A/N: IM ON A ROLL!

a sausage roll~

You laughed, I heard it.

G'naww guys, you're making me blush! I don't deserve your praise!

Thank you to all your reviews so far! And I want to thank those who have faved the story and have it on their alerts excetera, seriously it makes me happy. Like a pig in mud. Also I just realised, Ciel is an earl XD not a lord *derp face*

He knew...

Was the original cane that precious that he could tell a fake?

I did my best... I really did...

I flinched when Dad suddenly clamped his hands down on my shoulders, fingers digging through the fabric of my shirt into my skin.

"A fake!?" He snarled lowly in my ear. I instantly tensed up under his grasp, refusing to make eye contact with the little Earl. This was it, the day I dragged the Millington and Co name through the mud.

"I ask again, Miss Millington. Why have I been given a fake?" The look on the Earl's face didn't change, strangely enough he didn't look angry... he looked more, intrigued?

"I... Well... You see..."

"I want the truth," he demanded, eyes never leaving mine.

Right now, I felt stuck between a rock and a hard place. My body was physically shaking from the sudden intense interrogation, Dad's grip on my shoulders tightened into a warning. He was angry, shamed...

I closed my eyes and swallowed. No, I won't be treated like this anymore... I won't be silenced.

"It was unfixable, Earl Phantomhive," I started, opening my eyes once again to stare at the boy. I wasn't backing down, not now. "The cane was a mess. There was no physical way of repairing it that would be permanent, so I made you a new one from scratch. I apologise for offending you at all but it was the only option."

It was silent for a moment. Neither of us four uttered a word so I stood there, praying in my head that I could get out of this with minor conflict. The little Earl simply looked at me, then at the cane then back at me again, eyebrows furrowed in thought. The butler on the other hand rested his hand under his chin and muttered something so quiet, I couldn't catch it. Dad though, of course, was the one to break the silence... with a good old sharp slap to the face.

I tumbled to the floor behind the counter, holding my now stinging other cheek. My hat had fallen off but I didn't really notice, I was too busy trying to pick myself up off the floor but Dad's massive boot knocked me in the ribs, leaving me in a winded heap on the floor.

"Idiotic wench!" He sneered, turning back to the little lord. "Earl Phantomhive! I apologise for my daughter's incompetence!" Hypocrite. "I'll make sure she repairs your original cane-"

"SILENCE."

Wow, the kid had a set of lungs on him. Instantly, Dad shut up and stepped away from the counter. This gave me the opportunity to stand up and look at the duo once more, the red and purple bruises on my face now becoming visible to them. The little Earl glared at Dad but then turned his attention back to me. I gulped slightly under his gaze and shifted under his gaze.

"I know it was unfixable."

...Say what?

"E-excuse me?" I spluttered, staring at him with wide eyes. He... knew!?

He nodded slightly and went back to admiring the cane, pointing the tip at Dad. "I knew it couldn't be fixed. I made sure it was broken enough to not be."

That... little... I got two bruised cheeks for this!?

I clenched my fists, staring at the little brat. Did he think this was a game?

"Why...? Why did you send it here to be fixed if you knew it couldn't?" My words came out harsher than I thought but I didn't care, I was quite angry at this point. I could have avoided being beaten but no. Phantomhive didn't seem the least bit fazed, if anything he seemed more amused.

"Because I wanted to see what you could do, how you would overcome this problem. The fact you were able to produce a replica that is identical in every way is quite impressive."

So... I'm guessing he was complimenting me?

"The only reason I knew it was a fake was because I knew the original couldn't be salvaged. If I hadn't known that then I wouldn't have known the difference between the two."

I'm hearing words from him... but I'm not grasping them at all. So, he planned all of this... he expected me to make a replica? But... why?

"Why... go through all of this? What exactly is it you want?"

By now, I had cut out all the politeness and formalities. I wasn't amused by all these events and I wanted an answer. Does this kid think it's a game? Because a noble like him doesn't have to work, he makes others slave all day to amuse him? Because he has the money to throw around? I don't like nobles...

I was expecting the little Earl to speak up next but instead, his black clad butler was the next to pipe up.

"My master has been very interested in Millington and Co for a while now. Your quality of work is highly praised within the noble social circle."

At those words, Dad's eyes instantly lit up and a greedy smile spread across his large features.

"R-really? My shop is popular in your circle?"

Earl Phantomhive glared at my father once again, flicking his wrist at him with utter displeasure.

"Yes, I came to inspect your quality of work, to see if it was good enough for my company. I was planning on perhaps buying you out, Mr Millington."

Well, I don't think I've ever seen my father smile like that. He looks like a child on Christmas Day. He clasped his hands together in an almost pleading gesture towards the little Earl.

"Please! Please Earl Phantomhive! I'll gladly accept doing business with you!"

What happened next I didn't expect at all.

The kid laughed.

He laughed loudly and right in Dad's face.

Dad on the other hand, stared at the kid with a faltered smile. Obviously missing the joke.

"From what I've seen today I wouldn't even think of doing business with a vulgar slob like you!"

Ouch. If I didn't hate the guy, I would have felt sorry him. I was too busy watching the little Earl scolding Dad, I failed to even notice the butler appear at my side, glove hand extended to me.

"May I take a look at that?"

I jumped back at his sudden closeness, hands out in front of my face in a defensive stance.

"L-look at what?"

"Your cheek. May I take a look at it?"

I turned my face from him, hair covering the large dark bruise on the other side. I couldn't let him see that one, it was too embarrassing. I mumbled a small 'sure' but kept my gaze elsewhere. His gloved hand gently slid under my chin, turning my head in his direction, and a nimble finger traced over the raw mark that had now appeared on my tender skin. At his actions, I closed my eyes tightly. I couldn't look at his face, those judging eyes. I looked pathetic. I knew it. He knew it. Everyone knew it.

"My my..." I heard him whisper softly. His hand moved from one side to the other, brushing my hair away to revealing the other throbbing bruise. I could feel the years start to build up in the corners of my eyes. For some reason, I hated this. I didn't want him to look at me, not the way I was. Compared to him, I was a miserable excuse of a human. His skin was perfect, pale, but perfect. His hair was neat and combed properly and he was dressed correctly with clean clothes and the right body posture.

And here... was me. Dressed in dirty clothes too big for me, skin pale and lacking any life. Eyes dull and sunken, hair greasy and wild, and body frail from lack proper food and sunlight. What was I compared to this man? This man who was touching me, observing me with gentle curiosity. I was nothing but a broken shell...

It's only now I realise what I am.

His thumb pushed slightly on the bruised skin. It made me yelp in pain so I slapped his hand away out of instinct and covered my cheek, turning away. By now both Phantomhive and Dad became interested in us so the butler took it in himself to return to his master's side once more

"You seem to enjoy striking your daughter, don't you Mr Millington?"

Dad glared at the butler with pure hated, slamming his fist on the counter.

"I do as I please with her! She's just worthless!"

"Yet you depend on her skill to run the business?" The butler raised an eyebrow at him, clearly unimpressed by his behaviour. Dad opened his mouth to speak again but the little Earl raised his hand to silence him.

"Enough. I think we've seen all we need to, right Sebastian?"

"Yes, master," the butler said with a bow.

The Earl placed the cane down on the floor with a loud clunk and straightened himself up.

"Miss Millington." His attention turned to me, his one working eye staring at me with high authority. Deep down, I was actually a little scared of the kid.

"Y-yes...?"

"I can see you have talent. Are you aware of what the Funtom Company do?"

I looked at him, confusion very evident on my face "I'm... afraid not sir..."

He sighed slightly but continued on, "The Funtom Company specialise in making toys and items for leisure. Obviously, we do get items that get damaged and returned so we were hoping to merge Millington and Co with us to have that partnership. However..." He stopped and pointed his cane in Dad's direction. "You, Mr Millington, I find to be nothing but a liar and a cowardly worm. Taking the glory for someone else's work to hide your own failure? Only a street rat can do such a thing!"

Dad, again, was sweating bullets. His face was twisted in anger as he pointed a chunky finger at the kid. "You little brat! How dare you talk to me like that?"

But his ranting fell on deaf ears. I simply stood where I was, watching the scene in silent awe. I'd never seen someone put my Dad in his place like that before, and the fact it was done by a kid... no, a noble kid, must have hurt his pride. I couldn't help but smile inside.

"Since you are the one who makes the company work, Miss Millington, I propose a deal to you, and that is you can work for me. You'll get a wage, accommodation-"

"I refuse!" Dad roared angrily, grabbing my wrist in a crushing grip. I flinched and tried to wriggle out of his grasp but he just held tighter.

"You're not leaving! What would your mother say? Do you really want to leave her!? You'll be a selfish bitch if you did!"

From behind him, I saw Mom standing in the doorway to the back. She looked at me with those sorrowful eyes and I instantly felt guilty. He was right... I couldn't abandon my mother here with this monster. He'd beat her more than usual! But... this is my only opportunity to get free, get free from him...

I looked at Mom with pleading eyes and she smiled at me. That smile... it comforted me for so many years, and I knew... she was going to be ok. She mouthed to me 'go free'.

I'll do it... I'll break these chains and set myself free.

With all the strength I had, I lifted my knee and collided it with his gut, making him let go of me. Taking the opportunity, I slid behind the counter and stood in front of the little Earl and his butler.

"Earl Phantomhive... I accept."

A/N: By the way, do you like my A/N? I like to interact with people~ because secretly I'm very lonely...huh? What? I never said anything. You can't prove it! *shifty eyes*

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. From this point on it'll finally go into proper Kuroshitsuji. I still ask too, anime or manga storyline? Opinions are welcome. Kthnxbye!