A/N: C. Spiral would like to mention to everyone that she uses artistic license when it comes to how long it may take to fix a carriage and the patience of certain characters.

Also C. Spiral reminds you that a link to a picture of Odette can be found on her profile page!

Disclaimer: Yana Toboso dashes C. Spiral's hopes and dreams of ever owning the Kuroshitsuji characters by already owning them! C. Spiral cries.

Chapter 3: Challenge

It had been two days since Odette had made a deal with the mysterious woman that had appeared in her carriage coach. It had also been two days since she received a letter from the pipsqueak Earl requesting that she retrieve her butler. Odette had promptly spit on that letter and thrown it into her fireplace.

The two days had been spent with Odette dedicating every minute to testing her new servant's mettle. She wouldn't deny that it had been enjoyable.

Knock an open wine bottle off the table and Amaline would catch it, not a drop spilt.

Break a vase and it'd be fixed, not a crack in sight.

Odette had even gone so far as to hide all of the silverware in and around the estate. Amaline had found every piece down to the last soup spoon hidden under a tree root.

Amaline wasn't normal, she wasn't human, and Odette couldn't be happier for the fact.

She ran her fingers over the contractual necklace. It wasn't as dull as it had been when she first got it. The grey color was darkening into a deep purple.

"Amaline," she called out. "Send a letter to ze young Earl. Tell him we'll be picking up Emilè tomorrow."

"Comme vous souhaitez, ma Madame."

Odette sat down in front of her fire place and took a sip of her wine. Ah yes, the first order she had given Amaline was that she learn to speak French, accent and all.

'Ze best servant would be French!' she had said and so it was done. She could not wait to show up that brat and his horrid butler.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Young Master. Apparently Lady Laroque will be coming to pick up her servant tomorrow."

"That girl can hardly be considered a Lady." A disgruntled Ciel responded. Three days he had hosted the butler of some spoiled French poodle disguised as a girl and though the butler hadn't been much of a disturbance, he had been a constant reminder of the fact he'd have to deal with that goose again.

"When will she arrive?" he asked.

"Around noon." Sebastian responded.

And so a mental doomsday clock began to count down the hours until tomorrow noon.

Ciel went down to find Emilè to tell him the news himself.

Emilè was talking with Bard in the kitchen, asking if there was anything he could do to help, something he had been doing since he arrived. Switching between Bard, Maylene, and Finny.

"Emilè, Miss Laroque will be arriving tomorrow."

The old butler nodded his understanding. "I see."

Ciel wasn't sure what brought him to ask his next question, but he was unable to stop himself. "Do you want to return to her service?"

Emilè looked surprised and Ciel and Bard waited for his answer. His answer surprised the both of them when he nodded again.

"Yes, I've served Lady Laroque and her family for many years, I couldn't leave them now."

Ciel was briefly reminded Tanaka and he understood.

"Very well."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The sun rose on the next day the same it rose on every other day. Ciel was dressed by Sebastian and updated on the day's events, breakfast was served and everyone went about their daily lives. That is until…

"The carriage is here!" Finian told Emilè who had been dusting with Maylene. Bard and Tanaka were also around, waiting to say goodbye to Emilè. Ciel and Sebastian walked down the main staircase to the front doors which Sebastian opened, revealing the grinning French girl. Emilè began walking towards her.

"Phantomhive, I have come to challenge you!" Odette announced pointing at Ciel.

Everyone froze. Ciel sputtered. "What?"

"Well not you exactly." Odette's finger redirected to a wide eyed Sebastian. "but your butler!"

This was not a good enough explanation to rid everyone of their confusion and no one made a noise, waiting for her to explain more.

Odette put her hands on her waist still grinning. "Earl Phantomhive, I am challenging your servant against mine."

She snapped her fingers.

"Your butler, Sebastian, against my maid…. "The light clicking of heels on tile gathered everyone's attention to the still open doorway. "…Amaline."

Amaline bowed low. "Bonjour."

She was wearing a traditional French maid outfit with her hair in a bun and a frill headband. Her eyes took in each one of the people present before settling on Sebastian.

Ciel may have been imagining it but the maid almost seemed briefly surprised when she saw him.

"Well, Phantomhive? Do you accept?" Odette asked. Ciel contemplated this. There should be no problem for Sebastian to win any competition, what harm would there be?

"Are there stakes?"

"Non."Odette replied. "Just your pride and ze pride of your servant."

"Then what would the point be?"

Odette tapped her foot. "Très Bien, what do you suggest?"

"If I win, I don't want to deal with you ever again."

Odette gave him an offended look. "Very rude! I accept regardless. If you win zis, you will never have to deal with me again. But if I win you will have your company manufacture me whatever I want."

Believing the competition to be a steal Ciel agreed. "Deal."

Comme vous souhaitez, ma Madame- As you wish, My Lady

Bonjour- Hello

Non- no

Très Bien- Very well

A/N: Some of you may have questions and I know exactly what you're wondering. 'Why don't they just use the darn phone?!' Yes well the answer to that would be…..erm…..they don't have each others telephone number!! It is as I say!!!

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