It had been a week since Ciel Phantomhive had been declared dead to the world. His memorial had been held, and tears had been shed as Ciel's two rings were buried in an otherwise empty coffin (provided by the Undertaker, at a very nice discount, or so he said), and those who knew him had begun to mourn.

But at the moment Ciel was not rotting away in a shallow grave. He was in France, on a patio of a rented room, smelling the vapors of the tea that Sebastian had ordered from room service. It was unfortunate that he could no longer taste it.

"How is the tea, Young Master?" The butler asked from off to the side.

"Fine." Ciel sighed, taking in another breath. "How are the preparations coming?"

"Adequately, my Lord. I have secured us a cabin on a boat headed for the America's in a weeks time." Sebastian said, a bit less courteously than he would have had Ciel still been human. The demon did not think he would ever become accustomed to his loss of freedom. He had certainly not been prepared to be a butler for all of eternity, and he was less than pleased with the hand he had been dealt.

Both demons were wrapped in their thoughts, so they were surprised- a feat indeed- when a voice spoke from above them.

"Found you at last."

They both turned to look at the roof, where none other than William T. Spears stood. His glasses glinted in the parisian sun, and he held his scythe in a grip that would snap a mortal weapon in half. His indifferent demeanor had gone, and he had never looked more menacing.

"Mr. Spears." Ciel said with well concealed surprise. "How-"

"I saw the notification of death that you left for Grell." William interrupted. "But I knew that you weren't. Tracking you was easy."

"You are getting sloppy, Sebastian." Ciel frowned.

"My humble apologies, my Lord." the older demon said with a half bow before turning back to the reaper. "But that still begs the question, why are you here?"

"You know why, you disgrace. I knew demons were scum, but even I never expected this of you." Will glared.

"I beg your pardon?"

"Don't play innocent. It doesn't suit you."

"Forgive me, but I have no inkling as to what you are talking about."

"I can't imagine a Being, demon or otherwise, that would so heartlessly kill their own son."

There was a long silence.

"Oh, well this is interesting." Ciel said at last, setting down his tea and moving to the edge of his seat to better witness the goings on.

"I... My what?" Sebastian asked, truly speechless for the first time that Ciel had ever seen. William glared further, as if trying to assess if the butler was sincere or not.

"You didn't know?" he asked.

"Know what?" Sebastian hissed, his red eyes narrowing almost as much as the reaper's.

"Claude Faustus was your son."