The midday sun streamed into the reception room through the thin gauze curtains, illuminating the dust motes dancing in the still air.
Kai Adler rested his hands on the armrests, his posture relaxed, though his eyes remained sharp as he gazed at the young master sitting across from him.
"Mr. Phantomhive, may I ask what it is that truly brings you to invite me here today?"
Ciel Phantomhive crossed his legs with practiced elegance. "Of course, it is to formally invite you to the Christmas dinner tonight."
Kai offered a faint, polite smile. "I believe we can dispense with formalities. Shall we speak plainly?"
"…Alright."
Ciel paused, then shifted forward in his seat, his single visible blue eye studying Kai intently.
Hermione sat next to Kai, her eyes wandering curiously across the richly adorned reception room, admiring the intricate molding and antique furniture.
Seeing her, Kai smiled. "Mr. Phantomhive, please speak freely. There are no secrets between Hermione and me."
Ciel raised a brow. Then, deliberately, he said, "Including the fact that your teacher is Gellert Grindelwald?"
There was a beat of silence, as if he had just dropped a chess piece with intent to corner his opponent.
But Kai showed no change in expression, only calmly replied, "Of course."
Ciel was mildly disappointed. He had expected some measure of surprise, at the very least.
But neither Kai nor Hermione flinched. The girl simply glanced at Kai with quiet trust, and Kai remained relaxed, fingers drumming the armrest lightly.
"To know something like that… and yet still allow me to sit here comfortably, free from Ministry interference, suggests that your family must need something of me quite urgently."
A subtle tightening around Ciel's eyes suggested acknowledgement. "So it would seem."
A loud crash interrupted the tense air.
The door to the reception room flew open, and Meilin rushed in, struggling with a tray of tea and pastries.
"Young Master, guests! I've brought the refreshments—ahhh!"
She tripped with theatrical flair, sending the tray flying.
Ciel's eye twitched.
Sebastian, unsurprised, moved in a blur to intervene. Yet before he could reach her, everything paused midair. Teacups, pastries, even droplets of liquid — they halted, frozen in place, then gently floated down, arranging themselves perfectly on the table as if nothing had happened.
Kai, completely at ease, picked up a delicate pastry and took a bite.
"Good things shouldn't be wasted."
He held another out toward Hermione. "Try this one. I've already tested it."
Hermione flushed, stealing a quick glance at their host, then opened her mouth and took the offered pastry without hesitation. Her cheeks glowed pink as she avoided Ciel's gaze.
Ciel, watching the brief exchange, leaned back in his chair and sighed. "Meilin, you're dismissed."
"I-I'm so sorry, Young Master Phantomhive!"
Sebastian quietly ushered her out, returning just as Ciel turned his focus back to Kai.
"It seems Mr. Adler has a fondness for fine food."
Kai smiled, brushing a crumb from his cuff. "Indeed. I only have a few pleasures: good food, Hermione, and the pursuit of magic. The rest doesn't concern me much."
Hermione looked like she wanted to disappear into the velvet armchair, her hand darting to Kai's side to pinch his waist—hard. He merely chuckled and took a sip of tea.
Sebastian and Ciel exchanged a glance. In that single offhand remark, Kai had made his position clear: he could not be easily tempted, nor coerced.
Ciel's tone became more measured. "Since Mr. Adler appreciates tea, perhaps you'd be interested in trying Sebastian's black blend—it's been praised in high circles."
"Grateful as I am," Kai said casually, "my Hermione is accustomed to my own tea."
At that, a new porcelain set floated from thin air, arranging itself delicately on the table. Hot water poured from nowhere. The scent of Darjeeling and bergamot filled the air.
Ciel accepted the offered cup, sipping quietly, eyes thoughtful.
Kai was unquestionably powerful. Not only was he a capable wizard—perhaps even prodigious—but he wielded his magic with surgical precision. The implications of involving him in any delicate affair had to be carefully weighed.
Finally, Ciel spoke.
"Mr. Adler, the reason I invited you here today is due to what happened to Miss Granger some time ago."
Hermione looked up, blinking. "Me?"
Kai's smile faded slightly. He reached out and took her hand.
"I never told you the full story of what happened that day in Diagon Alley."
He told her everything—from the moment she was taken, to his use of the Obscurus to kill the Muggle traffickers. His tone was steady, but his grip on her hand remained firm, as if worried she might pull away.
When he finished, Hermione said nothing for a long moment.
"You weren't hurt, were you?"
"…No. It's been dealt with."
Ciel took a sip of tea and observed the two closely. A flash of realization crossed his face.
He had found his leverage.
He placed the cup down and gently steered the conversation in a new direction.
"According to my family's informants, a similar case occurred in the Forbidden Forest at Hogwarts. A female named Celaena was mentioned as being involved."
Hermione's head shot up. Her brows furrowed dangerously.
Kai winced internally.
He could feel her gaze burning a hole into his soul. The brooch from this morning still loomed freshly in her memory.
He cleared his throat. "Mr. Phantomhive, you're very skilled at twisting a knife."
Hermione gave a small, very ladylike snort and stared pointedly at her tea.
Kai sighed, the carefully built pressure in the room deflating.
"…Alright. Let's skip the games. What do you want from me?"
Ciel's expression became serious. "Our investigation has uncovered a network. Children—both magical and non-magical—are being abducted, trafficked, experimented on."
Hermione's eyes widened. She sat forward, all irritation forgotten.
Kai's gaze turned cold. "Do you have names?"
"We do. We've tracked it to a few key figures operating between the Continent and Britain. One of them is using old bloodlines as a cover."
Kai's voice was quiet but firm.
"The Malfoy family."
Ciel's hand paused halfway to his teacup.
Hermione looked between the two of them in stunned silence.
"…Why do you say that?" Ciel asked carefully.
Kai leaned back. "I saw the Malfoy crest that night. On the cloak of the man I killed."
There was a pause.
Ciel nodded slowly.
"You are not entirely wrong."