Chapter 4: Sebastian's POV

I closed the door with a firm thud and placed a hand on the oak door. I could hear young Master Vincent pouting. It's the way he was breathing I knew he was not happy to be in the room after he had stolen another cookie from the kitchen when he was supposed to be studying in the library. Even the Master wasn't this obstinate when I was his tutor.

I walked away and heard the Mistress in the garden room and processed to go down the stairs. I smiled as I noted that the servants were keeping up with their duties. I hadn't had to clean up much after I had sternly told them that with young master Vincent coming home, they had to look after his needs as well.

"My Lady," I said as I came into the room. "Young Master Vincent is in his room. I'm afraid he was taking liberties in his studies and relocated himself."

The Mistress sighed and looked at me. "Oh dear! Well, thank you Sebastian. I had hoped he wouldn't spoil his appetite."

I looked at her. "Yes, my Lady, most unfortunate."

Was she not concerned her son, the future heir to the Phantomhive legacy, was skipping his studies? Spoiling one's appetite would be the least of his worries worries when he had to make trade deals and negotiate with foreign speakers. French wasn't a language that merely formed in one's brain and mouth with perfection! I smiled and waited.

"Is he in his room?"

"Yes, my Lady."

"Well," she said standing and smoothing her dress, "I suppose I should go and see if he is done with the day."

She swept past me and I kept my hands to my side. I did wish to sink my claws in her and shake her - how could she spoil him so? But, I was reminded at the joy on my Master's face when the Mistress announced she was pregnant. They had wanted a child, almost expected one soon after they married. So much rested on that one announcement, and even now, eight years later, I still smell the delicious smell of the newborn Soul. A child, so pure, so fresh, so tempting.

"Are you the new statue or are you going to come to my study?"

I turned, breaking my thoughts. "Do forgive me, my Lord. I was reflecting on what should be done with young Master Vincent."

"What should be done? What happened now?"

"He was caught by Baldroy eating cookies," I replied, walking beside him as we crossed the open entry. "He was supposed to be in the Library studying French."

"Ah, French lessons. I remember those. How many times has he had his hands rapped by the ruler for incorrect translations?"

"None for that, my Lord. Rather a few for not doing what I asked."

"Slave driver," the Master muttered. His smirk and the sparkle in his eye told me he was enjoying this very much. "On to more important business, I suppose?" He sat behind his desk and I stood before him, ever ready to take his orders or listen to his thoughts. "It's about Vincent actually. We need help. Since Tanaka's passing and bringing in Vincent back to the home, the staff and Lizzie are overwhelmed. I know you can take care of things, but we must focus."

I nodded slightly. "Your observations are astute as always, my Lord. What course of action shall you recommend?"

"Hire a tutor."

I surveyed him and found nothing but truth in the statement. He has made jokes in passing when Vincent had been placed in suspend leave the first time, but now there was a serious edge to the request. "And where shall I look for a tutor?"

"Bloody hell I know," he said. "Lizzie has heard about a school that has several tutors that are awaiting placement."

"Shall I look there, than?"

The Master smiled and I prepared myself for a snarky answer. "I'd like my son to get a Human education, not a Demon's indoctrination."

"Of course, my Lord," I replied dryly. "Do I assume rightly that the Lady has already plans to look at these awaiting tutors?"

"We have an appointment in two days."

"Very good, my Lord. Shall I fetch you some tea?"

"And maybe a few cookies, if my son hasn't eaten them all."

I sighed. "Yes, my Lord."

I walked down the stairs to the kitchen and found the three servants preparing the next meal. Baldroy was standing by the sink, Mey-Rin was coming in with a pot of peeled potatoes and carrots, while Finnian was moving the cutting table. They were chatting about the weather and if it would remain nice for Tanaka's funeral the next day.

"Oh, Mister Sebastian," Baldroy said as he turned and took the pot from Mey-Rin. "We were talking about the funeral," he paused as Mey-Rin bursted into a loud round of crying. "The Undertaker will have a tent so the Lady and the Master doesn't get wet, should it rain, right?"

"I hope it rains," Finnian muttered. "The sky should cry too."

It was draining to deal with the staff, but with the recent death of Tanaka, the emotions ran higher, were painful to be around when I had a solution to their pain - to feed it to me. Of course the raw emotions that were coming from them now, did give me some ease, but their broken Souls, they dripped with delicious feelings.

"Yes, I assume the Undertaker has it all planned." I looked at them and eyed the table that Finnian had finished moving to the side. "May I ask why you are rearranging the kitchen?"

"It is easier to have a table further from the sink, so we can move and use the table more," Baldroy said. He looked at me and hesitated for a moment. "Did young Master Vincent get a great scolding for being in here, eating cookies?"

I narrowed my gaze and saw the situation at once. "Young Master Vincent has studies to partake in, and I'd thank you to not interfere with them. He has several essays to still do, that would be required, if he is allowed back into Weston. Please, do not detain him from these."

Baldroy turned the appropriate shade of pink, and I saw the deep fear and shame that he had been scheming to help young Master Vincent avoid his very needed studies. I did not like surrounding myself with uneducated Humans. Nor would I wish to be further attached to them. I did see a possible match in young Master Vincent. His devious nature and quick mind for antics that were deemed inappropriate, excited me. My Master at one point had a few bouts of such mischievous events, but had settled quickly into his role and title as Earl of Phantomhive, the last heir, and, at that time, the Queen's Watchdog. The collimation of his steady rise to rule and keep the Underbelly down under his heel, had come about the same time as his son was born, and my Master could finally rest. I did have a glimmer of hope that rest would mean both of us could move to the next part, to us back on the original task. However, still I linger, eight years on.

"I'm so very sorry," Baldroy was saying.

I looked at him and held up a hand, cutting him off mid-sentence. "Are they any cookies, the Master is inquiring."

"Ah, no," Baldroy said, blushing again. "They were fresh and needed to be eaten straight away, the young Master said."

The young Master said - I would sooner take the Soul by force then by permission of the young Phantomhive. "Very well, clear out. I'll make more."

"But Mister Sebastian, there is no flour left," Mey-Rin said, her high pitched voice rising from between sobs.

I glanced down at her and shrugged off my jacket. "Out." I rolled up my sleeves and coolly eyed them as they scurried like rats out of the kitchen. I turned to the table and looked at it. "No flour? That has never stopped me." I did enjoy putting on a grand show for the Humans, but this was not the time to dazzle them, I had my Master to get back to. Tea and cookies sprung before me and I found the silver platter and rose pattern china and placed the contents within the chosen vessels. I could have merely brought them to my Master in the containers I summoned them in, but aesthetics matter. It may not have been noticed by my Master, but the Mistress of the house insisted we use the finest of china for every occasion. I merely did because it pleased me. Sometimes, it truly is the simple pleasures I, even as a Demon, entertain.

The task aside, I passed the pantry and saw the staff huddled around the menu I had prepared for today. They were discussing the best way to prepare the meal and if Tanaka would have enjoyed it, setting Mey-Rin and Finnian back to waterworks. I admit, I did miss the elderly Human. He always took his tea the same, hardly changed his mind, and when he talked, it was with deep wisdom and understanding. If I was not what I was, and he not what he was, I am sure we could have had many long conversations on several topics. I missed having contracts that stimulated me beyond the hunger that I felt. I smiled; I would be slipping into London tonight to take a Soul, or two, for my own need.

"Oh, there were cookies left," my Master said brightly as I placed the tray on the side table. I poured the tea with efficiency and nodded.

"May I offer a suggestion?"

He lifted his head and then his eyes to me, a curious glint zipping through the bright blue orbs.

"I know I don't concern myself with the intimate affairs of the staff, but the passing of Tanaka, it has, it seems, to be affecting them deeply."

"Surely you have seen death and grief," my Master interjected.

I smiled a little. "Yes, I have seen Death and grief, however my suggestion is not about that. It is rather because of that. And perhaps to our previous conversation. My suggestion is to hire a tutor, indeed, but for you to also assist in shaping the young Master Vincent to one day take over the company, and, more importantly, as the King's Watchdog."

His eyes widened. "Oh dear, please, don't suggest that," he placed the cup on the the saucer and stared at me. "He is a child - an eight year old child. I remember attending balls and functions with my parents at that age, not understanding any of it. Being… scared at how the other men would lean down and say I was lucky and would take my father's place one day. I didn't understand it. And then…" he paused and sighed and turned away. I knew the memories of his parents still cut deep even so it was close to 23 years since the tragic fire and his subsequent kidnapping. I smiled; it was almost that same amount of time since our own contract had been formed. The Master shook his head and cleared his throat and turned back to face me. "I will not thrust Vincent onto the Societal scene yet. Besides," he added, getting up and rounding the desk, "his behaviour is atrocious. Imagine me, Earl Phantomhive, coming in with him as he currently is? I would be laughed at as an Earl, not to mention as the King's Watchdog. I can control the Underbelly, but not my own son? Well, do what you wish with that, but I am not pushing him into that spotlight. He should enjoy his childhood, something I never had the chance to do."

I stood still and took in the monologue of my Master. Finally a smile spread over my lips. "Ah yes, I do see your quite sound reasoning. I see your own tutor must have done a good job." I looked at him and took a breath. "But to the other suggestion. The staff needs some time to grieve. They have been working so very hard since Tanaka's death and young master Vincent's return. Perhaps, when you hire a tutor, some time off for them is in order?"

The Master looked at me as he finished signing a paper and handed it to me. "Dear me, is that compassion I hear in your voice?"

I smiled slightly. "A momentarily slip, it shan't happen again, my Lord."

My Master's lips twitched and then turned up a bit more. "I'm going to see my son. Spend some time with him, as was suggested, so eloquently."

I bowed as he passed, sniffing the air as he walked, his Soul so sweet and fragrant with the sudden surge of emotions. It made the meal to come even more tempting. I lifted my head and waved my hand, sending the now finished meal away. I would have to visit the seedy parts of London soon.