Chapter 1: That Butler, Preparations
Somewhere on the outskirts of London, a firmly based estate sits enshrouded in the thick morning mist. The Phantomhive manor rested behind a magnificent garden, in which each form of greenery had been trimmed to radiate a simple yet perfect symmetrical balance. To compliment the orderly array of foliage, the sky was blanketed in a soft layer of slate grey, indicating the shower that was to arrive around high tea.
Within the corridors of the mansion, the five servants of Phantomhive were beginning to prepare for their busy day. Setting quite an example for the rest of the group was the personal butler of the earl himself, Sebastian Michaelis. Out of all of the butlers clad in black, Sebastian was the finest, for he was not a man himself; rather, a demon with a deep fascination for human life. The motivation for his inspiring performance as a servant and a caretaker was nothing trivial such as money, or women, but a contract, which bound him to the proprietor of the mansion, Ciel Phantomhive. Sebastian had met Ciel two short years ago, when he had unintentionally summoned the devil to save his life. In exchange for creating a contract with him, Ciel would have to forfeit his soul sometime in the future.
Contradicting the stereotypical description of a demon, Sebastian was a very handsome being. He stood a towering height above most, and had a long and straight insidious collection of coal black hair, which complimented his carmine cat-like eyes. After assuming his usual attire, consisting of a gray and white undershirt, enveloped with a long, flowing swallow-tailed suit, Sebastian proceeded to wake the holder of his leash.
"Young master, it's time to wake up."
Sebastian walked passed the enormous bed and parted the curtains, letting in whatever light could fight its way through the mass of clouds above.
"Young master, really. You can't expect to carry out today's schedule in bed."
At this, the bed stirred and a fine mess of dark teal popped up from under the covers.
"Shut up… I'm coming…"
Sebastian grinned slightly, acknowledging Ciel was ready to go. The butler then proceeded to the thirteen year old boy's bedside with his morning robe in hand, and delicately helped the heir of the Phantomhive estate out of his evening clothes. Sebastian then fitted Ciel with a silky white morning shirt and escorted him to his breakfast table.
Ciel was very short for his age, and was not happy about it. He normally carried a smoky black cane with a goldenrod handle, which seemed to always match his immensely large wardrobe. However, the unique feature that most onlookers seemed to notice, was the eyepatch the young boy wore over his right eye. In actuality, Ciel's eye was fine, and functioned to the same extent as his left; yet, in order to create a stronger contract, Sebastian placed the seal in the center of his master's iris. Because the contract had taken hold, Ciel's eye had changed from the beautiful midnight blue of his left to, a dark lavender, and was branded with the same star faust found Sebastian's left hand. Ciel also wore a sapphire coloured diamond ring, which had been passed down through the Phantomhive family for generations, as a constant reminder of the position he commanded. Despite his somewhat temperamental and often rude attitude, Ciel was capable of displaying a calmer and more mature attitude, which he would not be demonstrating this morning.
"For breakfast this morning, I have prepared a smoked salmon with cress, with a side dish of a Battenberg Cake to satisfy that childish sweet tooth of yours."
"Sebastian! Your not here to make unsophisticated remarks! I've only just awoken, and I'd prefer to start today with the paper and my morning tea! Don't slack off!"
"My apologies my lord." said Sebastian with a deep bow. "I have prepared a blend of Earl Grey for you this morning; I hope it will be to your liking."
"Very well."
Sebastian presented Ciel with his morning paper and unsheathed the glamorous assortment of delicacies he had prepared. As Sebastian handed Ciel his tea, he missed the cup and clumsily dropped it, paying no heed, for his attention was focused on the paper he held firmly in his hand. Before a second had passed, Sebastian had caught the cup without spilling a drop of the burnt umber liquid, and had brought it up to level with Ciel's raven coloured eyepatch.
"Young master? You almost destroyed the new tea set you ordered from-"
"Sebastian! Why wasn't I informed of this!" yelled Ciel as he gestured to the headline of his slightly crumpled newspaper.
Sebastian peered over Ciel's head, a simple task for someone of his height, and read the headline: Windsor Castle invaded! Victoria's assistants killed by a mysterious red haired man!
"Oh my… you don't think it could be him…?" asked Sebastian, shuddering at the thought of the red haired Shinigami, Grell, who was deeply infatuated with him.
"Who else could it be! What the hell is he doing invading Her Majesty's manor! He's broken the rules before, but there is no way that other Shinigami would let him get away with something like this!" retorted Ciel, making reference to William T. Spears, a supervisor from the Dispatch Management Division of the Shinigami who had been in command of Grell's castigation. "It doesn't make any sense!"
"I suppose you will be investigating my lord?" inquired Sebastian.
"Of course! Prepare the carriage, we need information… and who better to ask than our local silver haired gravedigger," replied Ciel with a slight smirk.
Sebastian feigned a sigh, and followed it with a compendious simper, then took a bow and replied simply and powerfully "Yes, my lord."