Author's Note: Konnichiwa, minna-san! Here's Chapter 10! Hmmm, my college life is starting to get hectic, so enjoy the quick updates while you can! I don't know until when it will last...T^T. Oh well, this chapter has references from the Kuroshitsuji manga and OVA, like for example, Soma and Lizzy had already met in the manga and in the OVA, the Kuroshitsuji gang presented the play Hamlet with a twist in the ending. To better understand this chapter, I recommend reading Chapter 37 of the manga and of course watching the OVA. We all know that licensed mangas can no longer be found in scanlation sites, so if you want to know where to download the chapters and the OVA, then just PM me.^-^ Well, enjoy reading!
Disclaimer: Kuroshitsuji will never be mine.
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Robin and Tutor
Chapter 10: Prologue
"You are late, Lady Robin!"
Ciel smiled awkwardly, trying his best to placate the pouting, hands-on-hips image of the irate Lizzy at his delayed arrival.
"I do apologize Lizzy, my tardiness was caused by some bothersome acquaintances I happened to make in my supposedly short walk."
"Bothersome acquaintances? What do you-"
And Lizzy's green eyes turned wide with recognition as she finally caught sight of the two Indians accompanying Ciel.
"Why, if it is not Lady Elizabeth herself! How have you been, little sister?"
"Prince Soma!" Lizzy cried out in delight, giving the Indian prince a tackle-hug. "And Mr. Agni, too! What are you two doing here? Were you not supposed to be taking care of Ciel's London town house?"
"Well, my prince has to temporarily cease his sworn duty to the late Master Ciel because of a troublesome matter that came up back home in India. But do not worry Lady Elizabeth, my prince will return to it as soon as the matter is absolved." Agni gently explained.
"And what troublesome matter is Agni talking about, Prince Soma?" Lizzy asked the Indian prince with an inquiring tilt of her head.
"Well, it is not really troublesome, more of an honour actually. You see-" Soma paused for dramatic effect. "-I was chosen to represent my father in the annual colonial rulers' courtly visitations!"
"That means you will be staying in the castle, right?" Lizzy asked excitedly, her eyes twinkling with anticipation. "How wonderful!"
"Is it not? We will be chatting together, playing together, eating Agni's curry together..." Soma said cheerfully, twirling Lizzy around in delight.
Ciel cleared his throat irritably to attract their attention.
"Lizzy, should we not start getting ready for the play? We will be late if we will not begin preparing anytime soon. And as for you Indian Prince-"
"Just call me Soma!" Soma cheerily piped up.
"...Soma, you better change into something more formal if you want to gain entry to the theatre." Ciel finished, his eyebrow twitching with annoyance at Soma's earlier interruption.
"Roger!" The two gamely answered, before rushing off to get properly dressed, leaving Ciel staring at them incredulously.
Those two...
And then another thought made the young boy pause.
And where would Soma get what he would be wearing?
He turned an inquiring look to Agni, which the Indian butler responded to with his usual pleasant smile.
"Could I be of service, Lady Robin?"
"No thank you, please pay me no mind." Ciel replied dismissively, before leaving to start his own preparations.
Agni is as capable as Sebastian, so I would not be surprised if he actually has Soma's whole wardrobe hidden beneath those robes of his...
Soma, Lizzy, Paula and the Rainsworth twins couldn't help but stare in wonderment as Ciel descend the stairs in his theatre finery. He was wearing an ethereal silver silk gown that was delicately lined with the finest downy white feathers and shimmering crystal beads, creating a heavenly illusion of an angel on earth, lacking only wings. An exquisite headdress of feathers and beads sits on his head, its material matching the fragile fan that he holds in his right hand. Silver slippers and elbow-length white gloves, both made of silk, completed his angelic attire.
"As usual, you look so beautiful Lady Robin!" Lizzy gushed as she clasped Ciel's hand in her own, her eyes glittering with something akin to worship.
"You truly deserve to be my princess, damsel." Soma added, nodding his head with satisfaction
"I never agreed to become your bride!" Ciel responded violently, his annoyance growing at the delighted look on his cousin's face.
"Oh, another suitor!" Lizzy exclaimed, clapping her hands in joy. "You really are amazing, Lady Robin!"
Admitting his defeat, Ciel tiredly sighed and regarded Lizzy's outfit for the afternoon. She had worn one of the new dresses she had bought-a ruffled creation of the brightest pink teeming with ribbons and white lace, the perfect pair for the equally girlish hat she had bought earlier that day.
"You look wonderful too, Lizzy."
"Really?" Lizzy asked blushingly. "The hat and the dress are just meant to be, are they not?"
"Err, well..." Ciel stuttered, unnerved by Lizzy's eagerness to hear his opinion. "They are, I guess..."
"Damsel! Do you not think that I too, deserve a compliment?" Soma suddenly demanded with arms crossed before him.
Ciel quirked an irate eyebrow at the command, but otherwise judged Soma's garb from head to toe. The Indian prince was clothed in a gold thread-embroidered silk coat and loose trousers, their colours that of which suits Soma best-blue and red violet. A red sash held his jewel-encrusted gold scimitar at his waist, its splendour not much less than the gems that hangs in strands at his neck. Large, ruby-imbedded gold earrings dangle from his ears, accompanying the lone red precious stone placed in the middle of his forehead. No turban crowns his purple mane, just some elaborate fine gold chains that were as luxurious as the other accessories that wrap his body.
Agni truly lives up to what is expected of him...
And Ciel gave his verdict.
"Are you trying to attract all the thieves of London to fall upon us?"
"You told me to dress formally, and this is how we dress formally in India!" Soma proudly stated. "Jewellery determines your status and wealth in social events, so it is important to wear a lot to show them the extent of your power!"
"Fine, fine, now just be quiet." Ciel grumbled irritably. He then turned to Richard. "So Lord Richard, when are we leaving?"
"As soon as we are all ready, of course." Richard replied.
"Well we are." Ciel haughtily stated. "Now, shall we leave?"
"I could not agree more, Lady Robin." Roland answered, opening the doors to reveal the waiting carriage outside.
"Ladies and honoured guests, shall we get going?"
The Royal Opera House...a magnificent, Greek architecture-inspired structure built for the pleasure of English society. Commonly known as Convent Garden, it is the favourite venue for all kinds of social events. It is also quite renowned for the theatrical plays performed there every night, mostly featuring the famous works of the illustrious Shakespeare. And that attraction is the reason why Ciel and his companions were there for the evening.
"...Hamlet, huh?" Ciel read aloud from the flyer promoting the night's performance.
This sure brings memories...
"Hamlet? I was hoping for Romeo and Juliet." Lizzy whined, pouting as she squeezed in beside Ciel to take a closer look at the poster.
"Well, this is the production for the night, so we have no choice but to bear with it." Roland said nonchalantly, crossing his arms behind his head.
"Hey Agni, was not "Hamlet" the play we performed with Ciel in the summer of last year for the orphaned children?" Soma asked his butler.
"Yes my prince, your performance as Ramakrishna was truly marvellous."
"Was it not?" Soma asked cheerfully, obviously basking in Agni's praise. "But that sure was fun! Let us do it again!"
And Soma would have rushed into the actors' dressing room if Ciel hadn't grabbed his shirt, stopping him from doing so.
"This time is different, Soma. That play you took part of was just an informal production, thus your silly antics were tolerated. You will eternally shame yourself in England if you will do tonight the same thing you did then."
Soma's eyes turned watery at what Ciel said, and before the young boy could react, the Indian prince had enveloped him in a suffocating hug.
"To think that you are actually worrying for me..." Soma said through joyful tears. "I am so touched!"
After quickly drying his tears, Soma seemed to regain his energy and pointed his index finger at Ciel with conviction.
"I knew it! You truly are the one for me!"
Ciel could only sigh with exasperation at Soma's declaration.
"Suit yourself."
The young boy then turned on his heel to leave. But he had no sooner taken a step away when he collided with an approaching nobleman, the impact sending him sprawling to the floor.
"Oh my, it seems that the little robin is lacking in grace tonight." The nobleman said mockingly, offering his hand in assistance.
The familiarity of the voice made Ciel's head snap up in alarm, and his blue eyes meet with Viscount Druitt's violet ones.
"Viscount Druitt..." Ciel hissed as he hastily scrambled to his feet, pointedly ignoring the young man's offered hand. "What are you doing here?"
"But my dear, I am a man famed for my appreciation of the arts, am I not? It would not come as a surprise if I visit the theatre every now and then." Viscount Druitt replied in an infuriatingly pleasant manner. He then sidled next to Ciel, and also took a look at the flyer.
"Hmmm...Hamlet; Shakespeare's classic tale of revenge..."
And then he went to melodramatic mode.
"To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them. To die: to sleep;
No more."
A large crowd of admiring ladies had gathered during Viscount Druitt's performance and are now throwing flowers at him. Ciel could only look on in a dumbfounded manner.
"Thank you, thank you." Viscount Druitt said in appreciation, giving elegant bows to his admirers. When the crowd finally dispersed, he returned his attentions to Ciel.
"Now, what was I saying? Oh yes, I like the original version of Hamlet, but I think I like the version presented by the Funtom Company during last year's summer better. It was just so interesting, especially the twist! I heard that Ciel Phantomhive himself even played the lead role. That boy could actually be very adorable when he is not acting so high and mighty..."
But Ciel was no longer listening to Viscount Druitt's lengthy talk. His mind had wandered back to that night-a night full of chaos and somehow, fun. It would not hurt to have that kind experience every now and then...
"Lady Robin, are you still listening?"
Dragged to the present by Viscount Druitt's voice, Ciel snapped back in attention and regarded the nobleman suspiciously.
"Now that I think about it, you actually bore a striking resemblance to the late Earl Phantomhive." Viscount Druitt said slowly, slyly smirking when he saw Ciel flinch at the assertion. "Relatives?"
"Second cousins." Ciel blurted out as he discreetly inched away from the noble. "Now if you'll excuse me Viscount Druitt, I still have-"
"Not so fast, little robin." Viscount Druitt murmured sinisterly, suddenly thrusting his arm to the wall and effectively preventing Ciel from leaving. "How fortunate it is that Mr. Devoted Tutor is not with you today. What was his name again? Oh yes, Sebastian..."
Ciel felt himself stiffen at that statement. Viscount Druitt's disturbing smile grew wider.
"If I remember correctly, Ciel Phantomhive also had a quite capable butler who goes by the name "Sebastian". Do you not think it too much of a coincidence that you second cousins have servants that bore the same name?" Viscount Druitt paused, willing the meaning of his words to sink in. "Or maybe, the "Sebastian" that serves the both of you is just one and the same person. But that is impossible, since the Phantomhive's "Sebastian" was believed to have perished with his master in the Great Fire of London last year. That is unless-" He threw Ciel a sidelong, assessing glance. "Those two actually survived, and are living somewhere in disguise. After all, Ciel Phantomhive was accused of trying to assassinate the queen. And if ever he will be found-" Viscount Druitt's smile became a tad more malicious. "He would be punished by death, would he not?"
"I do not know what you are talking about." Ciel said coldly, trying to his best to stay composed in spite of his slowly fraying nerves. "Addressing "Damian" as "Sebastian" was a minor error on my part. If I may inform you, they are actually identical twins that were brought up in our household as servants. I basically grew up under their care, and when Cousin Ciel show up in our lands after his month-long disappearance, my family just deemed it worthy to present Sebastian to him, seeing that the steward, Mr. Tanaka, had been severely injured and all the other Phantomhive servants perished in the fire that left him orphaned."
Viscount Druitt raised a sceptical eyebrow at Ciel's reply.
"Is that so? But I wonder why I could not get any information about them...It is like the only proof of their existence is their record as servants to the Phantomhive and Merryweather families..."
"Maybe, you did not research enough." Ciel said haughtily, making a mental note to order Sebastian to take care of things later.
"You do have a lot of excuses, do you not?" Viscount Druitt murmured thoughtfully. "Nevertheless, I will soon gather enough evidence to prove my-" He shot Ciel another sly glance. "-theories. I still owe Ciel Phantomhive for sending me to prison for the Jack the Ripper case; should I not have him arrested in return?"
Ciel chose not to answer the question. Viscount Druitt just smiled and patted the young boy's shoulder.
"Well, it was nice talking with you, Lady Robin." And then, he was back to his dramatic character. "Should we not proceed to our seats? The play is about to start!"
And Ciel silently watched as Viscount Druitt pranced away, his head swirling with disturbed thoughts.
This could get very dangerous...
"Why did Hamlet die?" Lizzy sobbed as the curtains were lowered, signalling the end of the play. "Why did he have to exact revenge? If only he continued his life, he would have been happy! I hate the original ending! I like Ciel's version more!"
"Yeah, the original ending is stupid." Soma declared with a knowing air. "Living your life for revenge is boring. He should have married Ophelia and have a family instead! Right, Agni?"
"Wonderfully said, my prince!" Agni exclaimed in a worshipping manner, nodding his head vigorously in agreement.
"Revenge is not proper; it only brings more ill will between the offended and the offender." Richard stated smartly.
"Yes, living for revenge would only make you reside in the past, and never step forward into the future." Roland, not to be outdone by his brother, quickly added.
As his companions continued to discuss the play, Ciel's mind continued to dwell in what Viscount Druitt said earlier. He had no idea that he was already being investigated; it won't be long until the truth will finally be revealed. What was he to do then? He needs to consult Sebastian about this...
He was barely conscious of their exit from the theatre and their journey back to the palace. Soma and Agni had stayed behind to prepare for their new responsibilities. This was not the right time to sort out his emotions. A greater problem had surfaced, and he needs to prioritize it.
Deeply immersed in his thoughts, Ciel didn't notice the commotion that is happening when he and Lizzy entered the palace gates. Most of the castle residents were gathered in the courtyard, directly below the second floor terrace. It was the scent of blood that jerked him back to reality, and sent him running to find out what is going on.
And there, lying on the hard ground, her body broken and bleeding, was Alessandra Porpington.
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Author's Note: There's a good reason why this chapter is titled Prologue, you will see in the next chapters=). Do keep the reviews, faves and alerts coming, especially the reviews. I value them the most^-^.