A/N: Hello everybody! I just want to let you readers know that you all make me happy that my story is worth something to you all. It makes me really happy. And I just know it'll continue because were not even close to the ending of the story line! Also I want to let you all know that I know my spelling of Trowds is mess up. So are the other mistakes I just know I didn't notice. Guys, I have warned you all that I would have mistakes in the story… At least I hope I did. If not, now you know if you are reading this.

Disclaimer: I don't own Black Butler, only my OC's and their role in the story.

Enjoy!

Chapter 26: The Right Hand Of God.

I lie down on the bed in the guest room, dry tears on my face and red puffy eyes. Not once… Not once has anyone ever someone say something so… So horrible to me in my whole life. Sure, people have said some bad things behind my back or in front of me back in middle and high school but this just got to be the worst of them all.

Prince Soma doesn't know an f**king thing about me… Ever since he sneaked his way with Agni into the manor- he has been nothing but a pain in our asses! He took my bed room, acts like a child around us, and most importantly; said something so hurtful… I don't know if I even want to show my face around him anymore.

"F**k you Soma… I'm not some damn servant. Sure, I like to help around the manor but that's because Bald, Finny, and Mey-Rin are my friends. They're fun to be around and I love helping people."

He doesn't know anything about me... If this is how he treats women back in India, then I'm glad Mina isn't with him anymore. But if she wasn't kidnap or whatever, then I wouldn't have to put up with the asshole… I shook my head out of those thoughts. Thinking like that will only make me just as bad as him.

I was surprised that Ciel came to my rescue after what Soma said to me… It made me happy of how much he truly cares… Even if he try to hide all of it. I knew he cared when he had me sit down and try to calm me down in his own way. It helps somewhat but not a lot.

Sebastian was silent the whole time. I didn't even notice he left until I begin walking to the guest room with Ciel walking me there. I wonder where that demon ran off too… He doesn't care for me. Well, I don't really know if he does. He's hard to understand. It's not because he's a demon…. All he does is toy with me and serve me like a guest or family member does. As much as I hate that demon… I do have somewhat of a caring part for him. It's not much but I do care for that jerk. I don't know why though.

With Ciel

Ciel had his eyes closes, lost in thought of past memories when a crying and broken Soma calm himself down somewhat and look trowds Ciel with red puffy eyes.

"C… Ciel…?"

Ciel crosses his arms, eyes still close as his head looks down to the floor.

"My… My family was murdered, my home burned to ash… And I myself was subjected to humiliations unfit for even a beast."

He forms fists in rage now.

"I was a powerless… Child."

He then let's goes of his fists and looks down at Soma with his own glare.

"Thus, I returned to Phantomhive, so I might inflict the same humiliation upon those who made me and mine suffer. If Phantomhive was an obstacle to those who dispatched its previous head three years ago, they will eventually target me again if I stay on as Earl. I'm waiting… For them to come here and make an attempt on my life."

Soma stares at him now, rubbing his running tears as he sits there on his knees.

"Why… Would you go that far…"

"Despairing, grieving, standing still… What good will they do? Even the dead can stand still. But here I am… Alive and standing on my own two feet, with my own strength."

Ciel answers, looking at Sebastian for a moment before looking back to Soma as the said prince tries to get up.

"If I'm going to die at some point anyway, I'd rather do it without regrets. I won't make any lofty claims about trying to avenge the pervious head. I'm simply doing this for my own diversion. Them or me, Earl Phantomhive. This is all just a game to see who wins. Even if I'm made to stand on the edge of despair in a hellish place… I won't give up. I'll grab the spider's thread if it'll help me crawl up out of there."

Ciel forms another fist, making a powerful stands of his emotions.

"We humans possess that kind of strength. To grab that thread or not, however… Is your own decision and yours, alone."

Soma's eyes went wide as Ciel said this to him. Ciel stares right into Soma's eyes before turning away now.

"Enough of this prattles. Sebastian, once I check on Miss. Monggle I want to talk to you about West. Alone."

With Alex

I continue to hold onto my pillow when a knock came from the door of the guest room. I made a sniff sounds due to my crying before speaking just loud enough for the person on the other side of the door to hear.

"Who is it…?"

I ask, hoping it's not Soma- that b***h!

"It is I, Ciel."

I frown suddenly at the response. What could Ciel want at a time like this?

"May I come in?"

I heard him ask calmly. I force myself to get out of bed but still held onto the pillow and head over to the door. I took a deep breath before opening the door and saw a calm Ciel standing there. I slowly step aside for him to enter. He nods his head at me and walks into the room, heading over to sit down onto the bed room chair across the room from the dresser. I poke my head outside to look around in question for a certain demon.

"Sebastian will not be accompanying us at the moment."

Ciel spoke, getting me to look at him before giving a nod and close the door. I walk back to the bed and sat down instead of lying on it. I held onto the pillow tighter now, just knowing what Ciel might want to talk to me about. It's either about Soma or Mr. West. Either way, I don't care right now... Ciel watches the worry face I put on now and sighs.

"This is about Soma."

I flinch at the title of the subject.

"But first, are you feeling better?"

How could he ask me such a question when I am clearly still upset about it!? I force myself to not answer but gave another nod at him.

"Soma has been taken care of."

That made me look at the Earl Child with wide eyes. Does he mean he sent his demon butler to eat him or something!?

"You've sent Sebastian to eat him!?"

Ciel looked surprise at the sudden question. He stares at me as if I lost my mind before hiding his amuse smirk with his hand. He tries to hold back a laugh but ends up letting it out anyways. I frown at him deeply as he continues to laugh before shaking his head no and force himself to put on a calm face but fails, showing a hint of amusement.

"No Miss. Monggle… I am not going to send Sebastian to 'eat' him."

He begins, blocking off the rest of his hinting amusement now.

"What I mean is that we had a 'talk' with him. I say he has learned from his mistakes."

I now raise an eyebrow back at him, wondering what he's getting at.

"What… What did you do to him?"

Ciel raises an eyebrow as well.

"Do you care for that idiot?"

"OF COURSE NOT!"

Why could I care for some damn prince who has just hurt my own feelings? He's a monster in my eyes now!

"How could I care for someone like him…?"

I begin, not realizing that my shoulders are beginning to shake. Ciel watches in complete silence.

"I can't… Forgive people who would go so far as to hurt me."

I begin to sob again, not noticing the sounds of footsteps when I suddenly felt someone sit down next to me on the bed. I slowly look over to see Ciel looking at me with his calm face. He suddenly said something out of nowhere.

"People have hurt you before."

It wasn't a question. It was a fact. Nevertheless I gave a nod in reply and spoke.

"I have dealt with bullies at the schools I used to go to before I graduated and went to collage… I have friends and they do help me when it comes to dealing with them but it still hurts that people would go so far to do say such things to people. They don't know the person so they would make up stuff or use their appearance to hurt them… They would even go so far as too get to know the person and find out their secrets, just to make them feel worst then they do."

Ciel looks up at the celling in thought now. He closes his eyes again for a moment as I fell silent until I let out a small sob. Ciel open his eyes and looks at me with a small frown.

"You and I are not so different… But I don't understand what it is like to have friends. I used to at one point, but not anymore."

I look down at the child and frown again.

"Then… Let me be your friend, Ciel."

He looks away from this.

"I know I have been here for a few months now but… I can't stand seeing you doing a job that's meant for adults. You put your child hood away so fast that you became someone else-!"

"And I have accepted my fate."

He said, cutting me off. I stare at the boy with wide eyes.

"Losing your family at a young age. It will surely affect their minds. Think what you will, Miss. Monggle but I will not give up until I find the one who destroyed my life."

I notice he made fists, shoulders shaking in rage.

"I will not play games that are meant for children. I will not quit my families' business because I am a 'mare child'. I will not bow down to anyone who gets in my way."

His eyes held a dark void of nothing now. I held back my gasps as he stares into my green eyes as he said this.

"Even if you turn against me I will not back down to hurt you like I did to Madam Red."

I frown deeply now at the mention of Madam Red. I force myself to not think of the memories of Madam Red's life and my time with her. Even her death I will not think about.

"I do not know much of what your time-line is like, Miss Monggle… But I can already tell that you are just like me in a way. Your own way. And that… Is something that cannot be ignored."

I stare at Ciel in shock of his chosen words. I couldn't help but give him a warm smile and place a small kiss onto his cheek. He looks surprise and blush at the action as I lean my head onto his shoulder.

"Thanks Ciel. You really know what to say... Even if you're just an Earl brat."

Before he could say anything to my comment, Soma bursts through the doors. I quickly stop leaning my head off of Ciel's shoulder as the said boy stands up onto his feet, glaring at Soma.

"Ciel…!"

He shouted out, catching his breath before looking up at Ciel when he notice me and frowns deeply. I look away right when his eyes landed onto me. Soma looks down at the floor as Sebastian comes up from behind him and stares down at the teenager in case of danger.

"I…! I am ashamed of myself!"

The prince begins, looking down at the floor still.

"I'm seventeen, but I'm still an unseasoned fool next to you. I was a spoiled child in the nest that my parents granted me… And never even once tried to understand others. I knew Agni was troubled, but I didn't even try to talk to him about it."

He forces himself to look up at Ciel.

"But now I want to know. I want to confront them and ask them why they left my side. So please! Please let me join you in-!"

"I decline."

Ciel cuts him off, getting the prince to stare at him with shock eyes.

"I have no desire to babysit a charge as naïve as yourself."

"…"

We watch Ciel bring his hand out to me. I stare at his hand before smiling at him kindly and take my hand into his and I follow him out to the exit when he stops in his tracks in front of the exit.

"… That said… My parlour door has never been locked."

Soma stares at Ciel and I before understanding what the child is getting at and runs trowds us in a huge hug. We almost fell down because of him as we both gasps out in surprised.

"CIEL!"

"I should've kept my mouth shut…"

Ciel whispers but Soma didn't hear it as he realize that he still needed to say his sorry's and lets go of us, both.

"Ciel, my apologies for breaking the cups earlier when I snapped."

He then looks over to me now.

"Miss. Monggle, I am so sorry for saying that to you… I feel horrible and shouldn't have treated you in such a way when you were only trying to help me."

I didn't make eye contact at first. Everyone watches me in total silence until I finally turn around with a small smile.

"It's okay… I forgive you."

That's when I gave a warning and dark glare at the teen.

"But next time you say something so rude, I will paunch you in the face."

Soma nods his head in understanding, showing his fear. Soma then turn trowds Sebastian and hides behind me and Ciel in pure terror.

"And I… I apologies… To you too…"

Sebastian gives a chuckle at the action.

"Not at all…"

He said, faking another smile from his lips.

"Now shall we get back to the matters at hand? Mister Lau is waiting."

The three of us look at each other in thought before nodding our heads in agreeing and walk all the way back to Lau in the living room. The said man smiles at us as Sebastian bows down and left the room to get another set of tea and my coffee.

I quickly noted that there weren't any broken pieces around in the room anymore. Sebastian must have cleaned the room up before coming to guest room. I join the others and sat down at my chair around the table and fire place. Lau smiles at us all now before clapping his hands together.

"Now then… Let us continue our little chat from before his highness's interruption."

Soma gives a flinch from hearing this and hangs his head downwards, not speaking one word. Ciel nods his head at the man before speaking.

"First, West must have put Agni up to mentioned incidents. With his physical abilities, it would be easy for him to do everything alone."

That's when we heard a knock from the room. Sebastian came in after a few seconds with another tray of everyone's tea set and my coffee set. He begins putting the tray down onto the table and begins pouring our cups of tea and coffee. But that didn't stop him from speaking as well. He must have heard us miles away or something…

"West mentioned… A 'Three year plan' that 'The successful execution of that plan will take place in one week' and that 'Agni's right hand is absolutely necessary.' That was all."

I smile when Sebastian came to me last and hands me my coffee. I smile wider when the smell hit my nose and close my eyes. Ciel takes a sip of his tea now.

"The most important factor here is the 'One week later' deadline."

Lau gives a nod at the Earl Child. Soma watches in silence.

"If West is using Agni's 'Right Hand of God,' perhaps they plan to raid a major event? Well, with it being winter now, the large scale functions have all but ended."

That's when Ciel turns his head trowds the demon butler.

"Sebastian. What events will be held in London one week from now?"

"One week from now?"

Sebastian thought out loud, hand on his chin.

"Young Master has received invitations to... A Choir Concert sponsored by Saint Sophia Academy at West Minster Abbey… Wagner at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden… An exhibition of Indian culture and it's prosperity within the Empire at the Crystal Palace… An exhibition of World currencies at the British Museum-!'

"… India?"

Ciel spoke out loud in thought, getting the butler to stop and frown at the boy.

"Young Master, a gentleman must read all correspondence addressed to him, no matter what the contents."

"Shut up and just give me the details."

Ciel order, not sounding pleased with Sebastian's comment while I hid back my giggles. Sebastian sighs before obeying his master anyways.

"'The exhibition of Indian Culture and its prosperity in the British Empire' will be held at the Crystal Palace next week. The main exhibits will feature Great Britain's achievements and industry in India. A curry fair will be held as part of the programme."

My head shot up to Sebastian when I heard two words: Curry and Fair came into the sentence.

"Young Master had received an invitation to a special judge at that fair."

I look at Ciel with wide eyes. He was invited to eat the curry!? I WANNA BE IT!

"The fair will have several companies competing with their curries. Rumor has it that her Majesty, who is known for her love of curry, will come visit the fair. Should I see which individuals are hosting their own parties as well?"

Ciel shook his head no at Sebastian's question. Huh… The Queen of England is coming along? I never saw what the Queen look like back in her younger years. This should be fun!

"India… Curry… That's quite enough."

Lau smiles at the boy.

"It seems you've caught on, my lord."

"Yes."

Ciel begins, nodding his head again.

"'Three years.' 'A fair.' And West covets brands and titles, he would only think of one thing. I can't believe how silly this case has turned out to be. I'm so unnerved I don't know what to say…"

Soma and I didn't have clue as to what the two are talking about.

"Ah-ha-ha! So you were really sent on a fool's errand."

That's when Soma and I had enough of this confusion.

"HEY, WAIT!"

We both shouted, getting the two to stop talking and look over to both of us while Sebastian watches in the side lines.

"We don't understand what's going on…. Explain it to us!"

"Quiet down, your highness and me lady. You will receive your explanation in due time… From Lord Earl!"

Ciel glares at the man now. Lau you little-!

"Once again, you were only pretending to know!"

The boy shouted at the older man, who only shrug his shoulders and smile wider again. Ciel sighs in annoyance before turning his head back to Soma and I.

"The main dish served at West's Hindustani Coffeehouse is curry. In other words, West is attempting to obtain a 'Royal Warrant' with his 'curry'."

"Ah, now I understand!"

"A rowy'all war rent? What is that?"

Soma asks, not listening to Lau while I frown a bit.

"Ah, right! Your highness wouldn't know of it…"

Lau begins, now looking trowds me now for the same thought so I shook my head no. I had no idea what that is either… Ciel begins explaining it to us after another sip of his tea.

"England has a curious system. Members of the Royal Family can grant a seal of 'Approval' to merchants of whom they are fond. That seal is known as the 'Royal Warrant'… And… Stores that hold the Royal Warrant can display that seal on their signs."

I made a oh sound at this, now coming to a understanding but Soma still didn't get what the Earl Child is talking about. Ciel continues from the confuse look on the prince's face.

"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 confectionery and toy brand. Some stores have tripled their sales… As Queen Victories sets the tends for everything from fashion to food. The rage for curry has slowed down, so West must what the title whatever the cost."

Soma gives a frown at the child now.

"I understand that West what's the so-called 'Royal Warrant….' But what does that have to do with the hanging incidents?"

That's where Sebastian came in to answer.

"There are two conditions for obtaining a Royal Warrant. The first is to 'Have the products' quality recognized at a fair.' And the second is… 'Gratuitous service to the Royal Family for three years.'"

Okay, forget what I said about understanding it before… I now understand it on a whole new level that I didn't think of! Soma stands up from his seat in total shock, mouth wide open and eyes shot wide. He couldn't find the right words to say at all from this. I gave a wider frown now.

"For three years, West has been servicing the Royal Family with his imports for free. He then caused those incidents to destroy his rivals who are participating in the fair next week."

"Military personnel were attacked as well, so it looked as if the culprits were Indians who held a grudge against England. West is probably using Mina to force Agni to participate in this silly plan… And Agni is doing it for the sake of his own God."

"Eh?"

Soma questions, giving the Earl a funny look.

"The letters left behind at the Crime scenes held another important clue camouflage."

Ciel begin, having Sebastian to hand him one of those letters that was found with the men at the coffeehouses in their undies. The boy points to the tongue image at the bottom of it.

"Right here. Lord Randall was ranting that the mark was an insult against England, but its real meaning is something else entirely. You pray to that, no?"

Ciel asks, pointing to the God of Kali statue Soma and Agni pray to. I didn't even realize it was there the whole time! I gave out shivers at the thing before looking away by force.

"Your God… Is the Goddess Kali, with her tongue lolling out. Agni drew this. And who is Agni's 'God'?"

Ciel turns his head trowds Soma now, looking at him dead in the eye.

"He did it all for you. So both his prayers and his apology were drawn into this mask."

"Mister Agni worships you and lives for you even after he left your side. You have been blessed with a wonderful butler."

Soma fell silent as Ciel hands him the letter from the crime scene. He stares at the image of the God's tongue before building tears in his eyes. His shoulders begin to shake in realization now.

"Agni…"

I stood up from my seat now and place a hand onto Soma's shoulder. He turns his head slowly to me as I gave him a small smile. He slowly forms a small smile back at me before looking away to use one of his hands to wipe away his tears.

"I'm okay, Miss. Monggle…"

And right when I was gonna say something Lau beat me to it.

"Then, all's well that ends well, eh? Well, let's wash our hands of this affair. How about we have the yard handle the rest?"

Soma quickly shot his head trowds Lau in surprise.

"WAIT! THEN WHAT WILL BECOME OF AGNI… AND MINA!?"

"Who knows?"

"We now know that this incident doesn't concern our side, the underworld. And we're not running a charity."

The two said, having Ciel to yawn after he finishes speaking. I look over to Soma with a deep frown now. The prince's shoulders begin to shake again, only this time in fear so I remove my hand from his shoulder.

"I…! I understand… This is indeed my problem. And I will think about what I can do to solve it on my own."

"Good attitude."

The Earl Child comments, stretching his arms upwards with a tired smirk.

"Then I'll get on with my work. I was summoned to London in winter on this worthless errand. Don't I deserve some reward for my troubles? A Royal Warrant is granted after three years of gratuitous service and ones showing at a fair. The fair will be held in one week and fortunately for us, the top competition is unable to participate. Therefore, if our Funtom Corporation participates and wins against West… The Royal Warrant will be ours."

Lau still held on his smiling face. Soma looked surprised at Ciel. Sebastian only smiles at the idea. I sigh and sat down back onto my seat all lazy like, showing how tired I really am.

"I was considering moving into the food business after we'd obtained a warrant for our confectionery and toys. If we were to get the warrant at the curry fair, it would be the talk of the town."

Said Ciel, smirking wider at the plan of his. Lau nods his head at him, hands resting under his chin and on his legs.

"Indeed. It'll be quite the trophy to mark the launch of Funtom's culinary line. But you only have one week to set up a culinary department. Will you be able to prepare specialists in curry cooking equipment, stores, and such in time?"

"We won't be needing any of that."

I roll my eyes at this. And here comes the demon butler…!

"Isn't that right? Sebastian?"

Ciel spoke, looking over to the said butler, who looks over to him and smiles wider at the boy before placing his hand onto his chest and bows down.

"As butler to the Phantomhive family, it goes without saying that I can manage something like this. The Royal Warrant will b-!"

"IMPOSSIBLE!"

We all turn our heads to Soma now.

"There is no way you can win against West… In a curry match!"

He begins, looking at each and every one of us in the eye.

"Why not?"

"He has Agni… Who in turn has the Right Hand of God."

Ciel rolls his eyes now at the prince.

"The destructive power of the 'Right Hand of God' is indeed extraordinary, but we're not competing in a combat sport. This is a curry cooking competition."

"That's it right there!"

The prince begins, getting me to watch in worry now. What is he trying to say…?

"It isn't a combat sport like fencing. It's a curry match!"

Sebastian and Ciel look at each other in question before looking back over to the teenager.

"Pardon me."

Sebastian begins, raising an eyebrow.

"I do not quite follow."

"You don't know Agni's true power. You do not know real curry."

…Huh?

"The quality of real curry is determined by the spices in it. One must choose from hundreds of spices. The amount of each spice one uses determines the curry's taste, heat, and fragrance… The spices affect everything. One has an infinite array of choices. Making the best curry is like finding one truth out of all the truths of the universe. But Agni's right hand can do that!"

In other words; a needle in the hay stacks?

"With only one fingertip, he selects the best spices from an innumerable selection and mixes in the optimal amounts… To create curry that is nothing short of a miracle. His power to imagine and create a world from nothing is indeed within the realm of Godliness. That is why Agni, with his 'Right Hand of God,' is called… KALI'S RIGHT HAND!"

We all stare in shock. I knew the guy could kick ass but… Having a hand from a God? That just seems a little crazy… But now that I think about it, when Agni cooks he used his right hand for most of the work. Even when he was forced to attack Soma and fight Sebastian with those training swords, he always used his right hand! Realizing all of this, my eyes went wider then before. Holy shi-!

"I've never had curry that was better then Agni's. That's why I told him to offer his right hand forever."

Soma finishes, giving serous looks to us all now. Ciel blinks his eyes a few times in confusion.

"So the 'Right Hand of God'…"

"Refers not to Godly 'strength,' but to Godly 'curry making skills'?"

Lau finishes for him. I shook my head no to them.

"Guys, think about to whenever you saw him do something."

I begin, getting the others to look over to me now in thought.

"He always used his right hand for cooking that meal the other night, fighting Sebastian in the training room, and even when he tried to attack Soma!"

The three men looked surprise in their own realization. They knew I was right… Ciel looks down to his tea cup and takes a sip, thinking out loud.

"There you have it. Sebastian?'

Sebastian looks over to his master and smiles a grin.

"Well, well… I seem to have found myself up against a formidable adversary."

I gave a nod trowds the demon, taking a long sip of the rest of my coffee before speaking again.

"And Ciel is going to make me take his place as the special judge in tasting the curry next week."

The men around me gave me odd looks. I cross my arms with a pout now.

"What? I love curry!"

A/N: Thanks for reading. I think I'm going to stay with posting one chapter instead of two at a time from now on. It gives me time to chill out more and work on other things I like to work on. See you all next time!