Minako

i think a very important aspect of this is the moment when ciel overhears vincent and francis saying that if ciel were to inherit the title, they would probably renounce it and give up the land. he isn’t treated as a backup for his brother—vincent doesn’t want to consider the possibility of him taking on the same dangerous responsibilities expected of fully healthy family members, even though it’s been their duty for generations.

I’ve seen many people claim that Vincent and Rachel didn’t love O!Ciel. but in my opinion, that interpretation isn’t accurate. Their child was sick during a time when asthma was considered potentially fatal. Given the circumstances, what else could they have done besides limit his physical activity and keep him from going outside? They didn’t have the medical options we have today, and their actions were driven by a desire to protect their child, not neglect him.

As you see in picture, whenever his health allowed him to participate in family activities or play outside, his parents never denied him those opportunities. This suggests that they weren’t trying to isolate him, but rather to balance his safety with his happiness.

R!Ciel, on the other hand, was the heir to the family. He was expected to take over the Phantomhive household should anything happen to Vincent. Naturally, he received more attention in terms of training and preparation. This wasn’t favoritism, it was a reflection of the immense responsibility he was meant to inherit. He needed to be prepared for a role that demanded strength, composure, and leadership.

It’s true that this dynamic had a negative emotional impact on O!Ciel. From his perspective, he felt like he was living in his brother’s shadow. However, that perception doesn’t necessarily reflect the intentions of the adults around him. As a child, he couldn’t fully understand that their actions were rooted in concern and protection.

We see this clearly in moments involving Francis and Vincent. When they discuss the possibility of something happening to R!Ciel, Francis shows concern for O!Ciel’s well-being, particularly given his fragile health. She doesn’t want to burden or stress him unnecessarily. At the same time, she expresses concern for R!Ciel after his return as a bizarre doll, emphasizing that he should prioritize his health and avoid overexertion. Her concern is directed toward both twins, which indicates that she prioritize the twins well being than the title or family name.

Vincent himself is a complex character, but there are clear indications that he cared for O!Ciel. For example, when the Baron arrives at the party, Vincent doesn’t follow his more outgoing son. Instead, he stays beside O!Ciel, who appears shy and uneasy, placing a reassuring hand on his head. This gesture conveys both protection and affection. Additionally, when Diederich appears and the twins interrupt his conversation with Vincent, it is implied that they were discussing O!Ciel’s future, further evidence that Vincent was actually thinking about both of his sons.

We also see, in the chapter “With Father,” that Rachel mentions her health has improved after she saw her son is in a well health too.Vincent playfully tells her not to overexert herself. This moment suggests that while Vincent and R!Ciel were occupied elsewhere with Dee , Rachel and O!Ciel were spending time together. It also explains how O!Ciel was aware of certain events and later recounted them to Sebastian, despite not being directly involved.

What O!Ciel didn’t fully understand is that he and his brother were not the same. Their personalities differed, and so did their physical conditions. It’s natural for parents to respond differently to children based on their needs. A sick and timid child would require more protection and caution, while a healthier and more confident one might be given more freedom and responsibility. This doesn’t indicate favoritism, it reflects adaptive parenting.

Rachel and Vincent were not perfect parents, but portraying them as unloving or neglectful oversimplifies a much more nuanced reality.

ask and you shall receive

@zimowahistoria thank you for your awesome idea!

Or at least this dream scenario is his happy place when the other servants get on his last nerve. Bc in reality it would prolly trigger Ciel's asthma immediately.

anon your mind… from what i’ve looked up, opium (both smoked and taken in the form of tinctures or herbal inhalation blends) was used in the 19th century as a remedy for asthma. and sebastian, as the mr perfect butler, couldn’t possibly ignore that. of course, all for his master’s health—no ulterior motives whatsoever

he would forbid the others from entering ciel’s room, unsure how he might react to the drug for the first time. he’d sit on the bed, pull ciel into his lap, and when he protested, simply reply with a smile, “it’s all a matter of safety.”

“whatever,” ciel would answer, turning his face away in hopes sebastian wouldn’t notice the flush creeping up his cheeks. one of sebastian’s arms wrapped around his waist—purely for stability, of course. the other bringing the pipe to his lips. ciel would choke on the smoke almost immediately, coughing as his eyes watered.

“not so fast, my lord,” sebastian would say, lifting the pipe to his own lips, demonstrating how to inhale properly. ciel wouldn’t be able to look away from his mouth, even when the demon brought the pipe back to his again. a long, slow inhale—the smoke gradually filling his lungs.

this demon, crying