The White Butterfly of Phantomhive

Chapter 29: Curry Competition part 2

Sebastian takes his leave from the group and goes off to a special room for the other competitors and sit down to wait for the competition to start. There, as expected, sees Agni there and the Indian man was surprised by his presence. "Sebastian!"

"Hello Agni. It has been a while." Sebastian greeted.

"What are you doing here?" Agni asked him.

"I am here at my master's behest." Sebastian says and immediately Agni ran up to him and grabbed his shoulders, looking a mixture of desperation and anxiousness. "If Lord Ciel has ordered you to take such action with my Prince's interest at heart, please withdraw now!" He begged Sebastian.

Sebastian tried very hard not to laugh. "My master? Doing this for Prince Soma, you say? You concern is unfounded, for my lord puts his interest and those of his business before all else." He said, assuring Agni that his master is selfish and that the reason for his presence is to compete, not to help Prince Soma.

"I beg you. I do not wish to combat someone who has shown me every kindness!" Agni says, growing more distressed. Having to turn his back on his master was agonising enough, but having to fight against someone who he views to be a friend would be unbearable.

"You have your reason for participating in this fair, as do I. That is all there is to it." Sebastian said.

"Forgive me, but I... Cannot afford to lose...!" Agni says with a surprising strength in his voice.

"How curious. That hold for me as well." Sebastian said. It seems they're at an impasse. Neither of them is going to back down from this competition. Both of them have their reasons and they were going to see them through no matter what.

Within minutes, the curry fair gets underway.

"Now, ladies and gents! It's time for this "Indian culture and its prosperity in the British Empire" exhibition's main event; The Curry Festival!" The master of ceremonies proclaimed to the audience. "London's best curry houses will be taking part! And especially for today's event, you, dear audience, will have the chance to sample the competitors' curries! We hope you look forward to it! Now let's introduce our judges!! Chef Higham, a royal cook who does not compromise taste. Mister Carter, who was appointed to the post of taxation official in India. And last but not least, the Viscount of Druitt, a lover of art, beauty, and food!" Mei blinked in surprised to see him be one of the judges while Ciel was disgusted to see him.

"And here are today's participants! Chef Turpin for Persian Tabb. Chef Rush for Dormitory Vill. Chef Rickman for Dahlia Limited. Chef Ripley for Worrest Cilin. Chef Agni for Harold West. And Butler Sebastian for Funtom Corporation." The Master of Ceremonies stopped his happy announcement when he realised that one of the participants was a butler and not a chef. He turned to Sebastian in confusion and said, "....Wha... ....A butler?"

"Yes." Sebastian smiled. "I am no chef. I am simply one hell of a butler." Seeing that a representative of the Funtom Company was in the cooking competition, it caused some of the audience to whisper amongst themselves about the situation. "Mummy! It's the Funtom Company!" A little boy, holding a large stuffed rabbit told his mother. "Did he say butler?" "What's the maker of sweetmeats doing in a Curry Festival?"

The Master of Ceremonies cleared his throat and continued to keep things going along. "I-in any case, we've got a unique cast of participants for you! Go ahead! Hold your breath in anticipation of the culinary delights to come! Now let the cooking begin!!"

Without further ado, the chefs begin to show off their cooking talents. Each one working fast and picking out the right ingredients skilfully as the audience watches in amazing, already enjoying the aroma their curry was presenting. Mei was really amazed at them. She hadn't seen anything like this and just from the smell alone she was starting to get really hungry. "Well, we're stuck with nothing to do but sit back and wait, hmm." Lau says to Ciel while leaning on Ran-Mao. "Just stay still and watch." Ciel disdainfully mutters.