It had been over a week since.

Twisting the heavy ring on his thumb Ciel grimaced at the mirror—the very mirror his mother used in her and his father's shared room. Steeling his mind from the fact that he had been moved in the very same room, to honor his new role as the sole Earl of Phantomhive, he glared at himself. He still looked sickly, his skin ashen and his body too slim to be normal for boys his age.

The clothes, much finer than the ones he'd ever worn before and properly fitted, still felt too loose on him.

He felt disgusting in it—he didn't like how noble he looked in this dark-colored suit. He felt like a thief, in a role that shouldn't have been his yet. Coal grey hair draped neatly over his skull, its color returned from dullness with his servant's tender care. It persisted at hiding his good eye and allowing his demonic eye to mock him from the mirror.

A pentagram—an upside-down star enclosed in a circle wrapped in the design of what looked like ocean waves—shone brilliantly on his dull colored eye. If he dared to look closely, he'd see foreign texts curling within. Ciel could almost say the design was beautiful in its simplicity.

He hated it.

"Kagome," He barked, summoning her from her position at the door, "my eyepatch, if you please."

She was at his side, before he could've blinked. She showed the object he requested in her hands to him from the mirror, "Would you like me to put this on for you?"

Ciel flickered his eyes to meet hers from the reflection. He hummed his confirmation. Funny, he hadn't realized how much taller his lady butler was than he. Must've been those heels, he decided, as he tipped back his head to allow Kagome the access. Kagome, while looking quite intimidating in her own way, was rather a small woman with exotic looks telling of her origin.

Japanese, he was sure, if he recalled correctly of when he first saw her.

"As you wish." Kagome bowed. She untangled the item and fingered apart his hair. Not giving his shiver much thought Kagome planted the dense black leather over his right eye and held it there, "Milord, if you will please."

His two fingers took her place, and the tie tightened on the back of his skull.

"Is it uncomfortable for you, milord?" Kagome swept aside Ciel's hair, attempting to right it from hindering his remaining sight.

Wrinkling his nose at how distinguished he looked Ciel tore away from the large mirror, "I'll get used to it."

"Very well. Our guests will be here in momentarily." Kagome tapped her heels together, "Will you like to wait here, or shall I escort you to your office? I'll have your tea shortly."

Ciel paused, eying her.

A small woman she may be, the air she gave away was far more sophisticated than anyone he'd ever seen—save for his father. The outfit she wore, was impeccable down to even the tiniest details. Her fashion was of what a proper lady butler was expected to wear, from her tailcoat with tails that end at the top of her calves, pencil skirt that settled over her knees, and thick white stockings covering the entirety of her long legs. On her feet adored a pair of shiny court shoes, with impressive heels, boosting her height even further.

The only difference that set her apart from most lady butlers were her white cravat, with a red glimmering jewel pinning it in place, instead of a typical necktie she had earlier. That jewel was his mark, that she is serving him and only him. If she were to mark him by leaving her sign in his eye and forced him to wear an eyepatch for the rest of his life, he might as well do the same—if it was only superficial.

Petty but it made him feel a tad better about his appearance.

She laughed about it though.

"Office," Ciel stated, and without a second look, he brisked to the door. The moment she opened it, he resumed, sparing no words for her. He knew she could hear his thudding heart though. Kagome probably didn't miss his clenching fists either.

Keeping close to his back, Kagome hummed, "Don't fret. The tea will help calm you down some. I understand you are nervous about seeing your family again, but—"

"Nervous!?" Ciel spun on his feet, his one eye sparking, "I do not want to see them to see me as is! I do not need their pity!" He spat.

Kagome cocked her head, blinking, "Very understandable, milord, but it had to be done regardless."

Ciel sounded an impressive growl—but there was a flush of the embarrassment of losing control of himself, "Just…"

"Milord," she stepped closer, and a ghost of her finger tilted his chin upward—without ever touching him, "To be an Earl you first must be acknowledged as one. Lord and Lady Midford will give you that. That," Kagome corrected her stance and refolded her hands on her lap, "is the first step, and the easiest."

Shaking out a breath Ciel clamped down his teeth, "Tch. I suppose they'd be better to deal with than Auntie Angelina." Her reaction was...not something he'd ever want to experience again.

"I do not believe it'd just be Lord and Lady Midford," Kagome frowned at her master's stiffening state, "they'd be bringing their son and daughter as well, as I was informed by the steward."

Ciel paled and tore away from her unreadable gaze. An ugly scowl took place on his expression, "Must I see them as well!?"

Keeping the urge to sigh to herself, Kagome pressed insistently at his elbow, "Come, you should have your tea. It will calm your nerves."

He didn't want to. His bed sounded like a much better idea. But, jerking off her grip he nodded and headed to his new office. Ciel didn't remember much of his destination there, but he found himself sitting in the chair much too big for his little ten years old body with a steaming cup of tea in his hands.

It was delicious.

He was surprised and wondered how he hadn't noticed last he had her tea—perhaps he was too distracted to notice tastes. Everything tasted bland for the first few days after his first proper meal, his undernourished state had somehow disabled his taste buds, "This is delicious." Ciel blinked.

Kagome smiled—the smile looked rather genuine for her, "Thank you, milord. It is Chamomile Tea, it does wonders for weak nerves, I've heard."

"…I've half expected you to accomplish poor attempt of making teas," Ciel admitted, eying his lady butler.

That smile turned wicked, "Come now," Kagome pressed her hand over her heart—where it doesn't beat, he was sure, "you've wounded me, milord! How am I a butler, if I cannot succeed at something as simple as making teas?" She softened that smirk, "Where I am from wouldn't allow me to be this pitiful."

"I am assuming you're referring to Japan? I hear they share a similar fondness for teas as we do here." Ciel sipped.

"You'd be correct, milord. Now then," Kagome's cheery expression vanished and in its place was seriousness, "have your nerves calmed yet at the idea of facing the Midford?"

Clinking the tea back onto the saucer Ciel braced with a deep inhale, "I am…better, but I can't say I am ready."

"I may not understand completely of humankind, milord," Kagome murmured, as she refilled his tea, "but I do not expect anyone at your age would be. If I may be so bold to ask," catching Ciel's quirk of a brow, she pressed, "may I offer you an advice?"

Ciel broadened his shoulders and clasped together his hands—it was harder than he expected to be so composed, like his father always was, "You are my butler and advisor. In this world, there is no one else I can afford to trust more than you." He slid close his eye, "What are you going to tell me?"

Kagome slanted her focus on a glass-fronted cabinet, where it kept artifacts, "Do you see rifles there?"

"What's of them?" Ciel wondered about what she was getting at.

Kagome returned her gaze, "These are Pattern 1861 Enfield Musketoon, muskets that were used in the Second Anglo-Ashanti War, Bhutan War, to name a few, from what I understand of their history." Ciel looked puzzled still. She continued, "These weapons were never at rest with these soldiers. These men were always ready for what may come."

Pushing his back against his chair Ciel frowned, "What are you saying?"

She was frank, "Face everything that comes your way like a battle to be won."

Ciel paused, and after a considerate silence, he nodded, thoughtful "…Huh. I haven't thought of it like that. A battle to be won…That's one way to look at it."

Kagome mused, "Milord, you must preserve, to live. That's a basic philosophy, no?"


Words: 1515

a/n: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! As per my tradition, I'm updating couple of my fics (early) as a gift for you my dear readers! Hope you'll enjoy!

To answer an anon's question, yes Sebastian will show up in the story. It was wrong of me to assume that you dear readers were aware of that already, since I mentioned this tidbit forever ago in the old version, Troublesome. Although the story itself had changed significantly (and for the better because that one is just poor in so many ways), it still had many parts that carried over—Sebastian included.

I didn't delete him from the existence, I promise. Pretty much everyone will be in the story, from the Reapers, Kuro 2 cast, to even [spoiler alert!]. Sebastian, since Kagome already took over his original position for this story, will have another role—though whether if that's for the better is up to you.

To those who want their questions to be answered immediately, I cannot answer if you're on anon. If that is not an option for you, then please contact me at tumblr (masquerabe) and I will answer there. Hopefully my answer regarding Sebastian assured you?

As always, thanks for reading and please review!