Hooray! More reviews! :D Thank you! And even a couple people are even following this story now! This is exciting. :) I'm sorry how short the last chapters were...It looks much longer on my document. Oh, well. _
Anyways, I wanted to make her become more...open to her own emotions, as time goes on during the story. She's used to being unemotional, an assassin who wouldn't hesitate to finish someone off. She's not used to feeling confusion or upset or nervous. If that makes sense. ._.'
It's too fun to write, really. XD Especially with the Trio and Soma. Ha, gotta love them. X)
Please review!
Enjoy!
Simply One Hell of a Butler
After the strange encounter that left my brain whirring, we continued the tour of the manor. "This is the library the Phantomhives are proud of." Sebastian turned back to smile genially at me, and I walked past him into the room. Secretly, I had a passion for reading. During the exceptional times I was not working, I read. Any book, any time, any place. Not even the Boss knew of my habit. No one did. Because it doesn't matter. Conceal, don't feel….
As I glanced around, I could see why they could have pride in a library like this. Books filled the shelf's neatly, and a delicate chandelier hung above our heads. Despite myself, I could feel my eyes widening. Out of the corner of my eye, I eyed paper, folded into an airplane shape, gliding through the air. "As the head of the Household have always enjoyed reading," My gaze wandered to Sebastian. "we amassed an impressive collection that rivals that of Oxford, and-" The paper airplane hit Sebastian squarely in the forehead. His eye twitched, and I pressed my lips together.
His expression.
Priceless.
This job turns out to be more and more amusing than previously thought.
"Oh, perfect timing! I was getting bored."
An male voice called to Sebastian, doubtlessly the source of the projectile. Yet another man came into view. His hair was vibrant, an oddly colored amethyst, his eyes reminding me of the shade of milk chocolate. Compared to Sebastian's pale skin, he appeared extremely dark skinned. His features seemed to suit him, gave him an foreign appearance. Even stranger, he wore earrings. Long, golden ones. Indian. "Prince Soma, we are in the middle of a lesson." Prince? My, what a surprise. An taller man walked over, one with similar features to the…prince. Is he truly royalty? The taller man's hair was concealed by a turban of some sorts, with ashen tufts peeking out from underneath. His skin was almost the identical shade to the other one, and a small gem hung down upon his forehead. Both men were partially hidden from my sight, due to either Sebastian's height, or my lack of. Possibly both. Not that it mattered. "Agni, everyone needs a break once in a while-" "You do not appear to have been studying." Sebastian interrupted his complaint, and I caught a glimpse of the torn book in the purple-haired man's hands. In the center, a page was clearly torn out, half of it, ripped, still inside. "Today, we have invited an acquaintance of Lady Elizabeth for a tea party and the ball." The taller man, Agni, seemed to finally take notice of me, leaning around the butler to smile in my direction. "Then, is she…"
The violet-haired man glanced over as well, his expression that of a curious child's. Glancing back in my direction, Sebastian introduced the two men. "Milady, these are acquaintances of Young Master, the 26th prince of the Bengal presidency, Prince Soma Asman Kadar, and his butler, Agni." First the American chef, then the Chinese manager, now an Indian prince? Quite an interesting group, Earl Phantomhive…As Sebastian spoke, the pair's gaze never left me, and even stranger, Prince Soma's cheeks turned a vivacious pink, mouth dropping agape ever so slightly. Why was he staring at me in such a fashion? Did a book fall on his head?…Is that, drool? "Namaste-ji." Agni the butler spoke, bowing his head and placing both hands together in what I supposed was a greeting. Although my knowledge of languages was wide, I did not know the exact meaning of his words, but I could easily guess. It also brought me to become aware of the bandage fully covering Agni's left hand that I had not noticed before. "Prince, this is-" "She's so cute.." The Prince murmured, still staring at me. This again? I could feel my cheeks burning unconsciously once more. Damn it…. "Excuse me?" Agni paused in confusion, looking up from his bow to glance towards his Prince.
"I-I'm Soma Asman Kadar." The Prince stammered, moving closer to me, his cheeks turning darker and darker pink. He raised his hand like a young child. "I like you!"….What? "Would you be my attendant?" Attendant? What is this lunatic talking about? He must've actually damaged his brain, or something! Moving back partially, he looked away, glancing at me, then back at the wall. Back and forth, an queer mix of nervous and stubborn. "Or, if you like, m-my spouse…" Spouse?! He kept the same stubbornly embarrassed expression as his butler smiled towards him, raising his own hands in delight. "Prince Soma, you finally, finally found your destined love!" Destined….What?! My face heated up without my consent. Agni's hands shook and balled up, and tears, actual tears, began streaming down his face as he exclaimed. "Your happiness is my happiness! May Kali bless and keep the two of you!"
…?
Prince Soma turned to him, tears now forming in the corner of his eyes, moved by his butler's joy and praise for him. "Agni!" The pair hugged, both sobbing with 'love' and adoration….What…What was with these people?! Lunatics, the both of them! For one of the first times in my life, I had absolutely no clue what to do or say. I stared at the pair instead, incredulous.
"Do not trouble her, you two." At least Sebastian seemed sane.
"If you wish to propose to her, please do so formally later." My eye twitched in spite of myself. The Prince and his servant stopped their crying to look over, and Sebastian clicked shut his pocket watch. He turned to face me, smiling. "It is almost tea time. Why don't we get going, Milady?" I nodded, eager to escape the odd pair.
Sebastian poured the ginger-colored tea into the delicate cup. I watched him quietly as the Earl picks up his own cup to take a sip. "The tea today is Nilgiri, a mix of refreshing scent and intense aroma." The butler proclaimed proudly.
The Earl Phantomhive, Lady Elizabeth, Mr. Lau, and even the Prince Soma and his butler, Agni, had come outside in the Phantomhive garden for tea. It seemed the tour of the manor was complete. I watched the Sebastian's face as he poured, then set the cup down on a small, matching plate in front of me. "Nilgiri, is it? This scent brings back memories." Mr. Lau murmurs, interrupting the peaceful silence at the table. "It means 'blue mountain', correct? This tea is pretty expensive." I glance down at the plate of food facing me just as Sebastian speaks once more, his tone formal, the way it does when explaining something to a guest, to me. It's becoming easier and easier to become distracted from my job….I need to complete my mission soon, when he is alone…
"The snack today is Dundee cake." What an odd name for a food. I thought, glancing down at the small cake on the plate. Then again, what do I know…"The dried fruits were stirred into the dough soaked in rum, and the cake was topped with roasted almonds.""That sounds delicious!" Lady Elizabeth exclaims cheerfully, grinning down at her cake.
As they converse, I slowly picked up the cup in front of me, lifting it to take a sip, but paused, pulling it back somewhat to examine the cup itself. It is a lovely looking cup, I supposed, with pink flowers and a magenta border near the brim. Exceedingly delicate. I guess my silent focus must have brought attention, for Sebastian turned to me. "Do you like that teacup?" I glanced up towards him, unsure of how to respond to his question. "Wait, isn't that…" My gaze turned to Lady Elizabeth, who trailed off, looking surprised in a way I hadn't seen her before. Sebastian's voice cut through my thoughts.
"It is the Viennese Rose."
Lifting the cup higher, I studied the design embroidered onto the side. A light pink rose, along with three small yellow flowers, including tiny green leaves. "The blooming rose pattern on the cup should promote your charm." Pfft. Rich people. "Is it an authentic one?" Lady Elizabeth questioned, her tone curious and eye alight with wonder.
Now all eyes were on the Earl Phantomhive, who replied. "Yes." He held the cup in his own hand with an air of ease, eyes closed as he continued, appearing completely comfortable with the table's full attention trained solely on him. He must be used to it, I suppose. "It is the ceremonial porcelain that Empress Maria Theresa is known to have adored." How does he know such…trivial things about a cup…It doesn't matter, remember? I had to remind myself. I have here to carry out an order, and that's it. Get your head down out of the clouds. I reprimanded myself silently while the Earl bragged. Perhaps this place, these people, are affecting me….Tch, yeah right. They're just a group of servants and nobles; How could they have an affect on me? Still, a part of me doubted. I quickly shoved the uneasy thoughts away. Focus. Don't get emotional or attached.
Once more, Mr. Lau spoke, bringing my attention to his eerily smiling face. "Your collection is as impressive as always, Earl. I cannot even begin to imagine how much it would cost." Hmm, yes that is true. Can he really make such a profit off of toys?…It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter. Focus. Focus. Focu-
My cup tips over as I try to set it down and spills onto my lap, soaking the fabric of my dress. How could I of let my hand slip?! The Prince Soma and Lady Elizabeth gasp simultaneously, and they all stare in surprise. I want to bang my head against the table, but grit my teeth to keep from outbursting. Great, just great! Way to stay focused. My chest feels tight with some emotion I can't explain. "Onee-sama!" Heat burns my legs, but I keep my face void as I stand, letting my eyebrows crease for effect. Tea soaks into the dress and the stained white tablecloth, some pooling in the teacup dish. Calm as ever, Sebastian glances over. "Oh my, a problem." "It would surely become a serious matter if the cup had been cracked." Mr. Lau comments, that eerie smile replaced by a serious expression. I don't like what you're implying. I look down so I won't glare at the sketchy Chinese man. The nerve…
"Sebastian," The Earl looked up towards his butler. "treat her and prepare a clean set of clothes. Bring her the clothes in the dress room." Sebastian seems to hesitate, but still shows no outward signs of surprise or distress. "But Young Master, that dress is-" "I do not mind it." The Earl cut him off, glancing away. After a soft sigh, Sebastian nodded. "Understood."
"Please excuse me, Milady." Excuse him? For wh-
In a smooth movement, he lifted me into his arms, bridal style. What-I ignored the turmoil inside, clearing my mind of everything unnecessary; Nerves, confusion, and an odd feeling in my stomach, like butterflies are fluttering inside. I remain still, and he carries me off, back towards the manor. Focus.