CE: 17

A/N: Hello guys! I dumped a lot on you in the last chapter, but I think it worked out alright. ^-^

SubMe: I've been told to either shut up for this part or do the disclaimers.

Disclaimer: She doesn't own…nor do I. Damn.

Warning: I do not believe that there will be anything that would require a warning.

FUNFACT!: Yana Toboso supposedly suggested Black Butler as a yaoi to the producers originally, but they convinced her not to. So she supposedly added huge hints to the fact that there was boys' love in there. And if you love Black Butler (I'm sorry for asking that…) watch this: ?op=view&v=

Chapter 17: To Her Majesty

To Her Majesty Queen Victoria,

I would like to inform you that in our possession is the publisher of the very newspaper you had ordered me to find the true intentions of, though he refuses to release any closed information at this present time-

Ciel growled and crumpled up that paper as well before throwing it to the floor. His blue hair was scuffed up enough as it was without the fact that he was clenching his head in frustration every few moments as he sat uncomfortably in his office chair.

There were many things that caused the young earl's distress at the moment: One being that the sun was irritatingly bright as it poured through his windows, making the dark room bask in its heated golden glow. Second being that it had been terribly long since he had received the order to investigate the Choppy Enquirer, and he was frightfully aware that her highness must be expecting something to come out of this soon. He looked at the calendar that Sebastian had provided him with on his desk, already littered with multiple failed attempts at creating a sufficient clause to his investigation. The third reason being the way his morning had started.

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[earlier that very morning]

Ciel stretched his arms above his head, surprised to find himself awake earlier than usual. His eyes widened as he felt a shift on his waist. He looked down in shock to find Kurt lying gingerly on his chest with his arms wrapped comfortably around one of his many pillows. He sighed and rubbed his temples with his finger tips to try and gain some relief for the pressure slowly building inside his head. The boy on top of him moved again, his large brown curls shifting against Ciel's skin, allowing him to notice how soft they were despite the boy's tendencies to be rather wild.

Ciel carefully pulled out from underneath his new subordinate, unsure as to why he allowed Kurt to come into his bed with him in the first place, or why he was still here, or why he was staring at the boy as he slowly stepped onto the carpet with great care not to let Kurt wake up. The Phantomhive sighed and fixed his hair before turning towards the door.

"Sebast-"He cut himself off as he realized how the situation must seem like.

His butler would probably take this advantage to torment Ciel through the relentless teasing that his demon knew he hated with a passion. He could imagine the crimson eyes brightened with amusement and a Cheshire smile plastering his face, making the young earl feel as if he'd been slapped. He wouldn't allow that to happen, though he was sure Sebastian was already aware of the fact that his master had risen because of the knocking on his door that jolted Ciel from his thoughtful state.

"Young Master, may I come in?"

Ciel thought it over for a moment, trying to decide the best course of action within a matter of a few seconds. He only managed to blurt out an insufficient order.

"No, you may not. I'd prefer to have my morning tea in the parlor."Ciel stated lowly, in a hushed tone.

"Master, I'm afraid I am not sure how one of those statements corresponds with the other…"Sebastian replied with feigned concern, "Surely you would like to atleast get dressed before going to work-"

"I can dress myself, I'm not a fool, bring my meal to the parlor Sebastian, that's an order."Ciel stated with a blush on his face for no one to see.

He moved over to his closet and opened it, paling as he found multiple different shirts hanging unbuttoned and complicated straps corresponding with different shorts, socks bundled up in a bizarre manner that he hated to admit confused him, and ruffled clothing further back that as far as he could see was pink, he didn't want to remember what that was. He tried to see further back, but found that it was far too dark for him to see. Sebastian probably knew this, because the butler had a slight skip in his step as he left, as far as Ciel could hear. He scoffed.

It's just a simple wardrobe for myself, what Phantomhive wouldn't know how to dress himself, especially at my age, I'm being foolish, Ciel thought.

He first pulled out an innocent looking blouse and turned it around to see the front. He gulped at the multitude of buttons. Ten…fifteen…twenty…seriously? He was going to have enough trouble putting it on! He clicked his tongue and decided if he was going to try this, he might as well do it now. He slipped his arm in one sleeve and held his arm out on the other side to try and get the other sleeve over it, when it wouldn't stretch far enough he bent his arm and found it extremely effective. He smirked triumphantly as he slipped on his shorts and put his arms through the straps just as he had the shirt before taking the jacket and doing the same. It felt slightly right. He looked behind him and saw Kurt's still sleeping form before jolting as a gentler knocking sounded.

"Yes?"Ciel asked.

He was surprised to hear Felix on the other side, he groaned at the obvious worry in his tone and Ciel had the sudden urge to slap himself. It was inevitable for Kurt's guardian to come searching for him since he wasn't in his room.

"Master Ciel, I hate to disturb you, but my young master is not in his room…I was curious to know if perhaps you knew-?"

"Enter."

"Yes master."Felix stated and opened the door eagerly, immediately looking for Kurt.

He blinked in shock to find his charge curled up on the master bed like a cat bathing in the sunlight, his brown hair was ruffled and curled with the white nightshirt Felix gave him bunched up near his thighs. He sighed in relief, though he was confused as to why Kurt had decided to have a friendly sleep over with the Queen's Watchdog. He smiled normally and tucked a loose strand of hair behind one ear and looked towards Ciel.

The sight was something that he knew that Sebastian would die to see and that he would never forget.

Ciel's blouse was inside out, its seams protruding out from his pale skin like ridges of a mountain. Not only that but it was obviously backwards, the collar seemingly choking the young earl as the wings remained open and fell behind his back as it flowed in the front. It slipped off his shoulders as if it were a size too large, along with a bright red ribbon that was terribly tied into a confusing knot. On top of that was a dull gray jacket that Ciel had gotten on mostly correct, despite the fact that the straps and covering fanned out away from the waist. His eyes turned to the shorts and he tried not to laugh at the way they simply hung off of his bony hips like a frumpy green skirt because they too were backwards and unbuttoned. The young earl had attempted to put on the socks and shoes correctly, however the socks were lumped at his ankles and the shoes were dangerously untied and maybe even on the wrong foot. Felix coughed to keep himself from laughing hysterically.

"Y-Young master, forgive me for saying this, but I cannot allow you to leave this room dressed in such a way or I could be fired as a result…"

"What rubbish are you talking about? I find this dress suitable as it is what Sebastian would usually suffice me with."Ciel huffed and Felix gestured to the mirror.

Ciel looked at the reflection and blanched at the monstrosity that he had created himself. Even his eye patch was tied incorrectly. He spluttered and Felix blinked towards Kurt's frame as he allowed the young earl to have his moment of speechlessness before having a well thought out fit of words.

Kurt was seemingly beginning to wake up and Felix pulled out the bundle of clothes that he had carried with him during his search, afterall, a butler wakes up with the intent to dress his master accordingly and the wardrobe hadn't been moved to his charges new room from the guest room upstairs, he noted to complete that task before nightfall.

He smiled and placed a gentle hand on Kurt's shoulder, shaking him gingerly as Ciel remained frozen with his mouth agape, his skin slightly blue. Felix sweat dropped and wondered how long the Phantomhive would remain in his state of shock.

"Master Kurt, it is time for you to wake up now."Felix chuckled as Kurt yawned, waking up slowly from his unconsciousness.

"F-Felix, not a word about this to anyone…"Ciel finally managed to say, "Especially Sebastian…"

"I was under the impression that your butler already knew…"Felix stated, knowing that the demon was probably down stairs in the kitchen or in the parlor with an amused grin or perhaps even a rare bout of sadistic laughter. He shivered.

"Your impression is incorrect, now surely you can fix this terrible excuse of an outfit."Ciel stated snappily.

Kurt groaned as he sat up before grinning, "I thought it was just a dream but you really did try to dress yourself like an imbecile!"

Ciel growled, "You're the one who waltz in here at three in the evening and took up occupation beneath my sheets."

"Because you practically ordered me to! Stop being foolish…"Kurt huffed and Ciel mumbled something incoherent as Felix sighed.

"Come now young masters, let us be cordial."Felix stated chidingly as he approached Ciel carefully, kneeling down. He stopped his hands as Ciel flinched.

He'd forgotten the mark on Ciel's body. He never figured out that part of the story, why he had such a curious burn that signified obvious abuse. The way Ciel wanted revenge for his parents death meant that he wasn't a victim of parental abuse, but Felix was still slightly wary of it. Demons were often said to burn their victims during contracting, but somehow Sebastian didn't seem the type to commit such an act, he seemed too high on the universal scale of power to leave such a hideous mark, especially considering that his contract was intricate and alluring on Ciel's right eye.

"Master Ciel, if you wish for me to assist you I will do so, however it is not a butler's right to make his master feel uncomfortable so if you prefer I could call for Sebastian-"Felix furrowed his eyebrows with worry and Ciel glared icily.

"I said no. Just tell me how to get the blouse on correctly and you can complete the rest."

"Very well."

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[back to the present]

Ciel sighed as he remembered the tedious task of buttoning the shirt as Felix had so patiently instructed to him as he multitasked while dressing Kurt for the day. He had to commend the new servant on being sharp enough to sense his avoidance to human contact and react correctly to the situation, though he hated being treated as a child. Felix had been patient and gentle, an opposite of Sebastian in some ways, but also exactly like him in others, it's like they were cut from the same cloth.

Patiently handled the situation-Ciel snapped his head up as a thought occurred to him.

He dabbed his pen in his ink well and pulled out a new piece of parchment as he wrote out the letter, seeing how it sounded if he were to write it on paper

To Her Majesty Queen Victoria,

My Queen, you have humbled me with this task at my feet. Finding the writers of the Choppy Enquirer has been a most prolonged case despite my first thoughts towards this case. I'm regretfully stating that the names of the individual writers are still unknown besides the fact that their names begin with L, H, and S. However I have found out that the publisher to this newspaper has been resided on the outskirts of London and has printed the pages. I suspect that he is fully aware of the identities of the writers however he refuses to allow any acknowledgement to the fact that he is aware by simply refusing to put sufficient effort into replying to my questions; Giving me insufficient answers such as "this information is confidential".

Though he goes by Felix Nhell, I suspect his birth-given name to be Cain. I am currently unsure about his family name, only that the writers referred to him as Brother Cain in the letters, though there was no hint to any family ties between them. It doesn't seem that the publisher is part of a religious practice or church as he is currently resided in my mansion at this time.

He is here as a hired employee to his charge who is also under my watch, a boy by the name of Alexander Kurt Bellingham. Alexander is unaware of what tasks his guardian performs in the newspaper beside publishing, but Mr. Nhell has confirmed that he does perform other duties besides printing. I learned that his past is one similar to my own butlers, he had previously served under the Greenwood family and the Druitt family as a butler. His mother was the head maid to Lord Greenwood and she passed away approximately five years ago. I am unaware of his history prior to this, meaning the majority of his childhood along with his beginning with the newspaper in question. Though he does have experience in the way of formal attire, speech, and politics, suggesting a higher class of living than he states.

I believe the publisher to be a man who will do as he is told and can be trusted to an extent. Like my own butler he has sworn to tell the truth, though perhaps not the whole truth which you yourself stated was the marking of an honest man. For now he is under my control and has explained me that there is nothing he can tell us about the way the stories are written and if they are fictional or factual as he is not one of the writers, despite what his letter suggests him to be.

I am not ending this case your highness, but simply I believe that we must have patience with the Choppy Enquirer and as Mr. Nhell has already accomplished, the writers will reveal the secrets of this bizarre and influential newspaper. I thank you for your patience already standing; though implore you to allow me to wait for the answers to your questions to reveal themselves in front of your very eyes.

Ciel Phantomhive.

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Ciel sighed as he finally completed the task as his hand cramped and his quill finally stopped the furious scratching of ink against the pale parchment. He blinked up as a knocking came on his door.

"Enter."

Sebastian walked in with a cart paving the way for him, the scent of scones and Bergamot tea wafting up his nose as he glanced at the clock and realized it had been a significant amount of time since his wakening. His butler seemed to know this as Ciel's stomach let out an undignified growl, begging for sufficient satiation to his hunger.

"My Lord, I have brought your morning tea to the parlor as ordered though I must apologize for the delay. I thought it better to serve you hot tea rather than the pot I had brewed earlier this morning. Today I have prepared for you a pair of breakfast scones with fresh berries and apple slices as they are in season, in preparation I have also created a small dish of pancakes that Felix has prepared if you'd prefer a more savory morning meal, on the side of that I have added a small saucer of blackberry maple syrup. Your tea is a native Bergamot with a teaspoon of honey added to smooth away the bitter after taste that comes with its strong flavor."

Ciel kept his face jaded as he took a tea cup from Sebastian's careful grasp and sipped, finding the hot liquid to be perfectly satisfying and calming as always as it dripped down his throat comfortingly. Sebastian stood silently waiting for his master to reach out and gingerly grasp one of the scones so he knew he was allowed to place the food properly around his work. The butler's eyes caught sight of the freshly written letter and Ciel followed his gaze.

"Take a look over it Sebastian before sending it. I wrote it more on whim than on grammar so you may rewrite the sentences correctly if you find them to be insufficient to send to her majesty."

Sebastian had already read it over by the time Ciel had finished his order, not surprising in the least from the man that could investigate every suspect in London and return early enough to prepare a proper meal and tea for when they arrived a few moments later.

"I find your grammar to be perfect as always my lord; I shall send it at once."Sebastian bowed and was about to take his leave.

"Sebastian, what do you know about Felix? Something about him has made you see him in a rather odd manner."Ciel caught him.

Sebastian stopped and turned back with a smile, knowing he wasn't going to get out of Ciel's quest for clues anytime soon.

"I wouldn't say odd my lord. I simply find him to be a curious man, though I know little to nothing about him."

"Little to nothing? Then what little do you know about him."Ciel raised an eyebrow, knowing Sebastian enough to be able to see past his vague answer.

"…I know for a fact that he is extremely knowledgeable and that his name is in fact Cain."Sebastian replied.

"Knowledgeable in what aspect? You know that I hate running in pointless circles Sebastian, get on with it and tell me what you have found out about the man already!"Ciel growled and Sebastian's smirk grew.

"Patience my lord. All you needed to do was ask, "Sebastian grinned widely as his head tilted slightly, an indication to Ciel that they were actually getting somewhere, "I find him to be extremely knowledgeable in the aspects of the supernatural. Truth be told, I wouldn't be surprised in the least if he was already currently aware of the contract and the fact that I am a demon, my young lord. I believe he was aware of this fact as soon as he saw me, or even prior to our meeting. This is why I find him to be interesting my lord. Do you not get the same feeling of difference from young lord Bellingham?"

Ciel was caught off guard with Sebastian's reply, along with his question. For once, Ciel wondered if he and his butler had truly found common ground or if the butler was simply hinting to the fact that he knew Kurt had taken residence beside him last evening. He furrowed his eyebrows. Yes, indeed there was a difference; One that should not be overlooked, but the fact was that Ciel had no idea to what this difference was. Or what evidence supported Sebastian's theory.

"Perhaps Kurt is a bit odd in a few manners, but we have never normally situated ourselves with common people outside a case besides our servants so though it may seem strange it could only be a feeling. Also, what evidence do you have to support your claim?"Ciel asked with a curious eyebrow that was threaded with worry.

If Felix was already aware, then that meant that the writers very well could be, not to mention that Kurt might know as well. Under any other circumstances, Ciel would have to order Sebastian to 'silence' them.

"Simply intuition of a demon who has lived long enough to know when someone is frightened of something more than just intimidation my lord. He has fear in his eyes, not of me, but of my demon. Although, I find no need to worry."

"No need to worry? Noone that doesn't die is supposed to be aware of the fact that we are in more than just a master-servant relationship, or that you are not human. Usually you would be so concerned over their disposal."Ciel stated as confusion settled into his gaze.

"My lord, I find that it could be better for us if we were to allow Felix and Master Kurt on our more interesting cases now that our troubles have seemingly doubled, shall I remind you that we are now somewhat enemies towards Mr. Sutcliffe and Mr. Spears? I think it would be of great help to have more pieces than just a knight on our trips now that the stakes have been raised."

Ciel frowned, but couldn't help but agree that with Grell's bizarre attachment to his butler and William's hatred for demons and his need for order the workload that he received would probably double now for sure. But to put Kurt in unnecessary danger based on a theory…

"It hasn't stopped you before my lord. As you have once stated, if you hesitate, you lose the game."Sebastian reminded him, as if he could read his thoughts.

Ciel scoffed, but knew that if he'd used others that he couldn't hold any specific worry for someone who was already involved from the beginning.

"Very well Sebastian. You may leave now."

"As you wish my lord."Sebastian bowed.

A/N: This chapter was surprisingly long despite the fact that not much occurred, I was going to have Felix find the dress in this chapter, but I found myself typing a more bonding situation between Ciel and Felix. I think it felt better this way.

SubMe: This feels wrong. Please let me insult you.

Me: Why would I do that? Anyway, the URL at the top of the page takes you to a hilarious parody song for black butler. XD