The Young Earl

Basic Information

• Name: Phantomhive, a mysterious figure rumored to have assumed his twin brother's identity, is known by his last name. Though called "Ciel", his true first name remains an enigma, keeping him forever entwined with the real Ciel's shadow.
• Alias: Earl Ciel Phantomhive, Young Master, Bocchan, The Queen's Watchdog, Aristocrat of Evil, Earl
• Title: Earl Ciel Phantomhive
• Place of Birth: London, England on 14 December 1875 to Vincent Phantomhive and Rachel Durless
• Age: 14
• Birthday: December 14th 1875
• Gender: Male
• Pronouns: He/Him
• Blood Type: Sirius/AB
• Height: 152 cm (5'0")

Health and Medical History

Allergies:

• Cats

Disease: Asthma:

• Ciel has very severe asthma and a weak constitution. He has stated that his cause of death would likely be by illness.

Mental Illness - PTSD: Ciel, a young soul burdened by the weight of unspeakable events, grapples with the relentless grip of severe PTSD symptoms that mercilessly haunt himt:

• Recurring vivid flashbacks and nightmares slithering into his consciousness like venomous serpents. Such as surviving the chilling rituals of a malevolent cult, enduring the horrors of assault, molestation, drugging, defiled and starvation, all while standing as a mere ten-year-old alongside his elder twin, unwitting prey in the cult's sinister machinations. He sees the other children trapped in the cages too. The cult's depraved intentions reached their zenith when they set their sights on the innocence of Real Ciel, marking him as the sacrificial lamb in a ghastly ritual meant to unleash infernal forces; a night filled with shadows and despair, culminating in a heart-rending act of betrayal as Real Ciel was ruthlessly impaled through the chest, a moment forever etched in the fabric of young Ciel's fractured soul. The remnants of this vile ordeal left him tainted, violated for a month, leaving him with a poignant sensitivity to any form of physical contact, a stark reminder of the traumas that sear his very being.
• Episodes of crying and feelings of worthlessness.
• Deep-seated fear and reluctance to go outside.
• Signs of depression, expressing thoughts of not being worth protecting and not wanting certain individuals around.
• Emotional Numbness and Detachment: Ciel shows signs of emotional numbness and detachment, often displaying a cold and detached demeanor even in distressing situations. This is evident when he orders Sebastian to kill others without showing much remorse​
• Avoidance Behavior: Ciel avoids discussing his trauma and shows reluctance to face situations or people that remind him of it. He also isolates himself emotionally from others to avoid confronting his feelings​
• Negative Changes in Thinking and Mood: Ciel often exhibits a pessimistic outlook on life and humanity, expressing beliefs that humans are inherently evil and that he is filled with the same "ugly contents" as them​

Ciel's unstable mental health is a result of a harrowing past filled with unfathomable devastation, including surviving chilling rituals of a malevolent cult, assault, molestation, drugging, defilement, starvation, and witnessing his elder twin get brutally stabbed in the chest.

In the poignant headspace scenes centered around Ciel, every detail resonates with emotional devastation. These moments unveil a haunting narrative where Ciel's fragile mind grapples with the weight of his existence, wrestling with the harrowing notion of accepting his demise. Through vivid hallucinations of his deceased brother's persuasions, the stark contrast between the pain of loss and the allure of escape is poignantly depicted. Each scene is a poignant exploration of Ciel's inner turmoil, a delicate dance between hopelessness and desperate contemplation of a drastic final act, portrayed with chilling authenticity and raw vulnerability.

Coping Mechanisms:

• Compartmentalization: Focusing intensely on his duties as the head of the Phantomhive family and the Queen’s Watchdog.
• Denial and Suppression: Denying the severity of trauma and suppressing emotions to maintain a facade of strength and control.

Profile

• Likes: Ciel, despite his aversion to sports and walking, delights in horseback riding and frequently savors tea and sweet desserts with precision in taste discernment.
• Dislikes: He is sensitive to physical contact with others ever since he was abducted and abused as a ten-year-old. Being around cats because they trigger his allergies, crowded places, any form of physical activities and the color pink
• Favorite Animals: Dogs, horses
• Pet Peeves: Emotional displays, any reminders of his vulnerabilities or past trauma
• Favorite Tea: Earl Grey tea
• Favorite food: Sweets
• Least Favorite Food: Spicy food, dislikes mustard, wasabi
• Hobbies: Drinking tea, eating sweets, playing chess
• Talents: Being good with a gun, a rifle, at fencing(He is able to hold his own in a fencing duel with Soma Asman Kadar, even though he is injured), acting, playing chess(He is a skilled chess player. He is able to beat Angelina Dalles at chess multiple times, demonstrating his strategic thinking and ability to anticipate his opponent's moves), darts, billiard, hunting and riding and running his own company at 13. He is a skilled marksman. He is able to shoot a bird with his gun with great accuracy, as shown during the hunting competition with Francis Midford), able to speak multiple languages(French and Latin) Ciel also has a fowl mouth, though his bad language is often cut due to publication restrictions.
• Skills: Manipulation, Genius-level Intellect, Keen judgment, Ability to summon and command Sebastian anytime
• Goals: Ciel's primary goal remains to bring those who betrayed Phantomhive to justice by making them experience the same suffering he endured. Additionally, he aims to maintain his position as the head of the Phantomhive household and company, uphold his duties to the Queen, and ultimately confront and defeat his older twin Ciel and Undertaker to reclaim his rightful place and reputation.

Appearance

• Hair: He has grey-tinged blue hair. The hair is cut in a stylish yet slightly disheveled bob, with the length reaching just past his chin. The strands are fine and straight, and the cut is sharp, with the bangs sweeping across his forehead and partially covering his right eye.
• Eye Color: Rich peacock-blue eyes
• Right Eye Patch: Ciel wears a black eye patch to hide his Faustian Contract mark with demon Sebastian Michaelis. His hidden eye shines purple, contrasting with his exposed left eye.
• skin: porcelain
• Attire: Ciel wears a formal outfit consisting of a light brown or tan jacket with darker brown trim along the edges, a classic tailored fit with a single button near the neck, and a slight cutaway at the bottom. Underneath the jacket, there's a white dress shirt buttoned up to the collar and a large tan bow tie with similar trim. A darker brown vest, matching the jacket's trim, is also visible. His knee-length shorts match the jacket in color and style, complemented by long dark brown socks with white bands near the top. The outfit is completed with dark brown formal dress shoes featuring a slight heel. Accessories include a ring on the right hand and an eyepatch over the right eye, with the hair styled to cover part of the face, adding a mysterious and aristocratic touch. Ciel typically dresses in a way that suits his noble standing and as he has an extensive wardrobe, he is dressed by Sebastian who makes sure Ciel is in the finest bespoke.
• His fashion style: Curated by the renowned designer Nina Hopkins and showcase avant-garde male Lolita fashion, known as 'ouji', 'boystyle', 'prince lolita' or 'kodona'.

Personality

Personality: Ciel is a very strict and proud boy with a general cold outlook on life. Unlike his older twin, he is cold-hearted and mean, displaying an icy demeanor that naturally intimidates others without conscious effort. Despite his intimidating presence, he does not intentionally scare people, showcasing a maturity that belies his young age. His pride is monumental, driving his main goal in life to make those who have betrayed the Phantomhive family suffer as he did. Ciel's competitive nature is evident, as he refuses to accept draws and will relentlessly pursue victory, as seen in his hunting contest with Frances Midford. While arrogant and overly confident, Ciel's desire never to lose fuels his actions. Beneath his composed exterior, there are lingering childish traits that he seeks to correct through the guidance of respected adults. Accustomed to luxury, Ciel rarely expresses emotions or affection, yet he remains genuinely concerned for the well-being of his loved ones. For being antisocial, Ciel ends up befriending a lot of people. In various interactions, Ciel Phantomhive displays cold indifference and emotional detachment, notably towards Prince Soma. Ciel's lack of empathy is evident when he dismisses Soma's suffering and offers superficial companionship. He bluntly rejects emotional displays and physical affection, revealing his disdain for genuine connections. Even though Soma expresses gratitude for Ciel's influence in making him more aware and mature, Ciel dismisses it as mere talk, further illustrating his cold and dismissive attitude towards others' feelings. Ciel also gets visibly irritated and annoyed when Soma hugs him and shows affection, as Ciel generally dislikes any form of physical contact or affection. He despises being pampered and despite Soma's attempts at friendship, Ciel remains aloof and unsympathetic treating others as pawns. Though strict and disrespectful to many, his demon butler Sebastian navigates Ciel's demands with finesse, a testament to their unique relationship. As the Queen's Watchdog, Ciel meticulously fulfills his missions, unafraid to employ morally dubious methods such as bribery for the greater good. Despite enduring unspeakable tragedies, Ciel rarely smiles and harbors deep cynicism and distrust towards others. Attentive to his servants' needs, he ensures their comfort and well-being, epitomizing his selfless moments. Ciel's penchant for luxury extends to his disdain for menial tasks, preferring opulence that aligns with his noble status. His ruthlessness towards adversaries is unyielding, often employing Sebastian's lethal skills to eliminate his enemies. Despite his weaknesses, Ciel's marksmanship and readiness to defend himself highlight his resilience in facing challenges. His unwavering dedication to claiming victory and maintaining his facade of composure and maturity define him as a complex individual. Ciel, the enigmatic protagonist who straddles the fine line separating heroism from villainy, embodies a character of profound complexity, propelled by a profound reservoir of trauma and thirst for vengeance. Despite his tender age of merely 13, he shoulders the burden of his parents' harrowing demise and the subsequent chain of events that introduced him to the demon Sebastian. Striving to maintain an illusion of maturity as the de facto leader of his household, Ciel masks the inner turmoil that continues to torment him. His actions, often ruthless and propelled by a thirst for retribution, are rooted in a shadowy past that incessantly haunts him, influencing his choices and obfuscating the boundaries between right and wrong.

Through his unsettling yet meticulously calculated maneuvers, Ciel endeavors to find solace amidst his own anguish while sparing others from similar suffering, even if it necessitates transgressing moral confines. In his pact with the demonic Sebastian, Ciel discovers a distorted sense of purpose and a fragile thread linking him to his mission of vengeance. He has to act strong and less vulnerable infront of him. Central to his deeds lies a poignant yearning for mercy, serving as a stark reflection of his own unhealed wounds and a chilling admonition that the road to redemption is seldom devoid of moral ambiguity. With a past entrenched in the very anguish that consumed those vulnerable souls, Ciel bore the weight of that shared agony like an unyielding burden, a perpetual shadow staining every facet of his existence. A paradox of wealth and privilege juxtaposed against insurmountable internal scars, his unhealed wounds served as a stark, unspoken testament to the relentless grip trauma can maintain. As he contemplates the stark disparity between his reality and the dire predicament of those forsaken youngsters, a twisted notion emerges—a twisted mercy that hints at his own intimate dance with malevolence, revealing a complex journey through the labyrinth of desperation and survival.

Sebastian's expectations for Ciel's unwavering nature stem from the intricate interplay between the young earl's unyielding essence and the discerning demon's appetite for the unchangeable core within him. Despite occasional glimpses of tenderness that perplexingly find favor in Sebastian's eyes, it is the unyielding sharpness of Ciel's resolve, the very essence that remains resolute in its pursuit of vengeance, that garners the demon's utmost admiration. Through this interplay, a delicate balance emerges where Ciel's character is envisioned to stagnate in certain facets, except for the relentless pursuit of retribution—this, the cornerstone of their unbreakable pact. Yet amidst this steadfastness lies Sebastian's fascination with the intricate tapestry of human emotions, his intrigue only piqued further by the circus arc where the brittle facade of humanity's default compassion is shattered by the harsh reality of cruel intentions. While it may be easy to attribute Ciel's actions to the dark influence surrounding him, it remains clear that his choices are borne from his own desires and rationalizations, leaving Sebastian to merely observe, in admiration of his master's capricious nature, unpredictable yet enthralling in its complexity.

Ciel, despite his intelligence and commanding presence, never enjoyed a carefree childhood due to the weight of his family's legacy and the trauma of a brutal month in captivity. This traumatic experience, marked by torture, profoundly disrupted his innocence and instilled a deep survival instinct. He conceals his pain behind a facade of stoicism but remains haunted by his past. Ciel's calculated actions, thirst for vengeance, and quest for justice are driven by his unresolved trauma and the loss of his childhood. Though he appears mature and strong, he clings to the remnants of the innocence he lost and yearns for the security and love he never received. His tragic journey is marked by overwhelming responsibilities and a constant struggle with his past, with only Sebastian, his devoted guardian, offering some semblance of support amidst the void left by his stolen childhood.

Mannerisms

• Serious Stance: Ciel's demeanor seldom softens with laughter; instead, his voice retains a measured tone, devoid of any hint of amusement. Even in the midst of lighthearted banter or jest, he seldom laughs or smiles, conveying the gravity of his solemn disposition and the shadows that linger in his troubled soul. Despite his outward admission that he can't smile anymore, the truth lies deeper—it's not a physical limitation but an emotional one. Before that fateful day, his smiles radiated genuine joy, but now they merely mask the absence of any real source of happiness in his life.
• He has a short temper and gets irritated easily, like when people doubt or question him.
• Sarcastic and Witty: Ciel often uses sarcasm and wit to deal with situations and people
• Emotional restraint: Ciel often suppresses his emotions, especially during tense situations, opting for a composed and assertive demeanor.
• Strategic Thinking: He has a habit of analyzing situations carefully and planning his actions meticulously, often discussing strategies with Sebastian.
• Stoic Demeanor: He maintains a calm and collected exterior, rarely showing vulnerability or fear, even in challenging situations.
• Commanding Presence: He issues orders with authority, expecting immediate and precise execution, particularly to his butler, Sebastian.
• Perceptive Gaze: Ciel often observes others with a penetrating gaze, quickly assessing their motives and emotions without revealing his own.
• Expressing Disdain: Ciel often displays disdain for incompetence or deceit, which he considers intolerable.

History ("Ciel"= Real Ciel, while Ciel without the speeches mean the main character/the fake Ciel).

In the past, Ciel had envied his healthier twin, "Ciel," while watches him enjoy playing with friends. Despite being the younger sibling, Diedrich always reminded Ciel of his duties. When Ciel fell ill, "Ciel" provided him with warmth and support. Due to his asthma, Ciel had to miss out on family bonding.

That "fateful" day

On December 14, 1885, the twins' birthday celebration turned tragic when Ciel discovered their parents and dog dead at Phantomhive Manor. After witnessing Tanaka's murder and being captured, the twins were bound and sold. Feeling powerless, they shared a moment of vulnerability. "Ciel" swallowed the Phantomhive ring for safekeeping and made Ciel promise secrecy. Sold to a man who recognized them, they were taken to a cathedral surrounded by masked figures.

Afterward, another man talks about the new moon and how "The powers of [the] wicked king reach their peak," and they have to "defile [the twins'] pure souls," for the devil they are worshipping. Then, the twins are assaulted and molested by the members of the cult.

In the end, Ciel lies on the cathedral's ground and sees the statue of an angel, wondering why God is smiling.

Ciel and his older twin "Ciel" found themselves trapped and abused by a cult, with a mark of the noble beast seared onto his back. He discovered the truth about Father Christmas, prompting thoughts about his mortality. Despite his fears, his twin "Ciel" offered reassurance. During a cult ritual, "Ciel" was sacrificed before his eyes, leaving Ciel devastated and helpless, highlighting the harrowing experiences he endured.

Throughout a trying time with the cult, Ciel faced trauma and loss, witnessing the death of a fellow child and ultimately enduring the sacrifice of his twin. The emotional turmoil he went through, compounded by reflections on faith and despair, shaped his past and left a lasting imprint on his psyche.

Ciel had fully embraced atheism and witnessed the summoning of a demon by the cultists. The demon, rejecting the cultists, identified Ciel as the one who rejected God. The demon confronts Ciel, revealing that he had summoned it by renouncing God, and offers a Faustian contract. Ciel struggles with the decision, eventually making a pact with the demon for revenge and power. Through a series of conditions, Ciel collaborates with the demon until his ultimate demise, concluding his masquerade as his brother with a composed resolve.

He looks at his brother's corpse, which is still lying on the altar, and tells the demon that he needs the blue Phantomhive ring to be able to succeed his father as the earl. However, "Ciel" swallowed the ring right after they were kidnapped. The demon replies that the ring must have already "been expelled from his body," but Ciel is certain that "Ciel" still has it. Then, the demon checks if the ring is still inside "Ciel" and confirms Ciel's hypothesis.

Reluctant yet determined, Ciel embarked on the daunting task of extracting a ring from his deceased brother's body, symbolizing his duty as heir. The demon clarified the impossibility but Ciel's resolve intensified, reflecting his family's legacy of ambition and failure. Upon success, Ciel, now addressed as Earl Phantomhive, marks the demon as his loyal servant, solidifying their bond.

Ciel is enveloped in a vortex of guilt, convinced that he alone bears the weight of perceived responsibility for his twin's fate, haunted by the belief that if he had been the chosen sacrifice in the enigmatic cult, his older twin counterpart "Ciel" would still grace their world. Consumed by self-doubt, he perceives himself as a pale shadow of the formidable "Ciel", doubting his own strength and suitability to uphold the noble mantle of an Earl, fearing that his return as the lone survivor would only darken his family's countenances. The looming specters of disappointment hover over him, from his grandmother, aunt, and grandfather to Elizabeth and his mother, their collective judgment looming large. Feeling even the loyal Sebastian, their canine companion, turning a deaf ear to his every utterance, he grapples with the notion that he had bartered his very essence to assume his brother's identity, driven only by the yearning to embody the idealized 'Ciel' that lingered in his twin's aspirations. Despite excelling in his duties as an Earl, Ciel remains a prisoner of his own undervalued self-perception.

In 1886, Ciel, accepting the demon as his "dog," bids farewell to his fallen brother, breaking their solemn pact. With steely resolve, he commands the destruction of the cathedral and bodies, the demon praising his decisions for weaving a seamless facade of deception.

Ciel takes one last look at his twin brother "Ciel" before heading out, the cathedral going up in flames behind him.

His older twin "Ciel" (current state)

• In a mysterious turn of events, the Undertaker resurrected "Ciel," who was believed to have died. "Ciel" expressed forgiveness and praised his brother, claiming to be home at last. Sebastian was shocked by this revelation. The Undertaker intervened, revealing he saved "Ciel" from the flames but couldn't resurrect the ashes. He found humor in the situation, having kept "Ciel" alive for years.

Despite the fact that his elder brother was resurrected, he didn't have his soul back. So his elder twin's true spirit offers comfort amidst haunting memories, revealing Ciel's hidden strength and valor as he struggles to accept them.