A/N: My second venture into writing fanfics for Kuroshitsuji. This is pretty light, merely Ciel reflecting on the day with a brief interruption by Sebastian. Enjoy.


Order

Leaning back into the armchair with a sigh, the Earl Ciel Phantomhive closed his eyes. It had been a long day. Between the Lady Elizabeth Midford's insistence that they go Christmas present shopping that morning, the conclusion of the Lord Huntington case, and Ciel's servants' usual mishaps, Ciel had had no peace.

Order had finally been restored by Sebastian less than half an hour ago, and the butler was now down in the kitchen, preparing Ciel's tea for the day.

Said peace was almost disturbing. Ciel opened his eyes, instinctively surveying the room, which was so mercifully quiet. Two of the walls were filled with fine mahogany bookcases with glass panels guarding the books inside. He didn't need to get closer to know they contained works by Voltaire, Montesquieu, Diderot, and John Locke; all notable authors and volumes that he should have already read. He had to confess to himself that their philosophies still held little appeal to him and that he found reading a little boring. Maybe, he-

A soft knock came on the door, along with his butler's question, "Master?"

"Come in." Sebastian, dark and tall, came in pushing a tea trolley in front of him. The butler was immaculate as always, and Ciel knew he was taking in the room even while he appeared to look just downward from Ciel's face in a pretense of deference.

"You seem unoccupied. I hope I didn't keep you waiting, Master, though it is only now half-past."

Ciel ignored the rib about his inactivity, asking the butler, "What tea is it today?"

"An orange pekoe tea, sir, made from the finest tea plants in Ceylon. Served with a manchet." The butler slid a plate onto Ciel's desk and started to pour the tea.

Ciel looked down at the baked good. "It's just bread!"

"But Master," the butler started, putting his hand on his heart and a dramatic tone in his voice, "It is the finest yeast bread to be found in England. The manchet is prized around the country and only nobility have the fortune to eat it with afternoon tea. Besides, Young Master, you eat far too many sweets."

Ciel sighed, not wanting to have to deal with this now, just when he had started enjoying the peace. "Just, go away and keep the others out of trouble."

Sebastian bowed. "Of course, Master."

Ciel couldn't help the twisted grin that traveled across his face as Sebastian retreated, but once the butler had left and Ciel was alone once more, his face returned to his usual solemn expression.

Ciel busied himself around his desk, looking for a missed letter from the queen, a new business proposal from a partner, or just some simple paperwork to do, but found none.

As much as he hated the servants' chaos, Ciel had to confess to himself, that order was a little boring.