Chapter 8

"Cheer up Lil, it's not that bad," Baldroy said, as he sliced the meat thinly. The housekeeper stood in the corner of the room, arms crossed, leaning against the wall, head leant back with her eyes closed. "We were able to save it…"

"Don't call me Lil…" She muttered through clenched teeth.

"How's it going?" Sebastian asked, popping his head in.

"Doin it like you said to. This really what you want?" Baldroy answered, showing his work so far.

"Yes, that looks excellent…"

"Sebastian!" Mey-Rin's voice called from the corridor, causing him to turn to face her, "found em!" She cried, before crying out in shock, causing Lily to groan.

"Not again…" She muttered as Sebastian disappeared from the room

"Oh honestly, how many times have I told you not to run inside the manor Mey-Rin?"

"Oh, I'm so sorry sir, my glasses cracked and I can't see a thing!"

"These are the last items we needed for dinner," Finny and Baldroy looked out to see what had happened, Lily moved to the basin, beginning to wash the dishes used to prepare the meal so far. "Splendid work everyone, and now I believe you can leave the rest of it to me and relax for a bit. But I need you to do well, very well, during dinner tonight."

"He said it twice," Baldroy commented

"Oh, that's serious," Finny added, earning a groan from the housekeeper behind them.

Once the four were alone, Baldroy slinked over to lean against the counter beside Lily.

"You two go rest up, I'll help Lil here," he said to the other two, who nodded, leaving the room. He cleared his throat, looking to her he sighed. "Honestly, Lil, you worry to much. Over think things, not good for ya that,"

"Don't call me Lil…" She muttered, focusing on the dishes, her grip on them tightening.

"I mean a pretty girl like you shouldn't have to worry so much, it'll age ya quicker. That'd be a waste of a pretty face like yours, Lil…" He said, moving closer to her.

"Don't call me Lil…" She repeated, more of a snarl this time.

"What you need is someone, someone to help you relax after an 'ard days work. A mans what I'm sayin, who'll look after ya an help keep ya a young pretty little Lil…" He placed a hand on her shoulder.

Sebastian began to make his way back upstairs, once he was certain that dinner was ready to be brought out to where his Master and guest would be dining. It was only when he was halfway up the stairs he recalled something, turning he made his way back down to the kitchen. As he turned the corner, he saw Baldroy go flying through the wall, leaving a heavy imprint in the other. His eyes widened, looking through the hole he saw no one. Curious, he stepped through, looking around he spotted Lily, still washing dishes in the sink, a slight sprinkle of dust in her fringe.

"Alright Seb,"

"Lilith, I just recalled, we will need lighting suitable for outside…"

"I'll get right on it, these bits need to soak anyway." She said, drying her hands, turning to face him. He spotted a slight scratch on her right cheek, blood trailing a single pattern on its route to the ground.

"I trust you will," he nodded, turning and leaving. Looking at the state of the cook, who was piled on the floor in a daze, he paused. "Oh, and Lilith?"

"Yes Seb?"

"Please clean up this mess, it won't do to have so much… Dust and dirt around the Masters food." She smirked slightly, bowing her head.

"Of course, I'll see to it immediately."

"See that you do…" He said, walking on

Once the kitchen was cleaned up, Lily, Sebastian and Mey-Rin stood in the garden, before the grand table, their Master sitting at one end, the guest at the other. The lights Sebastian had requested were in place, lanterns placed around the table, with two sat on top. He wasn't sure where she had found them, but was impressed nonetheless. Mey-Rin kept glancing at her, having noticed that the housekeeper had an umbrella hooked at the top back of her skirt.

"On tonight's menu is a dish of finely sliced raw beef donburi, courtesy of our chef Baldroy," Sebastian said, earning a scoff from Lily, as he lifted the lid, presenting the prepared meat to their master and guest.

"A pile of raw beef. And this is dinner?" Their guest, Damiano, questioned.

"Yes, but surely you have heard of it?" The butler

"Here we go again…" Lily muttered, Mey-Rin nodded, giggling slightly.

"This, good sir, is a traditional Japanese delicacy, a dish offered as a sign of gratitude to someone who has accomplished important work. That, sir, is the wonder of donburi!"

"Oh donburi!" Damiano cried.

"This is a token from our master, to show his thanks for all your hard work on the company's behalf. He wanted you to know that it's much appreciated," Sebastian finished.

"Excellent, what an inspired idea! The legendary Phantomhive hospitality in action!"

Sebastian walked over to Mey-Rin, who had moved to stand behind the trolley car, that evenings wine resting on it.

"The vintage we are pouring tonight was specially selected to compliment the flavour of the soy sauce…" He looked to the maid, who hadn't moved, "Mey-Rin." Nothing. "Now Mey-Rin."

"Yes sir!" She said, still not moving. Lily shook her head, her mood lifting slightly as she watched.

"Why are you just standing there? Pour the man a glass of wine." He whispered to her.

"Of course. Yes sir." She said, carrying the bottle over to the table, her walk suddenly stiff and awkward. She began to pour, her attention clearly elsewhere, the wine being poured straight onto the table cloth, missing the glass.

"Oh Mey-Rin," Lily muttered. Their guest was too busy consuming their food to notice, though, however the two servants and Master did. Lily quickly made her way to the table, taking the bottle from the maid, sweeping the glass up as, in a single motion. Sebastian swept the table cloth away. Nothing on the table moving at all. Lily poured a glass of wine for their guest, as Finny and Baldroy rushed in, taking the maid away, just as their guest looked up.

"Oh? Where did the tablecloth-a go?"

"A spec of dirt." Ciel said, "most unsightly. I had the cloth removed so it wouldn't distract us. Think nothing of it."

"Please accept my apologies sir. Do continue. Enjoy your meal at your leisure." Sebastian said, bowing his head.

"Oh, oh my! Lord Phantomhive, once again you have truly impressed me. What an able butler you have."

"Pay him no mind, he merely acted as befits one of my servants."

"My Master is quite correct, about that, naturally. You see, I am simply one hell of butler." Sebastian said, earning a slight groan from Lily.

"And of course, what a pretty little maid you have, such a sweet face." Damiano said, gesturing to Lily. She bowed her head, seeming in thanks but more to hide her eye, which was twitching slightly with suppressed anger.

"As our Master said, sir, we work to the standards he maintains and deserves." She said, her voice unusually sweet and soft, causing Sebastian to glance at her, smirking.