Thank you for reading! I don't own any of Black Butler! Please let me know if you enjoy! Updates on the second and fourth Saturday of each month!
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Sebastian looked around the marvelous foyer of Phantomhive manor for a moment.
As Mr. Michaelis admired the grandeur of Lady Phantomhive's home, she moved to close the door.
Her hand had barely connected with the wood before Sebastian placed his over hers.
Startled, Ciel blinked up to see the handsome alpha standing in front of her with a pleasant smile.
His other hand laid respectfully over his chest as he nodded and urged her, "Please, my lady, allow me. A noblewoman shouldn't exert herself by trying to maneuver such a heavy object."
Ciel stepped back and let Sebastian close the door for her, but she watched him closely as he did.
Once the menial task was finished, he turned back around and listened as she stated, "Very well, then, if you'll follow me, I suppose we can have a chat about the position in my study."
"Of course, my lady." Sebastian readily agreed.
Mr. Michaelis followed Lady Phantomhive as she led him down the first level's long corridor.
Sebastian stopped with Ciel outside of a closed room.
He stayed a respectful distance away from her as the bluenette turned the doorknob and stepped inside.
Sebastian smirked as he contemplated what was either her own daft ignorance or blatant arrogance.
Not many omegas would have gone off to a secluded area with an alpha that was practically a stranger.
Sebastian said nothing of it though, instead, he followed Ciel into the room and sat down politely in one of the heavy, leather chairs across from the large, mahogany desk at which she took her own seat.
Mahogany and leather, that was what Sebastian noticed the room smelled of.
Lady Phantomhive's study was full of engraved details that had been intricately carved into the walls, most of which boasted imposing bookcases that stood stocked with numerous volumes both old and new.
Ciel stared at Sebastian incredulously as she placed her elbows onto the top of the desk and folded her hands while she spoke, "Alright, Mr. Michaelis, I'm prepared to listen…...tell me more about how you qualify for this position."
Sebastian smirked confidently.
His smirk slipped into a grin as he looked at the serious omega in front of himself and replied, "I'm sure the time that you and I have already spent together speaks for my eloquence and my mannerisms. I am never late…...I have been around the world several times in my life, so I have a decent appreciation of other cultures and many different ways of life. As for my talents, I'd be happy to show you my skill set by gladly and splendidly passing whatever test you see fit to give me, my lady."
Ciel raised an eyebrow and looked at Sebastian as she haughtily replied, "My word, Mr. Michaelis, I don't think I've heard a resume like that yet. Although, I do have to ask, do you have any experience before working for an aristocratic household? Or as a butler, in general?"
"That I do not, my lady." Sebastian replied with a confident, if not conceited, smile, "However, I can assure you that I have plenty of experience in the service industry and if you hire me…...," As Sebastian spoke that last phrase, he stood from his seat and boldly approached Ciel. She gasped when he knelt down in front of her in one swift motion, laid a hand over his heart, bowed his head, and finished in a very serious tone as his dark stare bore into hers, "...,...You and your family will be my utmost priority."
Lady Phantomhive blinked her wide, sapphire eyes as she considered the situation.
She silently wondered just how much Mr. Michaelis had enjoyed their night together.
Clearly, his actions showed that he felt those hours they had spent chatting while they lay entangled in each other's arms had been…….
"...Mummy?" A quiet voice called out suddenly.
Ciel's attention was instantly drawn to the cracked door of her study.
As she looked over, Sebastian stood up and immediately resumed his pleasant smile.
Sebastian's smile widened when adorable little Elizabeth innocently walked into the room and glanced from her mother to the stranger in her house as she asked, "...Mummy? Who's this?"
Sebastian opened his mouth to speak but Ciel spoke for him as she informed her daughter by declaring, "This is Sebastian Michaelis, Elizabeth, our family's new butler."
Sebastian's grin widened into a triumphant smirk.
Ciel frowned over at Sebastian as she spoke and gestured to her little girl, "Sebastian, this is my daughter, Elizabeth. My husband is absent today. Lord Midford stays at his family's estate most of the time. You'll primarily be looking after me, however, I imagine you'll interact with Lady Elizabeth quite a bit as well."
Sebastian~.
Sebastian's heart leapt in his chest.
Lady Phantomhive had called him by his first name!
Elizabeth's green eyes widened as Sebastian bowed low in front of her, put his hand over his chest again, and greeted her kindly, "It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Elizabeth. Do let me know if you need anything at all."
Elizabeth laughed with joy at getting to meet someone entirely new and as Sebastian straightened up, the sweet child attempted her best curtsey for him.
"Will you come to my afternoon tea party tomorrow, Mr. Michaelis?!" Elizabeth asked hopefully.
Sebastian smiled, stood, and let his hand fall away from his heart as he answered honestly, "Lady Elizabeth, please call me Sebastian. As far as my attendance at your tea party, I'm afraid that will be your mother's decision."
Sebastian turned towards Ciel to patiently await her answer.
Elizabeth frowned at her mother in anxious hopefulness that Ciel would allow her to have Sebastian as her guest.
It wasn't often that little Elizabeth managed to find new attendees to come to the tea parties that she held with her dolls.
Ciel sighed and put a hand to her face as she addressed her daughter in an irritated tone, "Perhaps, Elizabeth! Perhaps…...Sebastian and I have matters of greater importance to tend to right now."
"But do you think that Sebastian may come to my tea party tomorrow, Mummy?" Elizabeth asked with a pitiful frown.
"If you're a good girl and agree to behave, we'll see." Ciel huffed, "Now run along, dinner will be served soon. Tell Mey-Rin to help you wash up, you've wadded your clothes into a wrinkled mess with all of that rolling about on the floor today."
Sebastian struggled not to chuckle at the exaggerated pout on little Elizabeth's lips as she left the room with a horrible scowl on her tiny face.
Once she had gone, Sebastian smiled wryly at Ciel as he chivalrously offered, "If time will permit, my lady, it would be my pleasure to honor your daughter's wish. Her request seems innocent enough."
"'Innocent enough'?" Ciel echoed, "Tell me, Sebastian, are you yourself a parent?"
"No, I am not, my lady." Sebastian replied honestly.
"Well," Ciel sighed as she sat back down in her chair and placed a hand over her face once more, "Should that ever change, once your son or daughter is old enough to walk and talk, come and tell me how amused you are by their 'innocent requests' one day, when they come, and believe me, they will come, children have minds of their own."
"Of course, my lady." Sebastian agreed.
He indulged in the privilege of a grin as he watched Ciel's consternation.
Ciel was quiet for a moment until Sebastian asked, "Does motherhood not suit you, my lady?"
It was a bold question, too bold of a question to be considered remotely appropriate if Sebastian and Ciel had not shared their previous, intimate encounter.
Instead of spurning his inquiry and accusing him of impolite speech, Lady Phantomhive chose to confide in Mr. Michaelis, the alpha whom she had deemed fit to share her bed.
"I don't think that's necessarily true," Ciel replied to Sebastian with sadness in her eyes, "I believe things would be quite different if my husband were present more often….."
Ciel's voice drifted off and Sebastian watched an odd look cloud her face and dull her sapphire gaze until her stare connected with his.
Lady Phantomhive hastily cleared her throat and looked away to collect herself.
"I apologize, Sebastian." Ciel said to Sebastian quietly, "It is unlike me to be so crude with my emotions."
"There's no need, my lady," Sebastian smiled cordially, "I'm deeply humbled that you consider me a worthy confidant."
Ciel seemed to be a bit uncomfortable with how intimate she and Sebastian already were with each other as they lingered there in her study.
Not all intimacy was strictly physical.
Lady Phantomhive sniffed, forced the unwanted tears back that had gathered in her eyes, and quickly changed the subject as she spoke, "Enough with all of that rubbish. Let's discuss your salary expectations and I'll send for a tailor who can take your measurements for a proper uniform. I'd like to introduce you to the rest of the staff before dinner begins."
"Yes, my lady," Sebastian nodded obediently, but he smiled as he replied, "I think you'll find I'm very easy to please. You see, I did not seek out this position only in pursuit of money."
Ciel tried and failed not to blush under the sweet intensity of Sebastian's heated gaze.
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Lady Phantomhive's negotiations with Mr. Michaelis were remarkably short.
Less than a quarter of an hour later, Ciel was leading Sebastian out of her study and back across the first floor's hallway.
Dinner service was about to begin at Phantomhive manor.
Ciel felt that there was no better time to introduce Sebastian to his new coworkers.
Once they arrived outside of the kitchen's double doors, Ciel nodded to Sebastian and stepped forward as he pushed one of the doors open for her.
With a smirk on his lips, he watched the subtle sway of his lady's bustled hips while she walked.
Sebastian eagerly followed Ciel inside the kitchen and into his new life…...