It was an overcast day, as it is for the majority of days in England. The sky seemed to be indecisive as to whether it wanted to rain or remain as a blockade to the sun. The shadows of the clouds seemed to pillage what should have been the bright colors of spring, leaving the lush, vibrant colors as darkened versions of themselves. The dark green of the forest remained unchanged, dense and dark, a omnipresent site to any traveler.
A lone path cut through the forest, twisting and winding. It seemed to yield to the forest, twisting around a large tree instead of going straight, making any trip along it very tedious and time-consuming. However, a small carriage traveled along it and they had almost reached the ending of it.
Slowing the horses to a walk, the stoic-faced driver drove the carriage into the large clearing. They curved almost out habit around a white fountain. Clear water ran out of
The horses' hooves came to a halting stop in front of the large stone manor. It stood imposingly over them, like an opponent approaching on the battlefield. They snorted warily, arching their chestnut necks in anticipation of someone or something. Even the rotund, stoic-faced driver glanced up at the manor from his small seat on the carriage, the rumors and stories about this place flashing through his mind.
Suddenly, the tall doors of the manor opened, and there stood a dark figure. Whinnying, the horses stomped their hooves in fright. The driver's expression changed and he began to sweat. He opened his mouth slightly to tell his mistress- It walked out of the door, propping it open with a doorstop.
"What's wrong?" Purred a silky smooth voice. "Aren't you going to inform your master that you have arrived at their destination?" The driver's expression calmed as he saw what the possessor of the voice was.
Due to the fact that he was bowing, the figure appeared to be some sort of servant to the estate. He was dressed in black. He wore a tailcoat, dress pants, and black shoes. The only thing that wasn't black was a silver watch that gleamed silver against the uniform. Even his hair was black and hung over his face, covering it almost completely.
Slightly taken aback at his closeness to the carriage, the driver's mouth hung open for a moment. Concerned for his master, he kept quiet, averting his eyes from the servant. "Good afternoon, sir." He spoke, his voice slightly shaky.
The servant looked up, a smirk on his lips. The horses whinnied again, snorting insistently, pawing at the ground with their hooves.
"What the-," the driver began to say, turning around. He narrowed his eyes at the horses, "Shut up, ye worthless animals!" The whip cracked as it dug into their flesh, causing them to neigh in pain.
"You really should be nicer to things that aren't yours," said the voice again, but this he could feel the warm breath of the servant on his ear. He whipped around in surprise.
His eyes widened when he saw them. Those eyes red and glinting stared back at him deep as the fiery pits of hell. That's what must have scared the horses. He thought. They bore into him and he began to sweat and shake uncontrollably.
"Have we arrived, Archibald?" A calm voice came from inside of the carriage, slightly muffled due to the thick walls of the carriage. The servant's eyes dulled into a crimson color, but the same smirk remained.
"Y-yes Mistress." The driver stuttered, turning his head in the direction of the carriage. "We have arrived at the Phantomhive manor, milady." He got up from his seat and scrambled towards the door of the carriage. Placing his hand on the handle he pulled the door open.
It creaked as it opened revealing a lone girl in the velvet interior. She slowly stepped out, her green eyes flicking about as she took in her surroundings. They seemed to be analyzing, evaluating. Her shoes clicked on the stone ground as she took a step away from the carriage. Then, she turned her gaze toward the driver.
The girl was really quite a sight to behold, whether it be good or bad. Her honey colored hair was piled into a braided bun and she wore a bulky, dull grey dress complete with black lace. She wore black gloves over slender hands. Even through her attire, one could tell that she was a possessor of great, untamed beauty.
"Archibald." She began, the tone of her voice making the driver snap to attention.
"Yes, milady?" He asked, a hint of panic in his voice at the notion that his mistress was going to ask a question.
"Why were the horses making such a fuss? I commanded you to be nice to them and take the upmost care of them, did I not?" She asked with a hint of malice in her tone, her eyes narrowing.
The driver was silent for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "Y-yes My Lady," he finally managed to stutter, lowering his head.
"And did I not tell you to never use a whip against their hides?" She asked, her hands balling into fists, she took a step toward the driver.
"B-but Miss," he stuttered his buck teeth moving as he spike. "T-they were being unruly."
SLAP! Her gloved hand came across the driver's face. He spit out blood from the impact, one of his front teeth falling out. Green eyes were distorted in fury, an ulterior motive for slapping him concealed under the guise of whipping the horses. The driver put a hand to where she had hit him and gawked at her.
Darkly chuckling, the servant watched the spectacle. This should be interesting. He thought.
"Take care, that I never see your lowly face ever again. I release you from the position as my driver." She spoke, looking away from him. "Make your way back on foot."
The driver scrambled up indignantly. "No!" He yelled. "I will not be pushed around by some dead guy's daughter!" He flicked the whip towards her, but it was blocked by the servant, who caught it with ease in his gloved hand.
"You-!" Yelled Archibald, pulling at his whip. "You are a-!" He stopped midway when the servant's eyes flashed, daring him to finish his sentence. He made frightened sound and ran away, dropping his whip.
"Are you okay milady?" Asked the servant, looking at the lady carefully.
Ignoring him, she petted one of the horses' noses, gripping the bridal in one hand. She whispered, "I won't let anyone hurt you anymore, Daddy." She rested her head against the horses and sighed.
This one does not disappoint. Thought the servant, looking at the girl. She is an intriguing one.
"Milady, the young master has been anticipating your arrival. My name is Sebastian Michaelis, the head butler of this estate. I welcome you to the Phantomhive Manor." He spoke, bowing to the girl.
She looked towards him, a blank expression on her face. Observing his introduction, she silently shook her head, not thinking that Sebastian would notice. She instead redirected her attention to the horse. But, Sebastian being Sebastian he did and asked her, "If I may ask milady, why don't you allow yourself to be received into the manor." He paused for a moment, looking her up and down. "You are looking a little worse for wear."
The lady looked back at him, unsure of whether or not to take it as compliment or an insult. She blinked at him and then looked down at her dress. It was splotched with dust from her scuffle with the driver. Reaching behind her head, she felt that her bun had begun to fall out. Drawing in a deep breath, she spoke. "Put my horses in the stables and feed them, if you may." She did not say it as an order, but as more of a request.
"Of course," replied Sebastian standing up. "But, won't you come inside and get cleaned up. I believe that my lord has been awaiting your arrival."