Bard was slowly cutting meat with a cleaver as Finny watched with amusement. Sebastian stepped into the kitchen. "How is it going?" He asked. "Bard showed him the meat, it was black on the outside and pink on the inside. "I'm doin' it like you said to. Is this really what you want?" "Yes, that looks excellent." Sebastian said with his usual smile.

Then a voice from the hallway drew his attention elsewhere. It was Julia and Mey-Rin. He saw Julia carrying a couple boxes in her arms. "Sebastian! We found em!" Mey-Rin yelled as she ran towards Sebastian. On the way, she bumped into Julia, making her fall forward and the boxes flew out of her hands. Sebastian, being quick witted, caught four boxes in his hand and one on his foot while also catching Julia, who fell onto his chest. Julia gasped at this and very subtly buried her face into Sebastian's chest.

'Oh my God, I'm on his chest,  this is amazing!!' She thought to herself.

Sebastian looked at Mey-Rin who fell onto the ground. "Oh honestly. How many times have I told you not to run inside the manor Mey-Rin?" He said plainly. Mey-Rin was blushing raspberry as she looked at Sebastian and got up frantically. "I'm so sorry sir! My glasses cracked and I can't see a thing!" Mey-Rin cried in embarrassment.

Sebastian chuckled asumingly then looked at Julia who was still on his chest. "You alright Julia?" Julia looked up at Sebastian who had a light blush on her freckled cheeks. "Yeah! I'm alright!" She said, trying to sound normal, as she backed away from Sebastian as he kicked the box on his foot on top of the other boxes he was holding. "These are the last items we need for dinner. Splendid work, everyone. And now I believe you can leave the the rest of it to me and relax for a bit. But I need you to do well, VERY well, during dinner tonight." He said with a closed eyed smile.

"He said it twice." Bard told Finny. "Ooh. That's serious." He replied back. Mey-Rin and Julia were too busy fawning over Sebastian to pay any attention.

Sebastian knocked on the study door and opened it. "Pardon the interruption but, dinner is served."

"Oh, dining out in the exquisite stone garden. Shall we go, my lord and lady?" Damiano asked the two.

"Very well. We'll finish the game later." Ciel said as he got up and took Mia's hand. This simple action caused her to blush lightly and Sebastian chuckled softly at his shy mistress.

"Oh, is there any real need to finish it? It is obvious I'm going to lose." Damiano said to Ciel. "I'm not in the habit of adandoning games halfway through." Ciel replied monotonously as he walked towards Sebastian. Damiano scoffed softly.

"How childish."

Ciel stopped and stared at Damiano.

"Oh I, I mean that sometimes it takes a child's eyes to see what's really important. It's a true gift. Maybe that's what made the Phantomhives the nation's foremost toy makers. It certainly impresses me!" He said, trying to cover up the insult.

Mia swallowed. Now she knew something was off. He just insulted Ciel and tried to cover it up with an improvised compliment. She subtly walked over to Sebastian, who was standing by the door, with a look on his face. He, himself didn't like what Damiano said either. She tugged on his tailcoat, a silent way of telling him to lean down. He did so and she whispered something to him. Ciel looked at the two as they talked. Sebastian looked at his young mistress and gently rubbed her shoulder before walking off with her. Ciel followed them with Damiano following.

Sebastian lead them outside to the garden and seated them a long table with a crisp white tablecloth. Ciel sat on the right end with Damiano on the other side. Mia sat close to Ciel, not wanting to be near Damiano. Ciel could easily see how uncomfortable she was and took her hand in his underneath the table. Mia looked at Ciel and gave him one of her faint smiles, meaning, 'thank you.' Ciel nodded his head at her as Sebastian came in with bowls and placed them before them.

"On tonight's menu is a dish of finely-sliced raw beef donburi, courtesy of our chef Baldroy."

Ciel, Mia and Damaino looked at the bowl questionably. Mia and Ciel exchanged glances.

'Baldroy probably just sliced it up and layered it with rice.' Ciel thought to himself. Mia stifled a giggle and Ciel looked at her amusingly.

"A pile of raw beef.  And this is dinner?" Damiano asked, completely surprised.  Sebastian made a face.  'Uh oh.  Here he goes.  A lecture.' Mia thought to herself. 

"Yes, but surely you have heard of it?  This, good sir, is a tradional Japanese delicacy, a dish offered as a sign of gratitude to someone who has accomplished important work.  That, sir, is the wonder of donburi!"

"Oh donburi!" Damiano exclaimed. 

Mia held in a few giggles.  'Damn.  Sebastian's pretty dramatic!' She thought to herself.  Sebastian's voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

"This a token from our master and mistress, to show their thanks for all your hard work on the company's behalf.  They wanted you to know that it's much appreciated."

Mia rolled her eyes.  'Appreciated, my ass.' She thought.

Finny fawned at Sebastian.  "Now that's our Sebastian for you!" "He saved the day." Bard added as Tanaka chuckled. 

"Excellent, what an inspired idea!  The legendary Phantomhive hospitality in action!" Damiano exclaimed. 

Mia sighed softly as she ate.  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Julia and Mey-Rin, pushing a cart with what looked like wine on it. 

"The vintage we are pouring tonight was specially selected to compliment the flavour of soy sauce.  If you please, Julia." He said to her.  Julia stayed still.  "Now, Julia." Julia snapped out of her state.  "Yes sir!" She exclaimed.  Sebastian then leaned close to Julia's ear, more like her cheek, and whispered, "Why are you just standing there?  Pour the man a glass of wine."

Julia blushed at the closeness and stuttered out, "O-of course sir!" Julia grabbed the glass bottle and clumsily walked to the left end of the table. 

"Is it me or is Julia acting strange?" Bard asked Finny.  Finny saw Julia.  "Yeah.  She's looks dizzy."

"Sebastian's watching me.  Don't screw up Julia." Julia told herself quietly.  "Oh God, he's looking!" She exclaimed and tripped, the wine missing the wine glass completely.  Finny and Bard gasped from their hiding place.  "Julia stop it!  Can't you see you're missing the glass?!" Finny shouted quietly as he and Bard quickly but silently grabbed Julia and pulled her away. 

Mia, who had finished her dinner, simply because she wanted to finish the raw beef quickly, saw the whole scene play out.  She gripped her skirt and closed her eyes. 

When she opened them again, she saw that the table cloth was gone.  She looked around and saw that Sebastian had swiftly pulled it off the table.  She looked at the butler in slight awe.

"Oh.  Where did the  tablecloth go?" Damiano asked.  "A speck of dirt.  Most unsightly.  I had it removed so it wouldn't distract us.  Think nothing of it." Ciel replied like it was normal.  "Please accept my apologies sir.  Do continue.  Enjoy the meal at your leisure." Sebastian said with a bow and folded the tablecloth so it didn't show the stain. 

Damiano chuckled. "Oh, oh my!  Lord Phantomhive, once again you have truly impressed me.  What an able butler you have." He said, not acknowledging Mia.  Ciel 'hmph'ed and held Mia's hand gently while giving an apologetic look.  Mia nodded slightly as reassurance.  Then Mia spoke up to show that she was still here. 

"Oh please sir, he's only acting upon Lord Phantomhive's orders." She said to Damiano.

"My Lady is quite right.  For you see, I'm simply one hell of a butler." He said with a smirk. 

Mia giggled softly at Sebastian's catchphrase.  'I love it when he says that.' She thought to herself. 

After dinner, Ciel and Mia walked with Damiano back to Ciel's study.  Mia would occasionally catch Damiano observing her with a smirk.  She grew uncomfortable and swallowed nervously.  Ciel felt her tension and looked at Damiano as he entered his study.  "Do you have anything you want to say?" He asked, trying not to lose his temper. 

Damiano quickly covered his smirk and said with a fake smile.  "That was a thoroughly enjoyable dinner my Lord.  Now then, about that contract..."

"Before we discuss that, we must finish the game." Ciel cut him off as he sat in his chair.  Mia found a chair and sat down next to Ciel.  Mia could tell that Damiano was getting annoyed by Ciel's little antics. 

"Ah, yes of course.  I have a pressing appointment, perhaps another ti-"

"Children can be very demanding about their games.  Surely you wouldn't wants us to get upset." Mia replied slyly.  Ciel smirked at her reply. 

'Way to get back at someone like him.' He thought to himself. 

"No, no of course not my lady.  Perhaps you could permit me to use your telephone?" He asked, trying to get out of the situation.  Mia waved a hand at him, dismissing him.  Damiano got up just as Sebastian entered the study with a cart of tea.   "I brought some tea for you and my lord and mistress." Damiano rudely excused himself as Sebastian pushed the cart to Ciel and Mia.  He poured a cup for each of them and Ciel was the first to try it and he made a face. 

"What is it this?  It smells and taste awfully weak."

"Out of consideration of our guest, I brought some Italian tea."

"Italian?" The young kids said. 

"Italians drink more coffee than tea.  So finding high-quality Italian tea can be difficult."

'Sebastian's not wrong there.  Us, Americans drink a lot of caffeine, whether coffee or other carbonated drinks.' Mia thought to herself.  Sebastian's voice brought her out of her thoughts. 

"This particular selection is not to your liking master and mistress?"

Ciel shook his head no.  "No, it isn't.  I don't like it all."

Sebastian looked at Mia.  She mouthed, "I'll keep it."

"I'll see to the dessert preparations." Sebastian said.

Ciel nodded as he placed his cup back down.  "Good.  We must show him every available hospitality.  The Phantomhive family is known for its courtesy." Ciel said darkly. 

"Yes, my young lord." Sebastian said with a bow. 

Mia didn't like the sound of that but she knew the meaning behind Ciel's words.  So she decided to play a part too.  As Sebastian walked off with the tray, she followed him out and tugged on his tailcoat.  Sebatsian turned to her.  "What is it my young mistress?"

She waved a finger towards her, silently telling him to come down to her height.  He did so and she whispered something in his ear.  When she finished, Sebastian gave her a closed eyed smile and took her hand in his and pressed his forehead to it.  "Yes, my young mistress." He said and stood up and walked away. 

Satisfied, Mia walked back to Ciel's study and walked back in.  "What were you doing?" Ciel asked as he played the board game by himself. 

"Just giving out an order." Mia said simply with a small smirk.

(Julia's POV)

I brought a mop and bucket out with the help of Mey-Rin. We were suppose to mop the floors but I couldn't focus.  The image of Sebastian's beautiful face close to mine was ingrained in my mind.  "Something wrong, Julia?" Mey-Rin asked.  I snapped out of my thoughts and looked at Mey-Rin.  "Oh, no.  Nothing Mey-Rin.  Just thinking." "About what dear?" "What happened and something else."

Mey-Rin seemed confused so I explained.  "I don't trust Damiano.  Something about him is off.  The way he talked, reacted, and most importantly, how he treats the young master versus Mia." Mey-Rin looked around then back at me.  "What do you mean?  Is he mean?" "Yeah and snotty.  And the looks he gives Mia are disgusting.  I mean, Mia's much younger than him.  It's revolting." Mey-Rin nodded.  "Now I know what you mean now, yes I do!  I saw it once or twice during dinner.  He certainly doesn't know how to act."

Then suddenly we heard a scream and fumbling across the hall.  Mey-Rin and I ran towards the entrance and saw Mr. Damiano on the steps, seemingly in pain.  Mey-Rin ran to him.  "Sir!  Are you alright?" She asked then stepped back in fear.  "Oh my, his leg is twisted one hundred eighty degrees!" She exclaimed.  I saw it but didn't flinch or step away. It somehow didn't faze me.  Mr. Damiano soon screamed again and crawled away.  I watched the scene and then realized what was happening. 

"Sebastian."

(Sebastian's POV)

My master and mistress are surely amusing.  First my master wants me to take care of things while I have to prepare dessert, then my mistress gives me an order.  Simply amusing.  Well the orders were simple enough to handle.  First, scaring Mr. Damiano around the manor, then twisting his leg, then locking him in the oven.  Oh, his screams of horror were so deliciously entertaining to hear.

Once I finish my tasks, I walked outside with a tray of desserts and see Finny, Bardory and Julia outside.  They were talking about something, probably about our guest.  Finny then turned and saw me.  "Oh, hi Sebastian!" He said in his usual cherry voice.  I put in a fake smile.

"Thank you all for your hard work today.  As a reward would you guys like some lemon meringue pie?  The sugar will give you energy."

Their faces brighten up and Finny and Bard hugged my legs while Julia stood up with a light blush in her cheeks as she took the tray.  "Thank you Mr. Sebastian." She said softly.  She probably still embarrassed about what happened during dinner.  I smirked at her.  "You're very welcome.  And don't worry about what happened tonight.  It was amusing." I said slyly.  Julia pressed her lips together then gave me one of her sly looks before sitting down.  She was certainly interesting.

Once the other servants released my legs, I remembered something.  "Oh, yes, and Bard, a workman will be coming by in the morning.  When he arrives, kindly let him know we'll be needing our oven thoroughly cleaned." Bard gave me a confused look but I ignored it and looked up at the sky with a sly smirk. 

"Mr. Damiano, I hope you enjoyed your stay, and the Phantomhive family hospitality.  All the way down to your bones."

(Back to Third Person POV)

Mia and Ciel sat in the study.  Ciel was still playing the game was he playing earlier with Damiano, by himself and Mia was standing by one of the windows. 

"Mia.  What were those orders you gave Sebastian throughout today?" He asked, still focused on the game. 

Mia looked at Ciel then back outside.

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Mia swallowed. Now she knew something was off. Damiano just insulted Ciel and tried to cover it up with an improvised compliment. She subtly walked over to Sebastian, who was standing by the door, with a look on his face. He, himself didn't like what Damiano said either. She tugged on his tailcoat, a silent way of telling him to lean down. He did so and she whispered something to him.

"Sebastian.  Do you seem there's something off about Damiano?"

"Yes I do milady.  His insult towards the young master was definitely off putting."

"Keep an eye on him."

Mia felt Sebastian's smile on her ear.  "Yes, my mistress."
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Mia followed Sebastian out of Ciel's study.  Sebastian saw her.  "What is it young mistress?" She waved her finger towards herself, silently telling him to kneel down to her height.  He did so and she whispered,

"Our suspicions were correct.  Damiano is definitely up to something."

"What shall we do?"

"Find out what he's up to and..... have some fun with him." She said with a smirk.

Sebastian smirked back. 
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"Just some orders about Damiano." She replied to Ciel. 

Just then, they heard Mr. Damiano scream.  "Mamma Mia!"

Ciel chuckled darkly and Mia also let out a sinister giggle.  "What an unattractive scream.  He sounds almost like a pig taken off to slaughter." He said as she stood up and stood next to Mia.  "Hmph.  What presumption, first he sells the East Indian factory without telling me, and then he dares to ask for more money?  Did he think to retain my trust?"

"Why would he do something like that?" Mia asked.  Ciel looked at the teen and scoffed.  "There are greedy people out there Mia.  People who will betray you to get what they want." He said.  Mia looked down at her boots.  "I know all too well." She quipped. 

Ciel looked at her.  She did know too well of betrayal.

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"I kind of dislike that boy now.  For what he did to me.  I gave him my trust and he blamed me for everything that happened and broke things off with me and told a friend to tell me that.  What a lowlife he was.  But then he apologized for everything.  I forgave him but I don't plan on getting that close to him ever again." Mia said, first in anger then softened. 

Ciel was seated at his desk.  He was listening to one of Mia's stories.  It was about how a boy she loved and dated who broke things off because of an incident where she tried to save him but he didn't want to. 

"You should always be careful with who you trust milady.  They will use you in awful ways and try to blame everything on you.  Believe me, I myself have experienced this." Ciel said as he stood up from his chair and stood before Mia who was sitting in a chair in front of his desk. 

"But from now on, I'll make sure no one ever hurts you like that again." He said and pulled out a sapphire ring (the picture above). Mia gasped at the beauty and blushed as Ciel slipped it on his right thumb.  "This ring is my promise.  My promise that I'll be there for you." He said softly.  Mia smiled softly and nodded.  "And I'll be there to protect you too." She said and wrapped her arms around Ciel's fragile waist and laid her head on Ciel's chest cavity.  Ciel tensed at the sudden contact but gently wrapped his arms around Mia's shoulders, hugging her back.
﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

Ciel looked at Mia's right hand and saw the ring.  The ring that matched his but was more woman like.  The promise ring. 

"I appreciated what you did today.  Way to step up to a business man who tried to take you down a peg." Mia said, breaking the silence.  Ciel looked at the teen and nodded.  "As to you, Mia.  I've never seen a lady act with spunk." He said as he walked back to the board game.  He finished it and sighed. 

"I'm afraid once something is truly lost, one can never get it back again." He quoted to himself. 

Later that night, Sebastian had dressed Ciel and Mia for bed.  While Ciel slept, Mia stayed awake.  "Sebastian?"

Sebastian looked at his young mistress.  "Thank you for what you did today.  I deeply appreciate it and I'm sure Lord Phantomhive appreciates it too." She said softly.  Sebastian smiled at the girl walked to her and placed a gloved hand on her head.  "No worries, milady.  I'm here to serve you and my master.  If I didn't stop a scheming business man from harming my mistress, what kind of butler would I be?" He asked.  Mia smiled faintly at him and nodded.  Sebastian laid her down on her side of the bed.  "Good night, my young mistress." He said softly to her. 

"Good night, Sebastian." She said softly as Sebastian closed the door and fell into a deep, peaceful slumber. 

Author's Note

Edited: May 11th 2019

Here it is guys!  The second chapter and the end of Episode 1!  Hope you all enjoyed it!  I'll see you in the next chapter where we begin, "His Butler, Strongest".

-HorrorLover0720 ♡