"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Ms. Hellavine. I've heard a lot about you." Lord Phantomhive acknowledged curtly before the butler smiled pleasantly in reply, "I must say, I have heard a lot about you as well; but there is no time for that. Madame is waiting for you. Please, follow me." Her eyes quickly gazed up at the other butler with wonderment before turning on her heel and directing them towards the dining room. Nicole was sitting in a proper, queen-like pose at the end of the Victorian-styled table. She soon stood up and curtsied to the lord before sitting back down, "Ahh, good evening Lord Phantomhive, Sir Michaelis. Please take a seat, you are my both guests here tonight. You have met my servant. She will be serving us."
Before Sebastian took his place by Ciel, his eyes wandered around the large room with an unreadable expression. His smile seemed out of place and didn't seem to match his darkened gaze, "I admire the decor. Did you pick this style yourself, Miss Hellavine?" He questioned lightly as he directed his attention to Cheyenne. The girl tilted her head to the side with a quaint smile, "Yes, but with M'lady's preferences, of course." The female butler joined her mistress's side and the stern mistress glared at her and muttered, "The quicker, the better." In which the demon returned with a simple, suspicious gaze as if she were saying 'what are you even thinking'?
"Let's get down to business, shall we?" Ciel interrupted, catching both of the female's attentions easily. Nicole and Lord Phantomhive exchanged focused, sincere stares before she turned and directed her eyes towards Cheyenne once again, "Go fetch the main course. I cannot have our meal getting cold." She directed her emptily, which made the butler quite curious. Did she seem a tad uncomfortable or was it her? Yet, she did not question her expression and went off to the kitchen with the nod of her head.
Once she exited the room, she looked over to Ciel and sighed uneasily, "How many days do you plan to..?" Mistress Kugeline didn't finish her sentence and the male bowed his head slightly before responding, "I would have to guess about around a week, and if need be, two or three." Sebastian began to look a bit puzzled, did he not know as well? The girl exhaled and fidgeted with the black trim of her violet dress underneath the table, "Alright then. Seems acceptable enough." Ciel seemed to notice the small hint of dismay within her features, "Is there something the matter, Miss Kugeline?" Her ears perked up as her eyes widened a bit, was something the matter? Why would he ask such a thing? Of course she was alright.
The duchess smirked and closed her eyes for a brief moment before slowly reopening them again, "Nothing you need to worry about, Lord Phantomhive. My thoughts have been in a haze lately, so I must apologize." The two maids, Jade and Jayden, came out with the tea cart and poured it in Kugeline's and Phantomhive's cups, "Today's tea is Congres Green, I hope it is to your liking, Lord Phantomhive." They both said in unison before setting the tray in between the two and heading off back towards the kitchen as the two royals bid them thanks.
"I must ask.." The duchess started off, "Why does my butler interest you so much?" She questioned before taking a sip of her tea briefly.
"It was her lack of knowing her place as a lower individual." He responded casually.
Miss Kugeline froze as she held her tea in one hand while staring straight ahead at the other. What did he say about her? The inescapable image of Cheyenne flashed through her mind, the same smiling face that obeyed her every command. The girl licked her lips and returned a reply in a bit of a quieter tone, "Pardon?"
His eyebrows raised as an average frown was placed upon his lips, "Well, to be quite frank, I believe your butler seems to be a bit out of order. From what you've told me, I've come to the fact that the girl has no boundaries and is constantly doing what she pleases, am I correct? It's not only that, but I'm quite curious about her in particular." He took a moment to take a sip of his tea before he continued, "I've decided to be generous and take her under my wing and tame her for you and in exchange, you may have my butler for the mean time to know what a true servant is. Thus, that is my purpose."
"My lord!" Sebastian exasperated and looked at him with a surprised gaze.
"M'lady!" said another voice.
It was Cheyenne.
Nicole's stomach churned and knotted nervously as she swallowed hard, almost dumbfounded by his purpose. She couldn't bare to take a look at Cheyenne. That.. That was all? If he was so curious, why couldn't he just ask her about Cheyenne and leave it at that? Was it that hard? Her mind suddenly transitioned to the chess game, remembering the deal she made with him regardless. The Kugelines never called off a deal just because of their own personal feelings. Her heart suddenly slowed down a couple of beats at the thought as she closed her eyes to get a bit of composure in her expression. A smirk was soon plastered on the Kugeline heiress's face, "I entrust her to you and I, in all hope, am eager to see her return as a proper butler. If the deal isn't fulfilled, I will hope you will find some way to repay me?"
Ciel almost looked astonished for a brief second, like he was beaten at his own game, "Are you asking for money, Ms. Kugeline?" The mistress burst out into a small fit of laughter before settling down quickly, "I suppose I am, but actually.. What I have in mind is something more valuable than money." Ciel narrowed his eye at the other royal with suspicion, "And what is that?"
"A kiss." She blatantly called out with a daring look in her dark irises.
A sudden, outraged expression took place upon his features, "That's ludicrous! I will not do such a ridiculous thing!" The female wagged her finger with a potent smile, "Ah, ah! I believe I should quote you from our previous chess match, 'I will give anything in return, as long as it's in my power.' A small peck on the lips is something surely you are capable of doing." The arrogant young boy scoffed before cocking his head upwards to look down upon the other, "Well, I can reassure you, I will succeed in our little deal. I never fail, you know."
"So, is that a deal?" She pressed mockingly.
Lord Phantomhive stared at the other hesitantly before replying, "Yes, the deal is sealed."
Sebastian exchanged a glance with the stricken Cheyenne and already she could tell there were going to be a few changes when she goes.
Decor probably being the first thing on his list.
- x -
Dinner passed over in the mean time, and the dining room was mostly filled with nothing but silence and casual glances between Sebastian and Cheyenne as if they were trying to communicate with each other in some way, but it was the exact opposite of that. The heavy atmosphere was unnerving and Nicole could barely believe that she could finish her dinner. After the meal and dessert which went with a few compliments about the chocolate frosted cake, the butler went to her quarters and quickly packed her large satchel with a few of her maid dresses and what she needed. Her hands seemed heavy as if cinder blocks were weighing down both of her hands. Even though the deal she made with Phantomhive was preposterous and unbelievable, she had no choice but except it. The servant was in no place to deny her madame's orders - it had always been that way after all.
The butler had her heavy satchel slung over her shoulder, but it seemed weightless to her. Cheyenne walked right to Nicole's side without taking a glimpse at the other. She was angry that she would do something like this to her. It grappled her heart, paining her that she could simply send her off like that. She soon found herself walking past the other demon butler on her way to Ciel's side. As if he had the same idea, the two of them stopped; shoulder by shoulder. The girl looked up at him, her irises turning to a deep shade of glowing violet with her pupils dilated to slits, "If you try anything on my mistress or let harm come to her in anyway, I would like to inform you that I have quite a delight for slicing; and if need be, I will have no hesitation whatsoever to give you a personal demonstration, Mr. Michaelis."
His eyes widened in slight astonishment before letting a smirk make way on his lips, "I can reassure you, Ms. Hellavine, that I will take care of your madame as long as you do the same for my lord.. It's a promise." Cheyenne gave a blank, unreadable expression before letting out a tiny sigh, "I bid you adieu.." And with that, she made her way out the door and to Ciel's carriage without looking back.
- x -
"What was that?" Nicole questioned in a murmur. The temporary butler replied with a slight tilt of his head as he let his eyelids close, a gentle smile still upon his face, "I believe I have made a rather feisty acquaintance, Lady Kugeline." The mistress let out a huff of slight irritation, "I told her not to start a fuss.. That girl never listens to me. What nuisance." With a spin of her heel, she carefully headed back up to her quarters. A small frown took place upon her lips as her upper eyelids lowered ever so slightly over her irises. Sebastian followed her silently, knowing not to speak.
It bothered her - she didn't even say goodbye.
