Chapter 21

"Oya~ it's a draw." Lau whistled in awe, walking over to the two butlers.

"Ciel's butler is pretty strong." Soma nodded with a large impressed smile. "Agni is the strongest fighter in my palace! This is the first time someone tied with him." And while that may be true, the kid earl still couldn't believe it. He just kept staring at the Indian man with shock. How could that guy be on par with a demon? It was inconceivable.

"Young Master…" Luciana leaned down to his ear, breaking his shock. "I think we may need to discuss this further." She whispered to him. The outcome of the match puzzled her too and though she may not know the extent of Sebastian's strength, it was just weird how Agni kept up- and it wasn't just keeping up, they were literally equals. She let out a silent giggle. It was kind of funny that they were so similar yet also total opposites. 'I mean just look at them.'

"Agreed." Ciel frowned, looking at the two butlers.

"I'm impressed!" The prince laughed patting Agni on the shoulder for a job well done and sending a gratified smile to Sebastian.

"It was my honour." He bowed.

"Mr. Sebastian thank you for exchanging blows with me." Agni gave him a heartfelt smile; he was truly overwhelmed by his fellow butler.

"I feel the same way." Sebastian dipped his head in respect, "Mr. Agni, you really have a fast learning speed. I can't say that the result would be the same if you were not a novice." Ciel's eyes widened at his butler's statement and Luce furrowed her brows. She doubted that the outcome had anything to do with a 'fast learning speed'; it was more like raw talent. 'Kinda scary when you think about it…' She definitely didn't want to get on Agni's bad side- if he had one that is.

"No- that's not the case!" The man anxiously denied, before turning to the kid earl with a worried expression. "Master Ciel, I am so sorry for just now. Does it still hurt?" He towered the boy with a truly apologetic look but somehow still looked like a lion towering a mouse. 'How cute…' She grinned.

"No, it doesn't…"

"Don't worry Agni, I'll look after him." Luce gave him a casual smile and proceeded to lead the kid earl out of the room. "We really should discuss this somewhere else."

Ciel sighed, nodding. The day wasn't even over and he was already tired. "I need something sweet." He grumbled, sending a meaningful look to his butler before the door closed.

"You know, if you actually want to build up some muscle, then you really need proper food after training." Luce deadpanned. As much as she enjoyed sweets- especially if Sebastian made them -the amounts Ciel ate just weren't healthy. It honestly wouldn't surprise her if he'd suddenly turn into that big, fat blueberry kid from Willy Wonka. She rolled her eyes with a chuckle. In a way that comparison was oddly fitting. '...what with his bluish hair and all.'

The two awaited the demonic butler in Ciel's study. The young earl had by then already discarded his training attire and changed into his usual clothes. Now he sat exhausted in his chair- and may she add; almost eagerly waiting for candy. Luciana turned her gaze back to the books in the study. There were a lot. She browsed the different shelves, landing on a few studies and theories. 'I wonder…' She cocked her head to the side and grabbed a booklet with curious eyes.

Luciana was so focused that she hadn't even noticed the butler enter. He looked at her with a raised brow, but said nothing. The girl was standing astoundingly still; her breathing was calm and quiet while only her grey eyes flickered from line to line as she read. He had never seen her that focused. "Sebastian, that guy- what exactly is he?" His eyes turned to the boy who had his eyebrows furrowed in displeasure and poked at his cake. "Don't tell me he is one of that kind again." The demon's thoughts went to a particular reaper in red, barely retaining a snarl of distaste. He hoped to never see him again.

"No, he is undoubtedly human." The earl visibly relaxed at the assertion. "However," Sebastian smirked, his eyes glinting with amusement, "he does posses abilities that we do not have." He concluded with a tilt to his lips. It was as if he was inwardly laughing at some private joke.

The boy hummed, turning a look to his new maid. "So, what do you think?" Ciel leaned into his chair, waiting expectantly. She didn't respond. "Luce, are you even listening?" His eye twitched.

"Hm?" She never moved her eyes away from the book, but rather furrowed her brows and continued reading. "Just give me a sec." Ciel sent an exasperated look to his butler, but Sebastian only answered with a close eyed smile. He didn't mind her actions at all; she was calm and exuded an aura of stillness, which he found quite relaxing in contrast to the constant annoyances the other idiots gave him. Finally, she set the booklet aside with a disgruntled huff. "Honestly how stupid can one get?" Luciana made her way to the seat before the kid's desk when she received two questioning looks. "Please tell me people in this time aren't actually that moronic."

"Why?" Both male parties raised a questioning eyebrow.

"In the 1870s, Dr. John Cowan wrote that girls who masturbated experienced a failure in glandular development causing them to be flat-chested." She rolled her eyes at the utter stupidity of that man's reasoning. If his theory were true then women shouldn't have sex either, but Cowan probably wouldn't like. 'Oh nooo~' This was just another way to keep women under male power. Luce wrinkled her nose, glad to have been born into the 21st century.

"My, what a fascinating theory." Sebastian mocked with an amused glint in his eyes. Of course he knew better, having lived lifetimes more than any human on earth.

On the other hand the kid earl looked utterly confused. "Mastur-what?" Both his servants let out an amused chuckle. "Don't laugh at me!" He glared at them.

"Aww~ aren't you just adorable~ So innocent." She coed with a grin, "Masturbating means to pleasure one self." They watched gleefully as a heated blush formed on their charge's face. "Didn't you just turn 12? You should really know more about this." She giggled.

"I'm 13!" He glared.

"Oops." Luciana tilted her head innocently. "Then...have you had the birdies and bees talk?" The modern education system included sex-ed, for obvious reasons, and she had it at least thrice already- mostly because of the school switching. Ciel was already a teen now, so he should really know the basics- especially since he's engaged.

"The what?"

'Poor Lizzy...' "The sex talk." She deadpanned and rolled her eyes when Ciel stuttered. "Wow. Forget innocent, you're a saint." Luce thought back to when she was 13. 'Yep, definitely a saint.' "You should have Sebastian explain it to you. I'm sure he has a lot of tricks up his sleeves." Said butler's eyes flashed and he sent her a sly smirk, basically confirming her thoughts. She was sure anyone would just love to experience them- her included, but she doubted a demon was keen on any relationships, so it probably won't happen.

"And you call me innocent?" The boy smirked smugly. He thought she didn't know either.

She sighed dramatically, closing her eyes and leaning her head on her fist. "Well, if you want me to explain, sure. I have my fair share of experience. I just wanted to spare you the embarrassment." Her pale eyes opened, meeting a wide-eyed gaping kid and the narrowed eyes of a demon butler, for whatever reason her statement didn't sit well with him. Okay, so maybe the phrasing made her sound like a whore, but she really wasn't. Luce just had quite a few failed relationships. She'd always try, thinking she'd grow to love them and that it would work out, but in the end it never felt right. And she didn't want to lie to her partner- or herself. 'Oh well, I'm still young.' She mentally shrugged. "Anyway, I think we're totally off topic."

Thank you for reading! I hope you liked it.

Sorry if it's a little off topic but I recently discovered that theory and several others and wanted to include it. I never knew people actually came up with such things...how bizarre. Well anyways, next chapter will continue with the story line and then it will be Christmas! YAY! Or hanukkah, depending on what you celebrate.