Chapter V—His butler, Headache

Victorian Era, Phantomhive manor

Ciel was once again in his home. Currently in his bed, Ciel was laying awake in the deep of the night. It had been seven months since he'd made his contract. He'd been humiliated, tortured and forced to be a participant in unspeakable acts; he still had no idea who could have such hatred for his family that they'd sold him to such despicable vermin.

This led the ten year old noble to think about his new butler. The man, demon actually, was near intolerable. He couldn't cook, or prepare tea, or even assist him in dressing himself properly. Ciel would have taken to dressing himself, since he'd always felt a little uncomfortable allowing another to dress him and so had normally done it himself, but he was far too injured. He could hardly sit let alone bend over to put on his pants, trousers, socks or shoes. His hands were still recovering from the burns and breakages. Thankfully the damned demon knew how to heal, so there wouldn't be any scarring. Still, it was insufferable how incompetent the soul eating git was.

Not to mention the creature had the gall to talk back! It made Ciel fume with anger, and remember all his late father's lessons to restrain his temper.

"Remember, your anger is a weapon, and so you must be able to decide when and where to use it," Ciel murmured into the dark of his bed chambers. Those were the words his father had told him when he'd lost his temper once. Tanaka had been teaching him a game from Japan called Go, and it was much more difficult than chess. When Ciel had lost again, for the fifth time, he'd acted out as a child his age would.

His father had reprimanded him, explaining that he did not have the luxury of behaving as a child. He was a Phantomhive and they had different responsibilities, and his father had no idea when Ciel may have to take his place as Earl. Ciel had been around eight and a half when the incident had occurred.

Was that when I first realised how dangerous Father's duty to the Queen was? The injured boy thought to himself. It must have been, for he remembered his father's sad smile at the shock on his face. "We all die, Ciel, but in our family that tends to happen earlier than we either want or expect."

"...Why can't I..."

The door to his room opened without any sound and the demon he'd named Sebastian came in.

"My Lord? Is everything alright?" the demon asked when he saw the boy still awake in the soft candlelight. "I came to check on you, to make sure you were sleeping peacefully."

"...I cannot seem to sleep tonight," Ciel responded after a moment. He was debating if he should confide in his demonic servant. It felt so beneath him somehow. If the demon were Tanaka instead, Ciel knew he wouldn't hesitate to speak his mind or express his vulnerability. This wasn't Tanaka, he didn't know this demon, and he certainly didn't trust him either. This demon may be his servant, but he was only serving Ciel so he could eat the young Earl's soul. This demon was only loyal to him because he would eventually become a meal. Nothing more, and nothing less.

"Are your wounds giving you discomfort or pain?" asked the tall creature beside his bed. Ciel resisted the urge to sigh, and he struggled to sit up in his massive bed. Sebastian had placed him in the Master suite chambers once they'd moved into this replica of his ancestral home. He knew the demon would not leave until he'd learned what had prevented him from sleep; it was one of the few things the demon did not need instruction in when it came to serving a noble.

"My injuries aren't what are preventing my sleep," Ciel said looking out the massive window rather than looking at his servant. "Merely the thoughts running about in my head are deterring me."

"Do you wish to speak your mind, my Lord? It may help."

Should he accept this demon's offer of listening? Did he dare give such power to this demon? Ciel didn't know, he had not spoken much at all to the being that now served him, except for cutting remarks, sarcastic compliments, and critiques that held nothing but malice. They were perfect strangers; merely a young lord and the demonic servant that would one day eat his soul. Ciel had never let their relationship morph into anything beyond that, which was against his usual kind and friendly nature. This demon may be his servant now, but would eat him after Ciel's desire for revenge had been sated. Ciel did not wish to grow close to the being that would bring his damnation, but the current offer of an ear to use was tempting.

"..." Ciel wanted to speak to Sebastian, the small and frail boy longed to grow closer to his servant. Which was exactly why he refused to. Ciel was afraid, in all honesty. He was afraid of letting this demon inside his head and broken heart. He was afraid if he let the demon in he would forget Sebastian was a demon. He was afraid he'd forget about the contract, and that he would come to care for this creature standing next to his bed. He'd forget Sebastian was a demon, and he would feel betrayed once their business was concluded. He was so terrified of that, and so he kept himself cold and cruel, to protect his heart and his sanity from such an illusion, because he didn't know if he was strong enough to see reality when faced with the illusion Sebastian dressed himself up in.

"Young master?"

The demon's voice brought him out of his thoughts, and yet he was still wallowing in indecision. He continued to stare out the window.

"...In two months' time I will go before Queen Victoria and be recognised as the Earl of Phantomhive. Once that is done, I shall begin my duties as her Watch Dog," Ciel stated. It was a statement Ciel had used in his critiques of Sebastian often.

"Is this what has prevent you from sleeping?" the demon asked although Ciel knew the demon would not be fooled if he said yes.

"Once I begin my duties as the Queen's Dog, I will effectively be placing myself in the path of my parent's killers," Ciel continued as if his demonic servant had not said anything. "I find myself wondering, if I should be feeling something besides the hatred and desire for revenge that burns inside me."

"Does it concern you that you are not grieving for your parents?"

"No, and yet, I feel as if it should. I feel no grief, no sadness, and no anger at their deaths," Ciel found himself admitting. "It was made perfectly clear to me before all this that my parents may very well die in a gruesome manner, and that I myself would probably share that fate as well. Still, they were my parents, and I loved them. So should I not feel anger or grief at their murders?"

"It seems you are too practical for that, my Lord," said the demon. "Grief is for the weak, for those who wish to not accept that death comes to all mortals. Anger comes from feeling that the death of a loved one isn't justified, that it should not have occurred. You were taught to not feel such distracting emotions."

"I—feel that I should miss them. That when I see shadows of my memories in these halls or in the study or parlour, that I should be filled with nostalgia. When I walk into a room and see my parents there, or expect to find them there waiting for me, I feel that I should be sad or experience longing for their presence. Yet, all I feel when such things happen is annoyance."

"You have accepted their deaths and have chosen to get revenge for the mistreatment of yourself, young master. Thus such sentimentality distracts you from your current goals and fills you with annoyance. You have chosen to continue to live, to move on from the past, to see such reminders are a hindrance to you."

"Stop it!" Ciel found himself snarling. He couldn't take it. He heard nothing in response to the outburst and when he turned to look at the demon beside his bed he found the immortal creature blinking in shock.

"Just stop it!" Ciel screamed at him in anger. The demon showed confusion on his beautiful face.

"I do not understand, young master. What have I done?"

"This—this caring facade!" Ciel screamed in frustration. The demon had sounded so gentle and understanding of Ciel's confused emotions. The demon blinked and placed the candelabra he held on the nightstand. A small smile played on his lips.

"Why do you think my concern for you is a facade, young master?"

"You are a demon; I am nothing more than your next meal. You do not need to try and convince me of anything else," Ciel near huffed.

"Why should I need to convince you of anything? You know the terms of the contract, young master, as you have said, you are my future meal. Should I not feel concern for something so important?"

"How can that be so important to you that you would listen to me, care about me?" Ciel said. His eyes had gone wide as Sebastian moved to sit on the edge of his bed. The smile had not grown, but it had become softer as understanding filled the demon.

So this is what he is concerned about, Sebastian thought as he studied the beautiful soul sitting next to him. He is worried of caring about me, of growing close to the monster that will eat him.

"Young master, I do not think you will understand, but I shall try to explain," Sebastian said. "We demons care for the souls we eat as much as you mortals care of finding love and happiness. For souls are our greatest treasures, young master. However, they are fragile, and finicky, very much like you mortals who house them."

"I do not see the point of this," Ciel said and looked away. The demon had been staring at his with those expressive mocha eyes that gleamed red in the light of the candles. He could not look at those eyes.

"Young master," Sebastian murmured and gently cupped the child's face in his gloved hand and turned the boy's face to his once again.

"Do not touch me," Ciel commanded slapping the hand away from him. He did not turn away his face however.

"Souls need constant care, to be nurtured and protected. This is what makes an excellent soul," Sebastian said as he shifted closer to the beautiful, broken child before him. "That is what makes an excellent soul, and the better the soul the more delicious the meal. So you see, I do care for you, young master. As my care, and the actions that stem from it, will make your soul more delicious a meal."

"That means you care for my soul, not for me," Ciel said as a blush came to his face. The demon's own was close to his, and he could feel the demon's warm breath on his cheeks.

"That is where you are wrong, young master," said the demon as he leaned closer.

"How so?" Ciel breathed. Sebastian's face was mere inches from his own.

"For you are your soul, young master. So when I say I wish to devour your soul, to make your soul as delicious a meal as possible; what I mean is that I wish to devour you, and to ensure you are the most delicious thing to eat," Sebastian whispered against his young master's soft lips. The murmur could have almost been a kiss. Then the demon was straightening himself up, getting off the bed and picking up the candelabra.

"Now," said Sebastian. "You must sleep young master, or you will not heal quickly. I bid you good night."

He left the room, and a blushing Ciel, on silent feet.

Modern day, Phantomhive Manor

Ciel woke up to the curtains being drawn back, as he did every morning.

"Good morning, young master," Sebastian said as he moved to steep the morning tea. "I hope your headache has left you during the evening."

"It did, although I believe I shall be getting chronic headaches throughout the day," Ciel said as he sat up. When had their relationship changed? Perhaps it would be more accurate of him to wonder how many times their relationship had changed. The first time had been two months before he'd taken up his duties as the Guard dog. The relationship had changed from strangers who griped at each other to a master and servant, over the next year they had moved from that to a master and servant who were comfortable around each other. From there they became a master who could confide in his servant and relied upon the servant for anything. It had changed again once Ciel had become a demon; they had become friends as well as master and servant. Ciel could feel they were on the verge of changing again. He did not know to what, though.

"That is unfortunate, young master, although I fear you may be right," said Sebastian as he poured out the tea. "This morning we have a wolfsbane tea with breakfast consisting of grilled Grindelow on a bed of steamed asphodel leaves and sided with manticore blood soaked morning scones."

"I see, and the morning schedule?" Ciel asked as he drank his first cup of the day. Serving the first cup to him in bed had become a habit of Sebastian, from when they had first come to better understand each other. Now it was second nature to them both. Sebastian moved about as Ciel drank his tea.

"This morning you are to dine with the Malfoy family and the Order at half past seven," Sebastian began as he laid out the young master's clothes. "At half past eight this morning you have a meeting with Mr Banks from the Phuntom Company; which will move into a survey and review of the current prototypes, which will last until around ten. There will be morning tea at ten sharp with the Malfoys, and then you have your meeting with Mr Grey from the Unspeakables at eleven. At noon you will lunch with the Order and at one this afternoon you have your violin practice until your fencing practice at half past two. From four until seven in the evening you have free time to spend you will. At seven sharp you have supper with both the Order and the Malfoys. At around half past eight you have your meeting with the Order."

"I see..." Ciel muttered as he placed his empty cup aside and Sebastian moved to take off his night shirt. "Tell me of the Order's schedule."

"There is little to tell, my Lord," Sebastian said as he moved to button the crisp black shirt. "They are to dine with you at breakfast, which the maids are waking them up for. Then they are to be given a tour by myself whilst you attend your meetings. From the end of the tour until lunch they are free to roam as they see fit, so long as they roam in approved of areas. From one until supper they are all free to do as they wish, so long as it doesn't disturb you, and after dinner the children are to spend their time until curfew in their rooms, or the library or billiards room. Lessons will begin tomorrow," Sebastian said. Ciel allowed himself to sigh as his servant finished with fastening his crème vest and placed his buckled shoes on.

"Well, I suppose it will be too much to hope for that they behave themselves," said Ciel as Sebastian tied a thick linen ribbon around his neck that matched his vest. A soft green pea coat was put on next, one that matched his shorts, and it was buttoned up.

"We shall see, young master," Sebastian said as he straightened from where he knelt. The demon checked his time piece before opening the door for Ciel. The two entered the dining room as the Malfoys came in. Lucius bowed to Ciel who waved him off.

"No need for that, Lucius, we've known each other long enough to ignore such formality. Lady Narcissa, you look lovely this morning," Ciel said as he kissed the back of her hand in greeting. Narcissa wore a soft blue dress that swept the floor. Her hair was wrapped into an elegant up-do and her makeup was fresh and minimal. She smiled at him.

"Please call me Narcissa, Ciel," she said. Ciel led her to her seat and pulled out her chair for her. She gave him a gracious smile.

"It is a pity that you do not have a fiancée," she told him as the Order entered the room. Sirius bowed, which was mimicked by Remus and the twins. Ciel gave a large smile.

"You all have no need for such formality, and please call me Ciel. We shall be working together after all," Ciel said as he took his place at the head of the table. As Earl he technically didn't need to assist any of the ladies with their seats, however he enjoyed Narcissa and so he helped her. To be honest, he hated how Lady Potter wore so much red. Only his late aunt could get away with wearing so much of the colour.

"Thank you for such kindness, Ciel," Sirius said as he and Remus sat across from Lucius and Narcissa. The twins sat across from Draco.

"No need, to be honest I find such formalities unnecessary while with guests," Ciel said as Sebastian served him and the maids served everyone else.

"Is your headache gone, Ciel?" Remus asked. He felt uncomfortable around the boy and his butler. He'd told Sirius that the two didn't smell human, and Sirius had told him not to say a word about it.

"Yes, thank you for inquiring," Ciel said as he ate his breakfast. The young demon had been wondering if the werewolf smelt that he and Sebastian were demons. He'd ask Sebastian later.

"What was Mrs Malfoy saying about fiancées?" Dumbledore asked. Ciel stopped his brow from furrowing.

"Lady Narcissa was merely commenting on my lack of a fiancée," Ciel said as he buttered one of his scones with butter made from Threstral's milk.

"Do many purebloods have fiancées at our age?" Hermione asked. She was curious and wanted to repair the damage she'd done the previous evening.

"That depends upon how old the family is, and whether they follow tradition," Ciel said before eating a piece of the warm scone. The manticore blood could still be tasted from the biscuit dough, and Ciel was glad for his habit of closing his eyes as he ate, or his guests would have seen his visible eye flash red.

"Usually pureblood or old mixed-blood families will arrange a marriage for any daughters and the eldest son," Draco told the muggleborn. "Preferences are usually considered unless they are inappropriate, and are generally made during the schooling years."

"Not everyone does though?" Hermione asked.

"No, miss Granger, many families refuse, going against tradition and marrying whom they please," Lucius said as he eyed the Potters. Ciel smirked at his tone.

"So, then, I take it Draco has a fiancée?" Hermione asked as Ron, Ginny and Charlie snorted.

"Yes, he does, she is from a South Korean family of good standing and old lineage," Lucius continued.

"How old?" Hermione asked. "I don't mean to pry but my parents took me to South Korea for holiday once and I remember they have quite a fascinating history."

"The family has been around since the kingdom of Silla," Narcissa said. "However, the family did not rise to prominence until the Goryeo period."

"The family is old," Hermione said in shock. "Sorry, I just didn't realise that arranged marriages occurred internationally in our world."

"They occur when too much intermarrying occurs amongst the families," Ciel said having moved on to his Grindelow. "Usually the heads of the families involved will meet at an ICW conference or through business. From there it occurs through the usual means."

"I see, have you met her, Draco?" Hermione asked. She saw a look of shock cross the blonde's face and thought she'd done something wrong again. Then amusement flickered across his eyes and she realised he just hadn't expected her to be so interested.

"Yes, I have met my fiancée several times. Nearly all arranged marriages have the bride and groom meet and get aquainted so that they aren't marrying a stranger," Draco said.

"Do you not have an interest in getting married?" James asked. "I'd have thought, coming from the family that you do, you'd have a fiancée at this point."

Ciel set his cup down before he'd even drunk it. He still remembered Lizzy as if he'd seen her yesterday. He had loved the bubbly girl in his own way, and she had desperately loved him. Had he been in love with her? No, he hadn't, but he had cared for her, and her death at sixteen had been tragic. She'd died from Typhoid, and he had mourned with her family.

"I did once, our families had a long standing agreement, and Elizabeth and I got on well," Ciel said before picking his cup back up.

"Did she leave you for someone taller?" Charlie asked in a mocking tone. Ciel decided enough was enough; he may not have been in love with Lizzy but he'd be damned if the little shit sitting down the table would mock her ghost. He set the cup back down with such force that the hot tea sloshed onto the cream tablecloth and the china cup cracked.

"She died, child, of a horribly painful and wasting illness," Ciel snapped standing up so quickly that his chair would have fallen backwards had Sebastian not grabbed it. "Lord Potter, teach your brat of an heir some manners."

There was silence as Ciel left the dining room. The young demon made it to his office before Sebastian caught up with him.

"Should I cancel the—"

"No, I—I will keep my schedule, but I want the brat to stay out of my way," Ciel said as he sat down at his desk. His head was pounding, and he knew this was not going to be easy.