Charles Grey

Earl Charles Grey (チャールズ・グレイ, Chāruzu Gurei) is one of Queen Victoria's Private Secretarial Officers and butlers.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 38, page 14 He and his counterpart Charles Phipps are collectively referred to as "Double Charles." His family is averred to be so famous that a tea flavor has been named after them (Earl Grey).Kuroshituji manga; Chapter 39, page 12
==Appearance==
Grey is a young man with silver eyes, long eyelashes, and choppy, uneven silver hair; his hair is largely of chin-length, except for some locks at the rear of his head that extend to the middle of his back. He is roughly a head shorter than Charles Phipps.
Grey dresses in a white swallow-tail coat, which is unfastened, thereby exposing a dark, lace-embellished, button-down shirt and a white western tie. His white pants are tucked into knee-high boots, over which are knee-high spats. He sports black gloves and a pin consisting of a bow with a profile view of Queen Victoria hanging on a short chain. His belt supports a gold-caged rapier on his right-hand side.
==Personality==
Grey is a bold, self-assured individual with a penchant for close combat; he finds fighting rather thrilling and refers to it as "play" at times.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 38, page 8 Grey is staunchly loyal to Queen Victoria and dutifully carries out his tasks alongside his counterpart Charles Phipps, with whom he is frequently paired.
Confident in his swordsmanship, Grey readily engages in combat whenever the opportunity presents itself, such as when he battled Mey-Rin, a professional assassin, and, with consummate ease, sliced her double guns.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 38, page 9 On one occasion, he admitted that he enjoys toying with an opponent who is unable to resist and that he hates losing, even if it is only a game.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 66, pages 31-33 He harbors a propensity for violence, as indicated when he stomped on Mey-Rin's chest hard enough for her to spit blood.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 38, pages 10-11
Furthermore, Grey is exceptionally astute. For instance, he was fully aware of how to manipulate Ciel Phantomhive into agreeing to an optional mission,Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 38, pages 18-19 and he was justifiably suspicious of how impossibly quick it took for Ciel and Sebastian Michaelis to send a package from Germany to London, while Phipps, in contrast, was dismissive of that detail.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 93, page 6 Reputedly, Grey serves England with the same shrewdness that his grandfather possessed.
Additionally, Grey has a voracious appetite. He once devoured an entire dinner's worth of curry when he was only "a little hungry."Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 44, page 34 Furthermore, Grey is a heavyweight, having heartily drunk multiple glasses of wine, while Georg von Siemens had fallen ill after just three glasses.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 39, page 32
Moreover, Grey is afraid of ghosts, having claimed that he only believes in things he can cut with his sword.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 44, page 5 He is also afraid of snakes.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 66, page 19
==History==
At a fencing match, a young Grey and Charles Phipps watched as two opponents fought each other. Phipps asked if the victorious contestant was Alexis Leon Midford's son, the one rumored to be a genius with the sword. Grey corrected him, revealing that the genius was the daughter, Elizabeth Midford. Phipps observed her curiously, while Grey scowled.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 58, pages 5-6
Some years later, Grey, along with Phipps, attended and graduated from Weston College.
==Plot==
===Circus Arc===
From afar, Grey, Charles Phipps, and John Brown watch Kelvin Manor burn. Phipps comments that they are there to document the goings-on and report back to Queen Victoria. Grey speaks of the possibility of Ciel Phantomhive, "the poor thing," getting punished, and Phipps says that that is for the Queen to decide.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 35, pages 37-38
===Phantomhive Manor Murders Arc===
Queen Victoria has ordered Grey to kill Georg von Siemens, a banker and central figure in the expansion and advancement of Germany's heavy industries, in order to prevent the growth of Germany's military power. She has also instructed Grey to frame Ciel Phantomhive for the murder as punishment for the unsatisfying results of the Noah's Ark Circus incident.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 49, pages 35-36
Sometime after, Grey arrives with Charles Phipps at the Phantomhive Manor, where they let themselves in by cutting down the door. Baldroy and Mey-Rin are in the kitchen—the room Phipps and Grey have invaded—and they immediately go on the defensive. While Phipps observes from the side, Grey battles Baldroy and Mey-Rin. His speed overwhelms Baldroy, and while he is impressed with Mey-Rin's double guns, his superior fighting skills allow him to slice the guns with relative ease; he proclaims that he wins at close combat. He stomps on Mey-Rin, and agilely dodges Baldroy's attack from behind. He is about to stab Baldroy, but Sebastian stops the fight by compelling Grey to pierce through the dessert he is carrying instead. He urges Grey to taste it, and the latter blithely complies. Grey and Phipps, then, formally introduce themselves as Queen Victoria's private secretarial officers and butlers, and reveal that they have a message from the Queen for Ciel.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 38, pages 6-15
Sitting down with Ciel, they explain that the Queen would like Ciel to host a banquet and to entertain a guest in two weeks time. Ciel is initially doubtful, but Grey points out that the Queen is not pleased with Ciel's report on the Noah's Ark Circus mission, which prompts Ciel to agree in order to redeem himself. Grey requests to participate as well, as he is the overseeing officer, and Ciel gives his permission.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 38, pages 15-19 After declaring that they have confirmed the safety of the manor, they take their leave. On the way out, they encounter Finnian. With exceptional speed, Phipps fixes Finnian's hat, to both Finnian's and Grey's surprise.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 38, pages 19-22
Two weeks later, Grey attends the banquet with Georg, the guest of honor, whom he has escorted. He and the other guests exchange greetings and commence introductions; Karl Woodley praises Grey, who is also an earl of a distinguished family that has its name attached to a flavor of tea. After introductions, they toast in celebration.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 39, pages 10-16 Grey drinks plenty of wine with the other guests. Secretly, Grey encourages an intoxicated Georg to fake his death in order to "surprise everyone,"Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 47, page 17 and gives him an ampule containing a substance called Tetrodotoxin, which is able to put him in a state of apparent death, as seen in Romeo and Juliet.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 47, pages 13-16 Georg is subsequently brought to his room where he proceeds to do as such.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 39, page 31
In the midst of the festivities, Grey and the other guests hear a loud scream from Georg. They rush to his bedroom; inside, they discover Georg's body.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 39, pages 33-37
After they move Georg to the cellar, Lau calls attention to the fact that they cannot leave the manor because of the storm. They contemplate about the details of the murder, and Grey concludes that the killer must be one of them, which Karl and Grimsby Keane react negatively to. Lau suggests that Georg's death is a locked room murder. They further discuss the locked room scenario, and each guest is obliged to state his or her alibi. Grimsby claims that he and Irene Diaz were in the Billiard room at the time of Georg's murder, and Grey states that he was in there as well. They eventually narrow down the prime suspect to Ciel, and Grey says that he wants insurance that they will make it out alive. Lau proposes confining Ciel, and Grey mentions that he cannot be imprisoned in his own bedroom in case there is a secret escape route built in there. Lau adds that none of the Phantomhive servants are allowed to maintain a vigil over Ciel as they might help him escape; Grey agrees, saying that one of the guests must watch over him instead. They, then, select Arthur Conan Doyle to do as such. Grey tells the servants to fetch shackles from his horse carriage in order to bind Ciel with Arthur. Afterward, Grey and the other guests are escorted to their respective rooms.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 40, pages 5-6Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 40, pages 5-26
That night, Sebastian surveys the fireplace in Georg's room and reassembles the broken ampule. Grey sneaks up behind him, hits the back of his head, and then stabs his torso. Disgruntled, he complains about getting found out so quickly because of the "lousy servant" Sebastian getting in his way, and tosses the pieces of the ampule out the window. He adds that his plan is ruined, and says that having to go down the cellar alone to find Georg is the worst.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 49, pages 3-5
When Grey reaches the wine cellar, Georg greets him with delight; he remarks that it seems their prank has worked well and asks if everyone was shocked. He begins to talk about the wine he discovered upon his waking. However, Grey suddenly and ruthlessly stabs and kills Georg, proclaiming that the very sight of him is "frightfully offensive" and that it is "ten years too soon" for "dim-witted Germany" to catch up to Great Britain. He covers Georg's body, and departs from the cellar.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 49, pages 6-8
The next morning, Grey and the other guests discover the brutal murder of Sebastian Michaelis.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 41, pages 26-28 However, he is baffled to see that Sebastian has been pierced through the front even though he has undeniably stabbed him from behind.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 49, page 14 He then proposes that they move Sebastian's body to the cellar for the meanwhile and pursue the topic at breakfast, and Lau agrees; Karl comments that they are being a bit too easygoing about the entire affair.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 42, pages 9-11
At the dining table, Grey offers to eat the leftovers, and when Irene is about to hand her plate to him, he clarifies that he wants the plate next to her. They, then, collectively realize that it belongs to the mysteriously absent Patrick Phelps. They opt to check on Patrick, who was assigned to Ciel's bedroom. When they find that the door is locked, Grey swiftly cuts it down, alarming the others but garnering Lau's applause. They hurry inside, and discover Patrick's corpse.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 42, pages 18-26
Soon after, they have dessert in the drawing room, where they discuss about the three murders.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 43, page 8 Ultimately, the group allow for Arthur to dictate their actions from that time on, as through deductive reasoning, he is the only one who could not have committed any of the crimes.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 43, page 27
They decide to investigate Sebastian's body, and Grey accompanies Arthur, Ciel, Baldroy, and Finnian to the cellar; unnerved at the prospect of ghosts, Grey holds onto Ciel's arm but refuses to admit to his fear.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 44, pages 3-5 After searching Sebastian's body, they conclude that he is not in possession of the key to Ciel's room. They then inspect Sebastian's room, and Grey proclaims that he does not seem to have any personal belongings; he questions Sebastian's origin, but neither Baldroy, Finnian, nor Ciel knows.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 44, pages 6-15
Shortly, Grey puts forth the idea of checking everyone's luggage and assures that he has more public authority than the Scotland Yard, so he is permitted to force the guests to comply.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 44, page 16
In due course, everyone's belongings are examined, and they gather in the drawing room once again.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 44, page 21 Soon after Lau suggests the existence of a "thirteenth person," Jeremy Rathbone appears.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 45, pages 5-6 Following the verification that Jeremy is not involved in the string of murders, Jeremy is allowed to lead the investigation.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 45, page 15 The three corpses are placed in separate rooms, and Jeremy asks them to show him the corpses the order that they were killed. Grey requests to go along with Jeremy, Arthur, and Ciel.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 46, pages 3-4 While scrutinizing Georg's corpse, Jeremy identifies that his only external trauma is the wound on his chest caused by a single stab with a sharp-edged blade. He deduces that Georg was a violent drinker, and explains to Grey that his expensive pocket watch has numerous scratches, hence indicating Georg's crude, drunk nature. He, also, perceives a strong scent of alcohol and a faint smell of the sea; though Grey remains silent, the latter remark particularly strikes him.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 46, pages 4-7
Next, Jeremy goes to Patrick Phelps, and assesses his peculiar neck wound. They begin to head to Ciel's room, where Patrick was murdered; however, Jeremy lags behind, presumably due to his advanced age, which snags Grey's then Ciel's attention. Jeremy apologizes, and they enter Ciel's room where Jeremy conducts his examination. He soon affirms that there are, indeed, more than one murderer involved, and adds that it will be more difficult to catch Patrick's murderer than Georg's. He discloses that in order to catch Patrick's murderer, they must wait until nightfall and rely on Ciel's cooperation.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 46, pages 7-11
Afterward, Jeremy studies Sebastian's corpse. While he is busy doing so, Grey gets distracted by Ciel's abrupt display of frailty; Ciel claims that seeing Sebastian's corpse again has weakened him, and Grey is bemused and unsympathetic, commenting that Ciel was not disturbed in the slightest when he stripped Sebastian's corpse a while ago. Jeremy then declares that Sebastian was killed rather simply, and confirms that he is finished investigating. In response, Grey announces that he will be heading back to the others; as he walks off, he overhears that Jeremy must look over some preparations for that night. This impels Grey to rush back to Sebastian's corpse. He lifts the cloth covering the body, and after ascertaining that it is Sebastian and kicking him once on the face, he returns to the others, reassured that it is not remotely possible for Sebastian to still be alive.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 46, pages 13-19Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 49, page 32
For dinner, the group eats scrumptious steaks the Phantomhive servants have prepared, and Grey, having eaten an abundance, expresses his satisfaction with the meal. Lau presses for the truth behind the incidents, but Jeremy advises them to not be hasty. He, then, asks for Ciel to remove his clothes, much to Ciel's dismay.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 46, pages 26-28
Grey, Jeremy, and Arthur sit together, while a bare Ciel is constrained to keep quiet and stay still and patient, as instructed by Jeremy, who is positive that Patrick's killer will emerge if Ciel does as told. Jeremy times Patrick's killer's movements carefully, and at the precise moment, launches their counterattack. Ran-Mao, dressed in Ciel's clothing to attract the killer with his scent, lunges from her hidden position, and Grey is about to stab Patrick's killer, but Jeremy stops him, saying that the killer is an important witness.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 46, pages 29-34
Subsequently, they enter Karl's room, where the rest of the group have accumulated. Grey reports that they have brought the killer along. Jeremy unveils Patrick's killer: a Black Mamba snake from Africa, trained to attack when it detects Ciel's scent—this shifts the attention to Karl specializes in African trade. When Karl argues that he has an alibi, Jeremy remarks that an alibi may not be worth much; as inferred by Jeremy, Georg was in cahoots with someone and had initially faked his death with a substance called Tetrodotoxin—if refined, he elaborates, one can achieve a state of apparent death like the character Juliet in Romeo and Juliet. He adds on that the faint scent of the sea he distinguished earlier was, in fact, Tetrodotoxin, also a poison pufferfish and octopuses carry. Jeremy, then, continues delving into details: Georg, at first, was encouraged by another individual to feign his death and tossed the ampule of poison in the fire, but he was actually killed later by the said individual; the murderer, then, attempted to destroy the evidence; however, Sebastian was already collecting the ashes by the fire, and so he murdered the butler as well, recovered the evidence, and returned to his room. Grey demands the ampule of poison as proof, and Ciel suggests that it may be found in Karl's hearth. Grimsby searches the hearth and finds glass shards, which Jeremy reassembles into the ampule.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 47, pages 6-22
Karl frantically denies all accusations, among which is Ciel's assertion that Karl's motive to eliminate Ciel is to protect his diamond industry. An exasperated Grey threatens Karl and orders him to be quiet; he states that he will listen to Karl's excuses in prison. Ciel, then, hands Grey his shackles and tells him to put it in good use. Grey arrests Karl and takes him away.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 47, pages 23-27 The following morning, Grey has a handcuffed Karl placed in a horse carriage, as they prepare to set off.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 47, page 31
===Luxury Liner Arc===
Charles Phipps and John Brown have disguised themselves as the Scotland Yard members that were supposed to bring Karl Woodley to jail. Grey eventually kills a greatly distressed Karl along the way, for panicking and talking too much. After Grey does as such, he complains about not being able to defeat Ciel, and Phipps says that that is because he acts without considering the consequences. Grey tells him to cease his lectures, and wonders aloud about what the Queen is plotting. In response, Phipps states that mere butlers like them do not need to know and that all that matters is for things to go according to the Queen's wishes.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 51, pages 2-4
On Easter Day, Grey swings on a rope and bursts through a window of the Phantomhive Manor, with Phipps arriving shortly after and announcing that they have a delivery from the Queen.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 66, pages 10-11
Grey says that he has overheard that Ciel must be the first to acquire Elizabeth Midford's Easter egg, and mischievously decides to participate in the Easter Egg Hunt. When Grey comments that there are no other rules besides being the first to obtain Elizabeth's egg, Sebastian Michaelis speaks up. Grey proclaims that he has heard rumors that Sebastian is still alive, and asks for what "the butler who cheated death" has to say. Sebastian, then, adds some egg tapping-inspired rules: everyone will be divided into teams of two; a partner will carry a raw egg in a ladle during the Egg Hunt; one can freely exchange the egg through the use of ladles; a team is disqualified if, for whatever reason, the raw egg breaks. They are then arranged into teams, and Grey is partnered with Phipps.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 66, pages 11-14
Sebastian reminds the players that they are not allowed to aim for anything other than their opponent's raw egg, and the first to find Elizabeth's egg and bring it to her wins. Subsequently, the game initiates.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 66, pages 14-15
Grey and Phipps encounter the team of Finnian and Snake outside. Snake's snake, Wilde, detects Grey, who has concealed himself behind a wall. Snake calls forth a multitude of snakes to surround Grey, which terrifies and revolts him. From the roof, Phipps plays a snake-manipulating flute, leaps to the ground, and declares that a "first-rate butler" should be able to do as such. The flute effectively disorients Snake, who collapses on the ground, and his raw egg is broken beside him; Grey and Phipps have successfully eliminated Team Finnian and Snake.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 66, pages 18-22
While Ciel is attempting to reach Elizabeth's egg, which is perched on a chandelier, Grey attacks him, but is warded off by Sebastian. Grey and Sebastian fight with their ladles, and the former questions how Sebastian has managed to survive, stating that he was certain he has killed him before, but the latter brushes off the interrogation. Phipps lunges at Sebastian from behind with his flute, and Sebastian dodges. Grey demands if a "mere servant" like Sebastian dares to break their egg, and thus, Sebastian restrains from doing so. Grey and Phipps continue to battle with Sebastian; Grey admits that he simply hates losing, regardless if it is a game or not, and adds that he enjoys toying with an opponent who "cannot resist." Grey nearly breaks Ciel and Sebastian's raw egg, but suddenly, his and Phipps's raw egg cracks open and a baby chick emerges, astounding Grey. It turns out their egg was fertilized and had been mixed in with the other eggs.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 66, pages 29-34
Sebastian reiterates the rule that no matter the reason, if one's egg breaks, he is disqualified. Phipps states that they have lost, much to Grey's disbelief. Phipps looks on affectionately at the baby chick, while Grey is dismayed.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 66, page 35 After the hunt, Grey and Phipps join the rest of the participants for a snack outdoors. Grey, at last, delivers Queen Victoria's "love letter" to Ciel.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 66, page 36
===Public School Arc===
Grey, Charles Phipps, and John Brown accompany Queen Victoria on the night of June 4th to Weston College. He and Phipps feast with the P4 at the same table.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 81, pages 8-13
Later at Buckingham Palace, Ciel Phantomhive personally reports to Queen Victoria about the events that occurred in Weston College; Grey stands on the side along with Phipps, while Ciel mentions the idea of reviving the dead.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 84, page 34
==Quotes==
* (To Mey-Rin) "Wooow! A two-handed shot! How very stylish of youuu! But! I win at close combat."Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 38, pages 9-10
* (To Georg von Siemens) "The very sight of you is frightfully offensive. Dim-witted Germany will catch up to Great Britain, you say? It's ten years too soon for that."Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 49, page 7
* (Referring to Ciel Phantomhive) "Ugh, it really riles me up! I was so looking forward to knocking that little brat down a peg."Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 51, page 3
==Trivia==
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General=
* Grey uses his left hand when he wields his sword, so he may be left-handed.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 42, page 24
===Etymology===
* "Charles" comes from the name "Karl" which is either derived from a Germanic word for "man" or from the Germanic element hari ("army, warrior").Behind the Name — Charles
* The surname "Grey/Gray" used to be a nickname for someone with gray hair or clothes.Behind the Name — Gray
===Out of Universe===
* According to the official Kuroshitsuji character popularity poll, Grey is the sixth most popular character in the series, with 348 votes. He is ranked among the "Devil Six."June 2015 Issue of Square Enix's GFantasy Magazine
* Charles Grey may be based on General Charles Grey, who was a private secretary for Prince Albert. When Prince Albert died in 1861, he became Queen Victoria's private secretary until his death in 1870.Wikipedia:Charles Grey (British Army officer)
** Grey's grandfather used to be the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The real General Grey's grandfather, Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey, served as the United Kingdom's Prime Minister from 1830 to 1834. Earl Grey tea was named after him.Wikipedia:Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey
* Before his and Charles Phipps' initial appearance, Grey was mentioned in Queen Victoria's letter to Ciel Phantomhive. In the said letter, Phipps made Christmas pudding with the Queen, while Grey and John Brown praised it.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 24, page 6
*According to the Kuroshitsuji: Book of Circus Character Reference Sheets, Grey is 24 years old. Moreover, Yana Toboso herself confirmed on her Twitter account that, while Phipps is a bit younger (still older than 22), Grey should be at least 24 years old.Yana Toboso on Twitter"22~25 years old: Ronald, Grey, Phipps (*he looks rather old for his age but is younger than Grey)"
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Musicals=
* Grey is portrayed by Motohiro Ota in the 2014 run of Lycoris that Blazes the Earth and by Yuusuke Yata in the 2015 run.
* The idea that Phipps knitted the lace on Grey's waistcoat originally came from Ota, but was eventually made canon by Yana Toboso."This idea emerged from Ota Motohiro (Grey's actor)'s ad-lib acting during one of the 2014 Lycoris performances. Yana later decided to make it manga-canon because she found the idea really cute :)"
</tabber>
==References==
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