Disclaimer: How I wish I own these wonderful characters.
A/N: Here's the third chapter! It's Young Master's birthday! Hooray!
Chapter III: A Happy Birthday
"Since today is a very special day, Chef Bard prepared a Medieval Departed Creamed Fish and Potato Mint Salad, and a side dish of French toast with ginger for breakfast. I have prepared as well Assam Black Tea for the Masters and Milk Tea for the young lady and the young master," Sebastian said as he began preparing the said tea and setting them one by one in front of each of the family members. "Please enjoy your meal to the fullest."
"Since you already said that today is a special day, why don't you and the others join us in breakfast as well?" Vincent, the head master of the Phantomhive household, asked after taking a sip from his Wedgwood Blue-White tea cap. Rachel instantly agreed to her husband's brilliant proposition. It's been a while since they have done that simple gathering together with the servants.
"It's an honor, Master, but I am afraid I have to decline. Mere servants like us are not fit to sit on the same table with the masters. It will disgrace the name of the family," Sebastian answered as he took a slight bow.
"What nonsense, Sebastian. If I order such a thing to you, you are bound to obey. Isn't that what a servant should do? Even if your role is just my children's simple butler, it won't make any difference." Vincent smiled at the speechless butler on his side. "Now, hurry up and call for Finnian and the others. It's bad to make the food wait." Sebastian bowed for the second time and excused himself.
When he arrived at the kitchen, the other servants were still on their chairs, slacking around. Once they saw the butler coming, all of them started panicking, creating mess all over the room. "Really, what are you guys doing?" Sebastian raised an eyebrow. Dealing with useless co-servants is tougher than dealing with spoiled little masters.
"M-Mr. Sebastian, you surprised us!" it was Meilin, the maid in-charge of the cleaning, shouted from panic.
"It was because you guys are slacking off. You're supposed to be doing your jobs now. Are you done with the linens?" Sebastian asked and after that turned to look at the young gardener named Finnian. "Finny, have you trimmed the garden yet?" Then next to the Chef, Bradroy, who isn't really a chef to the core; all he does is create mess in the kitchen using his flame thrower. All the cooking was actually done by Sebastian. He just doesn't have any choice but to present the meals by the chef's name so that the latter wouldn't be deemed that of a much useless guy. "You should start thinking of what to prepare for lunch now… and oh, please stop blowing down the kitchen. You're lucky the master didn't ask anything regarding all the ruckus you had made." Next was to address the young footman, Snake, whom he had hired just a few months ago. "I understand that you're new here and you don't have that much of an experience, but please do your job the best way that you can. You should be standing by the door now. What if someone pay any of the family members a surprise visit? The name of the family will surely go down in a whim." Then next to the pretty maid beside Bard who happened to be Lady Rachel's favorite maid, "Lotti, aren't you supposed to be in the dining hall assisting her lady with her meal?"
"Oh really, Sebastian, it's too early in the morning yet you already have that scowl on your face. Could you please relax a little?" Charlotte, or better known as Lotti, said with a smirk as she poked the young man on his cheek. "Lady Rachel didn't call for me so it's better to stay in here with them."
Sebastian sighed, turned around, and walked towards the door. "That was just a reminder. Hurry up you all. Go and fixed yourselves. The masters want us to join them for breakfast."
All the other servants stared back at Sebastian, wide eyed. "Whaaaaaaat?" Although shocked and embarrassed, the servants all dined with Vincent and the others. After the meal, they all went back and started doing their respective jobs, which they had accomplished just in time after lunch. Back at the kitchen, Sebastian found them sitting on their chairs with their vibrant faces on.
"There's no time to sit around, people. We have so much work to do for today."
"Eh, we're already done with our jobs," Finny stated.
"Really, have you guys forgotten what today is? It's the young master's birthday, so hurry up and help me prepare. Master Vincent wants this day to be grand. There will be a party this afternoon and their relatives and friends will be attending."
Finnian and the rest beamed from delight upon the mention of the word party. "Is it a children's party? I can't wait for this afternoon! Oh, yes we have to get the young master a present!"
"Now, don't be too excited. It's a children's party, alright, but don't expect it to be the normal one. There are only a few children who will attend since the young master doesn't like to socialize that much with other children," Sebastian further explained and then turned his attention at Lotti. "Ah, that's it… Lady Rachel summons you."
"Geez… say it ahead before your rants next time. You're putting me into trouble." Charlotte strolled out from the kitchen, straight to the couple's chamber. She knocked twice, and upon entering saw her mistress getting ready. "Excuse me, my lady."
"Oh, Lotti! Could you help me with my dress?" Charlotte nodded. After helping Rachel get dressed, she also did her hair and prepared some of the things the lady should need for that day. She stayed for an hour with her until Rachel asked her if she could prepare the children as well since it's only a matter of two hours before the visitors come. She went on with her duty and found Zwei and Ciel in the young lady's room, fast asleep.
"Oh, sleeping at this time of the day? I thought children hate afternoon naps?" Charlotte slowly shook the young lady from her sleep first. It wasn't that hard to wake her since she's a light sleeper; the one whom she found hard to wake up was Ciel who likes to enjoy the comforts of blankets and beds. "Forgive me, darlings, but it's time to wake up." She helped Zwei with her bath and clothes first. The latter is already a teenager, so Charlotte found it too easy when helping her. When she went out from the dressing room with Zwei, who was now wearing a pretty blue balloon gown with intricate trimmings—bows and laces occupying the hems of the bodice, sleeves, and the skirt, and a big white ribbon placed on her collar—she sighed in defeat after seeing Ciel still lying on the bed. The child was too hard to handle. She wondered how Sebastian was able to babysit a brat like him. "Young master, wake up. How will I be able to give you a bath if you're sleeping?"
"B-Bath?" Ciel muttered with his half-opened eyes. "I don't want to take a bath yet."
"Oh no, a special day like this needs a special appearance. Come on." Charlotte picked her little master up. The boy struggled a little and just gave up after Lotti managed to take him inside the bathroom. "I'm going to take your clothes no—"
"Wha—I'll do it! Don't peek!" Charlotte giggled and promised him that she won't look. After taking his clothes off, Ciel immediately hid himself in the bathtub and asked for his butler. He do not mind if it's Sebastian who gives him a bath or helps him with his clothes every day. Normally, he wouldn't react violently, knowing that he is still a child after all and there's nothing to be shameful about. It's just to him, it is indecent to let a girl do the job. Women aren't supposed to see a naked man. One could only do that after marriage, or so that was what his parents' had taught him. But, in his case, he doesn't know. Children do not supposed to mind it and he is a child, thus he had no choice. He is just the type of kid who easily gets embarrassed over trivial things such as that.
"Sebastian is very busy, young master. Come on, you don't have to feel embarrassed. I already saw that anyway," she said, laughing. Ciel blushed furiously and hid his face on his hand as Lotti continued with her task. After that embarrassing act on Ciel's part, Charlotte managed to dress him in a ruffled white shirt with a black vest and a huge ribbon on the collar, black shorts, white socks, and a pair of black-laced boots. "There, you're ready. Go and greet your parents now, you two."
"Happy birthday, Ciel!" went the greeting. The party had already started and a lot of people came to celebrate with the boy. Some of them were friends of his parents so he didn't know a lot from the visitors. He didn't care that much anyway as long as they gave him presents.
Ciel was sitting on his father's lap at that time, when a handsome young man approached the Earl. He has a sparkling blonde hair and a pair of mesmerizing purple eyes, which seemed like jewels that could pull any ladies down on their heels. "It is an honour to be invited here in this fabulous party, Earl, given that it is my first time to talk to you in person. I am really grateful to meet your family."
"I heard that you were also fond of charity events so I had thought of inviting you over," Vincent answered with a smile as he stood up to greet the man properly. "Is the Viscount of Druitt enjoying himself? I would like to apologize for this is just a mere children's party. I'm afraid we only have prepared a few dances for the visitors."
"Oh, fear not, Lord Phantomhive. I am enjoying myself. As you know, I'm good with children. They're like angels sent to us from above. I'm certain yours are like them as well," the Viscount of Druitt, Aleister Chamber, answered with delight.
"I believe so too." Vincent peeked down on his side as he remembered his son who was with him. "Ah, I almost forget. Did my son already greet you?" the Earl asked his son to make an appearance. Ciel did so, shyly.
"Oh, this is him? What a pretty boy! He looks so much like you and Lady Rachel." Aleister complimented, patting Ciel on the head. "I wasn't able to see him a while ago for I was a little late. It's very nice to meet you, uh…"
"… it's Ciel, sir," the boy answered.
"Ah, yes, Ciel… What a lovely name you have there, more like the pretty sky of England and France. Here, take my present. Forgive me if that is all I could give. I couldn't choose what to pick."
"Thank you, sir. It's well-appreciated." Ciel took the small box and bowed slightly at the Viscount. He looked up at his father after, asking if he could go and play. Vincent nodded, letting his son run off towards the other children. The first person whom Ciel approached was his sister, who was standing alone on the balcony. She was somewhat looking at someone whom Ciel couldn't decipher who it was. "Sister!"
Zwei immediately turned to look at her brother when she heard him called. "What are you doing here? You're supposed to be having fun at your party."
"I can't have fun if Echo is not with me."
Zwei blushed from the compliment. She raised her arms and welcomed her brother to an embrace. "Do I really make you happy?"
"Of course! I love you, that's why." Ciel smiled, which his sister offered back. "By the way, sister… who is it you were looking at?"
"Nothing… Just some random blonde-haired boy…"
"Oh." Ciel stared at his sister for a while before he voiced out something very ridiculous for Zwei's point of view. "Have you fallen in love?"
"N-No," was her quick response. She needed to brush off the blush on her face before Ciel could even notice. "He's not someone of importance."
"I won't permit it if you fell in love with another boy. You should just look at me and no one else."
Zwei laughed. She had another switch. "How cute! What are you talking about? You're saying it so wrong, Ciel! We're siblings, you know."
"B-But… s-sister is mine!" It was now Ciel who was blushing so hard.
"I know. But little brats like you are not supposed to say things like that. They're only for people like Mom and Dad."
"Then, you're not allowed to do that too… or stare at people that caught your attention."
"You're talking like an adult. Of course, I'm allowed. I'm already fourteen. Once I turned fifteen, I will be allowed to be seen into society and will surely meet a lot of people. By that time, I am already a lady," Zwei explained. It had been a long time since she talked about things like that. Whenever she's on her other mode, she doesn't care about ladies' stuff and the likes. Ciel pouted from what he heard from his sister. Surely, the thought didn't make him least happy. "But, don't worry… if that happens, you're still my number one, though you'll be second if I include Dad on the list."
"R-Really?" Ciel smiled a little. Hearing those simple words made him at least a little happy. Zwei nodded and hugged her brother once more. "Ah, look sister, the Viscount gave this to me as a present," Ciel mentioned when he remembered the little box he was holding and the reason why he went on looking for his sister in the first place. "Let's open it together." Zwei helped him open the box. The gift contained a plain silver bangle draped with a single blue stone at the centre. Its simplicity was enough to make the children stared at it in admiration. "This is the first time someone gave me a bracelet." Zwei took the accessory and put it on Ciel's right wrist. "It's simple, yet so pretty. It doesn't suit me at all."
"Of course, it does, silly. Its beauty comes out more when you wear it. I think it's best if you won't take it off." Zwei smiled at her brother once more and then gave him a light kiss on the cheek. "That's my other gift to you. It's not something compared to what you received, but I hope you'll remember that. You're the cutest person on earth for me. Happy, happy birthday, my cute little brother… I love you."
Author's Note: I made Charlotte a Phantomhive servant. Don't kill me. She's still a Baskerville here, though a different one. She's not evil or some sort. I'm thinking of pairing Ciel to Zwei. But, nah, maybe not. If I get bored with this, I'll make it happen. Incest alert!
I would like to apologize if there are some mistakes about the descriptions of the dresses. I'm still learning how to properly describe Victorian clothing.
Again, sorry for making Ciel act like that even though he just turned 11 in this chapter. I think of him as just adorable as that! I have a distorted way of looking towards kids. I believe that is how 11-year-old children should act (just from my own point of view, that is). They're still kids no matter how mature they are. xD
Ciel: Ne, are boys allowed to wear bracelets too?
Me: Of course, sweetie. You just have to pick what to wear. The bangle I made you wear is a plain silver bracelet so it's fine. Although, as for your case, everything suits you, dear~
Ciel: *looks at Zwei*
Zwei: Cute.
Ciel: W-What is it, Echo?
Zwei: *POOF* HOW CUTE! *hugs Ciel*
Ciel: Wah!
THAT IS NOTHING. XD
Please, review!