sole control over your company."
Ciel swipped his hair out of his face and glared at his butler. His eyes glowed a deep red, the contract burning harshly in his right. "Maymore is filth. To even suggest me losing my company to a rat like him is preposterious!"
Sebastian's eyes flared angrily. "I do appologize for the inconvinance I have placed on my master. I shall not interfere with your work any further, my lord." He grabbed the breakfast tray and turned on his heel.
"No." Ciel rolled out of bed and sighed. "You were only following my orders, Sebastian. I just haven't felt well since..." He trailed off, his eyes falling to the floor.
"The change will take time getting used to," Sebastian said softly. "And regardless of how you feel, you shouldn't be rash with me. I am yours for eternity, but I must say that I do not appreciate your lip, master."
Ciel blinked. "Excuse me?"
"Although the contract burns brightly in your eye, the rules have changed. You are a newborn demon, and I your elder. The demonic laws state that the strong overpower the weak."
"What are you saying, Sebastian?" Ciel could hear his own heart pounding in his ears. Sebastian stepped closer, placed the breakfast tray onto the bed, and smirked down at his master as if he were a toy to be played with.
"The tables have turned, Ciel Phantomhive." Sebastian leaned down and pressed his lips to Ciel's ear. "I am the master now."