Hello everyone! This is my second Black Butler story. I hope that you like it. If you haven't read my first story yet, it is titled "The Spider who loved the Butterfly." Please read it! :)

Disclaimer: I only own Bel sadly.


Chapter One: My Dearest Cousin

White gloved hands poured the steaming hot tea into the porcelain tea cup. Soon to be carefully placed on a silver tray. Sebastian's face broke out into a smile as the aroma of the tea reached his keen nose. His hand picked up the tray and begin his journey to his masters study. The tray was balanced perfectly on his hand. Not one trace of a shake could be seen.

A soft jingle of a bell pulled him from his happy trance "Ah the mail has arrived." Walking to the door with the tray still in hand he fetched the mail from the carrier. The two men exchanged smiles before Sebastian closed the door. Continuing on his journey his finally reaches Ciel's study, placing the mail and the tea on the desk before awaiting Ciel's entrance.

Briefly he checked his pocket watch just as the young boy entered. "Ah good afternoon master how was your business meeting?"

"Boring but effective. I sometimes wonder where my company finds these depressingly stupid people." Ciel takes his seat behind his desk "thinking they can take advantage of me simply because I am only twelve."

"But you shall be thirteen soon my lord."

Ciel sighed heavily rotating his chair to look out the large window behind them. "I am the head of this family now no matter my age. I shall not be made a mockery of."

"I understand perfectly sir." Sebastian began to sort through the daily mail. His hands stop when he comes across a letter addressed to Ciel in beautiful handwriting certainly belonging to a female.

"Young master there is a letter here for you. But I do not recognize this handwriting, though I am most certain it is from a lady."

Ciel huffed softly "Who is it from?" His hand brought the tea cup to his lips. He hoped the tea would relax him.

Seeing no return address on the front of the envelope he turned it over soon finding what he was looking for. "A lady named Ishbel Phantomhive...a relative of yours master?"

Ciel's chair whipped around at lightning speed his hands grabbing the letter so fast Sebastian barely had time to comprehend what had happened. "Oh my..."

Ciel ripped the letter from its confines quickly beginning to read it.

Dearest Cousin Ciel,

I write this letter to you not out of happiness, but out of fear and desperation. Last week father finally subcommed to his sickness. I have been trying desperately to save my home but the inheritance my father left me isn't enough. The bank will take my home from me once father is buried. Currently his body still rests in the undertakes morgue. Ciel, my dear cousin, I am without hope. I do not know what to do. I have never felt so alone in my entire life.

Please help me.

With love,

Your beloved cousin,

Ishbel Phantomhive.

Ciel's eyes scan over the letter several more times not being able to believe what he had just read. "Young Master? Is everything alright?" Sebastian asked noticing the change in his demeanor.

"My uncle William...he is dead." Ciel ran to his desk and picked up the phone. "Sebastian I wish for privacy during this call."

"As you wish it my master." Sebastian bowed leaving Ciel alone still wondering who the letter was from and who he was calling. "It is none of my business till the Master makes it my business."

Meanwhile Ciel anxiously waited as the ringing continued. "Pick up...pick up..." His hand was gripped into a fist on the wooden desk. "Please pick up..."

Finally the line clicked and a voice Ciel had long since forgotten rang through his ears. "Hello?" She sounded so different to him, then again, Ciel hadn't seen his beloved cousin for several years.

"Ishbel, its me its Ciel."

"Ciel? You sound so grown up. I almost didn't recognize your voice."

"Belle...never mind me..." His voice grew sad for her "Belle...I...I want you to come live with me. Pack your things and come stay here. You are a Phantomhive and my beloved cousin. I want you here so you are protected and safe."

"Ciel I-"

"Please Belle do not argue with me. You're my family. Please...come and live with me..."

A long soft sigh reached his ears "I wouldn't want to be a bother Ciel."

"You won't be. Ishbel please." Sebastian cocked his head to the side. He rarely heard Ciel beg in such a manner. Was this person of that great of an importance to him?

Ciel heard a soft sigh from the other end of the line, "Alright Ciel..."

"You'll come?" He asked feeling his spirits lifting slightly. He waited for her response feeling the knot in his chest growing.

"Yes," she said softly "I should arrive in a day or so."

"Everything will be ready for you," Ciel would make sure that everything was perfect for her.

"I promise Ciel. Until I see you," there was a soft click at the other end before all went silent. Ciel sighed softly before he put the receiver back down. "You may come in now Sebastian."

Sebastian walked back inside and closed the door. "Is everything alright my lord?"

"My cousin will becoming to live with us. Make sure there is a room prepared for her. Make it a good one."

"Fear not My Lord, everything will be prepared upon the mistresses arrival." Sebastian said dutifully to the young earl.

"Good, everything must be perfect." He stared out of the window as his eyes traced the long winding road that led up to the main gates of the mansion. He almost wished that time would fast forward itself and he would see that black carriage coming up that road. He wanted to hear the sound of those horse hooves beating against the ground. He wanted to hear that more than anything. "I will have nothing less for my cousin." He emphasized the word "My" in his sentence heavily. It made Sebastian raise a perfect brow.

"Of course My Lord." Sebastian bowed and turned to leave Ciel alone in his study. Once the door was closed Sebastian pondered for a moment. I will have nothing less for my cousin. Yes those were his words. Ciel wanted nothing less than perfection as always but this time, this time it seemed to matter more. Who was this woman, this Bel? She clearly meant a great deal to his master.

Sebastian walked into the kitchen and saw the three other servants there. He stared at them for a moment before he cleared his throat to gain their attention. "May-Rin, Finnian, Bard. We will be having a new resident of the household. The Master's cousin will be coming to live here. We have precisely two days time before she arrives. May-Rin."

"Y-yes?" She asked in her normal nervous tone.

"Make sure there is a room prepared for her. Fresh linens and towels are to be prepared. Are out the room and remove any dust you may find."

"Yes Sebastian."

"Finnian, I there must be fresh flowers in all of the vases in the mansion. Make sure there is also one in the mistresses new room."

"Yes Sir Sebastian!"

"Bard, make sure that the kitchen is freshly stocked with with anything that we may need."

"Right away!"

"Get started on your duties immediately." The three ran out of the kitchen with a happy determination "And don't-" The sound of a vase breaking reached his ears "Break anything." Sebastian sighed as he ran a hand down his face. "This is going to be a long day."