Chapter Four
The sunlight warmed his cheeks and he slowly opened his eyes. Riff turned around, framed by the window. "Good Morning; it time to awaken."
Ciel groaned and sat up. He rubbed at his eyes and yawned. "It's still early. Why am I up?"
Riff removed himself from the sunlight's path, placing a tray of eggs and milk on his master's lap. "There are many pieces of paperwork that require your attention if we are to re-open Funtom factory and regain your fortune." Ciel nodded, not truly listening as he ate. "Will you need help to your study?"
This caught Ciel's attention and he looked up in shock. "My study? Do you mean…" The only study was…his father's. His breath hitched and unconsciously, he looked back at his bandaged hands.
"Is something wrong?" Riff inquired.
"Nothing. Have you set out my clothes?" Riff nodded, gesturing to the outfit set beside him. Ciel sighed, but left his bed nonetheless.
"You never answered my question, sir. Are you alright to walk to your study?" Riff repeated as he helped the shirt over Ciel's shoulders.
"If there is a hurry, yes." Ciel snarled, pushing his arms through. He buttoned his cuffs as Riff fixed the centerline.
"Then I shall find my own work to occupy me." Riff joked with that smile, holding out the vest for his lord to take.
Though he walked on his own, Riff dawdled behind him till the arrived at the parted staircase. The elder didn't miss a beat, making towards the ballroom to the kitchen. Ciel let out a breath, stepping his bad foot forward to the left wing.
The study, cast in a deep red; where it had all started. His father's scream, the one that alerted his mother and him, had unknowing made the fire spread. And now, it was perfectly scorch-free. How much time did Riff have on his hands?
The walk to the desk was long, each step taken with hesitance that the hated fire would spring back to life. His hand passed over the mahogany desk, the top drawer slightly ajar as it always had been. Careful white hands pulled it open and thin fingers stroked the sole content.
His father's pocket watch, the sapphire stone set in the cover and the lapis lazuli set in the face. The Phantom Watch, he called it. It was the one thing that Ciel had looked forward to owning when he turned…12. His heart fluttered. Was this all his parents' doing? Was Riff truly an angel sent to him to receive this present?
No. If God existed, he wouldn't even need an angel. His father could give it to him, just like he was suppose to. Ciel shook his head. He took the watch, hooking and placing it in his pocket. He looked about the study, looking at the ceiling. "Thank you, Father." He murmured.
He leaned into the leather chair, feeling too small for such a large chair – too small for such a large position. Before him were the papers Riff must've meant, all waiting for his signature.
Signatures, right.
An hour had passed and not one document was signed. He found extra paper and tried his hardest to filter through the memories on how to write. The first few attempts faltered as his mind blanked on the 'r' or the 'z' and then him berating himself for forgetting that there wasn't even an 'r' or 'z' in his name at all.
"Ciel, I have brought – have you not started on the paperwork?" Ciel jumped from sleep as Riff entered with a tray of apple slices and tea. His mouth watered and he threw away any façade of professionalism.
Riff stood behind him as Ciel ate. He examined the boy's penmanship with scrutiny. The young Earl-to-be did have the ability but…"How old were you when you're parents died?" He blurted, forgetting for a moment his place.
Ciel hesitantly bit down on a slice. "Fi-five, Riff. No more than five." His voice, suddenly free of gravel, held the smoothness of ice.
"I see. You couldn't have been any further than your name and the alphabet, am I correct?" Ciel nodded, pushing away the small lunch. He was full.
Riff took away the platter and set it aside. He then leaned forward, quick hands creating a plain name. "Attempt to copy this if you are still in frustration. We will need to school you if you are to become an Earl." Riff's voice was stern, but held gentleness still. "I will go to town today and find a tutor."
"Or you could tutor me." Ciel spoke quickly, eyes downcast on the beautiful manuscript. With determined hands and an out-stuck tongue, he attempted copying.
Riff watched with his smile, taken by heart with the young master. "Well then…may I offer my assistance to my student?"
Ciel froze as Riff's hand covered his own. With just that much force, Ciel's and Riff's conjoined hands wrote out his name, looking as splendid as Riff's hand had been. "Write like this, move you're hand like this, and your hand will be envied by all of London." Ciel nodded, fighting a losing battle with his blood.
"Thank you, Riff. That shall be all." He pried away from the butler's grasp and picked up the first sheet of work. He skimmed over it, quietly waiting for the man to leave.
As he signed, he noticed the curves were still just a bit jagged. Oh well, it was a start.