Teacups and Teapots (Kuroshitsuji/Black Butler) (Ciel x Sebastian)

Twelfth Cup

Teacups and Teapots

Chapter 12:

As promised and per the contract, Ciel visited Black Butler a few days later having finished his market analysis of Cadbury and started development of a new product based on the results. He greeted everyone on his way in and sat down at his usual secluded table in the corner. Sebastian immediately appeared at his side as if summoned by magic.

"Which tea would you like?"

Despite the fact that he had the menu memorised, he checked it anyway and caught sight of someone wearing a red hat on the opposite side of the teashop. He took a second glance and saw that they had red hair and matching red clothes. Their back was facing him so he couldn't see their face, but he had a very good idea as to who it was.

"Sebastian, is that my aunt?"

The butler glanced in her direction. "She arrived earlier this morning and didn't give any reason for coming. Grell was the one to serve her though."

This reminded Ciel of witnessing his aunt meeting with his least favourite employee and he scowled. Some investigation was needed. He approached her table quietly and looked over her shoulder to see what she was doing. In front of her was a list of bullet points and his attention was drawn to his name and the words "cat costume".

He took the seat next to her. "Aunt Ann, what are you doing here and why haven't you been answering my calls?"

She didn't bother to look up at him. "I own these premises and you only ever call to nag me."

Ciel reluctantly admitted to himself that she had a point. He had tried to call her to complain about her actions involving matchmaking and cosplay as well as her relationship with Grell Sutcliffe.

"What are you writing?" he asked, deciding a change in subject would be for the best.

"Sales boosting tactics. We shouldn't just stick to the butler theme, it will get boring. I have been asking some of the customers," she handed him the list.

He read the ideas on the list very carefully. He could not afford to approve the list without reading it properly and finding out later that he had agreed to something outrageous.

"A butler cafe is already unique as it is in this country, perhaps you should wait another year before employing some of tactics, for instance the swimwear themed one and the animal themed one."

"I think I know the target market better than you," she retorted and took the list back.

As she did Ciel saw that there had been another sheet of paper in front of her and his eyes narrowed in on his and Sebastian's names. He reached out to pick it up, but he aunt grabbed it and put it in her handbag.

"I can't have you seeing that, it will spoil it."

"What is it?" he asked warily. It had looked like a flowchart and he had a half formed suspicion that he was unwilling to confirm.

"It's my "Get Ciel and Sebastian to date" plan," she said ecstatically, proving Ciel's suspicion to be correct.

Ciel sighed and made the decision not to protest too much. He wasn't going to be able to stop her.

"Whose benefit is it for?" he probed.

"If I told you it would generate profit, would you go out with him?"

Whilst it was true that he was having to put up with a lot of ridiculous things for the sake of profit, there were some things that he was definitely not going to do.