Chapter 1: Where the Fairies Roam
Once upon a time, there was a manor house drenched deep within the thick fogs of England. A manor house that was built, destroyed, then rebuilt again. It has seen the birth and demise of those who lived in it. A mother, a father, and finally a child that it nearly took. But it, unfortunately, did not.
The child has reached his eighteenth year. And according to society, he has grown into a fine and eligible young gentleman. According to society, that is. But in actuality, he has grown into a menacing thing, really. His soul is rancid and rots from spending too much time down below in the under belly of London. He smiles and laughs at the misfortune of others, it is a thrilling pastime he partakes in. If there is a shriek of terror or a cry of pain, you can bet that he is around the corner, reveling in the darkness he reaps.
Surprisingly, he still has enough time to dabble in his toy and candy business, Funtom Corporation. Which is flourishing throughout England, not to gloat.
The manor currently houses an Earl, his servants, and his butler.
While the rest of England was alive and awake, hustling and bustling. There was one young man who refused to cater to that tedious act. So, he laid in bed resting.
Ruthlessly, the curtains were thrust open, deliberate but poised. It was a repetitious and monotonous act that was performed and repeated day after day, for several years. There was no way to add flair to this painfully dull task, but Sebastian Michaelis managed just fine.
The butler let in the morning sun. Immediately, slithers of gold light began to rampage throughout the room. Bouncing off the walls, floors, and embroidered tapestries. Then the horrendous happened, a fragment of light bounced from the mirror to the glass vase to the tea cup which was held by none other than the complacent butler, whom did not dare to alter the trajectory of the light that pierced the young master's right eye.
The butler seemed pleased with himself, he dared not apologize or rebuke his actions. He only smiled. Damn him.
The Earl of Phantomhive, the wicked Queen's Watchdog, a powerful player in the game of darkness and deceit, was not a morning person, at all.
Ciel groaned and pulled the covers over his head, sluggishly. The down feather pillow cushioned his head angelically, he found himself trapped within this sweet indulgence. He could not part from this solitary moment of comfort.
But like all delicious moments in life, they are temporary and fleeting. A voice he dared not listen to begin to speak. Sebastian spoke, articulately, "It is time to awake young master." He poured tea and set the cup down on a porcelain saucer. "Today's breakfast is poached eggs and a salad of sliced cucumbers garnished with dill."
Finally, Ciel sat up in bed. He ran a hand through his hair and titled his head back. Why does morning have to come so quickly? He waved away his breakfast and instead he only took nourishment from the cup of tea. He spoke, "This is chamomile, correct?"
"Yes, young master." Sebastian covered the plate of poached eggs with a silver dome cover. Maybe Bard will eat the leftovers.
"But the aroma," Ciel said, "seems different. It's the same, but something's changed."
"I compliment your heightened senses, you are correct. Our usual market from which we purchase the chamomile tea leaves discontinued selling the brand line some time ago. Finnian, has took it upon himself to plant and cultivate the leaves himself in the garden for your benefit. Although it is different from commercial brands, forgive me for saying. If the taste does not suit you, I shall find another brand that fits your liking."
Ciel took another tip of the warm drink that filled his stomach, and his heart. "That won't be necessary. This will do fine."
"Thank you, young master. Then I shall relay the joyous news to our simpleton gardener."
Ciel laid back in his bed, reading the morning newspaper. His eyes quickly read down the articles. Obnoxious black ink consumed his vision.
"Today's plan follows as suit, you have studies to complete with Tutor Hughes, a meeting with Tai Yeoung over the trading proposal, which will most likely take up majority of the day, considering how fickle the man is." Sebastian sighed, "Finally, the fitting with Madame Alice over the wedding rehearsal ensembles. Miss Elizabeth has already undergone her fitting of her gown and is becoming quite irritable that you haven't done so already."
Ciel, abruptly, flicked away the creases in his newspaper. He straightened the gray paper that utterly and completely occupied his attention. Only a fraction of his untidy hair could be seen behind the paper, hiding his presence.
It failed, miserably.
Sebastian did the audacious, he perched his hand forward and crumpled the middle of the paper, revealing a scowling Ciel. "It is rude for a gentleman of high society to blatantly post pone a fitting, especially that for of his own wedding. I don't know what Miss Elizabeth sees in a shy wall-flower such as yourself. Are you that socially apprehensive that you cannot make an appearance down town?"
"I am not shy." Ciel snatched the paper away, now full of more unpleasant looking creases and folds. He smacked the paper with the back of his hand than placed it on his nightstand and spoke, fervently, "I have more urgent matters that acquire my attention than sampling ridiculous costumes made for monkeys performing in the circus."
Sebastian smirked, "That's harsh to call oneself a monkey, young master. But it is even more sorrowful that I must work for one, what does that make I? The monkey's trainer?"
"You are more like a wild and savage beast, growling for scraps of meat within the confides of a cage, increasingly growing hungrier with each morsel thrown at you. Tell me, how hungry are you?"
"With each passing day. It is only slightly more than what it was yesterday."
"Do your best to contain yourself."
Sebastian bowed, feigning gratitude. "Thank you, I am most unworthy to receive such concern."
Ciel scoffed and picked up the newspaper, "Never mind your playacting."
Sebastian straightened his back and smirked, "ah, it is too early in the morning for such trivial things. But it also makes me wonder how unfortunate Miss Elizabeth will be when you won't even be sharing beds let alone being in the same room with her. I feel so sorry for the maiden."
"Quit your ceaseless rambling and look at this," Ciel pointed to an article on the front page spread of the London Gazette with utter distaste that could make milk curdle. There was a huge title and huge font and huge praise and compliments, which were not about himself in anyway. Black ink signatures that sprawled all over the page were not even about him or his company. These words that were not about the Funtom Corporation's new limited addition plush stuffed animals, cotton candy pink and blue bunnies and teddy bears. Or the release of the Funtom's everlasting gum that changes colors with every chew and blow. He knew these new pieces were show stoppers, but the printing press had the audacity to change the layout of the paper at the last possible minute. Ciel, had to succumb to utter defeat by accepting the fill up blank spaces on the second page of the paper! Second! The earl of Phantomhive always and only settles for first place.
Sebastian nodded his head and examined the paper, "No wonder you are in a foul mood. This is no way to wake up on a beautiful morning."
"So, you've seen these stories before. Honestly, I thought these silly rumors would die down by now, but no, the masses gave in to all this folly and now these idiotic stories take the front page away from real news."
"Like your cotton candy plush bunnies and teddy bears?"
"Exactly!" Ciel barked. Then he breathed and spoke again with clarity. "I paid good money, in advance, for the Funtom Company to take up the front-page spot of London Gazette paper." Anybody who's anybody, reads the notorious London Gazette. At least the literate do...Anyway. "Especially during the May day season. How dare they treat me this way."
"It is true that dogs become grumpy when they are not given treats they are promised." Sebastian said, musingly.
"Why are you in such a good mood?"
"Well," Sebastian pointed to the article and said, "it is not every day someone discoveries fairies flying throughout London."
The front page spread, which the Phantomhive earl so desperately despises, has a black and white photograph of a country girl dressed in her Sunday's best surrounded by small, whimsical creatures dancing around her. The fairies were clothed with frilly veils that flowed with each jump and leap they took into the air. Then there was one flying above the girl and placing a crown crafted with an abundance of flowers. Some baby's breath and a few forget-me-not flowers.
The girl was smiling, possibly laughing.
The Cottingley Fairies, what they were called, enchanted and captivated all of England. They consumed the minds of the masses, taking up newspaper spots and became the idle chat of old and young alike. They had the power to make the grand country of England believe in magic again. Ciel scoffed at ludicrous image.
Ciel eyed the picture, crudely.
But mostly, the girl in the center of it all.
Her name was Elsie, who was credited for taking multiple photographs of the enchanting fairies near her home in Cottingley. She was getting so much fame and glory.
Ciel made up his mind that he did not like her.
"Elsie!" Frances called from the open window from the cottage. "Hurry! Father is developing the photographs! You must see them!" She hurriedly closed the window in her excited state.
Elsie smiled and repositioned her basket down by her knees. She plucked more chamomile leaves one by one, by examination. She gracefully lifted one towards her nose and took a whiff of the pleasant aroma. It melted her heart in the best way. She had to tuck her straw hat in her basket, so she feared that the harsh winds would blow it away and she'd never see it again.
She placed moves leaves into her basket until it reached the right amount to fill four cups of tea at the breakfast table. She stood up and dusted off her frock. She brushed away blades of grass and specks of brown dirt that drifted towards the ground.
She picked up her basket and went inside to meet her father and sister in the 'lab' room. Which was really the renovated closet with one small, stain glass window. But the room turned into a fascinating place where they all developed the pictures she's taken around Cottingley meadows, where they live near.
The father, Gabriel rolled up his sleeves and gestured to Elsie, "close the door dear. I haven't finished developing the pictures yet."
Elsie closed the door behind her and leaned over her younger sister Frances who was thirteen years old. She rested her chin on Frances's head of blonde wavy curls. "I hope these will come out beautifully like the others did."
"I know they will," Frances chimed. "You took them in the meadows and they will undoubtedly be beautiful like the others."
"Will that make you happy Frances?"
"Truly!" Frances smiled her toothy grin with a blank space in one spot. Frances only had one baby tooth left, and she dutifully managed not to wiggle it or loosen it for as long as she could. Then one morning she lost her last baby tooth by running, when she should have been walking, to collect eggs from the chickens. She ended up tripping over an uplifted root, when she tried to jump over it, and she hit the ground face first.
She cried all afternoon and evening. She lost her last baby tooth, and to her, it meant she was no longer a child.
Elsie was able to calm her down with a slice of homemade frosted lemon bread by nightfall.
Frances turned around and Elsie saw her younger sister's pale complexion and frail bones and shallow eyes. Day by day, her skin became paler, her bones became frailer, her eyes became shallower, but her heart remained untouched and was big as ever. It stung Elsie's heart to see her sister in such a state, but she was sick, and that could not be helped.
"Elsie!" Frances said, "Did the Fairy Queen like the house I made for her?" Frances worked many days and nights to create a cute little house made out of bark and twigs and moss for the fairies to live in. There was a living room, a kitchen, and a play room with toys such a jacks and even a piece of Funtom candy, caramel flavored. The fairies like caramel the best, or so Frances says.
"They most certainly did! The Queen told me herself. And she loves the cotton bed you made for her with the tulip flowers. Her wings were so sore from flying so much, she was grateful for the resting spot you made her."
Frances practically jumped up and down with joy upon hearing the good news. Until she slowly stopped and began to cough into her hands. Panic rose throughout Elsie, she ran to the kitchen to get a cloth and placed it near Frances mouth.
Frances looked down at the cloth then up then back at the cloth. She smiled wholeheartedly and looked up at Elsie, "Look, there's no blood today. That means I'm getting better."
Elsie tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her sister's ear, sadly, "ay, that you are."
When the picture was fully developed, the girls, the father, and mother huddled around it. There was so much joy radiated in Frances's face when she say the fairies twirling their dresses around a pool of water near the creek. Then she laughed when one fairy jumped off a mushroom to dive into the water. "Did it make a big splash?" She giggled.
"For a fairy it was a big splash, it even got the ribbon on my dress wet! The other fairies admonished it for being for tomboyish."
Frances stood up with her hands on her hips and her chin held up high, "Well if I was a fairy, I'd be jumping into the creeks like that one and my splashs wouldn't be so small. They be gigantic tidal waves and even the fish will fly into the air and plop back into the water from the shock. The other fairies who admonished me will see how much fun I'm having and can't help, but join me!"
Elsie hunched over and laughed tremendously. That is something her adventurous litter sister would definitely do. "A tidal wave? Have you even been to the ocean before?
"Yes I have! Father took me there when he was trading horses with Mister Makel who lives near a harbor port. Afterwards, father and I went to a candy shop and bought Funtom lollipops! We ate them while watching the waves and mist crashe against the shore. It was spectacular.
"Wait a minute," Elsie held up her hands, "I don't remember you bringing home lollipops for me or mother."
Frances laughed, "that's because I ate them all on the ride home!"
After laughing and horse playing, the family sat around at the kitchen table. First with Elsie leading the morning prayer then they all drank the chamomile tea with scones the mother baked that morning.
The father read the London Gazette, proudly. There was even some talk that if they saved up enough money they can go to the ocean when Frances gets better. The girls were ecstatic, but mostly, Elsie took so much pleasure from watching her sister react to how big old London is starting to believe in magic all over again.
Elsie always did wonder why the older people grow the more they stop believing in the miraculous. It was a rather odd thing.
She added one sugar lump into her tea and stirred. She prayed that no matter how old she becomes, she will always believe in the miraculous that is around her.
Even when Frances is no longer by her side.
Later in the evening, Frances coughed and stained rags with deep red. There was no promise going to the ocean anytime soon.
Ciel stretched his arms over his head and yawned, loudly. It was a long day of tedious work, completing his economic and geography studies with his relentless tutor, and finally making his business associate succumb to his own terms of the trading agreement (for sugar, nonetheless). He did manage to stall his fitting with Madame Alice once again. There is a bright side to even the darkest of days.
Ciel fumbled with the letter in his hands, sent to him none other than the Queen. Only the superfluous and unnecessary was written in the letter. I will spare you all the annoying details, such as "Congratulations on your engagement! Alfred would have loved to be invited to your wedding...Alfred...poor Alfred..." Ciel began to hear the cries of her majesty echoing throughout his study. Ciel's brow twitched. God save the Queen.
There was one detail that acquired Ciel's full attention, and it was one that as the Queen's faithful watchdog could not ignore or postpone. He rang for Sebastian and soon enough. Sebastion came through the mahogany doors with a silver cart wheeling in front of him. Ciel could already taste the aroma of freshly baked macaroons with whipped cream. But what flavor was it? Raspberry or strawberry? He couldn't wait to sink his teeth into the scrumptious treat.
Sebastian placed the silverware on Ciel's desk and unveiled the treat.
Ciel smiled to himself. It was a raspberry macaroon. The flaky, cookie crust was magenta hued and was adorned with glistening berries. He already found himself with his spoon in hand. No. He must give orders, then dive into this heavenly delight.
He laid down his spoon and spoke, "The Queen has commanded a most...interesting job."
"What does her majesty request of you?"
Ciel swiveled in his chair, barely. He placed his fingers to his lips and leaned back in his chair, then he swished his hand in the air as if it was the most obvious thing to do. "She wants to see a fairy."
Sebastian bowed, "Then I will see to it that we present her the most beautiful fairy we can acquire. But, how will we get one? The market, sadly, does not cater to what we are searching for."
Ciel slid the newspaper towards Sebastian and smirked, "Let's invite them over. I love to speak with the girl who has London wrapped around her fingertips."
"Oh, really?" Sebastian mused. "Is it not because you, yourself, who wants to believe in the existence of these mythical creatures? That's a very childish move. Giving into tabloids just like the rest of the masses. I am disappointed in you, young master." Master Ciel is not the only childish person in the household. Finnian has taken extra precautions when pruning weeds and sheering hedges. He's grown slower at his work, not wanting to cut through a fairy's wings. Mey Rin's gaze always drifts towards the windows in search of flying creatures, when her gaze should really be on the stairs she's polishing or the dishes she's carrying. She's been having more mishaps lately. Baldroy adamantly claims fairies do not exist, but Sebastian has caught him leaving out pecans and cookies at the almost every windowsill. Since those are a fairy's favorite snack. Then there is Tanaka, who has done the same thing he's always done, what an outstanding steward.
Ciel swiveled around in his chair and smiled, "When the world is tainted by corrupt thieves, swindlers, and liars, one cannot help but turn their head at the claim of pure innocence and magic; wondering whether or not it's real. It shines like a diamond in a mountain of black coal, it's hard not to look at. I do admit, I am curious of the girl who stole the front page spread away from me. Invite them, gorge them, spoil them, shower them with hospitality. Liars tend to admit the truth more easily when they are doted upon. Now If, there is a fairy. Maybe our new friend will be so generous as to gift us with one."
"And if there isn't?" Sebastian asked.
Ciel picked up his spoon, "Let's not think of the is not's for now. The truth reveals itself in time."
"Your words are not mine, young master."
"You are excused now. Go and do as I've commanded of you."
"Yes, my lord." Sebastian left with orders to fulfill.
Finally, Ciel dug into the macaroon he's desperately waited to feast upon. The cookie cracked when the spoon pierced the skin. The chips fell unto the plate, don't worry, he'll get to those later. With one bite, the sensation of the cookie left his mouth tingling with delight.
Raspberries taste the best in spring time. That is one miraculous thing Ciel believes in.
Author's Note:
Hi! The first thing I want to say is thank you for reading the first chapter of my first Kuroshitsuji story! So, some things are different, Ciel is aged up in my story. He is 18 years old, a 'refined' gentleman, and there are plans for him to marry Elizabeth. (LOL it was going to happen sooner or later)
So, this is my second go at a romance story. The main love interest is going to be between Ciel and Elsie (OC). Maybe there will be a love triangle. (and probably from the whole Ciel and Elizabeth marriage thing, there will be drama and fluff LOL )But I would like to know if you guys are willing to read this story, so I know whether or not to write more. Are you interested in reading further? And what were you favorite moments that you liked? If you guys liked it and want more, Ciel and Elsie will definitely be meeting each other in the next chapter!
I would so appreciate reviews, favs, follows! Tell me what you thought please! Thx for giving this a read!
Disclaimer: I do not own Kuroshitsuji, no matter how awesome it is.