Chapter 11

Lady Elizabeth's visit had gone… As smoothly as ever, from what the others told Lily, the housekeeper making a good impression upon her. However, Lily had retired earlier than usual that night, having been worn out from how energetic and lively Elizabeth was.

A few weeks later, Lily was called upon to act in Sebastian's steed, as he prepared the tea and refreshments for the guests, for once insisting that the housekeeper tend to their lord rather than do so for him.

So, Lily stood behind their young lord, head bowed slightly, eyes closed, listening silently to the conversation between her guests and master, her purple fringe obscuring her eyes from sight. The guests were playing billiards, yet the young Lord seemed to be taking very little part in the activity.

"Look! There's another one!" Finny's voice came from outside the room.

"Catch it!" Bard cried, causing Lily to sigh softly, shaking her head as outside the other four servants caused a commotion, apparently attempting to catch one of the rats who had made their way to the manor.

"Quite a commotion going on out there, it seems you're experiencing a rat problem as well," Lord Arthur Randall said, the police commissioner of Scotland Yard said, stepping away from the billiards table.

"Speaking of which, how long are you going to let the vermin run wild? Filthy monsters. Someone ought to take care of them, don't you think?" Baron Diedrich said, a German nobleman who had apparently been friends with the former head of the Phantomhive house, taking a bite of one of the sandwiches Sebastian had prepared.

"And someone will. He's just waiting for the opportune moment," Lau, a Chinese nobleman who seemed to appear at the manor from time to time, not always expected or announced, from the sofa. Ran-Mao, a young lady who always accompanied the nobleman, straddling his lap. Lily was unsure of their relationship, something which she shared with most of the other servants, what ever it may have been they were always… Very close.

"Indeed. He prefers to settle things with one blow." Madam Red, the young masters aunt said, "will you pass on this turn too, Lord Phantomhive?"

"I'll pass." He replied, "It's my policy not to shoot if I know that I'll miss."

"That's all very well, but when will you handle the problem?" Lord Arthur asked, causing Lily to tilt her head, exposing her left eye, narrowing it at the commissioner.

"Anytime you like. The rats will soon come looking for their forbidden cheese, and I hold the key to the store house." Lily couldn't help but smirk at her lords comment, bowing her head again. Azzuro Vanel scoffed, having potted the white in his turn, earning the housekeepers attention. She hadn't liked him since he'd entered the manor, though, unlike with the commissioner, kept her focus hidden this time.

"Even so, locating the nest and eliminating the vermin promises to be a tedious task. You should concentrate on preparing me a suitable reward." Ciel continued.

"You're a vulture!" Sir Randall spat, Lily's eyes rolled lazily towards him.

"Sir Randall. I'd be careful how you smear my family name."

"Ha! You're in trouble now Randall. What next, Lord Phantomhive?" Vanel asked, as the housekeeper relaxed once again.

"It's time to put an end to this worthless game, don't you think?" He said, rising to his feet, walking to the billiard table, passing Sir Randall, he paused. "How soon can you secure the payment?"

"Tonight. I'll have it by then." He replied, as Ciel carried onto the table, climbing to sit on it to take his shot.

"Then I'll send a carriage for you later." He leaned over, "we can even prepare some light entertainment for you. Does that sound good?"

"You pass your turn twice, and now you're going after them all in one go?" Baron Diederich cried, clearly surprised and amused by this turn.

"Naturally," Ciel replied,

"Careful, or your greed will undo you," Sir Randall commented, as Ciel took the shot, potting the remaining red and black.

"Am I undone?" Ciel asked, sliding back onto his feet. "Now, as there is nothing left to discuss, Lily will arrange a carriage for you."

The housekeeper straightened, putting her right hand over her heart, bowing slightly before she left the room, earning a smirk from her lord.