I own nothing but my OC.


That Butler, Agitated


≤speech in Indian language≥

'thoughts'

"speech"

"Demonic speech"

{setting/stage directions?}

SOUND EFFECTS

An entire sentence like this, without quotes, is narration for dreams or stuff like written letters.

=†=†=†=†= scene shift/time shift

—^—^—^— change of perspective/area of action within one specific time frame/location


"... Let me get this straight, now." Chêne said as she placed some scones in the oven to bake while Sebastian prepared Ciel's morning tea. Ciel had insisted on returning to the manor house after they left the Crystal Palace, since he had run out of patience for the bustling city of London, so Chêne had prepared some guest rooms for them while Sebastian tucked Ciel in for the night. "While I was getting Prince Soma and Mister Agni settled in last night, you and Ciel took a closer look at that card the queen gave him, and you found a letter with orders for a new investigation tucked inside of it...?"

"Yes. Apparently, someone has been targeting couples on their wedding days, and several brides have already been murdered. However, since the incidents have all taken place in the countryside, and they have been hushed up by the local authorities so as not to create a panic, the unfortunate incidents have not been made public in the London newspapers yet. These incidents do not seem to involve the underworld, but Her Majesty wishes for the young master to solve this case before Christmas Day, so that her citizens will not be cowering in fear on such a 'joyful' occasion. The local police seem to be utterly hopeless and unreliable on this matter, so she is making an exception this time." Sebastian explained.

"I see... I can't believe they managed to keep something like that quiet... how many victims are there, and how long has this been going on? Where is this happening? What's the M.O.?" Chêne asked, furrowing her brow slightly in concern. To be killed on what was supposed to be one of the happiest days of your life... how terrible. It was on a whole new level of 'suck'.

"It seems there have been four victims so far. In most cases, the bride was shot by an unseen gunman, who seems to have come and gone completely unnoticed on every occasion. However, there was one instance where one of the grooms was killed as well, when he tried to shield his new wife. The killer seems to be consistently targeting young brides who are petite, brunette, and Catholic. It seems they were all 'rushed weddings' as well. These events have all taken place in the neighboring county. They have occurred over time from the first victim, at the end of this September, until the most recent one, which occurred just the day before yesterday." Sebastian stated calmly. "I will explain everything in more detail once the young master has finished his business with Lord Randall, but for now, you have been given the task of taking care of most of the arrangements for the ceremony."

"What ceremony?" Chêne asked, confused. Sebastian turned to face her, giving her a positively radiant shit-eating grin. She sweat dropped. That was never a good sign...

"Why, our wedding ceremony, of course." Sebastian stated matter-of-factly, beaming with all the blinding brilliance of the sun itself. Chêne gaped at him, completely dumbstruck.

"... Huh...?" She asked, not believing what she had just heard. She must still be asleep in her bed, or something... there was just no way Sebastian would say something like that in real li—

"As time is of the essence, and a detailed investigation would take far too long, it has been decided that you and I shall hold a wedding ceremony that meets the same requirements as all of the previous victims in order to catch the culprit in the act, and therefore, allow us to close this case within the next three days, or so." Sebastian said practically.

"O-Oh... So that's what you meant..." Chêne said, exhaling the breath she hadn't even realized she'd been holding in. So they were going to have a pretend wedding... That made sense, and Chêne knew she would probably be an ideal victim since she pretty much fit the description of all the killer's previous victims. It was a little disappointing that it was just pretend, but at the same time, Chêne was relieved because she definitely wasn't ready to make that kind of commitment yet, I mean, she was only nineteen. She wasn't even old enough to legally drink yet in her original world! "I know how things work in my world, but I'm pretty sure some of the customs are different here..." She said hesitantly.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of all the necessary documents and such. You only need to focus on having a bridal gown made. I have already arranged for the usual tailor to come, so you can start on that once she arrives." Sebastian said confidently.

"Wait, why do we need paperwork for this if it's just for show? And what about my chores? Don't I need to supervise the others to make sure they're behaving while you're attending to Ciel and his guest?" Chêne asked.

"I already started investigating further into the matter last night, and I have discovered that the targeted couples had all used the same official to draw up their wedding contract, the same church, same florist, and same photographer. I am certain one of them is the culprit, and that is how the killer is choosing his victims. Therefore, we will be using all of them as well. The killer does not shoot until after the vows have been exchanged." Sebastian explained patiently. "As for your duties for today... you need not trouble yourself with them."

'I see... So, even though Sebastian still has to keep up the appearance of arranging for a real contract, we can just switch the official paperwork out for a useless fake later, and inform the priest of the situation ahead of time so that we can get permission to use and actor or something in his place, since I doubt it's him.' Chêne thought. Everyone would definitely notice if the priest pulled out a gun and shot the bride at pointblank range, where everyone could see him. "All right, if you're sure it won't be too much of a hassle trying to manage the others while serving Ciel and Lord Randall, then I guess it'll be okay, because I have a feeling it'll take me a while to be able to get a dress we both agree on, knowing her..."

DING~DONG!

"Ah, that must be her now." Sebastian said, frowning slightly in disapproval. "How many times must I tell her not to use the main door?"

"I think she does it just to annoy you." Chêne said, smiling wryly as she sweat dropped. "I'll go let her in."

=†=†=†=†=

{Ciel's bedroom...}

"Young Master." Sebastian said, waking Ciel, as he drew the curtain open to let the sunlight into the room. "It is time to rise."

Ciel squeezed his eyes shut at the bright light that assaulted his sleepy eyes, but he still pushed himself up into a sitting position, yawning as he stretched.

"Today's tea is Harrod's white Darjeeling." Sebastian informed him as he handed Ciel his cup of tea and the daily newspaper. On the front page was an article about their victory in the curry festival.

"The manor really is the most comfortable place of all. " Ciel said as he sipped his tea and flipped to the next page. There didn't seem to be any serious news articles, and there was even an advertisement for a traveling circus that was due to visit London soon. It seems the murders of those unfortunate brides and groom were still being hushed up, after all. He hadn't been too keen on the idea of letting Chêne risk a bullet to the head, but he knew Sebastian wouldn't let any harm come to her, since he would undoubtedly be able to move her out of harms way the instant the culprit pulled the trigger.

"I am pleased to hear you say that." Sebastian said, smiling slightly as he placed a warm scone on a plate for Ciel. "As for the day's schedule... First, you have new product proposals to approve this morning, and Miss Hopkins has already arrived and is working on Chêne's bridal gown, as you requested. She seems to be rather eager to design something for Chêne again..." He added, his mood darkening slightly as he thought of how Chêne had to constantly be on her guard the last time in order to counter any of Nina Hopkin's attempts at sexual harassment... Nina might be extremely skilled, but that habit of hers was quite vexing. Sebastian knew Chêne could take care of herself, but he was starting to regret leaving them alone... who knows what that strange woman was thinking while watching Chêne strip down to her undergarments so she could take her measurements...

"Is that all for today?" Ciel asked, bringing the demon butler back to the real world.

"Ah, my apologies, Sir. I seemed to have let my mind wander for a brief moment. The newly established foodstuffs department has sent an estimate of costs for building the Hindustani restaurant, as well." Sebastian stated calmly and started to help Ciel dress for the day. "In the afternoon, Madame Bright will be here for your piano lesson... and Madame Rodkin for your French lesson. This evening, Lord Randall of the Yard is expected to arrive just past six."

"Aah. On the matter of compensation for the recent Anglo-Indian affair, hm?" Ciel said. He had almost forgotten about that... more like, he didn't really want to remember. Ciel knew that he was not Lord Randall's favorite person, and the felling was quite mutual.

"Yes, Sir. What shall I make for your afternoon snack tod—" Sebastian started to ask as he helped Ciel into his jacket, when the door suddenly slammed open, revealing an overly excited Prince Soma.

"Ciel!! Ciel!! What is that square box!? There are people inside!!" Soma exclaimed anxiously, panting as he tried to catch his breath from running all the way to Ciel's room. "There was a man who struck down villains with a stick!!" His eyes were sparkling with awe and admiration. Chêne had warned him and Agni before not to bother Ciel until he had been woken up by Sebastian (to save them all an unnecessary headache), and had showed Soma Ciel's television and explained how to turn it on and off. She told him that he would be able to see 'something interesting' if he played with it while waiting for Ciel, and she had been right! An old episode of The Wild Earl had been on that morning.

"Aaah, do be quiet. Don't raise your voice this early in the morning!" Ciel grumbled moodily, his good mood instantly shattering along with peaceful and quiet atmosphere he had only briefly been able to enjoy before Soma barged in. "In any case! When are you lot going back to India!?" He demanded, chagrined.

"Going back?" Soma asked, looking genuinely confused. "What are you saying? I'm staying in Great Britain for your sake of course!" He stated matter-of-factly, as though it should have been obvious.

"Eeh!?" Ciel said incredulously, understandably shocked. What did he mean 'for his sake'!? Wasn't he just sponging off of him!?

"When I declared I'd become a fine gentleman, didn't you say I was all talk?" Soma reminded him, grinning confidently. "So I thought I would show you the process of my becoming such a gentleman every step of the way!"

"That isn't—!" Ciel started to protest, vein mark throbbing on his forehead.

"Priiiiiince! My Priiiiiince!" Agni called cheerfully as he popped hi head into the room. "So you were with Lord Ciel, after all. You were not in you room, so I was wondering where you had gone." He said, giving them all a refreshing and happy smile. Now that he was free from West's scheme, a huge weight had been lifted off of the poor man's shoulders.

"Now see here!" Ciel shouted indignantly as another vein mark popped up. "What are you playing at? 'Your room'? I don't recall ever giving you permission to live in this—"

"Never mind that now! How does that square box work?" Soma asked excitedly.

"As I said!!" Ciel shouted, positively fuming now. Sebastian sighed boredly and turned on his heel to face the serving cart again. He had better things to do than listen to such a pointless discussion. "Listen when I'm talking to youuuuu!!" Ciel roared furiously at Soma as Sebastian rolled the cart away, leaving them to their own devices.

=†=†=†=†=

{The Phantomhive Downstairs, the main kitchen}

CLAP!

Sebastian clapped his hands together, bringing the other Phantomhive servants to attention.

"...And so..." Sebastian said as the three stooges and Mister Tanaka all waited to hear their duties for the day, full of anticipation. They were having a guest over again!

"Lord Randall will arrive just past six this evening. Must not bring shame upon the young master and the illustrious Phantomhive name. Mei-Rin, polish the banister of the front staircase."

"I will, yes, I will!" Mei-Rin replied enthusiastically.

"Finni, remove the snow from the tress in the inner courtyard." Sebastian ordered next.

"'Kaaaay!" Finni said cheerfully.

"Bard, please take care of the chicken for tonight's soup." Sebastian said finally.

"No problem!!" Bard said, super confidant in his abilities.

"Mister Tanaka..." Sebastian said, glancing at the old man. He was currently heating up some strange substance that was rising and inflating itself like a balloon on his little portable grill. "... Please make yourself at home." Sebastian said, turning his head away from the strange sight. Just what on earth was that...?

"Hoh! Hoh! Hoh!" Mister Tanaka chuckled softly, the very picture of innocence.

"Listen. Chêne is currently preoccupied with a task the young master has asked her to attend to, so she will not be available to help you for some time today." Sebastian told the three stooges seriously. "Do not get needlessly carried away and take it into your heads to do more than you have been asked. Just follow the directions given to you—"

KACHAK.

"?" Sebastian said when the kitchen door opened slowly, and Agni joined them. "Mister Agni."

"As I am imposing upon the kindness of this manor, please feel free to ask anything of me." Agni said pleasantly, smiling warmly at anyone. Well, at least someone dependable had come.

"Where is Prince Soma?" Sebastian asked, hoping he wasn't still heckling Ciel and distracting the young earl from his lessons.

"He is engrossed by the box known as 'television' that he borrowed from Lord Ciel." Agni explained brightly.

"Aha..." Sebastian said thoughtfully. 'Young Master intends to push through today's agenda while Prince Soma is absorbed with his toy, hm... What a marvelous idea.' He thought as he pictured a disgruntled Ciel telling Soma he was in the way, and shoving him in front of the television before making a run for it. "Then may I ask you to clean the windows? As you are much taller than I am." Sebastian asked Agni, holding the bucket of cleaning supplies out to the dependable man. Although height was hardly an issue for Sebastian, he knew that letting Agni feel useful would be mush easier than to try to convince the saintly man that he should not be working since he was a guest, and Agni was ten times as useful as the others...

"Yes!! You may count on me!" Agni said brightly.

"Very well. Everyone, to your posts!" Sebastian ordered, dismissing them so they could get to work.

"Yes, Siiiiir!" They all cheered enthusiastically.

=†=†=†=†=

{Downstairs, in Chêne's room...}

"Oh! Très bien, Chêne! Your measurements haven't changed at all since I last measured you! How I wish I could have seen you wearing the blue ball gown I designed for you then! And the earl, too! Nina said excitedly as she recorded the measurements she had just taken for Chêne. "You've always been such a lovely girl, just like a porcelain doll, but now you've really become a woman~! You have such a wonderfully proportioned body... I really envy that hardhead for managing to snag such a beautiful bride. Tch." She said, her expression darkening a little as she though of how her lovely Chêne was marrying such a stiff guy.

"Haha... um, thanks... I guess?" Chêne said, smiling wryly as she sweat dropped. She and Lacey were so alike... apart from Lacey's more macabre interests. "We're not really getting married, though. It's just for an act we're putting on."

"Hmm... is that so?" Nina asked, her skepticism written plainly all over her face. That certainly hadn't been the impression she had gotten when Sebastian called her to set up this appointment. "You should be careful with him, then. Men are wolves, Miss Chêne." Nina said seriously. Chêne sweat dropped.

"I don't want to hear that from someone who only just stopped trying to molest me a moment ago." Chêne deadpanned. "Anyway, have you thought up any designs yet?" Nina smirked and her glasses gleamed.

"Fu-fu-fu~! Such fair skin... a petite and slender body that still manages to have a narrow waist that forms subtly sexy curves..." Nina mumbled to herself as her fighting spirit started to rise. "Yes, yeees, yes!! The font of my imagination is bubbling overrrr!!" She roared mightily as she started to pant, getting a little too excited. "I can see it now! Although I wish I could prepare you something as a June bride...As it's winter now, your bridal gown will be in a winter style, with long sleeves and a flowing train, draped in a warm and soft, but flowing fabric with a lovely train. It should have delicate, floral embroidery on it, lace, and perhaps even some fur since it's such a cold season! It should be pure white, like untouched snow! Pure! And, of course, the veil will match! Traditionally, it should be simple with as crown of orange blossoms, if available, but accents of winter roses would suit you so much better~!" Nina gushed as she grabbed a pen and began sketching the patterns furiously. "However, lavender has become a fashionable color for bridal gowns as well, so maybe I'll add in a few hints of it here and there~!" Chêne sweat dropped. Why was Nina designing such a lavish dress...? She hoped she wasn't going to be the one footing the bill for this...

=†=†=†=†=

{The inner courtyard...}

"Hrrn." Finni said thoughtfully as he stared up at the tall, snow-covered tree before him. "I can't reach it..." He said as he stretched as far as he could, standing on his tippy-toes as he tried to reach far enough with the broom to knock the snow off the branches. It just wasn't working at all.

DING.

A light bulb lit up in Finni's head as a solution to his problem suddenly occurred to him.

"Yay~!!" Finni cheered as he rammed his shoulder and arm into the tree, hoping the impact would knock the snow loose.

CRACK. FWSHHHH.

Finni watched as the hardy evergreen tree's trunk snapped in half and it fell to the ground, completely severed from its stump. All of the color immediately drained from Finni's face as he turned blue from shock and broke out in nervous sweat. "Aah! I broke the tree!! Wh-Wh-Wh-Wh-What do I do!?" He cried anxiously. "Mister Sebastian'll scold me agaiiin!" Finni sobbed, absolutely terrified. "BUEEEEH!"

"My boy!! What has happened!? Agni asked, startled and concerned, as he rushed over to the open window to make sure Finni was all right.

—^—^—^—

"In that case, you had only to say something sooner..." Agni said kindly as he left Finni sit on his shoulders after hearing his explanation about the poor tree. "Well? Now you are able to reach, yes?" he asked Finni, smiling.

"Woow, sooo hiiigh~!!" Finni cheered excitedly as he held the broom high above his head. "I'm too strong, and I'm always messing up 'cos I can't control myself." He explained as he carefully used the broom to brush the snow off of another tree's branches.

"Trees are living beings too, so you must handle them with care." Agni said gently.

"With care... huh? Miss Chêne's told me that before too." Finni said thoughtfully. "That isn't something I would've understood before coming here... But now... It makes perfect sense~!" He said, smiling brightly.

"Ah yes... Tell me, why did you become a gardener, my boy?" Agni asked curiously, a little puzzled by Finni's last statement.

"Young Master found me and took me in a little over a year ago..." Finni said as he continued to concentrate on being careful not to use too much force on the tree.

"Found you?" Agni asked, furrowing his brow slightly in concern.

"Before, I didn't get to go outside like this all the time, so now everyday's lots of fun!" Finni explained as he hopped down from Agni's shoulders. "I can come in contact with trees and insects... and people too..." He turned his back to Agni as he stared at his gloved hand thoughtfully. His warm, hand-knitted gloves had been a present from Chêne last Christmas. "... But... at first, I was frightened. It's really hard for me to touch something without breaking it..." Finni said sadly.

"My boy...?" Agni said, wondering what had caused the sudden change in the cheerful boy's demeanor.

"AH!" Finni shouted suddenly, startling Agni.

"!?" Agni gasped in surprise as his heart skipped a beat. "Wh-What is it!?" He asked nervously.

"I forgot to get the snow on the other side of the tree!!" Finni cried in dismay. "I've only dine half of my work!!"

"Ahaha! You are an absentminded one. Come, let us do it together." Agni said kindly. The two of them were completely unaware of the watchful eyes that had been following their movements from one of the second story windows.

"... Things seem to be in hand over there." Sebastian observed as he turned away from the window.

=†=†=†=†=

{Downstairs, the main kitchen}

"Geez—! What a pain in the butt—!" bard grumbled as he cleaned the chicken like Sebastian told him to.

THWAK.

Bard slammed his knife down roughly on the chopping board.

"I'll keep the bones for the broth. Maybe I oughta keep the fat for makin' whatever too." He thought to himself out loud. "Right onnn! Today's a special day 'cos we have a guest comin'! And so... The chef'll season the dish himself!!" Bard declared dramatically as he whipped out his new flamethrower.

—^—^—^—

Agni had finished helping Finni, and he was walking down the quiet hallways of the manor's Downstairs. He had just passed the kitchen, when—

BOOOM!!

—There was a huge explosion!

"Mister Chef!! Are you all right!?" Agni called anxiously as he ran into the smoky kitchen to check on Bard.

"If I look all right to ya, those eyes on yer head must be just fer show." Bard said, chagrined. His hair had been fried into a black afro again, and he was covered in cinders. His cigarette had been pretty much reduced to ash. "The flames were just a bit too strong, and a bunch of stuff got burnt." He explained, coughing from all the smoke in the room.

"Stock from chicken bones tastes better if you simmer it slowly." Agni told him, a little flustered, as he helped brush some of the cinders off of Bard's uniform, hoping the chef didn't have any serious injuries.

"Aaah. I got that all up here, but... before I came here, I'd never cooked or eaten meals all relaxed like." Bard explained, tapping his head. "So I try to do it all fast and make a mess. I guess I gotta get used to it..." He said as he placed a new cigarette in his mouth and smoothed his afro down, restoring his hair to its former glory. He grinned ruefully as he lit his cigarette. "...This kinda peaceful environment."

"Mister Chef..." Agni said, wondering what had happened to the man before him that would cause him to say such a thing.

"Yeah, whatever!" He said, laughing Agni's worries away. "All right!! I'll clean up here and start cooking all over again! You go on 'n' get back to your station too!" He said energetically.

"I will help you clean up." Agni offered generously. The kitchen was like a post-apocalyptic wasteland.

"I'm tellin' ya, it's fine! You've got your own job to do, right? A servant's duty is to take care of his own station!" Bard insisted good-naturedly.

"Just so!" Agni said enthusiastically, agreeing with Bard's 'go get 'em' attitude towards his duties.

"..." Sebastian said from where he had been listening out in the hallway. He, too, had come to check on the explosion, but Agni seemed to be more than enough help to handle the disastrous chef. 'Things appear to be in order here as well.' He thought as he turned to leave and resume his own duties.

"Hm-hmmm~!" Mei-Rin hummed happily as she worked on dusting the banister of the front staircase. "Goood!! Sparkling, they are! All that's left is to wax them all..."

"Ah!" Agni said when he spotted Mei-Rin as he was coming up the stairs. "Miss Ma—" He called out to her, about to ask if there were any more windows that needed washing, when he noticed something odd...

The beautiful wooden banister had somehow become pitch-black where Mei-Rin had polished it!

"Miss Maaaaaaaid!?" Agni shouted in alarm, turning blue from shock.

—^—^—^—

"Did it again, I did... I mistook the shoe polish for the wax on sight..." Mei-Rin said gloomily as she started to enter her own little corner of woe while she and Agni tried to clean the black shoe polish off of the banister.

"Ah, yes... your eyesight is rather poor, is it not?" Agni asked, smiling wryly as he tried to distract her from her failure.

"I–In my case, it's very, very bad farsightedness, it is. And the prescription of these glasses has gone a bit off." Mei-Rin said, blushing slightly out of embarrassment.

"Perhaps you might ask for a new pair—" Agni started to suggest helpfully.

"N–Never!!" Mei-Rin protested earnestly. "Young Master bought these for me. My treasure, they are! And this maid uniform too." Mei-Rin explained as she clutched her apron. "I'd never worn skirts or any such thing till I came here, so... I'm very happy to be a maid now and working with Miss Chêne, who taught me about these things." She said, smiling happily. "And if I take my glasses off, I can see far away very well! So I'm fine, I am!" She added cheerfully.

"I see everyone here truly loves this manor." Agni said, smiling brightly, glad to see how much everyone cared for Lord Ciel since he was his prince's new friend.

"Yes we do indeed!" Mei-Rin said enthusiastically as Sebastian turned walked away from where he had been listening to them, satisfied that everything was already being put back into order. Now there was just one more thing he needed to take care of...

=†=†=†=†=

{Back in Chêne's room...}

KNOCK. KNOCK.

"Come in." Chêne called out as Nina pinned the bridal gown together in the back while she stood on a stool.

"I see things here are progressing well..." Sebastian observed when he entered the room and saw the nearly completed dress. It looked like they going to be finished sooner than expe—

RIIIIIIP!

"!?" Chêne cried in alarm when Nina suddenly ripped the dress off of her, leaving her in just her Victorian era undergarments. She instinctively slapped her arms over her chest to cover it, but there was really no point to even try, since Sebastian had seen her like that so many times already from whenever she needed help putting on a corset... Still, Chêne blushed furiously out of shyness and embarrassment when Sebastian smirked at her. "Don't look!! Turn around, dammit!" She snapped defensively. What the hell was he smirking at!?

"My, my. There's no need to be so shy, Chêne. After all, we shall be husband and wife soon, remember?" Sebastian teased her, smiling a brilliant shit-eating grin. Chêne's blush deepened.

"It's just pretend! Stop using your authority as my senior co-worker to harass me!" Chêne shouted, chagrined. Why did he always have to tease her like this!? And why did she have to fall in love with such a sadistic demon, of all people!? "Anyway, why did you just suddenly rip the dress like that, Miss Nina?" She asked, turning to face the tailor.

Nina Hopkins, tailor extraordinaire, was currently muttering darkly to herself about how she didn't want 'such an ordinary silhouette' and other random things, like how lavender was 'too dull after all'. Chêne sweat dropped. It looked like they weren't going to be finishing the dress any time soon, after all...

"Miss Hopkins." Sebastian said, bringing the frustrated tailor to attention.

"Oh... I see 'Mister Stiff' is here." Nina said bluntly, frowning in disappointment. Sebastian really irritated her the way he always tried to correct her designs when they were 'inappropriate'. "Do you need something, because if not, then shoo!" Chêne sweat dropped again. Nina was so lucky Sebastian didn't have a short fuse, or he might have killed her a long time ago...

"My apologies, but I almost forgot to inform you that Chêne will be borrowing this bridal veil for the wedding, so the dress's design must be something that will not clash with it." Sebastian stated calmly as he held up a beautiful, translucent veil. "It was originally designed to be worn with a crown of yellow roses." Chêne and Nina gave him a blank stare for a moment. Sebastian... forgot something...? It was like watching a solar eclipse, definitely an incredibly rare event.

"Say these things sooner!!" Nina roared furiously as she flipped a the desk over. "That won't go with any of the designs I've already drawn! They're meant to be in lavender! Lavender is the new white now that the trend to copy the queen's white bridal gown has finally died down!"

"... Sebastian... Isn't that...?" Chêne asked tentatively when she realized why the elegant veil looked so familiar. She had definitely seen it in a certain wedding portrait...

"Yes, it is. Young Master told me to take it out of storage for you to use when I informed him of the tradition requiring a new bride to obtain 'something borrowed' to wear on her wedding day. It is usually something significant, like the veil of another woman who is currently in a happy marriage." Sebastian explained. "He said his mother and father had been very happy together."

"No way. I can't wear that! What if something happens to it!?" Chêne protested. She was deeply touched that Ciel would be willing to lend her something so important, but... that was exactly why she couldn't accept it. What if it got damaged while she was trying to dodge bullets?

"The young master insists. He said you might as well use it instead of 'keeping it hidden until it became just another moth-eaten rag'." Sebastian said, smiling wryly in amusement. Ciel certainly had no use for it, since he would never become a bride himself. Chêne still looked doubtful, but she decided to accept Ciel's gracious offer anyway. If he really wanted her to use it, then she might as well...

Nina was truly surprised by the exchange that had just taken place in front of her. This was a huge sign of favoritism on that normally stoic little earl's part.

=†=†=†=†=

{Later that evening...}

"Eh?" Agni said, slightly taken aback. He must have misheard. "What did you just—"

"I asked you to stay put in your room once the guests arrive, Mister Agni." Sebastian calmly repeated himself. He was currently setting the dinning room table with a little help from Agni. He had insisted. Chêne was currently seeing Nina Hopkins off, as the mercurial tailor had finally completed a splendid bridal gown for Chêne... or so Sebastian had been told. Neither Nina nor Chêne, for that matter, would let him see it since it was supposed to be bad luck. He hoped it wasn't anything too... extreme.

"Wh–What for?" Agni asked nervously, confused.

"Today's guest is Lord Randall, Commissioner of Scotland Yard. He is also in charge of the case involving the Anglo-Indian hanging incidents." Sebastian explained.

"Might he be coming to arrest me!?" Agni asked, reasonably alarmed by the news.

"No. No one else knows the true identity of the perpetrator, so do not worry." Sebastian stated calmly as Chêne walked into the room.

"... Is this a bad time...?" Chêne asked hesitantly, glancing between the butler and khansama when she sensed the tense atmosphere in the room.

"I was just informing Mister Agni about Lord Randall." Sebastian explained.

"Oh, gotcha." Chêne said, nodding her head in understanding. That would make anyone nervous. "Don't worry, Agni. We aren't going to sell you out. We know you were only doing those things because West forced your hand." Agni clenched his fist.

"Still... though I was under orders, I caused all those incidents. Should I not be judged in a proper place and atone for my sins?" Agni asked solemnly, feeling guilty for hurting all those innocent people.

"Mister Agni..." Chêne said, staring at him with sparkling eyes, as though he were some rare treasure she had never seen before. He really was a saint... how admirable...

Sebastian sighed, feeling slightly annoyed by Agni's sense of martyrdom and the look of admiration Chêne was giving him for it.

"If you are taken away now, what will become of Prince Soma?" Sebastian asked simply, causing Agni to flinch in shock. "Are you going to break your vow to serve the prince by his side?"

'Ah... that's true...' Chêne thought, sweat dropping. If Agni went to jail, then Soma would be on his own. She was pretty sure Ciel wouldn't actually kick him out on the streets, but still. Ciel was going to need some personal space very soon since he wasn't much of a people person, and Soma had been invading his space relentlessly ever since they first met.

"B—But—" Agni said anxiously as his guilty conscience battled against his loyalty to Soma.

"Mister Agni, everything has been settled already, and those incidents will never happen again, right?" Chêne said, trying to reassure him.

"Leave the rest to us, and make for your quarters. All right?" Sebastian told him calmly but firmly. The last thing they needed was for the Commissioner of the Yard to find out Ciel was housing a criminal.

"..." Agni said reluctantly, still not entirely convinced this was the best course of action.