When Red entered the kitchen, the sight before her nearly startled her. Eyes closed and an eyebrow twitching in irritation, she faced the direction the demon was standing.

"Sebastian. Michaelis." At the sound of the female's tone and the use of his last name, he knew that he was in deep-

"Would you care to explain why the others are lying about looking as if they're in a coma and why Soma looks ready to pass out on that table?!" She shouted as she stomped directly in front of him.

"M-Miss Red…I can assure you that they are all right, they have just been taste testing the different curries I have prepared." He replied.

"I think I'm full up to the gills with curry…" Soma mumbled.

"Come, the next curry awaits." Sebastian says, ignoring the presence of the raging female and Soma's mumbling. "I added Cardamom and garlic."

Soma perked up at the curry placed before him, rising up he said, "Th-This curry is different from all the others I've had today…"

Sebastian looked at the prince in question as the red headed female was glaring daggers into the back of his head as she was rubbing Finny's back. Picking up part of the curry, Soma tasted it and his eyes widened at the imaginary sight before him.

This is-!, he thought as the sight of an Indian palace surrounded him, dancers everywhere. A familiar scene-This is my palace. Then the one beside me is…Ag…

The scenery fades, leaving the imaginary version of Agni to be Sebastian instead.

"Prince…Soma…?" Sebastian began slowly.

"This…This curry, it tastes very much like the curry I used to always eat. Like Agni's curry!"

"You did it, Mister Sebastian!" Finny exclaimed in pure joy. (I swear, this cinnamon roll will be the death of me…)

"That's our butler for ya!" Bard grinned, a cigarette in between his teeth.

"Y'are wonderful, y'are!" Mey-Rin mumbled, hearts surrounding her eyes.

"Still, to have to go to such great lengths to achieve the right blend of spices…" Sebastian mumbled to himself, lost in thought.

"But it's still not quite right." Soma stated.

The servants and Red stared at Soma blankly.

"Eh?" Bard questioned.

"The taste, the aroma, the heat…are indeed the same as Agni's. However, something…something is still missing!"

"And that 'something'…would be?" the demon rose an eyebrow as he asked.

"To answer your question…hm, how should I put it?" Soma wondered. "Maybe that the savouriness and flavour of Agni's curry are more profound…Yes that's it! The body! This curry lacks body!"

"Body? Is that it?" Sebastian loomed over Soma, who in return ran behind Red and held her close as a shield of sorts.

"Y-Yes." He stuttered.

Sebastian was lost in his own thoughts about how to handle the situation that he didn't notice his master enter the room.

"In a spot of trouble, are we? How goes it?" Ciel started to smirk, but it turned into a look of irritation when gazing at the prince holding onto the red head for dear life.

"Young master.", Sebastian started, "The kitchen is no place for you…"

Dipping a finger into the curry, Ciel licked it then smirked at the demonic butler before him. "Three days till the curry fair, hm? Do the best you can and keep at your research."

Sebastian's eyebrow barely twitched in annoyance as he gazed at his master, who was heading out the door before he stopped and turned around.

"Ah, yes, that reminds me. I would like gâteau au chocolat for my afternoon snack. Bring it to me later."

"Very good, sir." Sebastian bowed.

"Miss Red, I would like to see you in my study, please follow me." Ciel then walked out.

Red headed out once removing the prince off of her and raced to catch up to the shorter teenager.

Smirking, she said, "You make it sound as though you want him to fail, Ciel."

"Heh. Hardly. But, even more than obtaining the royal warrant, wouldn't seeing that butler lose be just that much more fun?"

Red was trying to contain her giggles as she said, "Why, my lord, look at you! You're such a bully!"

"Shut up." He muttered.

Upon arrival to his study, the earl held the door open for the female who thanked him in return and walked in, gazing at the different books that laid disorganized on the shelves. Hearing the door close, she watched the earl as he led her to a small table on the side of the room where a chess board sat.

"Do you know how to play?" he asked as he pulled a chair out for her.

"Yes, Uncle Adrian and I play this sometimes when we aren't busy. It's rare that we do play, do forgive me if I am a little rusty." She said as she smiled.

Time passed as the two played, each making small idle talk, avoiding what happened earlier that day. And just when things were looking up.

"Checkmate." Red stated, a smirk across her features.

"Ah yes, checkmate. Anyways, as you were say-wait…what?" Ciel did a double take at the board in front of him, disbelief in his eyes. Looking back up at the girl he said only one word. "How?"

"It was tricky at first when I noticed you used your pawns a lot at the beginning, and then you decided a different tactic because of how they seemed to be failing, so you used your knight instead. And you kept using it to try to claim my king that you didn't notice at first that I used only one pawn and my queen to take out your previous pawns you used at first, thus leading to your demise of your king which you left unguarded on the side and top corner of which it stands."

The earl continued to stare at the board, shock still on his face, looking back up he stated in realisation, "You analyzed my pieces and led them into a trap."

"In simple words, yes. I've also noticed how long ago, you mentioned everyone to you was a pawn, including your butler. And since Sebastian contains so much power, I figured he was your knight. But not your queen. On these pawns, I see Scotland Yard, Uncle Adrian, Soma, Agni and Lau. For the rook, I see Finny. The bishop, Mey-Rin. The knights, Sebastian and Bard. But for the queen, I can't figure it out since you never laid a finger or gaze on it. Is it Lizzy?"

"No."

"No? Then that is more difficult to figure out." Leaning back into the chair, Red stared into Ciel's eye. "I doubt you know who it is yourself."

The younger teenager of the two let out a chuckle, "Interesting."

"What?"

"You play yourself off as innocent. Yet, you're strategic and quick-witted. Why is that?"

"It must have been to Uncle Adrian's choice of my training."

"For what?"

A grim look crosses her features as she stares at the chessboard before her, "That, my friend, I haven't the slightest idea."

Rising from her seat, she smiled again at the male before her as he stood up as well. Looking out the window, the moon had risen over the trees that were far across from the manor. He followed her gaze and noticed the time it was as well.

"It's become very late." He commented.

"Indeed." She replied as they made their way out of the room and into the hallway, both walking in silence.

Upon arriving at the female's door to the guest room she is staying in, she looks at the earl before her. Both stood in half awkward, half comfortable silence. Finally, he spoke up.

"Undertaker, do you happen to know when he will be returning?"

"I am certain soon, he isn't fond of leaving me alone with others for a long period of time. If I'm correct, he'll probably be back a day after the curry festival."

"I see."

"You should sleep soon, you won't get any taller if you don't, Ciel." Red mused as she grinned at the boy's irritated look before her.

"Not you, too." He muttered.

"Only in humor. And Ciel?"

"Hm?" he rose an eyebrow, still irritated.

"I wanted to say thank you for all that you've done. From the times of the Jack the Ripper case, to the whole puppet ordeal. You may not think so, but you're a great friend. Now, in forewarning, I'm giving you a hug. I noticed how you are highly uncomfortable from being touched by others." She said as she slowly wrapped her arms around the boy, not wanting to trigger anything he may react violently to. She was more surprised when he hugged her back, slowly but assuredly.

After releasing each other from the hug, they looked at one another, Ciel then spoke, "Good night." He then walked off, hearing her softly say good night in return. Then he heard her door close.

Upon nearing his room, he was trapped within his own thoughts, frustrating him to no end. Especially after the events that occurred that day.

She knows nothing of what I experienced…and yet…she…GAH! What am I even saying?!, shaking from his thoughts, he entered his room to retire for the night.