Days grew closer to Elizabeth's birthday. Though she had been sick and couldn't come by, Ciel knew that on this special occasion, she would pop up and light up the entire manor. He couldn't help to wonder if the necklace was enough. Not as if it wasn't good enough, it was what his demonic butler, Sebastian, had told him days before. "Lady Elizabeth just wants you to be happy. I'm sure that the fact that you went out of your way to pick something just for her, will delight her beyond belief." Was this true or was he just making noise? Did she just truly want him to be happy? He considered every possible gift she would ever want, and tried to pick something that would be…just perfect.
Soon after awaking, in walked Sebastian, intending to wake him. "Oh… you're awake, young master," he spoke, rolling in the morning tea. "I couldn't sleep," he said. "Was something bothering you?" his butler asked, walking to the window and pulling back the curtains. "No… it was nothing." He swung his legs from under the covers. "I just couldn't sleep." Sebastian smirked, walking toward the young master. Why did he lie to him? He had been by his side for three years; he knew when something was on the master's mind. He slowly began to remove the young lord's undergarments and replace them with his wardrobe of the day. "For the morning tea," he started, "I have prepared a breakfast crepe, filled with apples, blueberries and a small honey drizzle and a ginger tea." The young one sipped his tea while his socks were changed. "What is my schedule?" he asked. "Well, the veterinarian is coming to inspect the horses, the director of the Funtom company in Eastern Europe is coming with samples of the new toys, Ms. Bryant spoke that she wouldn't be able to make this evening's lesson, so I assume you shall be working with me on your violin skills again." "Is that all?" Ciel asked. Sebastian tied his shoes and stuck his hand in his jacket pocket. "And… there was this…" He pulled out an envelope, with the presence of her majesty the Queen all over it. He carefully opened his letter, hopping off the bed and continuing to the study. "People are starting to turn up dead…" he spoke aloud as his butler followed him. "My lord, shouldn't you have breakfast in the dining area?" he asked. "Bring it to me, I shall eat it here," he answered while continuing into his study.
The butler did as asked and headed downstairs to the dining area. He pictured how focused his master was on the job that was just put in front of him. How determined, as the Queen's guard dog, to do what she pleased at her every call. Though he knew he would be there to protect the young lord, he smelled the scent of certain disaster the moment the Earl's letter arrived. The Earl continued reading as his breakfast was presented to him. "Nikola Tesla?" Ciel spoke. "He is an inventor, my lord," Sebastian stated, "There is said that he has come here to the inventor's convention this weekend. Every inventor from the world is coming there to display their works and hope for a patent." Ciel took a bite of his breakfast, reading over the letter once again which now laid on his desk. "Her majesty would like me to get close to him and see where is in involved with these deaths," he spoke, "It says here he is the last to see any of them alive." Sebastian stared at the young Earl as he sipped his tea. Ciel got up from his chair and walked over to the corner. "An invitation would be so much easier to obtain is Madame Red were here," he mumbles as he approaches the window. Here, he watches the Phantomhive servants assist Finny in the removal of a bee hive. "Do you regret what happened that night, my lord?" "No!" He made a shape turn toward his butler. "Yes, she was my aunt, but she was also a criminal. And as my service to the Queen, had to be stopped." He often has nightmares about that rainy night, though he tried his best to suppress them. Mostly, he failed, which allows these terrors to be added of the reminder to his relatives' terrible endings. "So, my lord," Sebastian spoke to his master, "What are your orders?" Ciel took in a deep breath. "Find anyone who knows anything about Nikola Tesla. What he is looking for here, when these disappearances started, and who he is with." "Yes, my lord." Sebastian bowed his head and proceed out of the door. "And one more thing, Sebastian…" he called out, "See to it that we are present to this convention." "Of course." The demonic butler continues out of the door and heads on his way.
The day passes with the scheduled events coming and going. Ciel, finally finished the week's paperwork, decides to take a walk through his garden. Usually, he stays inside for the fear that They will come and capture him. Yet today, he felt as if a little fresh air was needed. He paced back and forth, rubbing his fingertips on his white roses. The day had seemed peaceful and full of inactivity. From the dining area window, the servants watched him. "I've never seen the young master so full of thought," MeyRin stated. "Niether have I," Finny added, "Something important must be on his mind. Maybe it is his parents again." He truly had no idea what he would present Elizabeth for her birthday. "Is the necklace enough?" he thought repeatedly, "Will she like it? I have to do something to go with her present. It isn't normal for her to have just one gift. Yes, she shall many others but what shall she have from me?" As he pestered these thoughts, his butler returned. "I have completed my task, young master," he spoke, as Ciel turned around, "Not many know of Tesla or his invention. He is from America and has yet to be discovered. That explains him being here." They started back into the manor and continued their conversation in the study.
"So, they were coming to help with the invention?" Ciel asked. "Yes," Sebastian answered, "The victims' families are all saying they were going to meet him to assist with the finalization of his plans." Ciel became puzzled. "Then, it must be Tesla doing it himself," he deduced, "With him being the last to have seen them, he could have murdered them while he was here and keep the credit all to himself if he were to be patented." "If it were that simple, my lord," Sebastian commented, "I truly believe her majesty may have entrusted this case into the officers of Scotland Yard for once." Ciel smirked. "You're right." He leaned back in his chair and began to rock a little. Sebastian's palms began to sweat through his gloves as he noticed the exposure of Ciel's pulsing neck. He had longed for this urge to be released but he didn't know the right time. Doing it anytime soon would cause even more confusion than what to get for a birthday present. Sebastian excused himself, but was soon called back before he reached the door. "Sebastian…" The sound of his name made his spine shudder. The soft tone of his master's voice, the demand of his presence; the urge became worse. He had to get out. "Yes, my lord," he spoke, turning back toward him. "Where's the invitation?" he asked. "Why, my lord," he said while displaying a smirk, "The Queen herself sent you an invitation. I have it here in my jacket." He reached inside to reveal yet another envelope by her majesty. After handing it in, he walked out of the study and loosened his tie. "Why can't I control this…?" He could no longer help himself. He needed something, anything, to set him back the way he was. He was paying attention to too many details about the young master, he needed a distraction.
Two days had passed, with the inventors convention approaching. The young Earl had invited Nikola Tesla over for dinner, to discuss the details of the convention. "You are so young," Tesla commented from the other side of the dining table. Ciel eyes enflamed with the mention of his age, yet he held his composure. "In this country, you come into power when it is given, not when you become of age." Nikola smiled. "So smart," he added, "I admire that. So Earl, what brings the sudden invitation to dinner?" Sebastian had just been putting the finishing touches on dinner in the kitchen. "I have heard rumors," Ciel fibbed, "That you will do great things in the near future. I also will be attending the invention convention, to represent my Funtom toy factory. I wanted to know if maybe you were in need of a partner." Tesla sipped his wine. Ciel intended to draw out his plans, thinking that he could link him to the murders, yet what came next was not expected. "I will not be presenting at the convention," Nikola announced. Ciel's eyes widened as he looked at the young inventor. "What do you mean?" he asked, "You plan to attend a convention, without the intension of presenting. Why is that?" He took a deep breath. Before he could give his reason, dinner was presented. "My lords," Sebastian spoke, after laying dinner in front of them, "For tonight's dinner, we have a well prepared vegetable soup with carrots, potatoes and cabbage freshly grown from the Phantomhive garden. For dessert, we have a Lemon Meringue Pie." As the butler departed, dinner had begun. Soon after beginning to eat, Ciel insisted on the continuation of his guest's story. "As you were saying, Mr. Tesla…" "Oh yes, of course." He wiped off the corner of his mouth and sipped his wine. After clearing his throat and mouth of food, he continued. "I had once been here before this occasion and had met a group of six people who had wanted to take part in my project. Though things had been complicated at first, we had decided that we would come here to Europe and see what was in front of us, only bringing with me the prototype. We don't believe our invention is worthy yet."
The dinner went on, and soon after completion, came dessert. They stayed in the dining area, as Ciel wanted Sebastian to be near him as he told his story. "I used to work for a man named Thomas Edison in New Jersey. A few years ago, I challenged his way of thinking and he kicked me out of his lab. Since then, I have tried my best to over shadow the scientist. Yet, when I come here, my crew disappears and one by one, end up dead." Ciel stops eating his dessert, as he finally believes the important part has been put into light. "They were all my friends. I believe that Edison is behind this. But he is a respected public figure, how can I prove that he had something to do with trying to steal my prototype?" Ciel finished his dessert and wiped his mouth. "I'm sure that in due time, this Edison will be investigated."
Dinner soon concluded, and Nikola was sent on his way. "Sebastian…" the young one called out to his butler, "See to it that this, Thomas Edison, is investigated as well. I want to know what's going on between the two of them and if he is involved." "Yes, young master." As always, he helped his young lord into bed and blew out the candle as he left. This night, no questions about his past were asked or mentioned. It had almost seemed as if the previous answer he was given shut off any other desires of wanting to know. Instead of his room, Sebastian headed outside. He strolled around looking for his late night companion. "There you are…" In an instant, the demon had picked up a cat, with fur the color of coal and as smooth as silk. "Shall you walk with me on this night?" he asked the creature he held in his arms, not expecting to get an answer. The cat snuggled into the corner of Sebastian's arm, and stayed as they walked around the estate.
