( chapter ten ! )
"So it's time for the big showdown, eh?"
Inside a large, greenhouse-like building holds the curry fair, and many visitors fill the place to watch the competition. Ciel, Leah, Anna, Sebastian, and the rest of the Phantomhive servants all show up in attendance to see the results of the winner, some more excited than others. Just as the betrothed pair shuffle inside, they are greeted by Lau sitting on a platform, an arm wrapped around Ran Mao who sits between his legs.
"You brought one of your girls even though you would be in front of clients?" Ciel cocks a brow, observing the display.
Pulling her eyes away from an elephant a few feet away from them, Leah's eyes sparkle when she finally notices Ran Mao. "Ran Mao! I didn't think you would be here!" she detaches herself from Ciel's side to wander over to the Chinese woman.
"This is the Ran Mao you speak about?!" Staring in shock, Ciel watches his fiancé who seems ecstatic to see the woman.
"Of course it is.. I met her through Lau, what else could you expect?" Leah tilts her head, standing tall in her pistachio green dress decorated in cute ruffles and bows. A cute headband sits atop her head as well, accentuating her brunette hair which is done half up as usual.
Lau pokes a finger into Ran Mao's cheek, making a small indent. "Ran Mao is my little sister, even though we are not related by blood. Ain't she cute!" he drops his fingers and moves his head back, "I heard that during the contest they would serve curry to the audience, so I figured I could treat this girl."
Rolling his eyes in disinterest, Ciel takes Leah's wrist and moves her along with him as he begins to walk away. Sebastian and Anna stay a short distance behind them but only manage to get so far before Lau catches back up to bother the young Phantomhive.
"So the Prince's butler is really serious?" he asks, bending his body to the side.
Shifting his eye away from the Chinese man, Ciel focuses on the bottom of Leah's dress skirt. "He betrayed the master he regards as a God. Of course, he is serious." Ciel's tone drags.
"It's safe to assume that this is all for the Prince. He was probably told that once the plan is complete, the girl will be returned to them.." Lau recalls what they had seen a couple of nights before, "If so, it sounds like a lie to me."
"Well.. Should we succeed, letting Agni go after obtaining the royal warrant would possibly mean the leaking of his deeds," Ciel closes his eyes, tilting his head down as he walks. "If I was West—"
Lau interrupts the earl's sentence, "You would have him killed?"
"You really think it would be worth killing someone over?!" Ciel sighs in disdain.
"I'd do it if it was me," Shrugs Lau, flashing an ironic smile.
Previously occupied by the decorations around the building, Leah stops looking around in wonder to pay attention to the conversation. "I would appreciate it if you didn't speak about murder on such a wonderful day.." she appears disinterested, almost scolding the boys.
A chuckle leaves Lau, "Ah, yes. I'm sorry, I forgot we have a Lady in attendance."
"That is.. oh my.. if it isn't Earl Phantomhive!"
The group turns around at the sudden voice, only to see Harold West approaching them, removing his hat to place it under his arm.
"Ah.. Lord West." Ciel acknowledges.
Harold smiles brightly at the sight of the younger earl, "Long time no see! It hasn't been since last year's social events if I recall correctly?" his eyes trail off to Leah who stands next to Ciel. "And who is this beautiful young lady?"
"It is an honor to meet you again," Ciel turns his head in disinterest. "This is my fiancé."
Forcing a small smile, Leah gives little effort to bow her head towards the man. "Leah Barrett, daughter of Marquess Barrett."
"Ah, I knew you looked familiar!" Harold's eyes widen in surprise before shifting back to Ciel. "You never change, always wearing a well-tailored coat. So what brand does someone of the Earl's status wear?"
"My butler picks out all my clothing. I don't care at all about brands," Ciel releases a breath, slightly bringing his arm away from his side.
Harold chuckles, "Ha! You never change!" There's a small silence, "Come to think of it, isn't your group competing in this contest?"
Looking past Harold at nothing in particular, Ciel nods. "Yes, I'm considering expanding my business into the food industry."
"I was rather surprised to learn that you would enter. Did you go on a hunt for a talented chef?" Harold asks, not noticing Soma who is spying from behind a tree. "My company can not lose! We have hired a curry specialist."
Ciel barely makes an effort to appear interested, "That so.."
"Between you and I, some spies broke into my home," Harold whispers, recalling Sebastian wearing the deer head. "It was terrible. One of my Galle lamps was broken along with a chess set I got at general trading."
The blonde man shivers, "It scares me to even think of it. Luckily the secrets of the curry were kept safe. I get the shivers knowing that the criminal may even be here." Somehow Harold doesn't realize Ciel and Sebastian's bad attempts at hiding a guilty smile. "Enough about that, I heard that the Queen might be attending the curry show?"
Ciel stares at Lord West rubbing his gloved hands together, "And?"
"Well since King Albert passed away, Her Majesty doesn't appear in public so often. I'd like her to taste the curry we are so proud of in front of the audience before I receive the royal warrant," Harold releases a breath of air, only being met with silence from Ciel and Leah. "Oh. This chat has gone on a bit long. I will see you later."
"Before you receive the royal warrant, eh?" Ciel raises a brow.
Placing a hand on her fiancé's shoulder, Leah giggles quietly. "He sure is confident!"
Ciel looks over at Leah and smirks, "I can't wait to see his face when he realizes he has lost."
"Yes, My Lord," Sebastian says. "Then I will head to the competitor's room and wait."
Shortly after, the competition is set to begin as a man stands on a stage. "We have now come to the highlight of 'The Empire Governed Indian Culture and Prosperity Exhibition'. With participants from famous curry houses throughout London, let the curry show begin!"
"We have prepared a special curry for the guests who are present. Please wait in anticipation!"
With those words, the crowd erupts in applause.
"Now, today's judges are.."
An older man with a light, shaggy beard and mustache stands on the stage. "A palace chef who will not allow any compromises in taste, Chef Higharm."
Next to him is a man with darker hair and a rounder face, small glasses sitting upon his nose bridge. "A tax collector currently serving in India, Mr. Carter."
"And.." Aleister steps out onto the stage, running a hand through his hair. "Viscount Druitt, who has a great love of the arts and food!"
Women in the crowd make remarks about his looks while Ciel fights back a scream in surprise.
Tilting her head, Leah recognizes the blonde man after a moment of observing. "Oh. I went to his ball at the end of the social season!"
"Eh? Wasn't he arrested by the yard?" Lau questions, hand over his forehead to block the light in hopes of getting a better view.
Ciel stares in contempt, nearly beginning to glare. "He probably bribed his way out. How corrupt.."
The competition goes on as planned, a strong showdown between Agni and Sebastian to create the best curry. It's a head-to-head battle, the crowd reacting to the way they curate their food before the curries are opened up to the audience while the judges discuss who shall win.
Ciel and Leah don't stray far from their spots in the crowd, the boy standing quietly while the brunette chats animatedly with Ran Mao. This spans over ten minutes before the judges return to the stage.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," The man announces, holding a trophy in his hand. "After much discussion, the winner of this curry show is.."
Everyone stares in anticipation, wondering if their efforts paid off.
"Harold West Company and Funtom Company! A tie!" As the man raises the trophy above his head, a whip takes it away and into the hand of a man wearing shades.
"Please wait."
A prolonged silence sits over the building, wondering what could be worth the interruption. It's not until Queen Victoria parades in on a horse do people understand who the intruder is.
Bardroy, Soma, and Leah all stare in confusion. "Who's the funky old gran?!" Bardroy questions, pushing his hat up.
Recognizing the face, Ciel pulls himself away from Leah to dash over to Queen Victoria. "Your Majesty! Why have you come here?!"
"Hello everyone," Queen Victoria smiles, placing her shades on her forehead.
"Her Majesty the Queen?!" Shouts sound from all corners of Crystal Palace.
Leah gives a nod in understanding, "That makes sense, I suppose. My mother is always talking about her, which bores my father immensely." her words earn a small chuckle from Bardroy.
"It seems the Queen has something to say," Speaks Queen Victoria's assistant, John, on the ground with a hoove on his head.
"This curry show was indeed exciting. The fragrance permeating throughout the entire room reminds me of a time I had a curry with Albert on White Island," Queen Victoria is helped down from her horse and takes a look at a watch, Albert's portrait sitting at the top. "Oh, Albert.." she cries, falling to her knees as the attendants give her strange looks.
John retrieves a doll made to look like Albert, using it to speak and being entirely serious. "I want to eat this curry with you also!"
"Her Majesty seems like quite the complex character," Lau comments.
Leah raises a brow, "She acts deranged."
The Phantomhive stares in disapproval and annoyance at their words, "Don't talk like that."
"As I received an invitation to be a judge in this contest, I have one vote don't I?" The Queen uses a handkerchief to dry the tears pricking her eyes.
On the sidelines, John still uses the puppet. "Your Majesty, Albert has always been by your side." He whispers.
Leah stares incredulously, "Is he serious?"
Placing a hand over his fiancé's mouth, Ciel shushes her as Queen Victoria announces her pick.
"I have chosen.." The Queen pauses before approaching Sebastian with the trophy. "Funtom Company's butler, Sebastian. This is for you."
Harold West and Agni both stare in shock, "Wh—Why? How can the curry we made lose to a doughnut stuffed with curry?" Harold questions.
"Please look over there," Victoria points to numerous children happily enjoying the curry buns, Finnian as well. "Do you see? Funtom's curry requires no utensils and can be consumed by anyone. Yes, that is right, this is a method that takes even children into account. Everyone is happy, the rich, the poor, the adults, the children. Everyone is equal. This kind of idea is essential for Great Britain as it heads into a new century. I highly approve of the Funtom Company's accounting for our future, the children."
Leah deadpans. "It really isn't that serious."
"Thus, the victor is the Funtom Company!" Queen Victoria announces.
Harold falls to his knees, deeply upset by this information. On the other hand, Ciel and Leah celebrate silent victory, going off to taste the curry buns with Finnian who seems all too happy to be around the young Barrett.
Crumbs around his mouth, Finnian's face flushes when Leah gladly takes a bun from the gardener's hand. "It's good isn't it?" he asks, smiling brightly.
Leah takes a bite, chewing softly before shrugging. "Better than I thought it would be."
All goes smoothly, despite Agni and Harold's disappointment in their loss, until a certain woman makes her entrance to comfort the blonde man.
"Mina?!"
Everyone previously involved with the prince turns at his voice, noticing an Indian woman who is undoubtedly the Mina he has been searching for.
Standing beside Ran Mao quietly chewing on a curry bun, Leah tilts her head to get a better look at the woman. "Hmm.. Soma's drawing didn't do her much justice, she's a lot prettier in person." Lau nods in agreement.
"Prince.. Soma?" Mina asks.
Soma's cheeks flush in wonder and dives in to hold the woman in his arms, "I finally found you! Mina! I've been looking for you! For a very long time! You must have been so worried when you were kidnapped to England! I finally.. finally found you." Soma pulls away from the hug. "You don't have to worry anymore. Let's go home together!"
"Prince.." Mina's face contorts into one of disgust, "Are you some kind of idiot?"
Soma's face pales, "Eh?"
"Who the hell do you think you are, coming this far, just to get in people's way?!" Mina yells. "Come home with you? Don't make me laugh! Who'd want to come home to a place like that?"
"Drama.." Leah comments as she watches Mina complain about her life back in India, getting a nudge from Ciel in return before turning to her faithful maid. "Do you feel that way, Anna?"
A warm flush coats Anna's cheeks in embarrassment, "Of course not, Mistress! It's an honor to serve you.."
"Well, you don't have to lie.." Murmurs the Barrett.
The issue is thankfully resolved, reuniting Agni and Soma, and leaving Mina to live a peaceful life in England.
"It seems like somehow everything's ended up for the best, wouldn't you say? Isn't that good, boy?" Queen Victoria asks, directly a smile at the infamous Phantomhive.
The Phantomhive servants, Lau, Ran Mao, and Leah all stare in surprise at the nickname. "Boy..?"
"Your Majesty, I've humbly asked you to stop referring to me that way.." Ciel's face flushes, trying to hide his embarrassment.
Queen Victoria giggles, "Is that so? But you'll always be that cute little boy to me."
"Boy? Perhaps I should start using that one," Wonders Leah, looking for new ways to tease her fiancé.
This earns a small glare from Ciel as he clears his throat, "Your Majesty, why did you come all the way out here today?"
"I was at St. Sophia University's choir concert, but when I heard that your company was coming to the curry fair, I had to coke and see you. You only ever send letters and never come to visit, after all." The Queen smiles up at the boy.
Ciel fiddles with his hat and casts his gaze to the side, "Someone like me shouldn't be around Your Majesty very often."
"Dramatics.." Leah comments to which Lau promptly covers her head to keep her from talking.
"Please don't say such things. You're so young, but you already perform your duty so seriously, just like your father, Vincent." Queen Victoria places a hand on Ciel's cheek. "Besides that, it's been such a long time since I came to the Crystal Palace. It seems like just yesterday that Albert and I would come here for the opening ceremonies.."
Beneath a cloth, Leah speaks up once again. "Ciel isn't that young, he's getting quite old." she says, making Anna push her aside.
"Albert!" Queen Victoria falls to her knees once again.
John, ever so serious, pulls out the puppet of Albert, "I wish you were here today too~"
The night comes to a close with plenty of congratulations — and tears from Soma.
"How long are you going to keep crying?! You said you were twenty-one? Act like it.." Ciel complains as he goes to pull a handkerchief from his coat pocket, only to see a sealed envelope. "This is.. When did?!"
"Ah, the Queen's servants put it there earlier." Sebastian glances over.
Ciel whips his head around in annoyance, "Why didn't you say anything?!"
"You didn't ask," Smiles the butler in black.
Happily skipping over to her fiancé, she peers over his shoulder to notice him open the envelope and reveal three tickets.
"Couldn't it be a Christmas present?" Sebastian smirks. "For a little boy."
Ciel turns his head and sharply glares at Sebastian who stands a few feet behind Leah, "I'll kill you." Handing the envelope over to his butler, he starts to walk with his fiancé following in step. "..I'm tired. I want to go home and have some tea."
"Oh.. Is it time for me to go home now?" Pouts Leah, having relatively enjoyed her day at the curry competition.
"Yes. You've spent so much time at my townhouse, I'm worried your father will try to kill me. Surely he wants you home?" Ciel allows Leah to place her hand in his, though makes no move to tighten his grip. "By the way, what kind of tickets are those?" he asks Sebastian.
Opening the envelope once again, Sebastian looks down as he completely pulls out the three tickets to get a better look. "Let's see.." he says. "They're.. for the circus."
The tickets read Noah's Ark Circus in bold and decorative letters.
Leaving the Crystal Palace with Ciel by her side and Anna in her shadow, Leah raises a brow at the mention.
"Circus? Those are dreadfully boring.."