Thank you to promocat, Thegraybluekitten, Carrie2sky, Akatsukismidnightsun,and guests.
Special thanks to Carrie for betaing. Hope you enjoy this one.
The Punishment: the sentence
"You're going to get it." Cole whispers fiercely. "Do you know the rules and punishment for stealing, Phantomhive?" A cruel smile tugs at his painted lips. Birch whip. he mouths.
Ciel pretends not to hear, not to see. Lined up with Cole, Doyle, and Marrow, he waits for the Red and Blue wardens and the Deputy Principal to finish lecturing the prefects.
"You have a responsibility to all the students safety," Professor Michaelis is saying, his voice low and carrying.
Ciel resists the urge to tap his fingers, to sit down to wait in bored indifference. He'd usually adopt this stance at home in his manner.
"—strict policy against burglary and sneaking about after hours." The deputy headmaster intones, his voice grave with disapproval. "You yourselves must protect the rules to set an example for the other students."
A chorus of, "Yes sir," announces the end of the lecture. The P4 files out of the office. Bluer gives Ciel a measuring look, though the others stare past him.
Maurice holds his chin high, expecting Redmond to give him a look of concern or disapproval (Ciel isn't sure which he expects). But Maurice is disappointed; Redmond looks past each boy awaiting punishment, looking only ahead at the line of framed portraits on the wall.
Under the eyes of previous headmasters or because of the public shunning, Maurice's expression turns sour.
"Phantomhive, Cole, Marlow. And Doyle, I see." The deputy headmaster towers over the boys. "Come in." The solemn, forbidding tone is lessened only by the deputy headmaster hitting his temple on the doorframe.
The wardens stand like sentinels before the headmaster's desk.
"Relate last night's events again, Professor Michaelis."
"Yes, sir. Some students knocked on Bluer's door. He didn't see their faces. Bluer discovered Phantomhive wandering about the halls without explanation. Shortly after, Phantomhive was apprehended. He and Mister Cole, Mister Doyle, and Mister Marlow entered the dorm, claiming they thought stolen property to be in Phantomhive's possession. He had nothing on him, so the party went to his bedroom. The stolen property, that letter opener, sir, was found in his desk. Finally, Redmond came in, explaining that some students from his house were there. I sent them all to bed without issuing punishment."
Mr. Agares looks at the errant students with an expression of sincere displeasure. He seems to look past the boys, and then he clenches his eyes shut. Ciel isn't sure if it's the pain of his clumsiness or some teacherly emotions.
"Mister Cole and company, you are charged with writing rule number thirty in regards to curfew two hundred times. I expect a reflection on your actions as well." He levels his gaze on Ciel. "You as well, Mister Phantomhive." His stern gaze does not waver.
Maurice looks at the floor, and coughs lightly. He raises his eyes only, goading the deputy principal on.
"In addition, you will submit to public caning. It is the penalty for theft, as you should know by now. Five strokes, and a fine of two pounds."
Ciel drops his gaze and mutters the appropriate apology. Disregarding his character for a moment, he does not allow for a tremor or a quake in his voice. "I understand, sir." When he raises his head, he sees Sebastian's dour expression melt into a faint smile.
He meets Ciel's gaze, and nods once. "Sir, in light of Phantomhive's protest that there was no proof behind—"
The Deputy Principal holds up his hand. "I'm afraid not. In the principal's name, we must uphold the rules. If a young man was creeping about like a thief in the dark, then perhaps a thief he is. We should teach him most strictly. If he is not, he should guard his time more effectively, and keep his door locked. He must uphold his honor, and the honor of the school, by behaving in the manner of a gentleman."
Maurice grins wickedly, transforming his charming, polished features to a gremlin's mask. The boy is absolutely delighted.
"'I do not believe our Queen would wish us to uphold a system completely devoid of faith or legal procedure,'" Sebastian quotes.
Ciel's head whips up, and he stares at Sebastian. His puzzled expression must be obvious, and Sebastian chuckles without humor.
"Don't be angry, Mister Agares…" Young master… "I'm merely repeating what his prefect, Mister Lawrence Bluer, wished to say."
Ciel stares in stony silence. He exits without a word.
tbc...
so! Kuro chapter comes out soon. think anything like this will happen?
thoughts? Enlighten me!
ALSO: I am a research dork. In 1882, 2 pounds was the cost of a "weekday suit." Compare to "Wife Dress per year" 35 pounds, 8 shillings, 4 pennies. According to: victorianweb dot org slash economics slash wages4 dot html . "Mr. Patterson (site owner) found the following information on the cost of living in England in 1888 in an article entitled "Life on a Guinea a Week" in The Nineteenth Century (1888), p. 464."