First off, I'd like to thank all of my readers for their continued support, especially those who review. So, *bows* arigatou gazaimasu! I'll continue working hard on this story!
Christmasloot:
Thank you very much for your review. Speaking of ironic, Luna's situation has "irony" written all over it and not just the engagement (hint, hint). But I doubt that their marriage will be done the Christian way... As for Pluto, I'm actually a bit miffed about how to deal with him afterwards. I'll probably not make him go berserk and send him back to Hell... Or kill him via other characters.
I hope that you enjoy this chapter and I hope that I didn't rush some scenes... Oh well, they've known each other for over a thousand years, it's about time that I put some romance in...
Chapter Fifty One
As the days went on, progress on Ciel's part was well-paced as he accepted anything Clayton told him to do. His popularity in Weston has risen up quite a bit amongst his peers, and Edward had written to Luna about how the younger years, especially from Blue House, kept talking about the Phantomhive.
Soon enough, Luna was once again summoned to Professor Michaelis' office. She arrived as Ciel entered the room, a very smug look on his face.
"You seem to be quite popular, "Professor" Michaelis," he stated, closing the door. "I see you made it as well, Luna."
"Yes, everyone was praising the way I explain and my kindness," Sebastian got up to let Ciel sit on his chair.
"Kindness indeed," Luna smirked. "If only they knew…"
"Heh." Ciel's books were left on the desk. "I'd like to show how hard your real training is."
"Even now, Sebastian is nothing but one hell of a teacher," Luna let Koruru run up to Ciel's lap. "I don't think that half of the students would be able to keep up if he used his usual methods."
"I was invited to meet the P4 tomorrow at 4PM," Ciel declared.
"I know."
"Already, huh? I thought that it would take longer, but…" Luna poked Ciel's cheek. "The both of you have been working very hard."
"It's a golden chance," Ciel said as he removed Luna's finger. "I must make sure that the P4 and their followers like me."
"Well, I'm pretty sure that you basically have the two from Sapphire Owl covered up and Edward as well," Luna declared. "Violet Wolf will be harder to tame, but in comparison, the Red House should already be eyeing you."
"I guess I'll need some teacakes first of all," Ciel sighed.
"Unfortunately for you," Luna smiled.
"Bah, why do I have to prepare snacks for kids…"
"Wouldn't that be cute?" Sebastian asked. "Instead of bribing them, you will win them over with real sweets. However, tomorrow at 4PM I must teach my cricket class… What should I give priority to?"
"It would be too suspicious if Sebastian leaves a class unattended, especially if he doesn't show any signs of illness and so on. Ciel should be able to handle the situation himself anyways." Luna shrugged. "Ciel has dealt with numbers of nobles craftier than mere schoolboys. I have no doubt that he should also be able to deal with them just as easily."
"I agree with Luna's decision," Ciel drank his tea. "And to make up for it… It's an order, Sebastian. Prepare the best teacakes to amaze the P4."
Sebastian, smirking as always, bowed. "Yes, my Lord."
"Now that this meeting is adjourned, I better be leaving before someone catches me," Luna joked. "Come along now, Koruru. We'll be seeing you soon enough, Ciel."
Before Luna could even attempt to leave, she was brought into a fierce hug by no other than her fiancée. Sebastian then lifted her chin and gave her a soft kiss on the lips before whispering in her ear.
"I hope to see you soon, my little pearl. Do remain safe."
"Oh hush," Luna smiled playfully. "I'm not an idiot, Sebastian. I miss you too."
Ciel cleared his throat loudly at the display of affection. "This is something I really don't need to see."
"However, young master, Luna is only to come when summoned so that she may help with this case. Despite our engagement, we have yet been able to display more affection whether it be in private or in public. And since we've been separated so soon after the news, how could I not try to steal a kiss whenever I can?"
"Sebastian…"
Knock, knock.
"Professor Michaelis," a student said, "there's something I'd like you to help me with…"
"I'll be seeing you soon, Sebastian," Luna curtsied. "Good night, Earl Phantomhive. May your endeavor succeed."
"Come in," Sebastian declared.
A student (fourth-year, perhaps?) entered the office just as Ciel thanked the professor and was about to leave. Any traces of Luna's presence had disappeared as she returned to the Owen estate. However, as she stumbled in her room, she felt a pang at her heart and temporarily lost the ability to breathe.
Hearing the sound of a broken vase, Beast hurried into the room. "Miss Luna, what happened?"
Luna took ragged breaths and leaned on the wall. "It's nothing serious, Maria. I'll be taking a bath and retiring to bed now."
"Can I assist you?" Beast asked, her eyes filled with worry. She had never seen her mistress in such a state before.
"Yes, please call Doll to clean up the mess as well." Luna stood up straight.
"Very well, milady." Beast bowed and left the room.
Koruru meowed as Luna sat on the bed, worried as well.
"I think that I'll be fine, Koruru. Maybe it was something I ate," Luna tried to comfort her familiar. "Shadow traveling never took this much out of me before. I'm so tired…"
When Beast returned with Doll, she found the lady of the household asleep on her bed with Koruru next to her. With a sigh, both maids proceeded to clean the vase and change Luna out of her dress into a nightgown before exiting.
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
"Shit! He tricked me!" Ciel threw a basket filled with sweets on the floor and sat down. "This is why I hate verbal promises! Give me written proof!"
"Aw, young master, did you underestimate him because he was a student?" Sebastian looked at his master teasingly.
"Humans always envy does who are better than them, those who excel. And thus, they use whatever means possible to ruin their work and keep the spotlight to themselves," Luna stated. "As for the Scarlet Fox's prefect's fag, Maurice Cole… I heard from Edward that he was the youngest son of the family. Who knows, his animosity might have something to do with that. For the most beautiful boy in school… He sure has an ugly self. By the way, did you try to explain to Edward?"
"Doing something like that would be absolutely useless for people like him." Ciel began to eat the dessert Sebastian prepared for him. "And it's true that I showed up late anyways."
"Well then, are you going to cry yourself to sleep?" Sebastian asked.
Luna just gave him an incredulous look. The answer was so bloody obvious too…
"As if!" Ciel stabbed a strawberry. "I'll gain the favor of the prefects, no matter what. And get my own back! I'll make you regret ruining my hard work… Maurice Cole!"
"Not that I didn't expect it, but how do you plan on doing that?" Luna crossed her arms. "The only way for you to make him pay and regain the prefects' favor is by unveiling something very dark about Cole. Since I'm not acquintanced with him, there's nothing I can really do except give advice."
"Maurice Cole. He's probably a lying jailbird," Ciel declared.
"Why do you think that?" Sebastian asked as he petted Koruru.
"Have you seen his hands?" Ciel replied. "The school's fags all have rough hands from doing the upperclassmen's chores. But that guy's hands were pearly white. In other words…"
"Other people are helping him, much like Sebastian and yourself, correct?" Luna ate a bit of the sweets.
"You could have left out the part about me!" Ciel gave a glare. "Exactly. Besides, there's no doubt about it with his unhesitating and relaxed attitude."
"You know from the smell of your own kind?" Sebastian took back the plate.
"Hmph. I'm sure it wouldn't take much to prove that what he said was wrong, but I won't let it end so easily." Ciel decided.
"In other words, you'll have Sebastian investigate Maurice and gather as much evidence against him as possible." Luna leaned against the wall. "As expected from the Queen's watchdog."
Ciel smirked. "Sebastian, seek out others who have been deceived by him. Also, thoroughly investigate Maurice's activity pattern."
"As you wish."
"Before we end this, Ciel, I have something to tell you," Luna announced. "The P4 is considered as important as deities here. You being tardy when they invited you… That's something the whole school is sure to know. Don't forget to keep your head high, brother."
"Of course, sister," Ciel stood up. "Also, as long as you go unnoticed, I don't mind you visiting Sebastian for more… private purposes." A blush adorned his cheeks as he said that last part.
"Thank you, but with how things are escalating, I have a feeling that I'll being seeing a lot more of this office either way." Luna hugged Ciel before doing the same with Sebastian. "By the way, your mansion is still in one piece. Angela- I mean Mother- and I have been visiting to make sure that your most faithful servants won't destroy the place."
"Thank you for that," Ciel put a hand in his hair. "I sometimes still wonder why I hired them…"
"Well then, no goodbye kiss?"
Sebastian smirked and pulled his fiancée in an exhilarating kiss that made her lose her senses for a short while. Ciel also noticed that his own butler seemed possessed when he committed the act. He shook his head. They may be soul mates, unofficially engaged and whatnot, but to act like that…
Luna promptly left afterwards along with her familiar.
"She seems awfully happy for some reason…" Ciel stated as he looked at the place where Luna stood last.
"Perhaps she is simply excited at the prospect of unmasking one of your opponents?" Sebastian suggested. "Or she may have had a wonderful day?"
"Wouldn't she have told you if it was the latter though?" Ciel turned towards his butler.
"Well, I did smell a familiar scent on her when we hugged," Sebastian pointed out, a smirk gracing his features. "Something tells me that my future in-laws are visiting."
"By in-laws, you mean that group of assassins?" Ciel tried to recall its name.
"Indeed, young master. Indeed."
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
When Luna returned to the living room, appearing out of the shadows, she was welcomed by a number of Grim Reapers and demons.
"By the blush on your face, I assume that you had some fun with your betrothed?" Chilian teased her. "Now tell me, is Heimo as handsome as he was a thousand years ago?"
"Sister Chilian!" Luna exclaimed. "I know that you sent a message stating that you were coming, but…"
The door suddenly opened, revealing Jumbo, Doll, Peter and Wendy. "Miss Luna, who are they?"
Luna sighed. "These are the guests I told you about earlier in the afternoon. There is no need for alarm."
The servants looked at each guest carefully and nodded before retreating.
"So, squirt, you've become a lady now, huh?" Baifeng said as he ruffled her hair.
"Stop it! And I'm not a child anymore!" Luna pouted. "As for your question, I am currently the Head of the Owen household, Countess Owen-Phantomhive."
"Owen-Phantomhive?" Gao Jianli repeated.
"Ciel pretty much accepted me in his family and I still am his ward, I guess," Luna shrugged. "I'm also known as the "Hawk Eye" Phantomhive in the underworld, so I guess that it stuck."
"Back to the matter at hand," Xuenv interrupted. "Does Heimo know about the significance of the black ring?"
Luna shook her head. "I never told him."
"You'll have to tell him eventually," Chilian said. "Especially since he cares so much about you."
"It's… complicated," Luna finished lamely.
"Well, since you're engaged by two different contracts, that pretty much makes him my brother-in-law, doesn't it?" Baifeng declared. "To think that he was really a demon… And he didn't even make a contract with you!"
"You seem to forget that Her Highness is very stubborn and not easily swayed," Gao Jianli declared. "I would say that she inherited it from her father."
"How is Father anyways? Will he be visiting soon?" Luna sat down on a couch.
"I'm afraid not," Chilian replied. "Things have been stirring in Hell, so most of us are quite busy, trying to control the demons."
"But your engagement is not the main reason why we're here, Wei Qingzhu," Baifeng said seriously. "There is something else you need to know. It will affect you as well as those closest to you, but it is unavoidable."
"What's going on?" Luna asked. Baifeng, even during the most serious times, was the one to keep everyone from being too serious. The times he had been fully serious around her amounted to the number of seven. What now?
"…"
So what's this important thing Baifeng and the others need to tell Luna? There are some hints scattered in the first ten-twenty chapters, but I'll just give you a straightforward one: Luna's current inhuamn parent is angelic and the one in her past life is...
That's about it!
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