Sebastian stood before the king once more, also with him, were several other demons, including Naveen. Ciel and Alois had been forbidden to attend, as hard as they tried, they couldn't get in. They dropped into the chairs set in the hall.
"This can't be happening!" Alois cried, Ciel put a hand on his shoulder.
"I wish it wasn't. I'm sorry Naveen has to be with them. It's not going to help, but if you want, you can stay with me at the castle, and I'm sure Ann would invite you to stay here when they-" Ciel couldn't finish his sentence, it was too painful.
"Thank you. I-I'm sorry about Sebastian too. That's not fair."
"Life, even as a demon is unfair." Ciel said.
"Everything gets taken from me, my brother, my life, my- my child now my mate."
"You're brother was given back to you, you still have Hannah, me, the children, victor, It's going ti be okay, I'm sure Naveen will come home to you."
"Do you really think so?" Thr blonde boy asked hopefully.
"If anyone can make it back, It's going to be Naveen and Sebastian."
"You're right, we're just being silly, aren't we?"
"I hope so."
"How long can a meeting take, I mean, It's just instructions on when to meet right?"
"That's what Sebastian said."
"Must be a lot of them."
"Or maybe the king is just-"
"Ciel, Alois, come with me my dears." Ann called, the boys didn't need told twice."
"Ann, is everything alright?" Ciel asked. The queen pressed a finger to her lips and motioned for them to follow. The turned the corner into the tea room which was just on the other side of where the king spoke to the demons. She locked the door behind them and motioned them to the wall where they could hear muffled voices.
They listened.
"So what does that mean for us?" A gruff voice asked.
"It means the enemy will first attack our food source in an effort to weaken us." The devil growled.
"Humans?" Naveen voice joined the conversation.
" we must feed eventually, and without our mates, we have but one option, we must not let that happen. I have spoken with the angels, they are fighting on our side this once"
"Majesty, isn't that their war not ours, are they not the ones that are tasked with such things?"
"Usually yes, however these creatures can bring an end to humans, Angels, reapers and even our kind. Their goal is to create a new world in which they reign over all that moves. We have no choice."
"There can be no peace as before?" Sebastian asked.
"My son, I know your concern is for your family, I have attempted peace before I even mentioned this war to you. I sent three messengers to the three most powerful leaders of their army." He paused.
"And what happened father?"
"They were returned to me...I will spare you the details." Alois gasped causing Ciel to pull him away from the wall.
"Quiet, I know It's hard, but they can't know we hear them, if you can't handle this-"
"I can."
"You need to be sure."
"I'm positive." Both returned to their places.
"This is the reason we must turn to you. We will meet here in one week and begin our training. You have until then to say goodbye to your families, chances are you will never see them again." Ciel's heart sank at the kings words. He felt Ann's hand on his shoulder.
"Sebastian and Naveen. Stay behind please, everyone else is free to leave." There was a slight pause in the conversation as the other demons followed their orders.
"Please sit down, I want both of you to understand that as king, you must always be willing to make difficult sacrifices, even when it involves your family, no matter how much you love them, this being said, I love Alois and Ciel dearly, even after our meeting the other day yes my son. Alois has lost a great deal during his life, but gained much since becoming a demon. He has the love of the royal family behind him, but Naveen, you share a true love rivaled only by my son and Ciel. I myself cannot take you from your rightful place at the front line of battle. Which is why your commanding officer has special instruction for you, before reporting to me, you will see him."
"Yes majesty." Naveen said.
"Sebastian, my youngest son, my pride, you have chosen a strong, loyal mate who has very obviously put his heart into your bondage and your family. He was more than willing to contend with me and showed no sign of fear or backing down. He is a rare being and frankly my son, I believe every word he said to me, I cannot blame him in the least. He is the rare exception, in other words, I would very much like to keep Ciel on our side. It is my belief that your mate is fully capable of beginning a war with me and I will admit to you that it is very doubtful I will win. I do not wish to cross Ciel Michaelis. This being said yoi too will receive special orders as well as your brother, Sebastian do not give me that look." The devil said.
"Father, I cannot be held responsible for my actions toward him. He has done far too much to my family."
"For your mother's sake, as well as mine Sebastian, as beg you, do not do any of the following. Do not use your brother as a personal shield, do not trip Mordred and run if you are in a difficult situation, do not try to use him as some sort of decoy and damn it Sebastian, Mordred is not to be used as an easy out or-"
"But father, he makes such a wonderful shield, do you not recall-"
"Maybe you do not recall your mother's reaction."
"He's a better shield tgan a brother, why not use him for what he is good for?" Naveen laughed, the king however did not sound amused.
"Enough."
"Yes father." Sebastian replied.
"Now, you are excused and I will see you on the appointed day, at the appointed time. You are both excused."
"Quickly boys, have a seat, we shall have a cup of tea, Alois, please unlock the door quickly and quietly, Ciel, please bring the tray closer to our chairs and have a seat." Alois and Ciel made quick work of their jobs and just managed to settle in when Naveen and Sebastian came looking for them.
"Having some tea with mother I see, how nice."
"Ann usually does ask us to tea if we're here." Ciel took a sip from his cup.
"Yes, we were just catch up, Alois my dear, how are you finding life as a mate?"
"It's lovely, Naveen's very good to me, I'm glad to have him. Ciel and Sebastian are lending us their house down here and we have a three month old puppy that I...love very much." Alois tried to sound convincing but Ann was not easily fooled.
"The things we tolerate for our mates is extraordinary. Love makes us do those sorts of things."
"How can you possibly not like our puppy, precious?" Naveen asked sounding hurt.
"Can we talk about this another time please?"
"Of course, you enjoy your tea and then when you're ready to leave, we can talk about it when we get home, just tell me one thing, do you wish me to get rid of him, I love you that much."
"No, I don't want you to."
"Are you sure because you-" Alois stood up.
"Ann, thank you for today, I think we should be going."
"Ciel, It's nice seeing say hello to the children for me." He gave a polite bow to Sebastian as he pulled Naveen from the room.
"I know that reaction every well, Ciel does that when we begin arguing and we are not at home." Ann giggled.
"Very interesting." She said.
"You should see what happens when we are around the children mother, Ciel and I both try not to argue in front of them so what he does is-"
"Sebastian, hush." Ann shook her head in amusement.
"You two remind me of myself and Sebastian's father."
"Really, that is interesting."
"I don't believe I need to tell you my dear Ciel, but the secret to the argument between the Michaelis boen males is-"
"Mother, please."
"Sebastian, It's not politev to interrupt your mother." Ciel chastised.
"Well, you've got it my dear, you take the reigns and guide the conversation, and it works as far as your bondage as well." After several hours, Ciel and Sebastian said goodbye and made their way back to their own castle. Before opening the door to the main floor, Sebastian stopped him and knelt down in front of him.
"Ciel, I want to speak you about something that my mother said to you about taking the lead in our bondage. He took hold if Ciel's hands and looked into his eyes.
"From the very first day I met you, you've held the reigns, you have been able to guide me into this life we now cherish, you have walked with me through changes and stood by my side no matter what the situation." He held up Ciel's hand with his bonding rings.
"For years now, you have held a different set of reigns, the ones to my heart, take them and never ever let go, promise me?"
"I promise.'
"Good, then that means you accept control, tell me what it is you want most and I swear I will do it."
"Come home to me, be safe, and remember while you're out there that I love you so very much. Don't try to be a hero of any sort, just come home." He wrapped his arms around the older demon holding him tight.
"Is this your wish?"
"Yes."
"Then it shall be done."