Chapter 1 – In The Morning

That Lady, Introduction

In a mist covered forest not far from London, there lies a manor. The distinguished noble family of Phantomhive's morning event is started off with early tea.

This morning, the young master is served with poached salmon and mint salad for his breakfast. His loyal butler also baked side dishes of toast, scones, and campagne for his Master to choose. After changing his clothes, Ciel Phantomhive goes on with his schedule as usual.

At the very same time, in one of the rooms of the manor, a young lady is reading through paper by paper, taking notes on different paper carefully. The report will be presented after lunchtime to the young Earl who happens to be the owner of Funtom Company, a confectionery and toy manufacturing company. She surely does her best as the selected Vice-President to enhance the company through whatever she can do.

The moment when the Sun is highest in the sky, she glances at the clock, remembering that a guest will come later. Sir Clause, a family friend of Phantomhives, will be arrived later. She leaves her seat and walks to the window, looking at the butler of the Phantomhive household who just gives orders to three other workers.

Finnian, the garderner, leaves to finish weeding the courtyard. Meyrin, the housemaid, rushes to take care of the shirts in the laundry. Baldroy, the chef, goes to the kitchen for dinner preparation. Then finally the head of Phantomhive noble family stands up, going back to his office room along with his butler to inform him that Sir Clause should arrive around six o'clock, a hint that the butler must provide the guest with the best hospitality.

The lady changes as fast as she can, dressed in her favorite color, before heading to Ciel's office room. Ciel greets her with a newspaper in hands, "Ah, Aileen. Have you finished the weekly report?"

"Please take a look at it," Aileen puts the report on table, explaining briefly the summary of long report she has finished in one night. "Is Sebastian preparing for Sir Clause's visit?"

"Hmm," Ciel gives a short response, flipping through the pages. "Right. I'm hungry. Sebastian, come here."

Aileen just stands still, doesn't feel strange at all even though Sebastian is nowhere in the room. Because she knows that within minutes the butler will show up, answering the call from his master. Little did they know what kind of mess will happen afterwards.

"Pardon me," Sebastian opens the door and steps inside. His lips turn into a curve when he notices the lady. He bows in ninety degrees, "Lady Aileen, as beautiful as always. Looks like you have done with young master's request."

Aileen just nods with a smile at the butler. Sebastian asks his master if he needs something and he only gives straight face when the Earl demands something sweet because he is hungry. Sebastian declines the request in minutes despite knowing how much his master love sweets.

When he steps out from the office room, the surprise is more than what he expected to happen. The meat is burnt black, the tea set is smashed-to-bits, and the garden turns to be an empty lot. Baldroy, Meyrin, and Finnian were trying to impress their master but ended up with failure because of their clumsiness.

The guest will arrive in less than two hours but the good quality meat and the tea set are both unusable. Sebastian closes his eyes, trying to think about what he should do. Sebastian scolds the three workers to act more like adults like Tanaka, the steward of the Phantomhive household.

And that's when an idea crosses his mind.

After making sure that none will screw the preparation, Sebastian takes care of everything by himself and finishes with them just right when Sir Clause arrives. Each of them welcomes him politely. Sebastian escorts him to the courtyard, revealing a Japanese rock garden he has prepared, completed with the blooming irises.

"Still as dazzling as you are, I see, Aileen," Sir Clause nods slightly at the lady. "Been a while since the last time we met. Are we going to have your sweets as desserts then, Lady White?"

"If you ask for one, then I will provide it," the girl replies, taking a quick glance at Ciel. "I believe Ciel will be delighted by a new dessert tonight."

As an approval, the young Earl nods and resumes his conversation with Sir Clause who is amazed with Sebastian's skill as a butler. Aileen joins Sebastian in the kitchen to prepare a Japanese dessert, an apricot and green tea mille-feuille.

"It's an honor to have Lady Aileen to prepare the desserts with me tonight," Sebastian chuckles, giving away some of the desserts to Bard and Finnian who are craving for sweets. "Aren't you wonderful to know even about Japanese desserts, my Lady?"

"Who am I when compared to the butler of Phantomhive Family?" Aileen looks at the handsome butler just right after the others leave the kitchen to enjoy the special desserts. "Besides isn't it just natural for me to do whatever I can for Phantomhives?"

Sebastian smirks and looks back at the lady. He leans closer to her until his lips almost meet her forehead, "You are the 'sweet' that I can never make, my Angel."

He gives a quick peck on her right eyelid then pulls back, "Why don't we serve the desserts now? They must be waiting for your creation, Lady Aileen."

The young lady smiles sheepishly.

"The after-dinner desert is ready for them."

Author's Note:

Simply just an opening for the story. Please do tell me whatever you have in mind after reading this first chapter, good or bad will do.

Thank you very much for reading.