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You sat alone in your designated room in the Phantomhive mansion, playing with the ribbons on your black corseted dress. You were awaiting your childhood friend Ciel Phantomhive to return from his trip into Central London. You saw him briefly the night before, shortly after you arrived. However, the young Earl was incredibly tired, so had a red-haired servant girl show you to your room as he retired for the night.

This morning you had woken up to find he had already left to go into town on business. The same servant girl from last night had informed you that the Young Master would be back for afternoon tea which you were to attend. You decided it would be best for you to get dressed in your formal attire, and after slipping into your undergarments, you asked the servant girl if she could lace you into your corset. She did happily, and when she was done you had learned that her name was Mey-Rin, and that she was very...quirky. You thanked her, and went on to apply your makeup and do your hair.

After all was done, you grew very bored. Ciel still had not returned, so you decided to explore the beautiful gardens you could see from the window of your room. After a long walk and many failed attempts at finding the right door, you finally found the door to the gardens. You opened it slowly and breathed in the cool English air. Stepping out and closing the door behind you, you began to walk down a path towards some colourful foliage, when a small movement caught the corner of your eye. You turned your head to see what it was, and were surprised to be greeted by a boy who looked as though he was gardening. You waved back shyly and he jogged over to you, a smile plastered over his face.

"Hello Miss!" He smiled. "How was your first night at the Manor? My name is Finnian, but everyone calls me Finny so I guess you can too! I'm the Phantomhive gardener!" He said, giggling.

"Oh... It was lovely t-thank you..." You stammered. "The gardens are beautiful." You smiled, trying to make yourself seem more approachable.

Finny blushed slightly at your compliment. "Thank you Miss...uh..Miss... I-I'm sorry, the Young Master doesn't seem to have told us your name?"

"My name is (name), and you're very welcome, Finny. I... I don't suppose you could give me a tour?" You asked sheepishly.

He smiled eagerly, but it soon faded as he looked over your shoulder. "I really would love to, Miss (name), but it looks like the Master and Sebastian are back, you had better go and see them." You looked behind you, and saw a horse-drawn carriage pulling up in front of the manor. Sebastian? Who was Sebastian? You weren't aware Ciel had other guests... "It was lovely meeting you, and hopefully I can take you on a tour of the gardens when the Master is out again! Goodbye Miss!" Finny bowed and walked in the opposite direction, towards an upturned flower bed.

"You too, Finny." You said smiling as you walked towards the mansion.

You closed the door to the gardens quietly and made your way towards the foyer by the front door to greet Ciel, but stopped behind a wall when you heard voices.

"Mey-Rin, where is Lady (name)?" A low, young voice asked sternly. You could only presume it was Ciel, as you had no clue as to what this Sebastian person sounded like. You stopped in your tracks, suddenly nervous about meeting your old friend again, what would he think of you after all these years?

"Oh Master I really have no idea, I don't! She was in her room, yes she was..." Mey-Rin replied, clearly flustered.

"Well-" Ciel started, but was cut off as you timidly walked out from behind the wall and curtsied.

"Hello Ciel, I-I apologise if I caused any trouble, I was in the gardens..." You lifted your head and blushed as Ciel, Mey-Rin and a tall man dressed in black and white stared at you. You twisted your fingers awkwardly and looked at the floor. Ciel half smiled.

"(Name). It's so nice to finally see you again, my apologies for not being able to properly welcome you last night, Sebastian and I had a long day, and regrettably, I was very tired." He said, gesturing to the raven-haired man in the tailcoat, who was still staring at you. He bowed to you. So this is Sebastian... "Sebastian will have our afternoon tea brought up to us in my study," He stated, as he walked towards you and held out his arm. "If you will kindly come with me, my Lady." You blushed again, and took his arm as he led you up a flight of stairs. You looked over your shoulder to see Sebastian, whom was undoubtedly Ciel's butler, continue to stare at you as you walked arm-in-arm with his Master. You shook your head and looked forward again, only to catch sight of Ciel staring at you with his one visible eye. "Are you alright, My Lady?"

You blinked and smiled. "Of course, My Lord." You said, giggling. Ciel let out a grunt of amusement as well.

"Who knew we would ever end up calling each other Lord and Lady?" He smiled. "As children it was much more casual. You may call me Ciel, if I may call you (name)." He stated.

"Oh I may, may I?" You laughed, squeezing his arm.

"Shut up!" He said, mockingly, pushing your arm softly with his. "I've grown used to ordering people around and telling them what they can and can't say... You may call me whatever you wish. We did grow up together after all." Ciel smiled, contentedly. He stopped walking and opened a door that you presumed was his study, then gestured for you to enter.

The room was big, and aligned with bookshelves. A beautifully carved wooden table stood by the large window, and two rather comfortable looking chairs sat behind it. Ciel left the door open just a crack and walked to the table, pulling out a chair for you to sit in.

"Why thank you, Young Master~" You said mockingly. He smiled and you sat down, tucking your dress beneath you.

"You look very beautiful, the years have been kind." He said as he sat down next to you. You blushed and let your head roll to the side, which caused you to notice that Ciel was wearing an eyepatch.

You frowned and reached over to brush his hair away from it. He let you, but watched your every move. "What happened to your eye, Ciel?" You asked, concerned as you shifted your gaze to his other eye. It was still the perfect shade of blue you remember so well. He sighed and looked away, shaking your hand off.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." He muttered, under his breath. You didn't hear him.

"Sorry?" You said quietly.

"The Fire." He stated, nonchalantly.

"Oh Ciel..." You stood up and wrapped your arms around his neck, stroking his hair. Ciel went wide-eyed. "I'm sorry..." You started. "I shouldn't have asked. It was insensitive of me." You let go and sat down again, smoothing your skirt and tucking a strand of (h/c) hair behind your ear. Now you felt awkward. The young Phantomhive cleared his throat, the sudden contact had surprised him. He couldn't remember the last time someone had hugged him.

"(name)... It's alright, you had every right to-" He was cut off by a knock at the door, and sighed again, straightening himself up. "Come in, Sebastian." He said loudly, authority suddenly dominating his voice. Sebastian walked in swiftly, wielding a tea-tray adorned with a pot of tea, a bowl of sugar, two teacups and a selection of biscuits.

"My young Master and Lady, today's tea of the afternoon is Earl Grey," He said with a smile, setting the tray down on a metal frame and pouring the tea effortlessly. "We also have an assortment of cream and raspberry jam filled biscuits." He set the tea down in front of Ciel first, then brought you yours. "I hope everything is to your liking." He bowed, setting the plate of exquisitely made biscuits down, before shooting you a glance.

"Thank you Sebastian, I don't suppose I have any telegraphs from her majesty today?" Ciel spoke, sipping his tea and raising an eyebrow at Sebastian.

"Not today, Master. It seems everything is running smoothly, for the time being." He said softly. You looked at him as he spoke to your friend, mentally noting that he was a very handsome man. You continued to stare, and only when he shot you another look did you notice, and shake yourself out of your trance, embarrassed. "My lady." He said, picking up your hand and kissing it as he bowed to you. "It appears I did not get a chance to say hello earlier on, so I will take it upon myself to welcome you to the Phantomhive Manor. My name is Sebastian Michaelis, I am the young Master's butler. It is a pleasure to meet you, and might I say, you look absolutely beautiful."

You blushed, very hard. You could feel your cheeks growing a deeper shade of red the longer Sebastian focused his attention on you. "N-nice to meet you too, S-Sebastian. Thank you..." You smiled and looked at the floor. Sebastian smiled back, and stood straight.

"Do not be afraid to call if you need anything, I am sure the young Master would be happy to lend you his butler's services. However I'm afraid I must go and prepare the Evening Meal. Sorry to leave so quickly, but I have a lot of things to do. I'm sure we will have plenty of time to talk later, My Lady." He said, flashing you a smile. You nodded, and looked over at Ciel, who was chewing the end of a pen. Sebastian left with another bow to Ciel, and you giggled.

"What are you laughing at?" Ciel asked, a smirk forming on his face. He had missed your constant giggling. You picked up a biscuit from the plate and took the pen from him, holding it high above your head so he couldn't reach.

"There's no need to eat a pen when your butler has left you these!" You held it up to his mouth, and, shaking his head, Ciel smiled and took a bite.

END OF CHAPTER 1.