HIS BUTLER, A GOURMAND.
"Checkmate," you say in a bored tone.
This time, I didn't even have to let you win. I played very badly because I just couldn't concentrate on the game. Your last order still echoes in my head and leaves me perplexed.
"Do not enter the kitchen this afternoon, Sebastian."
That sounds so strange... What do you hide from me? I've been itching to ask you, but I just can't do that. That would be impious and unworthy of the butler of Phantomhive household.
"That game bored me to death," you tell me disdainfully, bringing me back to reality. "Come with me, Sebastian."
I follow you to the drawing room, where you invite me to take a seat in front of you.
"You probably wonder why I've been so mysterious this afternoon, don't you? Well, that's because I've decided today would be your birthday."
My... birthday? There you go again, then!
It all started last Friday, as I was clearing the table after dinner. Once again, you had barely touched your dish. No wonder you are so slim.
"Sebastian!"
"Yes, my Lord?"
"When is your birthday?"
Your question took me by surprise.
"Devils don't have birthdays," I replied, slightly amused.
You raised an eyebrow.
"You mean you don't know when you were born?"
"No, Devils just appear… "
"Appear?" You repeated, slowly.
"Yes, we can appear in different forms. Animals, humans, fire… But we don't really know where we are from, how long we will live… We don't grow up nor grow old… We just exist…"
"That means you don't even know how old you are?"
I was starting to be a little annoyed by your questions but I tried my best to hide it and I gave you a polite smile.
"No, I don't know… I've been there for so long… Several centuries ago… Maybe more… And I've travelled a lot… I remember the construction of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Joan of Arc being burnt at the stake in France, Christopher Columbus reaching the Americas, the Great Fire of London …"
I stopped short and looked at you. You seemed to be lost in thought for a short instant and then turned back to me, a cold look on your face.
"No name. No origins. No date of birth. All you do is wander endlessly on Earth in search of some decent human souls to eat now and then. Such a pathetic and meaningless existence…"
I opened my mouth to reply, but thought better of it. I got used to your scathing remarks a long time ago. That doesn't mean they don't hurt me, because they do affect me sometimes, especially when they are so full of truth like this one. But I have learnt to ignore them. You actually are the only person who can boast about being able to upset me.
Days have passed and you didn't talk about it anymore. Until today.
"Sebastian?"
I come out of my torpor.
"Are you alright?" You ask with a concerned look on your face.
I nod and smile at you. Your features relax.
"Fine. Come in!" You exclaim.
The door opens and Finny appears, holding a huge chocolate cake on a silver tray. I now understand why you had forbidden me to enter the kitchen. Finny grins, takes a step in and… trips on his shoelaces. Within a second, I jump, get back the knife between my teeth and catch the tray in mid-air. The cake falls back on it. Perfect timing!
Bard and Maylene let out a sigh of relief.
"Oh oh oh," Tanaka says, sipping at his tea.
"I… I'm sorry, Young Master… I…" Finny mutters as he gets back on his feet.
You roll your eyes in exasperation.
"Shut up!" You yell at him. "Maylene, the candles!"
"Right away, Young Master!"
In her haste, she drops a match and accidentally sets fire to her apron.
I immediately extinguish the small flames with a glass of water as she keeps on shrilling, panicked-stricken.
"Band of incompetents! Get out, all of you!" You scream, slamming your fist on the table.
Your body shakes with anger and your ears turn red.
"But the cake is supposed to be flambé with Grand-Marnier!" Bard protests.
"Enough! Just leave us alone! You've done enough damage for today!"
Maylene and Finny are on the verge of tears and I almost feel pity for them.
They all leave the room, slamming the door behind them. You close your eyes and place both your hands on the bridge of your nose, letting out a long sigh.
"I'll light the…"
"No!" You cut me off. "Stay where you are, I'll do it!"
"But…"
"Sebastian!"
I give up and sit down again.
"Yes, my Lord."
I watch you light the candles, one by one. There are twenty-five of them, so I guess this is the age you give me. To my current appearance, at least. There's something graceful, almost erotic about the way you strike the matches and light the candles. I just can't tear my gaze away from you.
You then close the curtains, plunging the room into semi-darkness and you now stand behind the cake. The soft gleam of candles plays beautifully on your face. I will never cease to be amazed at how handsome you are. Inside and outside. And that reminds me once again why I've been longing for your soul.
You suddenly look impatient and it startles me out of my reverie.
"Well, go on, Sebastian! Make a wish and blow out the candles!"
I had completely forgotten about that stupid human tradition. Make a wish… That is utterly ridiculous. Especially for a Devil. But you stare at me with eloquent eyes which manage to pierce my dark heart, and I can definitely not disappoint you. Anyway, I am obliged to obey… The contract…
I smile and close my eyes. A wish? Rubbish. But if that's so important to you, then I wish that our contract doesn't come to an end too soon, because even if I want your soul badly, I have to admit I will miss you when you're gone.
I take a deep breath and blow out the candles. Your mouth curls into a satisfied smile. You take the knife, cut a slice of cake, and place it on a plate in front of me. You then cut a slice for yourself and sit down.
"What on Earth are you waiting for?" You ask after a short moment.
I gulp. I don't know what to say. I don't want to hurt you. To disappoint you. Not after all you have done for me. Fortunately enough, you answer your own question.
"Don't tell me you've never eaten anything but souls in your whole existence?"
I remain silent. You place your spoon back on the table, and let out a long sigh again.
"Don't worry, I will eat it, Young Master," I say, forcing a smile to my lips.
"Nah, forget about that. I should have thought about it before…," you grumble.
But it is too late. I have already shoved a huge piece of cake into my mouth. Maybe a little too huge…
At first it feels strange. I don't really know how to chew. Such a simple gesture for you, but such an unusual one for me. I finally decide to let the chocolate melt in my mouth and I am utterly surprised. Sweet but powerful flavours are enveloping my tongue, warming my whole body. I have never experienced such a thing before. Eyes wide shut, I fully enjoy this moment of bliss. I swallow and open my eyes only to see you staring at me, a stern look on your face. I smile.
"That is absolutely delicious, my Lord."
I thought you would be delighted, but you frown and stand up. I watch you walk toward me with a hint of apprehension. Have I done or said something wrong? Have I disappointed you?
"You still have a lot to learn, Sebastian!" You snap at me, although you seem more amused than annoyed, "You look a mess!"
You grab the napkin from my lap and cup my chin with your other hand. Then, delicately, you wipe my mouth, an intense concentrated look on your face. My heart stops beating.
"There...That's better," you whisper, looking up at me.
For a brief instant, we look at each other straight in the eye. Our lips are nearly touching and your breath quickens. You then look away, a faint flush on your cheeks.
"Happy birthday, Sebastian," you mumble.
I let out a breath I hadn't been aware I was holding. I had never imagined chocolate could bring such happiness. I want to tell the whole world I love chocolate. I want to devour mountains of chocolate truffles, clouds of chocolate mousse, castles of chocolate éclairs… as long as it makes you wipe my mouth again. I think I have become… a greedy butler…
Thanks for reading and thank you for your encouraging reviews too! :)
Published on october.11 2010