𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕼𝖚𝖊𝖊𝖓'𝖘 𝕷𝖎𝖔𝖓: 𝕯𝖎𝖘𝖈𝖎𝖕𝖑𝖎𝖓𝖊𝖉

The First to Die

TW: Charles Grey, mentions of drugs, excessive alcohol consumption (Y/N does not drink, but other characters do), and a 'corpse' with 'blood'

"I apologize for having kept you waiting on my account," Von Siemens said to Ciel as he bent down to shake the Earl's hand.

"Not at all," Ciel assured him. "I thank you for traveling at such a length to be here. Let us exchange greetings once the party has begun." Ciel smiled politely as he turned to direct Von Siemens to where they would be eating. "Tonight's dinner is buffet-style, so everyone may speak freely with one another. This way please." Von Siemens followed Ciel into the dining room and the door shut behind them. Sebastian gathered the guests attention before he began to call out their names.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I shall announce each of you, so please go through to the dining room when your name is called," The demon instructed them. "First..."

Everyone had filed, one by one, into the dining room. The sound of idle chatter and small talk floated through the air. Y/N had been announced before Lau as a "private secretary and associate" of Funtom. It was truly the perfect cover because no one bothered to ask her anything about what her job entailed. Y/N just wandered around the room, looking for no one in particular when Ciel motioned for her to join him.

"Hardly, I still have much to learn," Y/N heard Ciel say as she made her way over to him. "I've but managed to start up my company as Earl. I must admit, Lady L/N's services have been rather useful as well, I don't think I would be half as successful if not for her."

"Lord Earl, you make it sound as if I am more than a secretary," Y/N smiled, pretending to be slightly embarrassed. "The only reason I have been of any help is because of your cunning and resourcefulness. I am but a chess piece for you to command across the board."

"Be that as it may, as business is concerned, Mr. Woodley is the clear expert in such matters." Ciel and Y/N were doing rather well at playing the parts of people who actually wanted to be there.

"You are much too modest, my Lord!" Woodley chuckled.

"Especially considering how the art of diamond polishing will become an important technology that supports the heavy industries." It wasn't Von Siemen's thick German accent that bothered Y/N when he spoke, it was the fact that he spoke at all. She had been forced to get overly dressed-up just to entertain a man who would be murdered in a few hours. It was a waste of time in her opinion. "Fuck Grey and his stupid scheme, the Queen too," Y/N grumbled in her mind as she shifted in her shoes. She would've much rather played 'maid' than 'hostess'. It wasn't until Woodley laughed again and threw an arm around Phelps that Y/N tuned back into the conversation at hand.

"We mustn't let down our guard, eh, Mr. Phelps?" Poor Mr. Phelps looked ready to jump out of his skin when Woodley addressed him.

"Eh? Y-yes, I suppose you're right." The poor man looked like he was about to have a heart attack.

"Lord Earl. Would you introduce me as well?" Lau asked as he and Ran-Mao walked over to them.

"Very well. Allow me to introduce Mr. Lau, British branch manager of the Shanghai trading company 'Kong-Rong'." Ciel very politely left out the part about Lau being a drug lord and a gang leader.

"Kong-Rong?" Phelps yelped, shoulders dropping and growing even paler. Lau opened up one of his eyes to send Phelps a quick glare and the young man swallowed his tongue.

"How do you do, Sir? I am Lau." Lau bowed before Von Siemens.

"You must possess an extensive network to have a branch in Great Britain," Von Siemens complemented Lau, not noticing Ran-Mao sneaking up behind him. She latched onto his arm and pressed her chest against him. "Wha-"