Ch. 2

An hour later, Sebastian came into his study carrying a bottle. Ciel looked up at him in confusion. "The Marchioness Midford and her daughter are coming over in an hour, and you know how the Marchioness distastes letting your hair fall in your face." Sebastian smiled as he showed Ciel the bottle he was holding; hair gel. Ciel grimaced. He didn't like having his hair styled, he preferred letting it loose with his usual eye patch string around his head. Sebastian stepped forward menacingly as Ciel tried to push himself further back into his chair. Sebastian removed his gloves with his teeth and poured a large dollop of gel into his hands. Ciel whimpered slightly as Sebastian's hands pulled his bangs from his face.

Ciel blushed furiously as he looked into the bathroom mirror. Sebastian had pulled his bangs back as well and was washing his hands. The doorbell rang and Ciel jerked his head up in the direction of the door. The bell rang throughout the mansions' empty halls. Sebastian slipped his gloves back on as he went to open the front door. Ciel followed him silently.

"Welcome Marchioness Midford, my young Earl has awaited your arrival." Sebastian bowed as he held the door open for the Marchioness and her daughter, Ciel's fiancée Elizabeth. "God job, butler with the hair gel. But I don't think that it'll distract me from the rest of the mansion." Whenever Aunt Frances came to the Phantomhive mansion, she would make sure Ciel was living up to her expectations and making sure he would be a good husband for Elizabeth. Sebastian, being the demon he was, had made sure that the garden, food and mansion were all ready for the Marchioness's arrival the day before. He had gone as far as giving the servants a day off today; it was Christmas Eve after all.

"I expect you'll fine the mansion at its best today, Marchioness." Replied Sebastian with a smile. "I hope so." Sebastian led the ladies to their room and carried their luggage; they were going to be staying until the day after New Years'.

While the ladies freshened up, Sebastian prepared dinner. Seeing as the servants were still out, Sebastian had to finish it all in a small amount of time. He quickly whisked, stirred, poured, baked and cooked the dinner. When Sebastian came into the dining room, everyone was already seated. He pushed the food trolley in and served Lady Elizabeth, then Lady Midford and finally his Earl Phantomhive. "Oh this is very good, Sebastian!" Said Elizabeth with a bright smile. "Why thank you, Miss Elizabeth." Aunt Frances nodded in agreement. Ciel remained silent. He was fairly used to Sebastian's cooking by now. It wasn't any better than usual. Once dinner was finished, they all moved into the drawing room.

Ciel and Lizzy played several games of chess, with Ciel letting Lizzy win a few games, while Lady Midford played the piano. Sebastian quickly cleared away the dishes and joined the group in the drawing room with tea. Not too long afterwards, Lady Midford stopped playing, saying she was tired, then Lizzie "beat" Ciel at chess and they both decided that 22 games was enough for one evening. It was 10:23, much past Ciel's bedtime.

"Young master, I would recommend going to bed now, if you want to have an enjoyable Christmas Day tomorrow." "Alright. Lizzy, Aunt Frances, I'll be saying goodnight now." "Goodnight Ciel." Lady Midford went to hug Ciel and waited for Lizzy. "Goodnight Ciel! Go to sleep soon or Santa Claus won't come!" Said Lizzy as she hugged him.

The ladies went to their room as Sebastian walked his young master to his bed chamber. Ciel yawned quite a lot while Sebastian exchanged his nice blue suit for a long white, nightshirt. Sebastian pulled the covers over top Ciel's little body as he fell asleep. "Goodnight young master." Whispered Sebastian as he quietly left the room.

He went to the Midford bedroom to see if the ladies required anything; they didn't. Sebastian sighed and lazily combed his gloved hands through his hair, placing them back to normal.

He worked quickly and quietly as he transferred gifts from his bedroom to under the Christmas tree in the sitting room. Once he finished, he heard Baldroy, Finnian, Mey-rin and Tanaka coming in through the servants' door. They had all spent Christmas Eve at their families. Sebastian bade them all goodnight and went to his own room where he undressed quietly and went to sleep.