The Queen has a Secret

He Knows Something

"Ah, so you've finally come to visit me, Young Earl?" the oriental man asked as gazed at the boy before him. Ciel fumed, feeling a stress vain appear. The butler beside him raised a brow in amusement at the statement. "Oh? Are you regretting your choice Earl?" he asked curiously, tilting his head to the side. Clearly, that little vein had burst.

Ciel shouted back, "What the bloody hell are you talking about?! This is my manor!" Lau frowned and looked around the parlor. Ran-Mao looked around as well with her golden eyes before shrugging casually and staring back at the other two males.

"Are you sure about that?" the Chinese asked. Face palming, Ciel sighed and sat down in one of the love seats, Sebastian standing behind, slightly off to the side. He continued to question, "Anyways, why did I come here?"

There were rumors, if that cleared some things up. Rumors of a certain man knowing something and after some investigation, they soon learned that Lau had some information that Ciel didn't. So of course, the boy called him down immediately. In fact, the Earl and his servant had just come back from town when they arrived to find that the older male had already let himself in. Though, that really was no surprise.

"I see that beating around the bush is doing me no good," Ciel muttered under his breath and stared straight at the man across from him with a serious look in his deep blue eye. "You know something I don't and from what I've heard, it isn't something I can ignore, seeing how it involves the Queen," he stated.

For a moment, all was silent as the usual lazy smile on Lau's face dropped into a thin line. Even Ran-Mao didn't look too happy.

Lau admitted in defeat, "Alright, You've caught me red handed." He assured the young boy, "I do know something about your Queen, though, you wouldn't be too happy hearing it."

"Even so, I'm curious," Ciel argued, wanting whatever secret that was in that head of his out.

"I can tell. So what exactly is it that you want to know?" he asked, once again gaining that stupid, clueless look. A growl escaped the boy's lips as his jaw clenched tightly in irritation.

Ciel shouted in annoyance, having finally lost his temper, "Dear god-Just tell me your secret about the Queen!" The Chinese man seemed unaffected by his outburst.

Lau said after a bit, "Ah, so that's what you want to know." He took a drag from his pipe. "I'd be happy to share that little bit of information with you," he stated, leaning forward a bit. He began to explain, "There's something, I'm not quite sure what it is, that the Queen won't let anyone know about. She's keeping something in that castle of hers. I heard it from several of the servants passing by the other day."

"That's it?" Ciel asked in disbelief at the lack of important information.

"I believe that you should really consider this young master. There may be more to it," Sebastian commented, soothing his master's anger.

Lau agreed, "Oh, but there is young Earl." He concluded, "This thing she is hiding is rumored to be her secret weapon. More powerful than her personal servants, more powerful than your dear Marchioness.

That final statement made Ciel's eye widen.

"More powerful than Aunt Francis?" he asked in disbelief. He received a nod in response.

He added, pointing lazily at Sebastian, "In fact, maybe even stronger than that butler right there." At this, the butler's eyes widened in surprise much like Ciel's shocked expression. "But they are all rumors. No one knows what this weapon is or if she really has it or not. Oh well. You got what you wanted Earl, so if you'll excuse me." He got up, Ran-Mao getting up as well, and was just about to leave until Ciel stopped him.

"You know the answer to your own question, don't you?" he asked hesitantly, looking to Lau for his answer. There was a long pause before the latter gave him a mysterious smile.

"I'll leave that up to your imagination."

*~Somewhere else~*

(Name) let out a long sigh as she walked back into the palace, stretching her arms in the process. Shedding her cloak, she folded it neatly after retrieving the watch from it. She took a glance at the time.

Her highness should still be eating by now. Her own thought trailed off as she continued on towards the dining room. Sure enough, she found Victoria sitting at the head of the ridiculously large table, finishing up her breakfast with Grey and Phipps standing close by. The Queen almost immediately caught sight of her favorite servant and smiled.

"Ah, (Name). You finished everything I asked?" she questioned. The teen responded with a nod before she requested, "Wonderful! Then how about letting me see you train today? I do enjoy seeing you and the boys battle it out."

"That's a wonderful idea your Highness!" Grey agreed, though, you couldn't help but sweat-drop at that.

Did he not remember your last duel?

"Then let us move to the main hall then. Will you be coming, Phipps?" Victoria asked as the three began going to the main hall. The Charles left behind nodded and followed the rest. They came to their destination and (Name) let out a sigh.

She asked, sounding a bit impatient, "Phipps, do you have my rapier?" Said man nodded, unstrapping the rapier from his belt and tossed it at her. She caught it with ease and unsheathed the hand-crafted blade. The corner of her lips pulled up into a small grin as she pointed the sword at her 'opponent'. "Are you sure about this Grey?" she asked with a raised brow. He scoffed and brought out his own blade.

"Of course, my dear (Name). Do not underestimate me," he warned, preparing for the "battle" that would soon ensue.

"Considering our previous battle, that's all I'm left with to do," she remarked, making him fume. She waved it off, "No matter. Shall we dance?" He chuckled, charging at her. Their blades clashed rather loudly, and they were face-to-face. With their faces mere inches from each other, he smirked.

He answered, "Indeed we shall."

She pushed him back with little to no effort and readied herself again for the next attack. He brought his sword upward, striking down with great force, but she just knocked the oncoming blade to the side, almost ripping it from his grasp. Before he had time to begin his next attack, she thrust her blade forward, nearly impaling him if he didn't block it in time.

"You're getting rusty, Grey," (Name) pointed out.

Victoria swooned, "Oh, you two are simply adorable!" Grey looked at her weirdly. His "opponent" saw that as her chance and quickly knocked his sword out of his hand, holding the tip of hers at his throat.

"Definitely getting rusty," she decided and lowered her rapier, sheathing it in the mean time. The Queen clapped, catching (Name)'s attention. She bowed and smiled. She addressed, "And thank you for that, your Highness."

"As wonderful as always!" the older female complimented. "Exactly why you're my personal guard," she reminded. Phipps laughed nervously.

"Well, she has been undefeated for two years straight, beat the Marchioness, disarmed us in only minutes, and defeated every guard in the palace" he listed off. (Name) giggled and strapped her rapier onto her waist.

"Oh, let it go already, Phipps! You still don't like the fact that I'm one of the most powerful swordswomen in the country!"