Chapter 1: The Butler's Daughter

A young woman, about sixteen years of age, opened her eyes to a dark room. She blinked a few times to get the sleep out of them. She didn't actually need sleep, being a demon, but she thought it might be good to rest up every once in a while to relieve some stress and to forget about the world around her. She lifted her head off of the pillow and rubbed at her eyes. She threw her legs off of the bed and stood up while still trying to get the sleep out of her eyes. She nearly stumbled into the large window that was covered by a navy blue curtain, but somehow managed to regain her balance by putting a hand on the wall to the right of the window.

Once she had regained her balance, she pushed off of the wall gently and grabbed the curtains, throwing them open. The sun's glare nearly blinded her, causing her to lift an arm over her eyes. She removed it a few seconds later and looked down at herself. Her father Sebastian was going to kill her if he saw her like this. She was wearing only a simple dark gray tank top, and her black short-shorts. She sighed, knowing she would have to get changed soon. She glanced over to her left and noticed the small wooden desk with a notebook lying on its smooth surface, closed. She walked over to it and sat down in the wooden chair in front of the desk. She took a quill from its ink vase, made sure to remove excess ink off of the tip of the quill, opened the journal to a new page, and touched the quill to the paper, the words flowing out of her.

Date: March 22, 1906

Time: 8:23 a.m.

Dear Journal,

Yesterday was an interesting day, to say the least. Like there has ever been a day when nothing has happened. My father had to clean up the kitchen, since the chef somehow burned it with one of his tools. He also had to water the white roses his master loves with all his heart, polish the railings of the stairs, and a number of different things. He is a butler, after all. Afterward, I met up with him and he told me about his job. I then asked him after he finished telling me how he had managed to do it all these years. He replied with this, and I quote: "My master has ordered me to be his butler. I must perform my duty to the fullest, no matter what has happened. If he orders me to be his butler, then I shall comply. If he orders me to leave his side forever, I shall do so without so much as a word." His words confused me back then, but I think I'm starting to get it now. I've always appreciated him for doing his job as a butler, but also being my father. I don't think I'm going to get any luckier than that. However, there's also a curse that I seemed to be burdened with. I stink at talking to new people, that's one thing for sure. I can't seem to talk to people at balls, and both of my fathers are growing concerned of this. They said that now that I'm sixteen, I should be able to talk to people more easily than when I was just a small girl. However, I still can't do it. Even the Earl of Phantomhive can do it better than me. I have no idea what's wrong with me. I hope I can overcome this problem before I hit twenty. Apparently, when I'm that age, I have to find a man of my own and start living out the rest of my life. That's going to take forever, though! I'm a demon, for Pete's sake. If I'm going to have a partner, make them a demon so I don't have to suffer through multiple losses before I give up on love. Oh, well. I'll have to get over this problem sooner or later. I'm just hoping it's sooner rather than later. Today I'm supposed to be meeting with the chief of the Scotland Yard, Sir Arthur, to talk over a case. Yeah, my father and the earl are like detectives. They've been getting me into the detective business for some time now. I don't really mind it all that much, to be honest. I sort of like being a detective. At least I get to come out of the house every once in a while. I have to get changed now or else my father is going to yell at me for not being ready for such an important date. I shall write in you as soon as I can.

Alexandra Michaelis

She closed the journal softly and stood up from the chair. She turned swiftly around on her heels and made way for the closet that held the majority of her clothes in it. A turn of the knob and the opening of the door revealed the contents of the closet. She picked out one thing and closed the door. She went to the mirror that was right next to her queen-sized bed and looked at what she had picked out. It was a white and cyan dress with frills decorating the bottom half of it and it had a corset and a simple white dress inside of it. She didn't exactly like wearing the corset, but her fathers said that it was proper for a lady to wear one under her dress. She slipped the corset and the white dress from the main dress and laid the dress gingerly on the bed, making sure that there were no wrinkles in it. She then stripped herself of her top and shorts, leaving her in her bra and underwear. She slipped on the white dress and made sure that there was nothing wrong with it before grabbing the corset and somehow managing to get it on, but not without some struggle.

Once she had secured the corset in place and tied it so it wouldn't slip off, she put on the white and cyan dress. She made sure it fit her before brushing her hair so there were no tangles and then put on the one-inch heeled black shoes that she had received for her birthday just recently. She then tied her hair into two ponytails and put on some body spray. She examined herself in the mirror, as if she was giving herself criticism as she looked over her outfit. She smiled in satisfaction and headed for the door. She opened the door and headed into the hallway, making no sound whatsoever as she made her way down the large hall. She managed to get to the stairs when she heard a voice from behind her,

"Well, it looks like someone is early." She turned around to see Ciel Phantomhive, the current head of the family. He was dressed in his usual dark blue suit and his right eye was covered by a black eye patch and some of his hair that acted as bangs. She smiled and bowed slightly to him.

"I just wanted to meet the chief of the Scotland Yard for that case as soon as I could." Ciel laughed a bit at this remark, making her slightly annoyed. She kept it hidden from him, though. Ciel looked at her once again and smiled.

"Trust me. You know the Scotland Yard's chief. He's not exactly...the greatest person to be around."

"My father said the same thing."

"Of course he did. Sebastian isn't that trusting of humans, but he trusts them enough to actually communicate with them. I'm sure you've heard this before, Alexandra."

"Yes, I have."

"Of course you have. Anyway, we'll be leaving in about ten minutes. Sebastian is waiting for both of us downstairs."

"We shouldn't keep him waiting, then. That would be exceptionally rude."

"You're right. Shall we go, then?" Alexandra nodded once. Ciel outstretched one hand and she took it. She noticed that her hands were more slender than Ciel's, even though his were slender as well. She ignored this small detail and the two people walked down the stairs, Alexandra being careful not to step on the edge of the dress.

When the two of them reached the bottom of the stairs, Sebastian Michaelis, the butler, was waiting for them in his regular attire. Alexandra smiled as his silhouette came into view. Ciel and Alexandra let go of each other's hands and Alexandra bowed slightly to Sebastian, like a lady did so when greeting and saying good-bye to a gentleman.

"Father."

"Alexandra." He took the hand that had just come out of Ciel's in his own and brought it to his lips, kissing it softly. A small smile came onto her face when this happened. Sebastian then let go of her hand and it slid to its place by her side. Ciel had watched the entire thing, not uttering a single word. He had seen this many times before. It had become a habit of Sebastian's ever since Alexandra turned three. He still remembered the first time that Sebastian had done this. Alexandra had blushed and told him that it was embarrassing, but he came back with a lightning-quick reply, saying that it was only proper that he did so, that it was part of a gentleman's job. Ciel smiled a bit at this. Those were good days.

Sebastian led the two of them out the front door and outside to the carriage silently. He opened the door for them and the two slipped inside, the door shut behind them. Ciel and Alexandra took their seats, sitting across from one another, and waited for the carriage to move. A few seconds later, the sound of the reigns being slapped and the horses whinnying were heard and then they were off, being led toward the city of London. It had been a little while since Ciel had been to London, but it wasn't that big a deal to him. He had been to the city many times with Sebastian, so he doubted anything drastic had come up in the time he was gone. He looked over to Alexandra, who was staring out the window like she always did when in the carriage. Ciel sometimes wondered what was running through her head. She was mysterious to him, never saying more than she had to. Recently, however, that seemed to change a bit. Ciel remembered it vividly, like it had only occurred that morning.

Ciel had been sitting at his desk, reading a book by Edgar Allen Poe. He had already finished his history lesson for the afternoon, so he figured that he might read something to pass the time. The door had opened and he looked up from his book to see that it was Alexandra, wearing a simple dark blue dress and her hair was in one ponytail. He had thought it odd at first, but had said nothing about it. He saw her come up to the desk and sit in the chair that was next to his own. She curled up on the chair, her knees being hugged to her chest, and her chin on her knees. She had then asked him a peculiar question; what had happened when Sebastian was pregnant with her. Ciel closed the book he had been reading, placed it on the desk, and turned toward her. He then began to answer her question through a story. What he had told her was this:

"A very good question, Alexandra. Now, let's see...where do I begin? Ah, I know! I'll tell you what happened from the beginning, from what I know, anyways. I remember that sixteen years ago, in the month of March, I found out that Sebastian was pregnant with you. He had come into my study, a look on his face that I had never seen before; a mixture of fear, confusion, and shame. I asked him what was wrong, but he couldn't really answer me. All that came out of his mouth was pieces of words that I couldn't fit together. I then demanded to know what was wrong, you knowing my temper, and he just shook his head. I remember then walking out of the room and finding Sakura, my wife's maid, and asking her if she knew what had happened to your father. She said that she knew and proceeded to tell me that Sebastian was carrying a child. I went back to my study and confronted him on this news, and he confirmed it. I remember him breaking out into tears, and I felt so bad for him, I hugged him right on the spot. I probably wouldn't have noticed anyone coming into the study. I held him for a long time, not being able to comfort him in the way that my mother and father used to when I had a bad dream. Later that day, I found your other father, Azaja, and asked him if male demons getting pregnant was possible. He said it was and that he had seen it a few times back in Hell. I knew then that things would be different from that point on.

"As the weeks went by, I noticed some changes in your father. First off, the mood swings. He wouldn't have them that often, but when he had them, it would've been greatly advised to duck and cover. He would either start off happy or sad, and then he would get extremely angry for no reason and start yelling at whoever was there. Once, he chased me and Sakura all around the mansion, yelling incoherent things. I wasn't really listening because I was running for my life. When he had finally calmed down, we escorted him back to his room and he slept for a solid twelve hours, as least I think he did. Secondly, the changes in what he considered to be 'food'. I was used to him saying that he could only eat human souls, and it became common knowledge at a certain point. I remember going down to the kitchen one afternoon to ask where my tea was, and I found Sebastian eating a piece of bread. I hadn't expected that, so I questioned him on it, and he didn't know. Later on, I learned from Azaja that when a demon who normally ate souls became pregnant that their food preference would change and start eating actual food. It was still shocking to me, but I accepted it after a while. I couldn't really blame him for something biological, you know? Anyways, he began eating human food, which he calls it, and I couldn't do anything to stop him. It would've been wrong and it probably would've launched him into another one of his mood swings. Third, the morning sickness. Actually to be more precise, the sickness seemed to last all day and all night. It was hell for him the first four months. I doubt that he gained that much weight at all, with all that him getting sick almost all the time. It ended in his fifth month, which he was glad for. Fourth, and most obvious, the weight gain. He didn't gain all that much weight in the first four months, which I have previously stated. After that, he did gain some weight. When he found this out, he was not that happy with it. He would lock himself in his room and not let anyone in, ashamed of himself. We eventually convinced him to come out. All but one of the servants, Sakura, had gone on a year-long vacation. She had stayed because she had medical knowledge and had delivered a few babies back in Japan. My wife had gone along with the servants as well, so it was just me, Sakura, and your father Sebastian. We got to get him to come out of the room and walk around a bit, which I must admit, took some time to do.

"It was his eighth month when he actually accepted what was happening to him. He had done all the things he was supposed to do, but in his eighth month, that was the time that he did these things out of love. I remember him sitting in his room one day, him sitting up in his bed, blanket covering his stomach, sewing something together. I asked him what he was doing and he said that he was sewing a blanket for you. Mind you, at the time, he didn't know if he was having a boy or a girl, so he was making the blanket out of light blue yarn. I sat on the edge of the bed and watched him sew the blanket. This went on for a couple hours before he stopped and we had a discussion on what would happen after you were born. Eventually, we stopped and I exited the room while he started working on your blanket again.

"Your other father, Azaja, was out during the first eight months, doing something that he still won't explain to me fully. I remember Sebastian coming into my study and told me that Azaja had come to his room in the middle of the night and had stayed with him. That was when Sebastian learned that he was having a daughter. Azaja had left a little bit after dawn and told him that he would be back before you were born. Sebastian went on for the rest of the day in a cheery mood, even humming a little bit to himself as he went along, doing what he was doing. It was slightly confusing to me at the time, but I figured that he was just happy for having your other father being there with him.

"The cheeriness lasted until his tenth month. Demons usually give birth around ten to twelve months. He was nervous about it, and it took all Sakura and I had just to calm him down. I sometimes stayed with him at night to give him some comfort. Sakura stayed with him a few times as well. When he started having contractions in February, we instantly knew that it was time. Azaja kept his promise and had arrived the day before to help with preparations. I remember holding one on Sebastian's hands while Azaja held the other, him squeezing my hand from the pain. He screamed only a couple times, but that was when he was pushing you out. Before that, it was mostly groans of pain. When you were finally handed to him, I think he forgot all about his pain and focused on you solely. Azaja was pretty amazed himself and I just watched the two of them. It was one of the most magnificent moments I had ever seen."

Ciel quickly snapped out of his trance when a large bump sent the carriage up slightly and then back down. He looked at Alexandra again, who still was staring out the window like nothing ever happened. He sighed softly and leaned back in his seat. He placed his hands in his lap, since he no longer had a cane for his hands to rest on. He had stopped buying canes when he was seventeen, completely and utterly sick of owning one. He tilted his head downward and noted that his nails were black, like Sebastian's. His eyes glanced over to Alexandra and frowned slightly. She was wearing snow white gloves that went up to her elbows. He let his eyes drift back to his hands. It seemed like it was going to be a long ride for him.

The carriage stopped almost an hour later and the door opened. Alexandra stepped out first and stood out of the way as Ciel came out. The door shut behind him and the trio began walking toward the dock. There was a large crowd at the dock, signaling that something had happened. They pushed through a crowd of people and the first thing that they noticed was a large green tarp covering something up. Police officers from the Scotland Yard were keeping civilians at bay so they wouldn't contaminate the crime scene. Ciel motioned Sebastian and Alexandra to stop and went forward by himself. He found Sir Arthur in a matter of seconds and walked over to him.

"I'm sure that you have gotten some details of the case, Sir Arthur." The man turned around, his eyebrows furrowed in an expression of annoyance, and replied in his deep, somewhat gruff voice,

"We have gotten some details on it, but not much. I can only tell you what I know."

"Do tell."

"The man was shot at point blank range with a sidearm, most likely a pistol. His time of death is around fifteen hours ago. Name, Lawrence Manchester. He worked as a tailor. Has no family members in London that we know of. That's all we know. And let me tell you, the Scotland Yard will figure out what happened here and why. You don't need to be involved in this case."

"I know, I know." Ciel said in a bored voice as he turned away and walked toward the crowd. People seemed to know who he was, since they cleared a path for him. He rejoined Sebastian and Alexandra when he was just about to exit the crowd. The three walked away from the scene, talking about what Ciel had heard from Sir Arthur. Once he had finished, Alexandra spoke up in her calm voice,

"There must be a reason for the shooting. I'm suspecting either revenge or an accidental death."

"Well said." Sebastian commented. Ciel looked at Sebastian and soon, the two were staring at one another.

"Sebastian, find more information on our victim and meet us back at the mansion when you're finished."

"Yes, my lord." Sebastian split off from Ciel and Alexandra in another direction while the two continued on back toward the carriage. Ciel was ready to get back to the comfort of his mansion. He was never one to enjoy the city life, and it was making him sick.

Alexandra and Ciel reached the mansion a little more than an hour later and they were helped out of the carriage by Tanaka. They walked to the door and Alexandra opened it. They stepped inside, only to be greeted by Sebastian with a handful of papers. Ciel was the first one to speak,

"You find anything on our victim at the docks?"

"I did find something interesting. The person that he worked for has quite a history behind them."

"What do you mean?" Alexandra now spoke, baffled.

"Very good question, my dear. Our victim's boss has encountered the police on quite a few times with burglary and once with second-degree murder. That's very suspicious, I believe."

"Yes. Go ask this boss if he knows of our victim." What he actually meant was interrogate the bastard until he cracked and sang like a bird. Sebastian got the message and placed a hand over his heart, bowing slightly.

"Yes, my lord." And with that, Sebastian headed out the door to execute his master's order. Alexandra glanced over to the earl, her startling blue eyes examining him from head to toe. She then averted her eyes away and stared at the red carpet beneath her. Ciel glanced over and saw this. He then came up with an idea.

"Alexandra, why don't we play a game of chess?"

"That sounds like a good idea." She said as she came out of her small trance. Ciel headed for the stairs with Alexandra following close behind. They climbed the stairs and walked down the corridor. Alexandra surveyed all the paintings, studying them quickly as she passed by each and every one. She stopped when she noticed Ciel coming to a stop at a particular door. He opened it and they headed inside. She noted two chairs sitting across from each other and a small round table sitting between the two of them. A chess board was already set up on the table and she couldn't help but smile. She took a seat and Ciel sat in the chair across from her. He set up the chess pieces, white for Alexandra and black for himself. He then moved one of his pieces, beginning the game. Alexandra noted his move and calculated what she could do to counter it. Once she had something in mind, she picked up one of her own pieces and set it where she wanted it. Ciel acknowledged her move and countered with his own.

This continued for a while, the two of them playing in silence. Ciel kept having Alexandra in check, but she managed to get out of it each and every time. He knew that he had taught her well. He made a move and soon after she made her own. He couldn't help but be impressed. He countered her move and she countered his quickly. He made a move and smiled.

"Checkmate."

"Well, you are certainly someone to be feared, Ciel."

"When it comes to this game, naturally."

"May I ask you something?"

"Go on ahead."

"Do you think I'll ever find a good fiancé?"

"Of course you will. You just have to meet people, and I know it really isn't your strong suit. However, you'll get over it and meet with people, and soon enough, you'll find someone you're compatible with."

"But I'm guessing that my fathers will have to evaluate them first before anything happens."

"Yes, you know how they are with that sort of thing. They just want to make sure that you get someone good."

"You mean someone that won't try to murder me in my sleep?"

"That's exactly what I mean." Ciel and Alexandra couldn't help but laugh at this last comment. Their laughter broke the silence in the room completely. They calmed down after a minute and Alexandra stared down into her lap. Ciel noticed this, but said nothing about it. He instead began to set up the chess board in case Alexandra wished to play again. He placed all the pieces back in their respective spots and looked up at Alexandra. Her black hair was hanging somewhat in her face. He reached across and laid a gentle hand on her leg. She looked up, surprised by the gesture. She blinked her eyes slowly, as if she was trying to identify what was going on was actually real and not part of her imagination. He exhaled softly and whispered,

"Alexandra, if it's bugging you that much, you can talk to Sebastian or Azaja. They probably have better advice than I can give you at the moment. You'll find someone that's good enough for you, I know."

"But how will I know?"

"I can't really explain it, but you will know if the person is right for you. You'll just know." Alexandra lifted her head to stare at Ciel and the two demons looked each other dead in the eyes. This lasted a while, neither one of them moving and the silence once again taking control. Their expressions were content and calm. Suddenly, Alexandra smiled a bit, confusing Ciel a bit. Before he was able to voice his question, Alexandra threw something out there,

"You're probably right. I'll find someone someday."

"Yes, you will. Now, are we going to play another round of chess or am I going to have to sit here and find some other way to entertain myself?"

"I'll play."

"Fantastic. Let's begin, then." He moved one of his pieces and Alexandra soon made her own move. The two sat there, playing chess and waiting for Sebastian to return from his visit with the victim's boss. Neither one of them spoke, but for the two of them, there was no need to speak. There was a game of chess to be played.

I will admit now, I might've been evil at one point during this chapter. That was just what my mind came up with. Please review this chapter and tell me what you think of it.