Ciel was floating. Floating through nothingness. A vast, colorless, nothingness.
"If you once reject the faith, you can never pass through the gates of heaven."
"Would someone who believes in god summon you?"
A chuckle, followed by the sound of feathers fluttering. The vast nothingness became darkness. A darkness so deep, it seemed to Ciel that light had never been to this place.
"I'll ask you again: do you wish to make a contract?"
"Don't be tedious! Just execute the contract, and grant my wish."
"It's time to wake up, young master."
Bright light beat against Ciel's eyelids. Turning his head, Ciel could see the back of his butler pinning back the drapes to his bedroom window.
" Today's Breakfast is poached salmon and mint salad. To go with it, we have either toast, scones, or pain de campagne. What would you like?"
"A scone."
Ciel yawned as he sat up in his Queen mattress. Bawling his fists around the cuff of his sleeve, Ciel stretched before stilling to allow his butler to dress him for the day. As his eyes focused, Ciel listened to Sebastian rattle of today's itinerary.
"After breakfast is a visit with, Mr. Hugh the authority on the history of the Roman Empire. Mr. Daimiano from the Poseidon Company will be here after lunch.
"Ah, yes. The man I have manufacturing stuffed animals for me in India?"
"I'm told he is Italian. We will prepare to offer him the utmost possible hospitality."
Sebastian placed his teacup on the bed table, and knelt to put on Ciel's shoes and socks. Ciel picked up his teacup and sampled the aroma before sipping it.
"This aroma… Earl Grey?"
"Yes, from Jacksons of Piccadilly. I shall await you at the dining table."
Putting down his teacup, Ciel reached over to his bedside drawer and grabbed one of his darts. Ciel aimed it at his butler's head and threw it at full strength.
Without turning around or stepping to the side, Sebastian tilted his head and caught the dart as it passed over his shoulder.
"Yes, young master? Let's save the games for later."
"Yes, I suppose you're right Sebastian."
"Ah yes, before I forget. The Queen's butler arrived early this morning with a letter. I was told to have you open it tonight."
With that last message delivered, Sebastian left the room. Ciel sighed and ran his hand through his hair.
'What will it be this time? What last minute mission will I be sent on tonight?'
"Aaaaaaagh! Mama mia!"
"What hideous screams. He sounds like a pig being led to slaughter."
Ciel giggled, staring at the Italian limp across the yard.
"What arrogance, first he sells my factory and then he dares to ask for more money. Did he think to retain my trust?"
Ciel moved his piece to the finish line of the board game, and sighed. Knocking the piece over with the tip of his finger, Ciel solemnly stared at the moon.
"I'm afraid once something is truly lost, you may never recover it."
A knock at the door dragged Ciel's full attention back to the present. Humming in acknowledgement, Ciel faced the door as his butler entered the room.
"Young master."
Sebastian placed the letter from the queen on the game board and backed up a few steps. Ciel sliced the Queen's emblem off the flap with the knife he keeps in his garter belt.
The envelope held a single sheet of paper titled 'Dog House At Eleven'.
Dog House At Eleven
The spider does her dirty work,
The dog cleans up her lawn,
The rat deals with politics,
The Queen makes people fawn.
The rat has made a foreign friend,
And this the Queen enjoys,
She sent the rat out overseas,
And tomorrow he sends back toys.
A princess of the Eastern winds,
Her guard, the violent knight,
A Bookman by the name of Lavi,
And a pair afraid of sunlight.
Spider and rat have met before,
Dog and rat as well,
Spider and dog have yet to meet,
The Queen hopes all goes well.
Ciel pinched the bridge of his nose and sighs. Refilling the letter, Ciel wordlessly hands it to Sebastian.
'She wrote this herself. None of her staff would dare write such drivel. It is a strenuous process, that only she enjoys.'
"It seems we are to play host tomorrow, might I suggest a luncheon? The guests are notoriously eccentric, and will most likely not behave for dinner."
"You know them then? Explain."
The rat, from her Majesty's poem, is in reference to the House Kamelot. They run Britain's most successful clothing company, and are connected to other major industries by way of their talented family memebers."
"We've met Earl Kamelot, just this last year, when his granddaughter, Rhode, designed our Halloween line. It was brief and you did not like their energy. If I remember correctly, you called her muderous after she stabbed her dog with her umbrella."
Ciel clenched his fists and stared down his grinning butler. Sneering at Sebastian, Ciel scoffed.
"I hold the nickname, 'The Queen's WatchDog'. All violent acts done to dogs, become acts of disrespect in my presence. I should have scorned her, but her father is an important man."
"Coincidentally, she is the fiance of the spider. Earl Trancy is a child of only 13 years, he was adopted into the family a mere year before the old head died."
"Suspicious."
"True. However the last Earl Trancy was a known pedophile. Many believe that his death was a just murder, and that Alois deserves the title. He has done a fine job running the Trancy entertainment and management company."
"Entertainment for every class has been doubled in the two years he's been in charge of the company. He's given a voice to different types of entertainment, from both the underground, and overseas. However he is a bit unstable and sometimes confuses love with sex and violence. It is said that Miss Rhode demanded their engagement after a dance between the two led to a fight."
With a bow, Sebastian turned to put away the boardgame he had packed up while speaking with Ciel. Placing the box back in its drawer, Sebastian noticed how tired his young master appeared. Dusting his hands, Sebastian turned back toward Ciel.
"And I am to have these ruffians in my home! These foreign guest had better be worth it. Have my staff on standby, in case I am attacked."
"Of course my lord. Would you like a bath now? The water is ready, and your clothes are prepared."