Chapter Text
Author's POV
"Think carefully. Should you reject the faith even this once, the gates of paradise will forever be out of your reach." Sebastian said to the twins. "Do you think one who was among those faithful would ever go so far as to summon someone like you?" Ciel and Cecelia said. "I'll ask but once more. Do you wish to form a contract with me?" Sebastian asked. "I do! Now, stop asking these tedious questions and let me know if we have a deal!" Ciel and Cecelia shouted. Two years later. In the twin's room. (Yes the Ciel and Cecelia are sharing a room.) "Master, Mistress. It is time for you to wake up." Sebastian said walking into the room and opening the curtains. "Mmm." The twins say as the light shines in their faces. "For breakfast today, we have a lightly poached salmon accompanied by a delicate mint salad. I can also offer toast, scones, or pain de campagne. Which dish would you care for this morning?" Sebastian said walking over to the twins. "A scone." Ciel said answering for his sister as well. "Today you both have a meeting with Mr. Hughes, the authority on the history of the Roman Empire. And this evening, Mr. Damiano of the Poseidon Company will be paying you both a visit." Sebastian said. "Oh, is that the man we have in charge of stuffed animals at our factory in India?" Ciel asked as Sebastian is dressing him before going over to Cecelia and dressing her. "Yes. I'm told he's Italian. We will of course offer him all the hospitality the estate can provide." Sebastian said as finishes dressing Cecelia and poring them some tea. "I know this smell. Is this tea Earl Gray?" Cecelia asked. "Yes, from Jacksons of Piccadilly." Sebastian said smiling and starting to walk away before Ciel throws a dart at him. "I shall wait for you at the dining table, Master, Mistress. Well thrown, my lord and my lady. Even so, let's save the games for later." Sebastian said as he catches another dart this time thrown by Cecelia. "Yes, I suppose you're right, Sebastian." The twin say. "Ow! Ow ow ow ow ow ow! What was that for, Master, Mistress? What did I do?" Finny asked as he walked over to the twins. "Nothing. We don't need to justify our actions." The twins say. Soon Sebastian walks into the room. "There you are! Have you finished weeding the courtyard, Finny? Mey-Rin, have you washed all the beddings? Baldroy, shouldn't you be preparing for tonight's dinner? Tanaka... well, I suppose you're all right as you are. Now all of you, we have no time for thumb twiddling this morning. So get to work!" Sebastian said looking at the other servants. "Yes, sir!" Mey-Rin said before she starts getting to work. "Simply hopeless." Sebastian said with a sigh. "The silver is polished to a spotless shine. The tablecloth is crisp, clean and wrinkle-free. There is not a single bruised blossom among Master's favorite white roses. And finally, the highest quality ingredients have been gathered to prepare a first-rate dinner. The table is perfection. This will be an elegant Phantomhive welcome." Sebastian said before the bell for the study to ring. "(Sigh) Still so much to do and they calls me now." Sebastian said walking up to the study. " A guest is comin'. All right, then this is our chance. Sebastian looks down on us all the time. Today we will be so perfect he won't even know what 'it 'im. "Ah!". Yeah, that's what he is gonna say." Baldroy said talking to Mey-Rin and Finny. "Ah!" Mey-Rin and Finny said. "That's for him to say, not you." Baldroy said looking at Mey-Rin and Finny. "Oh, That's a good idea." Mey-Rin said. "Right, we have to stop relying on Sebastian for everything." Finny said getting pumped up. "It's settled then, we got a plan of attack!" Baldroy said. "Let's get to it!" They say together. In the study. "We're a bit hungry. We'd like something sweet to eat." Ciel said. "You shouldn't eat now, Master, Mistress. You don't want to spoil your appetite for dinner with your guest this evening." Sebastian said. "We don't care about that. Make us a parfait." Cecelia said. "I'm sorry, sir, miss." Sebastian said. "Fine then. About the portrait in the hallway..." Ciel started. "Yes." Sebastian said looking over at the twins. "Take it down. We are Ciel and Cecelia Phantomhive, son and daughter of Vincent, and we are the heads of the house now." Ciel and Cecelia said. "Consider it done, my lord, my lady." Sebastian said as he leaves the room. As soon as he makes it to the servants area he sees the mess's that they made. "Now, how exactly did this happen?" Sebastian asked the three of them. "I thought things would go faster if I used extra strength weed-killer on the garden." Finny said looking down at the floor. "I was trying to reach the tea set we use for guests, but I tripped and the cabinet fell!" Mey-Rin said also looking down at the floor tho her glasses are cracked. "There was a lot of meat to be cooked for dinner, and it was gonna take a long time, so uh, I used me flamethrower." Baldroy said looking to the side tho all three of them are being glared at by Sebastian. "Oh~, we're so sorry. We didn't mean to." Mey-Rin and Finny said. 'Our guest will arrive just after 6. At most we have two hours left. Not enough time to replace the tea set or find premium meats. What should I do?' Sebastian asked himself. "Calm down, all of you. Perhaps you should try taking a page out of Tanaka's book, and start behaving like...Everyone. Listen closely and do exactly as I say, understand? We must be quick about this. We might save this night yet." Sebastian said looking at everyone before he heads outside to greet their guest. "Oh, how impressive!" Damiano said looking at the garden. "Hello, welcome, sir." Mey-Rin, Finny and Baldroy said bowing and greeting their guest. "This is called a stone garden. It is a traditional feature in Japan." Sebastian said explaining the garden. "Ah, prodigioso! Wonderful! Truly an elegant garden." Damiano said looking at the beautiful garden. "We thought it appropriate to serve dinner al fresco this evening. Allow me to escort you inside until the meal is ready." Sebastian said guiding Damiano inside. "Ha ha ha, I should have expected this from a Phantomhive. I cannot wait to see what else is in store!" Damiano said laughing. "Phew, We actually did it." Baldroy said. "Who would've thought a dozen box of gravel could turn into an amazing garden?" Finny asked looking at the garden. "Naturally we were able to handle this. We serve the Phantomhive family after all. There's still work to be done. Let's take care of it while the master and mistress are talking business with their guest. Look sharp now." Sebastian said. "Right!" The three of them say. In the drawing room. "The progress we've been making with the East India Factory is quite astonishing. We already have the makings of a top-notch staff." Damiano said looking at the twins tho him and Ciel were playing a game while Cecelia is reading a book and watching them play. "Bewitched by the eyes of the dead. What terrible luck. It appears I lose a turn." Ciel said looking over at Cecelia and smiling. "Right now is the perfect time. We should begin expanding the company and building a strong labor force, it would--" Damiano said before getting cut off by Ciel. "Go on. It's your turn." Ciel said looking at Damiano. "Oh, yes. I just spin this then. Okay there, five spaces. Now, what I wanted to ask you. Perhaps you could contribute another 12,000 pounds to support our expansion? I believe it will be quite a profitable venture for you, my lord, my lady and I would consider it an honor to help expand the Funtom Company..." Damiano said. "Lose a leg in the enchanted forest. And it's your turn again. I lost a turn, remember?" Ciel said. "Oh, I see. Right, I move six." Damiano said. "You don't. That's three." Cecelia said looking up from her book before going right back to reading. "What? But..." Damiano said looking between the twins. "You lost a leg, if you recall. Now you only move half of the number of spaces." Ciel said. "Oh my, ha ha ha ha. This is a gruesome-a board game, isn't it? Is there-a no way for me to restore my leg, then?" Damiano said laughing a bit. "I'm afraid once something is truly lost, sir, that one can never get it back again. Your body is burnt by raging flames." Ciel said looking at the board. In the kitchen with Baldroy. "How is it going?" Sebastian asked walking into the kitchen. "I'm doin' it like you said to. Is this really what you want?" Baldroy asked looking at Sebastian. "Yes, that looks excellent." Sebastian said. "Sebastian! Found 'em! Aah!" Mey-Rin shouted before tripping. "Oh, honestly. How many times have I told you not to run inside the manor, Mey-Rin?" Sebastian said catching everything. "I'm so sorry, sir! My glasses cracked and I can't see a thing!" Mey-Rina said. "These are the last items we needed for dinner. Splendid work, everyone. And now I believe you can leave the rest of it to me and relax for a bit. But I need you to do well, very well, during dinner tonight." Sebastian said looking at everyone. "He said it twice..." Baldroy said. "Ooh, that's serious." Finny said. After Sebastian set the table in the garden he went back to the drawing room. "Pardon the interruption, but dinner is served." Sebastian said. "Oh, dinning out in that exquisite stone garden? Shall we go, my lord, my lady?" Damiano asked getting up. "Very well, we'll finish the game later." Ciel said as he and Cecelia get up as well. "Oh, is there any real need to finish it? It's obvious I'ma going to lose." Damiano said following the twins out to the garden. "How childish." Damiano said under his breath before he sees the twins looking at him. "Hmm." The twins say. "Oh I, I mean that sometimes it takes a child's eyes to see what's really important. It's a true gift. Maybe that's what's made the Phantomhives the nation's foremost toy makers. It certainly impresses me!" Damiano said. In the garden with Ciel, Cecelia and Damiano. Ciel and Cecelia are sitting next to each other while Damiano is sitting a bit away from them. "On tonight's menu is a dish of finely-sliced raw beef donburi courtesy of our chef Baldroy." Sebastian said. "A pile of raw beef. And this is dinner?" Damiano asked. "Yes, but surely you have heard of it? This, good sir, is a traditional Japanese delicacy, a dish offered as a sign of gratitude to someone who has accomplished important work. That, sir, is the wonder of donburi!" Sebastian said explaining the dish while Ciel and Cecelia have already started to eat. "Oh, donburi!" Damiano said before digging into the food. "This is a token from our master and mistress, to show their thanks for all your hard work on the company's behalf. They wanted you to know that it's much appreciated." Sebastian said going to stand over by Ciel and Cecelia. "Now that's our Sebastian for you!" Finny said. "He saved the day." Baldroy said. "Ho ho ho." Tanaka said sipping his tea. "Excellent, what an inspired idea! The legendary Phantomhive hospitality in action!" Damiano said. "The vintage we are pouring tonight was specially selected to compliment the flavor of soy sauce. Mey-Rin. Now, Mey-Rin." Sebastian said going over to Mey-Rin. "Yes, sir!" Mey-Rin said standing up straight. "Why are you just standing there? Pour the man a glass of wine." Sebastian said before walking back over to the twins. "Of course, yes, sir!" Mey-Rin said before walking over to Damiano to pour him a glass of wine. "Hey..." Baldroy said getting Finny's attention. "What?" Finny asked. "Is it just me or is Mey-Rin acting a little strange?" Baldroy asked looking at Mey-Rin. 'Sebastian is watching me. I can't take it. Don't look at me that way!' Mey-Rin said to herself. "Ah~!" Baldroy and Finny shouted jumping up to go get Mey-Rin. "Mey-Rin, stop it! Can't you see you're spilling the wine?" Finny said. "Sebastian." The twins say as they watch Sebastian pull the table cloth. "Oh? Where did the tablecloth-a go?" Damiano asked after putting his bowl down. "A speck of dirt, most unsightly. We had the cloth removed so it wouldn't distract us. Think nothing of it." Ciel said with his eyes closed as he and Cecelia take another bite. "Please accept my apologies, sir. Do continue. Enjoy the meal at your leisure." Sebastian said with the table cloth in his arms. "Oh, Oh my! Lord and Lady Phantomhive, once again you both have truly impressed me. What an able butler you've both acquired." Damiano said smiling. "Pay him no mind. He merely act as befits one of our servants." Ciel and Cecelia said at the same time. "My master and mistress is quite correct about that. Naturally, you see, I am simply one hell of a butler." Sebastian said. "Humph." The twins say. After dinner they all head back up to the drawing room. "That was a thoroughly enjoyable dinner, my lord, my lady. Now then, about the contract..." Damiano said before getting cut off by Ciel. "Before we discuss that, we must finish the game." Ciel said as he and Cecelia both sit down. "Ah, yes of course. I do have a pressing-a appointment, perhaps another ti..." Damiano said getting cut off by the twins. "Children can be very demanding about their games. Surely you wouldn't want us to get upset." The twins say at the same time. "No, no of course not. Perhaps you would permit me to use your telephone?" Damiano asked getting up. "I've brought some tea for you, my lord and lady." Sebastian said walking into the room. "I'll be right back." Damiano said. "What is this? It smells terribly weak." Ciel and Cecelia said tasting the 'tea'. "Out of consideration for our guest, I brought some Italian tea." Sebastian said. "Italian?" They asked. "Italians drink more coffee than tea, sir, miss. So finding high-quality Italian tea can be difficult. This particular selection is not to your liking, master, mistress?" Sebastian asked. "No, it is not. We don't like it at all." Cecelia said. "I'll see to the dessert preparations." Sebastian said. "Good. We must show him every available hospitality. The Phantomhive family is known for its courtesy." Ciel said looking Cecelia. "Yes, my young lord, lady." Sebastian said bowing before walking out of the room. In the telephone room. "I'm-a tired of-a babysitting this-a child earl and lady. Yes, I've already sold off the factory. Now all that's left is to pocket the extra cash. I'm trying to squeeze more out of the brats right now. The employees? Who cares about them? Ah...! Never mind. The rest of the formalities are for you to deal with. No, it'll be easy. Please, they are only children." Damiano said. In the hallway Damiano is trying to get back to the drawing room. "Ah...! Impossible... I'm seeing things." Damiano said. "Bewitched by the eyes of the dead." Ciel's voice echoed. "Ah... No, that's ridiculous." Damiano said rubbing his eyes. "Huh. Not here either. Or here...Ugh! This manor is like a giant maze. I can't even find the drawing room." Damiano said. "Bewitched by the eyes of the dead." Ciel's voice echoed as he looked at the portrait hanging. "Ah... eh, ahh! S, stay, stay away from me!" Damiano shouted running down the hall. "That's odd. Was that our guest I heard just now?" Finny asked. "Hey! We need to move this, or Sebastian will start yellin' again!" Baldroy said. "Right!" Finny said. "Oh, how embarrassing! Oh, I really messed up this time! Oh, but at least I was able to get close to Sebastian! Oh, what a shameful day it all! What kind of lecherous maid am I?" Mey-Rin said. "You lose one turn." Ciel's voice echoed. "Huff,huff... Aghhhh!" Damiano shouted as he fell down the stairs. "Ah, sir, are you all right? Ah! His right leg... it's twisted round. What happened to it?" Mey-Rin shouted. "Hey, what's wrong?" Baldroy asked as he and Finny entered th grand hall. "Our guest! Something's happen!" Mey-Rin said pointing to their guest. "And now you lose one leg in the enchanted forest." Ciel's voiced echoed. "Ugh!" Damiano said getting up and hobbling away. "Sir? Uh, Sir? Come back." Mey-Rin said. "Surly you aren't leaving the manor yet, sir? We haven't given you the full Phantomhive treatment yet. We still have to serve dessert. You've lost a leg, remember? Now you can only move half the number of spaces. So why not just relax a bit and make yourself at home?" Sebastian said following Damiano down the hall before he found the door leading to the kitchen. After he entered the kitchen he found a 'cupboard'. "Damn, It's too dark. Is this a cupboard? Damn, these are really tight quarters. What's this...? Smells like sugar." Damiano said. "What an impatient guest we have. You couldn't even restrain yourself until dessert was out of the oven?" Sebastian said before closing the little oven window. "The, the oven? Open up! Please, open the door!" Damiano shouted banging on the oven door. "Perhaps the Italians aren't familiar with our customs. There's plum pudding, mincemeat pie. There are many traditional desserts here in England that make use of meat. I find them all quite tasty." Sebastian said. "Your body is burnt by raging flames." This time it was both Ciel and Cecelia's voices echoing. "Aghhhhhhhh!" Damiano shouted in pain. In the backyard Baldroy and Finny were out their doing a bit of work. "What was that? Someone screamed." Baldroy asked. "Don't know. Oh, hi Sebastian!" Finny said. "Thank you for your hard work today. As a reward how would you like some lemon meringue pie? The sugar will give you energy." Sebastian said. "Sebastian! You're such a nice person! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Finny said. "Thank you so much Sebastian! Thank you!" Baldroy said. "Oh, yes, and Bald, a workman will be coming by in the morning. When he arrives kindly let him know we'll be needing our oven thoroughly cleaned." Sebastian said before walking back inside. "Huh? The oven?" Baldroy asked confused. "Mr. Damiano, I hope you enjoyed your stay, and the Phantomhive family hospitality, all the way down to your bones." Sebastian said with a smile. "Huff, huff... Mamma mia!" Damiano shouted limping away. In the drawing room. "Humph, ha ha ha. What an unattractive scream. He sounds almost like a pig taken off to slaughter. Humph, What presumption, first he sells the East Indian factory without telling us, and then he dares to ask for more money? Did he think to retain our trust?" Ciel said laughing a bit. "I'm afraid once something is truly lost, one can never get it back again." Cecelia said looking at Ciel. In the hallway. "It would appear we'll be needing to hang new wallpaper as well." Sebastian said. The image of Ciel and Cecelia's babyhood suddenly appeared. "Mama! Papa!" Ciel and Cecelia shouted while playing. "The new heads of the Phantomhive estate, hah." Sebastian said snapping his fingers to make the image disappear. Sebastian then heads upstairs to get Ciel and Cecelia ready for bed.