Demon's Collared Beast
That Butler and His Pet, Shadowing.
Disclaimer: Leo only belongs to me. Their dialogue belongs to Black Asylum for scanlating Kuroshitsuji and Yen Press for licensing it. Kuroshitsuji belongs to Toboso-sensei
Warning: Stuff? Sensuality? A bit lovey dovey between Leo and Sebby? Change in Leo's clothing?
I stood there standing next to the Young Master as Mr. Sebastian and Mr. Agni were fencing. I stood there in anticipation as they were about to start their fight.
"Jo Aagyaa" Mr. Agni added as he was in a different battle stance than Master.
"Yes my Lord!" Mr. Sebastian readied himself, their stares had an intense aura which made to room fill with utter silence which Master had broken with his smile. "Now then, please go easy on me." Mr. Sebastian flaunted his foil and Mr. Agni did the same as well.
"Here I come!" Mr. Agni yelled as he made the first clash.
They were evenly matched for each other as they equally dodged each others' move. Watching them fight made me realize that I wouldn't have won against Mr. Agni due to my height but I might have been on par since my agility and vast amount of swordplay I did when I my lifetime amount of training I had done with Master when I first arrived.
I began to watch intensely as Mr. Sebastian's eyes turned slit showing that he was serious. Both of them were swiftly dodging each others moves as well at attacking each other. Each move was with precision and it seemed as if they were reading each others' moves. Both were in sync copying each others' move it seemed as if they were each others' mirror image. As the duel was almost over, they thrust the foil making the tip of their foils against another the force of their strength made the foil bent and eventually break which created a resonating sound which echoed throughout the room. I began I place my hand over my face as Mr. Sebastian caught the piece of the foil that was airborne for a few seconds.
"Oh my, the foil's broken." Mr. Sebastian pointed out the obvious as I slightly grew angry from his rash decisions.
"This means that it'll be impossible to compete anymore. So this match ends in a draw." Mr. Agni added as I touched the Young Master's head as he stood there in shock.
"I'm impressed! Ciel's butler I shall excuse you today in deference to your skills!" Prince Soma praised Mr. Sebastian as I watched the Young Master's face which was full of surprise that a human could have a draw with a demon.
"It is my honor." Mr. Sebastian bowed. Mr. Agni began to walk up the Mr. Sebastian once again.
"Mr. Sebastian, thank you for being my opponent." Mr. Agni thanked as Mr. Sebastian looked towards him.
"I feel the same way. Mr. Agni, you are a fast learner. I can't say that the result will be the same if you aren't a novice." Mr. Sebastian added as Mr. Agni yet again was being humble.
As the Young Master told Mr. Agni that his arm was alright he finally called over Mr. Sebastian. "That man, what is he exactly?" The Young Master asked as I began to chuckle, "Don't tell me that it is that kind again…" Mr. Sebastian slightly chuckled too.
"No, he is human." Mr. Sebastian answered as I stood beside him as Prince Soma began to bother him once more.
"He's just an ordinary human. However, he possesses abilities we do not have." I added as Mr. Sebastian began to rub my head with his hand. Master's comforting had always relaxed me just like an owner petting their cat and just like I cat I purred to his touch and attention.
"We should get the preparations for evening dinner ready." I added as I left with Mr. Sebastian to the kitchen.
Bard was in the kitchen trying to convince Master if he could cook but Master took the pan from his hand with irritably.
"Bard, please try to understand, we were held back 30 minutes. Mr. Sebastian and I are quite irritable when we are delayed." I smiled as Bard began to glare at me and I fiercely glared at him back. Mr. Agni popped in as he asked for help.
"Mr. Agni, you really don't have to." I began to stop him as he began to smile and refused to decline my offer.
"More people that help the faster you get work done. Feel free to order me around." Mr. Agni smiled as I began to look at Mr. Sebastian's face which I slightly began to chuckle.
"Leo, will you explain to Mr. Agni tonight's dish? I have other things to attend to." Mr. Sebastian asked as I went to the drawer and nodded my head at his request.
"It will be my pleasure." I bowed as Mr. Sebastian walked away as I began to explain the preparations for tonight's dish.
As I started to cook in the kitchen with Mr. Agni nearby a long silence by Mr. Agni's most peculiar comment. "Ms. Leo you are like Mr. Sebastian in many ways." Mr. Agni bluntly said, I was slightly shocked from Mr. Agni's comment.
"Well, Mr. Sebastian did find me in my time of nothingness, if anything was to happen to Mr. Sebastian I wouldn't forgive myself." I explained as I washed my hands and took off the apron and began to fold it, "I need to attend something that the Young Master assigned me."
I walked out of the room as I left Mr. Agni with Mey Rin, Bard, and Finny.
I began to stretch my arms as I wiped off my sweat from arranging the library. The room was sparkling, tidy, and absolutely perfect. "This is a work of art." I said to myself as I felt Mr. Sebastian's presence in the room. I quickly glanced back and saw him observing the room.
"I must say, this is a work of art. Not a speck on imperfection resides within this room." Mr. Sebastian complimented as I smiled bashfully.
"I try my best to be a perfect as I can. Even though I'm a Beast Daemonis I still cannot perform my duties as a butler with perfection." I explained dejectedly as I placed the last of the books into the shelf. Mr. Sebastian placed his bare left hand on my gloved left hand on the shelf.
"You don't need to be the perfect butler for the Young Master, as long as you can serve me perfectly, you do not need to worry." Mr. Sebastian whispered in my ear as I slightly blushed.
"Even though I can serve you perfectly, due to your ownership of me and the Young Master owns you he is literally my master for now. Since he does not want me to reveal my true gender then I will not. Although, wearing men's clothing does do a huge toll on me at times. It probably will make my job easier to both serve you and the Young Master." I sighed as I can feel the bandages compressing down on my chest each time I breathe.
"Is that so? You can always ask the Young Master to make some changes." Mr. Sebastian wrapped his huge hand over mine, I looked back to see his face, to see his emotion which usually is hidden from the public with a smile.
"I rather not. The Young Master will get flustered from the uniform Ms. Hopkins made for me. The skirt ends around my thighs and it is quite snug, it's kind of indecent for a lady. I'll be wearing knee high lace up leather boots and black stockings. Though I asked for a similar vest and coat with the coat tails and it's designed for women." I blabbered on about what Ms. Hopkins had made for me and realized Mr. Sebastian was still hugging me.
I touched Mr. Sebastian's head and placed my head next to his and sighed, "You shouldn't worry about your pet, if you pamper me too much, I'll become spoiled." I slightly chuckled as Mr. Sebastian wrapped his free arm around my waist.
"So be it, I want my pet to be pleased as you will please me for eternity." Mr. Sebastian whispered as I looked outside and felt something was amiss. I dug into my pocket and pulled out my pocket watch, I checked the time as my mouth dropped.
"Master, we are behind schedule!" I exclaimed as he pulled back on his glove.
"We should be checking on Mr. Agni, on the mean time, I want you to ask the Young Master about your proposal, it wouldn't hurt you to ask. The Young Master favors you more than me." Mr. Sebastian smiled as I nodded. With diligence, we swiftly walked to the kitchen to make sure those three fools didn't destroy anything.
As we both walked together to the kitchen as both peeked inside to see how things were going. I hoped that the three lost causes didn't make Mr. Agni frustrated with the household. "How are things going? Can you cope?" Mr. Sebastian asked as Mey Rin, Bard, and Finny were all cooperating without any destruction. It was the first time I actually saw them do something beneficial to the manor.
Mr. Sebastian and I were both surprised at their work; we quickly walked next to Mr. Agni surprised. "Is there something wrong Mr. Sebastian and Ms. Leo?" Mr. Agni asked as Mr. Sebastian began to whisper into his ear without letting the other three hear.
"It's nothing… I'm just amazed that you were able to get them to help you." Mr. Sebastian added as Mr. Agni began to laugh.
"Everyone is a good person they just need to work hard." Mr. Agni added as Mr. Sebastian started to whisper once again.
"They aren't bad by nature but…" Mr. Sebastian added as Mr. Agni slowly closed his eyes and placed his palms together, his aura completely changed, it was peaceful and holy-like.
"Everyone is born with different abilities and purposes in life and with our calling, life can be guided by God. Us humans, just need to abide by God's will naturally and slowly in order to complete what we have to do." Mr. Agni explained as there was a sudden silence for Mr. Sebastian and I.
"I don't know how do say this but Mr. Agni you're a really reliable person." I added as Mr. Sebastian nodded.
Defensively, Mr. Agni was about to deny what I had just said. "That's not true. Before I met the prince, I was an idiot can be said to be hopeless. What I owe him can never be repaid in this lifetime." Mr. Agni solemnly said as he started to explain to us his life before he met Prince Soma.
His family were Brahmins, which was the highest possible caste to be in. But through his eyes, all he saw was corruption even though Brahmins were supposed to serve their god, Mr. Agni had committed crimes and went against his god and when he was supposed to be executed that is when Prince Soma came to him.
I found his story to be quite interesting; in his eyes his savoir was Prince Soma as for me it was Master. I shared his feelings and I could deeply understand why Prince Soma is a god to him. Master is my god, the one whom I shall follow forever.
"Mr. Agni, the pot is boiling." Master's voice had knocked me from my deep thinking as well as Mr. Agni's passionate story.
"I served the prince ever since that day. The prince is my raja and my god! Even if it costs my life, I will do anything to protect the prince who gave me a new life. I hope to fulfill his wishes in anyway I can." Mr. Agni smiled as I smiled as all, he was admirable in my eyes.
As the dinner preparations were almost done Mr. Sebastian had waved his hand at to so I can come closer to him. "Leo, why don't you ask the Young Master about your proposal during dinner?" Mr. Sebastian proposed as I slightly blushed and looking away.
"I don't think the Young Master would like it if I asked him, besides, I've already asked him for enough. This place to stay, a decent paying job, and food, I think I'm taken enough from him." I added as Mr. Sebastian placed his hand on my chin and lifted it up slightly. "The Young Master should show off your elegance as a woman to others, he should show off that you're his female butler. Just ask him, the Young Master won't lash at you." I nodded as we began to push out the evening meal for the Young Master, Mr. Lau, and Prince Soma.
"So, who is this woman that you're looking for?" The Young Master asked Prince Soma as they were eating their meal. Mr. Sebastian and I stood behind the Young Master watching over him like a hawk.
"She was my servant ever since I was born. You can say that she's like a nanny. We've been together for as long as I can remember. My father has no interest in me and my mother only strives to attract my father's attention. I'm always alone in my own castle." Prince Soma added as the look on Mr. Agni's face was distraught, in my mind I knew something was wrong.
As Prince Soma explained his story about Mina and how significant she was to him he grew angry as he explained how an English noble had taken Mina away from him. Mr. Lau immediately asked as Prince Soma grabbed a fork and stabbed it through his meal while fully explaining the story of how Mina was taken away to England. I slowly poured more tea for the Young Master as he basically summarized Prince Soma's story within a sentence.
"But you're just kicking a bug fuss over a female servant." The Young Master added as Prince Soma immediately stood up and walked towards the Young Master.
"This is not just a minor matter! What happened if your female butler here was taken away from you! Do you know the despair I felt when I was forced to separate from Mina. I never felt so…" Prince Soma added as the Young Master immediately silenced him immediately.
"I don't. The despair caused by such trivial occurrence doesn't amount to much, I cannot and I do not wish to comprehend them! There are some things that you can never get back no matter how much effort you put in. And there are some feelings of despair that you can never shake off." The Young Master added as he slowly walked away and I followed him looking as Mr. Sebastian if I should still ask him, "You're probably unable to comprehend that."
As I followed the Young Master Prince Soma still stood there looking at the Young Master. "But even if that is the case, I still don't wish to stay alone in that palace anymore." Prince Soma added as I followed the Young Master into the hallway.
As I was following the Young Master I was anxious, the Young Master already had to put up with a childish man who was about a year younger than me, I didn't want to make him any angrier. "If there something you want to ask, do it now, Leo?" The Young Master asked as he saw me through my anxiousness.
"Yes, there is. I was wondering if I can no longer dress as a male but a female. Ms. Hopkins had made me multiple pairs of uniforms for women made by her own design. It's indecent due to Ms. Hopkins' idealistic ideas." I added as the Young Master looked at me skeptically as I held my dangling arm and looked down making sure the Young Master's eyes did not avert to my unsure eyes.
"Why do you want to reveal yourself as a female now?" The Young Master asked as I bowed politely in respect.
"If someone does find out about my true gender now, it would make the Phantomhive name look bad; not only that, my fighting abilities may increase tenfold since the bandages on my chest won't confine my human habit of breathing. Besides, Mr. Sebastian also allowed me to dress as a woman if it is allowed by you of course." I explained as the Young Master sighed and started to walk away and I stood there waiting for a reply.
"Go ahead, if it will increase you skills by tenfold, so be it." The Young Master allowed my request as I bowed once more.
"Thank you very much, sir." I added as the Young Master had excused me, I walked away so I can start cleaning up along with Mr. Sebastian.
I slowly stretched my arms as I saw Mr. Sebastian flattening the newspaper early in the morning. I decided that I would change into my female uniform rather than my male since I told the Young Master and fully asked his permission. Even though wearing something shorter than your knees is indecent I didn't really care since I would only wear this inside the manor or townhouses besides, the trench coat I wear when I go out with Mr. Sebastian and the Young Master covered my knees so people wouldn't notice anyways.
"Good Morning, Mr. Sebastian." I greeted as Mr. Sebastian looked up and smiled.
"Good Morning, Leo." Mr. Sebastian replied as I took a glance at the newspaper from standing next to Mr. Sebastian. We both had looked at the paper and read it while doing our early morning routine.
"Mr. Sebastian, it should be about time we wake up the Young Master." I smiled as Mr. Sebastian rubbed my head and smiled as he walked on with the papers in his hands, I earnestly followed him so I can assist him if needed.
Mr. Sebastian and I arrived in front of the Young Master's room with morning tea and his newspaper Mr. Sebastian ironed this morning on the bottom of the cart. "Pardon us." We said in sync as Mr. Sebastian opened the door and saw the Young Master who was already awake this early in the morning.
"It's rare to see you awake so early." Mr. Sebastian added as the Young Master lazily took the newspaper from my hand as I gave it to him.
"I was feeling irritated so I had trouble sleeping." The Young Master said angrily as he opened the newspaper, "It seems that those two stayed out all night. What exactly were they doing all night?" As he complained he began to look at the paper and something caught his eye; another attack had occurred.
Mr. Lau sat across the Young Master as he read the newspaper, I had handed him an invitation as he took an envelope opener. "So, to be honest, those two have been ultra suspicious from the start." Mr. Lau added as the Young Master opened an invitation and threw it to the side.
"That is true though, I just can't see why those two would cause trouble?" The Young Master placed the opened another invitation on a table and sighed, "A grudge against colonial rule? It just doesn't seem likely. Even if they do have a problem with the Anglo Indians returning to England, attacking them in such a fashion is just too risky. Most of all, if they are the criminals why would they come and stay with me of all the people? That's like practically begging me to suspect them , right? Besides…" The Young Master continued as Mr. Lau had interrupted the Young Master.
"Wouldn't it just be better to trail them at night?" Lau added as I did a slightly sigh and hopefully we would find something worth while at night.
Night time had reached quickly than expected, Mr. Sebastian and I stood behind the Young Master as Prince Soma and Mr. Agni were about to leave. "We're heading out then! Go get some sleep, shorty." Prince Soma said before he left, I slightly chuckled as he called the Young Master short and quickly left before the Young Master could yell at them.
Prince Soma and Mr. Agni were asking people about this Mina girl Prince Soma was talking about. We stood in the back watching them to see what they were really doing. "Eh, it really does seem like they are just looking for that person." Mr. Lau added as I could feel the Young Master shaking beneath me due to the cold December nights of London. "In this country, the best place to look for news of that person would be in a club or a pub. It really seems like they aren't up to something."
The Young Master added as he rubbed his hands to keep himself warm. I flipped opened my pocket watch and tapped Mr. Sebastian's shoulder. I stepped on my tiptoes to whisper into Mr. Sebastian's ear, "It's almost 1 AM." He began checked his own pocket watch and nodded. "It is now 1 AM. We should go home also." Mr. Sebastian warned the Young Master and Mr. Lau.
Mr. Sebastian and I stood on the rooftop as we saw Mr. Agni leave the manor. "2:45 AM. See I told you Mr. Sebastian." I added as he flipped open his pocket watch.
"Hmm, it seems that you were right, even though I sensed it I was unsure. You're animal-like alertness does come quite handy, Leo." Mr. Sebastian praised me as I slightly blushed and turned away my face and not look at Mr. Sebastian.
"Please, don't flattery me with such words, Master." I added as Mr. Sebastian stood up and smiled.
"I should, you're my pet, a pet of beauty and ambiance that cannot compare to even a cat in this world. Your new uniform deserves a compliment too." Mr. Sebastian added as I hid my blushed by covering my face with my gloved hand.
"We shouldn't waste time, let's go tell them." I added, Mr. Sebastian had hung upside down to tell them that Mr. Agni had made a move. As Mr. Sebastian jumped in, I held my skirt down and also jumped in as well. I quickly glance upward and saw Prince Soma awake.
"Let me come also. I've been aware for some time that Agni does go out while I'm asleep. I want to know what he is up to." Prince Soma added as Mr. Sebastian glared at him from afar I didn't know the reason but it was none of my concern.
We stood in front of a town manor Mr. Agni had walked in, there were guards standing in the front so we couldn't take the front way it was time to think of an alternate way inside. "So he went inside this building?" Mr. Lau added as he stood on the left side of the wall that surrounded the manor, the guards couldn't see us so this was a perfect spot to enter the manor secretly.
"This looks like…" The Young Master added as he suddenly didn't finish this sentence, "Maybe finally we can see what is going on."
"What's that supposed to mean? Who lives here?" Prince Soma asked as Mr. Lau placed his hand onto Prince Soma's shoulder.
"Settle down prince, no need to panic. If you go in you shall see the horrible truth… you… and I…Eh?" Mr. Lau added as I began to laugh at Lau's dumb moments.
"By the and I, I take it you haven't had a clue either?" The Young Master pointed out bluntly as he took a glance at the manor, "This is the home of Harold West Jebb. He's involved in the import of various goods. I've only met him once while off duty. He is rather creepy not to mention his criminal record."
"Imported goods eh? Then we are in the same business." Mr. Lau added as Prince Soma looked puzzled, he touched his chin and looked at the Young Master.
"Why would Agni want to visit such a person?" Prince Soma asked as I stood next to Mr. Sebastian and he nodded giving me permission to speak.
"He mostly imports Indian spices and teas. He runs a general store named Harold Trading he also runs Harold West a Hindustani Coffeehouse. As I was investigating with Mr. Sebastian, Mina's name appeared a few times on Mr. West's papers. According to what we read business mostly took place in the Bengal area. The hanging incident may have hurt the business; however, it seems such damage was avoided due to Mr. West being absent while the incidents took place." I explained as I bowed as the Young Master glanced upward and looked over the edge of the wall.
"I guess we'd better go in then…" The Young Master added as Mr. Sebastian and I took a glance over the wall.
"As you wish, sir." Mr. Sebastian and I said together, Mr. Sebastian took the Young Master and carried him with one arm and quickly jumped over. I followed as I held down my coat so the two other men wouldn't see under my skirt.
"You idi-!" The Young Master yelled as I landed consecutively on the ground with both of them.
"I do believe it's much faster this way besides, Leo and I prefer to get things done the quickest and efficient way." As the Young Master was placed down carefully and Mr. Sebastian and I started to tend to him I heard the growling of dogs behind me.
"Ciel!" Prince Soma yelled as the growling dogs barked and started to run at the three of us. Mr. Sebastian and I stood up and glared at them.
As we glared at them I felt our demonic bond intertwine. His normal red eyes has turned into glowing fuchsia as my vision had turned into a cat's, I felt my incisor teeth grew sharp, the tattoo on my neck felt heavy like chains. As the dogs backed down quietly I started to laugh. Everything had turned back to normal as Mr. Sebastian held back his demonic presence.
"Huh? The dogs are backing off?" Prince Soma said to himself as Mr. Sebastian and I both snickered.
"Hmm. Mr. West has raised such cowardly dogs." Mr. Sebastian added, the Young Master stayed silent and glared at Mr. Sebastian.
"Yo earl!" Mr. Lau said as he attracted the Young Master's attention, "Over here! Over here!" He had pierced a needle in the guards neck making him look like he was dead but he was actually asleep.
Both the Young Master and Soma stared at him, Prince Soma had shivered from fear as he thought Mr. Lau had actually killed him.
"Aw come one now, I just put them to sleep it's not like they're dead!" Mr. Lau whined jokingly, the Young Master had covered his mouth with his gloved hands.
"So what. Let's get a move on." He coldly added as I used the keys and opened the door.
"No guards inside?" I said as I closed the door behind the four of them, I suddenly heard the voice of two people, one of those voices was Mr. Agni's.
"I can hear two people, let's go." Mr. Sebastian said quickly as we proceeded to the stairs, I smelt the scent of cigars not far. As I expected a door was slightly opened and a light pierced through.
"You did a good job." A man's voice said as we all pierced through the slightly opened door and saw Mr. Agni sitting on the couch with a melancholic expression, "Take a cigar and loosen up a bit okay? These are First-Class Havana cigars. I got these babies from James Fox who has a royal warrant." Mr. West boasted as he quickly changed his conversation.
"Everything is going as planned. In one week it will all be decided. I will realize my dream only with this Right Hand of God. I've been planning this for three years. So I'll definitely complete it." Mr. Agni hesitantly looked at him.
"And if I help you accomplish this… Mina will…" Mr. Agni said as we heard that specific name.
"Mina?" Prince Soma yelled as he barged into the room with an impulse.
"You fool!" The Young Master yelled as Mr. Sebastian silenced him by placing his hand over his mouth and I tapped my lips to show that he should stay silent.
"He would recognize out faces. Let's wait for now." Mr. Sebastian and I whispered to the Young Master quietly. We continued to watch them without them noticing us.
"It seems they are starting to argue." Mr. Sebastian added as I began to observe the three of them.
"Well let's get back to what we were discussing a moment ago. It seems Mr. West is involved with the crime; also, it seems that this crime has something to do with the Black Market." I explained as Mr. Lau began to chuckle, "So then this is in the Earl's jurisdiction." Mr. Lau added as I took a glance inside the room with Mr. Sebastian.
"Indeed. Reporting this to the yard could be problematic perhaps we should just return home…" The Young Master added as I tapped his shoulder.
"That would be nice but I have another proposition. We should watch Mr. West a bit longer." I added as the Young Master nodded as Mr. Sebastian bent down to whisper by his ear.
"But won't he recognize you?" Mr. Lau asked as the Young Master and I nodded.
"Leave it to us. I have a good idea." Mr. Sebastian added as he lifted one finger and silenced us. I slightly blushed as he actually wanted me to help this time. We took the animal head plaque off of Mr. West's wall and placed them on our heads covering our faces. Mr. Sebastian took the nearest deer head as I took the nearest jaguar head.
As Mr. Agni was about to slap Prince Soma since Mr. West had ordered him to do it I stood in front of Mr. Sebastian as I blocked the attack, this gave the chance to Mr. Sebastian to take the prince and run. I started to chuckle under the disguise as I saw their priceless faces of confusion and awkwardness.
"Who the heck are you two?" Mr. West yelled as we both took a glance at him making Mr. West jump in fear.
"I am a deer, and she is a jaguar. We were sent to collect the prince." We bowed politely as the Young Master remained behind the scenes with Mr. Lau.
"This is probably one of the prince's spies. Agni!" Mr. West yelled as I we arose from our bow.
"No, I'm just a humble deer." Mr. Sebastian as I laughed as I also answered.
"As for me, I'm just a humble jaguar." I jokingly added as I can actually turn into a jaguar at will.
"Destroy them!" Mr. West yelled with a hint of worry in his voice.
"Destroy them? I can't…" Mr. Agni tried to protect as Mr. West had cut him off.
"Shut up! Do you want me to take back my promise! I order you to do this! Do it!" Mr. West yelled as I saw Mr. Agni's fists clenched and shook. "I… I…" Mr. Agni slowly added I saw tears of blood fall to the floor, soon Mr. Agni's body followed, "My god… I only wanted to serve him… This right hand I use only for his sake… I've chosen to… This sin of betrayal…"
I stood there with Mr. Sebastian as I saw Prince Soma try to stop him. "Please forgive me!" Mr. Agni said before he ripped off the bandages off his right arm and yelled in agony. As he charged at us Mr. Sebastian and I pulled our gloves tighter. We both quickly dodged as he made his first attack breaking the wall along with a fine chest.
As he continued to chase after us he began to break more of Mr. West's expensive and fine items. Hearing his screams of sadness made me chuckle as he continued to break Mr. West's belongings.
"It seems things are getting a bit wild, we should leave Earl." Mr. Lau added as I heard them through the huge commotion.
"Wait! A commotion this big is going to attract attention! You need to bring him out also!" The Young Master as we both heard him.
"As you wish." We said together and looked at the opened window and jumped out before Mr. Agni had broken the window. We took one glance back as Mr. Agni stared at us, breathing heavily.
"That was incredible. He was completely beyond human." I exclaimed as Mr. Sebastian poured and I smiled with delight.
"It's called Samadhi. No one can lay a hand on him when he gets like that." Prince Soma added as I glanced over at Mr. Sebastian.
"Samadhi?" The Young Master asked as he glanced up at Mr. Sebastian.
"It's to do with their religion. It's like entering a type of trance isn't it? Leo showed me a book that talked about it when she was in the library on her free time." Mr. Sebastian added as I nodded, "Humans are strange creatures. Their blind belief that they call strong faith can call out enormous strength from within. The Vikings of the past called upon Odin. The Holy Knights and the Crusaders fought in the name of Yahweh. He too numbers among them. His belief in his one true god, Prince Soma, allows him to use a power that is beyond human. We can never obtain something bred from love and belief. The power of Faith." Mr. Sebastian added as I looked away in melancholy.
Those words sort of stabbed my heart like a lance, but yet, I wasn't supposed to have feelings, and I was just only to serve Mr. Sebastian as he servant, his slave, his pet. I saw both Mr. Sebastian and Ciel glare at each other as I sighed and tried to hide my expression of disappointment.
"Then tell me why… Why did he betray me? How did he leave me behind so easily!" Prince Soma yelled in anger as he pushed off the tea set off the table breaking them. My mouth dropped as he broke the tea set that I first picked out when I started out as Mr. Sebastian's clueless apprentice.
"Why you…!" The Young Master stood up so he could dodge the tea that Prince Soma was thrashing around angrily.
"Why? Why is it that everyone around me vanishes! Why? Why?" Prince Soma continued to wail as he finally stopped, he abruptly stood up and left.
"Are you okay?" Mr. Sebastian asked the Young Master and Mr. Lau as I walked over to the broken tea set.
"Yeah, we dodged it." Mr. Lau answered as I sadly squatted down and picked up the broken pieces.
"This was the first tea set I picked out when I first came here." I sadly said as Mr. Sebastian walked over to me.
"You took the trouble of picking out this tea set for the Young Master. I believe these were the Haviland Tea Set that you wisely picked." My eyes started to tear up as Mr. Sebastian offered up his hand like he did when I ran away from those slave traders.
"I guess we should teach him some manners." He added I took his hand and wiped away my slightly watering eyes and did an austere smile.
"I would be happy to assist you." I smiled callously as I can see the Young Master shivered in fear.
I walked the dark halls with Mr. Sebastian as he touched my slowly growing black hair. "Leo, pay heed to word to what I said earlier. You can have any bond you wish. Whether it be love, faith, or hope, if it allows you to stay by my side then so be it." Mr. Sebastian smiled as I blushed and turned my head away and slightly pouted.
"It's not that." I said as he started to turn my head towards his direction.
"Even though we said that we wouldn't tell lies, what you certainly did was lie to me. Now what should your punishment be." Mr. Sebastian smiled as I felt my cheeks turn warm and I slightly turned my head to he wouldn't see my face.
"Ahh, I know, why don't you kiss your master?" Mr. Sebastian added as I blushed brighter and I slightly shook my head in embarrassment and took a glance at him hiding my flushed cheeks.
"If it pleases you... then I will." I said quietly as I stepped on my tiptoes and wrapped my hands around his head and tried to kiss him.
"Hmm, what's wrong Leo?" Mr. Sebastian looked at me and did a grin.
"You're too tall!" I yelled as Mr. Sebastian picked me up, I was now staring down at him. I caressed his head gently with my hands and did a peck on his lips. I felt his mouth slightly opened as if he wanted me to French kiss him. As the kissed remained a peck I felt his arm wrapped around my legs and carried me, he started to walk towards Prince Soma's room as I pulled away.
"What are you doing Mr. Sebastian! Put me down!" I said aloud as he quickly wrapped he pulled my face towards his direction and kissed me. Our kiss lasted for a few minutes as we finally arrived in front of Prince Soma's room. I slightly breathed heavily as he placed me back on the ground.
"When I mean by a kiss, I mean a passionate and delicious kiss like what we just did." He smiled as I slightly blushed and looked away.
"We can only do that when no one is awake and it's just the two of us." I added as he started to chuckle.
"A pet giving an order to their master, how splendidly adorable you are." Mr. Sebastian added as I slapped myself so I can look normal once again. Before I opened the door Mr. Sebastian sucked on a hidden part of my neck. I glared at him as he smiled; I took no attention to it as I opened the door quietly.
Prince Soma was curled up in the ball in his bed he had thrown the pillows all over the place and the lamp was on the floor, broken. Mr. Sebastian walked up to the bed and pulled the covers off. "You jerk who gave you permission to enter this room?" Prince Soma yelled at Mr. Sebastian and he managed to fully pull off the covers, "Why you insolent…" Prince Soma added as I walked in front of Mr. Sebastian.
"Who here is the insolent one?" I added as Mr. Sebastian started to tidy up the bed.
"Tossing things all over as though it's nothing, you even hurt Leo's feelings by breaking her favorite tea set. How troublesome." Mr. Sebastian said I continued to help assist him with the bed.
"You are here in England, at the Phantomhive Manor, this is neither your country or your castle." I added as we finished fixing the bed.
"We do not have to follow your orders here. You're just a spoiled brat." Mr. Sebastian said coldly as we both glared at him, "Without Mr. Agni you're just a powerless brat. Your last ray of light, Mr. Agni, just betrayed you."
Prince Soma looked down solemnly and replied, "That's it… I have nothing. I've lost everyone."
"Lost huh? What an oblivious complex you have. You didn't lose them, you had nothing to begin with." I answered as I did a callous grin, "Your social status, servants and palace were all given to you by your parents. You have never had one thing that was truly yours. I'm I right?"
Mr. Sebastian grinned with me as I enjoyed Prince Soma's pain. He irritated me already when he first arrived and now when he broke my favorite tea set I deserved some mental torture from Mr. Sebastian and I. "You even sensed that something was going on with Mr. Agni. But you lacked the courage to find out for yourself." Mr. Sebastian added as Prince Soma began to run for the door.
Mr. Sebastian had used his hand to keep the door shut, "But it's true? Even now in this situation you are playing the hero in a tragedy." Mr. Sebastian said as I walked over to them, the sound of my footsteps resonating in the dark room.
"But… but… everyone said that they would stay by my side!" Prince Soma yelled as I crossed my arms and walked towards him.
"But isn't that the duty of in house service?" I added as he shook in despair, "I guess that they rather look after your annoying, possessive personality than look back at the slums they lived in before they were working for your family."
"No one ever really loved you." Mr. Sebastian summed up what we said as I heard the door slowly opened.
"Young Master." Mr. Sebastian and I both said in sync as he walked in.
"I may have turned out like him. If it wasn't for that month…" He added as he solemnly looked as his fist.
I saw the Young Master's face as he reminisced about his past. I knew very little because it was between my two masters. I was informed by Mr. Sebastian when I first arrived here but he only gave me small details, this was something the Young Master wanted to keep between Mr. Sebastian and the Young Master and I accepted it.
"Ciel…" Prince Soma said sadly as he touched his eye patch and I looked away sadly.
"I was being humiliated like an animal in a cage. My family was murdered and my house was burned to ash. I was such a powerless child." The Young Master clenched his fist which slightly shook, I wanted to hug him, I hated to see him suffer since he was only a kid, "I returned to this place in order to make those people who put me through such humiliation to suffer the same fate. As long as I'm here, I stand in their way. I'm waiting for them to come and try to kill me here."
Prince Soma looked worried as he spoke up, "Why… why do you have to go so far?" He asked as the Young Master started to walk around the room.
"Despairing, grieving, standing still, what good will they do? Even dead people can stand still. However… I'll live and stand on my own two legs. If we are to die one day, wouldn't it be better to have no regrets? I'm not saying that getting revenge for your predecessors is an admirable thing. Doing all of this is just a pastime for me. It's a game that could be won by either those guys or me, the Earl of Phantomhive. Even though I was put in an abyss of despair, a place like hell there's a thin chance like a spider's thread was sent to me giving the choice to crawl out. I decided not to give up and reached for it. We humans have that strength." The Young Master's admirable speech astonished Prince Soma.
I did a small chuckle at his speech which somewhat applied to me but at the same time it didn't, I'm not human, yet I am. I was born as a human but now I'm like a demon.
"Although grasping it or not is up to the person." The Young Master mentioned before he turned around and started to leave the room, "This boring speech is over. Sebastian, Leo, I want to have a talk with you about West."
We both bowed and placed our right hand over our heart. "As you wish." We both said in sync as we left the room.
A few moments after we left the room Prince Soma started dashing towards the Young Master.
"Ciel!" Prince Soma called out as we all stopped and took a glance, "I'm so embarrassed. I'm already 17 but I'm still a fool who knows nothing about this world unlike you. I've been spoiled by the luxuries from my parents so I've never tried to understand other people. Although I noticed that Agni had something on his mind, I never even bothered to ask him. So, this time I want to know. I want to meet them directly and confirm their reason for leaving my side. That's why I ask this of you. I also…" Prince Soma explained as the Young Master had stopped him before he continued to speak.
"I decline." He politely said as Prince Soma's face was priceless I started to smirk at it, "I'm sorry I just can't even look at someone who knows as little about the world as you do. Though, my door is always open." He stood there like a ditz as he ran up to the Young Master and hugged him from behind. He called out Ciel's named as he finally realized something.
"By the way Ciel, I'm sorry for breaking those 8 cups earlier. Please forgive me." Prince Soma apologized as he started to pout.
"You should be apologizing to Leo that was her favorite tea set." The Young Master added as he noticed Mr. Sebastian and me standing in the back. He hid behind the Young Master as I slightly turned my head in confusion.
"You too. I'm sorry." He apologized to the both of us as Mr. Sebastian forgave him I stood there with my arms crossed and pouted.
"Leo, you should forgive him, he is apologizing." Mr. Sebastian added as I turned my head away.
"He broke my favorite tea set I picked out for the first time when I arrived here! It was significant to me." I argued as Mr. Sebastian stood behind me and placed his hands on my shoulders.
"Don't worry, I'll fix it." He smiled as I sighed and looked up at him.
"You better." I sternly added as he chuckled and I looked towards Prince Soma and smiled, "It's alright but if you ever do anything stupid again, I just might have to discipline you my way." I did a sadistic smirk as he continued to hide behind the Young Master.
Mr. Sebastian and I had brought out a new tea set also freshly brewed tea which was perfect for a cold night like this. "Now then… Shall we continue the discussion we were having before the prince interrupted?" Mr. Lau smiled as I poured the tea and Mr. Sebastian distributed tea cups.
"First, isn't it almost certain that those incidents were caused by Agni under West's orders? With his physical ability, it's possible that he could've done it alone. So far what we have from West's speech is the 3 year plan, the completion of the plan is in a week, Agni's right hand is essential. Of these the most important is in one week." The Young Master explained as Mr. Lau took the tea cup and placed it by his mouth.
"Using his right hand of god he might make the next strike at a big event? It's winter now so all the large events are pretty much over." Mr. Lau added as the Young Master took a glance at Mr. Sebastian.
"Sebastian, can you think of any major events taking place in a week's time?" The Young Master asked him as Mr. Sebastian began to remember all the events in a week's time.
"A week from now? Amongst the written invitations addressed to the Young Master, there were…" Mr. Sebastian started to name many different events happening over the week, which absolutely appalled me, Mr. Sebastian was so perfect in so many ways it always had made me blush at his cool composure yet slightly envious due to his perfection.
"India?" The Young Master asked as Mr. Sebastian sighed.
"Young Master, reading your own letters thoroughly, no matter what the content is, the way of a gentleman." Mr. Sebastian mentioned as the Young Master sat in his chair and argued back.
"Give it a rest and just give me the details." He demanded as Mr. Sebastian started to talk about an exhibition of Indian culture located at the Crystal Palace with part an event was a curry show. In this event, companies were competing against each other to make the best curry.
"It looks like you also noticed." Mr. Lau smiled as the Young Master looked directly at Mr. Lau.
"3 years, the show, there is only one answer to explain what West, who is obsessed with brand names, is thinking about. I can't believe this has turned out to be such a boring case." The Young Master complained as Mr. Lau started to laugh.
"So it really is a pointless visit." Mr. Lau added as Prince Soma looked utterly confused at their conversation.
"Hold on a second! I don't understand. Explain to me from the start!" Prince Soma demanded as I sighed as disappointment.
"Calm down, prince. From now on, we will explain everything in order." Mr. Lau added as he nonchalantly said, "Well the earl will anyways." Mr. Lau pointed towards the Young Master as he pretended as if he knew what they were talking about.
"You just pretend you knew again, huh?" The Young Master angrily said as I bowed to meet up with the Young Master's eyes.
"May I explain to the Prince the current situation?" I offered as he looked at me and smiled slightly.
"Go on." He added as I smiled and bowed thankfully to him.
"The Hindustani Coffeehouse that Mr. West owns sells curry as meals. So by entering this competition Mr. West is trying to get a Royal Warrant with curry." I explained as I bowed and backed off to where Mr. Sebastian, behind the Young Master's seat.
I looked at him when he wasn't looking and looked at his perfect face structure. He took a glance at me and smiled, I froze for a bit and my face flushed; quickly I turned my face away from Mr. Sebastian's glance.
"That's right, the prince has no idea about these things. In England, there is an interesting system which the Royal Family will give a seal of approval to stores they are pleased with. This seal is the Royal Warrant." Mr. Lau explained as The Young Master began to speak as well.
"A Royal Warrant is equivalent to quality assurance. When a brand receives a warrant, its sales are guaranteed to increase. We were considering applying for the Royal Warrant for our confections and toys." The Young Master explained as Prince Soma started to slowly get the gist of the system, "It seems that stores that have obtained the Royal Warrant have a growth in sales three times than what they used to have. Queen Victoria herself has interests in popular trends from fashion to cuisine. Not to mention the Curry Boom has also been in decline recently. It seems that West must want the Royal Warrant that bad to do whatever it takes to get it."
"I understand that West wants that Royal Warrant. But how does that connect to the other incidents?" Prince Soma asked as Mr. Sebastian did a slight smirk.
"There are two conditions for getting a Royal Warrant. The first one is that the quality but be recognized by a show. Second is a free service must be delivered to the Royal Family for three years." Mr. Sebastian explained the requirements as Prince Soma finally understood what Mr. West was doing.
"In other words, West who has continued to deliver his products to the Royal Family for three years is trying to destroy his competition leaving them unable to enter the show in a week's time." Prince Soma explained as the Young Master started to speak once again.
"Then, those incidents that occurred with soldiers have nothing to do with this. The cases just make it seem like it was done by an Indian who holds a grudge against England. Maybe Agni was told to take part in this stupid plan for Mina's sake. All for his God." The Young Master said to the both of us as Prince Soma didn't understand the last sentence the Young Master said even though it was about him.
"There were papers left at the crime scenes containing a strong symbol without a masquerade." Mr. Sebastian handed the Young Master the paper from the crime scene as he pointed to the symbol on the paper. The Young Master pointed to Prince Soma's and Mr. Agni's god Kali who had her tongue sticking out on the statue nearby.
"Everything is for his god, don't you think that this contains the signs of prayer and apology?" The Young Master asked as I sighed in relief.
"Even after Mr. Agni left your side, he still has faith in you and lives for you." Mr. Sebastian said to Prince Soma as I took a look at Prince Soma's facial expressions as he looked touched. "You have been blessed with a wonderful butler." I smiled at Prince Soma who glanced as the paper and also looked as if he was about to cry.
"Well, let's retire for now. Should we take this information to Scotland Yard and make them take care of it?" The Young Master added as was about to stand up.
Prince Soma stood up from his seat, "Wait a second! Then… what's the deal with Agni and Mina?"
"The way I see it this case has nothing to do with people who live in the underworld. We don't do philanthropic work." The Young Master yawned as I could feel my eyes getting tired and sleepy, I wished I could yawn freely like the Young Master.
"I understand, this is certainly only my problem. I'll try and come up with a plan by myself." Prince Soma clenched his fist as the Young Master stretched his arms.
"I better be doing what I should do best." The Young Master smiled as I slightly chuckled at the Young Master's next words, "I was called to London in Winter for a boring case like this. Don't you think I should at least take a reward? The show is only a week away and fortunately my other capable rivals had been removed. A Royal Warrant is granted according to the results of the show and three years of free service. In other words, if my Funtom Company enters the competition and wins against West, the Royal Warrant shall go to my company."
Everyone's face was in awe at the Young Master's plan as I did a slight grin with Mr. Sebastian.
"I'm thinking of expanding my business into the food industry." The Young Master smiled.
"If the Funtom Company is planning to launch into the food industry, other competitors will deter. However, you have only a week from now to create a food department. Will you have time to find a curry specialist and equipment?" Mr. Lau asked as the Young Master took a sip of his tea and slowly placed it down on the saucer.
"There is no need for that. Isn't that right, Sebastian." The Young Master smiled at Mr. Sebastian as he returned a smirk as well.
"As a butler to the Phantomhive family, it goes without saying that I can manage something like this? The Royal Warrant will b-" Mr. Sebastian said placing his right hand over his heart as Prince Soma rudely interrupted him.
"That's impossible. West is competing in a curry contest." Prince Soma explained as Mr. Lau did a puzzled stance which sort of seemed sardonic in a way.
"Why not?" He asked as Prince Soma stood up abruptly.
"He has Agni with his Right Hand of God!" Prince Soma added as the Young Master sighed.
"Of course, the destructive power of the Right Hand of God is marvellous; however this is not the time for martial arts. It's s curry contest." The Young Master rudely said as Prince Soma frantically tried to explain.
"That's not what I mean though! It's not all about technique like fencing. Because it's a curry contest." Prince Soma explained as I sighed at Prince Soma's explanation.
"I'm sorry I just can't see where all this talk is going…" Mr. Sebastian added as I started to think deeply to try to figure out where this conversation was leading to.
"You guys don't know much about Agni's ability or real curry." Prince Soma explained the real reason why Mr. Agni's hand is called the Right Hand of God.
"So to sum this up, the Right Hand of God is not about strength but capability at a god's level?" I asked as the Young Master took rested on his right hand.
"If that's how you explain it, Leo. Sebastian?" The Young Master called out as Mr. Sebastian did his playful yet mischievous smile.
"Oh well it looks like, things are about to get difficult." Mr. Sebastian said in a jokingly tone as if it was a game.
It's been a while and sorry for the extremely long wait. You all must tell I'm not a huge fan of the Curry Arc so I tried to add some things like more Leo and Sebastian romance. Anyways, I'm looking for a beta reader so if you want to help me out with this story that would make me cry in joy. Lastly, my cousin finally uploaded her picture of Leo and so you guys can finally see what she looks like. As for me, I'm trying to draw out Leo in her new outfit which made a debut in this chapter. (My friends say it looks good but in my eyes I think it sucks. But I always say that...) Anyways, enjoy the picture and please wait a few days for the next chapter. http:/ mizzi19. deviantart. com /#/ d4tn8a8 (Please remove the spaces and you know the drill.)