Black Butler: Demons in our Hearts

Chapter 18: Another Challenge Looms...

Agni placed the last of the trays on a neat pile, “No, I believe she is a beautiful woman, and that I could not put someone else before my prince, but …do you think she likes curry?”

___________________________________________________________________

What on earth is going on here? Then tension in the room was almost tangible, she could have cut it with a knife.

And it all seemed to be emanating from one person….

Whoever got on Sebastian’s bad side….oh, boy, I pity that fool. The tension creator himself directed a deathly glare in her direction from across the dining table, making her jump, “Yes?”

“Don’t dawdle;put the meal on the table, properly, if you don’t mind.”

Kat bit her tongue, it would do no good, to talk back, and in fact it would probably be counterproductive. “Yes, sir.” He growled something under his breath, but continued his last minute polishing of the silverware.

Carefully she laid out the roast orange chicken, baked potatoes, and ‘doctored’ green beans. It was a simple meal as far as the Phantomhive meals usually went but the Earl had ordered this specifically for today, it seemed he preferred the way Kat made the green beans and potatoes.

“Miss?” The door cracked open slowly, revealing the tall, white haired man behind it. Agni smiled weakly, “I have made something, would you care to sample it?”

Huh? Me? Kat blinked in confusion, why me? A shiver went down her spine and she glanced over her shoulder at Sebastian who seemingly ignored the rooms other occupants. Why do I feel like a trapped rat?

“Miss?”

Right, someone’s speaking to me, answer. “Um, sure, but later, alright, I have to finish my work first.”

The smile flashed again, “Thank you miss, you will not be disappointed.”, and then he disappeared back into the hallway.

“Will you kindly, get back to work, miss?” Sebastian sneered the word.

Okay, hold on wait. Why am I getting the attitude all of a sudden? I could understand it if things weren’t done and I wasn’t working on them but…”What’s your problem today? Your acting like…I don’t know, I did something wrong.”

He polished the spoon he was holding with even more fervor, “You have done something you haven’t finished your work, now kindly finish quietly.”

Kat bit her tongue so hard it bled, to keep from saying anything. What was his problem today? No matter, I’ll get my work done and then go, there’s no reason for me to hang around with Mr. Grump here.

____________________________________________________________________

Would you care to try it? Why maybe I would. Oh, SPLENDID! Sebastian knew a foul expression was on his face, but for the world of him he couldn’t make it disappear. It was maddening! How could she so calmly accept?! If I had asked her, would she say the same? I don’t imagine she would, she probably fancies him.

“Sebastian, if you are upset about him, challenge him, you can make a curry just as fine as his, you know. You beat him once.” Ciel remarked softly, sipping his Darjeeling. “I grow weary of this aura of yours.”

“My lord?” Its none of your business, do not interfere. “I have no inclination of challenging him, there is no problem to be resolved that way.”

The Earl smirked up at the butler, “Rubbish, anyone with eyes can see you are jealous of him. If only for the fact she listens and speaks to him the same way she does you. Now, just challenge him to a curry contest, impress her, and that will be the end of it.”

“My Lord it is not-” The Earl cut him a scathing glance. “Very well Sir.” Inwardly the butler seethed. He hated to be pushed into competition; the boy’s words frightened him though. Was he really jealous, of Agni?

Ridiculous, there is no one that comes before the Earl, therefore there is no way I can be jealous. It will be a simple challenge of ability. And he told the boy so, so that he sat, sipping his tea in silence.

“Oh, by the way, Lizzie may be coming to visit tomorrow, something about a ball in London. I believe she will wish us to attend, you may serve your curry there.” The Earl glanced up at the butler, “Unless the person who eats it is important.”

“No, sir. I am a butler to the core; the only one I serve is you.”

___________________________________________________________________

Kat blinked and just stared, that’s all she could do, for she was so surprised, “You want to what?”

Ciel snorted in disgust, “I know your hearing is not that bad, Lizzie will be hosting another ball in London tomorrow and she wants you to attend. Do I need to repeat myself?”

“No sir.” I would love to know why though…

“She will be arriving at around eleven-o-clock; you will leave with her around then.”

______________________________________________________________

“Miss Elizabeth are you sure it’s a good idea for me to leave without telling Sebastian or the Earl?”

The young noble waved the question away as the coach sped over a bump making Kat’s stomach lurch, “Ciel knows your with me, I told him I would be stealing you away, its fine. Umm….Kat, why do you look so pale?”

Gilded carriage wheels hit another bump in the road making Kat’s stomach roll, why did they have to ride in a carriage? It would be so much simpler to walk. “It’s nothing.”

“Well that’s good, because I wanted to tell you about your dress. Oh, Kat, I know you’ll love it, Ciel even helped to pick it out. It’s-”

Wait, what? Since when did the Earl shop? “Pardon me, but did you say the Earl helped to choose the dress?”

Lizzie nodded, “Yes, he did. He was going to pick a black ball gown but I wasn’t going to have that, black is so not cute. So we finally settled on a pink one, we decided if I choose the color Ciel would choose the style and the color is so much more important than the style, so I choose that.”

The bumping of the carriage wheels slowed easing the churning of her stomach. “Are we here already?”

Before Lizzie could reply, the door was jerked open and a footman bowed to the two women, “My Lady, if you will?” He gestured down the steps.

Taking her hand, Lizzie tugged Kat out of the carriage, for which she was grateful, and towards Miss Elizabeth’s manor home.

_______________________________________________________________

1000 reads thank you all! As a reward for your tottal awesomeness I am going to be publishing a series of shorts featuring Kat, Sebastian, and crew. If you have an ideaPM me and let me know what your thinking. I will be posting within this story. If you think thats a bad idea let me know. Last order of buisness, Chapter Overview: Thee's another ball and the mysterious lady (Kat) is expected to make an appearance. Plusthere are several other suprisescoming our way. Last word...Tango!

-Shadowquill