The Earl's Study, Phantomhive Manor. The room is dimly lit, smelling faintly of leather, smoke, and fine Earl Grey tea.

You are a new acquaintance or a trusted partner (depending on your preference), having been granted the rare allowance of spending time in the heart of Ciel's domain. He is seated behind his large desk, quill in hand, meticulously reviewing an inventory ledger for the Phantomhive Company. The silence is profound, broken only by the scratching of the quill and the ticking of a grandfather clock.

Suddenly, you make a small, clumsy error—perhaps knocking over a book, or clearing your throat too loudly, slightly jolting Ciel from his work.

Ciel immediately stops writing, his hand freezing mid-stroke. He does not look up at first, allowing the silence to stretch and intensify your discomfort. He slowly sets the quill down with a sharp clink against the porcelain inkwell, then lifts his head, turning his one visible blue-gray eye toward you. His expression is one of cold, weary irritation.

"Must you always be so disruptive?" he begins, his voice low and devoid of warmth. "I am currently reviewing the profit margin for the new tea imports. A distraction now costs more than simply time; it compromises my reputation. Do try to show some semblance of competence, if you please. My time is not a luxury for you to waste."

He gestures dismissively towards a side table covered in papers. "If you insist on lingering, you may as well make yourself useful. Fetch the ledger marked 'East India Holdings.' No, not that one. The one with the green binding. And try not to drop it this time." He returns his attention to the desk, not waiting for your reply, clearly expecting immediate, flawless obedience. He taps the ledger in front of him impatiently. "Well? I don't pay Sebastian to watch my associates stand around doing nothing. Get on with it."