-Chapter 6-
As they left the Undertaker's shop on the dusty corner of Fleet Street, Ciel was still pondering his next move. He was quite sure nobody else had the same resources he had, so they could not possibly know about the cufflinks. However, one could never know. News travelled fast and he knew the Spider was on the case too. He had to get to the bottom of the matter, and fast. If the princess got wind of it, the name of Phantomhive would be dragged through the mud. Ciel's eyes hardened as he made his decision. It was time to act.
"Sebastian, prepare the carriage. We are going to visit Lau."
"Yes, my lord." Sebastian dutifully replied, smiling at the rigid back of his master. Brandishing a pocket watch concealed within his immaculate black coat, he noted the time. "We should be home in time for dinner."
Used to his flippant remarks, Ciel barely glanced at Sebastian as he seated himself in the carriage. Still deep in his thoughts, Ciel absentmindedly fingered the blue sapphire on his right thumb. Looking out the window, he saw the gray stone pavement slowly give way to grimy pebbles. They were entering the London underground. The filth of the country centered in this little space, barely the size of a village. Crossing his legs, Ciel waited as the carriage finally rumbled to a halt outside the smoky gates of an opium den.
Without waiting for Sebastian, Ciel hopped out of the carriage and strode through the door. He instantly regretted the action as opium smoke surrounded him. Sebastian, ever the perfect butler immediately whipped out a pristine white handkerchief from his coat pocket and held it to his master's nose. His gloved hand on his master's shoulder, Sebastian deftly guided Ciel into the heart of the opium den. There, they entered a luscious room that somehow managed to keep out the roiling smoke of opium. Stepping into the room, Ciel finally let out his breath as he filled his lungs with the smoke-free air. Glancing around the room cautiously, he noticed how the walls were of a calming shade of dark green, decorated with paneled wood. Knowing Lau, there would probably be an escape tunnel built in here somewhere, perhaps hidden behind one of the quaint antiques that had been strategically placed around the room. Overall, the tasteful décor of the room portrayed an air of luxury, contrary to the setting of an opium den.
"My, my, what is the Earl of Phantomhive doing here? This is highly unusual." Lau drawled. Sprawled on a plush satin sofa in the middle of the room, Lau smoked contentedly with his eyes closed. Clad in traditional Chinese clothing, with his ruffled black hair, he looked the part of a good-for-nothing idler. However, as a member of the Shanghai mafia and English underworld, Lau was always well-informed. Ciel respected Lau's abilities despite his many eccentricities.
"Lau, I need information." Ciel replied, his voice firm. Staring down at Lau, he waited impatiently as Lau finally sat up. Righting himself, Lau sank back onto the cushions of the sofa, gesturing for his voluptuous bodyguard, Ran Mao. Dressed in a short black and lavender cheongsam with thigh-high black socks, Ran Mao looked more like a mistress than a bodyguard. Her hair was arranged into long braids and two buns like cat-ears on both sides of her head. It was also decorated with a pink rose and gold tassel, framing the left side of her doll-like face. She even acted like a doll. Her delicate features and golden eyes never showed any expression, no matter the occasion. She obeyed Lau's orders without question.
At Lau's gesture, Ran Mao had immediately put down the Chinese fan she had been using to fan him and sat down obediently in his lap. The golden bells on her ankle tinkled as she positioned herself more comfortably against Lau.
"Now then, what kind of information are you seeking? The Queen's jewels?" Resting his hand on Ran Mao's exposed thigh, Lau turned to face Ciel. As always, his smiling expression annoyed Ciel.
"No. I want information on anyone who commissioned gold cufflinks with the Phantomhive crest." Staring seriously at Lau, his blue eyes cold and hard, Ciel's fist clenched against his side. "Someone is trying to frame me for the disappearance of the Crown Jewels. I'm going to hunt him down."
Lau paused for a second as though thinking, his smiling face revealing nothing. Absentmindedly, he stroked Ran Mao while he considered Ciel's words.
"The Phantomhive crest, eh? Well then, I imagine you'll have to pay a visit to Lord Jonathon Lancaster." Lau replied in an amused tone, seemingly unaware of Ciel's apparent anger. "This seems interesting, perhaps I shall tag along." Saying so, he let out another puff of smoke in Ciel's direction.
As the smoke billowed out, his eyes opened into slits for just a fraction of a second. They were dark brown.