As Time Goes On - A SebaCiel Story

Chapter 8: The Phantomhive Hospitality

"Young Master, I set up the table for you, yes I did!" My plucky red-headed Maid exclaims with pride and I feel it for her as she never spilled, dropped or broke a single thing in the process.

It's sad that my servants are so incompetent that I feel proud when they actually do their job.

"Well done Mey-Rin. I will let you get back to your duties." She stands there in shock as I walk past her, and as I turn the corner into the hallway, I look back to see the big smile on her face. My new attitude truly is better for everyone.

Sebastian takes a steady stride as he carries a washing basket in his hands, walking towards me. "Good afternoon. Which game would you prefer I set up for this evening, Bocchan?"

"Chess seems to be the best game to use."

"As you wish, my Lord. Our guest will certainly enjoy our famed hospitality." His sly smirk rests on his lips as he opens the doors to the wash room.

"Before I let you go, do you mind brewing some tea for me? I am making my way to the office." I've taken to asking my servants to do things kindly, instead of commanding them with a stoic expression that never changes.

"Of course, my Lord. If I couldn't do something as simple as this, what kind of butler would I be?" He poses his most favoured hypothetical question with a playful grin etched on his pale face.

"One that is not worth his salt." I answer in an amused tone. Turning to make my way up the grand staircase, cane in hand.

My long black coat is draped over a half cage yet it trails on the ground with every step. The Phantomhive family ring glistening in the sunlight bursting through the glass of the grand dome that stays above my head. The frilly cuffs of my shirt brush against my hands as the lace ribbon tied in a bow around my neck rustles with every step.

Fancy outfits such as this are reserved for special occasions and the meeting I am hosting for one of the more wealthy share holders is certainly a special occasion worthy of the finest dress.

Unfortunately for him, I know what he's done...

Four hours later

The man that greets me in my office is certainly not what he appears to be. More importantly...not who he appears to be.

"It is surely an honour to meet the Earl Phantomhive himself, I am truly grateful for the opportunity to speak with you face to face."

"The pleasure is all mine, Sir Deterré. I assure you. I have been looking forward to this meeting for a long time." I feel Sebastian's watchful eyes fixated on me, but I cannot look his way as he stands behind me. Masters should treat their servants as if they were invisible until their assistance is required. If I treated the demon the way I have been learning to, I would become a disgrace to the Phantomhive name.

"If you don't mind me asking my Lord, why have you been looking forward to meeting me?"

A soft chuckle bubbles in my throat as I stay focused solely on him.

"We have the rest of tonight to reveal that. Why don't we play a game of chess before dinner?"

And thus, he never expected what Sebastian and I had in store for him.

None of them ever do.

You see, power is too important. More important than loyalty. Power drives men mad, they lose the ability to plan when the option to gain power is sitting right in front of them.

I, on the other hand, have so much power and yet I still have the sense to plan my every move.
That's the difference between myself, and Detteré, I'm always ten steps ahead.

"Checkmate."

"Very well done. That was the toughest game of chess I've ever played! I thought I could win for a second there-" The anger is clear, the confusion written on his incredibly false smile. The facade he puts on to cover his shame at being beaten by someone so young is oh so amusing.

The look on his face as I pulled out the gun was truly a sight to behold.

"Trying to sell off the recipes and our plans for future developments in my own confectionary company to my largest competitor was inspired, but you see, any foolish bastard with have a brain would know to have intel on their competitors next move. You truly thought you could get away with shady dealings under my nose?"

That is when I meet Sebastian's gaze, genuinely laughing this time and the smirk on his face does nothing more than show how amusing human stupidity can be.

"People are going to know about this! P-People will know-"

"But don't you see? Dead men tell no tales."

I untie the eyepatch that so delicately falls to the floor. The contract symbol glowing a dazzling purple that falls on Sebastian's face as my gaze falls upon him. The gun following Detteré as he tries to stand up from his chair.

"Sebastian, I order you to show our guest the full extent of the Phantomhive hospitality."

"Yes, my Lord."

And with those three words, the final screams of Detteré as he was thrown into the furnace were heard throughout the Manor.