Work Begins

That night, Soma and Agni went off to look for Meena, using the drawing Allen made.

'So what do you guys think?' Allen told them. 'Taken or came willingly? Meena is Soma's servant girl. Due to her youth, she must have started being his servant in her early teens when Soma is still a toddler so Meena should be in her mid or late twenties by now.' he said. 'And Harold West took an interest in her so he must have pretended to be a noble to get her attention when he took interest in her.'

'So it's either she's here as a servant or ahem, plaything or romantic interest.' said Madam Red. 'If it's the servant, Prince Soma who has a higher status than West can easily bring Meena home. However, if romantic interest...I don't think so.' she said skeptically with a snort and shook her head. 'Let's be frank, a servant's life is either easy or hard depending on who their master is.' she said. 'And Meena is a young woman whose job in life is Prince Soma's caretaker. No doubt she has dreams of an easy life if she ever gets out of being a servant and Harold West is her key for freedom and that easy life if he DID show a romantic interest in her.'

'In other words...gold digger. Oh my, poor kid.' said Lau, not really sorry at all. 'Because Prince Soma couldn't give her the life she wanted, she latched on the opportunity that came to her himself.'

'So this is our case, a gold-digging woman who eloped with an idiot sugar-daddy, besides looking for the criminal hanging men down eaves of Indian Restaurants,' Ciel sighed wearily in exasperation. 'Just great. And what do you get of Soma's character when you babysat him for the day?'

'Well, for a man who is three years older than us, he is mentally a child and spoiled sweet because he is just a child who wants to keep what family he has close to him because he is ignored by his parents, even if everything he wanted is within his reach. To him, Agni and Meena are his whole world and no material wealth could ever make up for one of their disappearances. He sees Meena as his older sister and Agni who is his only friend in this world. He is also very sheltered as he thinks things will only go his way or the highway. He has no idea that beyond his world of Agni, Meena and his castle, there are other kinds of people nor how big the world is. He's the kind who is easily taken advantage of after being shown kindness.'

'Great.' Ciel sighed. 'We have to deal with him too.'

'Well, I taught him proper British Manners, so maybe he'll behave appropriately soon.' Allen shrugged. 'I made it clear that Britain is not India.'

'Thanks! Yesterday he gave me quite a headache...' Ciel grumbled in annoyance, remembering yesterday's events regarding the VERY IMPOSING indian pair. 'Hopefully he'll be better-mannered by now!'

'He'll be back by 1 pm probably.' said Sebastian.

'Since tonight we don't know where they are, we follow them tomorrow.' said Ciel. 'Allen, keep Soma off my back. At least Agni's useful in the house.'

'Yes yes.'

Not that Allen minded anyway. He kept Soma distracted by teaching him how to use the Violin. The next night, they made a move, with Ciel, Sebastian, Lau, Allen and Madam Red stalking the pair.

'They really are just looking for Meena.' said Madam Red as they observed the pair.

'Well, in a place like Britain, the best place to gather information would be a pub, club or bars.' said Ciel as he shivered from the cold.

'It's now 1 pm...we should get home ahead of them.' Sebastian suggested. So they did. However, they decided to wait a bit longer...and sure enough, Agni went out again.

'...2:45 am...' Sebastian mused as he and Allen were sitting on the highest roof of the mansion.

'So he's up to something.' Allen whistled as Sebastian went down to report to the sleepy bosses. Soon, they're stalking Agni from a distance, and soon, came to a certain building.

'W-why'd he go here?' Soma wondered aloud. 'And who lives here?'

'No idea but don't be noisy, we're on a spy-job here and spies are supposed to be quiet.' Allen hissed. 'Sebastian, can you determine the room Agni will go to?' he asked as he took out two tin cans with pre-punctured holes, and a length of wire, as well as glass-cutter. The boys looked at the items in Allen's hands and marvelled at the convenience-and only Soma did not recognize this.

'Nice!' Ciel exclaimed in delight. 'That way we can eavesdrop without being seen! Set this up now!' he ordered Sebastian.

'Yes, my lord.' Sebastian answered as he took one of the cans, the cutter and the wire before jumping into the mansion. A minute later, he was back with the other end of the string and 'sewed' the other end into the bottom of the tin can.

'What's those about?' Soma wondered aloud, confused about the items Allen took out.

'Prince Soma, for now, it's very important for us to be silent no matter what we hear.' said Sebastian. 'This is a primitive form of communication before telephones were invented. Just as we can eavesdrop on them, they can also hear us if we make a sound here. Just incase...' he smacked some duct tape on the prince's mouth, much to the latter's surprise and annoyance. Soon...

/You did a good job./ came Harold West's arrogant voice. /Oh come on, brighten up! What's with that expressionless face? Take some cigars! These babies are Grade A Havana Cigars. I got these babies from James Fox and he has a Royal Warrant./ he said boastfully. /Oh well it's your problem./ came the nonchalant dismissal because Agni remained silent. /In one week from now, everything will be decided. With this 'right hand of god', I will realize my dream. I've been planning this for three years! With your help I will definitely accomplish this!/

/And if I do, Meena will return to us, right? She'll come back to us the way she is?/

/Of course but that's only a promise, the rest is up to her./ Harold scoffed. /She's definitely enjoying her life with me now that she's my wife and not a servant anymore./ Soma froze at this as the others knew Madam Red's gold digger theory was correct. /When I took her to live with me, she's very happy that she's free from being a servant bound to that bratty spoiled prince!/ he laughed. /You seriously think she'll return to you?/ the boys heard a 'slump' sound-Soma fell weak in his knees from shock. /I promise you that I'll let Meena go but in the end, it's up to her so whether you get her back or not, you're still working for me!/ that was followed by a cruel laugh and nobody would know how Agni reacted.

xxx

Back at the townhouse, Soma was still in shock. Meena betrayed him for freedom and the life of a rich wife while Agni was working as a double-agent to bring Meena back. He didn't know what to do and think.

'So the gold-digging theory was correct. West gets himself a pretty indian wife and Meena gets a rich husband in him and a comfortable life.' said Lau. 'And Agni is working for West for nothing because you can't really change a free individual's mind right?'

'I can't believe it...' Soma said shakily, 'Meena left and hated me? But when I grew up, she was like my sister who cared for me!' he choked. 'Which Meena is real? The kind Meena I grew up with or the Meena I heard of now?' he wondered depressingly.

'Most likely, the latter.' said Ciel as Soma turned to him in horror and dismay. 'Servants work to please their masters. They took on roles that would please them most to keep their jobs. That is the duty of in-service servants.' he explained. 'Meena took on the role of a kind, loving nanny so she could remain working for you and getting paid, than look back at where she came from, a poor commoner. She used you as her source of money so she can live in the better-looking servants quarters, wear good clothes and eat as much as she wanted and get paid for it by being your caretaker compared to some shack she probably came from.' the cruel reality was on Soma now. 'As for Harold West, she is also most-likely using him for even more money, better materialistic goods and servants who would now serve HER. She can then enjoy the life you enjoyed. She is the type who will use as many men as she can to climb higher and higher. Your only true friend is Agni.' Soma broke down and sobbed.

The reality that one of the people he loved most used him and never loved him.

'You have lived a sheltered life for many years, Prince Soma.' said Allen. 'However, by learning of this truth, you should know by now that the world is a big place with many kinds of people. The ideal good people. The bad. The Liars. The Wicked. The Swindlers. There is the rich, there's also the poor. But still in the end, we're all human here and we humans have dreams and aspirations and we work to obtain our goals. You could not learn such a lesson because in your castle, you have had everything handed to you on a platter and by the story you told me, you weren't educated properly either. You were kept ignorant of these bitter realities in life thus you grew up weak. And these bitter experiences are what forges us to become stronger by overcoming the pain. If you couldn't handle the bitter reality of life, you would break...like you did now.'

'If Meena truly loved you...she would have taught you about life better so you could be a better person. And you would have been a man of your age, not a man of 17 yet with the mentality of a child.' Allen finished. 'She kept you weak on purpose so she can keep using you and Agni is protecting you from that truth because he knew how much you loved her, but he saw the 'true Meena' he wanted to protect you from. However, you must face the 'true Meena' for you to grow up and move on. One day, you will find a woman who will truly love you. The path for love is paved with thorns and sharp rocks but will you go for it? Or remain at the edge in soft sand where you are now, wherein between you and a person who loves you lies the path of pain you must bear and overcome?'

'I...I need to think.' Soma choked sadly. 'I'll go to my room.' and he slunk away and closed the door behind him.

'That went well...nice speech though.' said Lau.

'But it's something he needs to hear.' said Ciel. 'He cannot be a mental little boy forever. Well, we can move on to business.' he said as he went into business mode. 'First of all, it's certain now that Agni did the hangings under West's orders. He alone can accomplish that, considering he is at par with Sebastian in skill and strength.' he said. 'What we have so far is the three-year plan, the completion of a plan in a week and Agni's right hand is essential. Of these, the most important is the 'one week'.'

'So what are the events that are in a week from now?' Allen wondered aloud curiously.

'All large social events I knew of are pretty much over since it's already winter.' Madam Red shrugged. 'Sebastian, can you think of any events that will take place in a week from now?'

'A week from now...' Sebastian frowned. 'From the invitations the young master received coinciding with the date is a Choir Concert organized by the Sophia Choir Institute at Westminster Cathedral. Wagner's Opera at the Covent Garden Opera House. A Prospering Indian Culture Exhibition at Crystal Palace...'

'That's it!' Allen exclaimed upon piecing everything together. 'The hangings of British men on Indian Restaurants and now West Blackmailing Agni...and the event at the Crystal Palace is an Indian Exhibition that has a Main Program...the Curry Contest!'

'And I recall that in the invitation regarding that event, young master has been invited as a Guest Judge for the show.' said Sebastian. 'It's in his reject pile by the way.' he added as an afterthought. Ciel twitched at this.

'So in the end this is a boring case and everything's obvious by now.' said Ciel uncaringly. 'This show has many companies competing against each other to make the best curry...and her majesty who loves curry will no doubt come to the show as well as in the end, her word will matter most and if she decides on who has the best product, she will reward that company with the Royal Warrant. And companies with the Warrant is recognized in all of Britain as a company with the best products guaranteed as the Queen recognized them herself. But first we'll ask Soma tomorrow about this...'right hand of God' and what it has to do with making Curry. We'll talk about this tomorrow.'

xxx

Next morning...

'Agni's skill with his Right Hand of God?' Soma asked them. He looked like he cried enough last night judging by his puffy eyes. He then looked starry-eyed in absolute adoration that caused them to sweatdrop. 'His curry is divine! Sooo delicious, flavorful and exquisite! A lot of people back home said that his curry was out of this world too!' then he went to serious mode. 'But what's got Agni's cooking skills got to do with this case?'

'Well, we will explain as Prince Soma does not know of this and this is also West's goal.' said Sebastian. 'The Royal Warrant is a certificate given by the Royal Family to stores and restaurants they are pleased with. The Warrant serves as a guarantee of quality that the Royal Family recognizes as 'the best' and any store or restaurant possessing that Warrant will see a growth in sales by a factor of three or more. There are two ways to get a Royal Warrant: Product Exhibitions such as the Curry Contest wherein a member of the Royal Family is there as a Guest Judge, or three years of free service must be delivered to the Royal Family.'

'In other words, West who has continued to deliver his products for three years is trying to destroy his competition, hence these incidents.' said Ciel. 'And Agni, under Blackmail by West must have heard of his superb curry from Meena and forced to work for him with Meena at stake for your sake. All for his God.'

'On the threat notes pinned on the hung-up men, there's is this tongue drawing, right?' Allen smiled as he pointed backwards to the statue of the Goddess Kali. 'There is a strong meaning of that tongue which Agni put in without masquerade.'

'It's his way of begging for forgiveness for all he's done under West's orders and also for your sake.' Ciel continued. 'He did it all for his God. You have a good Butler.' Soma was brought to tears by this. 'Too bad for Randall who is ignorant of Indian Culture since this case this time involves Indians, he just saw this drawing as an insult.' he scoffed. 'Well, after going through all this trouble, it's time I reap my reward.' he smirked. 'The show is a week away and fortunately, West did all the work in removing the capable rivals, giving us an easy way in. In other words, if my Phantom Company wins against West, that Warrant is as good as mine.' the nobles smirked, while Soma looked rather confused. One moment it's the issue with them and now back to business?

'I'm thinking of expanding my company into the Food Industry once I get purveyors to the Imperial Household with Confectionery and Toys.' Ciel mused his idea gained at West's expense. 'It will certainly spread through the news if I get purveyors to the Imperial Household from the show at first.'

'That's true,' said Lau. 'The Phantom Company getting the Royal Warrant by launching their Food Industry will also deter competitors. However, don't you only have a week to open up a Food Department? Will you have the time to get a Curry Specialist, a Store and Equipment?'

'There is no need for that...right, Sebastian?' Ciel smirked at his butler who smirked back.

'Certainly.' he said. 'How can such a person who serves the Phantomhive Household be not capable of such a thing? Definitely, a Royal Warrant...'

'B-but can you win against Agni's cooking skills?! West has Agni!' Soma choked. 'His cooking level is recognized even by father!'

'And that's what YOU'RE for.' Madam Red patted his shoulders. 'You will be our taste-tester! Sebastian will make curry, and you test until Sebastian exceeds Agni's skills in your palate! And you know what Curry is being an Indian and you know how Agni makes it. All we have to do is be better and we have the week to practice!'

'And also, your confrontation will be in Crystal Palace a week from now.' said Allen. 'Meena will no doubt be there. By entering the contest, you will see her, confront the 'true Meena' and get your closure that you need to grow up and become a better man than you are now. It's a win-win for us either way.'

'A-alright...' Soma gulped. 'Here goes...real curry is defined by the proper combination of spices.' he said. 'In making a real curry, there's a table containing carefully-chosen spices handpicked from hundreds available together, combined with just the right amount.' he told them. 'Depending on how it's done, the taste, spiciness, aroma, everything will be different.' he explained. 'With different combinations, you can make any kind of curry with your imagination!'

'Looks like we're in for a challenge this time.' Ciel muttered. Curry is right now, out of their skill level since his cases were mostly dealing with 'pests hiding in granaries'.

Lunch time...Sebastian cooked curry, but...

'Yuck...'

The nobles went O.O at him.

'I-Is it not to your liking?' Sebastian mused.

'I-it's not that...it's just that it feels like there's some weird powder in the curry.' said Soma with a grimace. 'And also, the smell and taste is so weak. It's no good! This cannot be Curry!'

'That's weird, I used the finest Curry Powder...' Sebastian mused thoughtfully,

'Curry powder? What's that?'

'Curry Powder is something the Anglo-Indians brought back from India.' Allen told him. 'Because novices find it difficult to combine spices, they put well-combined spices in one bottle in the form of Curry Powder. Curry Powder is since used by Britain in making Curry.'

'I have never seen such a thing and Agni never used that.' said Soma. 'In my palace, there are servants whose purpose is to grind spices.'

'So Curry Powder is out of the question.' Sebastian mused with a frown.

'What's more. Agni's curry uses different kinds of spices to match well with the ingredients.' Soma continued.

'So we need pure spices.' said Madam Red. 'And since West controls the distribution with his own company, he can secure the best products.'

'We don't have much time, we need to contact a Tra...ding...' Allen mused as ALL OF THEM looked at Lau...who happens to be the PRESIDENT of his own Trading Company.

'Eh...?'

xxx

Two days later...

'Woooow! I can't believe it!' Soma gasped as he held a handful of spices. 'They're the kind I see everyday!'

'It all smells wonderful...what a heavenly smell...' Allen sighed dreamily as he sniffed the sacks.

'Man, the Earl sure has a rough way to use people...I'm not even a Spice Expert.' said Lau playfully and wryly.

'Well, we need top speed at a time like this.' said Ciel with a snort.

'Prince Soma, as you know Agni's curry, I will be needing your advice so I will know if I defeated his curry.' said Sebastian.

'I-I don't mind but do you know how to combine spices?' Soma wondered aloud.

'I understand your concern but we will only get answers through trial-and-error, no?'

And so...

First was Chicken Curry with spices and onions. Since it was Sebastian's first time it took him two hours. Soma's verdict: the smell is similar but the taste is a no-no. And it turns out that Sebastian made SEVERAL POTS OF CURRY WITH VARIOUS DIFFERENT COMBINATIONS ALONE.

'T-that definitely explained the two hours.' Madam Red sweatdropped.

'Y-You made all of this?! Alone?!'

'Yes, it took some experimenting...so I will be counting on you alone for taste.' said Sebastian with a smile.

'I don't think I can eat that much.' Soma sweatdropped.

'Ah~! But that's what my baby boy IS for!' Madam Red chimed. 'Just take a spoonful for taste and he'll eat the rest...sample pots included!' the boys went blue and went quiet.

'Oy oy, won't Allen DIE from overeating?!' Ciel squawked incredulously. 'We have twenty pots here! Twenty!'

'Don't worry cousin-mine...I'm a big eater.' Allen smiled. 'You can count on me so nothing goes to waste!' Ciel, Soma, Sebastian and Lau exchanged doubtful, skeptical looks.

Really now?

And so...

Curry with salt, turmeric and coriander-too spicy with a heavy taste.
Curry with coconut milk and some yogurt-better taste but the smell changed.
Curry with some cinnamon-Soma felt weird.
Curry with red peppers and clover-too heavy and spicy.

And much to the disbelief of the others, Allen down one pot after another after eating the plate Soma tasted off from. And he's still alive!

'How the hell are you still alive?!' they exclaimed incredulously.

'What, I just have one hell of a stomach!' Allen declared proudly and boastfully and wasn't the least-bit-winded. 'I can eat more than this! So what's next?'

'Er here, Curry with Cardamom and Garlic.' and when Soma had a taste...he gasped.

'T-This curry...it's different from the others!' he gasped as he had another taste with Naan bread. He had a brief moment of hallucination from home, and he even mistook Sebastian for Agni. 'This is really close but there's something missing...' Soma moaned as Allen took his plate for himself. 'The smell, the taste, the spiciness is similar but there's something missing.'

'Something missing?' Sebastian asked almost wearily. He'll have to cook again after all.

'Ummm how can I explain this?' Soma sighed thoughtfully. 'Agni's curry has a unique deeper taste...that's it! Substance! There's not enough substance!'

'Subs...tance?'

'We have three days left till the contest.' said Ciel. 'I think I'm hungry for Chocolat Gateau right now.' he sighed. 'I'm tired of seeing Curry already...'