Chapter 31

Our time traveler cocked her head to the side as she stared at Mey-Rin. "It's a tad odd seeing you like that."

"E-eh?! Is m-my dress not right?" The maid stuttered while her hands nervously fumbled over both clothes and hair.

It definitely wasn't the most fashionable outfit but she didn't look bad. "No." Luce rolled her icy orbs, "I've just never seen you without the uniform." It was true- well, except for her sleepwear...Anyways. The only other times the servants didn't wear any uniform was when they went to church or into the city but at those times the black head was either not there or not paying attention. So yes, it was odd seeing Mey-Rin in something casual. 'At least for this era.' "You look cute." Luciana's lips spread into an amused grin as she noticed the maid's cheeks burn in a scarlet blush almost matching her hair.

"W-we need to go, yes!" Mey-Rin suddenly exclaimed, quickly changing the topic of conversation "The young master will be late. W-we have to hurry, yes!" In no time at all, had the scarlet haired maid vanished from their room. 'Definitely cute~' Luce couldn't help but giggle as she followed, languidly putting on her black coat.

Contrary to Mey-Rin who wore a long dress and a deep forest green coat, the young time traveler stuck to the blue knee-long dress Undertaker had given her. She paired it with thick winter stockings, her black heeled boots and the shawl she had initially stolen way back when, wrapped fashionably around her neck. Her black rosary with its silver cross hung out from underneath and settled at its usual place.

"You're late." -Were the first words she got out of the scowling young earl. The boy of thirteen stood beside his ever so faithful butler, waiting for her. 'I feel so special~' Luce mentally cooed with a giggle underneath her breath.

What was up with her lately? She was having the oddest mood swings; one minute she was her usual sarcastic self, then on a total sugar rush and the next utterly exasperated- like now. "If you rush through life, you're bound to miss something important." She preached with a shake of her head.

"What is important is the competition." Ciel argued with a deadpan voice as he took his seat in the carriage, waiting for his two servants to do the same.

She couldn't help it. Luce smacked her hand against her forehead and rubbed it in frustration. "Tha' is so not th' point ye bloody wanker..." She turned to Sebastian with an almost pleading expression. "Please tell me you got what I meant." Because if not then she would seriously begin to question the world. Maybe she should major in Philosophy...

"The young master is not as wise as he may think." Sebastian quipped with his signature close eyed smile and patted her hand reassuringly. Of course he understood. The way a demon such as himself viewed time was much different to how humans viewed it.

The rest of the ride was rather quiet. Luciana had leaned onto Sebastian for some extra body heat and had a one-sided silent conversation with him about practically anything that came to mind. She drew letters onto his palm in a mix of English, Spanish and French. Luce had even tried runes but that ended in utter failure and a look that promised another torturous lesson. Most of the time she would get a subtle shrug, nod, shake or smirk. Suffice it to say, it was the only entertainment she had.

.

"Huh, so this is what Crystal Palace looked like..." Luciana mused out loud when they finally arrived, meeting Lau and his 'sister'. The entire structure, walls and ceiling, was adorned with windows, giving a gorgeous view of the sky and outside park. Large white columns held its foundation while the open space was now filled with all kinds of stalls and attractions. It was amazing – too bad it was never rebuild.

"Why are you so impressed, aren't you from London?" Ciel questioned thoroughly intrigued while they watched the idiot trio saunter off.

"Never been here before." She shrugged. After all it burned down in the 1930's.

"Oh my! If it isn't Earl Phantomhive." A very obnoxious voice interrupted. It didn't take long for them to recognize the brunette strutting his way towards Ciel. He was after all the root of this whole ordeal.

"Kill me now." Luce groaned out in annoyance.

Sebastian's gaze momentarily slid down to her and his hand settled on her back, feeling the annoyance pool off his mate in waves. "Now, now-", a polite smile was fixed on his face as they kept their eyes on West conversing with their young earl, "no need for suicidal thoughts."

She clearly heard the hint of amusement in his voice only succeeding in annoying her more. Her eyes cleared into a steely gaze. "Bueno...let me take it out on you then." Even though both knew she couldn't hurt him, the implication was clear.

On second thought, he might not want to make fun of her when annoyed. "I'll make you whatever dessert you want."

"Tiramisu." What can she say? His desserts were the best.

"Between you and I... some spies broke into my home." Both servants blinked at West's statement. "It was terrible. One of my Galle lamps was broken along with a chess set I got at General Trading. I still get shivers knowing that the criminal may even be here."

'Haha~ closer than you may think.' Luce mentally giggled as she remembered Sebastian the abdominal deer-man.

"Enough about that, I heard the Queen might be attending the curry show." Lord West rubbed his hands together in anticipation. 'Queen Victoria huh?' Luciana mulled over what she knew of her and was reminded of what Undertaker said. 'A woman who pushes all the work on others...' He never did like her.

"I'd like her to taste the curry before I receive the royal warrant." West shrugged offhandedly as he finally left them be and walked away.

"Before you receive the warrant?"

"How very presumptuous." Luce added with a grin, having heard the slither of mischief in Ciel's voice.

"I can't wait to see his face when he realises he has lost." The boy continued with a sweet smile.

"Yes, my lord."

.

"We have now come to the highlight of 'the empire governed Indian culture and prosperity exhibition'-" Luce listened to the commentator with an unimpressed stare. What the bloody hell was up with that long name? "-with participants from famous curry houses throughout London, let the curry show begin!" She sighed in disappointment. That guy was not a good commentator. He proceeded with the introduction of the judges. First was a palace chef- 'Fancy~' -then a tax collector who served in India and finally Viscount Druitt an apparent lover of the arts and food.

"Eh? Wasn't he arrested by the Yard?" Lau's question caught her attention and she cocked her head to the side, peering at the Chinese man.

"He probably bribed his way out. How corrupt..."

"I don't get it." Luce deadpanned, staring at Ciel's blanched face with a dead-on stare. "Who's that pretty boy?"

"It's best you not know." Ciel explained with every intention of her never finding out. She would definitely tease him to no end if she knew. Of course that only made Luciana want to know more. Her lips formed a small smile as she made a mental note to ask Sebastian.

"Now!" The commentator dramatically gestured to the six men on stage, "These are today's contestants!" He started from the one closest to him; a guy with a curly mustache, "From the Persian Tabb Company Chef Tarpin,..." until he reached the two furthest from him, "from the Harold West Company Chef Agni and the butler Sebastian from the Funtom Company." The commentator's head snapped towards Sebastian with a questioning stare. "A b-butler?"

"Yes, I am not a chef." Sebastian turned into smug confidence. "I am a butler to the core." 'Doesn't he ever get tired of saying that?'

"A-anyways, with a group like this I'm sure we can expect some tasty food!" "Let the contest begin!"

Thank you so much for reading! I'll be posting weekly for now.