A Contract From Hell

His Master, Palace

A dream awoke the little boy as the carriage drew to a halt. He bolted upright looking around a cold sweat forming. "We're not there yet Ciel. We've come upon traffic" he sighed placing his book down.
"Traffic?" Ciel asked.
"Yes where vehicles are stuck moving slowly. It's busier in this town than usual. I wonder why" he looked out of the window. Ciel knelt on the seat and looked out the other way at a large field where groups of people congregated. They looked to be having some sort of festival.
"Ciel" Sebastian's voice was quiet but stern.
"Yes master?" He asked.
"Do not look out of the window" he ordered.
"What?"
"Do not look out of the window. This is an order". The little servant swallowed and nodded looking down at his knuckles. Sebastian sighed. "I didn't mean to snap".
"It's okay I'm sure it's important" Ciel bit his lip.
"Open my bag" Sebastian said. The boy nodded and did so.
"There's a small black and white bag take it out". He took it out holding it in his hands.
"That's for you" he told him. The servant tilted his head. Sebastian sighed shaking his head smiling slightly. "Open it". He opened it and inside was a variety of brightly coloured balls on sticks. "They're for you. Have one now it'll calm you". Ciel ran his fingers across the sticks before picking out a red one. He took the wrapper off and put the bag in his bag.
"Thank you master" he smiled happily sitting against the seat his legs swinging. "Your reading book is in your bag as well we've still got a while to go. You should read for a while" he recommended. The servant nodded still a little worried that he couldn't read in Latin. Sebastian pulled the curtains across the windows of the carriage in case Ciel was to see something he wasn't meant to. He sat and ate for a while. It felt odd for him to be not allowed to look out of the windows. He always looked out of the windows. What possibly could be happening that he's not allowed to see.

Outside the window the town was buzzing with excitement today was the day everyone looked forward to. The Grand Human Auction.

The journey was quiet as Ciel day dreamed. He didn't look at his Master keeping his eyes on the floor. Sebastian was reading. The little servant was still wondering what the others were doing. "Master?" He asked.
"Hm yes?" The black haired man looked over at him over his book.
"I was wondering if you have ever met the king before" the boy sat with his legs hugged to his chest.
"When I was very young yes I did" he nodded and sighed. Ciel smiled. "Like me. I met the queen when I was very young with my mother and father" he rested his head on his knees dreamily not really realising he was speaking so openly about it.
"You did?" Sebastian raised an eyebrow.
"Yes my parents worked for the queen" he sighed closing his eyes. "I miss them" he whispered. He was half asleep when Sebastian asked
"What happened to them?"
"My parents were killed in a fire that burned down my house" he ended up drifting into another sleep.

Sebastian had come to a realisation that he didn't know anything about the boys life aside from the fact he ended up in a cult about to be sacrificed. He didn't even think Ciel could remember his life before him. He wanted to know about it but was wondering the best way to bring it up in conversation.

The rest of the journey seemed to drag even longer but at least Ciel got a decent amount of sleep so he wouldn't be tired and cause any sorts of problems at the castle. As they approached Sebastian woke Ciel up gently. "Come on now. It's time to wake up" he tells him. He opened and rubbed his eyes. Once they had gotten out of the town Sebastian opened the curtains.
"Are we here?" He asked not looking out of the windows keeping his eyes locked firmly on the floor. "Yes Ciel we are here." The young servant opened the door for his Master before grabbing the hand luggage of his Master and himself. "The coach driver will carry the other bags" Sebastian told him. They walked together, Ciel stood closely at his side, to the rest of the family. They were oddly quiet when they arrived. The servants looked at Ciel expecting him to say something. Sebastian just shook his head. "He didn't see?" Proserpine was the first to speak up.
"No he did not. I do not want it talked about in his presence. He does not know anything about it and I want it staying that way" he said strictly. Ciel looked down biting his lip a little. The others looked at both before the father spoke loud and demanding. "We're here let us go inside" he went up to the door.
"Stay by my side at all times Ciel" the master looked down at him. He nodded. They waited as the father knocked. It was but a few seconds after the knock when the grand doors opened revealing a servant dressed in black silk. "Name?" He asked looking down at a little notebook.
"Lucifer Asquith and my eight children by invitation of the king." The servant bowed and led them inside.
"My lords and ladies please follow me". The young servants stood unbelievably close behind their masters (aside from Ciel who walked beside Sebastian). It could've been fear, intimidation or nerves or a mixture of all. Ciel inwardly sighed with relief that Alois was safe at home. "Please sir how many servants are with you at this time?" The green eyed servant asked turning to the lord.
"Four"
"Are they all demons?" He asked writing in his book.
"No they are not. Two are demons, one is a fallen angel and one is a" he turned to Sebastian "human boy".
"I see unless you wish for all servants to reside in one room you will have to keep them in your separate bedrooms. I apologise for the inconvenience my lord".
"That is fine that was our arrangement anyway". The servant bowed and led them to a grand drawing room. The hallways were wide and filled with portraits and fine China. Ciel kept his eyes locked to the floor not beholding the beauty all around him. The white walls were engraved with golden patterns, a large grandfather clock stood proud next to an ancient fireplace laced with black inscriptions. They stopped at a large group of doors where two identical servants stood hands clasped head lowered. The grand servant clapped his hands and they opened the door silently and swiftly. The family entered.

The hall was extravagant and royal. There were already around two other groups of people sat around in the many chairs and available places. The father entered nodding to the men of the other families. He sat down in a large armchair that looked like a throne. The tall demon with the glasses stood behind him. His family sat together around a table with the servants stood together awkwardly. The family engaged in polite chat as beautiful women in black dresses handed out drinks. Sebastian turned to Ciel who was stood beside Daniel silently, looking down at the floor.

A while later the doors opened and a man and woman stepped in. They were wearing crowns made of gold. The clothes they wore were a deep purple colour that draped magnificently. Behind them were two children wearing a crown and tiara. A boy who held himself upright and bold and a girl who clung to his arm a little timid among the new people. All of the families in the hall stood up and bowed. Ciel copied what the other servants were doing. "Welcome, welcome everyone to my home" the man looked at all of the people. "Please sit". They all sat down as the royals took their places on the thrones.
"The banquet will be served as a buffet for social reasons. My butler will call out names and please proceed to the dining room. That will be all". With this the older royals left the room leaving the butler to call out names and the two children who had their eyes on Lilitu and Murmur. They didn't know many children their own age and so they were excited to talk to them. The tall butler pushed up his glasses and read out names. Finally the family got called up and they made their way to the dining room, the two youngest children talking with Daniel, Amy and Ciel quietly.

When they got up to leave so did the two royal children. They looked shocked and confused at why the two noble children wasted their time speaking to servants and from what they had heard one of them was a human! A human! It's a disgrace. It's anyone's guess on why their parents actually let that filth into their house.

Ciel felt alive and full of energy but he had to control himself keeping his head down and mouth shut unless he was being spoken to. Murmur strayed behind the others slightly as they chatted away and this, that and the other and he spoke kindly to Ciel. "It's going to be okay. We won't let them hurt you. That's a promise" he told him positively. Ciel nodded. How could he ever doubt him when he believed in him like that. It was so kind. "Come on let us catch up with the others" he rushed forward closely followed by Ciel who had waited for a glance from his Master to allow him to leave. Sebastian nodded and the servant boy rushed on ahead. Ciel knew it was going to be such a fun and interesting experience!