Chapter 33

"Your majesty!" Ciel was by the queen's side before anyone noticed, "Why have you come here?"

"Hello everyone." A friendly smile graced the woman's elderly face, as if all was right in the world and the nation's queen did not just trot into Crystal Palace on a horse nor trample her servant. Luciana couldn't help it, her lips parted in disbelief and for once she mirrored the expression of a fish perfectly. 'Dear sweet sanity, where have you gone?'

Apparently into the afterlife because the next thing she knew, madness greeted her. The famous Queen Victoria was on the floor wailing – and quite dramatically so – for her dead husband, while her servant – 'Butler?' Luce guessed – tried to cheer her up with a puppet.

Well, she didn't quite know what to say to that.

"Her majesty seems quite the complex character." But Lau definitely did, commenting cheerfully.

"Don't talk like that." Ciel seemed to fray at the edges, looking as if he wanted to be anywhere but here. 'And way too used to this behavior for it to be a onetime thing...' Right about now Luce was really questioning how Britain managed to make it into the 21st century. The Queen she knew definitely did not behave like that in public. She always seemed like the epitome of grace.

"As I received an invitation to be a judge in this contest, I have one vote, don't I?" The Queen said as she dried her tears. 'A tie breaker?' Luce pondered the historic woman's actions. Why interfere now when she probably watched the entire spectacle? And rather than just giving your vote, have them battle it out fair and square. It didn't sit well with Luciana- then again she really didn't feel like standing here any longer to watch the 'final round'. "I have chosen..."

Ah, she could see why Undertaker didn't like her.

.

"So~ You won." Now that they were home Luciana was sure that promised lesson of his was bound to follow. Needless to say she was not looking forward to it. The question was, whether she should stay to wrangle out any and all information '-gossip-' the butler had on that Viscount, or not. Well, it wasn't as though she couldn't ask tomorrow...all the thief needed now was a distraction to make her escape. 'If only Ciel would call for him...' Alas the boy was asleep along with the rest of the staff. It was just the two them in the kitchen...

...somehow this always happened.

"Did you doubt me?" Sebastian raised a brow at the little time traveler. He was rather surprised, that she hadn't left with Mey-Rin, snuck off or fallen asleep yet.

"Not really- but is this all you get for winning?" The black headed girl scrutinized the small golden trophy whilst the demonic butler chuckled at her unimpressed stare. "Doesn't look all that rewarding..." It really wasn't much compared to all the expensive ingredients needed for the curry. Then again, they also received the royal warrant which opened up a path into the food industry for Funtom.

"There is no need for a prize since the young master's request has been appeased."

'A prize huh?' She internally smiled as an idea popped into her head. "Basically~" Luce chuckled and spun to face the demon, "what you mean to say is; there's no need for anything materialistic since you'll get your prize at the end of this deal." He didn't deny it. Which made her wonder; was everything he did only a means to an end? All for the sake of his contract?- at least deep within her subconscious Luciana hoped that wasn't the case. While logically she already knew Sebastian was more complex than that. There was still some doubt. They all probably meant nothing to him. '...how heartbreaking.' "Oh well, I still think you should have some kind of reward."

He quirked a brow as she stepped up to him. Before he could question her, Luce tugged him down by his tie and kissed him. In utter amusement she noticed how his eyes widened as her lips met his. 'He definitely didn't expect that.' The young maid/thief/time traveler mentally laughed and parted from him with an innocent grin.

"Maybe you should sleep for once." Her head tilted to the side in faux consideration. "It has been quite the busy week." Luce patted his chest as she walked past him, very intent on leaving the kitchen and going to bed. "You can teach me some other time."

That seemed to snap him out of his trance. "I don't think so."

Her expression narrowed into a scowl. 'Damn it.' And just when Luce thought she had gotten out of the lesson...Sebastian had grabbed her by the scruff of her dress, dragging her with him. To think she had even kissed him for shock value. Her nose twitched with annoyance as a long suffering sigh escaped her. Just this once the eighteen year old wanted to stomp her feet like a petulant child.

.

Unseen by her, the demon's tongue darted out to lick his lips. He never thought she would simply kiss him like that. True, she wasn't from this time where women needed to be courted the 'proper' way but sometimes he wondered whether Luciana had any discretion at all. 'Doubtful.' Not that he minded when it was directed at him, but anyone else? He would kill slowly and painfully. His eyes glowed with possessiveness.

Hello, it's been a while? Ha! Understatement of the year... I've actually had this chapter ready for a while now believe it or not, but was never really satisfied. When I say a while I mean like since the end of June, put it on my phone so I could work on it whenever something popped up, but well then I flew to Rome for vacation and forgot...yeah what can I say other than Rome is very pretty?

Soo months later and I finally have free time again for the next 2 weeks, where I plan to grudgingly sit in front of my computer and write. Hopefully I will have enough chapters ready to last until winter hols.

Probably one chapter a week, at least that's the plan.

I can't thank you guys enough for still supporting this story when my updates were so abysmal. So THANK YOU 3