I lay on my bed relaxing after a long day. I had been working for Master Phantomhive for nearly a week now and the next day I was off. However I wasn't sure what I was going to do.
"What are you thinking about so hard over there?" Millie asked from where she was thumbing through a book.
"Nothing much. Just about my day off tomorrow. I'm trying to figure out just what to do." I replied.
"Hmm…how about we talk about it over a cup of tea? Or would you prefer coffee?" Millie asked.
"Tea is fine by me. I love tea." I replied standing up.
"Great. Come on." she said and lead me into the kitchen.
The two of us were in our pajamas and I felt strange walking through the mansion in my faded purple plaid pajama bottoms, bunny slippers, black tank top and oversized black hoodie, my dark hair woven into two braids on either side of my head. Millie's pigtails from the day were still in place and she wore a pair of pink shorts and an overly large gray t-shirt with a pair of Uggs. We both looked out of place. Luckily though the kitchen wasn't far from our rooms.
"So what kind do you want?" Millie asked as she opened the cabinet.
"I don't know what kind is there?" I asked.
"Sebastian only serves Master Phantomhive the freshest tea so after a couple times of using it he doesn't mind if we use it so take your pick." Millie said opening a cabinet to reveal a bunch of boxes lined up neatly on the shelf.
"Ooh! Let's see…" I said and began to scan the boxes before choosing a random Black Tea from the middle.
The label read 'Tippy Earl Gray'. I hadn't ever tried it before so I thought it was as good of a time as any.
"Where's the kettle?" I asked.
"In the cabinet on the left." Millie replied.
I found the kettle along with a plain white teapot. I let the tap run for a few minutes before filling the kettle and putting it on the stove. I heated the kettle and warmed the teapot before adding the tea to the pot and pouring the hot water over it when the water reached the right temp.
Finally when it had steeped enough I turned to find the Millie had set up a plate of shortbread cookies, milk, lemon and two tea cups. I poured both cups full of tea before pushing the cup towards Millie.
"This is amazing!" Millie said as she took a sip of the tea.
"Thanks." I replied with a smile as I poured a splash of milk into the cup in front of me.
"No really! It never tastes this good when I make tea!" Millie gushed.
"You just have to make sure the water is right and you steep the tea long enough." I replied taking a long sip from my cup.
"What's this? A late night snack?"
Both Millie and I looked up to see Sebastian walking in with tray adorned with a cup, saucer and plate.
"Oh Sebastian! I didn't have any idea you were still up!" Millie replied.
"What kind of butler would I be if I went to bed before the Master? Suppose he needed something? What would happen then?" Sebastian asked.
"I suppose you're right." Millie nodded.
"I see you made tea as well." Sebastian said as he placed the dishes in the sink.
"Charlotte made it." Millie replied.
"And by the looks of the color she did it well. Much better than I would expect of someone from the States." Sebastian said looking at the tea in my cup.
I felt my face heat up, "T-Thank you."
"Of course. The Master is quite pleased with the work you've done Charlotte." Sebastian said turning to look at me.
"I'm just doing my job." I replied.
"As you should be. You've certainly earned your day off." Sebastian said and I could be mistaken but I swore that there was the tiniest of smiles playing at the corners of his mouth.
"Thank you." I said with a nod and looked back to my tea.
"So what are you going to do on your day off?" Millie asked.
I shrugged, "I'm not sure. I was thinking of maybe going into the city to the library and seeing if perhaps I could find anything on genealogy. My Great-Grandmother was from London and I'm kinda interested in maybe learning a little more about them if I can."
"That's sounds like so much fun!" Millie replied.
"I'm afraid that tomorrow wouldn't be advisable for a trip into the city. There will be severe thunderstorms and the roads will be far from satisfactory for driving." Sebastian said.
I sighed, "Well there goes that idea."
"Perhaps the Master would agree to letting you use the private library. We have several books on the genealogy of families in Britain. Perhaps you could find something useful there." Sebastian replied.
"Would he really let me?" I asked.
"You would have to ask him but perhaps he would consent. If you'd like he's in the study attending to a couple of last moment documents." Sebastian said.
"Thank you Sebastian." I smiled and sat my tea cup down before standing up.
"Leave these and I'll clean them up when I come back." I said looking at Millie.
"Are you sure? I don't mind." she replied.
I shook my head, remembering how she'd shattered several plates and cups earlier in the week. We couldn't afford to lose anymore china.
"I'll take care of it. You have to work tomorrow." I replied and with that headed for the study.
A few moments later I was standing in front of the large dark stained oak doors. Taking a breath I reached up and knocked.
"Come in." Master Phantomhive's voice came from inside.
I opened the door and stepped inside. He sat behind the large wooden desk sorting papers with his brows knit, a single light in the corner of his desk serving as the only light in the room other than the full moon outside.
He looked up from his work and took in my outfit. I had forgotten that I was wearing my pajamas.
"Did you need something Charlotte?" he asked after a few moments.
I mentally face palmed as I realized I'd started tugging on my sweatshirt, embarrassed and hadn't said anything.
"Oh! Yes! Um…I was wondering if I could possibly use the library tomorrow?" I asked.
"The library? What for?" he asked.
"I was interested in doing some research on my family. Sebastian informed me that you have genealogy books." I replied.
Master Phantomhive nodded, "I don't see why not provided that you return everything to the spot you found it."
"I will. Thank you very much." I said and hurried out of the study.
When I walked into the kitchen I found it empty with Millie and I's cups sitting on the table. I collected them and carried them to the sink. As I sat about washing them I noticed that Sebastian had left the tray he'd carried into the kitchen on the counter. It was in the exact place so I knew that he hadn't washed it.
I figured that he just forgot it there so I reached out and grabbed the cup to put in the sink. However to my surprise it was completely clean, not even a trace that there had ever been anything in the cup at all. Frowning I grabbed the plate and found it was just the same.
How had Master Phantomhive managed to eat and drink without leaving a single crumb behind? I shook my head. I must have been losing it. Sebastian must have cleaned the cup and plate while I was gone.
I shook my head again and went back to the other dishes. When they were clean I placed them back in the cabinet along with the ones Sebastian had left out before heading to bed.
The next morning I woke up and stretched. Millie had already started work for the day leaving me alone. Getting out of bed I grabbed a quick shower before pulling on a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt and sneakers. I dried my hair quickly before smearing on the lightest trace of makeup and heading to the kitchen.
Breakfast was a quick cup of tea and a couple pieces of toast before headed to the library. The library of the Phantomhive house was quite large. There were rows upon rows of books, some which looked nearly ancient. I wasted no time in scanning the spines of them.
After a bit of search I unearthed a few that talked about family lines. Since I knew very little about my family before they'd come to the states I grabbed the newest one first.
I had just cracked it open when there was noise from the door. Looking up I saw Cade.
"Hey what's up?" I smiled at him.
"Millie told me that you were looking up stuff about your family and I thought you could use some help since I have the day off too." Cade replied.
"Sure. Grab a book and see if you can find anything related to Chancely." I said gesturing to the books in front of me.
"Shouldn't be too hard." he replied taking a seat.
"Well that's the thing. That was my Great-Grandmother's married name. My Great-Grandfather was American. I don't know if they'd have those records." I replied.
"Where were they married?" Cade asked.
"In London…right before they moved to the States." I replied.
"Hmm….let me get my computer. We'll see if we can find anything on there." Cade said standing up.
"Computer? They have internet here?" I asked.
Cade looked at me strange, "Of course;. Why wouldn't you think so?"
I shrugged, "I never saw a computer in Master Phantomhive's study. Besides this house looks and feels so…old." I replied.
He smirked and shook his head before heading out of the room. A few minutes later he came back and sat it on the table before sitting down.
"Alright what were their names?" Cade asked looking at me.
"Henry and Charlotte Chancely." I replied.
"You're named after her?" he asked as he typed their names in.
I nodded, "My father was very close with his Grandmother. And when I came along I looked so much like her that he named me Charlotte."
"I my first name is a family name too." Cade replied.
"Cade isn't your first name?" I asked and he shook his head.
"Nope. Cade is my last name. I prefer it to my first name though." he said.
"What is it?"
"Baldroy." he replied.
"Wow." I said.
Cade laughed, "Yeah now you see why I go by my first name."
I smirked and went back to my book.
"Ah-ha!" Cade smiled a few moments later.
"What? Did you find something?" I asked.
"Of course I did! I love history stuff. It didn't take any time." He said.
"So what did you find?" I asked.
"Henry Chancely and Charlotte Setton were married October 21st 1923." he said.
"Oh my god! You found her last name!" I grinned.
"That should help you a little. At least now you can do some proper research." he replied.
"Thanks Cade." I smiled.
"No problem Charlotte. You still want some more help?" he asked.
"That would be welcome." I replied.
"Great." he nodded and pulled another book towards him.
We worked for couple hours more before deciding to call it a day. It had been pouring like crazy for hours just as Sebastian had warned it would but it seemed that it had cleared away from a while. Cade declared that he was heading into the city to run a few errands and asked if I wanted to come along but I declined. I wanted to explore the garden a bit.
After replacing the books in the places I'd found them I made my way out of the house. The garden was beautiful with dozens of white rose bushes that glittered with remnants of rain drops. They were beautiful.
I walked among the rows for a few moments before stopping to smell one.
"Quite lovely aren't they?"
I jumped a mile in the air and spun around, my heart racing.
"Oh! Master Phantomhive! I didn't know that you were out here." I said when I realized it was only him.
"I'm apologize for frightening you." he said.
"It's okay. I just didn't hear you come up behind me." I replied.
"So are you enjoying your day off?" he asked.
"Oh yes. Very much so. And thank you for letting me use the library. I was able to find a lot." I said.
He nodded, "Of course."
A moment later I felt something near my leg. Looking down I saw a black cat rubbing up against my leg. Smiling I leaned down and scooped up the cat. I had always loved cats but Bryce had never let us have one.
"Where did you come from little one?" I smiled looking at it.
"It's probably one of the strays that Sebastian feeds scraps to." Master Phantomhive replied.
"Sebastian feeds them?" I asked.
"He does indeed." Master Phantomhive sighed.
"Aren't you just the most beautiful thing?" I smiled as I scratched behind its ear.
It meowed back at me and leaned into my hand, gazing up at me with big green eyes.
"Not another one." Master Phantomhive muttered with an exasperated sigh.
"I take it you're not a cat person Master Phantomhive?" I smiled as I let the cat go.
"I'm allergic to the creatures." he replied.
"Oh that makes sense then." I nodded.
I don't know how but a few moments later I found myself walking side by side with Master Phantomhive as we made our way through the twists and turns of the garden.
"It's beautiful here and quiet." I smiled.
I saw Master Phantomhive give the smallest of smiles, "It's not always so quiet."
"Somehow I have a hard time believing that but I'll take your word for it Master Phantomhive." I smiled.
"Sterling Silver Roses." Master Phantomhive said suddenly.
"What was that?" I asked.
"That is the type of roses they are. They've grown here for decades. Sebastian is a wonderful gardener." he replied.
"I agree. They're very beautiful."
Suddenly there was a loud crack that seemingly shook the earth. Before I could blink the heavens seemed to open up and it began to pour just as hard if not harder than it had that morning.
Both Master Phantomhive and I took off running towards the manor and burst through the doors.
"That was quite unexpected." Master Phantomhive said as he pushed his soaking dark hair out of his eyes.
"Agreed." I laughed.
"Ah! Young Master! I was afraid that would happen if you went out to the garden. Both of you look like drowned rats." Sebastian said appearing out of nowhere with towels for Master Phantomhive and I.
"I would thank you to not compare me to wet vermin." Master Phantomhive said looking at Sebastian.
"Of course. My apologies my lord." Sebastian replied.
"Well I should probably go change out of these clothes. I'm dripping everywhere. Thank you for the walk Master Phantomhive." I smiled and with that I smiled at both of them and headed for my room to dry off.
