Mysterious Murderer and Indian Upstarts

May...

It's now summer in England, from May to August. In London, it's also known as 'The Season'. Aristocrats all over are invited to London for many Social Events. And for Allen, he's with the Barnett Family at the moment, getting to know his 'cousins'. Being 'fresh from recovery', he could not be rambunctious like them, and preferred to do things like music. His main skill was the piano and the Armonica, playing for his adult relatives who were impressed with his skill.

'Ohhh! Such skilled fingers, my boy!' said the Baroness of Barnett as they listened to Allen play the piano. Allen smiled shyly and demurely. As he grew to be a thirteen year old, his effeminate beauty shone, especially with his long hair and frail appearance due to his slender body and unusually tall for his age(training from hell did wonders) because he's taller than any 13 year old they knew. His appearance in the Barnett Manor surprised the family, and marvelled on how could Madam Red have such a beautiful boy who fortunately survived the tragedy? Madam Red's answer? He took on mostly her family's side of the blood.

'Thank you very much, grandmother.' Allen answered gratefully. 'And music is my only way of fun since...' he said with a sad smile as he looked outside where the other children were socializing. 'I couldn't exactly be a normal child just yet.' Baroness Barnett sighed sadly. Due to trauma and premature birth, Allen was a sickly child and frail from slow recovery(that was the story they made up). Allen gave himself a hats off for his superb acting.

'Indeed so, but in time, surely you'll get better my boy.' she said, patting his head. 'Health is your first priority so as a young man, you can enjoy the finer things in life as a socialite in our world. The parties, the trips, and the dancing with beautiful young ladies in the dance room...and your uncle Reginald is already working to find an arrangement for you.'

'Would a young lady who enjoys the limelight of social festivities choose someone like me who still has to stay home away from the excitement?' Allen chuckled while shaking his head. 'Maybe uncle should wait until I'm healthy enough to attend my first party. The young lady who might choose me would want fun first and foremost. And how can she if her betrothed must stay home most of the time as a party-pooper? Uncle really should wait a bit longer.'

'If you think so...'

xxx

In the gardens, Allen played the Armonica with his expert skills. The Barnetts owned an Armonica but the only expert player, is at work, and Allen was the other skilled player and he plays it well. Although he have to be a bit away as the kids believed of the superstitions involving the instrument and got freaked out.

His playing however, attracted a lot of birds to his playing, and the Barnett Family cats that astonished whoever saw.

With Allen's beauty, music and ahem, animal magnetism, it was quite a sight to see. He was able to cement his position in the family as a budding musician.

Maybe being a Musician is not such a bad idea. One's occupation has to be where one's talent shines most. And Allen's presence kept Madam Red from becoming...Jack the Ripper. For the past few months, his mother was feeling murderous because prostitutes kept coming to her for abortions to abort children they don't want or could not keep. It was like a stinging insult to his mother who loved children yet couldn't have one due to Hysterectomy and here are all these women, lining up to her to kill unborn, innocent fetuses just so they could keep their job as whores. It was also a painful reminder for Allen whose parents didn't want him due to his deformity until Undertaker fixed his arm. He did all he could to keep her sane and happy, even if he offered to kill them himself for her and ensure she would not be implicated by burning records of these women visiting her. However, when Phantomhive comes sniffing, they would stop and vanish so they won't be killed.

It worked. Allen worked overtime because of Ciel's butler whom he knew, is a true-blue demon where 'impossible' is not in the man's vocabulary, and the key to Ciel's success as the Queen's Watchdog.

Undertaker knew the truth, however. But kept quiet. It's not his business anyway, unless Ciel asks the right questions. They were safe...for now. However, the fact remains that the Prostitutes who were killed were those who went for abortions known to the other prostitutes. Their deaths and brutal hysterectomies effectively spooked these women and many decided to keep the pregnancy and just give the babies up to orphanages. And Jack the Ripper no longer showed up. Everyone thought that the killer killed the prostitutes because he himself, is an unwanted son of a whore who wanted revenge for his abandonment. But if even Phantomhive couldn't find him, what kind of man is he? Who is he?

Nobody would ever know...and Jack the Ripper is a mystery not even Phantomhive can't solve.

Madam Red and Allen Durless-Barnett are safe...for now.

'Allen...this is a miracle.' said Madam Red as they went home. 'Normally nobody escapes the Dog of Phantomhive when they scented down a rat. But we're the first ones to escape that hound.'

'Hehe, that's because we burned the records implicating you. And good thing you're organized, too.' said Allen softly. 'But now, nobody will ever come for abortions anymore, unless they want to be slashed by the Ripper. Those prostitutes from interviews in the newspaper got a good idea now. Any children they don't want would be given up for adoption in orphanages. No longer aborted. They could find happy lives, never knowing their mothers didn't want them. It's better this way.' Madam Red glanced at her adoptive son who was also affected by this case. She who is reminded that she couldn't have her own children and he who is reminded his parents didn't want him. She embraced him from behind. They could overcome this for sure. For now, Allen insisted that they don't visit the estate for a while because the scent of blood is fresh on them. Her from Abortions and he from the killings. They would have to use chemicals to get the scent of blood off them and take a bath using strong-scented shampoos and soaps before they visit the Phantomhives for Ciel's birthday.

December 31...

'Today is Ciel's birthday.' Madam Red smiled. 'Is everything ready, Allen?'

'Yes! His presents from us are here!' Allen chirped. Originally, Allen's birthday was Christmas, a date his adoptive father Mana Walker made for him on the day he took him. However, his birthday was changed to the day when he was 'supposedly born' which was on April 19, on the fateful carriage accident. He and Ciel are now 14 years old. However, because Allen was a ragamuffin off the streets with no name until Mana 'gave' him the name Allen, he had no idea back then what his birthdate nor age is, so his 'true age' was up for debate. For now, he'll use 14. Not even Allen has any idea how old he really is. He could be a year younger than Ciel or Lizzy for all he knew.

The next day, they left pretty early in the morning...and that was because Marchioness Midford has a nasty habit of leaving earlier than the time she stated. Several hours earlier in fact. However, they wanted to come an hour later than she would. Better him than them after all. Marchioness Midford is a VERY STRICT WOMAN who believes that people who live in a neat and orderly home has a clean and orderly heart who strictly believes in rules, regulations and laws because it keeps things in order. Due to this, she never has a need to hide her actions and is highly respected by everyone thus. She is also Britain's err most strongest and skilled woman in fencing and marksmanship, a feat that promoted Queen Victoria's empowerment of women.

Even then, it's said that even after marriage, she still continues her training which preserved her youth and beauty.

Of course, Allen's own mother, Madam Red also preserved her youth and beauty and she has high access to beauty products and various supplements and treatments, being a high-ranking and paid doctor. Allen also enjoyed these products that helped with having silky soft hair, soft and blemish-free fair skin, and straight, pearly-white teeth after enduring PAINFUL dental treatments, as his teeth back in his youth were...er...nevermind.

They set off for the Phantomhive Manor at 9 O'clock and arrived at lunch time.

'Hello! Is the Earl Home?' Madam Red greeted the servants.

'He went out hunting with Marchioness Midford and Lady Elizabeth!' said Maylene. 'Mr. Sebastian also went with them!'

'Alright! Before they go back, let's decorate!' Madam Red cried enthusiastically. 'Allen, you're in charge of decorating with the servants, I'm cooking with Bard here! We're suprising them!'

'Yes, ma'am!' Allen and the servants chirped enthusiastically. The whole house was in a frenzy with Allen in charge of designing the decorations and having the servants put them up in where he wanted them while he made the hall spick and span with his multi-tasking ability with his powers. In the kitchens, Madam Red and Bard discovered that Sebastian hid a pre-made cake and they decided to use it. And with Madam Red's presence, Bard actually made edible food with no carcinogens as she forbade him from using Flamethrowers for cooking under threat of 'Neuter'alization. Soon...by lunch time, although Ciel and the others arrived at 1:30...

'SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!' they chimed cheerily.

'Ohhh!' the hall was decorated, and a banquet table full of food, snacks and dessert, as well as various beverages ready.

'W-wha-what's going on here?!' Ciel yelped in disbelief.

'It's your birthday, silly! How can you forget?' Allen chuckled jokingly.

'Exactly, that's why we came here today.' Marchioness Midford smiled. 'And Madam Red, Allen, you certainly did a good job surprising us all!'

'Ohoho! We mobilized the servants to help us out because there's no way we can do this on our own!' Madam Red chuckled as everyone joined the festivities not even Ciel and Sebastian can say no to-because they're both THAT scared of the Marchioness. Yes, even Sebastian is intimidated by her. The party was spent merrymaking with music, courtesy of Allen who provided the music with Sebastian, and the birthday celebrant and his fiancee danced the night away.

xxx

At home...

'I heard you've been to Earl Phantomhive's house for his birthday...' Undertaker mused as he visited the house for Allen's training.

'Well, you would've been invited too if it wasn't for Marchioness Midford's presence.' Allen snorted. 'You should've seen Sebastian when she targeted him for indecency because his fringes are in its usual mess and manhandled him to fix him. Ciel was no exception.'

'Teeheehee...I would've paid a fortune to see that~!' Undertaker chuckled into giggling fits. 'I might even fix myself up for the event next year just to see it!'

'You really should, it's priceless. Imagine, a human woman who could cow even a demon...' Allen chuckled in amusement at the irony. 'Then again, they're submissive to their masters and whoever their masters are affiliated with, it can't be helped.'

'Indeed. I taught you well after all...heeheehee...' Undertaker chuckled. 'Let's begin training, Allen.'

'Yessir!'

xxx

January 6...

'Oh my...' Madam Red mused as servants put their meals before them(said servants were hired AFTER Allen was 12).

'Is it another case, mother?' Allen asked her with a frown.

'Yes...it says here that British Citizens, mostly men or soldiers who returned from India are always stripped down to their underwear, and hung upside-down from the eaves of the Hindustani Coffee House at Portman Square with a note.' said Madam Red. 'At first they thought it's a one-time thing but it's happening for six days straight now so it's a serial case.' she explained. 'The notes stuck on all of them says 'watch this, you wild, pathetic chosen children of sloth and depravity. England is the motherland of the devil. It steals everything and forces its worthless, rotten and decadent culture on you instead. To all the bitch-dominated idiots of this land, you are the ones that serve the vengeance of heaven! Now the day has come!' and the note ends with a tongue at the bottom.' Madam Red finished.

'Ouch. Wonder what will her majesty think of that last sentence.' said Allen wryly. 'No girl or lady would want to be called THAT. No doubt Ciel will get a love letter again.'

'This is interesting, and worthy of a visit.' Madam Red smirked. 'Shall we have a look-see?'

'Lets.' said Allen. 'Also it's quite accurate that whoever this is, is targeting British Citizens who are of minor wealth here or 3rd or so child from families who cannot afford luxurious lives here, but they become very wealthy in India due to the foreign exchange rate and could enjoy luxurious lives people of our station normally enjoy. These people are called Anglo-Indian and are called Indian Upstarts due to this. Maybe someone in India wasn't too happy about this?' he wondered aloud.

'Ciel's probably investigating by now, so how about we pay a visit tonight and stay over for a couple days?' that settled it. The pair packed up for several days' worth of stay, and went to Phantomhive Manor, only to find that there are two Indian Guests over.

'Oh my, you have Indian Guests along.' Madam Red greeted as she glomped her nephew to death who wasn't too happy about the glomp.

'Hello cousin! We're interested about this funny case too so mother and I decided to drop by!' Allen chirped happily. 'We want to have fun too!'

"Oh man..." Ciel groaned. First, two annoying imposing idiots(at least Soma's butler is useful so he's not included) and now Madam Red and his cousin. What a way to start the day.

'So you're looking for this person...but...this drawing leaves much to be desired.' Allen twitched as he looked at the paper. The drawing was something a baby could do worse. 'I'll try my shot! Get me a pencil and paper!' he ordered Maylene who scampered and obeyed. 'And who can describe to me this Meena girl without bias whatsoever?'

'Er I can...' said Agni, Soma's butler. As soon as Maylene gave Allen what he needed, Agni described Meena to him and soon...

'Oooooohhhh!' everyone marveled at the life-like, realistic pencil drawing of Meena, the indian girl Prince Soma was looking for.

'Y-you're good at drawing...' Ciel gawked in amazement as Allen showed them the end-product of his skills.

'Well, I am a boy of poor health, so options left to me are music and art, cousin-mine.' Allen smiled as Ciel and Sebastian inwardly snorted. Poor health? Yeah, right! He can fool the world, but not them! 'Naturally I'll be good at this.'

'Then I can count on you to entertain them today because I'm busy with work AND my lessons.' said Ciel, wanting to take advantage of the situation. 'I'm not quite free today, we'll do this tomorrow.'

'Sure!'

xxx

Allen was left to entertain Soma and Agni while Madam Red and Lau hung around the mansion.

Rather, he was entertaining Soma because Agni was working off their stay because they're freeloading. Prince in question however, is VERY SHELTERED. For one who is three years older than them, he has the mentality of a CHILD which makes him wonder what sort of upbringing he had, besides having everything on a platter due to his status. So Allen taught him fine manners of British Nobility so Soma wouldn't unknowingly offend anyone because ignorance is no excuse to the rules broken.

Well, what Allen could squeeze on one day. 'You're a fast learner.' Allen whistled, impressed. 'With the manners and etiquette I taught you, you can manage just fine here now!'

'Yes, well I will be staying here long until I find Meena and I haven't a clue where she is...' said Soma gloomily.

'Who is this Meena to you though?' Allen asked him curiously.

'She's like, my nanny. We grew up together.' said Soma. 'I'm the 26th Prince so nobody cares much for me. I'm respected as a prince though.' he said. 'It doesn't really matter if I'm a good prince or not.' he said. 'Meena is the only one who cared for me before Agni came two years ago so I'm not alone anymore. I don't know what I'd do without them!' he said cheerfully, not noticing his babysitter who was very affected by his words...because he was another 'unwanted child' which was the point of the conversation.

'A-and what about your mother?' he asked tensely with an expression to match.

'Oh, she spends most of her time trying to curry father's favor that she has no time for me really...I've never even talked to her before because I'm not allowed anywhere near the concubine's chambers nor approach father since I'm not the heir to the throne...only the first seven children can really approach him. Only Meena was by my side...she was more my older sister than my actual older sisters.' then Soma's expression changed. 'But since that English Noble came...they took Meena away from me!' he cried angrily. 'I'm here to bring her back home! He took advantage of the fact that I wasn't around because I had an observation job and he took interest in her!'

'So that's how you feel.' said Allen softly. 'However, that's your point of view. Since Meena was shipped off as you put it without your knowing, you really don't know if she really is taken against her will, or if she came willingly.' he said. 'And an English Noble, you said?'

'Yes...the man's name is Harold West.' said Soma. 'He came to India three months ago for Political Observations.' Allen blinked before scoffing.

'I don't recognize that name.' Allen scoffed to his surprise. 'We nobles know each other very well. Just like India, we have our own Caste System too and I'm using Indian Terms so you'll understand quickly. Our Caste is as follows from top-to-bottom: King and Queen followed by the Prince, followed by Archduke followed by the Duke, followed by Marquis followed by Count or Earl, the rank Ciel has.' Soma '-ohh'-ed. 'Following the Earl is Viscount, followed by Baron, the title my family has, followed by the Baronet and finally, the Knight. Of course, the first-born son inherits the title his father has, and his wife in turn, will be given the female version of the title. These people directly answer to Queen Victoria. However, to second children and so on, we are called Lords and Ladies instead, or Sirs and Madam. In the case of young girls, Miss. We are still titled nobility but not as important as the first son. First daughters are in turn, arranged to marry someone of high rank while the next daughters have no such pressure but still engaged nonetheless. We in turn work under the eldest son if our services are required by them or if the Queen needs us. After that, we're free to do as we please, as long as we do not embarrass our family names. We must also set an example before commoners because if we break rules or commit crimes, who would obey rules anymore?'

'I cannot blame you for thinking Harold West is a noble by how he dressed, but he is NOT a noble or aristocrat like us.' Allen explained. 'He's probably some wealthy man high up in politics, hence he was sent to do that Political Observation job you mentioned. And since nobody in India knows our noble families, he must have pretended he's a noble just to feel good, taking advantage of your ignorance.' that caused Prince Soma to steam.

'SAY WHAT?!' he thundered in outrage. 'He tricked my Meena by pretending he's a noble when in reality he's not?!'

'Nope, he isn't.' said Allen wryly. For now, he would shield Soma from a possible truth he has in mind by keeping him distracted. 'I will tell you the names of British Noble Families by rank starting from Archduke down to the Knight...' from afar, Sebastian was eavesdropping.

"Hummm...so that's what's going on eh?" soon, Ciel, Madam Red and Lau are informed and are coming to their own conclusions. And Allen's purpose was done. His job was no babysitting, his job was to milk all they needed off Soma.