A/N:
Hey-ho!
This chapter is a lot longer than the others. I hope you guys do not mind too much. I have one more chapter in mind till the fire sadly. So, suck up all the cuteness of the twins before the disaster _. We are almost at 100 followers btw, I can't believe it honestly. Thank you for the support! Please leave a comment for any thoughts about the future of this fanfic or general questions. I love hearing other theories. XD
Thanks! :)
0-0-0-0-0-0
The sound of foils colliding throughout the room swings past our ears. My eyes were trained on Lady Midford and Ciel who were practicing swordsmanship. I watch attentively as she was my master for my own skill with swords. I stand behind Fenian's chair as he too watches his brother along with Elizabeth also. I wonder briefly if Lady Midford will make me duel her once before she leaves. I shuffle back a couple of steps to try and blend in with the curtain at the thought of fighting her.
Lady Midford strikes forward and Ciel blocks with a small grunt. She charges again and they meet at a cross, "Just flitting it about randomly will get you nothing in return!" Lady Midford informs with a shout.
"Are you all better now?" Elizabeth begins to whisper to Fenian. "Ciel told me that you weren't able to go on the boat trip." she continues while keeping her eye trained on the fight still.
I wince at the mention of it, the memory only a couple of days old. Fenian nods hesitantly, "Yup. I'm all better today. No coughs or anything..."
Ciel let out an abrupt yell which effectively cut Fenian off and it catches all our attention. He fell on his bottom and Lady Midford began to scold him. "Ciel! You are not stepping through with enough force!" Lady Midford explains sternly. Ciel peers up at her appearing flushed and tired. Turning her head to the side, Lady Midford sighs lightly, "Oh well, I suppose that will be enough for today."
Elizabeth gets up out of her chair in a rush toward Ciel while shouting his name. I examine Ciel from the ground and access he was fine as he began scramble himself up into a sitting position. I reach down and give Fenian's shoulder a reassuring squeeze knowing he would be worried. He relaxes in my grip once I did and I walk forward a couple of steps.
"Haa...I think I need to change my underwear..." Ciel jokes lightly and I snicker quietly at his comment. Now you know how I feel Ciel, burn with me in this newfound pain.
"Yes, mother tends to be very strict." Elizabeth chimes in.
I sweatdrop at what she said, that's an understatement if I haven't heard one. One night, the woman herself made me stay up till morning just practicing the movements of the sword. I almost fell asleep standing up, but someone was watching me, so I had to keep it up.
Suddenly, the door creaks open and Tanaka was on the other side. "Pardon the interruption," Tanaka begins politely. "Professor Hughes has arrived for your lessons in sovereignty."
I had to hold back a look of distaste for that subject sounds dreadfully boring.
"I'll head over as soon as I've changed," Ciel informs Tanaka. "No need to wait for me, go on ahead." Ciel insists while looking at Fenian.
"Alright."
Fenian takes off into the hallways, leaving everyone without a farewell.
"But I wanted to play with you more, Ciellllll!" Elizabeth whines loudly.
Ciel sweat drops and lets out a sigh, "I know, but what can I do." Ciel shrugs nonchalantly.
"Be better at sovereignty?" I mention teasingly.
It didn't take long for Ciel to react and he stomps his foot with an annoyed glare. "It has nothing to do with me being good in my lessons!"
"Does it really?" I continue to tease with a laugh.
He fumes and his cheeks turn red, he turns around with a 'hmph'. I roll my eyes at his behavior; he gets so worked up easily. We all leave afterward, and I take Ciel to his bedroom to get ready for the said lesson. He mocks me all the way up and I don't take a single thing seriously with a smirk.
0-0-0-0-0-0
Getting the boys dressed, I look at the outfits Nina designed for them. I will have to compliment the woman later, as the boys look so adorable. I straighten out their bows with a soft smile, happy Fenian will finally be able to get out of the house after so long.
Stepping back, I look at my hard work to find the outfits prepared for them. "Oh my god, you guys look so cute. Ahh!~" I squeal with a light blush.
They both blush at my comment and smile warmly at each other, "You always say that, sis." Ciel points out knowingly.
I put my hands on my hips, "Well I would be lying if I didn't. You both look so handsome." I gush and ruffle their hair.
They giggle and try to whack my hand away, "Well stop it, it's embarrassing." Ciel whines.
"Well, now that you say that. It makes me want to do it even more." I smirk wickedly.
Both pale at my devious face and Tanaka walks into the boy's bedroom suddenly, "I am here to inform you the carriage is ready." Tanaka begins and then takes a closer look at the boys. "My, my, you two appear very dashing indeed." he compliments with a smile.
"I know right, think about when they're older. They'll have every lady's attention."
Tanaka chuckles, agreeing with my comment. Ciel's face became beat red and Fenian had a small blush on his face. "Inspections of the domain are a crucial duty of the reigning lord. Make sure to learn everything you can at your father's side today, alright?" Tanaka explains.
"Okay!" they chant together.
Smiling I grab both of their hands in mine, "Alrighty! Let's rock n' roll kids!"
"Rock and roll?" Fenian questions with a tilt of his head.
Ciel peers up at me in confusion also, "What?"
I draw a blank, a little sad no one recognizes it. "Er, it's a saying from where I come from."
They both nod, accepting my weird speech patterns and I drag them downstairs to the carriage.
0-0-0-0-0-0
The maids saw us off as we were getting further and further from the mansion. I was practically bouncing in my seat from being able to go along with them. Racheal was out of the mansion for the day to go to her sister's house today. So, I asked-begged-for Vincent to let me come along. He agreed eventually so here I sat with the boys and him. The countryside was breathtaking, and I watch the scenery with buzzing thoughts.
I sat next to Vincent and the twins were across from us. As time passed, one of the twins finally speaks up. "Father, what exactly does an earl do?" Ciel asks.
Vincent puts his knuckle up to his lips, wondering how to answer. "Hmm, good question," Vincent thinks out loud. "The Phatomhive domain is approximately twenty thousand acres wide. A lot of people live on this property, and it is the earl's duty to protect and manage the entire area."
I blanch at the amount of land there is owned by him; even I didn't know it was that much with all my time here. I look out into the distance and wonder if I should build my own place out here once I retire to be an old woman.
"Manage?" Ciel asks, not understanding his father.
"Yes, that's right. For instance, you know there are sheep and cow farmers." A shepherd and a herd of sheep walk by coincidence and the boys smile seeing the farm animals. Once we pass them, Vincent continues, "Farmers that till the land, and stores like pubs and bakeries. All the people running those establishments live here...in our domain. And it is because of those very people that our land is able to flourish as it does. So that is why it is our duty and responsibility to make sure that everyone can live peacefully without worry or inconvenience."
I hum under my breath, casting glances to some faraway towns in the distance. Couldn't put it any better than that I believe.
The twins appear even more confused by what their father said, so Vincent continues to explain. "Take this aqueduct, for example. Tasks like digging out waterways to draw up water for the farms and fixing broken bridges takes a lot of manpower. Can you see how difficult it would be for one person to do it all on their own?"
I stare at the sweaty men with pity, thinking how hot they must be. A couple of them wave at us as we pass, and I do the same with a smile. One of the younger men blushes lightly with a shy smile while taking his hat off. I chuckle at his bashfulness and shake my head, thinking he was a little cute.
"Not to mention how much it costs." I comment humorlessly while taking my attention of the man, turning it towards Vincent.
Vincent sent me a knowing look, showing that I have been caught. I squirm in my seat, feeling embarrassed. He continues with his long explanation afterward, "And that's why I work to maintain the land and all of its infrastructure so that the people living here are free to focus on their own work and industry..." Vincent concludes but gets cut off.
"That is the duty of the lord of the land." I finalize with a smirk, remembering him give a similar speech to me when I was younger.
He blinks in surprise, but it quickly turns back to normal, "As Rina said."
"Listening to all the wishes of all of the people in the land sounds tough..." Fenian thinks out loud, looking worried about the future.
Ciel soon tosses in his own two cents, "But we have to care for them properly so that they can do their work. Otherwise, they'll be just like sheep. If we don't feed them, they'll leave for somewhere else."
I sweatdrop, not expecting Ciel's bluntness and metaphor. Was he always this smart? I glance at Vincent in the corner of my eye to find him looking at Ciel in a calculating way. My eyebrow twitches with how Vincent doesn't scold Ciel and I had to do everything to bite my tongue. Comparing humans to animals is not exactly a positive thing in a person.
Frowning, I grip my dress in anger. Coming from the twenty-first century, you are usually raised to accept everyone as they are. But here, here is different. People are judged from speech, clothing, skin, status, almost anything you know of. I let out a frustrated sigh and switch my gaze to the scenery again. People in this town walked all about, how different it must be compared to the manor. I put my hand up to my chin and rest it on the side of the carriage.
Not feeling particularly tired since my dreadful dreams have stopped. I have gotten enough sleep the last couple days. I feel someone staring at me to find it was Fenian. I wiggle my eyebrows playfully and he giggles. Ah, hearing the twins laugh is like little bells in my ear and it an automatic smile is placed on my face before I know it.
The carriage finally pulls to a stop at a church. I eye it with contempt and stand up with everyone else. While the building was architecturally beautiful, I can't help but feel disdain for it. Everyone steps out of the carriage and I follow along reluctantly. It's not that I don't churches, it's more like religion I have a problem with. Being an atheist, I wasn't all that fond of God. No one really knew this, not even Vincent as religion is a big deal for people here.
"Rina?" someone calls ahead of me and it takes me out of my thoughts.
I look down to find Ciel staring at me, "What?" I ask blankly.
"Aren't you coming?"
I nod and pass him to go inside, he follows naturally. A fat priest comes out with his hands clasped in front of him, a joyous smile stamped across his face. "Lord Phatomhive! Thank you very much for taking the time to visit today!" the priest exclaims.
"Pastor Rathbone, how has the village been doing?" Vincent greets while taking his hat off in respect. "Have there been any problems as of late?"
We continue down the aisle slowly as they talk, I continue to listen with disinterest. "We've found more nurses for the cottage hospital; however, funds are beginning to become an issue." Rathbone states.
"Then perhaps I shall hold a ball for a fundraiser? I shall consult Racheal about it." Vincent suggests thoughtfully.
The priest continues with the list of problems, "And, also, Sam the shepherd says that his grandchild is to be born next month he would love it if the earl were to christen the babe."
My eyes widen at the thought and I had to hold back a laugh, choking on air instead. Turning away from them, the twins look at me in confusion.
"Christen the child? Hmm...that's a tall order. My wife is the one who named our children..." Vincent thinks intensely.
I cough lightly, trying to breath seeing how serious he was taking this. I keep an eye on Ciel and Fenian as they run off to inspect a bush nearby in boredom.
"Come to think of it, your sons have unusual names, don't they? For the region of England, I mean." Rathbone comments as an afterthought.
I tap a finger to my lip in thought, thinking that he isn't wrong. "Yes, my relatives all had sour faces when they'd heard!" Vincent explains with a laugh. "They kept telling me to give them more traditional names. However..." he trails off while looking at the twins as if they were very valuable. A shiver crawls up my spine at the look, not liking what he may be thinking. "England's traditional names are just too old-fashioned. For a new age that may not be too far off in the future from now."
Vincent glances at me from the corner of his eye, a look of a pure mastermind. I gulp, not liking his expression at all. He looked like the evil hot guy I would find in those webtoons I would read back home.
The priest changes topics soon afterward, probably not noticing what Vincent was hinting at. I stand quiet, not feeling like talking. Today was an off-day, talking about dark things like such. First Ciel, then Vincent, I swear the Phatomhive family is full of masterminds. It was almost backbreaking work listening to the such from time to time. Made me wonder for everyone's future.
"Ciel, do you think you can become a great gentleman like father when you grow up?" Fenian begins to talk from behind me, I turn around with a light smile. Ah, Fenian, you're like a beckon in the dark; I almost feel the urge to wipe a tear away from the hope you give me. "I bet you can!" he chants to his brother.
Ciel blushes bashfully, scratching his cheek too. "You think so?" Ciel giggles anxiously.
"I want to become a great adult-like father, too," Fenian says with a voice full of determination. "I will become a younger brother you can be proud of, Ciel."
Ahhhhhh! My heart, I can't take it. It was too cute and pure! I walk over to Fenian who appears surprised by my random presence next to him. I bend over and glomp him, nuzzling my head against his. "Feni, I can't take it you're so freaking cute! You're gonna kill me, don't ever change, you hear me?"
He blushes intensely, I could practically feel the heat rolling off his face in waves. "R-Rina..." he stutters, not sure what to do.
I let go reluctantly not long after, keeping my arms to myself with great struggle. I couldn't stop smiling and the twins are both affected by it.
"I'm proud of you already!" Ciel exclaims to Fenian. "What do you want to be when you grow up? A pastor? Or perhaps a doctor?"
Interested in Fenian's answer, I follow them as they walk around the church. "No, actually..." Fenian begins appearing a little shy. "I want to leave London and run a toy store!" he shouts enthusiastically with a wide grin.
My eyes widen in surprise with the proclamation; not expecting that to be his answer. I had to hold in my gushiness overload with great restraint. I swear, Fenian especially, is so naturally cute I sometimes can't handle it.
Ciel's face pales, "Huh?!" he voices in confusion and surprise.
Toning myself down a notch, I notice Ciel's reaction with narrowing eyes. Uh oh...I'm not sure I want to see where this goes...
"But, that's not a job fitting of nobility! You should just become a pastor or doctor and then live in the neighborhood!" Ciel protests.
I flinch, not liking where this conversation was going at all. Fenian continues to walk ahead oblivious to his brother's distress. "Well, you see, I was thinking that it'd be nice if we had even more toys in our room to play with." Fenian states cheerfully.
I shake my head, not denying that his career would totally fit Fenian's character. A toy store, huh? Sounds like a lot of fun I think with a soft smile.
"I may not be able to measure up to you or father, but I need to be able to walk on my own two legs without any help. Uncle Diedrich said it, too." Fenian continues, appearing fine.
Ugh, damn that Diedrich and his big mouth. I toss a concerned look to Ciel and his eyes were downcast, his lip trembling slightly.
"How can you say that?" Ciel asks with a crack in his tiny voice. My heart breaks at the sound and Fenian turns around to look at him.
"Huh?"
Ciel continues to stare at the floor, his face down stricken and his hands were fisted by his sides. "If you become the pastor or priest within the domain, then we can be together forever. But why are you talking about leaving me alone?"
Listening to him made tears well up in my eyes because I didn't want to part from them either. It was not like I could pick both, I am only one body.
"Alone...?" Fenian realizes a little what his brother was thinking. "Don't be silly! You have Elizabeth to be your wife, don't you? You two can live together forever just like father and mother." he explains, trying to reassure his brother and holds Ciel's hands in promise.
Ciel doesn't look up, appearing lost in thought. He doesn't reply and Fenian calls for his name to only not receive an answer.
Vincent's voice cuts through the thick air suddenly and I jump in my spot a little. "Hey-ho! You three! It's time to leave for the next place!" Vincent calls out to us as he nears the doors to leave.
"Oh! Coming! Let's go, Ciel!" Fenian grabs Ciel's hand in a hurry and drags him towards the door. "Come on."
I take notice how Ciel's expression does not change and I sigh, following them. Before I cross the threshold of the doors, I look back into the church. May God or whoever the hell it is, keep these boys joined instead of departed...
0-0-0-0-0-0
I begin my track towards Ciel's bedroom to wake him up first. I was accidentally late due to training taking a lot of my time this morning. My neck was aching all night and I was dealing with the pain by practicing my sword given to me by Francis Midford herself. It was quite beautiful, it had lovely vines engraved into the handle; truly a piece of artwork.
Rounding the corner, I find commotion in the coming down the hallway. I wander down it trying to think of what could be happening. "Young master, Ciel, won't you please rise from bed? Your tutor will be arriving soon." I hear Tanaka say inside Ciel's bedroom.
Walking inside, I find Tanaka and Fenian standing beside Ciel's bed. What in the actual hell was going on? I come closer to the bed also, only to hear Ciel shout, "I don't want to! I'm not going to study anymore! Everyone just get out!"
I halt in my steps, blinking in surprise at his attitude. Why was he being like this? I try to think of a reason only to remember yesterday's conversation with Fenian. I sigh loudly and Fenian turns around at the sound to see me. His face flashes a look of concern and I nod. Coming closer, I stand at the edge of the bed as well.
"Well, it's certainly not like you to throw a tantrum like this." Tanaka voices his concern.
"I agree. What's wrong, Ciel?" Fenian comments after Tanaka.
Ciel? Throw tantrums? Oh please, he has before but only in front of me. I sigh, they are lucky sometimes that they don't have to deal with these kids I swear.
Abruptly, Ciel tosses the covers of his bed over his head. "You wouldn't understand! Just leave me alone!" he shouts again under them.
Tanaka, Fenian, and I all share a look of concern with each other. "Perhaps you guys should leave. I will try to talk to him." I encourage, hoping to talk Ciel out of this funk while sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Ciel," I call out softly, tapping somewhere on his body to get his attention. He doesn't make a sound and stays still. "I know why you're upset, please come out so we can talk."
He shuffles underneath the covers, "No you don't!" he shouts again, but it's muffled by the covers a little.
I smirk wryly, "Have I ever lied to you?"
"Yes, many times!"
I sweatdrop because he wasn't necessarily wrong. "Okay, maybe once or twice. But! Am I ever not truthful in what I say?"
He shuffles again and I watch some of his hair poking out from underneath the blanket. "No..."
I chuckle but before I could continue, Racheal interrupts me. "My goodness, what's all the fuss this early in the morning?"
I had to hold back a gag, not wanting to be in her presence in the slightest.
"Father. Mother." Fenian greets, a bit surprised by their presence. "Ciel refuses to get out of bed. He says he doesn't want to study anymore."
"Oh my! I wonder what's wrong?" Racheal ponders out loud, concern radiating off her body.
Vincent's face was impassive so I couldn't understand what he may be thinking. Racheal spots me on the bed with a glare, practically screaming for me to get away. I glare back, not in the mood for her jealousy issues with me. She walks closer to us and pats Fenian's head with a smile. "Your father and I will try talking to him, then. You go on ahead to the classroom, alright?" Racheal suggests.
Fenian nods and goes out the door without another word.
"I think it would be best for you to leave, Rina. This is a private matter after all."
I grind my teeth in response, wanting to throttle the blonde mother. Getting an idea, I lean over and kiss where Ciel's head is placed underneath the covers to spite her. "Let's talk later, Ciel." I tell him and get up.
Racheal was seething in her spot and I smirk happily. I curtsey in front of them and walk with proud steps out the door also. Fenian was waiting outside the door and looks up at me with a small smile. He takes my hand and leads me down the hallway. I follow without a thought automatically.
"Where are we going?" I ask him curiously.
"I'm hungry, I want you to make me some food." Fenian answers.
I sweatdrop, not feeling up to cooking anything. "Feni, you know I'm bad at cooking."
He turns his head to look up at me, "I don't care, I'll eat anything you make."
My heart warms at the compliment, "Well, if you say so."
He leads me down to the kitchen and I walk in. Most of the chefs went back to their bedrooms as they get up early to cook for everyone and prepare the meals. They sometimes take a short nap in between meals since they are so grand. I rummage through the cabinets as Fenian watches me from a table not far away. I take out all the essentials to make eggs and toast with.
"A bird." Fenian says randomly.
I look around, expecting to find one flying about. I don't see nor hear one though and toss a confused look at him, "A bird?" I repeat questionably while heating up the stove.
He giggles lightly and points at me, "You remind me of a bird."
I blink owlishly, "Is that so? What kind?"
I decide to play along with him, curious as to his reasoning to why I was like an animal. "Hmm, a hummingbird."
"What makes me like a hummingbird?"
He puts his head onto the palms of his hands, resting it there. "You walk frantically and hum under your breath a lot."
I did not realize I did anything he mentioned. "I never noticed. Birds are my favorite animal though." I tell him while cracking an egg into the pan. I butter the other pan and heat it up too. "Call me, Rina Hummington then." I laugh at my own joke.
Fenian smiles at it and I toss some bread onto the pan. It didn't take long for the food to cook and I set them onto two plates. I put silverware onto them and take them over to where Fenian was sitting. "Bon appetit!" I chant and bite into my buttery toasted bread.
