The Book
~Leaf by leaf, page by page… The book shall always be the same~
~Disclaimer: Kuroshitsuji, its characters and their statuses, and its plot do not belong to me. ~
~Second Piece~
Hiring a New Butler
He gathered them, which was of course unknown to all ordinary people and replaced their memories with a different one.
He made them think that they had been there all along, even if they weren't.
He made the crowd know that the place was an ordinary intersection in the city; with lots of shops and stores and people from different walks of life.
But what is this?
The so-called intersection was but an alley; filled with filth and soot and all the impurities one with a reasonable conscience would call.
But who cares? That's what they knew of it—no more questions.
And this was all his doing.
The violent storm that visited the city of London last week has now been replaced by a bright and sunny weather. The skies are perfectly light blue with varying degrees due to the sun's brilliant rays. On top of them are occasional fluffy and feather-like white clouds. The new morning certainly shouts out a promise of a better tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the once cold and dark streets are now busy and alive early in the morning. Traders, merchants, shoppers, and socialites, among others, crowd the streets. Some are buying and selling; others are just chatting and are out for a walk.
-
Amidst this cheerful mob of people is a magnificent carriage that stopped at the entrance of a dark alley. Then, a very handsome young man who apparently is in his early 20's stepped out.
His hair was of silky black and it was partnered with bright and luminous deep blue eyes. He has a statuesque body, not of the macho type, but of the sexy type (talk about Lelouch… aherm. *coughs*) ; while his posture and way of dressing, although kept to minimal to avoid attention, screams out his nobility.
He doesn't wear his black suit. Instead, he held it with his left arm and draped it over his shoulder. He wore a black vest, a loosened black tie and a white long-sleeved shirt with its first two buttons left undone.
-
The ladies around there froze in awe and amazement of the young man's natural and handsome beauty. All of them were staring at him admirably and certain to us all, the youth noticed this. He turned around and faced them, and then his wonderful and you-don't-know-its-direction hair swayed as he moved. (A/N: Think of Byakuran's plus Pluto's hair… only tamer.)
Upon facing them, he held his hair with his right hand (the hair that was blocking his face) and winked at them.
The ladies were mesmerized and were left swooned over the heavenly feeling.
-
"Women… they are all the same…" the young man muttered. Then he turned to the coachman and said, "Stay there, okay? I'll be back after… let's say, five minutes."
"Yes, young master." the man driving the carriage responded politely.
-
That was Timothy Stormhaze, the heir of his family's nobility and ranks, businesses, wealth, and estates. Even though he is a very naughty fellow, he knows where to place himself, especially when his family's name and dignity is on the line.
But what is this he is about to do?
--
He entered a dark alley and walked until he found himself in front of a door. Unlike anyone else outside the streets or even any citizen in the whole of London or of England, he knew what was inside the room and what usually happens in its premises.
It was a dirty, gross, and disgusting kind of place. No one—or rather, no man who hasn't lost his mind would ever go there or even get near it… Especially Timothy, for he is a son of a nobleman.
But the book says so; it said that the person he is looking for is in that place and that means that he should proceed…even if he doesn't want to.
-
Timothy sighed. Oh well… it is what the darn book says and it's for my family, anyway.
He hesitated at first, but eventually continued into stepping inside.
--
"Oh look, someone's here." a woman said.
"I haven't seen him before…" another said.
He was welcomed with a lot of women and few girls in their late teens. All of them are staring at him puzzlingly and, at the same time, admiringly. They anticipate that they could haul a lot of money from him. By judging him from his appearance, they thought that he was wealthy and they were, undeniably, right.
Why are there so many women here?! , Timothy thought astonishingly. This place SHOULD be a bar at daytime, right?!
-
The females started to smile and gaze at his glimmering sapphire eyes. They were enticed by those eyes and they approached him almost unconsciously.
What the hell is happening to them?! , Timothy baffled in his thoughts. It's like they are being controlled!
"Ah! Sorry, sorry…" he apologized to drift their attention. "I think I barged in the wrong room… I thought this was the bar I was looking for…"
"No," a woman from behind the counters said. She appears to be the manageress in that place. She looks of about mid-30 and wears a heavy make-up.
She walked towards him then continued, "You are in the right place. It just so happened that you went here in wrong day and the wrong time."
"Maybe…" he answered while turning to his side.
"So, what is it that you want?" she asked frankly.
Timothy reached out a paper he got from the pocket in his vest. Then he said while holding the paper out for them to see, "I've heard that this guy is often spotted around here during the day. I've got some matters to tell him."
The females inspected the picture. It seems that they do not know who the man is so they all turned their heads towards the manageress.
The latter then remembered, "Ah, that guy… He's the bartender here. Wait there, I'll call him." Then she went to the stairs behind the counters.
--
After a while, a man was seen descending from the stairs with the manageress.
He looks… exactly like the photo but… Oh well…, Timothy thought deeply.
The man looks like he is in his late 30's and a little ragged. He looked at Timothy and the latter stared back at him. He wasn't surprised to see Timothy and it looks as if he was expecting his visit.
The women and girls returned to their respective businesses… maybe because they are not interested what the two males are about to talk about.
After approaching Timothy, the man neared is mouth to the former's ear. Then he whispered, "Do you believe in entities other than humans?"
Timothy smiled. Then he muttered, "I know it is stupid—no, it really IS stupid but I believe in things like angels, demons, and reapers."
"I see." Then the man led the youth before him outside and away from that room.
--
Now in the dark alley again, the man asked Timothy if he could go back to his carriage. Timothy did not know why, but he gladly did what was asked.
After a while, a rather reserved knock was heard on the door of the carriage. Timothy was on the other side of the seat inside, which was away from the door. So, instead of opening it or anything, he just said "come in."
He was looking outside the window and only when he heard the door about to close, he looked at the man again and he was surprised to see…
"Huh? Wait… You are not the man from a while ago…" Timothy remarked puzzlingly. Then he continued, "Even the photo! It's not you… You look younger."
"I am the one in the photo." the man stated stiffly as he positioned himself on the seat comfortably. "The eyes often deceive its owner."
Timothy searched for the picture in the pocket of his vest. He looked at it and he was astonished to see that the person printed was different from the one earlier. It changed to the picture of the person in front of him.
This is…wicked. The book, is it—
"Wait." He said when the person in front of him started to close the door. He peeked outside and was astounded to see the dark alley gone.
"It's…gone."
"Impure things should be deleted from this world, right?" the man said emotionlessly.
Timothy smiled then closed the door. Then he ordered from inside, "Mr. Thomas, let's go!"
--
The man was about the same age as Timothy. He has sleek black hair and deep red eyes filled with guilt, regret, and revenge. He was handsome and presentable but one thing is very strange with him: he was emotionless. If you stare at his eyes, it will somewhat tell you a story, a very long story on what is deeply hidden behind his emotionless actions.
Be careful though, for when you start to turn the book's leaves, it might just suck you in… in the darkest depths of this man's erased feelings.
"If that should happen," Timothy started to respond to the young man's statement. "Then there wouldn't be anything left in this world."
"True. That's precisely why I am not a Reaper. I judge narrowly, better yet, I often take sides and that makes me a poor judge…" the young man related.
"… especially when the family I serve is involved."
-
"It is quite overwhelming to have a discussion with you, don't you think?" Timothy suddenly blurted out.
"What made you say that, young master?" the young man asked.
"Well nothing… I just feel that a heavy burden is about to fall upon my shoulders—now that I started to come in contact with you."
The young man paused. It's as if he was recently punished by his employer—even if he wasn't. "I believe that I am the burden; I'm deeply sorry, young master."
"Ah, no…" Timothy rejected the other's statement. "It's not you—it's me. I was warned by the author yet I continued to read; I did not heed his advice and that proves that I'm ready for the consequences.
Oh, I remember something… It seems to me that you are starting already…!"
The young man shook his head then said, "I haven't even ended my service and loyalty to you, your family, and especially to the young mistress, young master."
"Wow." Timothy remarked. "What devotion. So, tell me, would you like to be called by your name?"
"I respect and accept your every decision but now that you asked me, I would prefer to be called by a different name, young master."
"Alright… Wait, let me think…" Timothy thought of a name for a while. "How about… Nathaniel Mirlough? Is it alright?"
"If it's from you, it will be fine."
--
When they were about a kilometer away from the gates of the Stormhaze family's manor, Timothy looked at his pocket watch to check the time.
"8:00 in the morning… Only an hour left before Elicia wakes up."
"I'm sorry for my rudeness, but you allow the young mistress to wake up late?" Nathaniel asked. (Well, let me call him Nathaniel now.)
"It's a weekend today. It's the only time she could rest…" Timothy explained. "Um, Nathaniel, as your first task, could you make Mr. Thomas forget about our conversation? He might have heard something."
"As you please, my Lord."
---
Ai: Good day, everyone.
Now that they are about to enter the mansion, the first play shall finally unfold.
I do not know much of the 19th century's customs and practices, please inform me if I did something wrong.
I know; I made a lot of references from other animé and if it irritates you, I'm deeply sorry.
I warn you that I shall be using Japanese honorifics (although I already did that in the first chapter…) for respect here.
I'm sorry if it's boring; but I still take that as a compliment to make my work better.
I thank those who reviewed my work. Thank you very much again. ^^
-- please review ^^--
Next time on "The Book":
The carriage finally enters the magnificent estate of the Marquis. Filled with trees, evergreen carpets with colorful flowers, and a whole lot more of the noble family's riches, I hope that it would fill you with awe as much as what it filled me.
The next chapter would also unravel the other servants' histories; would they be as mysterious as "Nathaniel Mirlough"? Or would they be as confusing as the Book?
See you next time and sleep tight tonight, your angel is always watching over you.
---
~He who writes has absolute power. Are you aware? ~
~Disclaimer: Kuroshitsuji, its characters and their statuses, and its plot do not belong to me. ~
~Code Geass's and Katekyo Hitman Reborn's characters and their traits also do not belong to me. ~
