And here we are again! One more chapter closer to the end! Ciel's identity issue is resolved once and for all. Is it a good or bad solution? Well... it depends on how each one interpretes it. Please, I would love to hear your thoughts on that! 😊

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Kuroshitsuji or its characters. I entirely own only my OCs, arcs and ideas/themes not mentioned in any form of the franchise (manga, anime, games, movies or musicals).


Chapter 65: The Tutor, The Earl Ciel Phantomhive

London's society was following the case of the Phantomhive impostor twin pretty closely; the common people were intrigued - like it was one of the Penny Dreadful stories they enjoyed reading - and the high society felt utterly confused and betrayed. The fact that the majority of Counts, Earls, Lords and Ladies had associated themselves, one way or another, with the Earl Phantomhive but never, never suspected of something being off, upset each and every one of them. That was why, they eagerly kept reading the newspapers for anything new - like the groundbreaking announcement Vicount Druitt did about the true mastermind of all - and were at the edge of their seat, when it became known that the Queen had sent the alleged impostor - the surviving Phantomhive brother and her Watchdog for three years - an invitation to discuss the matter privately.

That same invitation had upset the entire Phantomhive household since, although private, it was extended to all the residents of the manor, meaning the Queen wanted to meet the people supporting the sole Phantomhive survivor. The reasons behind that were a mystery, but just the thought of meeting the Queen of Britain herself was enough to create chaos in the manor.

"Mey-Rin, will you please stop thinking about it and focus on work? We are almost out of plates and the new ones will come in a couple of days." That was Selina, treating a few more cuts on the fidgeting maid's hands.

"Finny, where is your mind? You know how to pluck the weeds without ruining the gardenias." Sebastian to the teary eyed gardener, while surveying the grand scale disaster, something becoming a little more rare after some successful soccer matches.

"Bard, even you know the meat has to be boiled first, to make the soup, and then roasted... in the oven, not with the flamethrower." Selina to the blackened chef, while dousing him and the kitchen with cold water as fast as she could.

"Snake, you were the only one actually capable of doing some work and that is gone now... and do not leave your snakes behind in places they should not be." Sebastian, quite disappointed, while removing Goethe from a barrel of beer; the reptile was giggling in its way, quite intoxicated.

"No, Nina! This might be a meeting with the Queen, but I am still the master and they the servants, so you have to prepare something fitting of their position." Young master, his eyebrow twitching quite annoyed, as he dismissed two short, sleeveless, heavy with sequins dresses the enthusiastic tailor had prepared for Mey-Rin and Selina. He barely avoided exploding in anger when she informed him that the older he got the more he behaved like Mr. Stiff.

However, it seemed that for Prince Soma, born and raised in royalty, meeting a queen was not a big deal, therefore he was the only one remaining level-headed.

Finally, the day of the meeting came and everyone were dressed in their finest without overshadowing their master, who wore his official suit for the occasion along with the Watchdog's title ribbon, exactly as the day it was granted to him. The only one who surpassed the Earl in appearance was Soma, dressed in his princely attire.

"Hey, folks. You look pretty excited, huh?" Earl Charles Grey said, meeting the group at the palace's entrance. "While you three... well... you look like something the cat dragged in!" He finished looking at the fourteen year old Earl and his two head servants.

Despite being dressed in the finest fabrics and most graceful designs a butler and a tutor could dream of, the two supernaturals looked quite exhausted, just like their master. Running the manor these last days with four agitated, imbecile servants and an over enthusiastic prince for guest was quite an ordeal even for one hell of a butler.

They did not respond, just glared at Earl Grey, who seemed to enjoy the situation, and with his usual sneaky smirk, led them through the palace to where the meeting would be held.

To say the famous Buckingham Palace was majestic and wonderful, is not enough to describe the apparent awe the Phantomhive servants felt, while walking on the lustrous marble floors and climbing the huge red carpeted staircases. They might have grown used to luxury, ever since they joined the Earl's household, but this was beyond everything they had seen.

Despite having been instructed by Selina to maintain great self-control and avoid showing too much excitement - not fitting an Earl's people - Finny and Mey-Rin could not stop looking at everything around them with wide eyes and slightly gaping mouths as they kept mouthing "Wow!" under their breaths. Bard and Snake were also staring entirely amazed but had fallen silent, perhaps not finding a way of expressing themselves with a more proper word than their colleagues. Prince Soma was looking at everything with an appreciative look of the person used to excess luxury. Even Selina - who was the most composed, since it was not her first time visiting the palace, even though in another era - opened her eyes wide as they proceeded deeper in the building. Sebastian, the very image of propriety, saw that and with a light smirk whispered at the woman.

"What is the matter, dear? You are familiar to the palace's grandeur, are you not? You said you visited in your time, as a tourist."

"Yes, but this section was not open to public! I thought we were to be taken to the throne room or a public office room or something like that..." She whispered back; awe resounding in her voice.

The demon butler's smirk reached his eyes. "Our master holds a dear place in her Majesty's heart. She always meets him in her private rooms. He is her Watchdog after all." He winked playfully at her and the woman's eyes opened even more in awe and then rolled at her dumbness of not thinking of it.

They climbed one more staircase and reached a door, which Earl Grey opened and ushered them in after announcing "The sole heir of the Phantomhive Earldom and his entourage". That announcement alarmed Sebastian and Selina and they exchanged a look. Was not their master the Earl Phantomhive any more?

"My dear boy, welcome back!" A soft, female voice welcomed them as they entered the luxurious lounge and stood in line, silent.

Queen Victoria herself, a petite elderly woman but quite round in body - as expected of a woman who had given birth to many children - stood up from her seat and approached the teenage boy, who kneeled and bowed humbly in front of her. He did not lift his head until she told him there was no need for that; her features were soft and motherly towards the boy, but her eyes sparkled showing a sharpness of mind that could be benevolent and caring but also very strict and harsh, depending on where her interests lied.

Selina felt the Queen was sending their master mixed signals, so that he would always be on his toes, not knowing whether he would manage to regain her favour or not... as expected by one of the greatest Queens in history. Oh well... what was to happen would happen; they could just follow the plan they had set a couple of days ago and see if it worked. In the current state they were, it would be too risky to push things further than they should.

"My dear boy, I was so worried about you. You know how the court is, too quick to judge, so all I could hear was how I should punish you for all these bad things the papers and people were saying, but told them to stop. I said that my boy might be naughty and has made mistakes, but I would not judge or say anything against him until I hear the truth and nothing but the truth from his own lips." A smile and a warning adorned her face, stating how she would not accept lies.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Your kindness is more than a pitiful liar like myself deserves. I am willing and ready to accept your judgement, whatever it may be." The boy announced, with a so serious face.

The Queen nodded. "You will tell me everything and then we will see. But before that... Where are your manners, my boy? Will you not introduce me?" She said with a smile, scanning the rest of the bystanders; her eyes paused on Prince Soma.

"Of course, Your Majesty. I would like to introduce Soma Asman Kadar, Prince of Bengal and the 26th child to the Raja of Bengal; a royal guest of mine for a while."

Prince Soma bowed lightly in respect, the same time Queen Victoria also bowed her head. "My boy, I will have to reprimand you once again. You have a royal guest, from India none the less, and you did not think you should have presented him to me sooner?" She said smiling, but her eyes glanced at the boy in a rather strict manner.

The young Earl got ready to respond but was cut off by Prince Soma's enthusiasm, which he displayed in a quite mature way, surprisingly enough. "Oh, Your Majesty, please, do not scold my brother, Ciel, so harshly. He has many things on his mind and... if you allow me, the cases you assign him so often, keep him rather busy at all times. He usually has no time to even teach me chess! But it is all right, it took me a while to realize the importance of his duties to you." He said and gifted her one of his signature so bright smiles.

Queen Victoria kept staring at the teenage prince with eyes wide open and filled with... something you could say resembled a mother's joy when her child is being praised; there was even a small tear glimmering at the corner of her eyes. "Your brother? Oh, this is so beautiful of you, Your Highness. You consider my dear boy as your brother, even though you are so different from each other. Your brotherly relationship goes beyond nations' borders and helps in building bridges between our people. Exactly what I desire to do between Britain and India! I am so glad I extended the invitation to everyone and will have you join us for a cup of tea. Phipps brewed it today and it just so happens to be a flavor that I have been told is preferred by Indian royalty. What a charming coincidence!"

Selina and Sebastian exchanged an amused look, struggling not to smirk, in front of the show the so talented Queen was giving on how 'coincidentally' she had just the thing that could flatter Soma; a prince of a nation practically enslaved to her own, to her empire, but a prince none the less. Both demon and witch agreed that this specific human was a top tier actress.

"However, you will forgive me, Your Highness, if I make you wait a little longer. I am so interested in meeting the people that supported my beloved boy through all this ordeal of besmearing him. Like this young gentleman, who is so... cute, if you excuse my word of choice." Her features softened even more at the sight of the fidgety gardener, obviously having spotted his child-like innocence as she stood in front of him, making him blush.

Prince Soma, with a kind smile, commented that of course he did not mind, the same time the young Earl introduced his gardener and said gardener expressed how honoured he was for meeting her... and obviously nervous bowed two, three times.

The elderly woman chuckled lightly at the image, as she patted his cheek with her gloved hand, again quite motherly. "Nice to meet you too, Finnian. Tell me please, are you happy working in the Phantomhive manor?"

"Very much, Your Majesty! Young master, Mr. Sebastian and everyone else are the best people I have met. They are precious to me and I will use all my strength to protect them!" The young boy said with determination in his sparkling eyes, and then blushed harder realising he might have been rude, talking to the Queen like that.

But the woman did not seem bothered. On the contrary, she looked very satisfied by what she heard. She nodded to Finny in a friendly manner and moved to Mey-Rin standing next to him, shaking from excitement and stress.

"This is Mey-Rin, the manor's maid." The young noble informed.

"Y-Your Majesty!" Mey-Rin said bowing deeply, her voice with the usual tremble.

"My pleasure, Mey-Rin. Do you agree with what Finnian said about your master?" The Queen asked with interest.

"A-absolutely, Your Majesty!" She pointed at her glasses. "Ever since I was born I could not see properly, but young master gifted me these glasses to help me, and Mr. Sebastian was mindful in letting him know I needed new ones when I accidentally cracked them!" She finished with a bright smile.

"So wonderful! I am so happy for you, my dear!" The Queen clapped her hands lightly happily and gifted the maid a friendly smile, before moving on.

"This is Snake, our footman... and his friend, Keats. Perfectly trained and not dangerous, I assure you, Your Majesty." Her Watchdog was quick to make it clear as Keats, the only snake Snake was allowed to carry with him, peeked his head out of Snake's lapels.

"Oh my, how exotic and beautiful, without a doubt! I am so glad I meet you both, Snake and Keats. Do you like your life in the manor, if you do not mind me asking?" She asked with a smile that made the pale young man blush.

Snake had been quite nervous about appearing in front of the Queen of England - his white cow-lick at the top of his head trembling from the moment the invitation became known to the servants was enough proof. Not so much because she was the Queen - his life had taught him not to care about royalty - but because her opinion of everyone could have an impact on Smile and... He did not like that, not now that he decided there was nothing to gain from trying to hate and wish him harm. However, this... chubby woman inspired him respect by how she chose to consider his scales on the cheeks like any other facial feature, and not something that turned him to a freak.

"Everyone is kind to us... says Keats." He answered without hesitation.

"That is what matters the most, is it not?" Queen Victoria said, patting Snake's arm and turned her eyes to Bard.

"Our chef, Bardroy." Young master said the same time Bard greeted her with a serious "Your Majesty" and a respectful bow.

"Glad to meet you, Mr. Bardroy! And how do you find your life as the Phantomhive chef?" Her eyes were so curious, evidently expecting a more objective answer by the obviously more mature, in age and manners, blond man.

"Well, Your Majesty... I am obviously not as young or enthusiastic as my colleagues but I will definitely agree with them. I have seen quite the horror in my life, so working for young master is my safe haven on so many levels, and just like they do, I also intend to protect this haven until the end." For a second, it seemed like a silent exchange was going on between the American war veteran and the British Queen, an exchange that cleared up something for the monarch and made her smile - not that her smile had faltered at all. "Of course, the beginning was a little rough, but that is how every new beginning is, right?" Bard finished back in his more casual tone and glanced at Sebastian, who simply smiled one of his closed-eyed smiles.

"Oh, I fully understand what you mean, Mr. Chef." The Queen shook her head and waved her hand, as if trying to send away the memories of the rough start of her reign. "I am so glad you appreciate your servitude to the Earl Phantomhive so much." She added and then moved to Selina and Sebastian, noticing how close they were standing compared to the others.

"Your Majesty, perhaps you remember my head butler, Sebastian Michaelis." The boy said as Sebastian bowed at her respectfully with a charming smile.

"Oh, I believe I do. You were the young, so talented man that made the delicious curry bun in the competition, am I right?"

"Absolutely, Your Majesty. I am honoured you remember that little triumph I assisted my master in winning." The demon said with one more light bow and one hand on his chest. His smile still in place, ostentatiously ignoring his master's and his mate's slightly fed up looks that screamed "Bloody flatterer!".

"Well..." Young master said a little hastily, quite disgusted by the show Sebastian was putting on - like he was ever capable of feeling respect for someone - but could not deny it was a necessary one, if he wanted to get back to the Queen's good side. "Allow me, Your Majesty, to introduce you Selina Clark-Michaelis, my private tutor and Sebastian's wife over the last few months." The young Earl let out a small sigh, as he finally finished the introductions.

Selina bowed respectfully as the Queen opened wide eyes, staring at the couple with obvious fondness. "My goodness! These are wonderful news! I am so glad for you, Mr. Michaelis, I am glad for you both; you look so beautiful together, truly!" Then, with a girl-like glimpse in her eyes, leaned closer to Selina motioning her to do the same. "It was love at first sight, right dear?" She actually giggled behind her black lace glove at Selina's embarrassed blushing. "Oh, do not worry. I know how it feels. My dearest Albert and I also fell madly in love at first sight and remained that way until the end. I wish the same for you two! Oh, how I wish my Albert could be here to see you! My dear Albert, how much I miss you!" She cried out suddenly, as her face darkened with grief.

She seemed about to collapse but her Private Secretarial Officer and butler, John Brown, always ready to serve his Queen, jumped at her side to support her as the famous Albert puppet appeared on his hand. A few words of consolation, and the reassurance that he always loved her as much as the first time they met, was all it took for the Queen to collect herself and apologize for her slip up. She gifted one more smile to the couple and wished them the best of happiness in their life.

"It was so beautiful and kind on your behalf, my boy, to allow them unite in matrimony and live their love properly." She said looking proudly at the young Earl.

"T-thank you, Your Majesty. I do not mind what my servants do to their personal lives, as long as they continue executing their duties properly and remain loyal to me." The boy said with a strained smile.

He still had not stomach how his order for them to marry - initially meant to trouble and torment his demon butler - had turned to a happy occasion that said supernatural enjoyed too much for his master's liking. Plus, he hated how the demon was once again proven right, when suggesting revealing his marriage to Selina and thus, appeal to the romantic side of the Queen, a side she obviously had by still remaining so attached to her long dead husband. The Queen's voice removed him from his musings.

"My dear boy, I am so glad that you have surrounded yourself by young people who really appreciate you and are ready to follow you anywhere. It is very important to have people you can trust beside you." She turned to the servants. "Thank you all, for supporting our dear Earl all this time. Please, put this old woman's troubled mind in peace by promising you will continue doing so for as long as your master needs you." The immediate promise uttered quite enthusiastically by the servants - butler and tutor in a more composed manner, of course - and their deep bow pleased her a lot. "Grey, dear. If you would be so kind to accompany our Earl's companions to treat them to a little of your delicious tea and treats, while I will be discussing some matters with their master and his royal friend?" She ordered so smoothly.

"Of course, Your Majesty." Earl Grey bowed respectfully and led Finny, Mey-Rin, Snake, Bard, Selina and even Sebastian to his private lounge, keeping them busy for as long as the second in line Phantomhive son would narrate his side of the story and receive the Queen's judgment.

{~}

"Phew!" Ciel Phantomhive allowed himself to let out a breath he was holding for so long he did not remember, as he fell quite ungraciously on the carriage's seat.

Prince Soma followed him and happily sat beside him, Selina was next taking the seat opposite the boys and Sebastian entered the carriage last, closing the door behind him and knocking for Bard to leave, before sitting next to the woman.

"My lord, you look quite unsightly at the moment with how you slump on your seat." The butler did not forget to point out and anger the already irritated boy that glared at him murderously. Demon and witch seemed amused.

"I do not understand why you are in such a foul mood, Ciel. Everything seem to be ending well for you." The younger boy's glare targeted the Indian prince now.

"Oh, so we were successful, my lord?" Selina asked with contained excitement that was strengthened by Soma's nod.

"Depends on how one views it. I bet you two will have a great time laughing at my expense, while I will be going through hell!" He openly accused the couple.

"Oh, you know how Hell is, my lord? Interesting. I would have remembered if I had spotted you there." Sebastian said with one finger under his chin and arched eyebrow.

"Eek, Ciel. Your khansama is a stalker." Soma said a little freaked out by what the demon implied.

"Boys, boys. Calm down, please." Selina said, waving her hands in a time-out motion. "Now, young master, will you please tell us what happened?"

Ciel sighed, straightened his body, assuming a proper lordly position and crossing arms and legs, before talking. "As expected, she insisted to tell her the whole story since the night of the... attack, and I did tell her everything she needed to know. Selina, do not look at me like that, of course I did not tell her the supernatural side of the matters. I do not want to be burned at the stake, either!" He made clear to the witch, who apologized for being hasty. "So, after finishing my narration..."

{~}

Queen Victoria dabbed her eyes with her handkerchief and silence covered the lounge, as soon as the fourteen year old boy, sitting across the table, finished telling her of what he had been through and what led him to do what he did. She had never asked for details - or really cared for that matter - but now it was imperative that she knew everything in order to reach a just decision... and what she learned was horrible beyond doubt. Despite everything, she still liked the boy quite a lot; he had a really sharp mind for his age and was very bold, doing what he wanted simply because he wanted. He reminded her part of her younger self and she liked that.

She glanced at him and saw him so pale, like he was about to get sick, but admirably he suppressed all his whirling emotions and preserved his cool, lordly demeanour with his head high. It was obvious that he had never again talked so openly about his trauma, but it was also obvious that he could deal with it quite maturely. The Queen did not know what kind of Earl the rightful heir of Phantomhive would be, but this boy was definitely a Lord.

"My dear boy, I am deeply sorry for you, having to go through all these ordeals. Words cannot ease your pain and wounds, that is why we will say no more of this." She glanced at the Indian prince, who was not so successful at hiding his emotions, but was fast to agree with her while sniffling. "I honestly do not care whether the Earl of Phantomhive is really called Ciel or something else, as long as he is a capable person to carry the burden of the Queen's Watchdog... and you, my boy, have proven me more than once that you are more than capable." She smiled. "However, considering the recent events, I need for the Earl Phantomhive to be called Ciel and the other one to be the impostor. The people, both in high society and commoners need to know what happened. Now, I would like you to reintroduce yourself to me, my dear." She finished looking at him and sending him a clear message.

He knew this time would come. He knew it from the moment he laid eyes on his resurrected brother and his butler and tutor had also prepared him. But then again... he might even knew it from the moment he introduced himself to the demon as Ciel Phantomhive. He got up from his sit calmly, ignoring all the eyes in the room pinned on him, he moved a little to the side and with a grand movement, kneeled in front of his monarch, bowing his head deeply.

"Your Majesty, My name is Ciel Phantomhive, heir to the Earl of Phantomhive and Queen's Watchdog. At your service." He erased himself one more time... Only this time, left a bitter taste to his mouth, since by doing that he also erased his brother, placing him in the place of the impostor.

"Very nice, very nice. That clears the matter quite a lot, do you not agree, Phipps?" The Queen said, clapping her hands quite satisfied.

"Of course, Your Majesty." Charles Phipps, her butler, agreed dutifully.

"Now that that is settled..." She said, as the boy returned to his seat and received a beaming smile from his Indian friend. "As much as I understand your motives and actions, I cannot ignore the fact that you lied, deceived me and the entire London society and... that you disobeyed me, dear boy." A soft smirk on her lips made her look both benevolent and mischievous. The boy looked at her a little questioningly on the last part. "Well, you know how adamant I am on bringing criminals to justice, but yet again you tell me you had to dispose of the true mastermind, Blavat Sky... It is the third time you disobey that order. And on top of that, you did not allow anyone to take away and study one of these... Bizarre Dolls. You even went so far as to not allow Scotland Yard assisting you in cleaning the mess of bodies from your manor."

"Blavat Sky left me no other choice, Your Majesty. His accomplices helped him escape the prison, as you know, but he was set on not surrendering that easily, like the first time. Seeing that no one was left, no one that could break him out again, he got determined in either killing me or escaping after doing harm to my people. I could not allow that." The boy said, staring at the Queen and his eye was hard and determined.

"That is true, Your Majesty. He pulled a gun and pointed to Ciel. Sebastian barely had the time to stop him before he pulled the trigger." Soma added with dread in his face remembering the scene.

"Oh dear. I never meant for you or any of your so capable servants to be harmed in any way." The Queen said with concern. Whether she believed the boys a hundred percent or just pretended, willing to let that slip by once again, was not clear for Ciel, but he did not really care. "In that case, I will have to suffice to the evidence, your words and those of Aleister's, who agrees with you."

"You are too kind, Your Majesty. As for the Bizarre Dolls... I had every intention to allow the bodies to be studied but..." He sighed deeply troubled. "Watching these people, forcibly brought back from the dead, falling in a mindless battle that was not theirs in the first place, I could not help but think of their relatives, their families and the horror they would experience at this sight. Then, images of the other Dolls on Campania came to mind and especially of that daughter, the first one to be resurrected, only to clamp her jaws on her mother and tear up her flesh. Her own mother, Your Majesty! I thought of the pain and confusion this poor woman must had felt right before she died... I thought of my own pain seeing my only and long lost brother deteriorating to a mindless creature, right before my eyes and... I could not allow others to go through the same. I know these dolls could be the perfect soldiers; Undertaker, Blavat's puppet, said so on the Campania, and there is nothing more I would like than reinforce our glorious Empire, make it undefeatable, but... These creatures obeyed and recognized no one, not even their own parents and siblings..."

"Oh my... soldiers, sons of mothers, unable to recognize their own flesh and blood..." The Queen said and seemed quite shaken by the thought.

"Exactly, Your Majesty. Sons not recognizing and devouring their mothers, husbands their wives, fathers their own children. Even my brother, who was the masterpiece of Blavat's and Undertaker's twisted science and was perfectly sane for most of the time, but as I said, in the end reverted back to his inhuman state. Your Majesty, as a mother yourself... I believe you understand the dilemma."

Ciel fell silent, his face clouded by worry and sadness, but his eye never left the Queen's face as she fell deep in thought, probably calculating the impact and the implications of creating an undead army that at any moment could get out of control, turn against their superiors and devour any living human around them.

"Queen Victoria sees herself as the benevolent and caring mother of all England... that is why she cared about the children being abducted by the circus, has created all these orphanages, workhouses and poorhouses across the country. She believes she does everything in her power to aid the people of England... Her children. So, why not appeal to her motherly instincts?" That was what Selina had said and the boy had agreed. It was time to use for his own advantage the motherly affection she showed him and believed she showed to the people.

"My dear boy, you are not only smart and brave but also caring to others and that makes me so happy and proud." The Queen said after a couple of minutes, having collected herself. "Indeed, such power would help in making Britain's greatness even bigger, but the risk would be so high... Are you certain that our exceptional scientists, like our mutual friend, lady Sullivan, would not find a way to overcome such obst-"

"If you allow me, Your Majesty." Ciel dared to interrupt her. "Lady Sullivan was present in the final battle. Later, she told me that even if she studied them and found what was that made these bodies moving... it would be impossible, even for her, to find a solution in the two major problems. Preservation of logic and stopping the bodies from decaying."

"Oh!" That seemed to surprise the elderly woman; she thought for a little longer. "Oh well... in that case... I would not like to bring more grief to my people. I want them to join us in fighting for and celebrating our Empire. I want them to be proud, not afraid, of our brave warriors. It is a pity we will not have the chance to study this so peculiar scientific breakthrough, but... perhaps it is not the time yet for human to play God, right?" She stared at the boy with a small smile, waiting for his reply.

"My thoughts exactly, Your Majesty."

"I am glad we agree, my dear. However, even if we let aside your disobedience and initiative to decide and act on my behalf, without consulting me..." She landed the 'stab' so smoothly that the boy had not the time to master his features and for a second his eyebrow twitched and his breath was cut. "...but I cannot ignore everything else; the court and the people would be furious, you understand that, do you not? That is why, I find it suitable for someone to compensate for all the poor people drained from their blood in Blavat Sky's hands in order to resurrect your brother... for reasons unknown and that will most probably remain unknown." The second 'stab' found the boy prepared who simply bowed his head.

Queen Victoria went on, announcing her decision that the Earl Ciel Phantomhive was to pay a handsome amount of money, as compensation to the families of old parents that lost their children, their only support in life, and to the families of young children who lost a mother or a father in the Sphere Music Hall. These money were to be taken out of Funtom's company earnings and the company would also gift toys to the orphaned children. The 'benevolent' Queen knew these measures would not bring their loved ones back, but it was all she and the young Earl could do to ease their pain, caused for the sake of the true impostor and the Earl's brother.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Your kindness is truly limitless and your judgement far lighter than I deserve." The young noble thanked her once again with a smile, even if his mind screamed in frustration on how he would meet such a demanding compensation for so many people. However, her next words caused cold sweat to break on his skin underneath his clothes making him shiver at the brink of panic.

"Oh, but that is only for satisfying the public opinion... we are not done yet." She gifted him a smile and a look that... was quite close to resemble the sharp grin his demon gave him sometimes, when teasing him, only this one was of less intensity and darkness but still gave him a cold shiver through his spine. "You know, after the events at Weston, I thought such things could be prevented if there were more people of integrity such as yours attending schools, instead of remaining at home. Undoubtedly, the education and knowledge you receive from your so competent tutor is of the highest quality, but you know very well, my boy, that Latin, mathematics and physics are not the only things a gentleman such as you needs in life. If you are to go to school, you will expand your horizons and circle by meeting other exceptional young men, you will gain knowledge of the world and the goodness it has inside - not just the darkness you have met as the Watchdog - and you will build a fine, healthy body by participating in sports... you proved how talented you are for that, without doubt. I was so proud of you for winning the Weston cricket cup, just like your dear father!"

"Y-Your Majesty..." Ciel swallowed with some difficulty. "Are you ordering me to resume attending Weston?"

"Oh, no, no, no! My dear boy, I would never order you something like that. I am merely giving you an advice, because I care and worry about your proper growth and evolvement. I wish more than anything to see you, a fully grown proper young gentleman... not that you are not right now, but you can be even better. And it is not necessary to go to Weston if it makes you feel uncomfortable. There are other, equally prestigious schools like... Eton or Harrow. Harrow is a good choice, it is not far from London and thus you will be able to continue monitoring your businesses, am I not right?" She smiled again and motioned to Brown, who instantly presented Ciel with a folder filled with all the information he would need about Harrow School.

He felt his muscles flinching. "But... Your Majesty. If I attend a school full time, all year round, how am I going to work on your assignments? I-I cannot allow myself to not properly carry out my Watchdog duties towards you and Britain."

The Queen tapped one gloved finger on her chin as in thought. "After meeting them, I strongly believe you have managed to surround yourself with fine servants, more than capable to protect you, carry out your orders and are totally committed to you, so loyal. If memory serves me well, I think you had mentioned... Sebastian and Selina during the St. Ives case. True, they found themselves in great danger and had to kill the perpetrator to save their lives, but aside that, they did an exceptional work, proving how suitable they are to be your people. My boy, you are a genius when it comes to chess... you know how to utilise your pawns." She finished and her eyes dropped on the folder for a moment before staring at the boy once again.

The message was clear. Ciel, mustering all his power to steady his hands, took the folder and opened it. "Your Majesty is as wise as ever." He said with a strained smile before lowering his head to the papers.

"Your Majesty? Can I also attend this school? Acquiring knowledge is my main goal and reason for staying in Britain." Prince Soma asked hardly hiding his excitement. As soon as the Queen nodded with a pleased smile, he barely contained himself from hugging Ciel - who struggled to stifle a sigh of desperation - but sufficed by leaning his head close to the other boy's in order to read with him.

{~}

"Oh goodness, she is good! She is really good!" Selina managed to say while laughing, once her master finished talking. "Young master got played like that. An order that is simply an 'advice'!"

"Indeed. I do regret I was not present to see master's reaction." Sebastian smirked a little sadistically, as he looked at the still fuming boy. "Well, it seems I must brush up my professor's Michaelis costume. It might be an interesting change." The demon finished, glancing at the woman beside him with a meaningful look, making her blush a little.

"Do not be so hasty, 'professor'. Once I accepted her... offer, she made clear to me that it would be better to not take any of my servants with me... in any form." It was the boy's turn to smile sadistically seeing the demon's grin freezing on his face. Selina burst in one more fit of laughter and that clearly pissed off the boy. "What is so funny? Whose side are you on?"

Selina shrugged. "No one's and both. Forgive me, my lord, but I cannot resist the thought of you living a life resembling that of a common human, without titles, servants or anything... to the extend that can be achieved in a high class school, at least. You will get a taste of living like we do and it will be your greatest lesson, the most important one, believe me. For one, you'll learn how to properly dress yourself and tie your shoes." She said like that would be a great achievement for the red-faced boy. "Don't worry, master. We will do some practice before you leave." She actually winked at him reassuringly; the whole situation made her feel quite smugly.

"Whatever do you mean, Selina? I can also teach that to our lord." Sebastian said a little offended.

"Mm... yes, you could... for a long time now, instead of complaining on how dependent he is on you. But you didn't teach him, dear, because you would lose part of your control over him. You would not be the first and last person he would see at morning and at night, and that would make knowing or even predicting every bit of his thoughts a little difficult, right?" The demon said nothing, he only stared at her with a cold mask on his face, his eyes were a little more red-ish than usual; that made Selina only chuckle again, as she brought her face closer. "I believe you want to strangle me right now, love. It's okay, it will be gone in a while." She said and caressed his cheek so lovingly that indeed, the cold, borderline murderous expression on the demon's face instantly melted away.

"C-Ciel!" Soma said with a tremble in his voice as he leaned closer. "Your khansama is scary but your shikkhika is no different right now. She sees right through him! And the way she controls him...!" He said utterly surprised.

Ciel just scoffed. "What did you expect? They are so similar sometimes... They totally deserve each other." He said with a tinge of irritation in his voice and cheeks dusted in pink as he looked away.

"Oh, just a sec. If young master goes to school, then what am I supposed to do as his private teacher? I mean, okay, I will be helping the others in the manor but if Sebastian is also there-" Selina was heard a little worried.

"Do not worry, Her Majesty thought about that too. She... 'suggested' to appoint you Sieglinde's tutor, because she wants her to expand her knowledge, but realizes that Sieglinde could not go to a girls' school, she does not need that kind of education." The boy finished.

"Indeed, I cannot imagine Siegli sewing or doing anything of that kind. So, yes! I might be soon proven inadequate to find new things to teach our little genius - as she is obviously smarter than me - but I'll take up that challenge!" Selina said, tightening her fists quite excitedly. Her face and eyes were so bright and happy that made Soma smile equally brightly and Sebastian stare at her quite fondly; he still felt amazed by how much he enjoyed the sight of an excited Selina.

"W-what? Why are you looking at me like that?" The teenage Earl said, feeling the blue eyes of his tutor pinning him down in a manner that did not foretell good things for him.

"Because I just remembered I had promised a couple of biology classes to you and Sieglinde... classes that will focus on human anatomy." She grinned quite sharply while flexing her fingers, as if preparing for battle. The boy rolled his eye, clearly unable to imagine what awaited him and the younger girl.

{~}

Charles Grey entered the Queen's lounge where he found her sitting and sipping at her tea, the faraway look in her eyes and a light smirk on her lips showed she was thinking something pleasant.

"My dear Grey, you were right after all. Our young boy has gathered a perfect little army ready to defend him... no matter the cost." She grinned at him.

Grey nodded. "My reports were very precise, Your Majesty. It peeves me that I have not managed to collect intel, or rather see with my own eyes, what this tutor is capable of."

"We also have not managed to find more about who they actually are these servants. Other than a few details for the chef, when he was a soldier, we know nothing about where they come from or anything. It is like they did not exist before joining the Phantomhive." Phipps added in his calm matter-of-fact voice.

"Especially that butler..." Grey said with furrowed brows.

He may have been acting cool and all, but he still had not stomached or figured out how the butler was still alive. He was certain he had given him a very strong whack on the head during the murders in the manor... plus he had stabbed him with the poker, making sure he was dead.

"Their points of origin are of little concern, my dear Phipps." The Queen said, waving her hand, gently dismissing her butler's concerns. "What matters is how competent they are and how their master will decide to use them. They seem quite valuable assets, I would hate having to exterminate them. Let us hope our dear boy will not force our hand."

Victoria, Queen of the powerful British Empire, sipped her tea confidently. Her calculating eyes staring into space, as if they could look into the future and know whether at some point she would have to put down her Watchdog that would have been astray.

{~}

When the Earl Phantomhive and his group arrived at the manor, they got alarmed finding the main door unlocked, despite Mey-Rin being certain she had locked it, as the last exiting the house. Cautiously stepping inside, they saw Wolfram carrying a tray of tea into the small living room, familiar voices were coming from inside. Reaching the room - guns, table-knives and daggers ready to use - they found Lau with Ran Mao in his lap, casually chatting with Sieglinde.

"You! What are you all doing here?" The young Earl asked as everyone let out a breath, instantly relaxing.

"Hi Ciel! Soma, come join us!" Sieglinde invited with a smile and the Indian Prince jumped into accepting.

"I repeat, what are you doing here, in my house, and how did you get inside?" A vain on his forehead quite visible between furrowed eyebrows.

"Well, I could not wait for when you would remember to send me a message of the outcome of your meeting with the Queen, nor I wanted to read the half-truth of the newspapers. But I had no idea how long your meeting would be, so I came here to wait. Lau and Ran Mao arrived soon after and were kind enough to open the manor so that we would not wait out in the cold." The young scientist smiled even brighter.

"Kind enough by breaking into my manor?" It was becoming obvious he was reaching his patience limits for the day.

"Now, now, young lord, do not be so harsh on the young lady. My sensitive heart could not bear seeing such a cute little creature trembling in the cold. Besides, the door's lock was child's play, right Ran Mao?" The Chinese man said with his usual smile and almost closed eyes.

"A few turns and... click." The doll-like woman said nodding.

"Perhaps, Mr. and Mrs. Butler should take care of it." Lau added, smiling at the couple.

Sebastian seemed annoyed at the man when he looked at the stunned Selina. The woman shrugged with a look, meaning she had not thought to add the Chinese couple as threats her protective spell should deflect. The demon sighed making a mental note to reinforce all the manor's locks, just in case.

"You still have not answered about what are you doing here, Lau!" The young noble was about to explode.

"Oh, I just wanted to see how have you been doing after that night, my dear Earl. And why not learn from the source the results of your meeting with the Queen, as lady Sullivan kindly informed us just now it was today."

"W-wait... you are talking all this time without knowing it was today?" Sieglinde asked quite shocked, just to receive an innocent look from Lau.

The young lord and his supernatural servants rolled their eyes, as this scene reminded them a similar played out with the late Madame Red in Sieglinde's place.

"See? I knew everything would work out, eventually! Queen Victoria might have a secret agenda, but so do you, and she is cunning enough to know when to act on her agenda... meaning that she still needs you as much as you need her. And the meeting with the servants was indeed the best idea I had... I-I mean, the Queen had." Sieglinde cried out proudly some time later, after Ciel having narrated for a second time his discussion with the Queen.

The girl continued sipping her tea in a very lady-like manner, ignoring the smirking red and blue eyes that stared her from behind, once her tongue did that little slip. After having their tea and discussing the news, the uninvited guests got ready to leave, to young master's relief as he was looking forward to staying alone and pondering about everything. Selina was assisting lady Sullivan put on her coat as Wolfram was holding her in his arms.

"My lady, I have a question, if you don't mind." The blond woman said while buttoning the girl up, who nodded giving her permission. "Why do I have the feeling that the Queen, prior the invitation - that of course she intended to send either way - had a meeting with certain someone and maybe, just maybe, that person informed her in great detail about the abilities of some of this household's staff? You know... enough to spark her curiosity and wanting to meet them, see what kind of people they are. And maybe, just maybe, these information played a big part in the Queen's decision?" She finished with an innocent smile.

Sieglinde stared at the woman with a little furrowed eyebrows and pursed lips, while a light pink coloured her cheeks. "Are you suggesting that I had anything to do with this? That is preposterous!" She tried to look offended but in reality she seemed like a naughty child caught with one hand in the jar of cookies.

Selina shrugged. "I don't know, my lady. It was just a thought, because the Queen seemed quite... prepared on what to expect while meeting us. She even seemed comfortable around Keats... making things easier for young master..."

The blush deepened on the girl's cheeks. "I assure you, I had no part in any of these. Even I would not have the audacity to try and influence the Queen of the British Empire! Besides... I have been very busy for many days now, remodelling arachne patousa in order to be able to use it outside the house and wear longer skirts, because my exposed legs get quite cold in the winter. So, I was constantly at home after the 14th of December. Is that not right, Wolfram?" She finished, looking at her gigantic butler quite threateningly.

The poor man was standing silent all this time but his face gave his stress away, as soon as Selina started talking. Now, he flinched a little at his lady's voice. "J-Ja... I-I mean yes, my lady never left the house... o-or contacted anyone, aside young master, until today... Exactly as she said!" He said quite hastily and then looked at the girl who nodded approvingly.

"Right... Okay. Forgive me for all I said, my lady. It was quite stupid of me." Selina said and bowed lightly, even though her eyes never left those of the black haired girl. A silent communication between them that made the girl break eye contact with her adorable fake snob-ish look on.

"Well?" Sebastian asked Selina when everyone was gone and the couple was heading for the kitchen to start dinner preparation.

"Well... I think our little genius is too proud to admit she actually cares for our equally proud young master, therefore, will never admit helping him without being told to."

"In that case, I advice not saying anything to said proud young master. I do not think he is ready to accept that his pawns might act on their own, on his behalf. It will be a big blow on his pride." The demon said, Selina agreed with a smile and the couple chuckled, obviously enjoying the awkwardness between the two teenagers.

{~}

Feminine fingers intertwined with long, black-nailed male ones, holding on to each other tightly. Upper body lying on the bed's mattress, while the bent knees supported the lower part in a lifted up position. Stockings, shirt and chemise still on the trembling and sweating body, but the shirt just hanged unbuttoned and loosely from the female shoulders and the chemise was pushed up, exposing the bare bottom and womanhood longingly accepting the penetration of the male body kneeled behind and hunched over the female.

Selina kept gasping and moaning in a way that resembled a cat's purring of pleasure, with every thrust from Sebastian. His hot, laboured breath and groans landing right on her ear, resulted only in getting her more lost in this haze of lust the demon always dragged her in with the simplest of touches.

"S-Se-Sebastian!" She managed to breathe at some point.

"Yes?" The demon whispered on her red and hot ear. "What is it, my Selina?"

He could feel his heart beating loudly in his chest, and once again was marvelled by how this specific human woman could make his blood run so fast and so hot in this fake human body's veins, driving him mad with lust. He was also so lost in the sensation the friction of their bodies created that he had even forgotten the discomfort his clothes, drenched in sweat and sticking on him, caused him. He was getting closer to lose control and let his hips move as fast as they desired... the only thing needed was a word from her.

"I-I need... I need..." A new moan robbed her voice and the only thing she could do was touch the fingers of his other hand resting on the mattress and supporting his weight.

"As my lady commands!" Sebastian groaned enthusiastically and said hand slipped downwards, until he found her hot centre and the small button he loved to tease, causing the woman to lose herself in him even more.

"Selina..." He breathed after a couple of moments; his body getting more excited by drinking in his mate's increasing pleasure. "I-I also need..."

"Yes... yes. F-faster, Sebastian, faster!" Selina cried out. Her trembling hand reaching for and sinking her fingers in his silky raven hair.

The intertwined fingers were squeezed more together as the two bodies moved faster and faster; the male fingers teasing and stroking faster too, driving the couple over the edge in a moment or two. Their cries of absolute pleasure and release rose together, calling each other like their lives depended from that.

After riding all the successive waves of their climax - something that also caused them great pleasure - they allowed themselves to lie on the bed, side by side, with eyes closed and a dreamy smile on their lips, enjoying the feeling of fulfilment and satiation following their passionate lovemaking. Their clothes were crumpled and dirtied by sweat but the couple simply could not care; as they also could not care for the December night chill slowly crawling on their bodies, as they remained half naked, their private parts totally exposed. They just wanted to continue feeling so good together.

"I believe I must have drawn in some of your aura..." Sebastian said after a while, once his breath had returned to normal and his heart calmed down.

"Okay..." Selina responded still trying to catch hers.

The demon turned his head to look at the blue eyes of the woman beside him, lying on her side. "Your aura was pretty intense this time and I guess my instincts took over."

"Well..." The woman took one more deep breath and that seemed to do the trick. "You were also pretty intense this time so... it was kind of inevitable. No reason to apologize, my love, it doesn't suit you." She grinned at him and scooted closer to plant a soft kiss on his lips.

The demon could not help but be surprised by his mate all over again. "Were you not yelling, a while ago, that you did not sign up in becoming my snack or hors d'oeuvre?" He arched an eyebrow in question.

Selina chuckled. "Well, that was true but it was before everything. Now, I don't mind having you munching on my infinite aura if that calms your hunger and yourself, like tonight." The demon looked at her baffled. "I did say you were pretty intense, did I not? Something seems to bother you ever since you heard the Queen's decision."

"No, it does not." He said proudly, but seeing the woman continuing to stare at him with a look of "you are not fooling me, you know", he sighed and nodded. "I am not pleased at all with having young master away while studying. I am his butler and pawn, if I cannot be close to him to serve him-"

"And control him, making sure he will never grow so close to anyone to confide in, in case that person would try to change his mind about your contract or attempt to break it, right?" Selina finished, her fingers slowly unbuttoning his vest and then his shirt.

Her demon mate did not respond, just sighed staring at the canopy of their bed. The woman smirked and wrapped her other arm around his and the man let his palm rest on her naked outer thigh, right above her white stocking.

"How Undertaker had said it while that tea party in Weston? We humans are so... supremely tragic? Well, I cannot say I disagree on that." That piqued the demon's curiosity more and turned on his side to look at the woman better. "Perhaps it is in our nature or something, that we remain stuck in the past very easily. We can have all the love and happiness in the world, our life might be perfect, but our heart will always bear the scars of some previous misfortune; no matter how big or small, it looks huge in our eyes. We love our dramas and we don't let them go that easily... Take me for example."

The demon looked quite alarmed; his eyes grew big and eyebrows furrowed. "Am I not pleasing you? I thought I made you happy... that is what you have said." He seemed seriously confused; human emotions were still a riddle to him.

Selina grinned amused and kissed him softly. "Of course you do. I haven't been happier for many years, but that doesn't mean that I have forgotten all the sadness, pain and desperation I have gone through. I might not care for Paul anymore, but the bitterness of getting abandoned by the man who wanted to bind his life to mine, just because I suddenly could not produce children - something that is out of my control and would surely change if I could - is still present. As well as the pain about losing my family one by one, the memories are still here and here and they will not go away... ever." She finished touching her chest and head respectively.

"So... you believe that even if young master lives a full life, his pain and hatred will remain as strong as they are now?"

She shrugged. "I cannot know about the intensity of his feelings, but, if I have understood him correctly, he is quite a stubborn person, so I believe he will force himself to hold on to these emotions and will not back down from your contract. I believe he has decided that only that end is suitable for him... just as I thought after killing Vera and the others... and I still don't mind if that is eventually my end, only this time... I get to choose the demon who will devour my soul." She said with a very seductive look in her eyes, as she wrapped her arms around Sebastian's neck and her one leg around his waist, bringing their nether regions closer.

"That is not an option!" Her mate announced seriously, grabbing her hip and pulling it even closer, until his once again erect length came in contact with her center. The woman gasped, turned red and hot at the sensation and without second thought started rubbing herself on him, smirking smugly at her demon's groan and shudder run through his body. "If I am to endure... having young master out of reach for some years and the possibility of waiting for his entire life to get my rightful meal... I need a good motive by my side."

"I believe I am good at motivating people..." Selina said as their bodies started moving rhythmically and breaths turned once again heavier.

"And demons, so... keep up the good work... forever maybe?" Sebastian chuckled and in a flash changed position.

Selina found herself straddling him, his back resting on the headboard as his one hand guided her hips to continue the same movement and his other slipped underneath the chemise in search of the round breasts he loved to fondle and taste. The friction of their skin turned their blood to hot molten lava running through their bodies, as once again dragged each other in a deep pool of lust.


And the Oscar goes to... our Ciel, once again! 🎉

Jokes aside, we all know what a good actor he can be if needed, right? So, I could not help but imagine him - quite easily, I must say - playing the part of the so altruistic human as he does here. Despite that, I felt quite bad for him having to indeed erase his true identity once again. But, honestly, a similar scene is the only way I can think of him regaining his position in a more peaceful manner.

Queen Victoria: Most probably, this is a very soft version and I know most readers consider her as the arch-villain responsible for the Phantomhives' murder... and it is quite possible that she is. But in my version, I chose not to make her the bad guy... at least yet 😉. Later... who knows? For now, she still needs Ciel, but she also needs to know how strong he really is and that is why she wanted to meet his household.

Sieglinde: I love writing her a little... no idea if it is a something-dere, but I think you get what I mean, right? Both Ciel and Sieglinde can be so proud and in denial when it comes to caring for others... and I enjoy it so much! 😍😍

Till next time! Bye!😘