Y/N's POV

The more I observed, the more amazing looking dishes I discovered on the table set before us. The meal, with its variety and exquisity, seemed worthy of the royal family.

Two servants in navy blue uniforms worked around the table, finishing with the last meal preparations.

Sebastian went to pull out a chair for me, but one of the servants in blue stepped ahead of him and pulled the chair out himself. I snickered at the dirty look that Sebastian threw him, and made myself comfortable in the seat at the head of the table.

Frederick sat at the other end, going straight for the food, putting large portions of different cuisines on his own plate. He didn't hesitate to use his hands to eat, licking grease and juices off his fingers.

I found the scene quite revolting and decided to keep my eyes on my own half of the table; I ran them over the dishes set before me, not knowing where to start.

Suddenly, a blue clothed servant was at my side, offering me a plate of round, weird looking things.

"Please try a sushi," the servant said, "the dish comes from Eastern Asia where its favored by the wealthy and the commoners alike."

"O-oh, thank you," I went to take one of the said sushi with my fork, but the servant held out his hand in the stop motion.

"They are eaten with these," he handed me two sticks, slimmed towards on side.

I stared at the objects lying in my hands, not understanding how you can eat something with them.

"They're called chopsticks and you hold them like this," he demonstrated how to fix the sticks in your hand to be able to pick things up with them.

I tried replicating his hand position the best that I could, and attempted to lift one of the sushi with the chopsticks. After a couple of failed attempts, I finally got a hold of one and quickly brought it to my mouth.

"Ahaha, I did it," I said, my voice muffled by food.

I finished chewing.

"Sushi are really good," I concluded, putting some of the other kinds on my plate with the chopsticks; it took me a while but I managed it.

Motioning to the servant that I was done, he left.

I was digging into my newfound favorite food, enjoying every piece more than the last.

"That's a really sad excuse for sushi," Sebastian said next to me in a low voice, so that only I could hear, "those who've been to Eastern Asia know what real sushi are like. Y/N, I can make you some at home whenever you'd like."

"You can make these?" He nodded. "Then why have you never made them before?"

"Because you never asked."

"Fair."

The servant in blue was back, carrying a new plate with him.

"Corn on a comb," he introduced the dish, "recently became popular in America."

That, too, was really delicious.

"Real cooks would know that corn on a comb tastes much better when served with butter and seasonings," commented Sebastian. The man in the blue uniform had also clearly heard him. He looked up at the demon who was taller than him by at least a head. The two servants stared each other up and down.

I couldn't help but chuckle.

It always amused me when Sebastian got competitive.

The Robinson's servant did the polite thing and left with a bow.

"Let's go home," Sebastian's voice, low and thick with impatience, could only be heard by me, "I can cook all this, but ten times better for you. You don't need anybody but me. Let's leave this strange manor and head back."

He sounded a bit like a child begging to his mother.

Was he this eager to return because of the promise that I made to him?

"We're going to be polite and stay until after supper," I finally stated and he nodded in agreement.

"Y/N Phantomhive," Frederick suddenly spoke up, probably having finished with his first round of food. "I wanted to express my deepest condolences to you in regards of Alexander's death. He was a good man and a great friend, and he will be greatly missed by the world."

"Thank you, Frederick, your words mean a lot," I said forcibly.

"Having heard many things about your great love for him, it must not be easy for you right now. I want you to know that you have all of my support and that you can ask me for absolutely anything, anything, that you might need."

I didn't know how to respond to that. His attention towards me seemed to be overdone and made me really uncomfortable. After all we have just met.

"Y/N Phantomhive thanks you," Sebastian, who must have sensed my discomfort, answered for me, "yet she would rather not dwell on the subject. Instead, please say more about the guards, as you've certainly sparked our curiosity towards them."

Frederick's face lit up at the mention of the guards which he favoured so much.

Very smooth, Sebastian.

"Thank you," I whispered very softly, knowing he'd hear it.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a smile tugging at the black butler's lips.

Frederick, given the opportunity, went on and on talking discursively about his guards and where he'd acquired them and such. I nodded and made small comments on his blabbering, but truly only heard about a third of the words he uttered, as my mind was at Sebastian's hand, holding mine, drawing gentle circles on the back of my palm with his thumb.

As our hands were hidden from view by the table, nobody could notice the small action. There was something so pure and intimate about it that made peace and security settle in my chest. I interlaced my fingers with the demon's and softly squeezed his strong hand.

At that moment, the servant in blue approached us again and I quickly retreated from Sebastian's grasp, sitting up straight in my seat. The servant offered me more dishes, but I declined them all, suddenly not feeling hungry.

I wanted to head back.

I wanted to be with Sebastian.

Only Sebastian.

I turned towards him, about to tell him that maybe we should take an early leave after all, but at that moment a small man walked in through the door.

Hunched over, with a long, thinning beard, he spoke to Frederick in a croaky voice, loud enough for all to hear, "Missy just gave birth. The lil' kits are in the garden with 'er. Seven of 'em - the lil' rug rats."

"Gregory, can't you see that I'm busy with guests," Frederick said in a forcibly calm tone.

The old man, who's name appeared to be Gregory, squinted his eyes to look at us, then waved a hand through the air and took his leave.

"Sorry about that," apologized Frederick, "Missy is my cat, it appears she finally gave birth to the kittens."

Even before Sebastian had the chance to say anything, I smirked and told him, "yes, you can."

He threw me a thankful smile and hurried after the man. The door closed shut behind them and I was left alone with Frederick and his servants.

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