Black Butler (黒執事)

Somebody, please help...

Anyone at all.

I don't care who. Please, just come!

Save us all!

You have summoned me here today.

That can never be changed.

And nothing sacrificed can ever be regained.

Now choose.

Then I choose.

A butler's day begins early.

He must set to work before anyone else--

Ironing his master's newspaper,

and preparing the morning tea service.

He does whatever necessary to ensure

the continuity and comfort of his master's daily life.

It is all part of the butler aesthetic.

Young lord, 'tis time to rise and greet the day.

Ceylon, is it?

Spot on, as ever.

I took the liberty of bringing you

a Ringtons varietal this morning.

Today begins with a dance lesson.

Your instructor is Mrs. Mayerl.

After lunch, you'll look over proposals

from the Funtom Company's toy and confectionery divisions.

Finally, at six o'clock you have a meeting

with Mr. Cedric Brandel of the Brandel Tea Company.

Also in attendance will be Mr. Lau

of the Chinese trading company Kun-Lun.

What does Brandel want?

Apparently his company is planning to host a tea salon.

He would like to acquire a variety of Funtom products

to sell to the children who will be in attendance.

We can't refuse an acquaintance of Lau's out of hand.

Extend him every courtesy.

Quite, yes, my lord.

I can't say I'm looking forward to it.

Indeed, but it wouldn't do

to cancel the meeting.

No, not the meeting.

It's the dance lesson that I dread.

Ah yes, of course.

We can cancel that if you would prefer

to show the Lady Elizabeth your patented "Staggering Waltz"

at the Queen's Ball next month.

I'm certain she would be duly impressed with your originality.

Don't be so cheeky.

If you'll come along, then, young lord,

your dance lesson shall proceed as planned.

Today's breakfast.

We have here a ham and grapefruit salad,

lightly poached salmon, a soup of roasted root vegetables

and some flaky croissants.

One, two, three, one, two, three!

Oh, heavens!

Rather clumsy footwork, my lord.

Strive for more grace.

One, two, three, one, two, three!

Your tasks are as follows:

Mey-Rin, collect and launder all the bed sheets.

Right, Sebastian!

Finny, tend to the plants in the greenhouse.

Yes sir!

And Bardroy, you will see to the bread.

Consider it done.

As for Tanaka...

Just do whatever it is you usually do.

Ho ho ho!

Listen carefully.

We are expecting some guests this evening.

Crikey! You know what that means, then!

I'll make a special--

What that means is

you three will stay quietly out of sight

and you will not do anything

unless you have received my express orders.

Keyword, quietly.

Now, everybody proceed to your stations!

Right!

I want something sweet, Sebastian.

A cake, perhaps.

I think not.

Best not to spoil your appetite before your dinner meeting.

I said I want something sweet.

I've prepared some hot chocolate for you.

Can you make do with that?

Where's the cream?

I've served it with toasted nuts and some caramel syrup.

Now then, I shall begin preparing to receive our guests.

First, dish selection.

Herend dinnerware is lively and colorful.

It will help set a tone suitable for a meeting

about children's products.

Next, to polish the silverware until it gleams.

Perfect. What now?

Mey-Rin, whatever--

Oh, Sebastian, there you are!

What happened here?

I used thirty cups of detergent,

like the instructions said to, and it's a disaster!

It don't make sense!

Read the instructions again. Carefully.

You'll find it's three cups. Not thirty.

Honestly, being far-sighted isn't enough

to excuse such foolishness.

No, "carelessness" is more correct.

Now, step aside.

There, that should sort it.

Now do you think you're capable

of cleaning up the laundry room by yourself?

Yes! Yes, I am!

Naturally. Always when I'm busy.

Next, to set the perfect table.

The flower arrangement is of utmost importance.

I'll use a refined mix of snowdrops and Christmas roses,

to evoke winter.

And the napkins shall be folded

into roses to match.

Finny!

Why is it so hot in here?

I'm so sorry!

It looked like the roses were right about to bloom!

And I thought I could, you know,

speed 'em up by lightin' the stove!

Carrying a stove to the greenhouse?

You must be utterly brainless--

No. I suppose "brawny" is more correct.

There's nothing else for it.

This is unfortunate.

I had hoped to scent the manor with roses,

but that will be quite impossible now.

Go on.

I expect you can finish cleaning on your own.

Yes, I can! Right!

For goodness's sake, why ever must they vex me so?

The most vital part is the main dish.

Tonight we have freshly caught pheasant,

sautéed with a rich rosemary and sage paste...

...which will pair quite nicely with a Grand Cru Champagne.

And of course...

Let's hear it, then.

You might as well explain yourself.

Well, I was thinkin' that since we 'ad guests comin' an' all,

we should treat 'em to a new menu, all special-like.

Of course. How many times must I tell you:

Cooking requires fire, not firepower, you colossal idiot.

Yes, idiot's quite correct.

Wait, that's what you said first off, though.

Nothin's changed.

Here we go again. Ugh.

Now, use these to patch up the hole in the wall.

And, meanwhile--

I'll just be confiscating this.

It's always something.

With all these interruptions,

I've barely gotten anything done.

And look at that.

The guests will be arriving at any moment.

I must pick up the pace.

It's almost time now. Are you ready, Brandel?

Something amuses you?

This'll work. Yes.

When the dust settles today, I shall be the victor.

Yes, that's right!

I shall succeed, even against the Earl Phantomhive!

My, no need to work yourself into such a lather, is there?

No, of course not. You're quite right.

Though it's when your guard is down

that the dog is most likely to bite.

I confess, I am most interested to see

how the events of the evening will play out, my lord.

Welcome to the Phantomhive estate.

I am Ciel Phantomhive,

the current earl and family head.

Such a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

I am Cedric Brandel.

I had not imagined you quite so youthful, my lord.

I told you there was no need to feel intimidated.

He's ever so small and precious isn't he?

Quite.

I've had a small dinner prepared for us.

If you'll follow me, please.

Oh! How lovely!

I could have simply set out some aperitifs, of course,

but I thought this presentation would be more the thing.

Er, if you'll excuse me, master.

I've the hors d'oeuvres.

Shakin' like a leaf!

So... what just happened?

Please pardon me, lady and gentlemen.

This particular vintage is a bit on the bubbly side,

so I made the last-minute decision

to give it a nice decanting.

Please have a seat and I shall bring you a glass.

I say, good show!

You'd leap to stardom in any acrobatics troupe

with that trick.

Heavens! Me, a star?

Surely you jest.

I appreciate the compliment,