My dear Earl,
I was sorry to hear about the lord and lady Phantomhive. I offer my sincerest condolences.
However, things must be taken into consideration. For reasons I am sure you are aware
of, the Phantomhive family must always have a leader. It is essential to me, as well as to
England. While I realize that you are quite young, I am willing to pass this honor on to
you, rather than bring in a third party. It is, I feel, the best way to handle a
difficult situation.
Best wishes,
Queen Victoria
Ciel thought the letter was short, considering the circumstances. Though, he noted, that woman has always been a bit odd. He supposed powerful figures were simply like that.
The letter had arrived that morning, crimson wax staining the paper, marking it as different. More important, even. He hadn't thought he was expecting it, but he wasn't all that surprised when it arrived. The writing was loopy and flowing, like that of a schoolgirl. He imagined the queen didn't usually write letters. She had people to whom she could dictate.
He sipped his tea and read over it once again.
Sebastian didn't look unhappy, per se, as he all but barged into Ciel's bedroom at what must have been eight in the morning, startling him out of a peaceful dreamworld.
"What could possibly have you so irate?" Ciel mocked, impatiently. He usually didn't have to wake for at least another hour. It was an overstatement, of course. The boy was fairly sure that Sebastian couldn't look irate, or anything so emotional, if he wanted to.
The demon did not so much as blink in acknowledgment of the statement. Instead, he looked calmly at Ciel. "We are expecting a visitor. In less than a week." he stated in a tightly controlled calm tone.
"A...'Middleford'...visitor?"
"No," the demon said, with forced patience. "A professional visitor."
"A prostitute?"
Sebastian almost glared down at him, almost. Then, he continued once again as if the boy had said nothing at all. "You have recently been made the head of the Phantomhive house. Apparently, this also means your assets are to be released into your control."
Ciel blinked. "I don't see why you would be so disturbed by that."
"This includes the Phantomhive company." He looked down, his eyes pleading with the boy to understand how dire the situation was.
"Heartbreaking. I can't believe you haven't burst into tears."
That was most definitely a glare. "You will be running the company. You live here. Therefore you will be running the company from here."
"...Am I to understand that you don't...want people in the house."
"If people come here-" The demon stopped, then started again. "Humans are foolish, but even they would think it's strange. An entire company run by a child, an entire house run by me. This is an unrealistic environment. And humans fear what they do not understand."
Ciel sighed. He rolled back over and closed his eyes. He looked over his shoulder. "So, hire some help." And he fell back into sleep.
Ciel had spent the last two days, well, not worrying really, so much as contemplating possibilities. There were certainly many now. He had never had any power at all, other than that of any child who is adored by his wealthy parents. Suddenly, namesake rights, privileges, and duties were all he thought about. Save for one thing.
It was exhausting. He often fell asleep during the day, or felt ill for no apparent reason. It was one such afternoon. He had been looking over some production and profit records from his newly inherited company. Sebastian had recently managed to obtain some such things for him to study in anticipation for the dreaded visits of terrible businessmen.
A crash sounded downstairs. When the child awoke, awkwardly curled in the large desk chair with a file in his hand, his first reaction was a mild panic. Ciel hadn't heard anything even close to loud in... ages. Sebastian was always quiet. He had simply grown used to the silence.
The boy slid carefully off the chair. The room was dark, but the misty confusion of sleep had been quickly dismissed, due to the fact that the demon could not have made that noise. Also, anyone who could have done it should have been taken care of.
He was halfway across the room when the comfortingly familiar shape of the butler slipped, with expected silence, through the doorway.
"Sorry to disturb my young master." he said in all but a whisper as he knelt in front of the boy. "Our...arrangements are a bit out of sorts."
"What was that?"
"That was the help. She's quite talented, in her way."
He paused, understanding dawning on him. "I suppose her talents are not in traditional housekeeping field?" The demon only shook his head, smirking. "She's nervous. We should give her something."
"What did you have in mind?"
"I'm not sure, something useful. Something to calm her. Perhaps something to help her fit into her surroundings." he commented thoughtfully.
The smirk disappeared for only a moment before it, once again, displayed amusement. "Very well, My Lord."
I am so sorry about the long break. My computer, I believe, has been cursed, for it is bitter indeed. Any other questions I would be most delighted to answer.
With all my love,
~Amethyst~