Chapter 11
"It's time to wake up, young master."Sebastian said opening the drapes. It was a beautiful morning outside the esteemed Phantomhive manor. "Today's breakfast is poached salmon and mint salad. To go with it, we have either toast, scones or pain de campagne. Which one would you care for." Beginning to pour the piping hot tea. Handling it to his master, Sebastian pulled out the young lord attire for the day.
"A scone" A bleary eyed Ciel answered. Sipping his tea enjoying the taste of Earl Grey
"After breakfast is a visit from Mr. Hugues, the authority on the Roman Empire, and Mr. Damiano of the Poseidon Company will be here after lunch." Sebastian pulling the sleeves of Ciel's dress shirt on. Buttoning the buttons for his lord knowing that the kid would not be able to do it for himself.
"Ah, yes, the man I have manufacturing stuffed animals at that factory in India?" Ciel asked as Sebastian tied a royal blue ribbon around his neck into a bow.
"Yes, I'm told that he is Italian. We Will prepare to offer him the utmost possible hospitality." Sebastian smiled finishing dressing the boy into an emerald short suit pair with black calf socks and brown dressed shoes. "I shall await you at the dining table." Sebastian bowed with his right hand resting on his heart. Walking to the door, he stopped to catch the dart soaring towards his head. "Well throw my lord. Did you need anything?" Sebastian smiled turning to the child.
"Nothing,"Ciel snick
"Good," Sebastian said taking his leave from the room.
"Ouch! Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!" Finny cried feeling the dart that was threw with tremendous accuracy into the middle of his head. "What was that for, young master?"
"Nothing, I don't have to justify my actions."Ciel said taking a sip of his tea. Sebastian went of his way for breakfast, it was positively one of his best meal. He would never tell him that.
At that moment Sebastian pushed open the double doors finding the Estate employees all gather in the dinning room wasting time and space.
"Finny, have you finished weeding the courtyard?"Sebastian questioned.
"You see um" Finny stuttered.
"Mey-Rin, have you washed the sheets?"
"Um well-"Mey-Rin fidget.
"Baldroy, weren't you supposed to be preparing for dinner."
"Dame," Bald laughed nervously pulling his hair.
"Tanaka… Well, you're all right as you are."Sebastian sighed "Everyone, if you have the time to dawdle about here, then do your jobs." He yelled at the incompetent trio sending all three running to go finish their chores.
"Wow do you need to be so loud in the morning."Aria yawned from her chair at the end of the table. "Some of us didn't get a good night sleep."
"Miss Aria I do ask that you stand, it is improper for the lord of the house to sit with servants."Sebastian lectured shaking his head at the witch.
"Where else would I eat?" Aria asked waiting for Kakashi to bring her breakfast.
"In the servants quarters." You could hear the duh in his tone. "Your chores today is to make sure all the floors are swept and mopped. We will be having a guest and the manor most be spectacular."
"Aye, aye" Aria gave him a mock salute getting up from the chair heading towards the exit.
"If you don't require my assistance at the time, I will be completing another task."Sebastian said bowing leaving the room.
"Sebastian," Ciel called the demon as he was closing the door. "Remember your order."
"Of course, young master."
"Kakashi is breakfast done yet?" Aria said startling him as she jumped on his back. She loved scaring her familiar. Since he came by her side, she been pranking him. To see his frighten face brought her glee. She loved him. He was her only friend, the only person to stand by her. This is why she was slightly nervous that he was still mad at her for kissing the demon. Someone they been running from for ages.
"Yes, madame," Kakashi sighed dropping the spatula to grip his mistress thighs. "Go to the table, I will fix your food, also I would like talk about my actions yesterday. I'm sorr-"
"Its fine" Aria kissed him on the cheek. "You know I can never be mad at you, my other half." Hugging him close. It was a major relief that he wasn't upset with her anymore.
"Well it seems that you have a hard time following directions, Miss Aria." Sebastian frowned seeing the two wrapped around each other. He didn't want any male touching her. He wanted so baldy to pull the witch off and barricade her into his room. Like a dragon protecting it's gold. The only thing stopping him was his orders. "Please get to work before I'm force to punish you. Although I'm not sure a woman of your low moral would find issue with that."
"What did he just say!?"
"So how exactly did this happen?"
"I used undiluted weed-killer. I thought it would make the garden grow faster!"Finny cried in the now demolished garden. The once green yards was now a graveyard of flowers and leaves. Any life that was once here has been laid to waste.
"I was trying to get out the tea set we use for guests you see, but I fell and took the cart down with me!"Mey-Rin blubbered as all the good china lay broken at her feet. The tall wooden china cabinet tipped over with a silver cart underneath.
"There was some raw meat on the counter that was for dinner and I thought it would take a long time to cook. So I figured I'd cook it, uh, with a flamethrower..." The cabinets and surface were covered in soot. The kitchen was in shambles with third degree burns on the walls. It was a miracle the fire didn't set the rest of the home a flame.
"WE'RE SO SORRY, SEBASTIAN!" They cried.
Idiots. They were all fractious raving lunatics incapable of doing the most simple of task. Everyday they gave him a new challenge. He didn't even understand why he would try to give them work. With there talents they made excellence choices as guards to his prey but as staff they were useless.
"Calm down all of you. Now listen to me. Take page from Tanaka's book and behave like-" A thought came to him. Yes, that will do. "Everyone, listen carefully to what I'm about to say add act immediately. We might save this night yet."
"Yes, sir" The staff yelled. Sebastian gave them they're orders and they were off. They all ran wanting to not further disappointing the butler, also in the hopes he would not punish them for their earlier actions.
"Well sir I complete all my tasks."Aria said leaning on the wall smirking at demon. "So what your big plan on saving this. Using some of that demon energy."
"Oriental,"
"Oh, that's interesting idea although I'm not completely know what it is you all will do. You will want my help, seeing that Kakashi and I stayed in Japan for over a decade. I can help with you with any culture question if you want."
"No, thanks. I will pass. Besides I already left to much in the hands of idiots." Sebastian smiled leaving the stunned African woman in his wake.
"What did he just say!?"
A black carriage was whining down the dirt road heading to the Manor. All the residences were out side eagerly awaiting the guest, well at least some. The carriage to stop in front of the mansion. Sebastian walked up, opening the cart doors letting a tall brown haired man get out. He wore a tan suit with a matching coat and a black top hat.
"How impressive," The man said in shock of seeing the front yard. He was not fully sure but he believe the yard was style in a Japanese Zen garden.
"Welcome" The staff said all bowing their heads.
"This is called a "stone garden". It's traditional in Japan. The young master has taken a liking to eastern countries." Sebastian explained.
"Prodigioso! Wonderful! What an elegant garden." The man, Damiano cheered
"We would like to serve dinner here tonight. Please wait inside the manor until it is time to dine."
Sebastian stated allowing Tanaka to precede to show the guest to the Earl's office.
As they walk by the line Damiano stop in front of Aria. "My, my, the little lord really do have great taste in maids. Tell me what is your name bella signora." He said picking up her hand kissing it.
Gross. "My name is Aria Stewart, sir." Aria curtsy telling herself that she could not turn this creep into a frog. "It is nice to meet you sir. Welcome to the Phantomhive estate." Sending him a fake smile.
"Come sir you don't want to keep the young master waiting do you?"Sebastian said pulling Aria hand out of Damiano's grasp. How dare this insignificant pile of flesh touch her. Sebastian growled in his head. Only he could touch her warm silky skin.
"That's the house of Phantomhive for you. I can't wait until this evening!"Damiano laughed following Tanaka into the building.
"I can't believe we pulled that off." Finny said amazed that just like Sebastian said everything worked out.
"Well what kind of butler would I be if I could not do this much for my master."Sebastian said. "Let's get to it while the young master is talking business with his guest."
"Hurray," The trio cheered racing off.
"You know you can let go of my hand anytime now butler." Aria said blushing looking the opposite direction.
"Why yes, I'm not sure why I took it in the first place knowing I have to finish dinner and can not cook with filthy hands." Sebastian dropped it heading to the kitchen.
"WHAT DID HE JUST SAY!?"
"The progress of spinning technology in East India is truly astonishing. We're also developing quite a top-notch staff..." Damiano said trying to impress the lord.
"You are bewitched by the eyes of the dead. What terrible luck. I lose a turn." Ciel mumble looking at the board.
"Now is the perfect opportunity! We'd like to expand our company and secure a labor force-" Damiano pressed on trying to stay on objective.
"It's your turn." Ciel cut the man off again folding his hands waiting for the man to spin the dial.
"Ah, yes, so spin this right?" Damiano asked turning the top. "Alright, five spaces. One, two, three, four, five" Place his piece on a tile. "So, if I might ask for your support in the form of another 12,000 pounds. I believe it would be a profitable venture for you, my lord."
"You lose a leg in the enchanted forest."
"Huh?" Damiano was unsure what he was going on about.
"It's your turn again. I lost a turn, remember?"Ciel reminded him Damiano took another spin. This landing on six. He tried to move six spaces before the Earl stopped him. "No that three, you lost a leg. You can now only move half the spaces now."
"This is quite a gruesome game" Damiano chuckled nervously. "Isn't there any way for me to regain my leg?"
"Once you lost something you can never get it back." Ciel snatch the piece out of his opponent hand. Placing it into the correct spot he read. "Your body is burnt by the raging flames."
In the kitchen Bard, Finny, and Aria was all setting thing up. Bard was slicing up the meat in the way Sebastian ordered. Aria tried stealing a piece anything time Finny let his guard down. "Are sure this is what he wanted. Doesn't look very good to me."Bard whined.
"Yes that will do."Sebastian said appearing behind him approving his slices. "Aria stop eating the meal for our guest."
"Mr. Sebastian," Mey-Rin called down the hallway. Once again running in the hallway carrying stacks of boxed holding any china they had left. Unsurprising she tripped sending all the boxes flying. Moving fast Sebastian was able to catch most of the boxes with his arm and one with his foot, balancing them all while holding the jittery maid.
"How many times have I told you not to run inside the manor." Sebastian chastised her.
"I'm so sorry, sir." The embarrassed maid said pulling back. "My glasses are cracked and I can't really see where I'm going!"
"It's fine. Now everyone, all of your hard work is almost done. Leave the rest up to me for the rest of the night." Sebastian smiled. The terrible trio, Tanaka and Kakashi left heading out side to take their places.
"It's seem catching women is one of your talents I see." Aria remarked slightly upset with seeing the other maid in the demon arms. What the hell is wrong with me. Am I really jealous? Instead of answering her he turn to leave again. "I'm sick of this shit." Aria said cast a spell spinning the butler to face her direction. "Just what the hell is your problem. After that kiss last night, you have been distancing your self from me. Why?"
"Miss Aria I have no time to do this-" Sebastian was cut off.
"Tell me the truth, tell me now." Aria ordered.
"I've been ordered to say away from you."He said. He didn't understand why he told her. He felt compelled to do it. The only times he felt like this is when someone baring his seal would order him.What is going on?
"Ah I see, well then off you go." Aria said sending him away. After he was gone all she could think to her self was Things just got more complicated.
Later that night Ciel and his guest made their way back to his office after dinner. He was thoroughly impress that the butler was able to savage the night. From the burned meat to removing the table cloth with out their visitor noticing. Sebastian proved that he made the right choice making his caged demon a butler. Soon this would be all over, then he could retire to bed. It was starting to get late.
"That was a very fantastic dinner, my lord. Now then, about the contract-"Damiano said taking his seat.
"Before that, we must finish our game."
"Ah, but you see I have another appointment to go to. Perhaps another time." Damiano remarked.
"Children are avid for games. Surely you would not want me to get upset now do?"Ciel smirked letting his hand to hold his head up.
"No of course not. In that case, might I ask to borrow your telephone for a moment first?"Damiano abated getting up to go make his call. Fucking brat. He passed Sebastian who was pushing a serving cart with tea on his way out.
"What is this? The aroma is so weak."Ciel made a face at the unsavory drink.
"I bought Italian tea in deference to our guest. Italians drink more coffee than tea, sir. Finding high-quality tea is difficult. Is it not to your liking, my lord?"Sebastian explained.
"No. I don't like it at all." Ciel looked down at the revolting drink. "Show our guest the best of the Phantomhive hospitality."
"Yes, my lord" Red eyes flashed.
"I'm tired of babysitting this foolish child. I have already sold the factory. Now I just need to pocket all the cash I swindle out of that brat."Damiano laughed. It really was to easy. Like taking candy from a baby. Behind him he felt an evil presence. He shook it off telling his comrade to finish up any more formalities.
Damiano started making his trek back to the office. He was ready to leave this place. He had travel arrangements to take him back to Italy in the morning. The sooner he leave the quicker he could get back to his inn and find a whore to take to bed.
As he was walking up the grand staircase he took notice of a portrait of the late Earl and his lady. Looking at the face he notice a white mask taking over his face. He wiped his eyes hoping that they were simply play tricks on him. "It must be my imagination."
"Bewitched by the eye s of the dead." He heard the voice of the child say. Pausing he tried reasoning with himself. Ridiculous he thought. He was just tired and needed to go lay down. He walked the hallway checking each door looking for the correct room. "Bewitched by the eye s of the dead." He heard again. Coming out of the shadows was a man with the mask. But it was not a mask, yet it was a ghost head.
"Stay away from me!" Damiano screamed running back the way he came. Not looking where he was going he tripped on a bucket twisting his leg the wrong way. Groaning in pain he notice that the staff all gather around him. He saw the exotic maid from before. She was leaning down towards him when he saw her face was covered by the ghost mask. Screaming the wounded man took off crawling leaving three confused staff members and an amused witch. So that's what they're doing.
"You lose one leg in the enchanted forest." Damiano continued crawling into he ran into long black dress pants. Staring up he saw the butler leaning down smirking at him.
"Where are you going, Sir?" Sebastian asked the terrified man. "We still have not finished entertaining you, we still have to serve the pudding I made for desert." Sebastian was having fun scaring the shit out of this piece of crap. Damiano reminded him of rats crawling on their bellies to escape death. "If you lose a leg, you can only go half the number of spaces so why not relax and make yourself comfortable."
Sebastian gave chase following him into the kitchen. Finding the man has hid in the stove he preceded to lock the door turning on the oven. Opening the window to the oven to see the fear on the man when he realize where he was at. "What an impatient guest you are. To think you would try to get at the pudding in the oven. Maybe your Italians do not know this but Englishmen have many dessert recipes that requires meat." Sebastian said closing the window.
"Your body is burnt by raging flames."
"That was quite the show that you put on. Well done."Aria said sitting on the banister. She was waiting for him to finish putting the young master to bed. "Tell me Sebastian did you ever see your life like this. Cooking, cleaning frightening away those that do the boy wrong."
"I most say I did not see this, but I can't complain either."
"Right, well the I bid you ado."Aria said jumping of the banister. Instead of landing on the first floor the butler pluck her out of the air holding her close to his body. "What the hell are you doing? You been ordered to say away from me."
"I don't think I can." Sebastian said pulling her into a deep kiss.
