Ciel Phantomhive awoke to a beam of sunlight glaring onto his face. He groaned angrily, throwing the sheets over his head. A shadow loomed over him, providing comfort from the irritating glow.
"Young master, it is time to wake up," the shadow spoke, it's deep voice amused.
"Ten more minutes," Ciel groaned, burrying his face into his pillow. The shadow chuckled, reaching down to pull away the sheets.
"I am afraid I cannot allow that luxury this morning, master. You have a full schedual today, and you need to be prepared." Ciel sighed, opening one eye. He turned his head to look up the man standing over him. The man smiled kindly, tilting his head so a lock of raven colored hair fell down into his face.
"Fine, fine, I'm awake," Ciel sighed, sitting up. He stretched and yawned, blinking against the harsh sunlight. He scooted to the edge of the bed, waiting. The man handed the boy a cup of tea, then dropped to his knees to begin dressing him. The boy sniffed the tea.
"Earl Grey?"
"You're favorite, master," the man replied, buttoning the boy's shirt. He pulled a tie around the child's neck, creating the perfect bow.
"What is my schedual for today?"
"This morning you have dance lessons with Madam Pomnoir; at noon you have fencing with Professor Andel; and for this evening, you will be dining with the owner of Enfants Heureux Société."
"Dining with the French," Ciel huffed. "Lovely." The man laced up the boy's boots, then stood, taking the empty tea cup from him. He bowed and headed for the door. His hand had just turned the knob when the boy's soft voice spoke.
"Sebastian..." The man turned his head, looking at the boy.
"Yes, master?"
"I need to catch up on the news in London, so cancel the dance and fencing lessons." Sebastian smirked, raising an eyebrow at the boy.
"Young master, I do not think it wise to-"
The boy lifted the eye patch on his right eye, revealing a glowing purple pentigram.
"Cancel them! That's an order!" Sebastian narrowed his eyes, then bowed at the waste.
"Yes, my lord."
Ciel stepped into the foyer, sighing tiredly. He hadn't been getting much sleep as of late, and it was finally taking it's toll on his stamina. He yawned and rubbed his eye. I won't be able to focus like this, he thought.
"Good morning, young master!" A female's voice rang out. Ciel turned to see Meirin, the house maid, smiling down at him. He blinked in greeting, then turned and left for the garden. He sat down on the stone statue in the center, staring at the white rose bushes. I feel as if I was ran over by a train.
"Good morning, young master!" A voice called out. Ciel looked over his shoulder to see Finny, the gardener, trimming a bush near by. Ciel sighed and turned away. His mind began to wander back to a few weeks ago, when he attended the Viscount Druitt's ball. He frowned, remembering how painful it was to be fitted into that aweful dress. What was even more painful was having to dance with his butler, Sebastian Michaelis. Ciel was a boy with two left feet, while his butler seemed to do everything perfectly. Ciel remembered how humiliating it was to be surrounded by that filthy Viscount, how embarrassing it was to be called "Little Robbin"...
He remembered how it felt to be held in Sebastian's arms as they danced across the floor that night, that feeling of safety and love...
LOVE? Ciel shook his head, blushing. Where the Hell did that come from? Suddenly, a loud bang sounded from the kitchen. Ciel sighed. Bardory again. He stood, heading back into the manor.
"Bardory, how many times do I have to tell you," Sebastian was ranting. "We do not use flame throwers as cooking utencils."
"Yeah, you've told me before." Bardroy, the chef, rubbed the back of his neck, looking away. "I just wanted to get it done faster, ya know?"
"Bardroy, cooking is not a race," Sebastian explained. "Cooking is an art. In order to master the art, you must take it slow and steady. I must go see to the young master, so...get this cleaned up." Sebastian turned, shaking his head. He blinked when he saw Ciel standing in the doorway.
"Oh, young master. I do apollogize for the commotion."
"I wasn't bothered by it. These things tend to happen daily. Any news from the Queen?" Sebastian nodded, laying and hand on Ciel's shoulder and steering him into the foyer. Ciel couldn't help but blush, enjoying the soft touch. If the demon noticed, he didn't comment on it.
"A letter just arrived, young master," Sebastian said. He reached into his coat and pulled out an envelope, breaking the seal. He handed it to his master, watching closely.
"'There have been many deaths this past week, too many to be considered casual. I would like my faithful guard dog to investigate these strange deaths. Thank you for your loyalty, The Queen.' How many deaths have there been this week?"
"Twenty-two, my lord," Sebastian answered. "It has also been proven that they died within one hour of each other."
"Obviously, they are not common deaths."
"Would you like for me to tell Tanaka to pull the carrage around front, master?"
"Yes," Ciel sighed. "We must first investigate the bodies. You know where we must go..."
"Of course, my lord."
