STB 30

History: A touch of color in the Gray

Book 1: Shade the black.

Date: February 25, 2020

Author: Me -_-'

Beta: Eva !

Fandom: D Gray Man

Warning: No, I do not own D Gray Man and I do not make any profit with this story.

Summary: After landing in the nineteenth century, Ennaèl discovers that she started working with the Kamelott family, essentially, the villains of DGM. Taking the name of Eve, she became Tricia Kamelott's handmaid, helping her with her daily tasks. Now that life is a little less chaotic, Eve reflects on her arrival in this world and makes the decision to make her own opinion on the characters— ...people of this new world despite her knowledge of the manga. She gradually becomes aware of the social differences towards women at this time and becomes afraid for the future especially when she is saddled with Road and the twins ... Deciding to visit London, Eve encounters, as if by chance, Allen, then Tyki and they become friends. A few days later, the three go their own ways. However, it was not a long parting between Eve and Tyki. After having a rather awkward first meeting with the Duke, Eve decides to flee like the plague, her attempts to escape leading her to make a trip to Paris with Tyki, where she meets Victor Hugo who entrusts her with a bunch of information about the holy war before dying a few days after. As a result, Eve was dragged to a ball by Tyki, because he does not want to suffer alone, the sneaky guy, and Eve faints spectacularly because of her too tight corset. Don't ask how, but then she discovers a strange talent for musical instruments and wonders with horror if she could be the 14th. It does not help that the Duke has discovered her talents and seems to be more interested in her. And then of course, Eve is harshly harassed for weeks until an employee is almost killed by Road. And so, everything calms down just in time for the twins to be sent to boarding school while Road believes that Eve has a phobia of storms. Life is fairly quiet after that, the twins and Tyki no longer being there. Eve goes abroad for the Christmas holidays and meets a little street boy and decides to (once again) question her morals and help him.

French version: 42 chapters long :)

English version: (KnK: Koneko here! I am currently in college, so I may give up a chapter or two occasionally in favor of schoolwork. I will do my best to keep with the once a month schedule.)

Fanart: You can see a draw of Eve and some fanart made by Kazemarune and Arya39 on my Tumblr (Ennael too). Also, Elogane made a canon side-fic but in french, It's "Nuancer les sentiments"

Italic: french, important thought (or both)


Koneko had too much work to do this month and cannot make the chapter ! But a wonderful friend of mine, Eva, was able to beta it:D I hope Koneko will be able to make the next, though, because i'm in exam hell and Covid19 or not, Teatcher arn't going easy on us X'(

I hope all is well for you, good reading !


Following my decision to deliberately influence the story, I felt pretty good. I was, of course, still a little stressed and I would surely still wait for Allen's next letters with apprehension, but otherwise everything was fine.

In fact, everything was going too well ...

Since the August drama and my October mini-depression, nothing too dramatic had happened. In fact, I would even say that things had calmed down significantly, returning to about the same stage as a few weeks after I arrived at the manor. Sheryl was busier than ever with the elections which would finally take place in just a few weeks, Tricia was woozy because of the weather, Tyki was out and about, the twins in boarding school, Road at school and the Earl visited much less often than before. And now that I had accepted the whole Narein affair, I waited for the next obstacle with firm feet, looking suspiciously at Road whenever she came to find me.

It became tiring, but at the same time I could not dislodge the feeling that I would not stay in peace for a long time ... Fortunately for me, in the end, it was not that dramatic. In retrospect, I should have realized that all these quiet months were a kind of divine excuse for all the shit that would happen to me next…

In the meantime, I was quietly seated at my desk, happy to draw some key moments of Harry Potter in watercolor. It was the next story I would tell the kids when the twins came home this weekend and I was testing something new to try to make it more interactive and easier to tell. I was still mumbling a lot and I would sometimes forget an important event or mix up the moments, which was damn annoying for the story so I thought I would draw some panels with the important elements. Like that, it allowed me to say everything in order, to not forget anything important and to involve the children a little more in the story.

I hoped that the story would please them, it would be the first less "classic" story being rather confined to Disney so far. I was hoping that I wouldn't have a problem with Tricia, though... She was very nice, but very Catholic above all and they were generally not fans of wizards, nice or not ... But hey, I doubted that the children had spoken of our story evenings with the masters of houses or so they had not bothered to touch me a word. Anyway, I was at the swelling of the aunt margin of the third book when I decided to take a break. I stretched, got up, runned my hand through my hair, stopped for a second to check in the mirror that I was suitable enough to go out, then put my head down the hall.

Nobody.

I left my room wistling and took care to close the door before going to the entrance, shivering slightly. The weather felt certainly much better than last month, but it was still cold. I Threw a sad look through one of the large windows in the corridor, I sighed before continuing my way. I would have liked to go for a horse ride or even just lie in the grass in the sun to read, but it was out of the question for the moment.

I went down the main staircase, but on my way to the kitchen, I heard a loud crash not so far from me. Startled, I headed towards the source of the sound, hesitating at the end of a corridor when I realized that it came from Sheryl's office. However, I did not have time to hesitate long because immediately, the door slammed open revealing a bruised Sheryl, who walked furiously past me.

I squeaked out of surprise and immediately flattened myself against the wall to let him storm by, praying that he wouldn't notice me. I really didn't want to piss him off when he was in such a bad mood… Yes, well, I didn't want to piss him off as a rule, but particularly there. And it almost worked! Without even noticing me, he grumbled, holding a ... cat?

I blinked at such an odd scene, It took me another second to notice that Sheryl was retracing his steps to stop in front of me.

"Eve, perfect timing! Can you take care of ... that for me? Thank you." He said, shoving the cat into my arms, forcing me to take it if I didn't want it to crash on the ground, before turning around and running into his office, slamming the door shut.

Ooo ... kay?

I looked down at the cat in my arms and met a pair of golden orbs staring back at me.

I blinked.

A cat. Very well. Cats hated me. Perfect. I am definitely looking forward to having a bloody arm by the end of the day...

However,despite having his ears flat against his head and his tail between his legs, he did not move, remaining stretched like a board between my hands. Looking at him with a suspicious eye, I ended up placing him more comfortably between my arms when he did not try to scratch my eye. "Qu'est-ce que je vais faire de toi...?" ("What i'm going to do of you?") I murmured, naturally switching back to French, our eyes still fixed on each other. Ending the impromptu gaze contest, I slowly walked out of the hallway and into the hall, a little lost on what I should do next.

"Are you hungry?" I suddenly asked when I remembered my primary purpose of leaving my room. Receiving a "meow" which could as well have been a "yes" as a "no" than a "diiiiie" I shrugged and chose the first option. Aaah, the denial ...

With the sulky fur ball in my arms, I crammed myself into the corridors and it didn't take me long to reach the kitchens and peeked through the doorway. There was simply Berthe, the cook, and Louise, the youngest employee cutting carrots. Perfect, those were on my side.

"Eve! Hello" Louise greeted with a shy smile when I carefully entered the kitchen.

"Well then Mamzelle, You only come to see us now? It's been a week since I perfected this mushroom soup of which you gave me the recipe, you'll tell me some news about it!" Said Berthe without even turning around as she touched a large pot "But really, you could come a little more often!" She added, pointing a wooden spoon in my direction, causing me to laugh shyly before freezing when she saw my burden.

"A cat? Eve! Don't bring an animal into the kitchens of… wait, is it the Duc's cat? Yes it is! I recognize this little face." The fat lady approached us to pet the cat on the head, who purred in return. "Come here, I should have some good fresh milk around here..." she mumbled and was gone.

"Is he really the Duke's cat?" Louise asked out of curiosity, abandoning her carrots to approach me, clearly wanting to pet the animal but being too shy to do it herself.

"I guess..." I replied, looking more closely at the cat. "I didn't know the Duke had a cat, I've never seen him here before."

"How did you get it then?" Louise asked before biting her lip and timidly advancing her hand to finally scratch the cat.

"Lord Kamelott gave it to me… I didn't quite understand what happened, I admit, he just told me to take care of him and that's it. " I replied by shrugging, causing the cat to let out a disturbing cry. "Sorry." He glared at me and I hastened to apologize, I'd like to avoid being injured as long as possible.

"Come here kitty, I have exactly what you need!" Berthe exclaimed, coming back to the main room with a bowl of milk in her hands. She put it on the ground, and looked at me, expecting me to let the cat on the floor aswell.

"Do you know him well? Does he behave correctly? I'm afraid he will run away, I was told to take care of him, I can't let that happen ..." I asked, worried.

"I don't know at all, he usually wanders around the mansion, it's the first time I've seen him so close." Replied Berthe, frowning. "But you're right, maybe it would be better to take him to the small living room there are too many interesting things in this kitchen for a little cat. Louise, take the bowl and accompany Eve. Take some blankets for him and then you come back directly here, these carrots will not peel by themselves! "

"Maybe I can help? I don't mind peeling if ..." I offered, but Berthe pushed me through the door before I could finish my sentence I started to say but Berthe interrupted me immediately pushing me towards the door.

"No, no! It's very nice of you, Eve, but if Monsieur the Marquis gave you a task, you better carry it out! Watch the cat, will you? We will take care of the dinner." And then. "But look, if you want to help, come eat in the kitchen with us tonight, you'll wash the dishes afterwards." She said with a motherly smile before waving for us to go. With a small smile, I accompanied Louise in the long corridors, the cat still in my arms.

"It's strange all the same, it's been over a year (glups) that I have been at the manor now and I have never seen him here, whether the Duke is there or not." I say to Louise, frowning.

"Me neither, and yet I'm sure I would have noticed such an adorable hairball!" She said excitedly. It was fun as Louise always seemed to be livelier when we were alone and became silent again when we passed one of the housekeepers or even more experienced employees. "A good employee must be forgettable Miss Campbell", the odious voice of the former chief housekeeper came back to me" Merlin, did she pissed me off… Even if I was not a fan of Road's methods, I was still very happy that she made her leave…

"Be easy on the compliments, he shouldn't get a swollen head." I teased him receiving a vicious bite in response "Ow! You're exaggerating, I didn't say anything bad!" I almost groan. Fortunately, we had arrived in the small living room. For a while, I just stood there, uncomfortable, waiting for Louise to get the blankets. When she came back, I installed the cat near the fireplace and checked that all the windows were closed properly before collapsing on a sofa and letting out a relieved sigh

"Don't say anything to Sheryl ..." I mumbled and closed my eyes, ready to take a nap here, and smiled when I heard a surprisingly expressive purr in return. I opened my eyes, and looked at the ceiling, then at the cat who was lapping some of his milk quietly on his pile of blanket. "Do you promise not to make a mess if I sleep?" I asked but received only a glance in response. "... I'm going to take that for a yes." I smile as I sit back down properly to take off my shoes. "I'm too tired anyway ... I shouldn't have finished this novel last night ... or this morning, really." I concluded and lied down on the sofa, with my back turned to the door. Hopefully, even if someone came in, they wouldn't see me. And if they did, well it would only be a problem if Sheryl did, but really, the employees had no say and the other housekeepers were used to my "eccentricities." So why not enjoy it?

I was asleep in less than five minutes.

It was waking up that took more time.

The sofa was horribly comfortable and the fireplace gave out just enough heat for the room to be at at perfect temperature. In addition, I had managed to find something fluffy to wedge between my arms, leading me to a perfect curvature of my shoulders to sleep properly. Really, if it weren't for that incessant tick-to-tick noise, it would have been perfect…

Hold on? Gne?

When I felt a blanket on me that was certainly not there when I fell asleep, I opened a lazy eye, my mind still in the limbo of sleep, only to find the cat from earlier in my arms . "Comment t'es arrivé là, toi?" ("How did you get there ?") I whispered as I started to scratch his ears.

"Oh, sûrement en se faufilant, Mademoiselle aime bien les câlins." ("Oh, surely by sneaking, Mademoiselle likes hugs") A voice answered in perfect French not far from my head. I squeaked in surprise and slipped, in an attempt to see who the intruder was, and fell face down to the ground, like a pancake. The cat, who had remained in my arms during my stunt, let out out an angry growl.

"Are you alright?" The voice asked, worried, the ticking sound suddenly stopped.

"It couldn't be better." I answered the cheeks, without doubts, terribly red.

"Duc Campbell, I didn't know you were coming to the manor today, um, hello." I replied awkwardly as he looked down on his knitting to undo a knot allowing me to get my hair back in shape and dust my skirt.

"Me neither, it must be said, but my daughter returned from the trip earlier than expected and Sheryl was kind enough to bring the family here for a welcome dinner." He said with a calm smile and I sat down gently on the sofa. If he was going to pretend nothing had happened, clearly, it wasn't me who was going to remind him of the incident.

"Oh, you have a daughter?" I asked with an uneven voice as I watched the cat jump on the headrest of the Earlt's chair giving me a bad look in passing. It wasn't my fault! What an idea too, to come an sneak into the arms of someone's who's sleeping...

"Well, not by blood, but it's just like. But maybe you've heard of it? It's the twins' big sister, Lucie Belle."

Ho.

HO.

"Yes, I think Tricia mentioned it once or twice." Or five or six for that matter. In fact, she often talked about it. Tricia seemed impressed by the lady and her French elegance as she said. Note that she never mentioned the same for me when I was French too. Good after, I had just woken up by myself, falling from a sofa in front of The Millennium Earl. It is sure that, if it lacked elegance ...

A great meow was heard as the cat jumped on the Count's lap.

... hadn't he said "miss?" Oh I'm stupid, ... the cat, or rather the female cat, is Lulubell. How did it not cross my mind earlier? Earl's cat? Black coat and golden eyes? Hell, she even had a white patch on her forehead that looked a bit like a stigma!

I forced myself to think about anything problematic I could have said in the presence of Cat-Lulubell…, it took me a little time to get out of my thoughts and understand that the Count had asked me a question. "Excuse me?" I asked timidly as he continued knitting a pink-colored monstrosity which was cascading on Lulbell's black coat on his lap.

"I asked you if you could play a piano tune for me? We still have a little time before tea time and I like listening to music while knitting." He said with a pleasant smile.

As for me, my smile froze. What should I do? How can I say no? "I'm not sure if ..." I started shyly but he cut me off immediately.

"I insist, I would like to see your improvment!" He assured me and I saw no way out of it without being incredibly rude. And I really didn't want to disappoint the Earl. In case you know ... So, with death in my soul, I got up slowly to sit at the beautiful grand piano in the corner of the living room. Once on the bench, I ask him what he'd like to hear me play. "Oh, it doesn't matter, play a song you like, will you?" He said kindly and I turned to the piano again with a blank stare.

Then, slowly, I put my fingers on the ivory keys.

It wasn't magic, I didn't suddenly start playing exceptionally well, but it was… fun. You have to believe, my gift this summer was not gone and the practically daily training had helped. It also didn't hurt that I had already been looking for how to play the notes of the music I had chosen before so it was much easier to let myself be carried by my memory and my hands. As long as I didn't put too much thought in it, I did well.

"I don't recognize this piece of music, what did you play?" The earl asked, all of a sudden while I was looking for the right sound by ear, The key I had pressed naturally sounding a little off.

"It's "See you tomorrow" from the "Dragon" ensemble but played a little slower than it should be. I still have trouble playing it at normal speed." I answered absent-mindedly, letting out a little sound of victory when I finally found the right note and continued to play.

"Who wrote this?" Continued the count but I hesitated. I had said too much already. This music will not be written for decades was it really a good idea? No, no it wasn't ...

"I ... I'm not sure ..." I replied timidly, keeping my eyes On the piano's keys. Waw, credibility + 100 Eve… "I must have heard it somewhere. Maybe in my childhood." Bim, amnesia card in support.

"It's impressive that you remember it as well." Said the count and he really looked impressed. In spite of myself, I felt a little proud ... It was incredible how this man could make me... no, make everyone feel embarrassment, shame, worry, pride or joy with just a few words. I now understood why all these people agreed to do an akuma. His voice inspired confidence. Yes, in a way…

The Earl of Millennium was truly terrifying.

"I remember the melody quite easily." I simply replied, unsure of what else to tell him.

"I see." He said and I heard his voice filled with a smile. "And you played it by ear, without even a score!"

"Ah, it's just that I can't read music, so I have to." I replied, pressing a bad note pulling a face from me.

"I will have to teach you." He resolved, and without even giving me the time to object, he proceeded with curiosity. "Did you talk about a set? Is it a series of songs that tell a story like in an opera?" he asked curiously making me derail from my previous thinking.

"Uh yes, exactly ... This is the story of Harold, a puny young Viking who is the weakest of the tribe despite being the chief's son. One day, he decides to prove himself by killing one of the dragons ... umm, which are common in this story, and they often raid his island. Anyway, he manages to hurt one but can not finish it and decides to release it. The music tells its strange friendship with this dragon and how he will change him and his tribe. " I explained much more happily than during our previous discussions.

"A man and a dragon? It sounds like an ... interesting friendship." He said seemingly lost in thought before taking back his needles and asking if I knew of others in the same series.

Nodding (that or something else…) I turned back to the piano and began to play the first notes of "test drive" then "forbiden friendship", absent-mindedly answering when the Duke asked me what this or that music corresponded to. When the count asked me again, I automatically answered "Third Date", but I was so lost in my memories of books and movies, that it took me a few seconds to realize I had actually no idea of what was this music. I was convinced that the song came from Dragon but in my life, I had no idea where in the movie it was… and seeing how I had listened to the playlists of the two films in a loop it was very strange.

However, I did not dwell much longer on the question because there was a knock on the door and Tricia entered the small living room with a curious air. "Miss and Duc Campbell." She saluted, our homonymy endlessly amusing her. Getting up from the Piano immediately, I apologized deeply, having completely lost track of time. "Don't worry Eve, I suspected you must be lost in a book." She said entering the room, the count finished a knot before standing up to greet her "But I would not have suspected that it was you who played the piano! I am disappointed to have missed this moment, you will have to play with me next time. "she exclaimed radiant and nd I assume I grinned a little, because she laughed immediately and assured me kindly that I played well. She then opened the door a little further, revealing a tall woman standing behind her.

"May I introduce you to my very dear friend, Lucie Belle? Lucie, this is Eve, the young damsel whom I have told you about so often in my letters."

"Nice to meet you." Said the woman quietly although she didn't really look like it. Her gaze was blank and her straight posture, clearly, she couldn't care less. Responding with an equal flatness, I peered around and, of course, the cat was no longer there.

Another person to watch, it seems...


I hope you liked this chapter:D Lulubell joint the battle X) Next one, the family travel !

A lil' review to help me go through exam ?:3 See yah next month !